Review for "Stitches: A Memoir"

Bibliography: Small, David. Stitches: A Memoir. 2009. New York: W. W. Norton & Co. Print. ISBN: 978-0393338966

Critical Analysis

The beauty of this graphic novel is contained in the transparent healing that it's creation offered it's author. The text opens when the author is six, and it is immediately clear that David Small's childhood did not take place in a happy, loving home environment. We are introduced to his family and their particular languages - his mother coughs, sobs, and bangs cupboard doors, his father punches a punching bag, his brother beats on drums, and the author gets sick. Throughout the book we never see one character smile, except the cheery smiles of strangers, and the frenetic smiles of his father and his medical team when he gets sick.

Throughout the story, Small continues to find solace in his artwork, and his books, which his mother disapproves of. The tone of the story is serious, heavy, stressed, and depressed. It would be an exhausting read if Small didn't give so much back to the reader with his gift of illustration. The tightness we see on the characters faces is not apparent in his drawings, which are loose, pleasant to look at, and done with a great skill with shadow and light. Although all of the characters are three-dimensional and believable, the author focuses mainly on his own growth and dynamism, and at the end of this difficult story the reader is left with a quiet hope. Because this isn't a story that is plot driven, but focuses on the protagonists home life, the reader's main concern is that the protagonist make it out of his abusive home with his sense of self in tact, and an authentic purpose. The reader is not disappointed.


Review Excerpts

Library Journal: "Stitches is compelling, disturbing, yet surprisingly easy to read and more than meets the high standard set by the widely praised Fun Home . With some sexual issues; highly recommended for older teens up."

Booklist: "Like other “important” graphic works it seems destined to sit beside—think no less than Maus—this is a frequently disturbing, pitch-black funny, ultimately cathartic story whose full impact can only be delivered in the comics medium, which keeps it palatable as it reinforces its appalling aspects. If there’s any fight left in the argument that comics aren’t legitimate literature, this is just the thing to enlighten the naysayers."


Awards and Recognition

YALSA Alex Award
National Book Award Finalist

Connections

This is a good read, but it doesn't necessarily look like a book that a young adult might be immediately drawn to. This would be a book that could really benefit from a book talk. Because the story centers on the pain of isolation the protagonist feels, and this is a pain felt by many in their young adult years, book talking this book may heighten interest amongst possible readers. The story ends in hope, it is ultimately an "It gets better," message that many young adults could find useful. Hopefully, book talking this title would increase it's circulation, and help young adults learn that finding a passion to focus one's energy on can be a life-saver.

Review for "The Graveyard Book"

Bibliography: Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. 2008. New York: HarperCollins. Print. ISBN: 978-0060530945

Critical Analysis

"There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife." This is the first sentence of The Graveyard Book, and it is accompanied by double-spread black pages, and a hand stretching across, holding a long knife. Thus we are introduced to the murderer who will haunt the story, the murderer that kills an entire family in the first chapter, but somehow misses the baby boy. This baby, completely oblivious to the horrendous crime that is being committed, climbs out of his crib, down the stairs, and all the way up the hill to an old, forgotten graveyard.

Through the adventures of this child, who is eventually named, "Nobody Owens" we learn about the dead.  In The Graveyard Book we learn that the dead appear after dark, in the cemeteries they have been buried in, as benign, ethereal figures.  As Nobody grows up he learns the art of sacrifice, he develops independence and strength, and he overcomes naivete. The language used in the book has shades of the formality and romance of the ages gone by, and approaches the subject of death with a gentle, almost comforting touch. The imagery used in this story is as quietly beautiful and as  strangely inviting as a graveyard can be on a sunny afternoon.


Review Excerpts

Booklist: "There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming. Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages."

Kirkus Reviews: "Closer in tone to American Gods than to Coraline, but permeated with Bod's innocence, this needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child."


Awards and Recognition

Boston Globe Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature
Carnegie Medal
Cybil Award
John Newbery Medal
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature

Connections

A way to help readers/students see the connection this story has to others is to help them recognize motifs, themes, and archetypes present in the story. Readers/students can first brainstorm together and see how many motifs or archetypes they can find in the story. Then, they can try to list other stories that they know of that have these motifs and archetypes. One common archetype that is found within The Graveyard Book is that of the gifted orphan. It would be fun to see how many motifs/themes/archetypes readers can find, and how many stories with similarities they can come up with!

Review for "A Step from Heaven"

Bibliography: Na, An. A Step from Heaven. 2001. New York: Penguin Group. Print. ISBN: 978-0807207215

Critical Analysis

When young Young Ju hears about "Mi Gook," the Korean term for the United States, she mistakenly believes it means "Heaven." In this short coming of age novel, An Na explores the complex and changing world of Young Ju, a Korean girl who immigrates to the United States with her mother and father.

We meet Young Ju when she is four in Korea. The first short chapter is as flowing and unbroken as both the ocean it is set in and the young girls' mind that is experiencing it. Na refrains from using any quotation marks at the beginning of the book, which gives the impression of a young child's mind - flowing from one topic to the next - somewhat unaware of societal boundaries. As the story progresses, and the family moves to the United States, quotation marks are introduced, particularly when the family members are speaking English, this emphasizes the cultural awareness that is increasing for Young Ju as she ages.

The creative mind of Young Ju is explored in this novel told in first person. Many metaphors are used to describe feelings and situations, and the metaphors weave in and out of Young Ju's creative thought process. Here, Young Ju describes a situation in which she is manipulated into telling an untruth regarding a perm her mother has insisted will make her look more American before their immigration,

"Do you like it, Young Ju? Uhmma is smiling. Happy lots of teeth smile. Happy as the letter about Mi Gook. Happy at me. Even though Uhmma tells me I should always tell the truth, and Halmoni says God will be angry if you lie, I want Uhmma to smile lots of happy teeth smile at me.
Young Ju, do you like your curly hair?
I look at the floor. Yes, I lie, quiet as snow."

