1) Bibliography
Montes, Marisa. 2006. Los Gatos Black on Halloween. New York, NY. ISBN 0805074295
2) Plot Summary
On Halloween scary creatures such as the las calabazas,las brujas, los esqueletos and others come out and join together for a monstrous ball. They play the harpsicords, and dance and are having a great time when suddenly they hear raps on the door. As the door opens, they see children holding their bags yelling trick or treat. The monsters are upset and believe the kids are the scariest things they have seen.
3) Critical Analysis
Montes clearly creates hauntingly beautiful characters in her story through the use of English and Spanish rhythms. The reader can clearly see and hear the movements of the Halloween characters such as the "cats slink and creep on Halloween". The words in which they are printed on each page even creates a song like pattern.
The illustrations are beautiful and will capture the imagination of each reader young or old. Even though this is intended to be a scary story, the monsters are obviously having a great time. The illustrations are dark, yet wispy creating an even more fantasy like image in the reader's imagination.
4) Review Excerpt
Booklist 2006
" Montes' evocative poem deserves exceptional artwork, and Morales obliges. Her soft-edged paintings glow with the luminosity of jewels, and her witches, werewolves, and corpses are frighteningly executed.
5) Connections
* Used as a precursor to Halloween studies
* learning English and Spanish language
Other books by Montes include Infinito Particular and Rose and Charcoal.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Green Eggs and Ham
1) Bibliography
Seuss, Dr. 1960. Green Eggs and Ham. New York, NY. ISBN 0394800168.
2) Plot Summary
Sam, an extremely persistant character, tries to get his friend to eat green eggs and ham. He carries around a fork, tray and platter of green eggs and ham and tries to get him to eat them in many different ways considering location "here or there" or with different friends " would you eat them with a fox" but yet his friend refuses to eat green eggs and ham. He follows him around considering all the different places, ways, friends that he could eat them with and yet his friend will not sway in his decision. Finally, Sam wears on his friend and he gives in with the consideration that he will leave him alone if he at least tries the delicacy. With great surprise he realizes that he DOES like green eggs and ham and yes he would "eat them in a boat and with a goat" he then thanks his friend and finishes the platter of green eggs and ham.
3) Critical Analysis
How could any child not love Green Eggs and Ham? The rhythm and rhyme of the story leads the reader to deliver such exuberance in the words. It's as if you could almost sing the book. Although, there is not a great storyline here, the characters and the lines leave the reader wanting to read more. The illustrations are a classic of Dr. Seuss with bright, silly characters, that literally tell stories with just their expressions. I think that this book is definately a valuable part to any child's book collection.
4) Review Excerpt
Amazon.com
"As usual, kids will love Dr. Seuss's wacky rhymes and whimsical illustrations--and this time, they might even be so moved as to finally take a taste of their broccoli."
5) Connections
* Could be used to consider the importance of trying new food
Seuss, Dr. 1960. Green Eggs and Ham. New York, NY. ISBN 0394800168.
2) Plot Summary
Sam, an extremely persistant character, tries to get his friend to eat green eggs and ham. He carries around a fork, tray and platter of green eggs and ham and tries to get him to eat them in many different ways considering location "here or there" or with different friends " would you eat them with a fox" but yet his friend refuses to eat green eggs and ham. He follows him around considering all the different places, ways, friends that he could eat them with and yet his friend will not sway in his decision. Finally, Sam wears on his friend and he gives in with the consideration that he will leave him alone if he at least tries the delicacy. With great surprise he realizes that he DOES like green eggs and ham and yes he would "eat them in a boat and with a goat" he then thanks his friend and finishes the platter of green eggs and ham.
3) Critical Analysis
How could any child not love Green Eggs and Ham? The rhythm and rhyme of the story leads the reader to deliver such exuberance in the words. It's as if you could almost sing the book. Although, there is not a great storyline here, the characters and the lines leave the reader wanting to read more. The illustrations are a classic of Dr. Seuss with bright, silly characters, that literally tell stories with just their expressions. I think that this book is definately a valuable part to any child's book collection.
4) Review Excerpt
Amazon.com
"As usual, kids will love Dr. Seuss's wacky rhymes and whimsical illustrations--and this time, they might even be so moved as to finally take a taste of their broccoli."
