Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?. New York, New York, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.
A fun-filled nonfiction and the winner of the Caldecott Honor, which is very informative on animals and how they use their different senses; sight, smell, touch, hear, and taste. This was an entertaining book, because before the reader is exposed the actual animal, the only things shown are noses, eyes, mouths, etc; along with being educating, it also becomes a guessing game. The authors did a very good job in making this educational book enjoyable. The illustrations in this book are cut-out pictures and made into a kind of collage. The cut-outs look as though they have different textures and make the reader want to touch the animals shown. There is a large variety of different animals that are used to help the reader to understand what their noses, ears, feet, eyes, mouths, and tails are used for. The pictures alone would not be able to bring the reader knowledge about the animals because all the reader would see would be an animal, but how do they use their senses? The text in this book is very important in telling the reader what they need to know. Although the pictures in this book may seem a bit simple, it had to have taken time to get the “textures” of the animals just right, because the feel of every animal is different and the readers can all sense that from seeing the pictures. At the end of the book, it showed all of the animals that were mentioned and had more information on them so that the readers would have a better understanding of the different animals.
other sources:
Cullinan, Bernice, and Lee Galda. Literature and the Child. 5th ed. Wadsworth, 2002
Showing posts with label Picture Book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Picture Book. Show all posts
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Days with Frog and Toad-Arnold Lobel
Days with Frog and Toad
The book Days with Frog and Toad, written by Arnold Lobel, is a well recognized and awarded Children’s Fiction Picture book. It come from a list of various f other “Frog and Toad” books, some of which having won the Newberry or Caldecott.
This specific book of the series shares short stories about 5 different occurrences for them. Toad comes across each obstacle (from a lesson in procrastination in “Tomorrow” to a touching story of friendship in “Alone”). Every story shows how a good friend should act; children enjoy reading these stories because they can see themselves in one or the other characters shoes.
The illustrations in this book are blander than most other children’s books. The color choice is dull but still reflects their personalities by making the naïve Toad brown and wiser Frog dark green. The pictures mimic the text, making this a possible selection to give to students having harder time learning to read. The illustrations are cartoonistic, putting a focus on lines to emphasize. On some of the pages, the artwork is placed randomly around the page, and sometimes takes the same amount of space as the text. It makes the text more fun to read.
Overall, I believe the book Days with Frog and Toad would be a great book to assign students in a lower elementary level class. It could be used to go along with a theme of friendship because of the relationship Toad and Frog have with each other in the stories. Also, it is a great book to get students excited about higher levels of reading due to the books transitioning from a picture book into a chapter book form.
Lobel, Arnold. Days with Frog and Toad. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1979.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
A Chair For My Mother
Williams, Vera B. A Chair for My Mother.
This is a story told by the young girl who selflessly devises a plan to donate her hard earned money to her single working mother and grandmother. She wants to help buy a piece of comfy furniture after a fire destroyed their home and belongings. The family fills a huge jar with spare coins they collect each day and optimistically count the money inside nightly until the day when the jar is full and their dream of a comfy armchair is obtained.
Vera B. Williams's (author and illustrator) use of the little girl as the narrator creates a selfless and optimistic theme of a child trying to give something of value to her mother. She plays on the child’s hopeful narration and invites readers of any age to relate to and enjoy the realistic story. The specific setting of the story is never mentioned, but obviously it is located in a city which allows for a large spectrum of readers to insert themselves into the story. Williams's Caldecott Honor illustrations enhance the story further by expressing the scenery and mood of the story through artistic color and borders. Williams's relationship between text and art helps a wide range of audiences understand visually her theme of selflessness; a solid lesson for kids and adults to learn and review which I believe is Williams’s hidden meaning behind her book.
Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Ronald Himler
Fly Away Home is a story of a homeless boy and his father who live in an airport, each day moving to a new terminal in an effort to go unnoticed. One day the boy sees a bird trapped in the airport and when the bird escapes through a door, he realizes that he also will find a way out someday. Some readers may not be able to relate to being homeless and having to live in an airport, but they can probably relate to the feeling of being trapped in a situation at some point in their lives. Since the story is told through the eyes of the boy, children can relate to his feelings and adults can relate because they were children at one time.
The idea of being trapped can be felt through both the pictures and the text. The pictures help to capture the boys’ sadness and the dull colors enhance the readers' feelings of pain and lifelessness. Both the boy and his father always wear blue, a color often associated with sadness and the pictures seem to close in around the words, drawing the eyes of the reader inward which may represent feeling trapped, as well.
According to The Horn Book, "the problem of homelessness, so distressing and so difficult to explain to children, has found moving expression in a simple, universal picture book…"[1] I agree, homelessness can be hard to explain and the feelings of those who are homeless can he hard to get across. This book helps children and adults experience the pain of the homeless through words and pictures.
[1] This quote can be found on the back of Fly Away Home.
Bunting, Eve. Fly Away Home. New York: Clarion, 1991.
