Chat with Chatham: Let's talk about books!: 2013

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

I Love my Hair!

Title: I love my hair!

Author: Natasha Tarplay

Illustrator: E.B. Lewis

Publishing Company: Little Brown Books for young Readers

Number of pages: 32

Genre: Multicultural

I chose this book because I wanted to find another multicultural book. This book was recommended by the librarian as one that was useful in the classroom. I thought this book was okay; although, I do feel like you would have to be very careful how and when you present this book. It doesn’t contain any real inappropriate material but because of the sometimes sensitive nature of the topic you must be careful. This book is about a little girl whose mother is trying to encourage her African-American daughter to be proud of their heritage. Sometimes she wishes that she had different hair, but her mom helped to change her mind. She told her about how she was so lucky to have hair that could be woven in rows or braids and put into buns. The little girl’s favorite way to wear her hair is in two ponytails. As she discovers the beauty of what makes her heritage strong, she realizes just how lucky she truly is to have her hair.

This book is painted in water color paints. The colors are all bright and vivid. The artwork is done in layers and helps the reader to see the emotions and feelings on the character’s face. The text is an informal placement; there is no negative space on the page. The pictures progress through the story. They are a vital part of the story.

This book is intended for 1^st and 2^nd grade students. It could be used as a read aloud for any grade. It would be particularly helpful in a class that was having some bullying problems. I would use this book during black history month. I would use this book to discuss figurative language in writing. I would use this book when we are discussing using our imaginations to tell or read stories in our heads. I would use this book as a motivator to read. This book has received no rewards at this time.

The Name Jar

Title: The Name Jar

Author: Yangsook Choi

Illustrator: Yangsook Choi

Publishing Company: Dragonfly books

Number of pages: 40

Genre: Multicultural

I chose this book because of the title. I was looking for another multicultural book and this title just caught my attention. Then, as I read the information on the back of the book I realized this was a story that many children could relate too. This young Korean child is the new kid in class. She is experiencing the same aches and qualms that any new kid might face; however, he feels her situation is worse on account of the fact that nobody can pronounce her name. She tells her classmates that she will pick a name by next week. This, of course, spurs a ton of excitement and interest from her classmates. They decide to fill a glass jar with a variety of names for her to choose from. This book is about being proud of who you are and accepting your differences, and similarities, as well.

The illustrator in this book uses pastels and oil paints to create these beautiful images. The colors are bright and vivid. They really help the pictures to have depth and appear to come alive throughout the book’s pages. The text is placed in an informal type setting. The words are placed on top of the pictures. The pictures in this book really help to tell the story, and it would not be the same without them.

This book is appropriate for readers of all ages; in particular, any student who has ever been the ‘new kid’ in the class. I would use this book any time that I had a new student. I would use this book to encourage students to explore different cultures. I would use this book if we were talking about different cultures of the world. It would be a wonderful book to use as a motivator to get the children reading. This would be a good boo to use for showing students that they should be proud of who they are no matter what circumstance they may find themselves. This book has no awards at this time.

Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday story

Title: Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story

Author: Hena Khan

Illustrator: Julie Paschkis

Publishing Company: Chronicle Books

Number of pages: 32

Genre: multicultural

I chose this book because of the pictures and the capturing story line. I was searching the web for good children’s books about other cultures. I really like the traditional feel of the book. This book is about a little girl who is discovering the rituals and celebrations that occur during certain stages of the lunar calendar. The lunar calendar, she discovers, is used by members of her practiced religion to mark special days. She is learning how to practice and the significance of these celebrations to the people of her religion.

The artwork in this book is done in a traditional Islamic ‘tile’ type of fashion. The illustrator uses bright colors and rich, deep hues to represent a lively atmosphere. The medium that is used in this book is gouache and permanent medium masking on paper. The artwork really lends itself to the overall quality of the book. The text type that is used is informal; there is no or very little negative space on the majority of the pages. A few of the pages are set up in a slightly more formal manner; with the words on the opposite page of the picture.

