Prelutsky, Jack. 1997. THE BEAUTY OF THE BEAST: POEMS FROM THE
ANIMAL KINGDOM. Ill. by Meilo So. ISBN #0679070584
This large collection of poems is sure to satisfy animal lovers of all ages. Included in this collection are over 100 poems on all types of living creatures. The poems have been divided into sections of similar animal types. Each section is introduced by a poem which was written by Prelutsky himself. “In Trillions we Thrive” (insects), “Jubilant we Swim” (fish), “Dragons in Miniature” (reptiles and amphibians) “Hollow-Boned Singers” (birds), and “Wrapped in Coats of Fur” (mammals), are the titles which introduce the well rounded sections. From the first page the poems let the reader feel the essence of animals. The ant’s path is an easy jumbled visual in ANT, by Barry Wallenstein, “around…upside down…buffets…crashes…circle…heads the wring way…drops…finds his path home”. Patricia Hubblell captures the sights and sounds of caterpillars eating in CATEPILLAR with “the cricket-crackling of their mandibles Grates on the night.” In FISH by Mary Ann Hoberman, fish move, “flit, Lickety-split, Wiggling, Swiggling, Swerving, Curving, Hurrying, Scurrying, Chasing, Racing, Whizzing, Whisking, Flying, Frisking, Tearing around, with a leap and a bound.” Tougher readers will enjoy reading about the blazing sun which can “bake brains” in THE SPADE-FOOT TOAD by Eve Ganson. In PIGEONS, by Richard Kell, the description of a pigeon “strutting like a fat gentleman” is easy to visualize and the statement by Lilian Moore about the urban pigeon in PIGEONS, “what a waste of wings” makes great sense when compared to rural country birds. Animal descriptions are often clever as in CAMEL by Sylvia Cassedy where a camel is compared to an automobile: “tan, leather seats; optional fur. Sun roof. Runs on no gas. Stalls seldom. Steers…four-leg drive”. Shaped poems like SEAL by William Jay Smith show the reader the flowing movement of the seal. Fabulous vocabulary is abundant in the poem THE MONKEY by Robert S. Oliver, the monkey is mischievous, cantankerous, raucous, crude, argumentative, rancorous, crafty, deceitful, and activities prankerous. Finally the book nears the end with pet poems about man’s best friends, cats and dogs. Each page includes multiple poems which are supported with various vibrant watercolor illustrations. The illustrations bring additional color and motion to these selections. This animal anthology of poetry includes most any animal imaginable. It would be difficult for any reader to not find his favorite. These selections are full of thought, rhyme and rhythm, great vocabulary, and clever comparisons. This is a great choice for animal and poetry lovers alike.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Review: THE UGLY DUCKLING, Module 3, Traditional Tales
Pinkney, Jerry. 1999. THE UGLY DUCKLING. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN # 0688159338
In this classic tale a new duckling is born different. He is teased and picked on by the other ducks from the beginning. The Mother duckling sticks up for him as any mother would, “He may not be quite as handsome as the others, but he is tall and very strong. I am sure he will make his way in the world as well as anybody.” She is quite accurate in her prediction. The ugly duckling perseveres through verbal and physical abuse and a scare from a hunting dog. He does find kind friends but just does not fit in. He finally makes it through the winter but not before nearly freezing to death. He is finally rewarded for all his struggles when he realizes he is not a duck at all but an able bodied, beautiful swan. Best of all he finds that there is a place for him, he does fit in somewhere. This tale is enhanced by the beautiful illustrations. The animals and their surroundings are full of color, motion, and detail. These illustrations also do a fantastic job at displaying emotions such as caring, surprise, anger, joy, fear, curiosity, despair, and finally euphoria. This book will touch the heart of all who read it and will give great hope to any child who wonders about his place in this world.
