The Glorious Flight, Across the English Channel with Louis Bleriot by Alice and Marin Provensen
1984 Caldecott Medal
I like learning about history through picture books and this one tells the story of a real early aviator, a Frenchman by the name of Louis Bleriot, the first person to fly across the English Channel.
Told in sweet quant pictures (reminds me somehow of one of my favorite author/illustrators Barbara Cooney) and a simple text. We learn about his family . . . a wife, four children, a cat and a cockatoo; and we hear about his invented airplanes, starting at Bleriot I and ending with Bleriot XI, the one that flew across the English Channel.
I can't really imagine building airplanes, and then flying them, as a back yard enterprise! Sort of like if NASA was being run in a neighbors basement down the street. It's fun to think about a time when that's how things happened and a person who was inspired to figure something like that out with his own ingenuity by trail and error.
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Rosa
Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier
2006 Caldecott Honor Book
2006 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
More poets should write history for children. This is a splendid and powerful book. And beautifully written. I suspect that Nikki Giovanni was able to talk with Rosa and others in the story personally. The text is full of intimate details about what people were thinking and doing through out first days of the historic events of the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama.
"Jo Ann Robinson was at the PIggly Wiggly when she learned of the arrest. She had stopped in to purchase a box of macaroni and cheese. She always served macaroni and cheese when she baked red snapper for dinner. A sister member of the Women's Political council approached her just as she reached the check out lane.
'Not Mrs. Parks!' Mrs Robinson exclaimed. She then looked furtively around. 'Pass the word that everybody should meet me at my office at ten o'clock tonight," she said."
I love the person of Rosa Parks. Her long life lived with dignity and strength.
Pete Seeger tells a story about being at a training for civil rights activists at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee. On the last day, they went around the circle and everyone said what they were going to do when they got home. Several "movers and shakers" were there, and each person spoke about their plans. But one woman, when it was her turn, said she just didn't know what she would do. That, was Rosa Parks.
She wasn't just a worn out seamstress. She was an activist making a choice. A spontaneous choice! But one very much in keeping with her participation in the movement.
Here is a link to her website: Rosa Louise Parks Biography
The illustrations strong and luminous, by Bryan Collier, someone who has won a bunch of awards before and since. I like his work and his choices about what he illustrates, often powerful stories from African American History. Here is a link to Bryan Collier's website. I enjoyed learning about him, especially his dedication to community service and empowerment of young people. Bryan Collier | Bio
I personally liked this book a bit better than the 2006 Medal winner! And would definitely recommend it!
2006 Caldecott Honor Book
2006 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
More poets should write history for children. This is a splendid and powerful book. And beautifully written. I suspect that Nikki Giovanni was able to talk with Rosa and others in the story personally. The text is full of intimate details about what people were thinking and doing through out first days of the historic events of the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama.
"Jo Ann Robinson was at the PIggly Wiggly when she learned of the arrest. She had stopped in to purchase a box of macaroni and cheese. She always served macaroni and cheese when she baked red snapper for dinner. A sister member of the Women's Political council approached her just as she reached the check out lane.
'Not Mrs. Parks!' Mrs Robinson exclaimed. She then looked furtively around. 'Pass the word that everybody should meet me at my office at ten o'clock tonight," she said."
I love the person of Rosa Parks. Her long life lived with dignity and strength.
Pete Seeger tells a story about being at a training for civil rights activists at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee. On the last day, they went around the circle and everyone said what they were going to do when they got home. Several "movers and shakers" were there, and each person spoke about their plans. But one woman, when it was her turn, said she just didn't know what she would do. That, was Rosa Parks.
She wasn't just a worn out seamstress. She was an activist making a choice. A spontaneous choice! But one very much in keeping with her participation in the movement.
Here is a link to her website: Rosa Louise Parks Biography
The illustrations strong and luminous, by Bryan Collier, someone who has won a bunch of awards before and since. I like his work and his choices about what he illustrates, often powerful stories from African American History. Here is a link to Bryan Collier's website. I enjoyed learning about him, especially his dedication to community service and empowerment of young people. Bryan Collier | Bio
I personally liked this book a bit better than the 2006 Medal winner! And would definitely recommend it!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Henry's Freedom Box; A True Story from the Underground Railroad
Henry's Freedom Box; A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
2008 Caldecott Honor Book
This is a powerful book worth reading and sharing. It's not a happy book and deals with gritty real life issues. Henry is a slave that successfully puts himself in a box and mails himself to freedom. But the "success" of that plan is against the backdrop of his dispair after his wife and children have been sold, never to be seen again.