This book contains a complex story about a girls search for both her own identity and her place within her family. Na explores Young Ju's need for acceptance from her American peers, the academic pressure placed on Young Ju by her hardworking parents, alcoholism and it's detrimental effects, and the devaluation of females in society, and of Young Ju by her own father, in this dynamic tale. While the story confronts the harsh reality of the young protagonist head on, it also ends on a hopeful note, which ultimately proves more satisfying than a contrived, "happy" ending.

Review Excerpts

School Library Journal: "Na has effectively evoked the horror and small joys of the girl's home life while creating sympathetic portraits of all of the members of the family. A beautifully written, affecting work."

Booklist: "This isn't a quick read, especially at the beginning when the child is trying to decipher American words and customs, but the coming-of-age drama will grab teens and make them think of their own conflicts between home and outside. As in the best writing, the particulars make the story universal."

Awards and Recognition

Asian Pacific American Award for Literature
Children's Book Award
Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature
Kiriyama Prize

Connections

A Step from Heaven features a female, Asian American protagonist. It is important for children and young adults to read stories that reflect their experiences, and to be exposed to diversity in their reading. Making a display of books, or prominently featuring titles of well-written works for children and young adults that feature protagonists from diverse backgrounds can help promote exposure to diverse works.

Review for "The Storm in the Barn" by Matt Phelan

Bibliography: Phelan, Matt. 2009. The Storm in the Barn. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 978-0763636180


Critical Analysis

In the author's note at the end of the book, Matt Phelan states that he "wanted this book to be a story set in the Dust Bowl but not a story directly about the Dust Bowl." He imagined what living through the Dust Bowl would have seemed like to a child. He came up with a story that featured, "Jack," a boy trying to find his place in a world that had no place for him. In between getting beat up by the local boys, ignored by his depressed father, caring for his sick sister who has "Dust Pneumonia," and listening to tales of a boy named Jack from the local grocer, Jack notices a light emanating from an empty neighbors barn. When his family notices his strange obsession with the barn, they are told by the local doctor to keep an eye on him because he may have "Dust Dementia."

This graphic novel walks the boundaries between fantasy and historical fiction. Jack ends up wrestling with and beating the rain, a tall dark, ominous figure. At the close of the story Jack is the recognized hero who has brought the rain. Although this ending may be fulfilling for a child, I found that it cheapened the work, ending the story with a fantastical deus ex machina, and robbing Jack of the important developmental work and growth that could have happened if he dealt with the local bullies, his depressed father, and his feelings regarding his sick sister. Although the author describes his intentions at the end of the book in the "Author's Note" section, I still find the ending unfulfilling.

"The Storm in the Barn" contains artwork that utilizes the dusty earth tones that must have been overwhelming during the Dust Bowl. The characters faces often have a hard, pinched look, which makes my stomach growl just looking at them. The light pencil strokes found in the artwork are reminiscent of a certain unsettled, dusty wind. While mostly wordless, this graphic novel does an amazing job conveying the barren, windy world that the Dust Bowlers were surviving in.

Review Excerpts

Publishers Weekly: "The big novelty here is the Dust Bowl setting, and Phelan's art emphasizes the swirling, billowing clouds of fine grit that obscure even nearby objects. Older readers might have appreciated more text to make up for the lack of visual clarity, but kids will identify with Jack and appreciate his success."

School Library Journal: "Written with simple, direct language, it's an almost wordless book: the illustrations' shadowy grays and blurry lines eloquently depict the haze of the dust. A complex but accessible and fascinating book."

Awards and Recognition

ALA Notable Book 2009
Booklist Starred Review 2009
Horn Book Honor List
Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Texas Bluebonnet Book Award Nominee

Connections

A perfect follow-up activity for this graphic novel would be a guest speaker. Before the guest speaker showed up children could be encouraged to further their research of the historical era, in order to have good questions prepared. I can imagine that looking forward to a guest speaker who lived through the Dust Bowl era would spur research.

Review of "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman

Bibliography: Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 978-0064406307

Critical Analysis

At the beginning of the book, "The Midwife's Apprentice," we meet the protagonist, who literally has no name, but "Brat." It is the cold winter, she is an orphan, and she is seeking refuge in a dung heap. The boys in the village she has stopped in to beg have been pelting her with stones, when the town's midwife, Jane, happens upon the scene. The midwife is an important looking woman with a sharp look, and a wimple starched in pleats. She dubs the girl "Beetle" and takes her as an apprentice.

Slowly throughout the story, as we get to know this homeless orphan, she gets to know herself. She rescues a cat from drowning, who becomes a constant companion named "Purr." She names herself, "Alyce," and begins to truly learn the trade of being a midwife. It is not until the end, however, when Alyce leaves the abusive, tyrannical midwife, that she realizes that her true place in the world is as a midwife's apprentice. When she returns to the midwife, strong in her sense of self, she knocks at the door, and proclaims, "Jane Sharp! It is I, Alyce, your apprentice. I have come back. And if you do not let me in, I will try again and again. I can do what you tell me and take what you give me, and I know how to try and risk and fail and try again and not give up. I will not go away."

A healthy bildungsroman, with an eye for specific details of the medieval age, this story embraces the universal themes of perseverance in the face of obstacles and resilience.

Review Excerpts

Publishers Weekly: "Cushman has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village, if not scholarly in its authenticity, is supremely colorful and pungent."

Kirkus Reviews: "From the rebirth in the dung heap to Brat's renaming herself Alyce after a heady visit to a medieval fair, this is not for fans of historical drama only. It's a rouser for all times."