In this classic tale a new duckling is born different. He is teased and picked on by the other ducks from the beginning. The Mother duckling sticks up for him as any mother would, “He may not be quite as handsome as the others, but he is tall and very strong. I am sure he will make his way in the world as well as anybody.” She is quite accurate in her prediction. The ugly duckling perseveres through verbal and physical abuse and a scare from a hunting dog. He does find kind friends but just does not fit in. He finally makes it through the winter but not before nearly freezing to death. He is finally rewarded for all his struggles when he realizes he is not a duck at all but an able bodied, beautiful swan. Best of all he finds that there is a place for him, he does fit in somewhere. This tale is enhanced by the beautiful illustrations. The animals and their surroundings are full of color, motion, and detail. These illustrations also do a fantastic job at displaying emotions such as caring, surprise, anger, joy, fear, curiosity, despair, and finally euphoria. This book will touch the heart of all who read it and will give great hope to any child who wonders about his place in this world.
Review: NOAH'S ARK, Module 3, Traditional Tales
Pinkney, Jerry. 2002. NOAH’S ARK. New York: SeaStar Books. ISBN # 1587172011
This is the classic Noah’s Ark tale of the deserving getting a second chance. In this tale Noah is given a message by God and, following his faith and hard work ethic, he builds an immense ark. The illustrations do an excellent job of conveying the story. They are colorful, realistic, and full of detail. The wickedness on man is illustrated with baron landscape and fire. Noah is presented as a capable and thoughtful man. As the construction of the arc progresses the reader can see just how massive it is. The varieties of animals are full of movement and life. Once the flood arrives the reader can see the arc floating above peaceful marine life and drowning cities. The story ends with the hope of a new and prosperous existence. As Noah begins work on his new life a beautiful rainbow is seen on the horizon to seal the promise.
This is the classic Noah’s Ark tale of the deserving getting a second chance. In this tale Noah is given a message by God and, following his faith and hard work ethic, he builds an immense ark. The illustrations do an excellent job of conveying the story. They are colorful, realistic, and full of detail. The wickedness on man is illustrated with baron landscape and fire. Noah is presented as a capable and thoughtful man. As the construction of the arc progresses the reader can see just how massive it is. The varieties of animals are full of movement and life. Once the flood arrives the reader can see the arc floating above peaceful marine life and drowning cities. The story ends with the hope of a new and prosperous existence. As Noah begins work on his new life a beautiful rainbow is seen on the horizon to seal the promise.
Review: MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD, Module 3, Traditional Tales
Yolen, Jane. 2003. MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD. Florida: Harcourt. ISBN # 0152163913
MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD is a wonderful collection of folktales focusing on male heroes. These stories let boys, and girls as well, know that strength comes from their minds more powerfully that from their muscles. Jane Yolen lets the reader know this specifically in an open letter to her sons and grandsons in an introduction to the tales. The moral and origin of each tale is stated with the title. These tales come from many places around the world including China, Afghanistan, Native America, Ireland, and Israel. These stories are a wonderful way to let children see that using their brains is a good thing universally. At the end of the book Yolen has included a section which gives interesting background information on all the stories. A bibliography is also included.
MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD is a wonderful collection of folktales focusing on male heroes. These stories let boys, and girls as well, know that strength comes from their minds more powerfully that from their muscles. Jane Yolen lets the reader know this specifically in an open letter to her sons and grandsons in an introduction to the tales. The moral and origin of each tale is stated with the title. These tales come from many places around the world including China, Afghanistan, Native America, Ireland, and Israel. These stories are a wonderful way to let children see that using their brains is a good thing universally. At the end of the book Yolen has included a section which gives interesting background information on all the stories. A bibliography is also included.
Review: JUST A MINUTE: A TRICKSTER TALE AND COUNTING BOOK, Module 3, Traditional Tales
Morales, Yuyi. 2003. Just A minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN # 0811837580
In this trickster tale Mr. Calavera, a skeleton, comes for Grandma Beetle. Grandma beetle puts him off for one moment after another as she completes simple tasks which lead up to a fiesta, one (uno) house to sweep, two (dos) pots of tea to boil, ect… In this fashion Grandma ends up at ten (diez) guests seated at the table. The preparations for the fiesta include traditions specific to the Mexican culture such as grinding corn for tortillas and filling piñatas with candy. The bold illustrations are very colorful. They portray the beautiful bold colors typical of Mexican homes. Glimpses of other household art typical to Mexico are also apparent such as the hand pounded tin picture frames and the colorful woven rugs. All this color makes a great backdrop for Grandma Beetle’s birthday fiesta. It is so grand that Mr. Calavera does not take Grandma Beetle but rather decides to return next year for the next birthday fiesta. The rich traditions have given even Senor Calavera something to live for!
