The Forbidden Schoolhouse
by Suzanne Jurmain
1. Bibliography:
Jurmain, Suzanne. THE FORBIDDEN SCHOOLHOUSE. 2005. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618473025
Suzanne Jurmain is the author of many non-fiction books that focus on US history and the relationship of animals to humans.
2. Plot Summary
THE FORBIDDEN SCHOOLHOUSE is a non-fiction book that is based upon the true story in 1831 in Canterbury Connecticut. This story unfolds with the horrors and hatred that followed after a lady named Prudence Crandall closed her all white school for young ladies and re-opened the school as one for young African American ladies to become educated. She is supported by her family, an anti slavery editor of the LIBERATOR who is known as Lloyd Garrison and a Unitarian Minister the Reverend Samuel May. Angry citizens became Prudence and the students enemies as they were harassed, attacked, the school was set on fire, rocks and eggs were thrown at the school, etc.
A law was passed to keep Prudence from bringing in out of state students to attend, which eventually landed Prudence in jail with fines and a trial. Prudence educated many of these girls as she continued her plight against all odds but eventually was forced to sell her school and move to Kansas. Many of these people contacted Prudence and offered their apologies over time. Prudence was buried at Elk Falls cemetery in Kansas in 1890.
3. Critical Analysis
The FORBIDDEN SCHOOLHOUSE received the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in 2005, and the Orbis Pictus Honor Book designation, National Council of Teachers of English in 2006. The book is intended for children ages 9 - 12 and I do not recommend it for younger children as they would not understand the book and may lose interest in the text. The book reveals the difficulties and hardships of educating the young African Americans and women’s rights during this time. The vocabulary and text is written as it was spoken during the 1830’s. Hatred, heartache, discrimination, and courage are revealed throughout the book. The appendix provides information on the students who attended the African American school. Prudence took a stand and fought for her beliefs and what she felt was right. She was a great and powerful woman of her time.
The illustrations are photographs of the school house and how it appears today as a museum. Additional photos are provided of Prudence’s family, students, and those who helped her. Sketches and journal articles are also included throughout the book. The illustrations were borrowed from rare collections in university libraries, the Library of Congress and from the author’s personal collection.
The text displays the harshness and hate that comes from people as they threw manure down the school’s water well and the neighbors refused to give them water or allow them to buy groceries. Prudence’s father and brother hauled the water to the school everyday so the school could stay open.
In my opinion, the book had a very powerful statement from Prudence as she told the Reverend McKesson how he should preach at her funeral:
“Preach the truth.” Later she added, “I am no more afraid to die than I am to live.”
The Reverend McKesson spoke at her grave:
“She had deep convictions of right . . . [and] neither death, life, angels, principalities . . . or any other creatures could keep her from following her convictions.”
4. Review Excerpts
From School Library Journal
Grade 7-9–Jurmain describes the difficulties Crandall faced when she decided to open a school for African-American females in Canterbury, CT. This book offers a fresh look at the climate of education for African Americans and women in the early 1800s. Report writers and recreational readers alike will find it informative.–Kelly Czarnecki, Bloomington Public Library, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Gr. 5-8. Writing with a sense of drama that propels readers forward (and quoting the language of the day, which includes the word nigger), Jurmain makes painfully clear what Crandall and her students faced, while showing their courage as they stood up to those who tried to deter them. Printed on thick, snowy stock and including a number of sepia-toned and color photographs as well as historical engravings, the book's look will draw in readers. Children will be especially pleased by the appended material, which includes an epilogue that tells what became of the principals, as well as source notes for the many quotes. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Connections: Read the story to the children 1 - 2 chapters at a time, discussing the text and how this shaped our history. Discuss the pictures and encourage open discussion on the book as well as open discussion on multicultural students of today. Discuss Black History month and additional African Americans who made a difference in our history.
Additional works by Suzanne Jurmain include:
FROM TRUNK TO TAIL: ELEPHANTS LEGENDARY AND REAL
ONCE UPON A HORSE: A HISTORY OF HORSES AND HOW THEY SHAPED OUR HISTORY
FREEDOM’S SONS: THE TRUE STORY OF THE AMISTAD MUTINY
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
ACTUAL SIZE
by Steve Jenkins
1. Bibliography:
Jenkins, Steve. ACTUAL SIZE. 2002. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 157171414
Steve Jenkins lives in Colorado and has written and illustrated nearly twenty picture books for young readers. His book WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS? received the Caldecott Honor Award. His books have been called gorgeous, stunning, inventive, eyepopping, glorious, masterful, informative, extraordinary, compelling, irresistible, engaging, playful, compelling, and accessible,
www.stevejenkinsbooks.com
2. Plot Summary
ACTUAL SIZE is a factual information book of the animals and insects that appear as actual scale throughout the book. Each page reveals a different picture often comparing one picture to another. Factual information in the back discusses their physical characteristics, eating habits, and their habitat. The book is very descriptive and informative.
3. Critical Analysis
The book is written and illustrated for children ages 4 - 8 but it provides factual information for children through adult. This book is very informative, with limited text on each page.
The writing is informative and interesting. It will capture the reader’s attention and encourage them to seek out more books on the subjects discussed through the book. The vocabulary is suitable for young children and the author’s use of comparative text to give the young reader a visual image of the topic enhances the book.
The book contains pictures of life-sized animals and insects:
The rare giant walking stick is the world’s longest insect
length: 22 inches long
The Goliath birdeater tarantula is big enough to catch and eat birds and small mammals.
legs: 12 inches across
The giant Gippsland earthworm lives in Australia.
length: 36 inches
The illustrations textured, colorful die-cuts, are creative and they capture the attention of the reader as they have a visual image of the size and shape of these creatures. The pictures flow well with the photographs. The illustrator has creatively placed die-cut pictures of a very large animal and has compared it to a very small animal on the opposite page to help the reader understand the size of each creature that is being presented in the text.
