Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi
1950 Caldecott Award
This is a sweet story about a boy Juan and an old man named Julian, the bell ringer and gardener of the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, in California, and the swallows that arrive there every spring. There are illustrations on every page, and then every once in a while big full color illustrations that cover two pages. Two songs are included as well.
I enjoyed it very much. I appreciated the author/artist being well ahead of his time in honoring various ethnic communities in his home state of California in his books for children. I'd like to learn more about him. What I've learned so far is that he was born in the US, to an Italian family. They returned to Italy when he was 7 and he spent the rest of his childhood in Europe. He came to Los Angeles when he was about 22 and lived and painted there for the rest of his life. He was a devote Catholic and the affinity he had for the Mexican American mission communities I think was based in that common heritage. Song of the Swallows is a tender story of friendship and seasons and connection with nature and although it is not a religious story it does have a touch of the sacred in it.
Showing posts with label Louise Recommends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Louise Recommends. Show all posts
Friday, March 2, 2012
How Full Is Your Bucket? for kids
How Full Is Your Bucket? for kids by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer
no awards that I'm aware of
This is a great book about feelings and supporting one another. I read it to my kids and I could tell that they "got it" from their behavior that day.
Basic idea is that we all have a bucket (which the kid in this book starts literally seeing floating above his head and other people's heads). When something happens that makes us feel good, our bucket fills up a little, when something happens that makes us feel bad, the water drips out.
Felix, the star of this book, figures out how this works. "The strange thing was that for every drop he helped put in someone else's bucket, he felt another drop in his own bucket."
no awards that I'm aware of
This is a great book about feelings and supporting one another. I read it to my kids and I could tell that they "got it" from their behavior that day.
Basic idea is that we all have a bucket (which the kid in this book starts literally seeing floating above his head and other people's heads). When something happens that makes us feel good, our bucket fills up a little, when something happens that makes us feel bad, the water drips out.
Felix, the star of this book, figures out how this works. "The strange thing was that for every drop he helped put in someone else's bucket, he felt another drop in his own bucket."
Useful imagery for talking about feelings. I recommend it.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Grandaddy's Place
Grandaddy's Place by Helen V. Griffith, pictures by James Stevenson
no awards that I am aware of
I liked this book a lot. It is an illustrated chapter book. I read all four chapters in one sitting to my daughter this evening. It actually feels more like a picture book, but it does have four "epsisodes". It's a story about a girl visiting her grandaddy for the first time, along with her mom. The conversations between Janetta and her grandaddy are pretty perfect somehow. The author has those voices "down" and it completely charmed both Makayla (age 7) and I.
I actually tell the story this author tells in her book Georgia Music. And so it was fun to find this "prequel" to that. I love the connectedness depicted so well between grandaddy and Janetta. And we laughed pretty much on every page. But the kind of laughing that comes from just enjoying the people rather than from hearing a joke.
Here's an example:
After dark Momma and Grandaddy and Janetta sat out on the steps. The mean-looking cat wasn't anywhere around. Janetta hoped the wasps were asleep. She was beginning to feel sleepy herself. Then a terrible sound from the woods brought her wide awake.
"Was that the mule?" she asked.
"That was just an old hoot owl singing his song," said Grandaddy.
"It didn't sound like singing to me," said Janetta.
" If you were an owl, you'd be tapping your feet," said Grandaddy.
*****
Anyhow, I'd recommend this one! Enjoy!
no awards that I am aware of
I liked this book a lot. It is an illustrated chapter book. I read all four chapters in one sitting to my daughter this evening. It actually feels more like a picture book, but it does have four "epsisodes". It's a story about a girl visiting her grandaddy for the first time, along with her mom. The conversations between Janetta and her grandaddy are pretty perfect somehow. The author has those voices "down" and it completely charmed both Makayla (age 7) and I.
I actually tell the story this author tells in her book Georgia Music. And so it was fun to find this "prequel" to that. I love the connectedness depicted so well between grandaddy and Janetta. And we laughed pretty much on every page. But the kind of laughing that comes from just enjoying the people rather than from hearing a joke.
Here's an example:
After dark Momma and Grandaddy and Janetta sat out on the steps. The mean-looking cat wasn't anywhere around. Janetta hoped the wasps were asleep. She was beginning to feel sleepy herself. Then a terrible sound from the woods brought her wide awake.
"Was that the mule?" she asked.
"That was just an old hoot owl singing his song," said Grandaddy.
"It didn't sound like singing to me," said Janetta.
" If you were an owl, you'd be tapping your feet," said Grandaddy.
*****
Anyhow, I'd recommend this one! Enjoy!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Wednesday Surprise
The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting
no awards that I'm aware of
I loved this book. Eve Bunting is a pretty amazing author. She has written GOBS of books (I'm quite sure it's more than 100) and I have enjoyed several of her picture books. She takes on challenging topics like the Vietnam Memorial (The Wall) or anti Arab prejudice (One Green Apple) or surviving the German concentration camps (One Candle) or a riot in the inner city (Smoky Night).