This book is intended for grades 2-4, and children ages 6-8 years old. I think this would be a good book for anyone trying to get a peek at a piece of the Muslim religion. I would use this book as a way to introduce the student’s to new religions or cultures. I would use it as a motivator to read. I would use this book during a discussion of the moon phases in a science unit. This book has no awards at this time.

All the World

Title: All the World

Author: Liz Scanlon

Illustrator: Marla Frazee

Publishing Company: Beach Lane Books

Number of pages: 40

Genre: Multicultural

I chose this book because of the pictures. Then I realized what a sweet little story about family time. No matter what culture you are from family time is still time spent together. It is special time for everyone no matter what part of the world you are from. In this story we follow a family from the islands as they spend a day together at the beach and going into town. They are not doing anything spectacular, but they are doing it together. This story highlights the fact that family time is the same all around the world; hence, the title of the book.

The illustrations in this book are made with prisma-black pencil and watercolors. The pictures are vivid and bright. They create a warm and inviting feel to the book. The text layout is informal on most pages. The words are over top of the pictures. On a few of the pages the words surround the pictures. There is very little negative space; the only exception is when the illustrator and author use the negative space to help the story flow. (i.e. when the family is going to the beach or to town)

This book is suitable for any elementary aged students and children. It is recommended for ages 5-7 years old. I would use this book as a motivator for

camaraderie in the classroom. I would use this book to introduce other areas of the world in a social studies lesson. I might even use this for rhyming or introducing the use of couplets in poems. This story has both of those aspects in the text. This book has received the Caldecott Medal.

Dreaming of America: An Ellis Island Story

Title: Dreaming of America: An Ellis Island Story

Author: Eve Bunting

Illustrator: Brad Stahl

Publishing Company: Troll Communications

Number of pages: 32

Genre: historical fiction

I chose this book because I really liked the pictures. I was looking for a good historical fiction to add to my collection, and to use for this assignment. I have always liked immigration stories. Typically, they are inspiring tales. For the most part, even in many hardships the main character, usually based on a real person, thrives. This story is based on Annie and her two little brothers traveling to America. They have been living with their aunt and uncle in Ireland for the past three years. Their parents are already in America. They send tickets for the children to join them in America. The children are sad and scared to leave their home, family and friends. They travel to America by boat; the children meet a very nice Russian man, Viktor, on the way to America. The children are set to be part of the first group of immigrants to arrive through the new Ellis Island processing station. This story tells an account of their journey in third class accommodations, storms and snobby people. Annie and her brothers were the first to be processed at Ellis Island.

The pictures are done in water colors and pastels. They are intentionally left a little less clear, at times, for effect. The artist makes good use of vibrant blue and purple colors. The entire book’s pages are done in a yellowed beige color; almost as if trying to give them an aged look. The text set-up is a mostly informal. The words are placed directly over the pictures on most of the pages.

This book would be good for students in the 2^nd or 3^rd grade. The label says grades 2-4. I would say that it would be a great history book to use when talking about immigration. It could be used in science to talk about the weather in the ocean. It could be used to talk about America in the 19^th century. I would also use it as a motivator to get students to read about history. I would also use it to encourage them to read in general. This book has won the International Reading Association’s Teacher’s Choice Award.

The Littlest Pilgrim

Title: The Littlest Pilgrim

Author: Brandi Dougherty

Illustrator: Kirsten Richards

Publishing Company: Cartwheel Books

Number of pages: 32

Genre: Historical nonfiction

I chose this book because it is a very cute story and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. My niece used to love this book. This sweet little pilgrim, Mini, thinks that she is too small to do anything. Everything she tries to do help her family she gets sent away. She starts to feel like she can’t do anything right and that maybe she is just too little. At the end of the book she discovers that you are never too small to make friends, and that she is good at that!

