A. Baseball Saved Us
B. Ken Mochizuki
C. Dom Lee
D. Lee and Low Books Inc., 1993
E. picture book, historical fiction
F. 1-4
G. This book is about a young Japanese boy living in a relocation camp during World War II. He starts by talking about how he was bad at baseball outside of the camp and how all the other boys made fun of him. However, in order to pass the time and to keep the kids occupied, the boy's father decides to build a baseball field. The boy plays baseball and becomes very good at it while in the camp. When the Japanese are finally released, he goes back to playing baseball at school. A comment from a person in the stands makes him mad and he hits a homerun, winning the game for his team and thus proving to himself and his teammates that he is a good player and a good person.
H. I love the language used in this book. It's very easy to follow and it seems as though a real boy could have written it and that way, I think it will be a lot easier for young readers to get involved with the book. I also like how the descriptions were very straightforward and not sugarcoated. It made me feel as though Mochizuki wanted to relay the facts without eliciting a whole lot of sympathy; he simply wanted to state the facts. It was also good to see that this book and Weedflower reinforced each other in terms of the descriptions of the camps. That proves to me as an educator that both books contain valuable historical material and are not just meaningful stories.
It amazes me that with both Weedflower and Baseball Saved Us, the authors strove to show how the Japanese overcame their situations. Sumiko had her flowers and the boy had baseball. I just can't believe how resourceful and upbeat these people were even after everything they'd gone through. I know that if I had been forcefully relocated for no good reason, I doubt I would have been able to find something to be happy about. But these books provide a great lesson that you must play the hand you are dealt.
The illustrations were also very interesting to me. I have never before seen any art done with beeswax (at least as far as I know). I thought that was an interesting medium to use. Each picture has so much texture in it that I wish it weren't a print. I want to touch it! Also, all the pictures are monochromatic until the last two pages where the boy hits the homerun. This is a good indication of the blandness of camp life. And perhaps also a good indication of the dusty, arid climate. I also liked that the ending of the story was not told in text, it was told through the illustrations.
I. Baseball Saved Us provides many great lessons. The most obvious one is that this book is a great introduction into forced relocation and the plight of Japanese-Americans in WWII. I wouldn't use this book with older readers simply because the content of the book is a little too elementary for children who have already been exposed to this theme. With younger elementary students, I would lead a discussion about a time when they had seen something that was unfair and what they did about it or what they would do differently if it happened again. Also, this book provides a lesson on how to deal with things in life when life isn't exactly going the way we planned or hoped. It's a fact that bad things happen to good people but the best people can turn those bad things into at least a better thing (if not a good thing). I would ask students to think of a time when something happened that made them mad or upset. Then we would talk about ways that they could have made the situation better or ways that they did make the situation better. I would also ask kids to try to imagine how it would feel for this to happen to them and how they would react.
*Multicultural*
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Poem in Response to Aleutian Sparrow
The Aleutians were denied life and liberty.
How could a country founded on these principles
be so blind?
The Aleutians were treated like animals because they looked Japanese.
How could a country so diverse
be so ignorant?
The Aleutians rebuilt their life, given nothing.
How could a culture destroyed without reason
be so ambitious?
How could a country founded on these principles
be so blind?
The Aleutians were treated like animals because they looked Japanese.
How could a country so diverse
be so ignorant?
The Aleutians rebuilt their life, given nothing.
How could a culture destroyed without reason
be so ambitious?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Zathura Reader Response
A. Zathura
B. Chris Van Allsburg
C. Chris Van Allsburg
D. Houghton Mifflin Books, 2002
E. picture book, fantasy
F. 2-4
G. Zathura is a story very similar to Jumanji in which two brothers play a game that sends them on a trip into outer space. During the game they encounter robots and space pirates and meteor showers. As the game continues and the brothers must make it through each turn together, Walter begins to see the value of his younger brother. Finally the two make it back home (after having traveled three hours back in time) where Walter tells Danny that he doesn't want to play Zathura when Danny finds the game in the yard. Walter suggests instead that they play catch.
H. To be honest, I wasn't terribly fond of this book. I wasn't fond of Jumanji and I guess the feelings carried over. To be sure, I like the idea of a space adventure a whole lot better than the animals and jungle-things that took over in Jumanji but I just couldn't really get into either story. A lot of that I think had to do with the fact that the movie scared me to death when I saw it for the first time when I was younger. However, the predicaments that the characters found themselves in were really imaginative. I found it quite comical when Danny's gravity was increased and he turned into a little ball much like Violet Beauregard after eating the blueberry something-or-other in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. When he asked Walter to roll him across the floor so he could take out the robot, I laughed out loud. What a smart kid!
I love the story within a story about how Walter changing his perspective of his younger brother, Danny. That part of the story is definitely something that all children with siblings can relate to. I know there were times when I wished my younger brother would move to Russia so he wouldn't get in my way or break my toys any more.
I also really liked the illustrations. There is something about Chris Van Allsburgs illustrations that really appeals to me. I love the simplicity of the pencil and the detail he adds into every spread. The shading is so fantastic; it would be easy to overlook the fact that this story is in black and white.