She has other books that are easy readers or chapter books or retelling of Folk Tales, but it's these sensitive picture book stories about children in relation to real live situations that I'm most familiar with and stay with me. She's won a bunch of honors and awards, but one of them that she herself holds dearest was a "Heal the World" award given to her by an elementary school.
The Wednesday Surprise falls in the category of a well told picture book story about a sensitive subject. I don't want to spoil the surprise! But it's a wonderful story and I recommend it!
no awards that I'm aware of
I loved this book. Eve Bunting is a pretty amazing author. She has written GOBS of books (I'm quite sure it's more than 100) and I have enjoyed several of her picture books. She takes on challenging topics like the Vietnam Memorial (The Wall) or anti Arab prejudice (One Green Apple) or surviving the German concentration camps (One Candle) or a riot in the inner city (Smoky Night).
She has other books that are easy readers or chapter books or retelling of Folk Tales, but it's these sensitive picture book stories about children in relation to real live situations that I'm most familiar with and stay with me. She's won a bunch of honors and awards, but one of them that she herself holds dearest was a "Heal the World" award given to her by an elementary school.
The Wednesday Surprise falls in the category of a well told picture book story about a sensitive subject. I don't want to spoil the surprise! But it's a wonderful story and I recommend it!
Walking Home Rosie Lee
Walking Home to Rosie Lee by A. LaFaye, illustrated by Keith D. Shepherd
no awards that I know about, but it was published in 2011, so there might be some coming still! I think it's worthy myself!
This story takes place right after the civil war, when slaves were set free. "War's over. Government say we free. Folks be on the move. Getting the feel for freedom. Not me. I'm looking for my mama, Rosie Lee."
So many families were separated during slavery and the war. Rosie Lee had been sold away from her children, and now her boy Gabe set off to find her. It is a well told story about a slice of history that there aren't as many stories about.
I like this picture book A LOT and would heartily recommend it.
no awards that I know about, but it was published in 2011, so there might be some coming still! I think it's worthy myself!
This story takes place right after the civil war, when slaves were set free. "War's over. Government say we free. Folks be on the move. Getting the feel for freedom. Not me. I'm looking for my mama, Rosie Lee."
So many families were separated during slavery and the war. Rosie Lee had been sold away from her children, and now her boy Gabe set off to find her. It is a well told story about a slice of history that there aren't as many stories about.
I like this picture book A LOT and would heartily recommend it.
Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest
Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest, Where Birds Begin by Irene Kelly
Winner-NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) Outstanding Science Trade Book, 2010
(a new award category for me!)
I loved this picture book! It talked about all kinds of birds nests and is wonderfully illustrated. I love fun facts and this book is full of them. . .
• The Blue-footed Booby places her warm, webbed feet over her eggs to keep them toasty.
• Baby Bald Eagles grow up in simple nests made of layered sticks. These nests are GIGANTIC, up to ten feet wide and weighing two tons. . . That's as heavy as a car!
• Palm Swifts build vertical nests. The female uses saliva to glue feathers to the underside of a palm leaf. She even flues her eggs to the nest!
Really just about every page has something that makes me happy to know!
Winner-NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) Outstanding Science Trade Book, 2010
(a new award category for me!)
I loved this picture book! It talked about all kinds of birds nests and is wonderfully illustrated. I love fun facts and this book is full of them. . .
• The Blue-footed Booby places her warm, webbed feet over her eggs to keep them toasty.
• Baby Bald Eagles grow up in simple nests made of layered sticks. These nests are GIGANTIC, up to ten feet wide and weighing two tons. . . That's as heavy as a car!
• Palm Swifts build vertical nests. The female uses saliva to glue feathers to the underside of a palm leaf. She even flues her eggs to the nest!
Really just about every page has something that makes me happy to know!
Monday, January 23, 2012
The Patchwork Path; a Quilt Map to Freedom
The Patchwork Path; A Quilt Map to Freedom by Bettye Stroud, illustraed by Erin Susanne Bennett
no awards that I know about
I liked this book. I thought, surely it is on one of these award lists. But I didn't find it anywhere, but I recommend it!
It tells the story of a girl named Hannah, learning to quilt "The year I turned ten, Mama taught me to make a special quilt. . . . But Mama wanted me to learn more than just how to sew. While we stiched, she told me a secret. 'Each pattern holds a special meaning,' Mama whispered. 'Hannah, this quilt will show you everything you need to know to run to freedom.'"
And Hannah eventually uses this quilt as a map to freedom. . . . leaving in a drenching rain, hiding under the floor of a church, staying with Quakers, and finally making it to Canada.
Makes me want to sew a quilt.
I liked the art work in this book too. The quilt square patterns are shown and the illustration style is bold and colorful like a quilt.