In the back of the book, factual information and a picture of each insect or animal that was discussed in the book can be found here. It is a very informative paragraph that will help the reader in expanding their knowledge of each subject.
The atlas moth is discussed of its physical characteristics and habitat:
The atlas moth got its name because the patterns on its wings reminded people of maps. It is the largest moth, with wings up to 12 inches across. The atlas moth lives in Southeast Asia, where its large cocoons are sometimes made into pocket purses by the local people. The black spots on the tips of the atlas moth’s wings are called eye spots. They make the wing tips look like snake heads, which may scare away predators. These moths do not feed. They have no mouth parts for eating, and they live only a few days.
4. Review Excerpts
From School Library Journal
Jenkins depicts 18 animals and insects–or a part of their body–in actual size. Mixing deceptive simplicity with absolute clarity, this beautiful book is an enticing way to introduce children to the glorious diversity of our natural world, or to illustrate to budding scientists the importance of comparison, measurement, observation, and record keeping. A thoroughly engaging read-aloud and a must-have for any collection.–Dona Ratterree, New York City Public Schools
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Connections: Read the book and show the pictures on each page.
Show the children the picture of the atlas moth and read the following that is included in the back of the book:
The atlas moth got its name because the patterns on its wings reminded people of maps. It is the largest moth, with wings up to 12 inches across. The atlas moth lives in Southeast Asia, where its large cocoons are sometimes made into pocket purses by the local people. The black spots on the tips of the atlas moth’s wings are called eye spots. They make the wing tips look like snake heads, which may scare away predators. These moths do not feed. They have no mouth parts for eating, and they live only a few days.
Discuss the facts and the strange characteristics of this moth. A question to begin open-ended discussion: why aren’t the moths extinct if they only live a few days and cannot eat?? This was very informative to me as I had no idea that a creature on earth was created with a way to eat.
Have each child color or paint an actual size beautiful moth that has been cut out of construction paper. Search for pictures of the moth’s cocoon and create these also. Display these on the bulletin board with the factual information.
Discuss additional facts on another subject in the book and have the children point out the characteristics or differences of these.
Additional suggested books by Steve Jenkins include:
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS?
LIFE ON EARTH: THE STORY OF EVOLUTION
THE TOP OF THE WORLD: CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST
by Steve Jenkins
1. Bibliography:
Jenkins, Steve. ACTUAL SIZE. 2002. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 157171414
Steve Jenkins lives in Colorado and has written and illustrated nearly twenty picture books for young readers. His book WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS? received the Caldecott Honor Award. His books have been called gorgeous, stunning, inventive, eyepopping, glorious, masterful, informative, extraordinary, compelling, irresistible, engaging, playful, compelling, and accessible,
www.stevejenkinsbooks.com
2. Plot Summary
ACTUAL SIZE is a factual information book of the animals and insects that appear as actual scale throughout the book. Each page reveals a different picture often comparing one picture to another. Factual information in the back discusses their physical characteristics, eating habits, and their habitat. The book is very descriptive and informative.
3. Critical Analysis
The book is written and illustrated for children ages 4 - 8 but it provides factual information for children through adult. This book is very informative, with limited text on each page.
The writing is informative and interesting. It will capture the reader’s attention and encourage them to seek out more books on the subjects discussed through the book. The vocabulary is suitable for young children and the author’s use of comparative text to give the young reader a visual image of the topic enhances the book.
The book contains pictures of life-sized animals and insects:
The rare giant walking stick is the world’s longest insect
length: 22 inches long
The Goliath birdeater tarantula is big enough to catch and eat birds and small mammals.
legs: 12 inches across
The giant Gippsland earthworm lives in Australia.
length: 36 inches
The illustrations textured, colorful die-cuts, are creative and they capture the attention of the reader as they have a visual image of the size and shape of these creatures. The pictures flow well with the photographs. The illustrator has creatively placed die-cut pictures of a very large animal and has compared it to a very small animal on the opposite page to help the reader understand the size of each creature that is being presented in the text.
In the back of the book, factual information and a picture of each insect or animal that was discussed in the book can be found here. It is a very informative paragraph that will help the reader in expanding their knowledge of each subject.
The atlas moth is discussed of its physical characteristics and habitat:
The atlas moth got its name because the patterns on its wings reminded people of maps. It is the largest moth, with wings up to 12 inches across. The atlas moth lives in Southeast Asia, where its large cocoons are sometimes made into pocket purses by the local people. The black spots on the tips of the atlas moth’s wings are called eye spots. They make the wing tips look like snake heads, which may scare away predators. These moths do not feed. They have no mouth parts for eating, and they live only a few days.
4. Review Excerpts
From School Library Journal
Jenkins depicts 18 animals and insects–or a part of their body–in actual size. Mixing deceptive simplicity with absolute clarity, this beautiful book is an enticing way to introduce children to the glorious diversity of our natural world, or to illustrate to budding scientists the importance of comparison, measurement, observation, and record keeping. A thoroughly engaging read-aloud and a must-have for any collection.–Dona Ratterree, New York City Public Schools
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Connections: Read the book and show the pictures on each page.
Show the children the picture of the atlas moth and read the following that is included in the back of the book:
The atlas moth got its name because the patterns on its wings reminded people of maps. It is the largest moth, with wings up to 12 inches across. The atlas moth lives in Southeast Asia, where its large cocoons are sometimes made into pocket purses by the local people. The black spots on the tips of the atlas moth’s wings are called eye spots. They make the wing tips look like snake heads, which may scare away predators. These moths do not feed. They have no mouth parts for eating, and they live only a few days.
Discuss the facts and the strange characteristics of this moth. A question to begin open-ended discussion: why aren’t the moths extinct if they only live a few days and cannot eat?? This was very informative to me as I had no idea that a creature on earth was created with a way to eat.