I. This story is a great representation of a sibling relationship. Anyone who has a brother or sister can relate to how both Danny and Walter feel at various times in the story. The book carries a great lesson on how valuable siblings can be and how important it is to treat them with love and kindness. I think children would really relate to this book and enjoy it because the lesson isn't one to be noticed easily. It would great to lead a discussion with the students after reading the book about a time when they have felt as Walter did in the beginning. And then help them to realize all the reasons they love their brothers and/or sisters.
B. Chris Van Allsburg
C. Chris Van Allsburg
D. Houghton Mifflin Books, 2002
E. picture book, fantasy
F. 2-4
G. Zathura is a story very similar to Jumanji in which two brothers play a game that sends them on a trip into outer space. During the game they encounter robots and space pirates and meteor showers. As the game continues and the brothers must make it through each turn together, Walter begins to see the value of his younger brother. Finally the two make it back home (after having traveled three hours back in time) where Walter tells Danny that he doesn't want to play Zathura when Danny finds the game in the yard. Walter suggests instead that they play catch.
H. To be honest, I wasn't terribly fond of this book. I wasn't fond of Jumanji and I guess the feelings carried over. To be sure, I like the idea of a space adventure a whole lot better than the animals and jungle-things that took over in Jumanji but I just couldn't really get into either story. A lot of that I think had to do with the fact that the movie scared me to death when I saw it for the first time when I was younger. However, the predicaments that the characters found themselves in were really imaginative. I found it quite comical when Danny's gravity was increased and he turned into a little ball much like Violet Beauregard after eating the blueberry something-or-other in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. When he asked Walter to roll him across the floor so he could take out the robot, I laughed out loud. What a smart kid!
I love the story within a story about how Walter changing his perspective of his younger brother, Danny. That part of the story is definitely something that all children with siblings can relate to. I know there were times when I wished my younger brother would move to Russia so he wouldn't get in my way or break my toys any more.
I also really liked the illustrations. There is something about Chris Van Allsburgs illustrations that really appeals to me. I love the simplicity of the pencil and the detail he adds into every spread. The shading is so fantastic; it would be easy to overlook the fact that this story is in black and white.
I. This story is a great representation of a sibling relationship. Anyone who has a brother or sister can relate to how both Danny and Walter feel at various times in the story. The book carries a great lesson on how valuable siblings can be and how important it is to treat them with love and kindness. I think children would really relate to this book and enjoy it because the lesson isn't one to be noticed easily. It would great to lead a discussion with the students after reading the book about a time when they have felt as Walter did in the beginning. And then help them to realize all the reasons they love their brothers and/or sisters.
The Polar Express Reader Response
A. The Polar Express
B. Chris Van Allsburg
C. Chris Van Allsburg
D. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1985
E. Picture book, fiction
F. 2-5
G. The Polar Express is a beautiful story about Christmas spirit. It's the tale of a young boy who in the beginning is not sure whether or not Santa exists. Then one Christmas Eve, a train pulls into his front yard that carries him to the North Pole. There, he meets Santa who gives him a bell off of his sleigh. Unfortunately, the bell falls through the boy's pocket because there is a hole. On Christmas morning, the boy finds a small box with the bell inside. Even after many years, the bell still rings for him because he has not lost his faith in Santa.
H. One can't help but love The Polar Express. There's always something so magical about stories involving holidays, especially Christmas. I've also seen the movie but even though there are so many more levels to the movie, I like the book better. The imagery Van Allsburg uses is so beautiful and it allows the reader to form their own world in their mind. I love the words he uses to describe everything from the "apron of steam" that shrouded the train to the hot chocolate that was "as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars."
One thing that really stood out to me as I was reading and looking at the illustrations is how similar the book is to the movie in terms of illustrations. In the train (in the book), I can see many of the characters from the movie sitting in the seats. I'm really glad to see that the animators for the movie paid that much attention to detail to try to get everything right, down to the colors of the kids' pajamas. The similarities are remarkable!!
However, my favorite favorite favorite part is the last page. Those last three sentences are so eloquent and state so beautifully the faith that one has to have in something. How much happiness it can bring to a person to believe in something that others have long forgotten.
I. This is a great Christmas-time story for any classroom. I would even read it in upper grades.
The major lesson in this story is the lesson of faith and believing in something. The great thing about this is that it can be applied to anything. That bell can represent anything of importance. It would be great to talk to kids about their own beliefs about Santa Claus and then lead that into beliefs about other things. You could lead a discussion about beliefs that students have that perhaps others don't share and why those beliefs are important to those students.
*Caldecott Medal Winner*
B. Chris Van Allsburg
C. Chris Van Allsburg
D. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1985
E. Picture book, fiction
F. 2-5
G. The Polar Express is a beautiful story about Christmas spirit. It's the tale of a young boy who in the beginning is not sure whether or not Santa exists. Then one Christmas Eve, a train pulls into his front yard that carries him to the North Pole. There, he meets Santa who gives him a bell off of his sleigh. Unfortunately, the bell falls through the boy's pocket because there is a hole. On Christmas morning, the boy finds a small box with the bell inside. Even after many years, the bell still rings for him because he has not lost his faith in Santa.
