The Bookworm

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

#30 Big Turtle

Title: Big Turtle

Author: David McLimans

Illustrator: David McLimans

Publishing Company: Walker & Company

# of Pages: 30

Genre/Category: Multicultural

Big Turtle is a Huron American Indian myth about how the earth came to be. A long time ago, there was the sky and the sky people and the water where all the animals lived. A sky girl fell down from the sky and was caught by swans. She could not live there, so turtle volunteered to let her live on his back if someone would swim to the deepest part of the water and bring back dirt. Many animals tried, but only the toad succeeded. Toad died, but the earth was formed and toads are still honored by the Hurons.

The illustrations were created using pencil, pen, tracing paper, and a computer. The illustrations are all very geometric, and some of the shading in is done by using geometric shapes. The illustrator uses mostly cool colors. Also, the illustrations are done as double spreads.

This story is appropriate for children ages 6-9. It could be used in the classroom to discuss American Indians and their culture. It could also be used to discuss myths. Another way this book could be used in the classroom is to talk about how toad tried his best and succeeded. The teacher could stress how it is always important to try your best.

#29 Horse Song

Title: Horse Song

Author: Ted and Betsy Lewin

Illustrator: Ted and Betsy Lewin

Publishing Lee & Low Books

# of Pages: 43

Genre/Category: Multicultural

I chose this book because the cover looked interesting. It is about Ted and Betsy Lewin’s visit to Mongolia to see the child jockeys compete in the Naadam festival. Ted and Betsy describe the culture of Mongolia, and they meet a young boy named Tamir. Tamir is nine years old, and he is competing in the race. The jockey’s ride wild horses over a 14 mile stretch. Ted and Betsy watch the race closely and cheer Tamir on. Tamir actually wins first place and brings honor to his family.#29 Horse Song

Title: Horse Song

Author: Ted and Betsy Lewin

Illustrator: Ted and Betsy Lewin

Publishing Lee & Low Books

# of Pages: 43

Genre/Category: Multicultural

The illustrations were completed using watercolor and ink pen. Some of the illustrations look very real, and they do a good job showing the emotions of the people. Other illustrations look very cartoon-like. I think this may show both Ted and Betsy’s different perspectives. The text switches from formal to informal throughout the book.

This book would be appropriate for children ages 8-11. It is a longer children’s book, and it has difficult words in it. Teachers could use this book to talk about horses and jockeys. Teachers could also use this book to talk about the culture of Mongolia. Another way this book could be implemented in the classroom is as a geography lesson. Students could look for Mongolia on a map, and then they could measure how far it is from the Unites States.

#28 Tibetan Tales from the Top of the World

Title: Tibetan Tales from the Top of the World

Author: Naomi C. Rose

Illustrator: Naomi C. Rose

Publishing Company: Dancing Dakini Press

# of Pages: 59

Genre/Category: Multicultural

Tibetan Tales from the Top of the World contains different stories that are popular in Tibet written in English and Tibetan. These stories include Prince Jampa’s Surprise, Sonam and the Stolen Cow, and Tashi’s Gold. The stories teach about the traditions and people of Tibet. The stories focus on a younger main character. Each story has a lesson to be learned such as not judging others, being honest, and sharing. It also includes extra information on Tibetan Wildlife and a foreword by the Dalai Lama.

The illustrations look like a mixture of watercolors and acrylic paints. Some pages look opaque, while others do not. The illustrations are very colorful, and it is obvious that people in Tibet wear bright colors. The illustrations are formal, and the text is formal.

I would recommend this book for children ages 6-8. In the classroom, it could be used to teach about the Tibetan culture. Students could read the book and look at the illustrations to learn more about Tibet. Teachers could also use this book to teach lessons like not judging others, being honest, and sharing. One story is about a prince who wants to attack another kingdom because he has misconceptions about the people. When he arrives at the palace, the people are welcoming and explain their culture to him. He ends up becoming friends with the kingdom. I think this story would be good to use when teaching children about equality or friendship. Children could also read this book when studying folk tales. This book has not won any awards, but it is one of the few children’s books in Tibet.

#27 The Magic Gourd

Title: The Magic Gourd

Author: Baba Wague Diakite

Illustrator: Baba Wague Diakite

Publishing Company: Scholastic Press

# of Pages: 26

Genre/Category: Multicultural

I chose this book because it was very obvious that it was a multicultural book. It is about a starving rabbit in Africa that helps a chameleon. The chameleon gives the rabbit a magic bowl that fills up with whatever he asks, but the king eventually finds out about it. The king takes the bowl and makes it fill up with gold. The chameleon then gives rabbit a stone that hits people in the head until called off. The rabbit takes it to the king and uses it to get his bowl back, and the king learns that friendship and generosity are important.

There are many different mediums used in this book. Ceramic plates, bowls, and tiles are used for the main illustrations. The illustrator also uses hand-built clay sculptures. The illustrations are very different than typical children’s books. They have a very African feel to them, and the colors seem saturated.