The illustrator of this book uses many traditionally fall-themed colors in the pictures. It looks like the pictures are done in a water color medium; although, it doesn’t specify on the cover. The text is set up as formal on some pages with the text above or below a smaller picture. On other pages the text is informal. On these pages there is a little bit of negative space. This negative space is used to draw the reader’s attention to the center of the picture details. The words are just placed directly onto the picture, and the picture takes up the whole page.

This book states that it is intended for second grade readers, but is a

kindergarten/first grade book. I think that is an accurate judgment on the content of the book. I really like this book, and would use it around the holidays and throughout the year. It can be used to talk about pilgrims in a history lesson. It could be used for personal growth, and to teach students that everyone can make friends. It would be a good book to talk about where and how pilgrims lived. It could be used to introduce the facts about Thanksgiving. This book has no awards at this time.

The Houdini Box

Title: The Houdini Box

Author: Brian Selznick

Illustrator: Brian Selznick

Publishing Company: Atheneum books for young readers

Number of pages: 64

Genre: historical fiction

I chose this book because I noticed the author. We had to read a different book by Brian Selznick, The invention of Hugo Cabret, and it was a great book. I loved the art and story line. There is just something about the research that Brian Selznick does in the books that make them wonderful. Naturally, when I saw this book, also by this talented author/illustrator, I had to check it out. In this story, a young boy named Victor desperately wants to be like his idol, Harry Houdini. He doesn't really think he has a chance, but he follows Houdini’s performances and successes avidly. The book is based on factual events that occur during Houdini’s tours and with his tricks. The box that the boy was given is actually the box of Houdini’s greatest tricks that is rumored, through newspaper articles, to exist in real life. Although, the box itself has never been found the excitement and history behind it is still alive today.

The illustrations in this book are very similar to those in other Brian Selznick books. He uses charcoal and pencil shading to create the vivid and almost life–like pictures that adorn the pages of this book. The only colors used are grey and black. He makes great use of texture and shading to bring these illustrations to life. Actual posters from the tours of Houdini are also used throughout the book’s pages. The text placement is formal; the words are opposite the pictures on most of pages.

The book is written and targeted towards children ages 6-9; however, readers of any age could easily enjoy this book. I know that I did! I would use this book for history projects about famous people in our history. I would also use this book to motivate children to read. It would be a great read aloud for those few minutes that you sometimes have between activities. I would use this book when studying map skills, possibly during a study of New York. It would be a great book to use to introduce children to the historical fiction genre. I would even use this book as a way to encourage children to not lose sight of their dreams. At this time, surprisingly, this book has received no awards.

A den is a bed for a bear

Title: A den is bed for a Bear

Author: Becky Baines

Illustrator: none- real photo stock images chosen by publisher and author

Publishing company: National Geographic Children’s Books

Number of pages: 32 pages

Genre: nonfiction

I chose this book because it was a cute and very informative nonfiction book. In case you haven’t noticed, most of my books have been chosen by the interests of the children in my life. My nieces and nephews love this book. I thought that it would be a mostly ‘boy’ book, but that is not the case. The girl’s love it too! This book talks about hibernation and bears. It discusses what other animals hibernate and where they live. Then it asks children to think about what they would do if a bear was hibernating in their room. It asks students to think about other animals and their lives.

The art in this book is factual images or digital art. The photos are stock photos, used with permission, by the author and publisher. The photos are great for adding additional description of the topic being discussed. The kids really loved looking at the ‘real-life’ pictures of bears and other animals. There is a little negative space, because the layout of text to image is somewhat formal in nature. The images are above, below, or beside the text.

This book is appropriate for any age elementary age children. It is specifically written for ages 5-7. It employs a good bit of rhyming and repetition of word patterns. It would be good for a lesson on rhyming. Or it could be used as an introduction to bears. It would also work as good introduction to a lesson on hibernation. This book is exciting for children, especially boys, so it would be a good motivator to read. This book doesn’t have any awards at this time.

Who would Win?

Title: Who would win? Hornet vs. Wasp

Author: Jerry Pallotta

Illustrator: Rob Bolster

Publishing company: Scholastic inc.