H. One can't help but love The Polar Express. There's always something so magical about stories involving holidays, especially Christmas. I've also seen the movie but even though there are so many more levels to the movie, I like the book better. The imagery Van Allsburg uses is so beautiful and it allows the reader to form their own world in their mind. I love the words he uses to describe everything from the "apron of steam" that shrouded the train to the hot chocolate that was "as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars."
One thing that really stood out to me as I was reading and looking at the illustrations is how similar the book is to the movie in terms of illustrations. In the train (in the book), I can see many of the characters from the movie sitting in the seats. I'm really glad to see that the animators for the movie paid that much attention to detail to try to get everything right, down to the colors of the kids' pajamas. The similarities are remarkable!!
However, my favorite favorite favorite part is the last page. Those last three sentences are so eloquent and state so beautifully the faith that one has to have in something. How much happiness it can bring to a person to believe in something that others have long forgotten.
I. This is a great Christmas-time story for any classroom. I would even read it in upper grades.
The major lesson in this story is the lesson of faith and believing in something. The great thing about this is that it can be applied to anything. That bell can represent anything of importance. It would be great to talk to kids about their own beliefs about Santa Claus and then lead that into beliefs about other things. You could lead a discussion about beliefs that students have that perhaps others don't share and why those beliefs are important to those students.
*Caldecott Medal Winner*
Two Bad Ants Reader Response
A. Two Bad Ants
B. Chris Van Allsburg
C. Chris Van Allsburg
D. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1988
E. Picture book, animal fantasy
F. 1-3
G. This books tells the tale of two bad ants (from the ants' perspective) who go along with the ant colony to investigate the discovery of amazing new crystals that can be eaten. When they get into the cave filled with the crystals, they decide that they aren't going to return home with the rest of the ants. However, as the household awakes, the ants have to survive coffee, a water spigot, and a garbage disposal. After surviving all this, the ants decide that the next night they will return home with the colony.
H. Once again, Chris Van Allsburg has amazed me. What a fantastic tale of a story told from the perspective of ants. The description of everyday things like coffee and water coming out of a faucet is incredible. It must have taken a lot of imagination to think of how these things would seem to an ant. The illustrations were key in the comprehension of the point of view. One picture shows the ants in the coffee as the cup is being tipped towards an open mouth. I know if I were one of those ants, I would be scared!!! It shows how neat it is to look at things from different perspectives.
I. What a great book for teaching perspective! It's not everyday that you run across a book that is written so expertly from the perspective of an ant. It's also a great way to talk about how to see issues from more than one perspective. Seeing both sides of an issue is an important lesson for youngsters.
Lesson Plan from Scholastic
B. Chris Van Allsburg
C. Chris Van Allsburg
D. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1988
E. Picture book, animal fantasy
F. 1-3
G. This books tells the tale of two bad ants (from the ants' perspective) who go along with the ant colony to investigate the discovery of amazing new crystals that can be eaten. When they get into the cave filled with the crystals, they decide that they aren't going to return home with the rest of the ants. However, as the household awakes, the ants have to survive coffee, a water spigot, and a garbage disposal. After surviving all this, the ants decide that the next night they will return home with the colony.
H. Once again, Chris Van Allsburg has amazed me. What a fantastic tale of a story told from the perspective of ants. The description of everyday things like coffee and water coming out of a faucet is incredible. It must have taken a lot of imagination to think of how these things would seem to an ant. The illustrations were key in the comprehension of the point of view. One picture shows the ants in the coffee as the cup is being tipped towards an open mouth. I know if I were one of those ants, I would be scared!!! It shows how neat it is to look at things from different perspectives.
I. What a great book for teaching perspective! It's not everyday that you run across a book that is written so expertly from the perspective of an ant. It's also a great way to talk about how to see issues from more than one perspective. Seeing both sides of an issue is an important lesson for youngsters.
Lesson Plan from Scholastic
The Widow's Broom Reader Response
A. The Widow's Broom
B. Chris Van Allsburg
C. Chris Van Allsburg
D. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992
E. Picture book, fantasy
F. 2-4
G. This book is about a widow who finds a witch who has fallen due to a faulty broom. Once the witch has healed, she flies away but she leaves her old broom behind. The broom begins to do things around the house, doing whatever the widow teaches it to do. However, when some boys begin taunting the broom, it gets in trouble for throwing their dog really far into the air and hitting the boys. Her neighbors tell her to get rid of the broom and she tricks them into burning a different broom when they decide they will burn it to get rid of it. The widow then paints the real broom white and sends it around the neighbor's house. They get scared and leave town.