Have each child color or paint an actual size beautiful moth that has been cut out of construction paper. Search for pictures of the moth’s cocoon and create these also. Display these on the bulletin board with the factual information.
Discuss additional facts on another subject in the book and have the children point out the characteristics or differences of these.
Additional suggested books by Steve Jenkins include:
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS?
LIFE ON EARTH: THE STORY OF EVOLUTION
THE TOP OF THE WORLD: CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST
Monday, October 22, 2007
KILLER WHALES
by Seymour Simon
1. Bibliography:
Simon, Seymour. KILLER WHALES. 2002. New York: SeaStar Books. ISBN 157171414
“Seymour Simon is a former teacher and the author of more than 200 science books for children, more than half of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association.”(SeaStar)
2. Plot Summary
KILLER WHALES is a factual information book of the Killer Whale and their physical characteristics, eating habits, hunting skills and their habitat. The book provides information and is descriptive of the Killer Whale. The reader unveils the unknown as to the whale’s blowhole, how they detect sound, the birth of a whale, hunting skills and their diet. Information is also provided on the size of the whale and how to distinguish between the males and the females by their dorsal fins.
3. Critical Analysis
The book is a See More book for PK - 1st grade children. This factual book provides information on the Killer Whale and it is very informative for the young reader through adult. It is well written with easy to read text that is limited to a few lines per page.
The writing is informative and interesting. It will capture the reader’s attention and encourage them to seek out more books on killer whales or those written by the author. The vocabulary is suitable for young children and the author uses comparative text to give the young reader a visual image of the topic.
The book contains significant facts pertaining to the Orca such as:
“An orca looks like a large fish.
But it is not a fish.
It does not have gills
to help it breathe.
Instead, an orca breathes through
a blowhole on the top of its head.
And it has lungs like dogs,
cats, and people.
An orca can hold its breath
for ten minutes or longer.”
The photograph zooms in on the head of an orca to show the reader the blowhole it is describing.
The illustrations photographs of Killer Whales are creative and they capture the attention of the reader as they read the text that flows well with the photographs. A close up of the whale with mouth wide open states:
“Orcas have sharp, three-inch-long
teeth for hunting.
Like wolves, orcas hunt in packs.
They circle and herd their prey
before attacking.
4. Review Excerpts
From Publishers Weekly
With brief, accessible text, engaging topics and a perforated page of collectible cards Seymour Simon's See More Reader series will rope in even the most reluctant readers. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-Simple sentences with easy-to-read phrases present an overview of these topics for beginning readers. Information is presented in just two or three sentences per page, and the large font size will make the books attractive to emerging readers. Simon's writing is clear and straightforward. Although there is no glossary, the author uses good examples to help readers understand terms. The books include a number of stunning, colorful, glossy photos that are sure to pique young readers' interest. These solid choices will appeal on several levels.
Cathie E. Bashaw, Somers Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Connections: Read the story to the children. Discuss the story and have the children create a picture in their journal of a fact mentioned in the book. Seek out additional SeeMore books by Mr. Simon and also introduce to the children books by authors on the same topic.
Additional suggested SeeMore books by Seymour Simon include:
KNIGHTS AND CASTLES
GIANT SNAKES
PLANETS
VOLCANOES
Also look for these books:
ANIMALS NOBODY LOVES
OUT OF SIGHT: PICTURES OF HIDDEN WORLDS
by Seymour Simon
1. Bibliography:
Simon, Seymour. KILLER WHALES. 2002. New York: SeaStar Books. ISBN 157171414
“Seymour Simon is a former teacher and the author of more than 200 science books for children, more than half of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association.”(SeaStar)
2. Plot Summary
KILLER WHALES is a factual information book of the Killer Whale and their physical characteristics, eating habits, hunting skills and their habitat. The book provides information and is descriptive of the Killer Whale. The reader unveils the unknown as to the whale’s blowhole, how they detect sound, the birth of a whale, hunting skills and their diet. Information is also provided on the size of the whale and how to distinguish between the males and the females by their dorsal fins.
3. Critical Analysis
The book is a See More book for PK - 1st grade children. This factual book provides information on the Killer Whale and it is very informative for the young reader through adult. It is well written with easy to read text that is limited to a few lines per page.
The writing is informative and interesting. It will capture the reader’s attention and encourage them to seek out more books on killer whales or those written by the author. The vocabulary is suitable for young children and the author uses comparative text to give the young reader a visual image of the topic.
The book contains significant facts pertaining to the Orca such as:
“An orca looks like a large fish.
But it is not a fish.
It does not have gills
to help it breathe.
Instead, an orca breathes through
a blowhole on the top of its head.
And it has lungs like dogs,
cats, and people.
An orca can hold its breath
for ten minutes or longer.”
The photograph zooms in on the head of an orca to show the reader the blowhole it is describing.
The illustrations photographs of Killer Whales are creative and they capture the attention of the reader as they read the text that flows well with the photographs. A close up of the whale with mouth wide open states:
“Orcas have sharp, three-inch-long
teeth for hunting.
Like wolves, orcas hunt in packs.
They circle and herd their prey
before attacking.
4. Review Excerpts
From Publishers Weekly
With brief, accessible text, engaging topics and a perforated page of collectible cards Seymour Simon's See More Reader series will rope in even the most reluctant readers. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-Simple sentences with easy-to-read phrases present an overview of these topics for beginning readers. Information is presented in just two or three sentences per page, and the large font size will make the books attractive to emerging readers. Simon's writing is clear and straightforward. Although there is no glossary, the author uses good examples to help readers understand terms. The books include a number of stunning, colorful, glossy photos that are sure to pique young readers' interest. These solid choices will appeal on several levels.
Cathie E. Bashaw, Somers Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Connections: Read the story to the children. Discuss the story and have the children create a picture in their journal of a fact mentioned in the book. Seek out additional SeeMore books by Mr. Simon and also introduce to the children books by authors on the same topic.