5) Connections
* Could be used to consider the importance of trying new food
My Librarian is a Camel
1) Bibliography
Ruurs, Margriet. 2005. Honesdale, PA. ISBN 1590780930
2) Plot Summary
How do children in other countries receive books from the library? Ruurs tells a fascinating story of how books manage to become a part of children's lives in rural areas of certain countries. Thirteen countries are featured in this book, and each country has their own means of supplying books to children. Some books are delived by truck, mail, wheelbarrows, boat, camels, and even elephants. Each country has certain organizations that make it a priority to place literature in the minds of young readers. This is a true and fascinating read!
3) Critical Analysis
What an amazing story! Many people in the United States take it for granted how fortunate we are to have school or public libraries in our daily lives. Ruurs tells the story of mobile libraries and how crucial they are in helping educate young children. The book is set up in a very easy to read format displaying each country and their method on a 2 page spread. The pictures are all taken by the organizations themselves making the book feel unique and inspiring. The text is very simple and explains the process of delivering books in a very simple manner.
4) Review Excerpt
School Library Journal 2005
"With little information available about libraries of the world, this title offers a glimpse into the world of books, which several countries consider as important as air or water."
5) Connections
* Compare and contrast different countries and lifestyles.
* For use in multi-cultural lessons
Other books by Ruurs include When We Go Camping, and Virtual Maniac: Silly and Serious Poems for Kids.
Ruurs, Margriet. 2005. Honesdale, PA. ISBN 1590780930
2) Plot Summary
How do children in other countries receive books from the library? Ruurs tells a fascinating story of how books manage to become a part of children's lives in rural areas of certain countries. Thirteen countries are featured in this book, and each country has their own means of supplying books to children. Some books are delived by truck, mail, wheelbarrows, boat, camels, and even elephants. Each country has certain organizations that make it a priority to place literature in the minds of young readers. This is a true and fascinating read!
3) Critical Analysis
What an amazing story! Many people in the United States take it for granted how fortunate we are to have school or public libraries in our daily lives. Ruurs tells the story of mobile libraries and how crucial they are in helping educate young children. The book is set up in a very easy to read format displaying each country and their method on a 2 page spread. The pictures are all taken by the organizations themselves making the book feel unique and inspiring. The text is very simple and explains the process of delivering books in a very simple manner.
4) Review Excerpt
School Library Journal 2005
"With little information available about libraries of the world, this title offers a glimpse into the world of books, which several countries consider as important as air or water."
5) Connections
* Compare and contrast different countries and lifestyles.
* For use in multi-cultural lessons
Other books by Ruurs include When We Go Camping, and Virtual Maniac: Silly and Serious Poems for Kids.
Library Lion
1)Bibliography
Knudsen, Michelle. 2006. Library Lion. Cambridge, MS. ISBN 0763622621.
2) Plot Summary
One day a lion walked into Miss Merriweather's library. Mr. McBee was very concerned, but it did not bother Miss Merriweather as long as the lion was not breaking any of the rules. The lion cruised around the library until he found a group of kids at story time. He loved story time. He listened intently to all of the stories and after the last one was read, he got very upset and roared as loud as he could. Miss Merriweather explained that if he broke the rules by not being quiet he could not come back to the library. The kids quite enjoyed being in the company of a lion and begged Miss Merriweather to let him come back. The next day the lion came back and helped with the duties of the librarian by dusting encyclopedias, licking envelopes, and helping kids reach books on the top shelf. He became an integral part of the library and Miss Merriweather's day. Until one day, Miss Merriweather was standing on a stool putting away books, and she fell and was hurt very badly. The lion went to Mr. McBee for help and roared very loudly, however since he broke the rules he knew he could never come back to the library. After Miss Merriweather recovered her and all of the children were very upset at the absence of the lion. Mr. McBee decided to take matters in his own hand to search for the lion and ask him to come back. Miss Merriweather and the children were overjoyed to see the lion and Miss Merriweather explained that in certain situations it was okay to break the rules in the library.
