The Bookworm : April 2013

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.

#23 The Secret Seder

Title: The Secret Seder

Author: Doreen Rappaport

Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully

Publishing Company: Hyperion Books

# of Pages: 31

Genre/ Category: Historical Fiction

I chose this book because I already had it. It is about a Jewish boy, Jacques, and his family living in hiding during the Holocaust. It is the night of the Passover, and Jacques and his father are planning on secretly celebrating with other Jewish men. Jacques and his father must travel many miles to a safe house. The men are sad as they celebrate the Passover, but Jacques has learned the Four Questions and recites them. This surprises his father and makes the night extra special. Jacques learns that though he is not free, he can be free for the night.

The illustrations were done in acrylics. They are beautiful, and they use a shadowy look to show how secretive the Jews had to be. The use of jagged lines also shows the chaos and fear that Jacques felt. Some of the illustrations are double spreads, while others are only on one page.

This book is appropriate for children ages 5-9. It could be used in the classroom to discuss the Holocaust and World War II. It could also be used to discuss Jewish traditions. Children could discuss the different traditions they celebrate around Christmas. This book could also be used as a writing prompt. Teachers could ask students how they would feel if they had to hide all the time.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

#22 The Town that Fooled the British

Title: The Town that Fooled the British

Author: Lisa Papp

Illustrator: Robert Papp

Publishing Company: Sleeping Bear Press

# of Pages: 30

Genre/Category: Historical Fiction

I chose this book because I really liked the way the cover looked. It is a story about a boy named Henry, and it tells how he helped save the town of St. Michaels during the war of 1812. When the British sail their ships near enough to attack the town, Henry’s father goes to fight as part of the militia. Henry is dying to help, but he is told to stay with his mother and sister. Henry’s mother looks at their lanterns and states that she wishes Henry’s father had them with him. Henry immediately runs off towards his father’s camp with the lanterns. When he gets to the camp it is pouring rain, and Henry comes up with the idea of putting the lanterns in the trees. With nothing to aim at but the lanterns, the British miss the town entirely. Henry learns that it does not take a giant to defeat a giant.

The illustrations in this book are so realistic that I thought they were photographs. There are some lines though that makes me believe that the illustrations were completed using oil and acrylic paints. The illustrations really pop of the page, and the characters have a lighter line around them that make them almost look like they are glowing. I really like the way Robert Pap uses perspective in this book. On one of my favorite pages, Henry is standing in the grass with his mother and sister. The grass looks like it is growing on the page, and that Henry, his mom, and his sister are actually standing in it.

This book is appropriate for children ages 8-11. Anyone wanting to use this book would definitely have to point out some of the vocabulary words that are used in this book. A teacher could do an entire lesson with words from this book. These words include things such as militia, schooner, canteen, and cellar. This book talks about a battle during the War of 1812, so teachers could use this book to talk about this war. Teachers could also discuss with students what life was like in 1812 based on what they see in the illustrations, or teachers could discuss where the town of St. Michaels is located and find it on a map. This book has not won any awards, but it is still a wonderful work of literature.

#21 Rudy Rides the Rails

Title: Rudy Rides the Rails: A Depression Era Story

Author: Dandi Daley Mackall

Illustrator: Chris Ellison

Publishing Company: Sleeping Bear Press

# of Pages: 36

Genre/Category: Historical Fiction

I chose this book because I find the Great Depression very interesting. Rudy is a teenage boy that is dealing with taking care of his family during the Great Depression. Since there is no work to be found, he decides to head West with only $2.10. The story tells about what it would have been like to be a hobo during the Depression. It also explains the symbols the hobos would use to tell each other where to find work, food, or a safe camp. Rudy works odd jobs and sends what he can home to his family. He eventually makes it to California, and he decides it is time for him to head back home where he belongs.

The illustrations in Rudy Rides the Rails are very realistic. I think that the illustrations were done using acrylic paints. The characters faces are distinct, while the backgrounds may fade. The illustrator uses this to draw your eye to the main focus of the page. On one page, the characters are fuzzy, but the symbol drawn by a hobo stands out. The illustrator also uses warm colors throughout the book to express how people felt during the depression.

This book has difficult words and difficult concepts in it, so I would suggest using it with older students ages 10-14. This book would be a good way to begin a discussion about the hardships of the Great Depression. I think it would be a good book to use to compare yourself with the main character. Students that are ages 13 and 14 could put themselves in Rudy’s place and imagine what it would be like to travel across the United States alone. This book would also be good to use for a geography lesson. Students could map Rudy’s progress and measure the distance he covered.