Additional suggested SeeMore books by Seymour Simon include:
KNIGHTS AND CASTLES
GIANT SNAKES
PLANETS
VOLCANOES
Also look for these books:
ANIMALS NOBODY LOVES
OUT OF SIGHT: PICTURES OF HIDDEN WORLDS
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Hummingbird Nest
by Kristine O’Connell George
1. Bibliography:
George, Kristine O’Connell. 2004 HUMMINGBIRD NEST. Ill. by Barry Moser. CA:
Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152023259
Introduction:
Kristine O’Connell George was born in Denver, Colorado and lives with her family in Santa Monica, California. She began publishing in 1997. She fell in love with poetry in 1989 after taking a writing class from Myra Kohn Livingston.
“Kristine O'Connell George's poetry has generated excitement and earned honors and praise. Awards for her books include the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, International Reading Association / Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award, the Golden Kite, Myra Cohn Livingston Poetry Awards, Claudia Lewis Poetry Award, ALA notables, NCTE notables, School Library Journal Best Books, Hornbook Fanfare, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, and IRA-CBC Children's Choice." (kristinegeorge.com)
Kristine O’Connell George’s website offers audio clips with music of the HUMMINGBIRD NEST. Listed below are the poems that you can hear by visiting her website at http://www.kristinegeorge.com/
HUMMINGBIRD NEST is a journal compiled in poetry format by the author. This book received awards for: (kristinegeorge.com)
Claudia Lewis Poetry Award, Bank Street College of Education, John Burroughs Nature Award,Booklinks Lasting Connections, The ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award, CCBC Choices, Nominated for the 2005-2006 Texas Bluebonnet Master List, KIND Children’s Honor Book,2006-2007 South Carolina Picture Book Award, NCTE Notable Children’s Book Language Arts.
This is a real life experience of a mother hummingbird who makes her home on the patio in a ficus tree. The author’s family watch as the hummingbird is busy building her nest, hatching and tending to her young until they leave the nest. This is a remarkable book that also contains hummingbird facts. The book has been written for children ages 4 - 8 but I would recommend it for children of all ages through adults. This is a once in a lifetime experience that the author has chosen to share with those who may never have the chance to experience it in person.
The illustrations are transparent watercolor on natural paper. They colors are neutral in many of the illustrations and do not give one a true picture of the beautiful hummingbird. Many of the illustrations provide an measure of how small a hummingbird is in comparison to jacks and a ball or the dog’s water bowl as it swims around.
FEBRUARY 3
VISITOR
by Kristine O’Connell George
A spark, a glint,
a glimpse
of pixie tidbit.
Bright flits, brisk zips,
a green-gray blur,
wings, zings, and whirr-
I just heard
a humming of bird.
From HUMMINGBIRD NEST
FEBRUARY 7
NEST CONSTRUCTION
by Kristine O’Connell George
Even after days of work,
she’s still fussing, tucking-
feathers, cobwebs, a tuft
of silky grass.
Stepping lightly
around the edge,
she finally tries
it on for size,
checking to see
if it will fit
her sit.
From HUMMINGBIRD NEST
FEBRUARY 10
THE CAT REMARKS
by Kristine O’Connell George
I’m locked in jail,
can’t go outside.
(I certainly tried.)
I’m a prisoner-
because of a bird.
How absurd.
From HUMMINGBIRD NEST
FEBRUARY 27
JUST HATCHED
by Kristine O’Connell George
Each new
breath a shudder
as he huddles down deep
in the nest, head tucked in,
his body softly rounded,
warmly molded to the form
he once knew so well,
the smooth curved
world of shell.
From HUMMINGBIRD NEST
From Publishers Weekly
"Sublime illustrations and keenly observant verse are sure to captivate in this collection about a hummingbird who sets up house in the author's backyard..."
From Booklist
"As in the best nature writing, the excitement here is in the particulars that bring readers up close to universe."
Extension:
Read the poems in the book to children, allowing the children to view the illustrations.
Bring attention to the illustrations and the size of the hummingbird by comparing the factual information provided to objects in the classroom. Hang a hummingbird feeder outside your window of the classroom or library to see if you have any surprise visitors to share with the class.
Additional works by Kristine O’Connell George include:
FOLD ME A POEM
UP!
TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS
ONE MITTEN
SWIMMING UPSTREAM
LITTLE DOG AND DUNCAN
LITTLE DOG POEMS
OLD ELM SPEAKS
by Kristine O’Connell George
1. Bibliography:
George, Kristine O’Connell. 2004 HUMMINGBIRD NEST. Ill. by Barry Moser. CA:
Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152023259
Introduction:
Kristine O’Connell George was born in Denver, Colorado and lives with her family in Santa Monica, California. She began publishing in 1997. She fell in love with poetry in 1989 after taking a writing class from Myra Kohn Livingston.
“Kristine O'Connell George's poetry has generated excitement and earned honors and praise. Awards for her books include the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, International Reading Association / Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award, the Golden Kite, Myra Cohn Livingston Poetry Awards, Claudia Lewis Poetry Award, ALA notables, NCTE notables, School Library Journal Best Books, Hornbook Fanfare, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, and IRA-CBC Children's Choice." (kristinegeorge.com)
Kristine O’Connell George’s website offers audio clips with music of the HUMMINGBIRD NEST. Listed below are the poems that you can hear by visiting her website at http://www.kristinegeorge.com/
HUMMINGBIRD NEST is a journal compiled in poetry format by the author. This book received awards for: (kristinegeorge.com)
Claudia Lewis Poetry Award, Bank Street College of Education, John Burroughs Nature Award,Booklinks Lasting Connections, The ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award, CCBC Choices, Nominated for the 2005-2006 Texas Bluebonnet Master List, KIND Children’s Honor Book,2006-2007 South Carolina Picture Book Award, NCTE Notable Children’s Book Language Arts.