Love, Louise
no awards that I know about
I liked this book. I thought, surely it is on one of these award lists. But I didn't find it anywhere, but I recommend it!
It tells the story of a girl named Hannah, learning to quilt "The year I turned ten, Mama taught me to make a special quilt. . . . But Mama wanted me to learn more than just how to sew. While we stiched, she told me a secret. 'Each pattern holds a special meaning,' Mama whispered. 'Hannah, this quilt will show you everything you need to know to run to freedom.'"
And Hannah eventually uses this quilt as a map to freedom. . . . leaving in a drenching rain, hiding under the floor of a church, staying with Quakers, and finally making it to Canada.
Makes me want to sew a quilt.
I liked the art work in this book too. The quilt square patterns are shown and the illustration style is bold and colorful like a quilt.
Love, Louise
Marching With Aunt Susan
Marching With Aunt Susan; Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women's Suffrage
by Claire Rudolf Murphy, illustrated by Stacey Schuett
no awards yet, but I'm predicting there will be some! It was published in 2011, so we'll see what happens.
I really enjoyed this picture book. It is written from the point of view of a girl named Bessie who gets to meet "Aunt Susan" Susan B. Anthony, hear her speak and get involved in the Suffrage movement. Bessie was a real little girl who lived in Berkley California in 1896. In fact the story is based on fact very closely. But still a good STORY (in other words my 7 year enjoyed the book too!)
The author had the opportunity to read real letters exchanged between Bessie's Aunt Mary and Susan B. Anthony and she says "I wanted to find a real girl to write about and eventually I found the Keith-McHenry-Pond papers at The Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkley. Inside boxes and cartons were Bessie's journals, newspaper articles about her family's hiking, and the suffrage collection of her aunt, Mary McHenry Keith. My hand shook as I read letters from my hero Susan B. Anthony to Aunt Mary."
There is a nice collection of supporting material and links to further resources at the end of the book including a photo of the real Bessie.
Love, Louise
by Claire Rudolf Murphy, illustrated by Stacey Schuett
no awards yet, but I'm predicting there will be some! It was published in 2011, so we'll see what happens.
I really enjoyed this picture book. It is written from the point of view of a girl named Bessie who gets to meet "Aunt Susan" Susan B. Anthony, hear her speak and get involved in the Suffrage movement. Bessie was a real little girl who lived in Berkley California in 1896. In fact the story is based on fact very closely. But still a good STORY (in other words my 7 year enjoyed the book too!)
The author had the opportunity to read real letters exchanged between Bessie's Aunt Mary and Susan B. Anthony and she says "I wanted to find a real girl to write about and eventually I found the Keith-McHenry-Pond papers at The Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkley. Inside boxes and cartons were Bessie's journals, newspaper articles about her family's hiking, and the suffrage collection of her aunt, Mary McHenry Keith. My hand shook as I read letters from my hero Susan B. Anthony to Aunt Mary."
There is a nice collection of supporting material and links to further resources at the end of the book including a photo of the real Bessie.
Love, Louise
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The House of Sixty Fathers
The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert DeJong
1957 Newbery Honor Book
I loved this book! It is based on a real life experience of the author from his time as a soldier during World War II. This is the first book I've read by this author, but I'm excited to see that he has FIVE books on the Newbery list, so I'm excited to find the rest!
The story follows a small boy, Tien Pao, lviing in China during the Japanese occupation during Word War II. Tien Pao's village was burned and his family managed to escape and traveled up river to the city of Hengyang. Then, left alone on their sanpan while his parents went to work, the boat comes loose of it's mouring and Tien Pas is swept down the river and into Japanese territory.
Together with his pig (yes, his PIG!) he travels on foot through the mountainous country of occupied territory, survives on what he can find, narrowly avoids capture and gun fire, and is actually starving by the time he finds real help. Which he does find. And the story ends, against all odds, very happily.
This is an action packed story set in a brutal war time and there is much tension, some violence, and a lot of courage and struggle in Tien Paos' journey. I found myself telling it (in my own words not reading it) to my children in installments as I read the book, and they were mesmerized. It's a compelling story; the kind you don't want to put down. It's my next read aloud pick for my 10 year old son, who likes a story with plenty of action and excitement.
NOTE 1/16/2012: Jabu (the 10 year old son) and I are half way through and he is loving it!
Together with his pig (yes, his PIG!) he travels on foot through the mountainous country of occupied territory, survives on what he can find, narrowly avoids capture and gun fire, and is actually starving by the time he finds real help. Which he does find. And the story ends, against all odds, very happily.
This is an action packed story set in a brutal war time and there is much tension, some violence, and a lot of courage and struggle in Tien Paos' journey. I found myself telling it (in my own words not reading it) to my children in installments as I read the book, and they were mesmerized. It's a compelling story; the kind you don't want to put down. It's my next read aloud pick for my 10 year old son, who likes a story with plenty of action and excitement.