Awards and Recognition

John Newbery Medal 1996
Young Readers Choice Award 1998
YALSA - Best Books for Young Adults 1996
ABC Booksellers Choices Award 1996

Connections

Ideally, I would love for readers to be able to visit a medieval historic location as a follow-up activity to this novel, but since we don't live in Europe, it's out of the question! I think another interesting follow-up activity would be to have a modern midwife come and speak to readers. Additionally, if objects could be found that date from the medieval period, or representations, that would be fun - since we are not in Europe, utilizing online resources may be our best bet for getting a flavor of medieval England.

Review of "Bloody Jack"

Bibliography: Meyer, L.A. 2002. Bloody Jack. New York: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN: 978-0152167318

Critical Analysis

The full name of the book is, "Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary 'Jacky' Faber, Ships Boy." In this story we come to know Jacky Faber, born Mary Faber, a girl of about twelve years of age, whose parents and sister died of the plague when she was only seven or eight. When we meet Mary she has been living on the streets of London, begging with a group of street urchins for the past four or five years. When their leader, "Rooster Charlie" is killed by a man who sells bodies to scientists, Mary takes Charlie's clothes and skiv, and heads for the coast. She is able to land a position on a navy vessel heading to sea because she can read. A full-fledged ships boy, she couldn't be prouder and happier in her accomplishments. It takes no longer than her first trip to the ship's bathroom for her to realize that disguising her femininity, which she terms, "The Deception," is going to be more difficult than she first expected.

The author of this story, L.A. Meyer is a former naval officer who lives in a fishing village, and it is clear that in addition to knowing the ins and outs of sailing and naval ships, he also researched the history of the era. But the most striking thing about this story is the protagonist he has created in "Jacky" Mary Faber. Full of spunk, fight, and goodwill, Jacky also is a survivor. She gets her name "Bloody Jack" by shooting a pirate in the back, and although that is her first act of violence, it is not her last. Resourceful, and insightful, this heroine constantly offers the readers gems, such as the following, in which she ponders dresses vs. pants - "I'm thinking that dresses are funny things, though, now that I've actually worn one. Why would a country like ours that prizes the so-called purity of its women so much have them wear something like a dress? I mean, trousers and drawers give a certain amount of protection, it's got to be admitted. Like if someone has evil on his mind and he's go to work through the belts and pant legs and such, it's going to take him a bit of time and effort, during which such time rescue might be on its way . . . with a dress, why, you just lift it up and there you are, objective in sight . . . It's a nagging thing, and probably ain't true, but I'd hate to think that a dress's lack of protection is the whole point of it. Don't seem right, somehow" (Meyer 198).

"Bloody Jack" does a wonderful job of presenting a historical tale that deals with contemporary issues. Gender role analysis is at the heart of this action filled tale of survival.

Review Excerpts

Booklist: "From shooting a pirate in battle to foiling a shipmate's sexual attack to surviving when stranded alone on a Caribbean island, the action in Jacky's tale will entertain readers with a taste for adventure. Phrases from old ballads echo through the text as well as some of the chapter headings, adding to the period feel of the telling. A first novel with a strong voice that is also a memorable piece of historical fiction."

Kirkus Reviews: "Jacky is such a marvelous creation that the other characters feel shadowy in comparison, and the least engaging parts of the novel involve her secret romance with a fellow ship's boy. Capped by a fitting but bittersweet ending, the first-person narrative shines, and a wealth of historical research is seamlessly knitted into the material."

Awards and Recognition

Lupine Award 2002 (Maine)
YALSA - Best Books for Young Adults 2004
ALA - Top Ten Youth First Novels 2003
ALA - Top Ten Historical Fiction for Youth 2003
Bulletin Blue Ribbons 2002

Connections

Drama would be a great follow-up activity for Bloody Jack. I can see children being extremely enthusiastic about acting out a sequence from a seafaring novel - particularly one that involved a fight with pirates! Children could be challenged to get the historical details of speech, costume, and custom correct, which could lead to further research of the historical era the novel is set in.

Review for "Walt Whitman: Words for America"

Bibliography: Kerly, Barbara. Ill. Selznick, Brian. 2009. Walt Whitman: Words for America. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 9-780439-357913

Critical Analysis

Just as Whitman's poetry exulted his being without cloying arrogance, so to does this short, illustrated biography of him. The author chose to focus largely on Whitman's involvement with the soldiers during the civil war and his feelings surrounding Lincoln and his assassination. In doing so, we are given a sweeter picture of the poets motivation, a deeper understanding of the man who sang a song of himself. After reading this short biography, the reader feels truly that Whitman sang from a love of all humanity, and served as all great artists do, as both mirror and candle.

Both author and illustrators notes at the end of the text show the deep level of research that was put into this book. For instance, Selznick writes that he visited Walt's birth home, a reconstructed house where Walt may have lived, photos of Walt held by the Brooklyn library, visited the last house Walt ever lived in, visited an old printing press, and on and on . . . it is clear that thorough research was done for this short, but inspirational and remarkable book.

The book follows a biographical style, with a storyline to ease readers along. Poignant excerpts of Whitman's poetry are featured alongside, and within the storyline, as well as excerpts of letters. All poetry and letter excerpts are taken from the appropriate time of Walt's life - to match the storyline.

This joy-filled, reverent story of Walt Whitman's life will deepen readers understanding of this amazing, spirited man.
Review Excerpts

School Library Journal: "Libraries will want to add this unabashedly glowing tribute as well for the infectious zeal both author and illustrator bring to their subject and his writings, excerpts of which can be found woven seamlessly into the text and the art."

Publishers Weekly: "With a lyricism and an ardor that echoes Whitman's own, Kerley writes of his passion for both language and for "rambling".... Selznick's versatile illustrations encompass a stark realism...and surreal whimsy.... Their enthusiasm is convincing and contagious."

