COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, AND MARS: SPACE POEMS AND PAINTINGS by Douglas Florian

Bibliography

Florian, Douglas. 2007. COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, AND MARS: SPACE POEMS AND PAINTINGS. Orlando: Harcourt. ISBN: 9780152053727

Plot Summary

This book is a topical collection of poems about astronomy.  It includes 20 poems about all of the planets in our solar system as well as poems about black holes, asteroids, comets, constellations, etc.  All of the poems rhyme and are a blend of science and humor.  

Critical Analysis

Each poem manages to rhyme, describe a planet or other celestial body, as well as be humorous.  The illustrations are beautiful, colorful, and complement the poems perfectly.  There are cutouts throughout the book that line up and help illustrate the poem in a fun way.  The book contains many examples of alliteration, for example when Florian uses the words "Jupiter's jumbo" or "Jupiterrific."  The poem titled "Galaxy" is in the shape of a spiral making it the only shape or concrete poem.  The book overall was very informative and even contains a glossary at the end of the book titled "Galactic Glossary."  It gives interesting facts about each poem's subject.  Florian even provides a list of books and websites pertaining to astronomy.

I asked my 10 year old niece to read this book aloud to her 8 year old brother and 5 year old sister.  She found the poems to be short and easy to read as well as funny.  They all enjoyed the way the poems rhymed and were really excited to see what the cutouts would reveal.  My nephew especially loved this book since he is really into astronomy.  He even read the book again, and was really interested in the facts listed in the "Galactic Glossary."

Review Excerpt(s)

2008 Bluebonnet Award Nominee

2009 Beehive Children's Poetry Book Award Nominee

2009 Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee

2009 Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee

2010 Garden State Children's Book Awards Nominee

BOOKLIST review: "This large-format book looks at astronomy through the magnifying, clarifying lens of poetry. Each broad double-page spread features a short, accessible poem about a subject such as the sun, each of its planets, a comet, a constellation, or the universe, set within an impressive painting. A concrete poem entitled a galaxy is a curling spiral of words set against the midnight-blue sky and surrounded by other galaxies. Stamped type, cutout pages, collage elements with printed papers, and sweeping brushstrokes all figure prominently in the expressive collage artwork, which ably illustrates the verse. The last pages carry A Galactic Glossary with a paragraph on the topic of each poem, followed by a list of books and Web sites. Florian's ode to Pluto matter-of-factly notes its demoted status, but even better is his pithy poem on Jupiter: Jupiter's jumbo, / Gigantic, / Immense, / So wide / Side to side, / But gaseous, not dense. / With some sixteen moons / It's plainly prolific-- / So super-dupiter / Jupiterrific! Read this aloud." Carolyn Phelan

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: "Just in time for Young People's Poetry Week (April 14-20), several volumes come to the fore. Douglas Florian takes to the skies with his Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings. Die-cut holes in the pages reveal planetary delights. A star painted on the full-bleed spread for "The Universe" ("The universe is every place,/ Including all the e m p t y space"), for instance, shows through a die-cut hole in the spread for "A Galaxy," the text of which spins in a spiral, mimicking the barred and eliptical spirals featured in the illustration."

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Nothing gladdens the heart of believers of good poetry for children more than a new collection by Florian. . . . This one literally sings the music of the spheres. . . . In both language and artwork, Florian strikes the perfect balance between grandeur and whimsy."

Connections

• This book could be used to introduce a science class to astronomy.
• Children can draw pictures of their favorite planets or objects from outer space.
• Students could write their own poems about space.
• Could be shared when camping or stargazing.