The illustrations by Kadir Nelson are beautiful and convey the emotions of the story well. The text is also excellent. There is depth and sensitivity in how she shares the story. She doesn't overplay any of the painful elements, she tells it like it is, but in a steady poets voice, without punishing us with the facts.
"His friend James came into the factory. He whispered to Henry, "Your wife and children were just sold at the slave market."
"No!" cried Henry. Henry couldn't move. He couldn't think. He couldn't work.
"Twist that tobacco!" The boss poked Henry.
Henry twisted tobacco leaves. His heart twisted in his chest.
The pictures and stories together also convey well the closeness in the bonds between mother and child, husband and wife. I also appreciate the white people in the story who don't believe in slavery and assist in the plan, especially the character of Dr. Smith, who helped Henry mail himself to Philadelphia.
Slavery is something I have discussed with my children starting in pre-school. I think it's a necessary discussion and I appreciate this and other picture books for giving us the jumping off places and the context and details for those conversations. My son LOVED learning about history from a young age and developed a keen sense of justice from reading this kind of book, and we read a lot of books about African American history. My daughter is more inclined towards fantasy than non-fiction, so we haven't done as MUCH of this kind of reading, but I intentionally include this kind of book in the mix.
I recommend this book.
2008 Caldecott Honor Book
This is a powerful book worth reading and sharing. It's not a happy book and deals with gritty real life issues. Henry is a slave that successfully puts himself in a box and mails himself to freedom. But the "success" of that plan is against the backdrop of his dispair after his wife and children have been sold, never to be seen again.
The illustrations by Kadir Nelson are beautiful and convey the emotions of the story well. The text is also excellent. There is depth and sensitivity in how she shares the story. She doesn't overplay any of the painful elements, she tells it like it is, but in a steady poets voice, without punishing us with the facts.
"His friend James came into the factory. He whispered to Henry, "Your wife and children were just sold at the slave market."
"No!" cried Henry. Henry couldn't move. He couldn't think. He couldn't work.
"Twist that tobacco!" The boss poked Henry.
Henry twisted tobacco leaves. His heart twisted in his chest.
The pictures and stories together also convey well the closeness in the bonds between mother and child, husband and wife. I also appreciate the white people in the story who don't believe in slavery and assist in the plan, especially the character of Dr. Smith, who helped Henry mail himself to Philadelphia.
Slavery is something I have discussed with my children starting in pre-school. I think it's a necessary discussion and I appreciate this and other picture books for giving us the jumping off places and the context and details for those conversations. My son LOVED learning about history from a young age and developed a keen sense of justice from reading this kind of book, and we read a lot of books about African American history. My daughter is more inclined towards fantasy than non-fiction, so we haven't done as MUCH of this kind of reading, but I intentionally include this kind of book in the mix.
I recommend this book.
Friday, November 11, 2011
A River of Words
A River of Words; The Story of William Carlos Willams by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
2009 Caldecott Honor Book
Ever since my son Jabu, now 10 years old, was little (like 3 or 4) he has loved picture book biographies. And I have loved them right along with him. Our children are adopted and African American (I am Japanese American-Russian American mixed, and my husband is European American). I used my sons interest in biographies to share lots of African American history with him. I don't know if there were as many great picture book biographies when I was little, but I sure didn't discover them if there were! I can honestly RAVE about many of them that I have read. It's just a part of the library worth spending time in!
OK, now to the book at hand! This is a picture book biography of the poet Willam Carlos Williams. I can DISTINCTLY remember being introduced to his poetry in a high school English class and loving it immediately. I can remember especially the poem:
The Red Wheelbarrow
so much depend
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens
******
I loved this poem! So I was excited to learn more about this poets life! He was a doctor. And a Dad. He wrote his poetry, several volumes of it, on top of all those other responsibilities, until the end of his life when he'd had some health difficulties that allowed him to curtail his medical career but still allowed him to write.
The illustrations in this book are a combination of drawings, paintings and collage. Many of the illustrations have his poetry embedded in them, either hand lettered or typewritten on an old fashioned typewriter. All in all a pleasing combination!
There is also a cool time line in the back of the book that has three columns, one for events of his life, one for the poems he published, and one for world events. It's amazing to think about the years his life spanned, from 1883 to 1963, going all the way from the first car to space capsules orbiting the earth .