# of pages: 32

Genre: nonfiction

I chose this book because I was looking for books to teach compare and contrast with during lessons in my practicum. Also, my son picked these out of the scholastic catalog because his cousin says that all the time, “Who would win?” We were both tickled when we saw his ‘famous’ saying in the title of a book. This book is all about how the two insects are similar and different. It talks about who might win and why if the two insects were to get into a battle. Then it gives reasons why the winner is victorious.

Many of the images in this book are stock photos, as listed by the publisher, but others are digitally created or done in oil painting mix with digital art. The pictures are very bright and vivid in color and hue. There is no, or little, negative space on any of the pages and the text placement is informal. The words are sometimes typed directly over top of the images.

This book would be great for any readers who want to know about the insects.

However, it is intended for children grades 2-4 as it is a science of compare and contrast book. This book would be great in a science lesson about insects. It would be, and was, wonderful for compare and contrast. It would also work for teaching children how to write responses to nonfiction prompts and justify their answers. Additionally, this book is just cool, especially to boys, but girls also enjoy the details. This book has no awards at this time

Title: I Have a Dream

Author: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. presented by Kadir Nelson

Publishing Company: Schwartz and Wade

# of pages: 40

Genre/category: nonfiction

I chose this book because I was searching for a good nonfiction book to add to my library. I have chosen to use this experience to expand my personal library to include books of many genres. I didn’t realize that I was lacking books in certain areas of literature until we began this assignment; that is a problem I intend to remedy as soon as possible. However, the specific reason for this book choice is simply my child. As I was scrolling through scholastic’s nonfiction books my son stopped me and asked who was this man was on the cover. I will not lie to you; I was surprised that he did not recognize MLK jr., but I guess that is my fault for not making sure that he knew who this man was and still is to America’s history. This book is about the famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. Kadir Nelson beautifully illustrates this book to match and describe the scenes in Washington D.C. while Dr. King was delivering his speech. On the back pages the speech is written out in it’s entirety and a CD is included. I LOVE the CD; children can listen to the speech in MLK jr’s own words and voice. Truly a wonderful book; it is very historically accurate in look and words.

The artist in this book is the same person who is presenting the story. Kadir Nelson does a wonderful job of re-creating the scenes of that day. He uses oil painting, my favorite, to create the illustrations. The artwork is set in a traditional, formal type of setting. Most of the words are on the opposite side of the page from the illustrations. The colors are very realistic and vibrant to look at; they really give the reader a sense of what it was like that day.

This book would be appropriate for readers of all ages. Anyone can benefit from reading and hearing the speech that had such a huge impact on the civil rights movement. Even today, the speech given by MLK jr. is powerful and meaningful. This book would be great to use during black history month. Even more than that, it should be used to remind students that we are equal and deserve to be treating as such. This book would be great in a history lesson about civil rights. It would work well in a map unit documenting historical places. It would be wonderful for sharing reasons for not bullying with students. At this time the book has not won any awards, but has received many excellent editor reviews. I feel like it will probably win an award at some time in the future.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Wemberly Worried

Title: Wemberly Worried

Author: Kevin Henkes

Illustrator: Kevin Henkes

Publishing company: Greenwillow Books

Number of pages: 32

Genre/category: fantasy

I chose this book because I really enjoy Kevin Henkes’ stories. I am fond of several of his other works. This book was brought to my attention by one of my professors and I just had to purchase it. This story is about a little talking mouse that worries about everything. She is supposed to be going to school, but she is really worried about…well everything. It is not until she meets a new friend that she begins to relax and worry a little less.

Watercolor paints and a black pen are used for all of the artwork in this book. The author uses a formal text placement throughout the story. The pictures help the reader to see Wemberly’s emotions and feelings. The colors are bright and playful. Wemberly is drawn in such a manner that she just looks like a worry wart. There is a good bit of negative space and it is used to draw the reader’s attention to the pictures and expressions on Wemberly’s face.