In this trickster tale Mr. Calavera, a skeleton, comes for Grandma Beetle. Grandma beetle puts him off for one moment after another as she completes simple tasks which lead up to a fiesta, one (uno) house to sweep, two (dos) pots of tea to boil, ect… In this fashion Grandma ends up at ten (diez) guests seated at the table. The preparations for the fiesta include traditions specific to the Mexican culture such as grinding corn for tortillas and filling piñatas with candy. The bold illustrations are very colorful. They portray the beautiful bold colors typical of Mexican homes. Glimpses of other household art typical to Mexico are also apparent such as the hand pounded tin picture frames and the colorful woven rugs. All this color makes a great backdrop for Grandma Beetle’s birthday fiesta. It is so grand that Mr. Calavera does not take Grandma Beetle but rather decides to return next year for the next birthday fiesta. The rich traditions have given even Senor Calavera something to live for!
Review: HORSE HOOVES AND CHICKEN FEET, Module 3, Traditional Tales
Philip, Neil. 2003. HORSE HOOVES AND CHICKEN FEET. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN # 0618194630
Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet is a collection of Mexican Folktales. This book begins with an informative introduction which gives the reader a quick guide and background information on these folktales. The tales themselves are often simple and quick. They are full of a variety of characters, princesses, sailors, common folk, and witches. Cleverness, goodness, and bravery are rewarded time and time again, often with fortune and marriage. Evil characters are frequently punished, sometimes severely such as the witch whom was burned up in THE SEVEN OXEN but at other times they are forgiven such as the hunters in THE BRAVE WIDOW. Many of the tales have religions overtones which demonstrate the importance of religion in Mexican culture. Each story is enhanced by at least one bright and colorful multi scene illustration. These illustrations depict several scenes from each story. Their beauty adds a bit of magical fiesta to each tale.
Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet is a collection of Mexican Folktales. This book begins with an informative introduction which gives the reader a quick guide and background information on these folktales. The tales themselves are often simple and quick. They are full of a variety of characters, princesses, sailors, common folk, and witches. Cleverness, goodness, and bravery are rewarded time and time again, often with fortune and marriage. Evil characters are frequently punished, sometimes severely such as the witch whom was burned up in THE SEVEN OXEN but at other times they are forgiven such as the hunters in THE BRAVE WIDOW. Many of the tales have religions overtones which demonstrate the importance of religion in Mexican culture. Each story is enhanced by at least one bright and colorful multi scene illustration. These illustrations depict several scenes from each story. Their beauty adds a bit of magical fiesta to each tale.
Review: BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD, Module 3, Traditional Tales
Bryan, Ashley. 2003. BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD. New York: Atheneum Books for
Young Readers. ISBN# 0689847319
In this African folktale blackbird teaches the other birds of the forest that inner beauty comes from within and is reflected in actions. The other birds all long for blackness like blackbird. Blackbird is a bird which they all look up to, he is strong and confident. His color is beautiful and shiny and all colors are reflected in the blackness. In this story blackbird tells the others “Color on the outside is not what’s on the inside.” He does end up sharing pieces of his blackness but he also shares his personal inner qualities of shown in rhythm and dance. The wording in this book is very fun and musical. Key words are repeated and children will want to chime right in. The illustrations are bold and colorful cut paper collages. The illustrations are even more interesting when the authors note is read at the end of the story. In this note information is shared that the illustrations were actually cut with scissors which handed down by the author’s mother.
Young Readers. ISBN# 0689847319
In this African folktale blackbird teaches the other birds of the forest that inner beauty comes from within and is reflected in actions. The other birds all long for blackness like blackbird. Blackbird is a bird which they all look up to, he is strong and confident. His color is beautiful and shiny and all colors are reflected in the blackness. In this story blackbird tells the others “Color on the outside is not what’s on the inside.” He does end up sharing pieces of his blackness but he also shares his personal inner qualities of shown in rhythm and dance. The wording in this book is very fun and musical. Key words are repeated and children will want to chime right in. The illustrations are bold and colorful cut paper collages. The illustrations are even more interesting when the authors note is read at the end of the story. In this note information is shared that the illustrations were actually cut with scissors which handed down by the author’s mother.
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