I think older children (8 and up?) would be most likely to enjoy this book. I wouldn't hesitate to share it with my 10 year old.
2009 Caldecott Honor Book
Ever since my son Jabu, now 10 years old, was little (like 3 or 4) he has loved picture book biographies. And I have loved them right along with him. Our children are adopted and African American (I am Japanese American-Russian American mixed, and my husband is European American). I used my sons interest in biographies to share lots of African American history with him. I don't know if there were as many great picture book biographies when I was little, but I sure didn't discover them if there were! I can honestly RAVE about many of them that I have read. It's just a part of the library worth spending time in!
OK, now to the book at hand! This is a picture book biography of the poet Willam Carlos Williams. I can DISTINCTLY remember being introduced to his poetry in a high school English class and loving it immediately. I can remember especially the poem:
The Red Wheelbarrow
so much depend
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens
******
I loved this poem! So I was excited to learn more about this poets life! He was a doctor. And a Dad. He wrote his poetry, several volumes of it, on top of all those other responsibilities, until the end of his life when he'd had some health difficulties that allowed him to curtail his medical career but still allowed him to write.
The illustrations in this book are a combination of drawings, paintings and collage. Many of the illustrations have his poetry embedded in them, either hand lettered or typewritten on an old fashioned typewriter. All in all a pleasing combination!
There is also a cool time line in the back of the book that has three columns, one for events of his life, one for the poems he published, and one for world events. It's amazing to think about the years his life spanned, from 1883 to 1963, going all the way from the first car to space capsules orbiting the earth .
I think older children (8 and up?) would be most likely to enjoy this book. I wouldn't hesitate to share it with my 10 year old.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
The Wall; Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
The Wall; Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis
2008 Caldecott Honor Book
I found this book fascinating. It is a first person narrative about growing up in Czechoslovakia and spans from the late 1940's through the 70's, and references the wall coming down in 1989. I love learning about history through a personal lens, and this book definitely provides that. I found the journal entries especially powerful.
I read it aloud to Jabu, my 10 year old, and he both didn't much like it and had no patience at all for the journal entries (my favorite part). I don't know if I just caught him at the wrong time, or what, Jabu usually really likes biographies and books based on history.
Looking at it again today, I think the problem might have been that the layout/format of this book doesn't lend itself to reading ALOUD. The story doesn't run in a straight line. And this is actually part of what makes it an interesting book. There are definitions in small print running along the edges of some pages (Cold War, Communism, Iron Curtain). The introduction gives a great overview of the historic context of the book, but for a read aloud listener is not story-like at all. There is a thread of text about the authors own life "As long as he could remember, he had loved to draw."that is "interrupted" by captions giving historic details beside the frames of cartoon like pictures "1948. The Soviets take control of Czechoslovakia and close the borders." And all of this is "interrupted" or (in my opinion supported) by pages of journal entries that are interspersed occasionally.
Here are a few examples from the journal entries:
"April 1956 My father's cousin Lamin is in prison as an enemy of the state. My grandmother talks to my parents about it in German so my sister and I won't understand. But we understand some of it. He was on a national volleyball team that was going to a tournament in the West, and the players were all planning to stay there. The secret police found out. Lamin is twenty years old and will be in prison for the rest of this life."
"1961 We watch an American movie called On the Bowery at school. It shows poor people sleeping in the street. We're told this is how people in a capitalist country live."
"May 19665 Allen Ginsberg, the American beat poet, comes to Prague. Students make him our Kral Majales (King of May). Then the secret police accuse him of subversion and deport him."
The picture Peter Sims paints of life behind the Iron Curtain is not pretty. It sounds pretty scary and oppressive. I'm have my concerns about capitalism as well, but what he grew up with would not be an attractive alternative!
Anyhow, a very interesting read. Possibly a better book for ADULTS than children. But, in the Afterward I learned that the book was written in an attempt to explain his childhood to his own children. "Now when my American family goes to visit my Czech family in the colorful city of Prague, it is hard to convince them it was ever a dark place full of fear, suspicion, and lies. I find it difficult to explain my childhood; it's hard to put it into words, and since I have always drawn everything, I have tried to draw my life---before America--- for them."
2008 Caldecott Honor Book
I found this book fascinating. It is a first person narrative about growing up in Czechoslovakia and spans from the late 1940's through the 70's, and references the wall coming down in 1989. I love learning about history through a personal lens, and this book definitely provides that. I found the journal entries especially powerful.
