Module 1 Book Reviews: Nonfiction Picture Book

Side by Side by Leonard S. Marcus

1. Bibliography
Marcus, Leonard S. 2001. SIDE BY SIDE. New York, NY: Walker Publishing Company. ISBN 0-8027-8778-9

2. PlotSummary

Marcus explores the dynamic relationships between author and illustrator that result in the creation of five different picture books. Sketches and reprints of the illustrations from the selected picture books are included.

3. Critical Analysis

This book is appropriate for grade 3 and up. For a nonfiction account of the creation of picture books, this story easily portrays the events in an endearing manner, truly drawing the reader in to the emotional interests of the authors and illustrators. Marcus' work explains to the reader why, not just how. His selection of authors and illustrators is well-rounded - including works of men, women, fiction, and non-fiction.

One of the best points of this book is the inclusion of the sketches the artists drew when first developing ideas for the illustrations. Understanding how the illustrations look in the beginning are the key to understanding that art is a process and involves much more than the end product on glossy pages.

4. Review Excerpts

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (47 no. 11) "Even those who have not seen some of the featured books will be engaged by the creativity and cooperation exhibited here." BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS (55 no. 7) "There are also plenty of insights about the process of collaboration, which may inspire readers to their own creative teamwork." THE HORN BOOK (v. 78 no. 1) "provides unusual insight into the topic of artistic partnerships..."

5. Connections

After reading about the wonderful results of the collaborations between these authors and illustrators readers may be anxious to read the actual books and analyze the illustrations with new light.

Cole, Joanna. THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS AND THE FIVE SENSES. ISBN 0590446975 Lester, Julius. SAM AND THE TIGERS. ISBN 0803720289 Provensen, Alice and Martin. THE GLORIOUS FLIGHT: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot. ISBN: 0670342599 Scieszka, Jon and Lane Smith. THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES. ISBN: 067084487x Yorinks, Arthur. LOUIS THE FISH. ISBN: 0374346585

Module 1 Book Reviews: Predictable, Engineered Storybook

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback
Winner of the 2000 Caldecott Award

1. Bibliography
Taback, Simms. 1999. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT. New York, NY: The Penguin Group. ISBN 0-670-87855-3

2. Plot Summary
A man named Joseph begins the story with a worn out overcoat. He re-uses the remaining fabric to create a different piece of clothing. This process continues until there is no longer any fabric. When the man is unable to create any more items he chooses to write a story about his experience.

3. Critical Analysis
This is a fantastic story for children. The author has created a story that shares the value of re-using materials, celebrates the idea of being happy with available resources, and intertwines predictability with curiosity to actively capture audiences of all ages. Die cuts encourage mental participation by providing clues as to the next article of clothing Joseph will create. Predictable phrasing and a rhythmic beat are perfect for including children in a shared reading setting.

The illustrations are rich with vivid colors and patterns in the lively world that surrounds Joseph. Author/illustrator Taback reflects Joseph's manner of resourcefulness in creating the collage with bits of newspaper, photos, and fabrics. In addition to the storyline, Taback has inobtrusively embedded much cultural information - enough to merit a class discussion entirely separate from the plot of the book.

Inclusion of the Yiddish folk song "I Had a Little Overcoat" brings the joyousness of this book full circle.

4. Review Excerpts
THE HORN BOOK (v. 76 no. 1) "Clever, visually engrossing, poignant, it's worth holding on to."
BOOKLIST (v. 96 no. 9-10) "Taback's mixed media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity."

5. Connections
Another clever Yiddish folktale, IT COULD BE WORSE, retold by Margot Zemot, relates the story of a man a who seeks advice for dealing with a very crowded and noisy household. If the students enjoy the predictability, clues, and elaborate illustrations of Taback's book, they are sure to find excitement in the THE MITTEN - A UKRAINIAN FOLKTALE, as adapted by Jan Brett, which incorporates clues within the borders of each page.

Brett, Jan. THE MITTEN - A UKRAINIAN FOLKTALE. ISBN: 039921920x
Zemach, Margot. IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE. ISBN: 0374436363

Module 1 Book Reviews: Picture Storybook

Ring! Yo? by Chris Raschka

1. Bibliography
Raschka, Chris. 2000. RING! YO? New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. ISBN 0-7894-2614-5

2. Plot Summary
This story depicts one side of a two-sided phone conversation between a young boy and his friend, a character who is only revealed through the illustrations. Through the young boy's body-language and reaction to the caller, readers are able to infer what the caller's side of the conversation might sound like. The author makes a suggestion at the close of the story as to what the complete conversation may have sounded like and invites the reader to suggest a different version of the conversation.

3. Critical Analysis
This amusing story is entirely composed of high-frequency words and yet easily brings to life two young characters full of personality. Reader engagement is inevitable - only hearing one side of a conversation is quite a trigger for the imagination - for children and adults alike! The range of the boy's reactions also serve to fuel the imagination! This book will open doors for discussion, writing exploration, and theatrics as students fill in the missing conversation pieces, compare interpretations and relate to the characters' feelings. The author has crafted a "create your own ending" picture book with "endless" possibilities!

The characters are introduced on the cover, end page, and title page prior to the beginning of the story which gives the reader the necessary information to activate a child's prior knowledge and set the stage for the story. The variation in text size and background colors are supportive of the young boy's feelings and emotions. Pages are uncluttered so that the reader's attention stays focused on the reactions of the young boy. The characters are portrayed light-heartedly in child-like drawings that are the humorous element in this story.

4. Review Excerpts
BOOLIST review (v.96 no. 14): "another delightful monosyllabic, energy charged story..."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review (v.46 no. 5) "The pastel and watercolor illustrations, all with lots of white background space and a word or two in cut paper letters, wonderfully capture a wide range of emotions."

5. Connections
For an introduction of the two friends seen in this story, check out the preceding book YO! YES? - a Caldecott Honor Book. Friendship themes are also found in books written by Raschka including LIKE, LIKES, LIKE and THE BLUSHFUL HIPPOPOTAMUS.

Raschka, Chris. YO! YES?. ISBN 0531071081
Raschka, Chris. LIKE, LIKES, LIKE. ISBN 0531088820
Raschka, Chris. THE BLUSHFUL HIPPOTAMUS. ISBN 0789481898