This is a real life experience of a mother hummingbird who makes her home on the patio in a ficus tree. The author’s family watch as the hummingbird is busy building her nest, hatching and tending to her young until they leave the nest. This is a remarkable book that also contains hummingbird facts. The book has been written for children ages 4 - 8 but I would recommend it for children of all ages through adults. This is a once in a lifetime experience that the author has chosen to share with those who may never have the chance to experience it in person.
The illustrations are transparent watercolor on natural paper. They colors are neutral in many of the illustrations and do not give one a true picture of the beautiful hummingbird. Many of the illustrations provide an measure of how small a hummingbird is in comparison to jacks and a ball or the dog’s water bowl as it swims around.
FEBRUARY 3
VISITOR
by Kristine O’Connell George
A spark, a glint,
a glimpse
of pixie tidbit.
Bright flits, brisk zips,
a green-gray blur,
wings, zings, and whirr-
I just heard
a humming of bird.
From HUMMINGBIRD NEST
FEBRUARY 7
NEST CONSTRUCTION
by Kristine O’Connell George
Even after days of work,
she’s still fussing, tucking-
feathers, cobwebs, a tuft
of silky grass.
Stepping lightly
around the edge,
she finally tries
it on for size,
checking to see
if it will fit
her sit.
From HUMMINGBIRD NEST
FEBRUARY 10
THE CAT REMARKS
by Kristine O’Connell George
I’m locked in jail,
can’t go outside.
(I certainly tried.)
I’m a prisoner-
because of a bird.
How absurd.
From HUMMINGBIRD NEST
FEBRUARY 27
JUST HATCHED
by Kristine O’Connell George
Each new
breath a shudder
as he huddles down deep
in the nest, head tucked in,
his body softly rounded,
warmly molded to the form
he once knew so well,
the smooth curved
world of shell.
From HUMMINGBIRD NEST
From Publishers Weekly
"Sublime illustrations and keenly observant verse are sure to captivate in this collection about a hummingbird who sets up house in the author's backyard..."
From Booklist
"As in the best nature writing, the excitement here is in the particulars that bring readers up close to universe."
Extension:
Read the poems in the book to children, allowing the children to view the illustrations.
Bring attention to the illustrations and the size of the hummingbird by comparing the factual information provided to objects in the classroom. Hang a hummingbird feeder outside your window of the classroom or library to see if you have any surprise visitors to share with the class.
Additional works by Kristine O’Connell George include:
FOLD ME A POEM
UP!
TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS
ONE MITTEN
SWIMMING UPSTREAM
LITTLE DOG AND DUNCAN
LITTLE DOG POEMS
OLD ELM SPEAKS
INSECTLOPEDIA
Bibliography:
Florian, Douglas. 1998. insectlopedia. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company. ISBN 0152013067
Introduction:
Douglas Florian is an author and illustrator of children’s books and he “lives in New York City with his wife and five children where he creates poetic tributes to creatures great and small”(storybookart.com). He received the ALA Notable Children’s Book Award for “BEAST FEAST”, received the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and the 1999-2000 Bluebonnet Award for insectlopedia. The following link provides information on a variety of children’s book authors.
http://www.storybookart.com/meet_dflorian.html
insectlopedia is intended for children ages 4 - 8. The book consists of twenty-one poems that are descriptive of insects. Many of these are shape poems such as the words to the inchworm are written in an arch as an inchworm would crawl. The words to THE TERMITES poem are written in the shape of a termite hill. THE WHIRLIGIGS is written in a large circle and it must be read beginning on the right side, down and then circling up, ending the poem on the left side.
The illustrations appear to be crafted by young children. They are watercolor on brown paper bag and they were created by the author. Their childlike images fit well with the text as it describes each insect. Humor is added into the poems as well as the illustrations such as in the poem THE GIANT WATER BUG with eggs on his back reading a father’s day card.
THE GIANT WATER BUG
by Douglas Florian
The giant water bug can lug
His eggs upon his back.
He gives them extra care up there
And guards them from attach.
The mother glues them to the dad,
And on his back they stay.
But does he ever get a card
Or gift for Father’s Day?
From INSECTLOPEDIA
The following poem describes mosquitoes in four short lines giving the reader a visual image of the annoying mosquito.
THE MOSQUITOES
by Douglas Florian
Mosquitoes are thin.
Mosquitoes are rude.
They feast on your skin
For take-out food.
From INSECTLOPEDIA
From Publishers Weekly
"The silly, imaginative verses about whirligig beetles and waterbugs (almost) match the exquisite pictures in playfulness and wit. The result is downright stunning," said PW. Ages 5-8.
Extension:
Read the poems in the book to young school age children, allowing the children to view the illustrations.
Bring attention to the illustrations and the physical characteristics of the insects. Discuss insects that were not used in the book and ask the children to write a short poem about one of the insects. Have them illustrate the poem with a focus on the features of the insects in the book. Display on a bulletin board.
Additional works by Douglas Florian include:
ON THE WING : BIRD POEMS AND PAINTINGS (March 1996)
IN THE SWIM ; POEMS AND PAINTINGS (April 1997)
BEAST FEAST (March 1996)
MAMMALABILIA (March 2000)
MONSTER MOTEL (August 1996)
BOW WOW MEOW MEOW : IT’S RHYMING CATS AND DOGS (March 2003)
SUMMERSAULTS (2002)
WINTER EYES (1999)
AUTUMNBLINGS (2003)
Bibliography:
Florian, Douglas. 1998. insectlopedia. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company. ISBN 0152013067
Introduction:
Douglas Florian is an author and illustrator of children’s books and he “lives in New York City with his wife and five children where he creates poetic tributes to creatures great and small”(storybookart.com). He received the ALA Notable Children’s Book Award for “BEAST FEAST”, received the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and the 1999-2000 Bluebonnet Award for insectlopedia. The following link provides information on a variety of children’s book authors.
http://www.storybookart.com/meet_dflorian.html
insectlopedia is intended for children ages 4 - 8. The book consists of twenty-one poems that are descriptive of insects. Many of these are shape poems such as the words to the inchworm are written in an arch as an inchworm would crawl. The words to THE TERMITES poem are written in the shape of a termite hill. THE WHIRLIGIGS is written in a large circle and it must be read beginning on the right side, down and then circling up, ending the poem on the left side.