I read it aloud to Jabu, my 10 year old, and he both didn't much like it and had no patience at all for the journal entries (my favorite part). I don't know if I just caught him at the wrong time, or what, Jabu usually really likes biographies and books based on history.
Looking at it again today, I think the problem might have been that the layout/format of this book doesn't lend itself to reading ALOUD. The story doesn't run in a straight line. And this is actually part of what makes it an interesting book. There are definitions in small print running along the edges of some pages (Cold War, Communism, Iron Curtain). The introduction gives a great overview of the historic context of the book, but for a read aloud listener is not story-like at all. There is a thread of text about the authors own life "As long as he could remember, he had loved to draw."that is "interrupted" by captions giving historic details beside the frames of cartoon like pictures "1948. The Soviets take control of Czechoslovakia and close the borders." And all of this is "interrupted" or (in my opinion supported) by pages of journal entries that are interspersed occasionally.
Here are a few examples from the journal entries:
"April 1956 My father's cousin Lamin is in prison as an enemy of the state. My grandmother talks to my parents about it in German so my sister and I won't understand. But we understand some of it. He was on a national volleyball team that was going to a tournament in the West, and the players were all planning to stay there. The secret police found out. Lamin is twenty years old and will be in prison for the rest of this life."
"1961 We watch an American movie called On the Bowery at school. It shows poor people sleeping in the street. We're told this is how people in a capitalist country live."
"May 19665 Allen Ginsberg, the American beat poet, comes to Prague. Students make him our Kral Majales (King of May). Then the secret police accuse him of subversion and deport him."
The picture Peter Sims paints of life behind the Iron Curtain is not pretty. It sounds pretty scary and oppressive. I'm have my concerns about capitalism as well, but what he grew up with would not be an attractive alternative!
Anyhow, a very interesting read. Possibly a better book for ADULTS than children. But, in the Afterward I learned that the book was written in an attempt to explain his childhood to his own children. "Now when my American family goes to visit my Czech family in the colorful city of Prague, it is hard to convince them it was ever a dark place full of fear, suspicion, and lies. I find it difficult to explain my childhood; it's hard to put it into words, and since I have always drawn everything, I have tried to draw my life---before America--- for them."
How I Learned Geography
How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz
2009 Caldecott Honor Book
This story is based on the author/illustrators memories of being a boy during World War II. They had to flee Poland empty handed. As refugees in a strange place, they were often hungry.
One day the boys father going to market to get bread and coming home instead with a map of the world. "I had enough money to buy only a tiny piece of bread, and we would still be hungry" he explained apologetically. Both Mother and Boy were bitterly angry.
But the next day, the Father hangs up the map. It is bright and colorful and takes up a whole wall. The boy spends many hours gazing at the map, making magical incantations out of the names of the cities and countries, and traveling to all the parts of the world in his mind.
There is also an authors note with a photo of the author at this age and a picture he drew at age 10 of Africa. I read it to both of my children (ages 6 and 10) and they both enjoyed it. I like a book that makes kids think and inspires conversations about big topics. I like a book that combines fancy with substance. This book definitely succeeds; recommended!
2009 Caldecott Honor Book
This story is based on the author/illustrators memories of being a boy during World War II. They had to flee Poland empty handed. As refugees in a strange place, they were often hungry.
One day the boys father going to market to get bread and coming home instead with a map of the world. "I had enough money to buy only a tiny piece of bread, and we would still be hungry" he explained apologetically. Both Mother and Boy were bitterly angry.
But the next day, the Father hangs up the map. It is bright and colorful and takes up a whole wall. The boy spends many hours gazing at the map, making magical incantations out of the names of the cities and countries, and traveling to all the parts of the world in his mind.
There is also an authors note with a photo of the author at this age and a picture he drew at age 10 of Africa. I read it to both of my children (ages 6 and 10) and they both enjoyed it. I like a book that makes kids think and inspires conversations about big topics. I like a book that combines fancy with substance. This book definitely succeeds; recommended!
Monday, October 10, 2011
The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark
The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark
by Carmen Agra Deedy
2001 Christopher Award, Books for Young People, ages 10-12
I was drawn to this book at the library because Carmen Deedy is a storyteller and I performed with her at a festival long long ago, and thought she was GREAT.
This is a picture book story that takes place during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. It's a beautiful story of loving inspired leadership, unity and resistance. I don't want to give away the details! I recommend the book.