Awards
Sibert Honor Book
California Book Award
ALA Notable Book
Best Children's Books - Publishers Weekly
Best Illustrated Book - New York Times

Connections

If conducting a study of the naturalists, or studying Thoreau or Emerson, Whitman's poetry may serve as a good introduction to set the mood.

This particular book lends itself perfectly to a study of the civil war. The study of any war raises issues of ethics and morality - framing the study of a war through the lens of a poet may make an interesting interpretation of war. This book would work well as an introductory tool for the study of a civil war; I would recommend it for students in middle school through high school. Students could be encouraged to keep poetry notebooks and "scribble" about the current conditions of our world, as Walt did.

Review for "Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream

Bibliography: Stone, Tanya L. 2009. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 978-0-7636-3611-1

Critical Analysis

The lift-off of any NASA space shuttle is always a huge event, but on July 1999 it was particularly emotional for a group of women dubbed the "Mercury 13." On that day, Eileen Collins became the first woman to command a space shuttle, ever. Although women had been on missions to space before, it was as scientists and specialists; July 1999 was the first time a woman actually flew a space craft. The story of the Mercury 13 is a story of thirteen women that fought for the opportunity to fly a shuttle into space, and were tested rigorously to disprove the notion that women were not fit to take part in a NASA space program.

In the pages of this book, young readers will be astounded to find a copy of an actual note from President Lyndon B. Johnson himself demanding the brakes be put on a program to send women into space, with the scrawled writing, "Let's stop this now!" More than anything, readers will feel a swell of pride in the human spirit as they read about the tenacity of these young women who endured everything from being called "astronettes," and jokes about adding a "feminine touch" to the space shuttle, to simply being blockaded altogether from the space program.

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream, is a well-written, completely engrossing book, accompanied by interesting and appropriate photos. A story about women that were denied access to a program despite their superior skills and test responses, it serves as a reminder to us that prejudice hampers the progression of human ingenuity, but when met with determination, and turned into a story that is not forgotten, it can fuel and inspire human efforts for years to come.

Review Excerpts

School Library Journal: "Illustrated with sheaves of photos, and based on published sources, recently discovered documents, and original interviews with surviving members of the "Mercury 13," this passionately written account of a classic but little-known challenge to established gender prejudices also introduces readers to a select group of courageous, independent women."

Booklist: "The chatty, immediate style (“Picture this”) and full-page photos make for a fast read, and the crucial civil-rights history will stay with readers. The long, spacious back matter is part of the story, with detailed chapter notes and a bibliography."

Awards
2010 Sibert Medal
YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Honor
Boston Globe - Horn Book Honor
NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor

Connections

In this book, readers are introduced to cartoons that parody a females ability to perform the same duties as a male astronaut in space, and are told that the females that aspired to become astronauts were called "astronettes." If students were assigned this book in a classroom, an accompanying activity could be to critically assess the media treatment of women in contemporary society. Analysis could be taken from magazine articles and advertisements online and on television. Students could then have a group discussion on their findings.

Review for "Prehistoric Actual Size"

Bibliography: Jenkins, Steve. 2005. Prehistoric Actual Size. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN: 9-780618-53578-1

Critical Analysis

Did you know that the "terror bird" lived three million years ago, stood eight feet tall, and could run as fast as a present day horse? Or, that the largest arthropod ever to live on land was a giant millipede that lived about 300 million years ago and grew to six and a half feet? Or, that once there were dragonflies the size of seagulls? In Steve Jenkins book, Prehistoric Actual Size you not only learn these fascinating facts, but you get to see pictures of the creatures in their actual size (or at least parts of them!).

The size of this large book alone, will interest young (and possibly older!) readers; but the artwork that composes the pictures of the prehistoric creatures is compelling and worthy of notice in and of itself. The layout is simple, with papercut pictures of prehistoric animals against a white background. The information provided alongside the pictures is concise and informative, it informs without boring or being verbose. At the end of the text, the animals are presented in their entirety in smaller pictures in the same order they were presented in the book, and additional information is provided for the curious reader.

Jenkins was clever in deciding which portions of the animals to show when it came to animals that were to large to fit on the entire page. For instance, when it came to the "Baryonyx," which translates to "heavy claw," he showed a picture of a Baryonyx's claw on the double spread, with the caption, "This fish-eating dinosaur used its huge claws to help catch and hold its slippery prey." And the picture of "Gigantasauraus" is simply a double spread of the monsters enormous teeth - well, some of them!

In a world of dinosaur books, this book highlights not only the popular dinos, but also other prehistoric creatures. And the method that is used is a creative one that will help sear information into young minds!

Review Excerpts

School Library Journal: "The largest animal shown is also the most dramatic: the top and bottom teeth of Giganotosaurus fill an entire spread. Sure to elicit plenty of Wows from the 560's aisle."

Booklist: "The dramatic effect of showing creatures at their actual size is even greater this time than in the first book, which featured contemporary animals. It's certainly hard to imagine that a three-inch shark, a dragonfly with a two-foot wingspan, and a six-foot millipede once actually lived on Earth. Information about and an illustration of the entire creature (not to scale) completes this colorful volume."

Awards
Orbis Pictus Honor Book, 2005
Horn Book, Best Book of 2005

Connections

I cannot help but think of how much fun it would be to actually make some of these animals! Making the animals out of paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, and other recyclable materials, and then using paper mache to cover them, and finally painting them, would not only be fun, the kids could then have their own "museum" exhibit.

Review for "Button Up!"