I would definitely recommend this book for kindergarten students. It is really hard for them on the first day of school. However, any grade could use this as a first day of school opener. I would use this book to get students thinking and talking about their emotions. I would use this book during a history class to talk about how schools are different in other places. Not just in other countries, but from town to town as well. Kevin Henkes has won awards for some of his other books; however, this book has not won any awards yet.

Sally and the Purple Socks

Title: Sally and the Purple Socks

Author: Lisze Bechtold

Illustrator: Lisze Bechtold

Publishing company: Philomel books

Number of pages: 32
Genre: Fantasy

I chose this book because my son really enjoyed it when he was in kindergarten. I enjoy reading it with his baby brother now. This book is about a duck named Sally. She gets a pair of purple socks, but her socks start to grow. They just keep on growing and she has a big giant, literally, adventure in those big, purple socks. Until the rain starts to pour, then all of a sudden the socks start to shrink.

The artwork in this book is done with a brushed ink line on top of gouache paint. There is a little bit of negative space on a certain few pages of the book. The text placement is formal. The words are strategically placed around the pictures. The artist uses very mellow colors for everything in the illustrations; the only exception is the purple socks. They are a bright and vibrant color purple.

I would use this book in a kindergarten classroom. I would use this book to introduce the color purple. Additionally, this book would be great for a phonics lesson. Although, I might use it in the first grade classroom to get students thinking about using their imagination in their writing. I would use this book before a field trip, and then lead the class in a discussion about to expect while on the trip. I think that this could also work in a science lesson about materials expanding and contracting. As of this date, this book does not have any awards.

Creepy Carrots

Title: Creepy Carrots

Author: Aaron Reynolds

Illustrator: Peter Brown

Publishing company: Simon and Schuster

Number of pages: 36
Genre: Fantasy

I chose this book because my son wanted me to buy it for him. We read this book together and it was very funny. The carrots in this story are very clever. It is all about how they trick the rabbit into being afraid of them. The rabbit used to spend his days picking and eating the carrots. That is, until they come up with a plan to stop him. The carrots start to haunt and stalk the rabbit. At first, he thinks he must be crazy, but then he is convinced that they are out to get him. Then he devises a plan to protect himself from the creepy carrots.

The illustrations in this book are done in pencil on paper. They are then digitally composited and colored for effect. The artist uses a lot of dark colors to make this story seem creepy. The only things not black and white are the carrots. The text type for this story is informal. The words are used to draw the reader’s attention to the placement of the carrots on the page. The pictures are beautifully designed and have the feel of texture to them. The illustrator did a wonderful job of making the pictures

creepy and inviting.

I would recommend this book for children in kindergarten through the second grade. That does not mean that older children would not benefit from this story; readers of any age could enjoy the comical twist on a bunny eating a carrot. In the classroom, I would use this book to talk about real and imaginary. I might use it for younger students in teaching about character development. This story could be used in math to count the carrots and make predictions. It could be used in science to talk about building or growing things. This book has a Caldecott Honor Award.

Title: Two Bad Boys

A Very Old Cherokee Tale

Author: Gail E. Haley

Illustrator: Gail E. Haley

Publishing company: Dutton Children’s Books

Number of pages: 28
Genre: traditional

I chose this story because it is a Cherokee tale. I am part Cherokee Indian and always find it interesting when I am able to find stories from that culture. I was looking for a traditional tale that was clearly handed down through the generations. This story fit the bill perfectly. It is the Cherokee version of the story of Eden. Two little boys, one good and one bad, are getting themselves into all kinds of mischief. Their trouble ends up making the whole world have to work harder for their food.

The illustrations in this book are done in a sinewy gouache style. The colors are both vibrant and cool depending on what is happening in the story. The text type is informal and placed strategically throughout the story. The words draw the reader’s eye to the part of the picture that may be important. Many of the lines in these illustrations are textured and give the look and feel of roughness or fur.