The illustrations appear to be crafted by young children. They are watercolor on brown paper bag and they were created by the author. Their childlike images fit well with the text as it describes each insect. Humor is added into the poems as well as the illustrations such as in the poem THE GIANT WATER BUG with eggs on his back reading a father’s day card.
THE GIANT WATER BUG
by Douglas Florian
The giant water bug can lug
His eggs upon his back.
He gives them extra care up there
And guards them from attach.
The mother glues them to the dad,
And on his back they stay.
But does he ever get a card
Or gift for Father’s Day?
From INSECTLOPEDIA
The following poem describes mosquitoes in four short lines giving the reader a visual image of the annoying mosquito.
THE MOSQUITOES
by Douglas Florian
Mosquitoes are thin.
Mosquitoes are rude.
They feast on your skin
For take-out food.
From INSECTLOPEDIA
From Publishers Weekly
"The silly, imaginative verses about whirligig beetles and waterbugs (almost) match the exquisite pictures in playfulness and wit. The result is downright stunning," said PW. Ages 5-8.
Extension:
Read the poems in the book to young school age children, allowing the children to view the illustrations.
Bring attention to the illustrations and the physical characteristics of the insects. Discuss insects that were not used in the book and ask the children to write a short poem about one of the insects. Have them illustrate the poem with a focus on the features of the insects in the book. Display on a bulletin board.
Additional works by Douglas Florian include:
ON THE WING : BIRD POEMS AND PAINTINGS (March 1996)
IN THE SWIM ; POEMS AND PAINTINGS (April 1997)
BEAST FEAST (March 1996)
MAMMALABILIA (March 2000)
MONSTER MOTEL (August 1996)
BOW WOW MEOW MEOW : IT’S RHYMING CATS AND DOGS (March 2003)
SUMMERSAULTS (2002)
WINTER EYES (1999)
AUTUMNBLINGS (2003)
Sunday, September 30, 2007
STOP PRETENDING: what happened when my big sister went crazy
by Sonya Sones
1. Bibliography:
Sones, Sonya. 1999, 2001. STOP PRETENDING: what happened when my big sister went crazy. New York: Harper Collins: Harpertemptest. 1999, 2001. ISBN 0060283874
2. Plot Summary
Stop Pretending is a collection of poems written by a 13 year old who has an older sister that is normal one moment with no signs of mental illness and in the “blink of an eye”, is a manic depressant that snaps and ends up in a mental hospital. The poems are intense, powerful and an emotional roller coaster as the author writes of the mental illness and how it affects the family’s daily lives and the difficulties she has dealing with the illness, her own emotional state and issues involving her friends as they become aware of her sister’s illness.
3. Critical Analysis
This book is written in free-verse, falling rhythms and blank verse (amazon.com). It is a novel that is a fast and easy read. The book is based upon a true account of the author’s who is 13 years old and her older sister who is 19 and has a nervous breakdown on Christmas Eve. The younger sister kept journals of the visits to the mental hospital, life at school, her fears of classmates finding out about her sister and life at home without the sister. The author’s insert at the end of the book mentions having two older sisters. The verse written discusses the mom, dad, older sister and the author’s account of dealing with the effects of the nervous breakdown. The additional family member is not mentioned in the book. The book is exceptionally written to give one a feeling of being at the mental hospital, the pain associated with the sister’s illness and real-life issues or experiences. This book is definitely a must read for teens to adults.
Imagine yourself as a 13 year old, a visitor, alone in the psychiatric ward. Read the following poem found on pages 59 -60 of the book.
The Locked Ward
Lost on the locked ward,
I’m roaming the corridors
crawling with lunatics.
Haunting
the olive drab hallways,
they’re watching me,
stalking me,
rocking and drooling.
Who’ll show me the door?
I’ve got to
get out of here
now!
Spotting a nurse,
I’m suddenly sobbing.
She smiles, walking towards me
and holds out her arms
speaking so soothingly:
“You’re looking lost.
Follow me down this hall.
I’ll lead you out.
It can be scary. I know”
In only a moment,
we’re standing before
a locked elevator door.
“Now where is my key . . . ?”
she ponders aloud.
Something is odd.
Just then, a doctor
walks up and unlocks the door.
Quickly, I hurry aboard.
I turn to thank the nurse.
She winks at me coyly,
and suddenly sticks out her tongue.
Just as the doors close,
I see that she’s drooling,
and rocking and rocking and rocking.
From the author’s note, the sister was released from the psychiatric ward after a few months. She continued to be hospitalized several times but led a satisfying and productive life, continued her visits to the psychiatrist and took medication to control the illness. “She married, earned a master’s degree in library science, and worked as a public librarian for over twenty years.”
4. Review Excerpts
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9-An unpretentious, accessible book that could provide entry points for a discussion about mental illness-its stigma, its realities, and its affect on family members. Based on the journals Sones wrote at the age of 13 when her 19-year-old sister was hospitalized due to manic depression, the simply crafted but deeply felt poems reflect her thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams during that troubling time. In one poem, the narrator fears that "If I stay/any longer/than an hour,/ I'll see that my eyes/have turned into her eyes,/my lips/have turned into her lips, ." She dreads having her friends learn of her sister's illness. "If I told them that my sister's nuts,/they might act sympathetic,/but behind my back/would everyone laugh?" and wonders what she could have done to prevent the breakdown. All of the emotions and feelings are here, the tightness in the teen's chest when thinking about her sibling in the hospital, her grocery list of adjectives for mental illness, and the honest truth in the collection's smallest poem, "I don't want to see you./I dread it./There./I've said it." An insightful author's note and brief list of organizations are included.