Bibliography: Schertle, Alice; Ill. Mathers, Petra. 2009. Button Up! New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-15-205050-4

Critical Analysis

If you enjoy, or have a child that enjoys the personification of clothing, then this poetry book may be for you! Every poem is told from the perspective of a piece of clothing, and the accompanying pictures anthropomorphize animal characters wearing the clothing. These two factors add whimsy and silliness to the poems.

The sing-songy poems are full of playful end-rhymes, and onomatopoeia, which give the reader the feel of the experience. Consider the following poem, which contains a rhyme scheme and beat reminiscent of "London Bridge is Falling Down."

"The Song of Harvey's Galoshes

When it's raining Harvey always puts us on,
puts us on,
we're together when the sunny weather's gone,
weather's gone,
O there's mud up to our tops,
we hope Harvey never stops
making deep, wet footprints in the lawn,
in the lawn.

Sqash-galosh, squash-galosh, through the slime,
Squash-galosh, squash-galosh, bet a nickel, bet a dime . . ."

While the italicized words help the reader with the intended emphasis and beat of the poem, the accompanying picture, in acrylic, shows a pig splashing joyfully. I believe these poems have the potential to delight young readers, but I am not sure that youngsters are as interested in the possible perspectives of their clothing as they are when it comes to their toys. Although this is a more original idea, it may fall flat with children.


Review Excerpts

School Library Journal: Playful spreads and spot art suit the small, snappy verses beautifully. This whimsical little volume will make a delightful addition to poetry collections.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: This is a collection for younger listeners, sporting pared-down language, short lines, and touches of enjoyable sound effects (“Squash- galosh, squash- galosh, through the slime” go Harvey’s galoshes), and the experiences of the clothes and their wearers will ring true to kids.

Awards
Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award recipient: 2010

Connections

Have readers choose an article of clothing from their closet to write a poem about, from the perspective of the article of clothing. Lead the readers through a short imaginary meditation, in which they imagine what the perspective of the article is. Encourage them to write spontaneously following the meditation, while touching and looking at their article of clothing as often as possible.

Review for "Flamingos on the Roof"

Bibliography: Brown, Calef. 2006. Flamingos on the Roof. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN: 978-0618-56298-5

Critical Analysis

Flamingos on the Roof is a poem picture book that uses vivid acrylic painted pictures to accompany short, rhyming poems with a staccato feel. Brown often relies on alliteration, and his rhyme schemes, while sounding contemporary often sound force and awkward. Consider the following poem, in which we can see a lot of alliteration, and a strong attempt at flow and rhyme.

"Angus

Angus dressed as best he could,
but all his clothes were gray.
Either that or olive drab,
the colors of the day.
So Angus sewed a snazzy suit,
with better brighter cloth.
Not half bad.
Completely plaid.
He never takes it off."

The poem follows a scheme of: a b c b a d e e d, but barely. The words sometimes stretch in rhyme - "could" and "suit," for instance. And, the lines vary in length, giving the poems a jilted feeling.

Although I often wonder at the things children find amusing, I think I would safely bet that this book would not be one of those things. The colorful and expressive pictures are the best part of the book, and at times seem to overtake the poems.

Review Excerpts

School Library Journal: "Packed with amusing details, the paintings consistently expand upon the text. Read aloud, these poems are sure to delight listeners. They also provide a great impetus for inspiring youngsters to write nonsense poetry of their own."

Booklist: "One of the best poems is "TV Taxi," in which the words say there's nothing much to see, but the pictures show a taxi driver on his cell phone as a volcano, a dinosaur, a flying saucer, and a unicorn vie for attention. Words and pictures manage to be both clear and weird, an enjoyable mix."

Awards
Parent's Choice Award recipient, 2006

Connections

This poetry book may be a positive way to help students begin to attempt rhyming poetry. The poet often uses imperfect rhyme and original rhyme scheme, and the slightly silly, and somewhat mundane nature of the poems may help students feel less intimidated when beginning to attempt rhyming poetry.

Review of "Naked Bunyip Dancing"

Bibliography: Herrick, Steven. Ill. Norling, Beth. 2005. Naked Bunyip Dancing. China: Allen & Unwin. ISBN: 978-1590784990.

Critical Analysis

This verse novel written in free verse, with a mellow rhythm is appropriate for early middle school and older elementary readers. The language is intimate and informal, at times the reader feels like they are hearing a secret for the first time, at other times it is clear the reader has access to the characters inner thoughts and feelings. Individual poems are short, usually a page, and are titled with the character's name. At times the title of a poem is the name alone, at other times the title includes the character's name, an example is, "Micheal's Quiet Lunch."

The loose structure and intimate tone lend themselves well to addressing issues that adolescents usually feel stress around. Consider the following excerpt -

"Micheal's Secret

Emily and Jason
have done it.
They've kissed.
Yeah - lips,
open mouth,
spit and teeth everywhere . . ."

The drama and angst of the situation is well-balanced with the casual language - "Yeah." Additionally, the humor of the situation is highlighted by the detailed description, by a character (Micheal) that seems to enjoy his secret, but does not seem to have enjoyed the sight - "open mouth, spit and teeth everywhere."

Not all of the poems that address adolescent anxiety inducing situations are treated humorously, however. "Alex, on holiday" is a poem that looks at the anxiety of divorcing parents and the dreaded "What I did on my Summer Vacation" essay. The following is a short excerpt of the poem.

"Alex, on holiday

I'm sure glad Mr. Carey
didn't ask us to write
about our holiday.
How do you write an essay
on helping your dad move out
to go and live in a little flat
around the corner?"

Throughout the the text Herrick validates the emotional turmoil that accompanies adolescence while using humor to avoid both dreariness and a pedantic tone. The tone of Naked Bunyip Dancing is validating, humorous, and loose, much like the new teacher, Mr. Carey, who, "has long hair and a beard . . . wears flared trousers and beads" and opens the class by singing along to Bob Dylan. Throughout this verse novel, the character of Mr. Carey leads the class with compassion, encouragement, validation, and humor. The story culminates in a class talent show in which all of the students feel celebrated for the person they are.

