Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Module 3 Book Reviews: Poetry

The Stone Lamp - Eight Stories of Hanukkah Through History by Karen Hesse

1. Bibliography
Hesse, Karen. 2003. THE STONE LAMP - EIGHT STORIES OF HANUKKAH THROUGH HISTORY. Ill. by Brian Pinkney. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786806192.

2. Plot Summary
Eight major events in Jewish history are detailed and a free verse poem corresponding to each relates the emotions, reactions, and resoluteness of a personally involved child character.

3. Critical Analysis
Multiple viewpoints serve to connect the tribulations of Jews from around the world- to emphasize that these destructions were not isolated events, but world events. Contrasts between the stark accounts of historical events and the softer, more melancholy deliverance of the characters' everyday accounts, fashion reading material with considerable depth.

The stone Hanukkah lamp lighted by each family signifies the tenacity of the Jewish people, and the passing down of the lamp through the ages is symbolic of the determination of a people. The poem Third Night, Third Light reveals these thoughts, "The stone lamp is not our most beautiful. But it is our oldest and dearest..." The lamp's story of survival trumps its appearance, and keeps Jewish history alive in the heart of a young girl - declaring the Jewish people irrepressible.

Although the tone of the book is heavy and the history is grim, the illustrations counter these disheartening stories with bright, clear paintings. Each illustration is warmed by either the light from the lamp itself or an allusion to the lamplight seen in the yellow skullcaps of the characters, carrying through the book the hope of a better life. Eighth Night, Eighth Light says of the stone lamp, "It is homely beside the menorahs of my friends. But I am proud to join my hand with the many who lighted it." This poem helps close the book with a reiteration of stoic pride and belief that an exceptional future awaits, sentiments warranted by centuries of a people prevailing over persecution.

4. Review Excerpts
THE WASHINGTON POST: "The children's voices ring immediate and true."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "the personal perspective of each young narrator adds special resonance to the meaning of Hanukkah."
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE (Judy Chernak): " It's a gripping combination, compelling in its personalization of each sad chapter in Jewish history."

5. Connections
History, tragedy and triumph, becomes overwhelmingly personal and relevant to readers as these books delve into the individual's struggles against the world.
Auerbacher, Inge. I AM A STAR: CHILD OF THE HOLOCAUST. ISBN 0140364013.
Patz, Nancy. WHO WAS THE WOMAN WHO WORE THE HAT? ISBN 0525469990.

Module 3 Book Reviews: Poetry

Beast Feast by Douglas Florian

1. Bilbiography
Florian, Douglas. 1994. BEAST FEAST. Singapore: Harcourt Brace & Company. ISBN 0152951784.

2. Plot Summary
Characteristics of various animals and insects are set to rhyme in a very beautifully illustrated collection with some silly twists!

3. Critical Analysis
This book is a clever collection of partly factual, partly silly, and 100% entertaining poetry. Poems range from very short, simple poems to longer, more thoughtful poems. Each illustration involves a visual dessert - that "something sweet to top it off." From the grouchy walrus' armchair, the lobster's reading material -"Mobster Motel," the chameleon's paintbrush and palet, and the armadillo's sleeping bag, Florian has embedded witty intepretations of the creatures' interests. Poems are set on a plain white background opposite full page color illustrations, making the poetry easily accessible to young eyes and ensures that the illustrations are well studied.

4. Review Excerpts
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "an uncluttered, short presentation by an author/illustrator who knows what children will find funny-add to that the bonus of factual information tucked into each poem, and the result is a winner."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "a feast--for the eyes and the ears--"
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: "a delightful way to introduce kids to poetry."

5. Connections
For a range of animal poetry from quaint to lively add these books to your collection:
Chernaik, Judith (Editor). CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS - POEMS INSPIRED BY SAINT-SAENS' MUSIC. (Includes CD) ISBN 076362960x.
Heard, Georgia. CREATURES OF EARTH, SEA, AND SKY: POEMS. ISBN 1563976358.

Module 3 Book Reviews: Poetry

Fold Me A Poem by Kristine O'Connell George

1. Bibliography
George, Kristine O'Connell. 2005. FOLD ME A POEM. Ill. by Lauren Stringer. Singapore, Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152025014.

2. Plot Summary
A child's clever imagination is revealed through his creation of brightly colored Origami animals and excitement is in the air as the playful animals seem to come to life. A list of Origami resources is included.