I would recommend this book most for third through sixth grade. It does touch a little on what may be a touchy subject to some people; the original sin and the Garden of Eden. I think that his would be a great book to use to introduce students to new cultures. It could also be used to get students exploring Native American tales. I might even use this book to compare and contrast the beliefs of the origins of man on earth, with the older students, of course. This book could be used during a science lesson on how hard work makes things grow. This book has no awards at this time.

Raven: A trickster tale

Title: Raven: A trickster tale from the pacific northwest

Author: Gerald McDermott

Illustrator: Gerald McDermott

Publishing company: Harcourt Brace Publishers

Number of pages: 32
Genre: traditional

I chose this book because I was looking for books that would represent a trickster tale. I was looking for a good example to help me explain what a ‘trickster’ tale was to my children. This book was given to me as an addition to my library. I really like this story. This book is about a raven that steals the sun and gives it to all the people to be enjoyed. Until this day, the people had lived in darkness. This story has been passed down through the generations.

This book uses watercolors for the majority of the pictures. This book also employs the use of pastels, and colored pencils. The pages are void of any negative space at all. Each page has a picture that helps to tell the story. The type of text placement this book uses is informal. The words are placed directly over a picture. The pictures are done using images that are traditional of the tribe the story represents.

This story would be appropriate for any readers who wish to learn about Native American folklore. I would say it would work best for a social studies unit in third or fourth grade. I would use this to demonstrate different writing styles, or to bring about a class discussion about folk tales. I might use this in a science unit to start a unit on the sun. This book has been awarded the Caldecott honor award.

Cinderella

Title: Cinderella

Author: Charles Perrault

Illustrator: Loek Koopmans

Publishing company: North-South books

Number of pages: 32
genre: traditional

I chose this book because I was looking for an original version of the Cinderella story for my niece. She is very fascinated by fairy tales and princesses. This is the story of a young girl’s father that becomes so enchanted by his love for his new wife that he forgets about the needs of his daughter. As a result of his neglect, she is forced into servitude to her stepmother and sisters. She ends up finding love and being freed from her family’s treachery with the help of a fairy godmother. This story sounds familiar, but it is a little bit different than the classical Cinderella movie that we all grew up watching.

The illustrations in this book are done with oil painting. The illustrations are beautiful and very descriptive. There is little or no negative space on the pages. Additionally, the text type used in the majority of this book is informal. The words are placed directly over the pictures. The illustrations definitely help to tell the story and allow the reader to feel the story as it occurs.

I would recommend this book for any person that really likes princess stories or romantic love stories. I am not a real big fan of the whole hopeless romantic idealism, but a lot of people are drawn to these types of books. Any little girl would love the princess aspect of this book. This book can be used to teach students the differences between stories. For example, it would work for a compare and contrast of similarities and differences between the different kinds of Cinderella stories. I would use this book to talk about the differences in other countries cultures during a social studies unit. I might even use this book to bring up how stories change the more they are told. As far as I know this book does not have any awards.

Poetry All Kids Should Know

Title: Poetry All kids Should Know

Author: Edited by Gerald P. Murphy

Illustrator: unknown

Publishing company: Shamrock Eden Publishing company

Number of pages: 46
genre: poetry

I chose this book as a follow up to some of the other poetry books in my collection. I added this one last, thus, it is last on my blog. I started with the simpler poetry collections that would be easier to understand. Then I introduced this book to my son. It contains many of the classic poems written by beloved poets throughout history. Authors included in this masterful collection include; Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Louis Stevenson. These poems require much more thought and analyzing to decipher than those found in my other poetry books.

The mediums chosen for the artwork of this book are pencil and charcoals. The text is set up in a very formal type setting. Each poem has a small picture to go with it, and it is above or below the poem. There is a lot of negative space in this book. The negative space is surrounding the poems on each page. The poems are written in a continuous form, in that they are written one poem right after the other.