Although some of the references are Australian, "Bunyip" for instance - the text is still highly accessible, and the characters presented will elicit laughter, feelings of comfort and intrigue, and validation to the adolescent reader.



Review Excerpts

Booklist: "The characters are fun (Peter is allergic to sports, and he farts even when the class does yoga), as are the angry insults (“uglier than a hippopotamus”) and the emotional dramas (“Ring her and say I’m sorry?”). Decorated with occasional ink cartoons, including 24 small portraits of the kids, this book will be a good choice for readers’ theater and for creative-writing classes."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: "Christmas vacation is over and it's back to school in the sweltering heat for this class of Australian sixth-graders. They have a new teacher who has long hair, a beard, and a fondness for Bob Dylan and poetry, but they prove that they have fondnesses of their own as they organize a school concert to showcase their various talents—rap, dance, poetry, and punk performance art, to name a few highlights."

Awards
Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award for Language Development recipient, 2006, upper primary readers category

Children's Book Council of Australia Award recipient, 2006, younger readers category

Connections

This text is perfect for a class of adolescent aged readers as an introduction reading at the beginning of the year. It can help set a positive, safe tone for the entire class. After reading the verse novel as a class, lead students in their own free-verse poetry. Consider encouraging students to keep private journals to write their poetry in if they want to tackle difficult subjects in their poetry in a safe environment.

The book Diamond Willow by Helen Frost is another verse novel written in free-verse that tackles the issues faced by adolescents.

Review of "The Ugly Duckling"

Bibliography: Pinkney, Jerry. 1999. The Ugly Duckling. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. ISBN: 0-688-15932-X

Critical Analysis:

Jerry Pinkney's version of The Ugly Duckling was adapted from The Yellow Fairy Book, and leaves out many parts of the original by Hans Christian Andersen. The duckling's "mother" does not have a nosy neighbor that advises that the egg be abandoned, the duckling's "mother" does not tell him she wishes he would go away, and the duckling does not watch as two new friends - ganders - are shot down before his eyes. This retelling is gentler, and was perhaps written with young children in mind. What this version does offer is a duckling that is decides on his own he will not fit in with the duck family he is born into. He then spends a long, cold winter alone, and comes very near death. As the spring returns the ugly duckling in this version, as in the original, finds his flock of swans, and wonder upon wonders, discovers that he, too, is a beautiful swan.

Pinkney's soft-colored watercolors sweep the entire pages with motion. It has always been amazing to me how Pinkney can display such clear emotion on animals faces. In his recent Caldecott acceptance speech he admitted to spending hours alternately looking at pictures of the animals he was drawing, and making expressions in the mirror. The Ugly Duckling shows this work - from the mother ducks surprise and shock that the ugly duckling looks so different, to the ugly ducklings dejection and despair, and ultimately to his delight, the pictures can evoke strong emotion from the reader.

This popular tale helps children deal with bullying and being an outsider, but it also serves as a warning and a method of teaching compassion. Pinkney's version is all the more powerful due to his advanced artistic skill.

Awards:

* Caldecott Honor Book
* 2000 Notable Children's Books (ALA)
* 2X2 Reading List (TLA)

Review Excerpts:

Kirkus: "As in the original, suffering and loneliness are appeased, and the enduring lessons are reaffirmed: suffering may be necessary for growth and happiness, and loneliness may be overcome. A spirited, artistic adaptation, and a welcome addition to the shelves."
School Library Journal: "An artistic tour de force that is worthy of its graceful fine-feathered subject."
Publishers Weekly: "Whether depicting the subtle patterns and colors of a duck's feathers, the murky twilight of a freshwater pond or the contrast of red berries against dried grasses etched with snow, Pinkney's keenly observed watercolors honor nature in all its splendor. A flawlessly nuanced performance by a consummate craftsman."

Connections:

The Ugly Duckling provides a perfect opportunity for teaching synonyms and antonyms to elementary students. As a group you can come up with synonyms and antonyms for the word "ugly."

Other fairytales written by Hans Christian Andersen include The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and The Little Match Girl.

The importance of a discussion: No reading of The Ugly Duckling would be complete without a discussion about the effects of bullying.

Review of "The Three Little Pigs"

Bibliography: Kellogg, Steven. 1997. The Three Little Pigs. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. ISBN: 0-688-08731-0

Critical Analyses: Kellogg’s version of the three little pigs features a single pig mother, named “Serafina Sow” who successfully runs a waffle-making business. After putting her three pigs, Percy, Pete, and Prudence through private school at “Hog Hollow Academy,” she decides to retire to the “Gulf of Pasta,” and leave her three pigs to run the family waffle business. The pigs set to work and build their houses – one of straw, one of logs, and one of bricks (guess which pig built the brick house – yes, it was Prudence). Everything goes well until one day the Big Bad Wolf decides he wants bacon, not waffles for breakfast. In the end they are saved by their mother, who makes the wolf into a “wolffle,” and sends him to retire at the Gulf of Pasta once he has surrendered.

Steven Kellogg’s colored ink, watercolor, and acrylic pictures are colorful and soft with thin, relaxed, black outlines. He humorously adds details to each picture that the careful observer will find. For instance, the wolf wears a shirt that says, “Say Yes to Thugs,” and outside the local jail there are “Wanted” posters for “Foxy-Loxy” and “Tempesto.” Children that are familiar with the more common version of “The Three Little Pigs” will find humor in this parody of the well-known tale.

Awards:

I could find no awards listed for this book.