3. Critical Analysis
The first poem sets the tone for the book with the lines, "Square sheet of paper -folded, suddenly wakes up." As rigid paper comes to life with the touch of his fingers, the young boy's imagination comes to life, and the story comes to life. Through the progression of the poems, more creatures liven and the narration shifts from the boy's point of view -poems about the animals, to the animals' points of view - poems by the animals, then flows into a conversational type rhetoric with poems that speak to the animals - answering their questions and admonishing their unruly behavior.
A side story carried through the illustrations is the mischieviousness of the boy's cat- drinking milk from the cereal bowl, lying in wait for the peacocks, pouncing on the rabbit, and injuring the ostrich. This added character confirms the animation of the creatures. He is an avid participant on each page -whether observing with a twitching tail or jumping in on the action. He also serves to reinforce the idea that Origami can be appealing to any audience.
Children will identify with the main character even though the Origami animals seem to be perfect at first glance, which is difficult for most children and probably most beginners. Children can relate to the poem concerning the camel, who is missing a leg as a result of a mishap in direction following. Instead of giving up and trashing the camel, the boy opts to re-read the directions. What a simple form of encouragement! Other minor setbacks do not prevent the boy from forging ahead. When the glue spills on the floor, the wind blows the animals and the snowflakes into a flurry, and the ostrich requires first aid, he calmly continues working.
The liveliness of the book slowly fades as the boy prepares for bed with the line, "Night unfolds softly." However, this line refers only to the boy. The animals, on the contrary, under the ever-watchful eye of the cat, quietly make their way to the dance floor in a poem entitled, "Mystery."

4. Review Excerpts
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "This unusual poetry volume is a dazzling celebration of imagination."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "The vividly colored acrylics depict the boy actively engaged in play with his creations, and the details that Stringer provides infuse the verses with both energy and humor."

5. Connections
To lift poetry up off of the page and breathe life into it as O'Connell has, try the following multiple intelligences poetry books:
Fleischman, Paul. BIG TALK: POEMS FOR FOUR VOICES. ISBN 0763606367.
Holbrook, Sara. WHAM! IT'S A POETRY JAM - DISCOVERING PERFORMANCE POETRY. ISBN 1590780116.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Module 2 Book Reviews: Folklore Collection

Whoppers: Tall Tales and Other Lies Collected from American Folklore by Alvin Schwartz.

1. Bibliography
Schwartz, Alvin. 1975. WHOPPERS: TALL TALES AND OTHER LIES COLLECTED FROM AMERICAN FOLKLORE. Ill. by Glen Rounds. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0064460916.

2. Plot Summary
This is a collection of exxagerations that range anywhere from two or three sentences to two or three pages long. The tales are organized by categories: Ordinary People, Ordinary Things, Fancy Clothes and Narrow Escapes, Animals and Insects, Putrefactions and Other Wonders, and the Weather. Notes and Sources are included at the end of the collection.

3. Critical Analysis
These tales are unpredictable, humorous, and rooted in American history - simple enough for children but complex enough for adults! They tell stories in such fresh light that readers are sure to be amused by all the antics. The illustrations are sketchy - just like the tales, and only in black and white - leaving the reader to mentally fill in all the color that the imagination can produce!

4. Review Excerpt
KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Here's 'pack of lies' in the best Schwartz/Rounds tradition of foolery, with rambunctious cartoons and a passel of footnotes."

5. Connections
For more American Folkore examine books by the following authors:
Irving, Washinton. RIP VAN WINKLE. isbn: 0769632823.
Kellogg, Steven. PAUL BUNYAN. ISBN: 0688058000.
Lindbergh, Reeve. JOHNNY APPLESEED. ISBN: 0316526347.
Ottolenghi, Carol. JOHN HENRY. ISBN: 076963284x.

Module 2 Book Reviews: Fairytale Variants

The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirly Climo

1. Bibliography
Climo, Shirley. 1989. THE EGYPTIAN CINDERELLA. Ill. by Ruth Heller. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 0064432793.