NOTE 1/16/2012: Jabu (the 10 year old son) and I are half way through and he is loving it!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Esperanza Rising
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
2002 Pura Belpre Medal for narrative
Based on a true story from the life of the author's grandmother, Esperanza Rising tells of a wealthy young girl in Mexico and her immigration experience to the US.
The story begins in Mexico, in the luscious grape fields of her fathers land. The love of the land is deep and rich. Her father tells her "Our land is alive! The whole valley breathes and lives!" Her father shows her how if you lie on the ground and listen well you can hear the heart beat of the earth. There is a ritual to begin the grape harvest and a fiesta to celebrate the harvest at the end. Esperanza's father owns a vast track of land, "El Rancha de la Rosa." and a team of servants tends to both house and field. Esperanza's life is almost like that of a princess!
A series of unexpected events brings this life to an abrupt end. Having lost everything, Esperanza and her mother find themselves fleeing to the United States. They were forced to leave their abulita, their grandmother, behind because she was not well enough to travel. They journey in the company of some of their servants, a couple and their boy, Miquel, who is about Esperanza's age. But now, they are on equal footing with these servents, all owning nothing, all hoping to find work as laborers in California. They settle in a farm workers camp and begin the hard work and life in their new home.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It deals with issues of class and race, family and love, labor movement and farm workers.
Despite the real hardships of the new life, there are sweet moments of connection with the good things of the past, and a lot of hope for the future. Watching the identities and relationships topple from master/servant to peer/co-workers and seeing everyone help one another and grow in the process makes a good story.
The edition I read also had a bunch of supplemental information at the back of the book including Authors notes, an interview with the author, recipes and projects to extend the experience.
2002 Pura Belpre Medal for narrative
Based on a true story from the life of the author's grandmother, Esperanza Rising tells of a wealthy young girl in Mexico and her immigration experience to the US.
The story begins in Mexico, in the luscious grape fields of her fathers land. The love of the land is deep and rich. Her father tells her "Our land is alive! The whole valley breathes and lives!" Her father shows her how if you lie on the ground and listen well you can hear the heart beat of the earth. There is a ritual to begin the grape harvest and a fiesta to celebrate the harvest at the end. Esperanza's father owns a vast track of land, "El Rancha de la Rosa." and a team of servants tends to both house and field. Esperanza's life is almost like that of a princess!
A series of unexpected events brings this life to an abrupt end. Having lost everything, Esperanza and her mother find themselves fleeing to the United States. They were forced to leave their abulita, their grandmother, behind because she was not well enough to travel. They journey in the company of some of their servants, a couple and their boy, Miquel, who is about Esperanza's age. But now, they are on equal footing with these servents, all owning nothing, all hoping to find work as laborers in California. They settle in a farm workers camp and begin the hard work and life in their new home.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It deals with issues of class and race, family and love, labor movement and farm workers.
Despite the real hardships of the new life, there are sweet moments of connection with the good things of the past, and a lot of hope for the future. Watching the identities and relationships topple from master/servant to peer/co-workers and seeing everyone help one another and grow in the process makes a good story.
The edition I read also had a bunch of supplemental information at the back of the book including Authors notes, an interview with the author, recipes and projects to extend the experience.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
2004 Caldecott Honor
Also:
Don't let the Pigeon Stay Up Late
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy
I have to admit, I think Mo Willems is brilliant. He has a way of getting in the brains of young people like few others. My daughter age 7 LOVES his books, particularly the Knuffle Bunny series and the Pigeon series, both of which seem to be based on his "hands on" experiences with his own daughter.
He has a couple of websites worth checking out. He has one: Mo Willems
and the Pigeon (and other characters) have their own! : Pigeon Presents! Starring Mo Willems' Pigeon!
Anyhow, back to the book report. The pigeon books are funny. Based on a one sided conversation full of all the things kids say. "Hey, can I drive the bus?" "Please?" "I'll be careful."
In a cartoony style with "talk bubbles".
At my house our favorite hands down, is Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late. I have read that one to my 7 year old daughter at least once or twice a day since it arrived from the library. And I'm afraid there are reasons she finds it funny (but I won't go into the bedtime issues at our house at this time!)
I've just about memorized it, in fact if I'm not getting these quotes exactly right it's because the book is downstairs beside the bed, and I"m quoting from memory, but I think you'll get the idea!
"But I'm not tired! In fact, I'm in the mood for a hot dog party! What do you say? . . . NO?! . . . humpf."
"How about five more minutes? . . . What's FIVE MINUTES IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS?"
"YAWN . . . That was NOT a yawn! I was stretching!"
"It's the middle of the day in China!"
etc.
Hilarious. I recommend Mo Willems in general and Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late in particular!
2004 Caldecott Honor
Also:
Don't let the Pigeon Stay Up Late
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy
I have to admit, I think Mo Willems is brilliant. He has a way of getting in the brains of young people like few others. My daughter age 7 LOVES his books, particularly the Knuffle Bunny series and the Pigeon series, both of which seem to be based on his "hands on" experiences with his own daughter.