H. Chris Van Allsburg amazes me more and more with each book that I read. His plots are unpredictable and very imaginative. I love that the widow hid the broom so that it didn't get destroyed and then painted it white to scare off her neighbors. I thought it was hilarious that the widow's neighbors got so scared of the ghost of the broom (I laughed pretty hard when they decided to leave town because they deserved everything they got because of the way they treated the poor broom!). The illustrations are beautifully drawn in pencil. Just like Bad Day at Riverbend, the illustrations help the text just as the text helps the illustrations. They are integrated as one just as they should be. This book is really quite unlike anything else I've ever read.
I. This book is a good introduction to the supernatural. It's also a good example of the way you should treat others. The broom was minding its own business sweeping the road when the boys started harassing it. And boy did that family get its comeuppance! It could also be used to show loyalty and friendship after all the widow went through to save the broom from certain "death."
B. Chris Van Allsburg
C. Chris Van Allsburg
D. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992
E. Picture book, fantasy
F. 2-4
G. This book is about a widow who finds a witch who has fallen due to a faulty broom. Once the witch has healed, she flies away but she leaves her old broom behind. The broom begins to do things around the house, doing whatever the widow teaches it to do. However, when some boys begin taunting the broom, it gets in trouble for throwing their dog really far into the air and hitting the boys. Her neighbors tell her to get rid of the broom and she tricks them into burning a different broom when they decide they will burn it to get rid of it. The widow then paints the real broom white and sends it around the neighbor's house. They get scared and leave town.
H. Chris Van Allsburg amazes me more and more with each book that I read. His plots are unpredictable and very imaginative. I love that the widow hid the broom so that it didn't get destroyed and then painted it white to scare off her neighbors. I thought it was hilarious that the widow's neighbors got so scared of the ghost of the broom (I laughed pretty hard when they decided to leave town because they deserved everything they got because of the way they treated the poor broom!). The illustrations are beautifully drawn in pencil. Just like Bad Day at Riverbend, the illustrations help the text just as the text helps the illustrations. They are integrated as one just as they should be. This book is really quite unlike anything else I've ever read.
I. This book is a good introduction to the supernatural. It's also a good example of the way you should treat others. The broom was minding its own business sweeping the road when the boys started harassing it. And boy did that family get its comeuppance! It could also be used to show loyalty and friendship after all the widow went through to save the broom from certain "death."
Bad Day at Riverbend Reader Response
A. Bad Day at Riverbend
B. Chris Van Allsburg
C. Chris Van Allsburg
D. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1995
E. picture book, fiction
F. 2-3
G. Bad Day at Riverbend is the story of a small sleepy town. One day, a stagecoach shows up in the town and the horses are covered in some red sticky slimy stuff and the driver is missing. The sheriff of the town, Ned Hardy, tried to pull it off but it was stuck on like it was their skin. He rode out in the direction the horses had come and found the driver, also covered in different colored slimy stuff. Ned decided he would ride out in the direction of a mysterious light that flashed in the sky to figure out what was causing all the commotion. When he got out there, the light appeared again and he was frozed and covered in the slimy stuff. On the penultimate page, the reader finds out that the sticky stuff was crayon because the characters were in a coloring book.
H. This is probably my new favorite book because of the imaginative story line. Never before had I heard of a story about the characters in a coloring book. It kinda reminds me of Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Book when the little boy draws mustaches on all the characters. The illustrations are also fantastic. It took me a while to figure out what was happening, I just thought a little kid had gotten a hold of the book and had decided to color in it. The ingenuity of this book is just incredible. Who would have thought to write a story about the characters in a coloring book?
I. This is just a great read-aloud for any classroom. However, I think this book would lend itself well to a discussion about perspective. Everyone colors in coloring books but what if the characters were real? How would they feel about being colored?
B. Chris Van Allsburg
C. Chris Van Allsburg
D. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1995
E. picture book, fiction
F. 2-3
G. Bad Day at Riverbend is the story of a small sleepy town. One day, a stagecoach shows up in the town and the horses are covered in some red sticky slimy stuff and the driver is missing. The sheriff of the town, Ned Hardy, tried to pull it off but it was stuck on like it was their skin. He rode out in the direction the horses had come and found the driver, also covered in different colored slimy stuff. Ned decided he would ride out in the direction of a mysterious light that flashed in the sky to figure out what was causing all the commotion. When he got out there, the light appeared again and he was frozed and covered in the slimy stuff. On the penultimate page, the reader finds out that the sticky stuff was crayon because the characters were in a coloring book.
H. This is probably my new favorite book because of the imaginative story line. Never before had I heard of a story about the characters in a coloring book. It kinda reminds me of Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Book when the little boy draws mustaches on all the characters. The illustrations are also fantastic. It took me a while to figure out what was happening, I just thought a little kid had gotten a hold of the book and had decided to color in it. The ingenuity of this book is just incredible. Who would have thought to write a story about the characters in a coloring book?
I. This is just a great read-aloud for any classroom. However, I think this book would lend itself well to a discussion about perspective. Everyone colors in coloring books but what if the characters were real? How would they feel about being colored?