Even though the Christopher Award suggests ages 10-12, I think a younger child could enjoy this book if they are interested in history (my son Jabu was TOTALLY interested in biographies and historical stories from a young age) and have a parent to give back ground and talk about the issues.
In the authors note at the close of the book we learn that this story has not been confirmed in actual fact, but it still rings true to historic events in Denmark during that time, and definitely rings true to what we hope for in our common humanity.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Dave the Potter, Artist, Poet, Slave
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave
by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier
2011 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
2011 Caldecott Honor Book
This is a picture book. I found it in the picture book part of our library, although it is a biography. It tells the story of Dave the Potter. A slave who made pots, they estimate he might have made 40,000 pots in his lifetime. Unique to his artistry, and especially surprising under his circumstance, he wrote little poems on many of the pots, and signed his name. Tiny 2-4 line poems, and it is from these poems that much of his life story is pieced together. He was also one of only 2 potters known to that time who could make really LARGE pots --- up to 40 gallons.
This book describes his life and the process of making pots---- from dirt, to wheel, to glaze, with simple lovely words and beautiful illustrations. A great book to share with young children and older ones.
Love, Louise
PS I shared this book with my daughter age 6 last night. We had an excellent discussion about slavery. My son (now 10) LOVED biographies from pre-school on and we discussed slavery, the civil rights movement, etc. etc. from age 3 forward. My daughter hasn't been so inclined towards non-fiction, and we haven't talked about history as much. I've started dedicating a half an hour to read with her each evening, just the two of us. It's a very sweet time, not related to bedtime, just a special time for us! And I realized last night that I'd like to sneak more historical/biographical picture books into the mix. The jumping off points for discussion from these books are SO invaluable.
My children are African American. I am of mixed heritage--- Japanese on my mothers side, Russian Jewish on my fathers side. My husband is European American. My son's sense of self in terms of his racial identity and African American heritage, and his perceptiveness about race dynamics in our daily experience, I think is very strong, and I believe the books that we read and talked about were a big contributor to this. Other stuff also contributed! Books alone wouldn't take care of this. . . . but they were a very positive factor!
Anyhow, I want to up this part of my daughters education and sense of self! So . . . bring on the books!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Yummy the Last Days of a Southside Shorty
Yummy the Last Days of a Southside Shorty
by G. Neri, illustrated by Randy DuBurke
Coretta Scott King 2011 Honor book
This is a comic book style telling of a true story of a 1994 gang violence incident in Chicago's Southside. I was not aware of the news story when it happened. It is a tragic story of a young kids involvement in gangs and a particular boy nick named Yummy, a member of the Black Disciples gang, who murdered a girl when he was 11 years old. He was on the run for some days after that. Then he called home and was considering turning himself in, when he was was picked up by some Black Disciples and murdered by his own gang members. Very scary and sad to know about. Very important message to circulate.
I'd recommend the book. Obviously not for young kids. But I would share it with Jabu age 10, with plenty of parent-kid discussion to go along.
Love, Louise
PS--- I found I couldn't stop thinking about this story as I went about my day yesterday. And not just because it was disturbing. It's a powerful important story, well told. I'm glad this book exists and I hope a lot of young people read it and take the lessons to heart.
Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse
Originally posted: September 5, 2003
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. Newbery Medal 1998
Woah, Alicia Adrian said this one was "intense" and that is practically an understatement!!!!! I'm glad she reviewed some of the other Hesse books, cause I wouldn't have necessarily sought them out after this one!
It is the kind of book that leaves visceral images permanently etched on your psyche! It takes place in the dust bowl of Oklahoma, a time and place I had very little feel for before reading this book. I was amazed by the phenomenon of the DUST. It was making me a little insane just reading about it, I can't imagine living through it. . . homes filling up with it, families sitting down to dinner with all the plates turned upside down and righting them just before eating to keep the dust from filling their plates, but the food already blackened with it. . . yikes!
As Alicia mentioned this is NOT a book for young readers, there is a tragic accident involving death and disfigurement early on that would NOT be a useful image for a young reader to be carrying around.
The book is basically a coming of age story, about Billlie Jo, fourteen. A story about pain and healing, blame and forgiveness, the urge to get away from home and the need to stay connected to it.
The one thing that I had trouble with was the "voice" of Billie Jo. . . the book is written in her voice, and the writing, for me, didn't SOUND like her! But the images of the dust bowl and Billie Jo's story were well worth the read.
Love, Louise
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)