He has a couple of websites worth checking out. He has one: Mo Willems
and the Pigeon (and other characters) have their own! : Pigeon Presents! Starring Mo Willems' Pigeon!
Anyhow, back to the book report. The pigeon books are funny. Based on a one sided conversation full of all the things kids say. "Hey, can I drive the bus?" "Please?" "I'll be careful."
In a cartoony style with "talk bubbles".
At my house our favorite hands down, is Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late. I have read that one to my 7 year old daughter at least once or twice a day since it arrived from the library. And I'm afraid there are reasons she finds it funny (but I won't go into the bedtime issues at our house at this time!)
I've just about memorized it, in fact if I'm not getting these quotes exactly right it's because the book is downstairs beside the bed, and I"m quoting from memory, but I think you'll get the idea!
"But I'm not tired! In fact, I'm in the mood for a hot dog party! What do you say? . . . NO?! . . . humpf."
"How about five more minutes? . . . What's FIVE MINUTES IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS?"
"YAWN . . . That was NOT a yawn! I was stretching!"
"It's the middle of the day in China!"
etc.
Hilarious. I recommend Mo Willems in general and Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late in particular!
My Friend Rabbit
My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann
2003 Caldecott Medal
A very likable book about a well meaning rabbit, told by his friend mouse. "My friend Rabbit means well. But whatever he does, where ever he goes, trouble follows." The story is told in both text and pictures. I like that in a picture book, when the pictures don't just "illustrate" the story, but carry the story line all by themselves in part. I looked up Eric Rohmann's website and he said this: "This book also began with many words and as I made the images I saw that the silliness was best left to the pictures." Glad he figured that out!
His website is a fun visit: Eric Rohmann - Author & Illustrator - My Friend Rabbit
I like the pictures in the book a lot. They are hand colored relief prints and I'm partial to that bold "wood block print" look.
In the end you just like the two characters a lot, and their friendship. Rabbit is plucky, "Not to worry, Mouse. I've got an idea!" Mouse is loyal. "But Rabbit means well. And he is my friend."
2003 Caldecott Medal
A very likable book about a well meaning rabbit, told by his friend mouse. "My friend Rabbit means well. But whatever he does, where ever he goes, trouble follows." The story is told in both text and pictures. I like that in a picture book, when the pictures don't just "illustrate" the story, but carry the story line all by themselves in part. I looked up Eric Rohmann's website and he said this: "This book also began with many words and as I made the images I saw that the silliness was best left to the pictures." Glad he figured that out!
His website is a fun visit: Eric Rohmann - Author & Illustrator - My Friend Rabbit
I like the pictures in the book a lot. They are hand colored relief prints and I'm partial to that bold "wood block print" look.
In the end you just like the two characters a lot, and their friendship. Rabbit is plucky, "Not to worry, Mouse. I've got an idea!" Mouse is loyal. "But Rabbit means well. And he is my friend."
An Apple for Harriet Tubman
An Apple for Harriet Tubman bu Glennette Tilley Turner, illustrated by Susan Keeter
no award that I know of, though I don't see why not!
I love this book. It's based on stories told to the author by Harriet Tubman's great niece Alice Brickler, who learned it from Harriet herself. I like it when stories about big people and big events have specific little details that pull us in.
Harriet Tubman loved apples. Who knew?
This story carries her from picking apples while being forbidden to eat any, and getting whipped for taking a bite of one. . . . to owning her own land in NY and planting a row of apple trees that she ate her fill of shared with her neighbors.
Both of my children (age 10 and 7) enjoyed the book also.
no award that I know of, though I don't see why not!
I love this book. It's based on stories told to the author by Harriet Tubman's great niece Alice Brickler, who learned it from Harriet herself. I like it when stories about big people and big events have specific little details that pull us in.
Harriet Tubman loved apples. Who knew?
This story carries her from picking apples while being forbidden to eat any, and getting whipped for taking a bite of one. . . . to owning her own land in NY and planting a row of apple trees that she ate her fill of shared with her neighbors.
Both of my children (age 10 and 7) enjoyed the book also.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Zora and Me
Zora and Me by Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon
2011 Corretta Scott King new talent award
I didn't realize this was an award winner until just now. I was going to post about it anyhow, because I thought it was very good. I found it because I was looking for books about Florida to share with the kids before we traveled there earlier this fall. This book caught my eye while I was searching because Zora Neale Hurston's book Their Eyes Were Watching God is one of my all time favorite books, and this book is a fictionalized account of her growing up years in Eatonville Florida.
It's based on her writing and other historical info and is true enough to fact that it is the only project to be endorsed by the Zora Neale Hurston Trust that was not written by Hurston herself.