Charlotte's Web Reader Response
A. Charlotte's Web
B. E.B. White
C. Garth Williams and Rosemary Wells
D. Harper Collins Publishers, 1952
E. Chapter book, animal fantasy
F. 4-6
G. Charlotte's Web is a story about a runty pig who is saved from death by a farmgirl named Fern. Fern raises Wilbur until he is about a month old, when he is sold to Fern's uncle and goes to live on his farm. Wilbur meets all the animals in the barn and becomes acquainted with a very eloquent spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur hears from one of the geese that he is certainly going to be killed and eaten for Christmas dinner, Charlotte promises that she will save his life. Soon, words such as "some pig" and "radiant" appear in Charlotte's web. The farmer sees it and assumes that this is a miracle from God and decides to take Wilbur to the fair. At the fair, Wilbur wins a large prize and his life is saved. However, Charlotte dies at the fair, leaving behind an egg sac that Wilbur takes home with him for the eggs to hatch.
H. This book continues to be a classic in children's literature. I loved the book when I was younger and it still hasn't lost its appeal to me. There are many issues within the book that are relevant to young readers such as loyalty and the circle of life. Also, it was very easy for me to relate to the characters in the story. The human characters were very realistic and the animals even exhibited emotions that were easy to relate to.
I. This book offers many lessons in life. It is an excellent example of friendship and loyalty. Also, it's a good introduction into the circle of life. It's never easy to lose a friend but the way that Wilbur handles it shows class and maturity. Readers might also benefit from an explanation of farmlife. For most kids these days, life on a farm is something very removed from the realm of their everyday lives. After reading the book and discussing the farm-related events and elements, it would be great to take students on a field trip to a working farm to let them see all these things up-close and personal.
Writing prompts
B. E.B. White
C. Garth Williams and Rosemary Wells
D. Harper Collins Publishers, 1952
E. Chapter book, animal fantasy
F. 4-6
G. Charlotte's Web is a story about a runty pig who is saved from death by a farmgirl named Fern. Fern raises Wilbur until he is about a month old, when he is sold to Fern's uncle and goes to live on his farm. Wilbur meets all the animals in the barn and becomes acquainted with a very eloquent spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur hears from one of the geese that he is certainly going to be killed and eaten for Christmas dinner, Charlotte promises that she will save his life. Soon, words such as "some pig" and "radiant" appear in Charlotte's web. The farmer sees it and assumes that this is a miracle from God and decides to take Wilbur to the fair. At the fair, Wilbur wins a large prize and his life is saved. However, Charlotte dies at the fair, leaving behind an egg sac that Wilbur takes home with him for the eggs to hatch.
H. This book continues to be a classic in children's literature. I loved the book when I was younger and it still hasn't lost its appeal to me. There are many issues within the book that are relevant to young readers such as loyalty and the circle of life. Also, it was very easy for me to relate to the characters in the story. The human characters were very realistic and the animals even exhibited emotions that were easy to relate to.
I. This book offers many lessons in life. It is an excellent example of friendship and loyalty. Also, it's a good introduction into the circle of life. It's never easy to lose a friend but the way that Wilbur handles it shows class and maturity. Readers might also benefit from an explanation of farmlife. For most kids these days, life on a farm is something very removed from the realm of their everyday lives. After reading the book and discussing the farm-related events and elements, it would be great to take students on a field trip to a working farm to let them see all these things up-close and personal.
Writing prompts
Monday, February 18, 2008
Eats, Shoots & Leaves Reader Response
A. Eats, Shoots & Leaves
B. Lynne Truss
C. Bonnie Timmons
D. Penguin Group Inc., 2006
E. Picture Book, concept book
F. 2-4
G. This book is a concept book about commas. It begins with the statement that gives the book its name. “A panda walks into the library. He eats a sandwich, then draws his bow and shoots two arrows.” When asked why he does that, the panda responds that that’s what it says he does. The librarian then looks at an entry in a reference book that says that a panda is a “large black-and-white beat-like mammal, native to
H. I am a bit of a grammarian so this book was right up my alley. In addition to being a great informational text on the use of commas, this book provided entertainment as well. The hilarious look at misplaced and misused commas provides a different avenue to teaching grammar than traditional textbooks. Each page provides a statement using a comma with the opposite page showing the same statement but with the comma in a different place. The illustrations are comical pictures of the meaning of each statement.
These illustrations, naive art, are seemingly very simple at first glance, just showing slow children crossing the street or a big, hot dog. However, taking a closer look, you see a lot more detail. On the teacher’s wall, the homework assignments are posted as 1. Skip to the loo, 2.Hum, 3. Kiss a sardine, and many other unconventional homework assignments. My favorite is grandma skipping through the park with her walker held over her head.
I. This is a great way to teach the concept of commas. As the book says, commas are one of the most commonly misused elements of punctuation. After reading the book and explaining commas further, I would have students practice writing sentences using commas and then look into things they had written previously to see if there were places where they need commas.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Where I'm from, Jenny
I am from biscuits and gravy,
from Massey Ferguson, and dandelions.
I am from the breeze on the sun porch
(sweet, warm, it smelled like happiness)
I am from the crabapple tree and
Gumballs in the grass,
whose Prickles still sink into my feet on a hot summer day.