Other books by Douglas Florian:

• Florian, Douglas. 2009. DINOTHESAURUS: PREHISTORIC POEMS AND PAINTINGS. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9781416979784
• Florian, Douglas. 2012. UNBEELIEVABLES: HONEYBEE POEMS AND PAINTINGS. New York: Beach Lane Books. ISBN: 9781442426528
• Florian, Douglas. 1999. WINTER EYES. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN: 9780688164584

DARK EMPEROR & OTHER POEMS OF THE NIGHT by Joyce Sidman

Bibliography

Sidman, Joyce. 2010. DARK EMPEROR & OTHER POEMS OF THE NIGHT. Ill. by Rick Allen. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN: 9780547152288

Plot Summary
This is a topical collection of poems written about nocturnal life in the forest.  There are a total of 12 poems with the majority of them featuring poems about animals including "Dark Emperor" about the great horned owl.  Also included is a poem about trees, one about mushrooms, and the book concludes with "Moon's Lament" describing how the moon disappears as morning approaches.  

Critical Analysis
DARK EMPEROR & OTHER POEMS OF THE NIGHT features 12 poems with a variety of poetic forms such as lyrical, prose, concrete, etc.  For example, the poem "Dark Emperor" is a shape or concrete poem, because it is in the shape of an owl.  The final poem titled "Moon's Lament" is a medieval style poem called ubi sunt.  All of the poems flow beautifully and help the reader imagine the subject in its natural habitat.  The illustrations only help the imagery.  Allen's illustrations are very detailed and all have dark linings that remind me of ink stamps.  The factual descriptions provided on the opposite page of the poem are all very informative and teach the reader interesting facts about the subject.  For example, the snail, rather than chewing, scrapes plant materials with its tongue that is covered with tiny teeth.  This book may not work for younger children, because the vocabulary is challenging.  A glossary is included at the end of the book to help with some of the scientific terms throughout the poems and descriptions.  This book should especially appeal to nature lovers.

Review Excerpt(s)
2011 American Library Association Notable Books for Children Award Winner
2011 Newbery Medal Nominee
2011 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards Nominee
2012 Beehive Children's Poetry Book Award Nominee
2012 Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee

Starred review in BOOKLIST: "Like Sidman's Caldecott Honor Book, Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems (2005), this picture book combines lyrical poetry and compelling art with science concepts. Here, poems about the woods at night reveal exciting biology facts that are explained in long notes on each double-page spread. In a poem about crickets, lines describe “the raucous scrape / of wing against wing,” while a prose passage explains that the cricket's wing has a serrated “file,” which the cricket rubs against a hard “scraper” on its other wing to attract a mate, creating a sound called “stridulation” that can swell to deafening levels. The facts are further reinforced in the accompanying picture, which shows the small file on a cricket's wing. In an opening note, Allen explains his elaborate, linoleum-block printmaking technique, and each atmospheric image shows the creatures and the dense, dark forest with astonishing clarity. Looking closely at a picture of a snail, for example, readers will see the physical detail, described in an adjacent poem, in the small animals' moist, slug like bodies, “riding on a cushion of slime.” The thrilling title poem captures the drama of predator and prey: a mouse in the undergrowth flees an owl's “hooked face and / hungry eye.” A final glossary concludes this excellent, cross-curricular title. Grades 3-6." --Hazel Rochman

Starred review in THE BULLETIN: "This is a fine collection for classroom use at any time, but it'll bring extra impact to those who can find a way to share it at dusk with the lights dimmed, watching through the windows as the nocturnal ballet begins outside."

Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Allen's detailed yet moody prints encapsulate the mysteries and magic of the midnight hours. In Sidman's delicious poems, darkness is the norm, and there's nothing to fear but the rising sun."

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Sidman continues her explorations of natural history in this set of poems about nocturnal life in the forest. As in her other collections, each selection is set in an expansive spread that includes a factual discussion of the featured subject. The illustrations are bold, richly detailed linoleum prints colored in gouache. The 12 poems are led by a scene setting “Welcome to the Night” and go on to feature 9 different creatures and some mushrooms with a concluding lament by the moon as night fades into morning. Sidman adroitly applies varied poetic forms and rhyme schemes. The title's dark emperor, the great horned owl, lends its shape to the one concrete poem, and the closing lament is in the medieval style known as an ubi sunt. The poetry is reflective and at times philosophical. “Build a frame/and stick to it,/I always say./Life's a circle….Eat your triumphs,/eat your mistakes:/that way your belly/will always be full…,” advises the night spider. Other poems are playful and some just a bit confusing. The porcupine poem explains that the infant of this species is known as a porcupette; the repeated use of “baby porcupette” seems oddly redundant. The bookmaking is beautiful with the concept of night lending itself generously to poetry. It invites lingering enjoyment for nature and poetry fans, and, as with Sidman's earlier collections, it might be used with varied curriculums." Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Connections

• Book could prompt discussion about nocturnal animals.
• The book could be shared in a life science class.
• Would be a great book to read at a campfire.