I read this one aloud to Jabu (age 10) and we both enjoyed it. I was a little worried about selling him on it at first, but I shouldn't have been concerned. . . the first chapter tells the story of an alligator attack! He was hooked from that point on!
The characters of Zora and her friends (one of whom is telling the story), the people of Eatonville both distinguished and odd, were all people I was glad to meet and the authors did a great job of bringing them to life.
There were several strands of the story that I appreciated very much. One featured a misunderstood loner named Mr. Pendir who the kids in the book spent most of the story being completely afraid of. Turns out "All the time Mr. Pendir had lived in Eatonville knocking around in his old house, alone and weary-looking, he had been making things, and the things he made were beautiful."
But the one that still stays with me the strongest (I'm writing this actually a couple of months after reading the book) involved a sister and a brother of mixed race. The brother was brown, the sister could "pass" and DID. The price of turning away from her people was very dear and watching Jabu come to realize that as the story unfolded was definitely worth the read all by itself.
I liked this book very much and would recommend it.
2011 Corretta Scott King new talent award
I didn't realize this was an award winner until just now. I was going to post about it anyhow, because I thought it was very good. I found it because I was looking for books about Florida to share with the kids before we traveled there earlier this fall. This book caught my eye while I was searching because Zora Neale Hurston's book Their Eyes Were Watching God is one of my all time favorite books, and this book is a fictionalized account of her growing up years in Eatonville Florida.
It's based on her writing and other historical info and is true enough to fact that it is the only project to be endorsed by the Zora Neale Hurston Trust that was not written by Hurston herself.
I read this one aloud to Jabu (age 10) and we both enjoyed it. I was a little worried about selling him on it at first, but I shouldn't have been concerned. . . the first chapter tells the story of an alligator attack! He was hooked from that point on!
The characters of Zora and her friends (one of whom is telling the story), the people of Eatonville both distinguished and odd, were all people I was glad to meet and the authors did a great job of bringing them to life.
There were several strands of the story that I appreciated very much. One featured a misunderstood loner named Mr. Pendir who the kids in the book spent most of the story being completely afraid of. Turns out "All the time Mr. Pendir had lived in Eatonville knocking around in his old house, alone and weary-looking, he had been making things, and the things he made were beautiful."
But the one that still stays with me the strongest (I'm writing this actually a couple of months after reading the book) involved a sister and a brother of mixed race. The brother was brown, the sister could "pass" and DID. The price of turning away from her people was very dear and watching Jabu come to realize that as the story unfolded was definitely worth the read all by itself.
I liked this book very much and would recommend it.
The Hello Goodbye Window; Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie
The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka
2006 Caldecott Medal
Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie by Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Both of these books feature a girl and her visits to her Grandpa and Nanna. The Hello, Goodbye Window got the award, but at our house we LOVE Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie even more! Sourpuss and Sweetie pie discusses the very relevant topic of rapid mood changes in young people! My seven year old daughter has asked us to read it multiple times each day for the past couple of weeks!
Both feature these wonderful loose colorful illustrations by Chris Raschka. And a really fun connected loving relationship between the grandparents and kid. There is humor and wisdom which is a combination I favor. I'd recommend both books, but especially Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie!
2006 Caldecott Medal
Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie by Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Both of these books feature a girl and her visits to her Grandpa and Nanna. The Hello, Goodbye Window got the award, but at our house we LOVE Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie even more! Sourpuss and Sweetie pie discusses the very relevant topic of rapid mood changes in young people! My seven year old daughter has asked us to read it multiple times each day for the past couple of weeks!
Both feature these wonderful loose colorful illustrations by Chris Raschka. And a really fun connected loving relationship between the grandparents and kid. There is humor and wisdom which is a combination I favor. I'd recommend both books, but especially Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Ninth Ward
Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes
2011 Corretta Scott King Honor
Lenesha is 12 and lives in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and this is her story. And the story of the 9 days stretching from the Sunday before Hurricane Katrina to the Tuesday after the storm hit. It's also the story of Mama Ya-Ya, the midwife, seer, and healer that has raised Lanesha since birth; a boy named TaShon and his dog Spot. Lanesha shares the gift of sight with her Mama Ya-Ya, so the story includes the ghosts that visit her.
This story is beautifully written and conceived. The author says in her acknowledgements "Books were my lifeline during a difficult childhood. For my entire writing life, I've been waiting to grow up enough to write what I hoped would be a good book for young audiences." I think she's achieved that.
First of all, you will love Mama Ya-Ya and Lanesha. They are both fascinating and likable people. Mama Ya-Ya is wise and loving. Lanesha is smart and sweet and determined. They are complex characters with their share of hard times, but the love between them is sure and strong.
What I admire most about this book is the balance between the devastation, terror, and drama of the hurricane and the levees breaking---- and the love between the characters (both living and dead), the will to survive and the coming of age that comes of that effort, and the hope remaining intact in the midst of all the destruction and chaos.