Sharon Korbeck, Waupaca Area Public Library, WI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Review
“The poems take on life and movement, the individual frames of a movie that in the unspooling become animated telling a compelling tale.”
From ALA Book Review
“This debut novel shows the capacity of poetry to record the personal and translate it into the universal.”
Connections: Read and discuss mental illness with teens and young adults. Discuss the emotions that one may feel when a family member may be in a similar situation. Have the students write a poem in falling rhythm, blank verse or free style using their real life experiences that focuses on a serious issue. Discuss the students poems and the emotions that stem from the works.
Additional stories by Sonya Sones include:
What My Mother Doesn’t Know
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies
What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know
by Sonya Sones
1. Bibliography:
Sones, Sonya. 1999, 2001. STOP PRETENDING: what happened when my big sister went crazy. New York: Harper Collins: Harpertemptest. 1999, 2001. ISBN 0060283874
2. Plot Summary
Stop Pretending is a collection of poems written by a 13 year old who has an older sister that is normal one moment with no signs of mental illness and in the “blink of an eye”, is a manic depressant that snaps and ends up in a mental hospital. The poems are intense, powerful and an emotional roller coaster as the author writes of the mental illness and how it affects the family’s daily lives and the difficulties she has dealing with the illness, her own emotional state and issues involving her friends as they become aware of her sister’s illness.
3. Critical Analysis
This book is written in free-verse, falling rhythms and blank verse (amazon.com). It is a novel that is a fast and easy read. The book is based upon a true account of the author’s who is 13 years old and her older sister who is 19 and has a nervous breakdown on Christmas Eve. The younger sister kept journals of the visits to the mental hospital, life at school, her fears of classmates finding out about her sister and life at home without the sister. The author’s insert at the end of the book mentions having two older sisters. The verse written discusses the mom, dad, older sister and the author’s account of dealing with the effects of the nervous breakdown. The additional family member is not mentioned in the book. The book is exceptionally written to give one a feeling of being at the mental hospital, the pain associated with the sister’s illness and real-life issues or experiences. This book is definitely a must read for teens to adults.
Imagine yourself as a 13 year old, a visitor, alone in the psychiatric ward. Read the following poem found on pages 59 -60 of the book.
The Locked Ward
Lost on the locked ward,
I’m roaming the corridors
crawling with lunatics.
Haunting
the olive drab hallways,
they’re watching me,
stalking me,
rocking and drooling.
Who’ll show me the door?
I’ve got to
get out of here
now!
Spotting a nurse,
I’m suddenly sobbing.
She smiles, walking towards me
and holds out her arms
speaking so soothingly:
“You’re looking lost.
Follow me down this hall.
I’ll lead you out.
It can be scary. I know”
In only a moment,
we’re standing before
a locked elevator door.
“Now where is my key . . . ?”
she ponders aloud.
Something is odd.
Just then, a doctor
walks up and unlocks the door.
Quickly, I hurry aboard.
I turn to thank the nurse.
She winks at me coyly,
and suddenly sticks out her tongue.
Just as the doors close,
I see that she’s drooling,
and rocking and rocking and rocking.
From the author’s note, the sister was released from the psychiatric ward after a few months. She continued to be hospitalized several times but led a satisfying and productive life, continued her visits to the psychiatrist and took medication to control the illness. “She married, earned a master’s degree in library science, and worked as a public librarian for over twenty years.”
4. Review Excerpts
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9-An unpretentious, accessible book that could provide entry points for a discussion about mental illness-its stigma, its realities, and its affect on family members. Based on the journals Sones wrote at the age of 13 when her 19-year-old sister was hospitalized due to manic depression, the simply crafted but deeply felt poems reflect her thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams during that troubling time. In one poem, the narrator fears that "If I stay/any longer/than an hour,/ I'll see that my eyes/have turned into her eyes,/my lips/have turned into her lips, ." She dreads having her friends learn of her sister's illness. "If I told them that my sister's nuts,/they might act sympathetic,/but behind my back/would everyone laugh?" and wonders what she could have done to prevent the breakdown. All of the emotions and feelings are here, the tightness in the teen's chest when thinking about her sibling in the hospital, her grocery list of adjectives for mental illness, and the honest truth in the collection's smallest poem, "I don't want to see you./I dread it./There./I've said it." An insightful author's note and brief list of organizations are included.
Sharon Korbeck, Waupaca Area Public Library, WI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Review
“The poems take on life and movement, the individual frames of a movie that in the unspooling become animated telling a compelling tale.”
From ALA Book Review
“This debut novel shows the capacity of poetry to record the personal and translate it into the universal.”
Connections: Read and discuss mental illness with teens and young adults. Discuss the emotions that one may feel when a family member may be in a similar situation. Have the students write a poem in falling rhythm, blank verse or free style using their real life experiences that focuses on a serious issue. Discuss the students poems and the emotions that stem from the works.