Review Excerpts:

School Library Journal: “A tempting choice to pair with Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (Viking, 1989) and your favorite traditional version for porcine storytime fun.”

Booklist: “Just as Serafina's customers flock to The Wheeled Wafflery, so children will greet Kellogg's latest picture book with eagerness based on memories of his many satisfying books.”

Connections:

Children may find the following "twisted" versions of this tale entertaining: The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. An age appropriate discussion about protagonist and point of view is perfect when sharing a twisted version of a tale with the well-known variant.

Review of "Turtles Race with Beaver"

Bibliography: Bruchac, Joseph and Bruchac, James. 2003. Turtles Race with Beaver. Ill. Areugo, Jose and Dewey, Ariane. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0142404667.

Critical Analyses:
The story of Turtle and Beaver’s race begins with a happy turtle, loving his life, sunning himself on one of the many rocks in his pond. After Turtle awakes from hibernation, he finds Beaver has built a damn and his rocks have disappeared. When Beaver then challenges Turtle to a swimming race, he is outsmarted by the clever Turtle, who ends up winning the race. Although the kind Turtle offers to share his pond with Beaver, Beaver is embarrassed and leaves. The story ends with Turtle sunning himself on one of his favorite rocks, and Beaver politely asking a Turtle in a neighboring pond if he could share his pond with him.

The theme of a slower, smaller animal outsmarting a larger, faster animal is a staple in the folklore of various cultures. Joseph and James Bruchac include a page long introduction to the tale, and it is clear that they wished to honor the cultural roots of the story. In the introduction Joseph Bruchac notes, “I’ve been learning from the oral traditions of our Northeastern Woodlands peoples, especially the Iroquois and Abenakis. I’ve heard many stories from more than one source, and this tale is no exception” (Bruchac 1). It may have been more reassuring had Joseph Bruchac noted which tribe from the Iroquois nation he “heard” the story from, and additionally, the name of the particular person he attributed this version to. Many stories attributed to indigenous people have been altered, and many of the “fables” that are altered are considered sacred stories by the people that tell them. The practice of naming the person that gifted the story to you when you perform a retelling is common in Native American culture. The fact that he did not clearly define the source of this version of the story concerns me.

The pen-and-ink, gouache, and pastel illustrations are vibrant and happy. They clearly depict a pond in the northeast, but beyond that, there is nothing that ties the illustrations to the native tribes Bruchac and Bruchac claim this story originates from. However, the illustrations provide such an upbeat, engaging style, they are sure to captivate many children. Children will love the expressions found on the many animals faces that grace this ultimately charming children’s book.

Reviews:

School Library Journal:

"This appealing variant of the time-honored, cross-cultural tale conveys the need for cooperation, perseverance, and humility within group settings. Children will be so involved in the storytelling that they'll absorb these lessons effortlessly. Done in pen and ink, gouache, and pastel, the cheerful artwork is a wonderful match for this well-told tale."

Booklist:

"A chorus of cheering animal spectators invites audience participation, and there are plenty of visual cues to the contestants' emotional states in the illustrators' bright, flowing scenes. A natural candidate for reading aloud, and for follow-up discussions, too."

Awards: I could find no mention of awards for this book.

Connections:

If you are doing a folktale unit, and like the work of Joseph Bruchac then two other folktales retold by Joseph Bruchac are: How Chipmunk Got His Stripes and Raccoon's Last Race.

It is important that children do not view Native Americans as people that told these stories in a distant past and lived "a long time ago." If there is a reservation nearby, or a Native American organization then it would be appropriate to ask a leader of the Native community to come and tell stories or at least talk about their contemporary tribe.

"Kitten's First Full Moon" Review

Bibliographic Information:
Henkes, Kevin. 2004. Kitten’s First Full Moon. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN: 978-0-06-058828-1

Critical Analysis:
Eager and curious, Kitten is no match for the deceptive powers of the moon in this gentle picture book. On the night that Kitten sees her first full moon, she mistakes it for a bowl of milk. The book compassionately follows her adventure as she gets a bug on her tongue, falls down the steps, climbs a tree, and jumps into a pond – all in search of that illusive bowl of milk. Henkes sympathy is clear throughout, and when Kitten finally jumps into the pond the text reads, “Poor Kitten! She was wet and sad and tired and hungry,” with a picture of a wide-eyed, soaked Kitten that takes up the entire page. Children will relate to her misery (whom among us has not been miserable?) and will be happy at the end, when Kitten finds a bowl of milk waiting for her. The final page finds Kitten curled up, the moon above her, her empty bowl of milk below.

Henkes used gouache and colored pencil for this book, but at first glance I thought it was charcoal that was used for the simple, grey toned pictures. The pictures alternate between drawings framed with thick, black lines and unframed pictures with lots of white space. The feel of the entire book is soft, playful, and sleepy. A perfect, compassionate book for bedtime, I imagine that children will feel validated and comforted by Kitten’s misadventures.

Review Excerpts:

Booklist Review: “Working in bold black lines and the silvery palette of moonlight, he creates a lovable, expressive character in the determined kitten, and his dramatic contrasts of light and dark capture the excitement of a nighttime adventure.”

CCBC Review: “This gentle picture book feels transported from an earlier era. Reminiscent of the writing of Margaret Wise Brown, its deceptively simple language and masterful pacing transcend time.”

Awards:

* Caldecott Medal
* Bulletin Blue Ribbon (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)
* Charlotte Zolotow Award
* ALA Notable Children’s Book
* Texas 2X2 Reading List
* Book Sense Pick


Connections:
Two texts that examine childhood stressors and bedtime comforts are: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber.