I am from homemade Christmas cookies
And long chins,
from Big’un, From Sweet Pea, and from Hoss.
I am from the hand-me-downs and the jabber-jaws
From Sit Up! And Take it outside!
I’m from Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
And hymns for every woe.
I’m from Brushy Hollow,
Sweet tea and hotdogs.
From the top secret missions of my Grandfather
And the time my Grandmother
knew the culprit before he did.
I am from the box of “keeps” on the coffee table,
Containing pictures of more people
I was related to than I could shake a stick at.
I am from those people,
alive hundreds of years before
I was a gleam in my daddy’s eye.
from Massey Ferguson, and dandelions.
I am from the breeze on the sun porch
(sweet, warm, it smelled like happiness)
I am from the crabapple tree and
Gumballs in the grass,
whose Prickles still sink into my feet on a hot summer day.
I am from homemade Christmas cookies
And long chins,
from Big’un, From Sweet Pea, and from Hoss.
I am from the hand-me-downs and the jabber-jaws
From Sit Up! And Take it outside!
I’m from Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
And hymns for every woe.
I’m from Brushy Hollow,
Sweet tea and hotdogs.
From the top secret missions of my Grandfather
And the time my Grandmother
knew the culprit before he did.
I am from the box of “keeps” on the coffee table,
Containing pictures of more people
I was related to than I could shake a stick at.
I am from those people,
alive hundreds of years before
I was a gleam in my daddy’s eye.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Because of Winn Dixie Reader Response
A. Because of Winn Dixie
B. Kate DiCamillo
C. n/a
D. Candlewick Press, 2000
E. Novel, realistic fiction
F. 3-6
G. Because of Winn Dixie begins with the main character, India Opal, going into Winn Dixie, the grocery store, for a few things. When she gets inside, she sees that the store is in a state of complete chaos, caused by a stray dog whom she claims as her own and names Winn Dixie. She takes the dog home with her and convinces her father to let her keep it. Opal's relationship with her new dog leads her into many new relationships and wins her many friends which is terribly important since she had just moved into Naomi, Florida and had no friends. Throughout the book, she is plagued by a feeling of loneliness and emptiness. It is not until the culminating scene at a neighborhood party, that she feels that her heart is full and she is truly happy.
H. Melancholy and reflective are the best words to describe how I felt while reading Because of Winn Dixie. I lost my grandfather suddenly when I was twelve, and as I get older, I feel the memory of him beginning to fade. I was close to my grandfather and like Opal, there are things that I know would delight him if he could just see them. I know exactly how Opal feels, and as she discovered at the end, closure and love help bring things into focus.
Kate DiCamillo did a fantastic job of creating setting and characters. Having been raised in a small town in the South, it did not take me long at all to step into this book. I felt as though Opal could have been one of the many kids that lived down the street from me where I grew up. I remember riding my bike just about everywhere and I remember those terrifying storms that seem to creep up out of nowhere on humid summer nights. I became completely engrossed in the story and didn't put the book down until I had finished it. My favorite element of the story were the Littmus Lozenges. They were such an beautiful and imaginative metaphor for the ups and downs of life. I would love to taste one!
Culturally, I feel that I am very much like Opal. I grew up in a small southern town with a love for animals. I was naturally inclined to being outdoors and I was not shy by any means. I grew up with a Gloria in my neighborhood and a Miss Franny in my church. However, I almost wish that I hadn't been raised in such a similar environment for the purpose of reading this book. I feel that I miss out a little bit on the representations of everything and the charm of the town and its people because they are all so familiar to me.
I. In terms of teaching, this book would be a good way to expose children to a new culture or new area, if they are not from rural or Southern backgrounds. It's also a good tool for teaching the importance of being resilient or, as Gloria says, "You can only love what you got while you got it." (159).
B. Kate DiCamillo
C. n/a
D. Candlewick Press, 2000
E. Novel, realistic fiction
F. 3-6
G. Because of Winn Dixie begins with the main character, India Opal, going into Winn Dixie, the grocery store, for a few things. When she gets inside, she sees that the store is in a state of complete chaos, caused by a stray dog whom she claims as her own and names Winn Dixie. She takes the dog home with her and convinces her father to let her keep it. Opal's relationship with her new dog leads her into many new relationships and wins her many friends which is terribly important since she had just moved into Naomi, Florida and had no friends. Throughout the book, she is plagued by a feeling of loneliness and emptiness. It is not until the culminating scene at a neighborhood party, that she feels that her heart is full and she is truly happy.
H. Melancholy and reflective are the best words to describe how I felt while reading Because of Winn Dixie. I lost my grandfather suddenly when I was twelve, and as I get older, I feel the memory of him beginning to fade. I was close to my grandfather and like Opal, there are things that I know would delight him if he could just see them. I know exactly how Opal feels, and as she discovered at the end, closure and love help bring things into focus.