It describes the intensity of the storm from the mayor announcing the mandatory evacuation. . . "Mama Ya-Ya bites her lip, shakes her head muttering, 'How can it be mandatory if I don't have a way to go?'"
To the earth shaking force of the hurricane passing over. . . "The house shakes, teetering, in the wind and rain's violent game. Dodgeball. Tug-of-war. Shakes Sways and I swear, it's going to fall. . . fall. . . fall over. Down. The bed is rattling, creeping across the floor like it grew feet."
To the water rising . . . " I sit and count, 'One, one thousand, two, one thousand, three, one thousand. . .' I count until my mouth cracks dry. I watch the black liquid crawling up the steps. Sixty-one one thousands equals a minute. I count six hundred minutes. That's ten minute for the water to rise halfway up a step. Another ten to cover a new step. Twenty minutes for each whole step. There are twelve steps to the attic floor.
Twenty minutes times twelve. We've got two hours left.
Survive."
But through out all that intensity is a cord of loving wisdom and fortitude that is like a torch passed from Mama Ya-Ya to Lanesha. "As time slips by, as the water rises, I try to think about what's next, about what Mama Ya-Ya would want me to do.
8 + 4 = 12. Spiritual strength. Real strength, Lanesha. Like butterflies."
I very much enjoyed this book and can recommend it!
2011 Corretta Scott King Honor
Lenesha is 12 and lives in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and this is her story. And the story of the 9 days stretching from the Sunday before Hurricane Katrina to the Tuesday after the storm hit. It's also the story of Mama Ya-Ya, the midwife, seer, and healer that has raised Lanesha since birth; a boy named TaShon and his dog Spot. Lanesha shares the gift of sight with her Mama Ya-Ya, so the story includes the ghosts that visit her.
This story is beautifully written and conceived. The author says in her acknowledgements "Books were my lifeline during a difficult childhood. For my entire writing life, I've been waiting to grow up enough to write what I hoped would be a good book for young audiences." I think she's achieved that.
First of all, you will love Mama Ya-Ya and Lanesha. They are both fascinating and likable people. Mama Ya-Ya is wise and loving. Lanesha is smart and sweet and determined. They are complex characters with their share of hard times, but the love between them is sure and strong.
What I admire most about this book is the balance between the devastation, terror, and drama of the hurricane and the levees breaking---- and the love between the characters (both living and dead), the will to survive and the coming of age that comes of that effort, and the hope remaining intact in the midst of all the destruction and chaos.
It describes the intensity of the storm from the mayor announcing the mandatory evacuation. . . "Mama Ya-Ya bites her lip, shakes her head muttering, 'How can it be mandatory if I don't have a way to go?'"
To the earth shaking force of the hurricane passing over. . . "The house shakes, teetering, in the wind and rain's violent game. Dodgeball. Tug-of-war. Shakes Sways and I swear, it's going to fall. . . fall. . . fall over. Down. The bed is rattling, creeping across the floor like it grew feet."
To the water rising . . . " I sit and count, 'One, one thousand, two, one thousand, three, one thousand. . .' I count until my mouth cracks dry. I watch the black liquid crawling up the steps. Sixty-one one thousands equals a minute. I count six hundred minutes. That's ten minute for the water to rise halfway up a step. Another ten to cover a new step. Twenty minutes for each whole step. There are twelve steps to the attic floor.
Twenty minutes times twelve. We've got two hours left.
Survive."
But through out all that intensity is a cord of loving wisdom and fortitude that is like a torch passed from Mama Ya-Ya to Lanesha. "As time slips by, as the water rises, I try to think about what's next, about what Mama Ya-Ya would want me to do.
8 + 4 = 12. Spiritual strength. Real strength, Lanesha. Like butterflies."
I very much enjoyed this book and can 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.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Red Book; The Museum Trip; The Secret Box
The Red Book by Barbara Lehman
2005 Caldecott Honor Book
Also by the same author---
The Museum Trip
The Secret Box
I am pretty excited to be introduced to this author who I was previously unfamiliar with. I looked up The Red Book because it was a Caldecott Honor book, and when I saw it was a wordless picture book, I got everything on the shelf that she had written! My kids like wordless picture books. Jabu (age 10) likes graphic novels and comic books and these are akin to that somehow. And Makayla (age 6) is just learning to read, so to be able to "read" a book entirely on her own is satisfying to her.
Some wordless picture books are designed with pre-readers, that is VERY YOUNG children in mind. But this author/illustrator is more in the ilk of David Weisner (Flostsom, and Tuesday, among others). She creates, through pictures alone, COMPLEX, intriguing story lines that are engaging for all ages, including adults!
Her illustration style is very different from David Weisner. His pictures are very fine and detailed. Her pictures are warm and simple. But The Red Book really does remind me of Flotsom.
All three of these books I read this evening by Barbara Lehman involve the characters entering into pictures or pages and thus entering other worlds. So, there is a surreal, fantastical element.