"The Tale of Peter Rabbit" Review

Bibliographic Information: Potter, Beatrix. 2002. The Tale of Peter Rabbit. New York: The Penguin Group. ISBN: 978-0-7232-4770-8

Critical Analysis:
After being warned by his mother to stay out of Mr. McGregor’s garden to avoid being made into rabbit soup as his father was, the naughty Peter Rabbit sneaks into the garden. There, after stuffing himself with lettuce, beans and radish, he is caught by Mr. McGregor, who hollers, “Stop thief!” and chases after Peter. Peter loses both of his shoes, his jacket, jumps in a full can of water, gets lost, and ends up crying in despair before finding the gate, which is just beyond Mr. McGregor. Peter, past caring, makes a dash for it, and barely makes it out of the garden. When Peter arrives home he feels unwell and spends the evening in bed with chamomile tea, while his siblings, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail “had bread and milk and berries for supper.”

The soft, elegant lines of Beatrix Potter’s, The Tale of Peter Rabbit are evocative of a protective, nurturing stance toward childhood, yet this classic deals with some difficult subject matter. Not only has Peter’s father been killed and eaten, but Potter forces us to examine our relationship with the very childhood character that is anthropomorphized in this tale. She points out that while we sympathize with Peter as the protagonist, it is humans that are his family’s predators. The story is also an emotional journey. Peter finds himself naked, wet, alone, and scared, and just when he gives into misery he sees the way home. Such a story is relatable in some form to us all. Potter’s use of white space, softened edges, and pastel colors all lend a gentle hand to this harrowing adventure full of difficult truths.

Review Excerpts:
The Hornbook Review: "The classic story of the adventurous rabbit who ignored his mother’s warnings to avoid Mr. MacGregor’s garden is a unique blend of perfectly scaled watercolors with a precise text never equaled by its many imitators. Other titles by this author in the same understated small format are also recommended."

Connections:
There is a wonderful interactive website for children and adults that features games, news, articles, history, and lesson plans. Click here to be linked to the site.
Children may enjoy Potter's other books, including, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse.

Review of "Giggle, Giggle, Quack"

Bibliography:
Cronin, Doreen. 2002. Giggle, Giggle, Quack. Ill. By Betsy Lewin. New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 978-0-689-84506-2

Critical Analysis:
Shades of Alvin and the Chipmunks are apparent in this tale of a mischievous duck and his barnyard followers. When the farm’s owner, Farmer Brown goes on vacation, leaving his brother, Bob in charge with the directive to follow the instructions he’s written down, mayhem ensues. As Farmer Brown drives away, duck is seen eying a pencil lying in the road. The following pages show a gullible Bob feeding the animals pizza, washing the pigs in a bubble bath, and showing the animals the movie “The Sound of Moosic” in the living room. All instructions have of course been written by the playful duck, who’s last note reads, “It’s for you, Bob,” in response to an angry phone call from Farmer Brown. The book ends with a picture of an angry Farmer Brown stomping back down the dirt road, made all the more silly by his full tropical vacation attire.

Lewin’s colors are at medium saturation, lending a laid-back feel to layered pictures that may be overwhelming at a deeper saturation. The buoyant watercolors are outlined with thick, wavy, black lines and add a sense of playful breeziness to the text. The relaxed, cartoon-like pictures cover the pages entirely, giving the reader a close-up, comical view of the situation on the farm. Humorous animals respond to Bob’s actions with a “giggle giggle quack” or “giggle giggle moo,” etc. The predictable nature of the repetitive responses invites participation.

Booklist Review: “As in Stephen Gammell's Once Upon MacDonald's Farm (2000), the mischief and the mayhem will appeal to little ones who chafe at being domesticated.”

Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices Review: “The expressions on the animals' faces as Duck successfully pulls the wool over Bob's eyes - a hen smothers a giggle beneath her wing, while two cows share a smirk of delight -- invite children to share the joke in this amusing tale of good-natured trickery.”


Kirkus Review: “The many fans of Click, Clack, Moo (both adults and children) will want to read about the cows and their duck friend to see what happens next, but like most sequels, the second story stands not on top, but in the shadow of the innovative original.”

Connections:
A wonderful activity that focuses on teaching the vocabulary words: prefer, influence, snicker, and sensitive can be found on the freereading.net site.
And another book that contains feisty, naughty protagonists and is written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin is Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.

Raffi and The Centre for Child Honoring

For those of you that grew up listening to Raffi, you may be interested to know that he has formed the Centre for Child Honouring. It is rare that a childhood hero exceeds expectations formed in childhood wonderment, but Raffi does. He is dedicating his life to the compassionate, reverent actions he called for in his songs for children. As I watched videos of his speeches and read through the Centre for Child Honouring's website I felt grateful, centered, and touched. As a child I sang "Baby Beluga" over and over and over again. The gentle lyrics, "Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea, you swim so wild and you swim so free, heaven above and the sea below, and the little white whale on the go," opened my heart to the natural world, and sparked a compassion that would lead me to become a vegetarian at the age of twelve. I had tears in my eyes when I read Raffi's lyrics for his "Beluga Grads," of which I count myself a proud member.

“Now you've grown and you're on your way,
Making waves in the boundless bay,
With your shining light and your dreams alive
For the young you'll have one day.
Grown-up beluga, grown-up beluga,
Sing a song of peace, sing with all your friends,
We need to hear you!”

Raffi on a "Child-Honoring" Society

Raffi: "By the year 2020, it is our daring hope to seed a social revolution that hasn't been tried yet, that has at it's heart the growing child as a universal symbol and reality of human experience."

As a child I listened with rapt attention to Raffi's songs. His gentle, lilting voice sang of the beluga whale, of thanksgiving, and of the the universality of the human experience. Through his songs my compassion and reverence for the natural world and my fellow human beings grew. Now Raffi is dedicating his life to the transformation of our society into a society that honors children.