Kate DiCamillo did a fantastic job of creating setting and characters. Having been raised in a small town in the South, it did not take me long at all to step into this book. I felt as though Opal could have been one of the many kids that lived down the street from me where I grew up. I remember riding my bike just about everywhere and I remember those terrifying storms that seem to creep up out of nowhere on humid summer nights. I became completely engrossed in the story and didn't put the book down until I had finished it. My favorite element of the story were the Littmus Lozenges. They were such an beautiful and imaginative metaphor for the ups and downs of life. I would love to taste one!
Culturally, I feel that I am very much like Opal. I grew up in a small southern town with a love for animals. I was naturally inclined to being outdoors and I was not shy by any means. I grew up with a Gloria in my neighborhood and a Miss Franny in my church. However, I almost wish that I hadn't been raised in such a similar environment for the purpose of reading this book. I feel that I miss out a little bit on the representations of everything and the charm of the town and its people because they are all so familiar to me.
I. In terms of teaching, this book would be a good way to expose children to a new culture or new area, if they are not from rural or Southern backgrounds. It's also a good tool for teaching the importance of being resilient or, as Gloria says, "You can only love what you got while you got it." (159).
Monday, February 4, 2008
Knuffle Bunny Reader Response
A. Knuffle Bunny
B. Mo Williams
C. Mo Williams
D. Hyperion Books for Children, 2004
E. Picture book, fiction
F. pre-K, K-1
G. Knuffle Bunny is the story of Trixie, a little girl, and her excursion with her Daddy. She goes along with him to the laudromat and helps him do the laundry. However, much to her dismay, she leaves her favorite stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny, behind. She screams and cries to go back to the laundromat to find her bunny but her Daddy can't understand her. It is only when she gets home and her Mommy realizes Knuffle Bunny is missing that the family races back to the laundromat where Daddy finds Knuffle Bunny and Trixie says her first words: Knuffle Bunny.
H. This book is a fantastic story of the importance of a stuffed animal to a little girl. It's a classic story because we have all been there: the child with the lost animal, the parent/ guardian/ babysitter trying frantically to find the toy. I loved the illustrations! The mixture of vintage photos and cartoon-like characters was something that is different and interesting.
I. This book would be good to lead a discussion about a time when students had lost something really important to them and the lengths they went to to get it back. I think this would be a great book for right before naptime, just a little something to get the kids focused and ready to go to sleep.
*Caldecott Honor book*
B. Mo Williams
C. Mo Williams
D. Hyperion Books for Children, 2004
E. Picture book, fiction
F. pre-K, K-1
G. Knuffle Bunny is the story of Trixie, a little girl, and her excursion with her Daddy. She goes along with him to the laudromat and helps him do the laundry. However, much to her dismay, she leaves her favorite stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny, behind. She screams and cries to go back to the laundromat to find her bunny but her Daddy can't understand her. It is only when she gets home and her Mommy realizes Knuffle Bunny is missing that the family races back to the laundromat where Daddy finds Knuffle Bunny and Trixie says her first words: Knuffle Bunny.
H. This book is a fantastic story of the importance of a stuffed animal to a little girl. It's a classic story because we have all been there: the child with the lost animal, the parent/ guardian/ babysitter trying frantically to find the toy. I loved the illustrations! The mixture of vintage photos and cartoon-like characters was something that is different and interesting.
I. This book would be good to lead a discussion about a time when students had lost something really important to them and the lengths they went to to get it back. I think this would be a great book for right before naptime, just a little something to get the kids focused and ready to go to sleep.
*Caldecott Honor book*
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom Reader Response
A. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
B. Carole Boston Weatherford
C. Kadir Nelson
D. Jump at the Sun/ Hyperion Books for Children, 2006
E. Picture book, historical fiction
F. 3-6
G. This book tells the story of Harriet Tubman as she is a slave and then the greatest Underground Railroad conductor in history. The story begins with Harriet on her plantation talking to God and asking him to make her free. With God's strength, she leaves her plantation and makes the ninety-mile journey north to Pennsylvania where she is free. There, she works to make money and she learns the secret routes and code words used along the Underground Railroad and thus becomes a conductor. She goes South many times and frees over 300 slaves, including her own parents.
H. I love this book. It is so inspirational. It was also very heartwarming and uplifting to hear a story about a real person who overcame such incredible odds to save herself and others from something so horrible. My favorite thing about this book is the attention to Harriet Tubman's religion. In the world now, it is almost taboo to publish literature laced with religious undertones, much less overflowing the pages, as this book is. But religion exists and it is nothing to be ashamed of.
As far as picture books go, this one takes the cake. The text and the pictures are so intricately connected that they seems as if they are the same thing. The words give facts and a bit of emotion but to truly understand and feel how Harriet felt, the reader must look at the illustrations which are beautifully executed oil paintings. The double page spreads express everything that words cannot. The dark colors and lines on Harriet's face teem with worry, doubt, and the looming presence of danger. Once Harriet has made her way to freedom, the pictures become lighter, as does the expression on her face, although she still carries the ever-present look of determination. It's almost hard for me to call this a picture book, it seems more to me like a work of art, both in terms of illustration and in text.