This book would work well as an introduction of famous poets to younger children and as a sample of famous poet’s works for older children. I think that all lovers of poetry should enjoy this collection. It contains a good sampling of great works. I would use this book as an introduction for a unit on famous poets. Obviously, this book could be used as a way to introduce several different sound devices in poetry. While this book itself does not carry any awards, many of the authors have been awarded honors for their works. Longfellow is the only American writer honored in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. There is an award named after Edgar Allen Poe, The Edgar Awards.

Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry

Title: Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry

Author: Jack Prelutsky

Illustrator: No author (computer generated images-small)

Publisher company: Greenwillow books

Number of pages: 208
genre: poetry

I chose this book because of the author, Jack Prelutsky. I also chose this book because I wanted a way to introduce my child and nephews to writing poetry. This was the perfect tool to start that introduction. I have recently fallen in love Jack Prelutsky poems. I wanted to share this love with my child. He thinks that writing poetry is too hard to write. This book served my purposes perfectly. It is filled with a variety of poems on many different topics. Before each poem he tells the reader where the idea for the poem came from and encourages readers to find ideas from their world and experiences.

There are very few illustrations in this book. The ones that I have seen are computer generated or done in pencil. There is a considerable amount of negative space and the pictures are strategically placed to go with the poems being presented. The writing is done in a very formal type of design.

This book is good for all readers. Anyone trying to learn how to write poetry would benefit from the lessons being presented. Additionally, the poems are good, strong poems for young readers. This book would work well with early elementary school students to be introduced to the idea of writing about life experiences. Also, t would work with older students to specifically focus on translating life experiences into poetry. In one of his poems, Jack writes about performing science experiment. This could be a simple way of showing students that science doesn’t have to be scary. This book has not received any awards yet, but I bet it will eventually.

I Thought I Saw a Ghost Last Night

Title: I Thought I Saw a Ghost Last Night: And Other Laugh-Out-Loud Poems for Kids

Author: Paul Orshoski

Illustrator: Paul Orshoski

Publishing Company:

number of pages: 93
genre: poetry

I chose this book because I found some of Paul Orshoski’s poems in another book and I was impressed. I was looking for poetry books to add to my collection and this book was free for Halloween week. This book contains poems that are about being scared and Halloween themed subjects. I wanted to be able to share these with my practicum class, and I did just that. The students responded really well to this whimsical Halloween rhymes. They were impressed.

The author and illustrator is the same person in this poetry collection. He uses a lot of negative space on the page. Additionally, he uses a formal arrangement of the words to pictures placement. The pictures are done in watercolors and markers. The colors have been chosen in a vibrant and colorful palette. While some of the poems could be a little scary, the pictures help to lighten the mood.

This book is appropriate for poetry lovers of all ages. This would also serve as a good introduction to the art for those who are just beginning to test the waters. I would use this book as an introduction to rhyming. I could see many phonics lessons springing from this book’s contents. I could see using certain poems as a funny way to introduce certain science subjects, i.e. light and shadows, and imprints. There is a lot of figurative language and a lot of poems about point of view. As of today, this book has not yet received any awards that are listed.

Dinner with Dracula

Title: Dinner with Dracula A Spine Tingling Collection of Frighteningly Funny Poems

Author: Edited by-Bruce Lanksy (various authors)

Illustrator: Mike and Carol Gordon

Publishing company: Meadowbrook creations

Number of pages: 32
genre: poetry

I chose this book because it has a Halloween themed cover; I was looking for poetry books to add to my son’s book collection. I wanted to try and find some poetry that would interest my nephew. He likes guts and gory stuff and pretty much anything monsters. When I saw the title and looked at some of the poems inside I knew this would be perfect for both boys. The poems in this book are an assortment of funny and or rhyming poems. They are all centrally themed; that theme being, of course, monsters or ghosts and make believe. It is meant to be cute and funny, thus, easily enjoyed.

The artwork in this poetry anthology is done in watercolor paints. The colors are light and his dark depending on the poem; both the colors and the artwork coincide with the theme of the poem they surround. The pictures versus words arrangement is set up like in a formal pattern on some pages. However, it is an informal pattern on some of the pages containing longer poems.