3) Critical Analysis
Michele Knudson manages to create the typical sterotype of a librarian in Library Lion. She is not neccessarily concerned about who her patrons are as long as they are following all of the library rules. One day when Mr. McBee panics over a lion entering the library, Miss Merriweather is unphased as long as he is not breaking any of the rules. Knudsen creates believable yet highly stereotypical characters. Through the eyes of the librarian, a lion, and young children we see how a typical library is run. We learn that it isn't about who you are, and the rules are meant to be followed however, in certain cases it is okay to break the rules. Knudsen manages to tell a lovable story, with an important message to all of its readers.
The illustrator, Kevin Hawkes, draws a delightful story for all of its readers. His drawings look like something out of a coloring book with soft colors, and smiling faces. The artwork is simple and yet appeals nicely to the text. However, compared to some other children's books I would say the artwork is rather blaise. It lacks eye popping colors, and attention grabbing art.
4) Review Excerpts
School Library Journal 2006
"The lordly, lovable lion is a masterful mix–regal beast and furry friend–and the many human characters are drawn with animation and emotion."
Booklist 2006
"The warm friendships will easily draw interest, though, as will the handsome, nostalgic pencil-and-acrylic illustrations. Children will easily see themselves in the wild lion, which yearns to explore and enjoy the library but worries about the constraining rules."
5) Connections
*Use with any age students as a great story time lesson about rules in the library.
* Great story to learn about morals to a story.
Other books by Michelle Knudsen include Fish and Frog: Brand New Readers, and Happy Easter!
*
Knudsen, Michelle. 2006. Library Lion. Cambridge, MS. ISBN 0763622621.
2) Plot Summary
One day a lion walked into Miss Merriweather's library. Mr. McBee was very concerned, but it did not bother Miss Merriweather as long as the lion was not breaking any of the rules. The lion cruised around the library until he found a group of kids at story time. He loved story time. He listened intently to all of the stories and after the last one was read, he got very upset and roared as loud as he could. Miss Merriweather explained that if he broke the rules by not being quiet he could not come back to the library. The kids quite enjoyed being in the company of a lion and begged Miss Merriweather to let him come back. The next day the lion came back and helped with the duties of the librarian by dusting encyclopedias, licking envelopes, and helping kids reach books on the top shelf. He became an integral part of the library and Miss Merriweather's day. Until one day, Miss Merriweather was standing on a stool putting away books, and she fell and was hurt very badly. The lion went to Mr. McBee for help and roared very loudly, however since he broke the rules he knew he could never come back to the library. After Miss Merriweather recovered her and all of the children were very upset at the absence of the lion. Mr. McBee decided to take matters in his own hand to search for the lion and ask him to come back. Miss Merriweather and the children were overjoyed to see the lion and Miss Merriweather explained that in certain situations it was okay to break the rules in the library.
3) Critical Analysis
Michele Knudson manages to create the typical sterotype of a librarian in Library Lion. She is not neccessarily concerned about who her patrons are as long as they are following all of the library rules. One day when Mr. McBee panics over a lion entering the library, Miss Merriweather is unphased as long as he is not breaking any of the rules. Knudsen creates believable yet highly stereotypical characters. Through the eyes of the librarian, a lion, and young children we see how a typical library is run. We learn that it isn't about who you are, and the rules are meant to be followed however, in certain cases it is okay to break the rules. Knudsen manages to tell a lovable story, with an important message to all of its readers.
The illustrator, Kevin Hawkes, draws a delightful story for all of its readers. His drawings look like something out of a coloring book with soft colors, and smiling faces. The artwork is simple and yet appeals nicely to the text. However, compared to some other children's books I would say the artwork is rather blaise. It lacks eye popping colors, and attention grabbing art.
4) Review Excerpts
School Library Journal 2006
"The lordly, lovable lion is a masterful mix–regal beast and furry friend–and the many human characters are drawn with animation and emotion."
Booklist 2006
"The warm friendships will easily draw interest, though, as will the handsome, nostalgic pencil-and-acrylic illustrations. Children will easily see themselves in the wild lion, which yearns to explore and enjoy the library but worries about the constraining rules."
5) Connections
*Use with any age students as a great story time lesson about rules in the library.
* Great story to learn about morals to a story.
Other books by Michelle Knudsen include Fish and Frog: Brand New Readers, and Happy Easter!
*
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