The forward and author's note provide some great background information about Harriet herself, and about slavery and the Underground Railroad to provide the reader with a context for the story. The added information makes the story much more incredible and fascinating. It was great to see a story about Harriet Tubman that took into account the way she must have felt escaping instead of just giving facts about all the people she freed.
I. This book is a great way to teach about slavery, the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, and many character lessons. With younger students, I would teach all about slavery and the Underground Railroad, but I would also use this as a chance for them to talk about a time when they were really scared or were afraid. Then we could talk about ways to overcome the fear and have perseverance to do whatever it is that they are afraid of doing.
*Caldecott Honor book*
*Multicultural*
B. Carole Boston Weatherford
C. Kadir Nelson
D. Jump at the Sun/ Hyperion Books for Children, 2006
E. Picture book, historical fiction
F. 3-6
G. This book tells the story of Harriet Tubman as she is a slave and then the greatest Underground Railroad conductor in history. The story begins with Harriet on her plantation talking to God and asking him to make her free. With God's strength, she leaves her plantation and makes the ninety-mile journey north to Pennsylvania where she is free. There, she works to make money and she learns the secret routes and code words used along the Underground Railroad and thus becomes a conductor. She goes South many times and frees over 300 slaves, including her own parents.
H. I love this book. It is so inspirational. It was also very heartwarming and uplifting to hear a story about a real person who overcame such incredible odds to save herself and others from something so horrible. My favorite thing about this book is the attention to Harriet Tubman's religion. In the world now, it is almost taboo to publish literature laced with religious undertones, much less overflowing the pages, as this book is. But religion exists and it is nothing to be ashamed of.
As far as picture books go, this one takes the cake. The text and the pictures are so intricately connected that they seems as if they are the same thing. The words give facts and a bit of emotion but to truly understand and feel how Harriet felt, the reader must look at the illustrations which are beautifully executed oil paintings. The double page spreads express everything that words cannot. The dark colors and lines on Harriet's face teem with worry, doubt, and the looming presence of danger. Once Harriet has made her way to freedom, the pictures become lighter, as does the expression on her face, although she still carries the ever-present look of determination. It's almost hard for me to call this a picture book, it seems more to me like a work of art, both in terms of illustration and in text.
The forward and author's note provide some great background information about Harriet herself, and about slavery and the Underground Railroad to provide the reader with a context for the story. The added information makes the story much more incredible and fascinating. It was great to see a story about Harriet Tubman that took into account the way she must have felt escaping instead of just giving facts about all the people she freed.
I. This book is a great way to teach about slavery, the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, and many character lessons. With younger students, I would teach all about slavery and the Underground Railroad, but I would also use this as a chance for them to talk about a time when they were really scared or were afraid. Then we could talk about ways to overcome the fear and have perseverance to do whatever it is that they are afraid of doing.
*Caldecott Honor book*
*Multicultural*
What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? Reader Response
A. What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?
B. Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
C. Steve Jenkins
D. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003
E. Picturebook, Informational/ Nonfiction
F. K-3
G. This book gives interesting facts about 30 different creature ranging from crickets to giraffes. It tells how animals use their senses to survive. In the back of the book, there is a section with more information on each of the animals featured.
H. I'm very impressed by this book. It is an excellent way to introduce younger readers to animals they may have never heard of before and teach older readers important facts about animals. The content of this book was great. There were things in there that I didn't know, even after over fourteen years of schooling. Even my Dad, a self-proclaimed genius, said that there were things in there that he didn't know. Who knew a cricket's ears were in its knees?
I. This book is an excellent introduction into many different subjects. For younger children, it is a good way to expand on their knowledge of the animals in the world. Younger readers can also benefit from learning about the five senses from this book. A good follow-up would be to take the students to the zoo where they could see a lot of the animals featured in this book that they wouldn't be able to find in their backyards. Older children can use this book as a preface for a biology lesson on a variety of animals or types of animals (mammals, insects, etc.).
*Caldecott Honor book*
B. Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
C. Steve Jenkins
D. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003
E. Picturebook, Informational/ Nonfiction
F. K-3
G. This book gives interesting facts about 30 different creature ranging from crickets to giraffes. It tells how animals use their senses to survive. In the back of the book, there is a section with more information on each of the animals featured.
H. I'm very impressed by this book. It is an excellent way to introduce younger readers to animals they may have never heard of before and teach older readers important facts about animals. The content of this book was great. There were things in there that I didn't know, even after over fourteen years of schooling. Even my Dad, a self-proclaimed genius, said that there were things in there that he didn't know. Who knew a cricket's ears were in its knees?
I. This book is an excellent introduction into many different subjects. For younger children, it is a good way to expand on their knowledge of the animals in the world. Younger readers can also benefit from learning about the five senses from this book. A good follow-up would be to take the students to the zoo where they could see a lot of the animals featured in this book that they wouldn't be able to find in their backyards. Older children can use this book as a preface for a biology lesson on a variety of animals or types of animals (mammals, insects, etc.).
*Caldecott Honor book*
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