The idea of being trapped can be felt through both the pictures and the text. The pictures help to capture the boys’ sadness and the dull colors enhance the readers' feelings of pain and lifelessness. Both the boy and his father always wear blue, a color often associated with sadness and the pictures seem to close in around the words, drawing the eyes of the reader inward which may represent feeling trapped, as well.
According to The Horn Book, "the problem of homelessness, so distressing and so difficult to explain to children, has found moving expression in a simple, universal picture book…"[1] I agree, homelessness can be hard to explain and the feelings of those who are homeless can he hard to get across. This book helps children and adults experience the pain of the homeless through words and pictures.
[1] This quote can be found on the back of Fly Away Home.
Bunting, Eve. Fly Away Home. New York: Clarion, 1991.
On the Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
Woodson, Jacqueline. On the Other Side. New York, New York: G.P. Putnam's Son, 2001.
Jacqueline Woodson lays this story out like a beautiful poem with her fence that is used as a metaphor for the racial divide. The book is set in the south during the time of racism and the divide between whites and blacks. The story is about a summer friendship that overcomes that racial divide. The narrator, a young African American girl named Clover, lives next to a fence that separates her town. Clover's mother tells her she is never to climb over the fence because it wasn't safe. One summer morning while playing outside, Clover notices a girl on the other side of the fence. Becoming curious of each other as the summer goes by. One day they both finally get up enough guts to meet one another and they decide not to listen to either of their mother's and sit upon the fence which once divided them as if it was meant just for that.
The illustrations in this book are absolutely breathtaking. E.B. Lewis uses watercolor to capture the summer time in the south. The use of blue and yellow in the pictures show happiness and unity. The part where he captures the sadness of Clover not being able to go outside with the rain outside. On one of the pages shows the social status by the separation of the two by a cement line. You can tell the curiosity of the two children yearning to meet one another. Lewis depicts the time with the dresses and the sneakers. The sun is shining but there are dark shadows.
Jacqueline Woodson lays this story out like a beautiful poem with her fence that is used as a metaphor for the racial divide. The book is set in the south during the time of racism and the divide between whites and blacks. The story is about a summer friendship that overcomes that racial divide. The narrator, a young African American girl named Clover, lives next to a fence that separates her town. Clover's mother tells her she is never to climb over the fence because it wasn't safe. One summer morning while playing outside, Clover notices a girl on the other side of the fence. Becoming curious of each other as the summer goes by. One day they both finally get up enough guts to meet one another and they decide not to listen to either of their mother's and sit upon the fence which once divided them as if it was meant just for that.
The illustrations in this book are absolutely breathtaking. E.B. Lewis uses watercolor to capture the summer time in the south. The use of blue and yellow in the pictures show happiness and unity. The part where he captures the sadness of Clover not being able to go outside with the rain outside. On one of the pages shows the social status by the separation of the two by a cement line. You can tell the curiosity of the two children yearning to meet one another. Lewis depicts the time with the dresses and the sneakers. The sun is shining but there are dark shadows.
Clever Beatrice by Margaret Willey
Clever Beatrice is an original folktale written by Margaret Willey and illustrated by Heather Solomon. Set in the late 19th century in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the author uses a third person account to cleanly direct the plot. The story begins with an establishment of characters; Beatrice and her mother have fallen on hard times, however, there is a rich giant over the hill. In the ending the problem is resolved without difficulty; Beatrice outsmarts the giant and wins his riches. Willey’s overall theme is that intelligence will triumph over physical strength.
Solomon uses collage technique with acrylic, oils, and watercolors throughout the illustrations to supply visual contrasts and patterns that convey movement and reality. She produces impressionistic art that effectively combines small morsels of color and texture to create a complete picture. The illustrations are three-dimensional with thin angular lines and geometric shapes. The earth tones used reflect the simplicity of woodland life.
Willey’s accomplishes her intent to entertain and educate. Her story reflects on an economy relying on the lumber industry, “One way [to make money] is to cut down trees with the lumberjacks,” states Beatrice’s mother (p. 3). This ever-present relationship between people and the environment is relatable for all generations. A hidden message Willey includes is that when times are rough one may need to call upon all of their personal strengths to overcome tribulations. This folktale is appropriate for ages 4-8.
Willey, Margaret. Clever Beatrice. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2001.
Click http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/authors/experts/willey.asp for an interview in which Willey comments on her inspiration and techniques used while writing this book.
If you are interested in Upper Peninsula folktales this book: http://www.amazon.com/Bloodstoppers-Bearwalkers-Traditions-Upper-Peninsula/dp/0674076656 offers a compilation of stories collected by a folklorist in the late 1940’s.
Solomon uses collage technique with acrylic, oils, and watercolors throughout the illustrations to supply visual contrasts and patterns that convey movement and reality. She produces impressionistic art that effectively combines small morsels of color and texture to create a complete picture. The illustrations are three-dimensional with thin angular lines and geometric shapes. The earth tones used reflect the simplicity of woodland life.