Additional stories by Sonya Sones include:
What My Mother Doesn’t Know
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies
What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Bubba the Cowboy Prince
by Helen Ketteman
1. Bibliography:
Ketteman, Helen and James Warhola (ill.) Bubba the Cowboy Prince. New York: Scholastic Press. 1997. ISBN 0590255061
2. Plot Summary
Bubba the Cowboy Prince is a fractured Texas tale version of Cinderella. Bubba lives on the family ranch with his stepfather and his stepbrothers Milton and Dwayne. They boss Bubba around making him do the work on the ranch and all of the chores. Miz Lurleen is a single, wealthy landowner who lives on a ranch in Texas. She decides to throw a party and invite all of the single men to her ball so she can find someone to marry who is as “tough as leather” and “cute as a cow’s ear”. Bubba’s evil stepdaddy and stepbrothers are invited to the ball and force Bubba to prepare their clothes, wash the wagon and horses for the ball. Bubba works frantically and when they are ready to leave for the ball, they refuse to wait on Bubba to get cleaned up to go with them. A fairy godcow tells Bubba to go to the ball and turns a cow into a beautiful horse. He is given clean “duds” and head to the ball. Miz Lurleen is tired of dancing with men who are of no interest in her. Bubba arrives at the and they begin to dance but when midnight comes, his clothes are once again nasty and smelly, he loses one boot as he escapes and rides his cow off into the night. Miz Lurleen sets out to try the boot on every single cowboy and finds Bubba riding up from working the ranch with only one boot on. They rode off into the sunset and lived happily everafter.
3. Critical Analysis
This book is written for baby to PreK ages but it is one of the best tales and an excellent choice for all age levels. Its contents and language will draw you in to the Texas life on the ranch. Wonderfully written and illustrated with Texas décor including the clothing, characters and surrounding. The painted illustrations are lifelike in resembling Texas characters. I especially like the physical features of stepdaddy and his leathery cowboy appearance of someone who is weathered and has worked the range for many years. This book is a must read and should be available in the library for the children to enjoy.
4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal: “This is a fun-filled story with more hyperbole than a Christmas turkey has stuffing.:
From Kirkus Reviews
A Cinderella parody features the off-the-wall, whang-dang Texas hyperbole of Ketteman (The Year of No More Corn, 1993, etc.) and the insouciance of Warhola, who proves himself only too capable of creating a fairy godcow; that she's so appealingly whimsical makes it easy to accept the classic tale's inversions. The protagonist is Bubba, appropriately downtrodden and overworked by his wicked stepdaddy and loathsome brothers Dwayne and Milton, who spend their days bossing him around. The other half of the happy couple is Miz Lurleen, who owns ``the biggest spread west of the Brazos.
Connections: Read the story aloud to children and discuss the characters. Dr. Vardell presented this tale in her lectures as a reader’s theatre with characters and a script. This would be an excellent way to enjoy the book and present a humorous Texas tale to a group of children and adults. Costumes could be simple and fun. Have the children seek out additional books that may be used as a reader’s theatre and discuss in groups their suggestions for the costumes and script.
Additional stories by Helen Ketteman who lives in Dallas, Texas include:
Armadilly Chili
Waynetta and the Cornstalk: A Texas Fairy Tale
Heat Wave
Not Yet Yvette
The Great Cake Bake
I Remember Papa
Armadillo Tattletale
Shoeshine Whittaker
by Helen Ketteman
1. Bibliography:
Ketteman, Helen and James Warhola (ill.) Bubba the Cowboy Prince. New York: Scholastic Press. 1997. ISBN 0590255061
2. Plot Summary
Bubba the Cowboy Prince is a fractured Texas tale version of Cinderella. Bubba lives on the family ranch with his stepfather and his stepbrothers Milton and Dwayne. They boss Bubba around making him do the work on the ranch and all of the chores. Miz Lurleen is a single, wealthy landowner who lives on a ranch in Texas. She decides to throw a party and invite all of the single men to her ball so she can find someone to marry who is as “tough as leather” and “cute as a cow’s ear”. Bubba’s evil stepdaddy and stepbrothers are invited to the ball and force Bubba to prepare their clothes, wash the wagon and horses for the ball. Bubba works frantically and when they are ready to leave for the ball, they refuse to wait on Bubba to get cleaned up to go with them. A fairy godcow tells Bubba to go to the ball and turns a cow into a beautiful horse. He is given clean “duds” and head to the ball. Miz Lurleen is tired of dancing with men who are of no interest in her. Bubba arrives at the and they begin to dance but when midnight comes, his clothes are once again nasty and smelly, he loses one boot as he escapes and rides his cow off into the night. Miz Lurleen sets out to try the boot on every single cowboy and finds Bubba riding up from working the ranch with only one boot on. They rode off into the sunset and lived happily everafter.
3. Critical Analysis
This book is written for baby to PreK ages but it is one of the best tales and an excellent choice for all age levels. Its contents and language will draw you in to the Texas life on the ranch. Wonderfully written and illustrated with Texas décor including the clothing, characters and surrounding. The painted illustrations are lifelike in resembling Texas characters. I especially like the physical features of stepdaddy and his leathery cowboy appearance of someone who is weathered and has worked the range for many years. This book is a must read and should be available in the library for the children to enjoy.
4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal: “This is a fun-filled story with more hyperbole than a Christmas turkey has stuffing.:
From Kirkus Reviews
A Cinderella parody features the off-the-wall, whang-dang Texas hyperbole of Ketteman (The Year of No More Corn, 1993, etc.) and the insouciance of Warhola, who proves himself only too capable of creating a fairy godcow; that she's so appealingly whimsical makes it easy to accept the classic tale's inversions. The protagonist is Bubba, appropriately downtrodden and overworked by his wicked stepdaddy and loathsome brothers Dwayne and Milton, who spend their days bossing him around. The other half of the happy couple is Miz Lurleen, who owns ``the biggest spread west of the Brazos.
Connections: Read the story aloud to children and discuss the characters. Dr. Vardell presented this tale in her lectures as a reader’s theatre with characters and a script. This would be an excellent way to enjoy the book and present a humorous Texas tale to a group of children and adults. Costumes could be simple and fun. Have the children seek out additional books that may be used as a reader’s theatre and discuss in groups their suggestions for the costumes and script.
Additional stories by Helen Ketteman who lives in Dallas, Texas include:
Armadilly Chili
Waynetta and the Cornstalk: A Texas Fairy Tale
Heat Wave
Not Yet Yvette
The Great Cake Bake
I Remember Papa
Armadillo Tattletale
Shoeshine Whittaker
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