I believe this book could be appropriate for students who are just being introduced to poetry. Although, readers of any age would enjoy the humorous rhymes and quips. I would use this book as an easy way to introduce rhyming and poetry in the classroom. It would be a cute way to introduce a unit about Halloween or maybe a fun way to introduce the history of beliefs about certain legends. This book could also be used to introduce a study of the fiction genre. It would even work as a cute introduction to a history lesson. This book has received no awards at this time.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Is There Really a Human Race?

Is there Really a Human Race?

Written and illustrated by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell

Harper Collins Children’s Books, 2006

30 pages

I chose this book because I love it. I know that seems like a simple reason, but really do. It is such an important message for young people, and old, today that is too often forgotten. This book is about a little boy that is struggling to understand how the whole ‘human race’ idea works. Are we really racing each other?

He progresses through several levels of wondering to finally conclude that we, as a race, need to work together and lift each other up rather than try and beat the person next to us.

The illustrations in this book are done in water colors. They have texture added to them by painted layers. There is no negative space in this book at all, and the text is informal. The colors used in this book make it a very warm and inviting story to read. The illustrations really help to capture the bewilderment this poor little boy is feeling.

I would recommend this book to anyone young or old, but definitely to younger children who may be processing the same questions. I would use this book to promote or begin a unit on self-awareness or to just discuss good moral characteristics of successful people. I would use this book for an older class by making it an example of a book that answers a question. Then, the students would write their own question and answer it in story form. There are no awards for this book yet.

Be Patient, Little Chick

Written by Claude Clement Illustrated Erost

Readers Digest Young Families, 2001

19 pages

Picture Books

I chose this book because I was searching for a book for my cousin. She home-schools her daughters and is about to start their lesson on hatching chicks. This book is about a little chick that is, essentially, too big for his britches.

He doesn't think he needs any help and he can’t wait to go out into the world. Since he is in such a hurry to grow up, he ends up making some not so great choices that get him into trouble. He quickly learns that patience is an important part of growing up.

The illustrations in this book are done water color and acrylic paints. They are realistic type paintings done in warm colors true to nature. The pictures are used by the author to demonstrate what is happening in the text. The text type is informal. The pictures look, in some places, like they could almost be photographs. They are very beautiful.

I would use this book for my class that was about to start a science unit on hatching chicks. It has a section at the end of the story that is about the life cycle of an egg. It would also be a good story to read to impatient kindergarteners. I like the idea of using this story for older students as an example of how to make your own stories about a life-like situation. Also, it would be a good idea to ask the students to analyze themselves and talk or write about some times when they should have been a little more patient. There are no awards for this book at this time.

Skippy Jon Jones Class Action

Written and Illustrated by Judy Schachner

Dutton Children’s Books, 2012

31 pages

Picture Book

I chose this book because I wanted to explore the activities that might go with it since it is popular with my practicum students. In this book our little kitten, Skippy Jon Jones, is in a predicament. He really wants to go to school. However, school is for dogs, and he just happens to be a cat.

His mother is desperately trying to convince him that he doesn't want to go to school because the dogs are awful. Unfortunately for her, the more she tries to talk him out of going to school the more Skippy really wants to go to school. Skippy wishes he was a Chihuahua instead of a Siamese Cat. He uses his imagination and goes into his closet to have the chance to go to school.

The illustrations in this book are done in acrylics and pen and ink. They are drawn onto Aquarelle Arches water color paper. There is not really any negative space in this book and the color scheme is varied depending on Skippy’s mood. The artwork is painted in a very textured pattern. The text is informal and sometimes very informal. This adds to the mood of the book.

I would use this book for elementary students in kindergarten through third grade. For the kindergartners I would use this book as a first day of school activity. Or a way to discuss how coming to school is a privilege. For some of the older students, I would use this book to introduce narrative writing. This book would also work for a word work lesson on adjectives or expanding vocabulary. There are no awards for this book at this time.

Amber's Shelfari

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Tuesday, September 24, 2013