Willey’s accomplishes her intent to entertain and educate. Her story reflects on an economy relying on the lumber industry, “One way [to make money] is to cut down trees with the lumberjacks,” states Beatrice’s mother (p. 3). This ever-present relationship between people and the environment is relatable for all generations. A hidden message Willey includes is that when times are rough one may need to call upon all of their personal strengths to overcome tribulations. This folktale is appropriate for ages 4-8.
Willey, Margaret. Clever Beatrice. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2001.
Click http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/authors/experts/willey.asp for an interview in which Willey comments on her inspiration and techniques used while writing this book.
If you are interested in Upper Peninsula folktales this book: http://www.amazon.com/Bloodstoppers-Bearwalkers-Traditions-Upper-Peninsula/dp/0674076656 offers a compilation of stories collected by a folklorist in the late 1940’s.
The Runaway Bunny - Margaret Wise Brown
The famous pair, Margaret Wise Brown and illustrator, Clement Hurd, have once again produced a heart warming bedtime story, The Runaway Bunny, sure to make any child’s dreams sweet. The story first introduces a little bunny informing his mother that he is going to run away, with the mother replying that if he does she will find him. Each page, the bunny fabricates a plan of action he will take to get away from his mother by adopting different professions that put him up on mountain tops and out in the ocean. No matter what he does his mother seems to finds him every time. Unconditional love is easily portrayed by the mother each page, which makes it a simple lesson for children to hold on to.
The illustrations in the book are setup differently than most, where with each page that includes text, the picture is a black and white sketch. Then, there is a spread following the black and white pages that has no border or words, bright colors, and is an example of impressionistic art as an oil painting. Since the whole book is based on a conversation between a mother and her little bunny boy, each black and white page explains what that character intends to do. Each color page, therefore, exhibits the result of their intentions. The book’s simple story line with repetitive phrases, cumulative pattern of events, and literal illustrations of the content makes it a perfect book for children that are learning to read.
Brown, Margaret Wise. The Runaway Bunny. New York City: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., 1972.
The illustrations in the book are setup differently than most, where with each page that includes text, the picture is a black and white sketch. Then, there is a spread following the black and white pages that has no border or words, bright colors, and is an example of impressionistic art as an oil painting. Since the whole book is based on a conversation between a mother and her little bunny boy, each black and white page explains what that character intends to do. Each color page, therefore, exhibits the result of their intentions. The book’s simple story line with repetitive phrases, cumulative pattern of events, and literal illustrations of the content makes it a perfect book for children that are learning to read.
Brown, Margaret Wise. The Runaway Bunny. New York City: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., 1972.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm
Nolen, Jerdine. Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 1994
Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm is a children’s picture book that takes place in the rolling countryside of a small town on a U.S. Government Inspected Balloon Farm. It is told/narrated from a young African American girl’s point of view. She becomes friends with balloon farmer, Harvey Potter and eventually uses her own methods to grow balloons when she gets older. All the characters are very well developed and include, Harvey Potter, Wheezle Mayfield and the young girl who narrates the book.
The style of the art in the book could be considered cartoon because of the simplicity of the objects, yet it is a touch impressionistic because the illustrator plays with the emphasis of light and shadows as well. Some areas of the pictures appear to be very smooth, however others are rough and broken up with many visible brush strokes.
The text and illustrations aren’t completely symmetric rather they enhance each other. Without the illustrations, we wouldn’t completely understand the text, and without the text we wouldn’t understand the illustrations. They are done with bright colors like “Pleasin’ Purple, Rip-TwoShot Red, and Grassy Green” that literally pop off the page!
Nolen’s book is definitely age appropriate, because I don’t know that there is one specific target age for it. I read it as a child and loved it, and I read it again today and my mind still swirls with what it would be like to see a real balloon farm. The perfect book for a creative, light-hearted individual!
Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm is a children’s picture book that takes place in the rolling countryside of a small town on a U.S. Government Inspected Balloon Farm. It is told/narrated from a young African American girl’s point of view. She becomes friends with balloon farmer, Harvey Potter and eventually uses her own methods to grow balloons when she gets older. All the characters are very well developed and include, Harvey Potter, Wheezle Mayfield and the young girl who narrates the book.
The style of the art in the book could be considered cartoon because of the simplicity of the objects, yet it is a touch impressionistic because the illustrator plays with the emphasis of light and shadows as well. Some areas of the pictures appear to be very smooth, however others are rough and broken up with many visible brush strokes.
The text and illustrations aren’t completely symmetric rather they enhance each other. Without the illustrations, we wouldn’t completely understand the text, and without the text we wouldn’t understand the illustrations. They are done with bright colors like “Pleasin’ Purple, Rip-TwoShot Red, and Grassy Green” that literally pop off the page!
Nolen’s book is definitely age appropriate, because I don’t know that there is one specific target age for it. I read it as a child and loved it, and I read it again today and my mind still swirls with what it would be like to see a real balloon farm. The perfect book for a creative, light-hearted individual!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)