This book seems difficult because of the foreign words that are used in it, so I would recommend it for children ages 8-11. I really did not care for this book, but it could be used to teach about the culture of the people that live in Mali, Africa. It could also be used to talk about generosity and friendship. I also think it would be fun to let the students write about what they would ask for if they had a magic bowl like the rabbit in the story. This book has not won any awards.

#26 Two Bobbies

Title: Two Bobbies

Author: Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery

Illustrator: Jean Cassels

Publishing Company: Walker Publishing Company

# of Pages: 29

Genre/Category: Nonfiction

I chose this book because it is my new favorite book. I saw it during spring break at a bookstore in New Orleans and had to have it. Two Bobbies is a true story about a bobtail dog and a bobtail cat named Bob Cat and Bobbi. During Hurricane Katrina, the dog, Bobbi, was left chained to a porch, and Bob Cat did not leave his side. The animals were not rescued, so the dog finally broke free to search for food. The animals were nearly starved when they came upon a construction site. One of the workers fed them and tried to pet the cat, but the dog would not let him come near the cat. The worker eventually got them in a van and took them to a shelter. The shelter separated the animals, but the dog was so pitiful that they reunited Bob Cat and Bobbi. When they do, they realize that Bob Cat is blind, and that Bobbi has been his protector and eyes. The animals eventually find a new home, and the last page includes a photograph of the two animals together.

The illustrations are all done using gouache on 140 lb. Arches hot press watercolor paper except the photograph provided by Barb Davis at the back of the book. The illustrations are realistic and accurately portray how devastated New Orleans was after Hurricane Katrina. I found the use of lines in this book interesting. During the hurricane and when the animals are homeless, the illustrator uses jagged lines. When they are rescued and reunited, the background has several straight lines.

The real Bobbi and Bob Cat.

I think this book would be enjoyed by many age groups, but it would be appropriate for children ages 6-11 in a classroom. The obvious way this book would be used in a classroom is to discuss New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina. There are many more ways that this book could be used though. Bob Cat and Bobbi appeared on CNN when the shelter was looking for them a home. Students could make their own news story telling about Hurricane Katrina and the animals that need homes. Teachers could also use this book to discuss weather and what causes hurricanes. I would also like to use this book to talk about different disabilities, like Bob Cat’s blindness. Kirby Larson is also the author of Newbery Honor Book Hattie Big Sky, but this book has not won any awards.

#25 Baboons

Title: Baboons

Author: Kevin J. Holmes

Illustrator: Gerald D. Tang, Joe McDonald, Robin Brandt, and Rob and Ann Simpson

Publishing Company: Capstone Press

# of Pages: 18

Genre/Category: Nonfiction

I chose this book because my practicum class had been studying apes. I thought they might find baboons interesting too. This book teaches students about the different types of baboons. It explains where they live, what they eat, and it discusses many other interesting facts. There is also a hands-on game at the end of the book to play with a class. It teaches children that baboons work together to protect themselves.

This book is composed of photographs. Many different people contributed to the illustrations in this book. The text and the photographs are formal. I have found that my practicum students really love to look at actual photographs of animals instead of illustrations. I feel like seeing the real thing helps them understand what they are reading.

This book is appropriate for ages 6-8. The words and diagrams are not difficult to understand, but since it is a nonfiction book it is harder to read. This book would work for teaching students about baboons. It also would be useful when teaching parts of informational text. I read a book similar to this to my class and we made our own nonfiction book page. This book would also be a good book to use when teaching a class how important it is to work together since baboons work together and there is a game for the students to play.

#24 A Butterfly is Patient

Title: A Butterfly is Patient

Author: Dianna Aston

Illustrator: Sylvia Long

Publishing Company: Chronicle Books LLC

# of Pages: 28

Genre/ Category: Nonfiction

I chose this book because I liked that it was a nonfiction book without photographs. This book teaches children about different types of butterflies. It uses headings to tell what the page will be about, such as “The Butterfly is Helpful.” This page then talks about how butterflies help by pollinating flowers. It explains the life cycle of a butterfly, and it talks about different things that butterflies do.

Sylvia Long uses beautiful watercolors to paint the butterflies in this book. The colors portray the butterflies accurately, and the illustrations almost do not look like watercolors to me. They seem heavier than watercolors. Most of the pages are two page spreads with informal text. I love that each butterfly, caterpillar, and egg is labeled with a name.

This book is appropriate for children ages 4-8. The text is not too difficult, but older students could learn more about the names of butterflies. This book would be wonderful when studying life cycles. It does not only tell the life cycle of the butterfly, but it also gives interesting information about butterflies. Students could each choose a certain butterfly and complete a research project on it. They could present their findings to the class through a Power Point presentation or a poster. This book could also be used as a vocabulary lesson. There are several words that only pertain to butterflies, but there are also strong descriptive words that students might not understand. This book talks about how caterpillars must wait patiently to become butterflies, so students could even write about a time that they had to be patient.