2. Plot Summary
An Egyptian slave girl named Rhodopsis, meaning "rosy-cheeked," is unlike any of the servant girls. Where they are copper skinned with dark eyes, she has green eyes and pale skin, and for this they perpetually tease her. To escape the constant barbs from the servant girls, Rhodopsis befriends the animals and often dances for them. Her master happens to oversee the impressive dancer and orders for her beautiful rose-red golden slippers. The jealous servant girls refuse to let Rhodopsis join attend the court held by the Pharoah Amasis. A falcon steals and delivers one of the slippers to the Pharoah, and taking the delivery as a sign from the God Horus, Pharoah begins searching for the maiden that will become his queen. When she is identified as the maiden, the servant girls argue that Rhodopsis is not even Egyptian. Pharoah quells the dispute by comparing her eyes to the Nile, her hair to papyrus, and her skin to the lotus flower.

3. Critical Analysis
This tale is a great lesson in the Egyptian culture and will like prompt many more questions into the lives of Egyptians. The language is colorful and elegant with masterful illustrations that share the beliefs, customs, and beauty of Egypt.. Perhaps the most intriguing part of the story is the Author's Note at the conclusion of the tale explaining the origin and factual basis of the story.

4. Review Excerpts
CHILREN'S LITERATURE: "Both adults and children will enjoy this book's eloquent prose and exquisite illustrations."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "A stunning combination of fluent prose and exquisitely wrought illustrations. Climo has woven this ancient tale, a mixture of fact and myth, with clarity and eloquence. Powerful visual presentations reminiscent of the figures on Egyptian frieze paintings and carvings, colorful birds and animals that pulse with life, and information about Egyptian mythology and civilization are sublty interwoven into the traditional folktale."

5. Connections
What a great way to learn about the many cultures of our world through art and prose! Compare and contrast variants of the Cinderella stories or begin cultural research with a heartwarming story!

Hickox, Rebecca. GOLDEN SANDAL: A MIDDLE EASTERN CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN: 0823415139.
Louie, Ai-Ling (retold by). YEH-SHEN: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM CHINA. ISBN: 0399215948.
San Souci, Robert D. CENDRILLON: A CARIBBEAN CINDERELLA. ISBN: 0689848889.
San Souci, Robert D. SOOTFACE: AN OJIBWA CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN: 044041363x.
Climo, Shirley. THE KOREAN CINDERELLA. ISBN: 0064433978.

Module 2 Book Reviews: Folktale

Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato An Irish Folktale by Tomie DePaola

1. Bibliography
DePaola, Tomie. 1992. JAMIE O'ROURKE AND THE BIG POTATO - AN IRISH FOLKTALE. Ill. by Tomie DePoala. New York, NY: G.P Putnams's Sons. ISBN 039922257-x.

2. Plot Summary
A lazy man's wife must do all the work to grow the "praties" before winter. When she is injured and must remain in bed, the lazy man begins to plan for his demise and by chance encounters a leprechaun. The leprechaun trades his freedom not for his pot of gold, but for a single potato seed guaranteed to grow "the biggest pratie in the world." The giant potato proves to be more than enough to feed the entire village for the winter - so much so that the villagers promise to provide food for the lazy man and his wife - if in return they never again grow another giant potato.

3. Critical Analysis
This story is very straight-forward yet leaves the reader with the feeling that there are holes in the story. The solution is not the ending the reader expects and goes against the universal theme of right over wrong - The lazy man profits and the hardworking townfolk are committed to sacrifice. The illustrations are precise and inviting but do not add any new elements to the story.

4. Review Excerpts
BOOKLIST: "Illustrated in dePaola's signature style, this has an inviting look. An engaging read-aloud choice for Saint Patrick's Day."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "This text has traditional folklore conventions: exaggerated, yet flat, characters; a tricky plot; and, of course, a happy ending."


5. Connections
To truly capture the Irish spirit and to immerse children in the musical qualities of Irish tales, share both retold and modern tradition (including a female heroine!).
Doyle, Malachy (Retold by). TALES FROM OLD IRELAND. (Includes Narration on CD.) ISBN: 1841484032.
Macgill-Callahan, Sheila. LAST SNAKE IN IRELAND: A STORY ABOUT ST. PATRICK. ISBN: 0823414256.
McDermott, Gerald. TIM O'TOOLE AND THE WEE FOLK. ISBN: 0670803936.
Souhamie, Jessica. MRS. MCCOOL AND THE GIANT CUHULLIN: AN IRISH TALE. ISBNL 080506852x.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

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