In The Red Book a girl finds a book and sees a boy finding a book and looking at HER in the book, while she looks at HIM in her book. It's all a little twisted and hard to wrap your mind around ---- in a good way!
The Musuem Trip shows a boy getting lost on an art museum field trip, entering a little door to a small room where there are pictures of mazes in a glass case. He runs onto the paper, and works the mazes, running each one's route successfully, into the center and out again.
In The Secret Box three children find a small collection of treasures left by a child long ago. They travel into the world of the clues left in the box. . . some ticket stubs, a postcard, etc.
All very cool stuff. Much cooler than I'm able to describe here. I like this author A LOT. And am so very happy to have discovered her as a result of this project!
2005 Caldecott Honor Book
Also by the same author---
The Museum Trip
The Secret Box
I am pretty excited to be introduced to this author who I was previously unfamiliar with. I looked up The Red Book because it was a Caldecott Honor book, and when I saw it was a wordless picture book, I got everything on the shelf that she had written! My kids like wordless picture books. Jabu (age 10) likes graphic novels and comic books and these are akin to that somehow. And Makayla (age 6) is just learning to read, so to be able to "read" a book entirely on her own is satisfying to her.
Some wordless picture books are designed with pre-readers, that is VERY YOUNG children in mind. But this author/illustrator is more in the ilk of David Weisner (Flostsom, and Tuesday, among others). She creates, through pictures alone, COMPLEX, intriguing story lines that are engaging for all ages, including adults!
Her illustration style is very different from David Weisner. His pictures are very fine and detailed. Her pictures are warm and simple. But The Red Book really does remind me of Flotsom.
All three of these books I read this evening by Barbara Lehman involve the characters entering into pictures or pages and thus entering other worlds. So, there is a surreal, fantastical element.
In The Red Book a girl finds a book and sees a boy finding a book and looking at HER in the book, while she looks at HIM in her book. It's all a little twisted and hard to wrap your mind around ---- in a good way!
The Musuem Trip shows a boy getting lost on an art museum field trip, entering a little door to a small room where there are pictures of mazes in a glass case. He runs onto the paper, and works the mazes, running each one's route successfully, into the center and out again.
In The Secret Box three children find a small collection of treasures left by a child long ago. They travel into the world of the clues left in the box. . . some ticket stubs, a postcard, etc.
All very cool stuff. Much cooler than I'm able to describe here. I like this author A LOT. And am so very happy to have discovered her as a result of this project!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
One Crazy Summer
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
2011 Coretta Scott King Award Winner
2011 Newbery Honor Book
2011 Scott O’Dell Prize for Historical Fiction
2010 National Book Award Finalist
Delphine is the oldest of three sisters at eleven years old. Dephine, and her younger sisters Vonetta and Fern travel from Brooklyn, where they live with their Pa and "Big Ma" (his mother) to Oakland CA during the summer of 1968. The girls have been sent to meet their mother, Cecile, who left them immediately after Ferns birth, and isn't exactly "motherly." Cecile has changed her name to Nzilla, is a poet with a small printing press in her kitchen, and is involved with the Black Power movement. The girls spend their summer going to Black Panther summer camp where they get a free breakfast, learn the meaning of revolution, make friends with the children of freedom fighters who's parents gave their lives in the struggle or are imprisoned. It's a long way from Brooklyn and Pa and Big Ma. Cecile seems distinctly NOT glad to see them, and Delphine steps up to look out for her sisters the best she can.
You will love these three girls. Several other characters are also memorable. The window into that time and place and movement is very satisfying. The intensity of Cecile/Nzilla and the mother she isn't is very compelling. Near the end of the book the girls take place in a rally that leaves them empowered. But the real culmination of the story happens the night before they leave when Cecile and Delphine have a heated discussion where Delphine finally learns her mothers life, and in the last moment before they step on the plane, to go home.
I like this book! I could totally recommend it. Middle school and up. There are complex issues and scenes of arrests, stories about black panthers who were killed in episodes of police brutality, etc. So, I'd consider it ideal for adults and young people to read together as it would be a rich jumping off place for lots of worthy discussion!
I feel the quote on the back of the book by Linda Sue Park (Newbery Medal author for her book The Single Shard) summed it up well: "One Crazy Summer is a genuine rarity: a book that is both important in it's contents and utterly engaging in its characters. . . with the tremendous bonus of being beautifully written."
Friday, October 14, 2011
The Wanderer
Originally posted 2003
2001 Newbery Honor book
I liked Walk Two Moons so much that I made a project of reading everything Sharon Creech wrote! I like the Wanderer the best! A transatlantic sailing voyage sets the scene. An adopted girl is the central character and adoption issues figure into the story in a central way. There are great dipictions of family relationships especially with fathers and sons. Everyone is transformed by the voyage and the difficulties of a particular storm in a positive way. There are the characteristic Sharon Chreech wonderful people, including a wonderful boy character on the voyage.
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