Other books by Joyce Sidman:

• Sidman, Joyce. 2009. RED SINGS FROM THE TREETOPS: A YEAR IN COLORS. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN: 9780547014944
• Sidman, Joyce. 2005. SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN AND OTHER POND POEMS. Ill. by Beckie Prange. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN: 9780618135479
• Sidman, Joyce. 2011. SWIRL BY SWIRL: SPIRALS IN NATURE. Ill. by Beth Krommes. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780547315836

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS by Steven Kellogg

Bibliography
Kellogg, Steven. 1997. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN: 0688087329

Plot Summary
This is Steven Kellogg's version of the story of the Three Little Pigs.  In this version, a mother pig named Serifina Sow raises three piglets named Percy, Pete, and Prudence.  Serifina decides to start a waffle business and her children help her run it.  Once they finish school, Serifina retires and Percy, Pete, and Prudence take over the business.  They also each build a home nearby.  Percy builds a straw bungalow, Pete a log cabin, and Prudence constructs a brick cottage.  One day a wolf named Tempesto shows up and tells them he does not want waffles, but instead he wants them.  As in the classic story, the wolf attempts to blow the pigs' houses down.  However, in this version, when the pigs are all safe in Prudence's brick cottage Serifina Sow shows up to the rescue.  They outsmart Tempesto, and he ends up giving up crime and becomes a beach bum.  Percy, Pete, and Prudence get married, have children, and expand the family business.  Serifina's dream comes true.

Critical Analysis
Kellogg's illustrations are very colorful, humorous, and full of detail.  For example, when the wolf blows the houses down, the artwork shows tiny details of items from the homes in the air.  There are also captions in some of the drawings.  Kellogg includes several examples of onomatopoeia in his illustrations each time the wolf blows a house down.  This version is very child friendly since none of the characters are eaten or killed.  Kellogg blends in text from the classic version such as "Not by the hair of our chinny chin chins!"  He also adds an interesting twist to the story by naming the characters, making one of them a female, and having them run a waffle business.  Definitely a great example of a beast tale.

Review Excerpt(s)
1999 Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award 

BOOKLIST review: "...lively, colorful illustrations...wordplay a plenty in the text and pictures too..." 

PARENTS review: "...Witty plot twists and pictures packed with visual puns make Kellogg's version of this old tale a pigtorial feast."

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: "Buoyant pictures and a pun-riddled text add gusto to Kellogg's light hearted humor..." 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "Kindergarten-Grade 3. This contemporary retelling features Serafina Sow, whose mission in life is to bring waffles to the world. After building a highly successful wafflery, she retires to the Gulf of Pasta, leaving the family business in the hands of her capable offspring, Percy, Pete, and Prudence. The three operate the business and build themselves comfortable homes of straw, wood, and brick, of course. Enter Tempesto, a thugish, leather-jacketed wolf. He orders the three pigs to cook themselves as he isn't interested in waffles. Kellogg's usual busy, highly defined illustrations complement the humorous, clever text. In the satisfying, nonfatal ending, Serafina Sow returns from retirement to help her children defeat Tempesto, who has the meanness steamed out of him after coming down the chimney into the waffle iron. He is sent to the Gulf of Pasta in Serafina's place, where he spends his days as a mellow beach bum. A tempting choice to pair with Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (Viking, 1989) and your favorite traditional version for porcine storytime fun."

Connections

• Children can come up with their own variants or versions of the THREE LITTLE PIGS.
• Students could explore the many different ways the story has been written over the years by reading other variants or versions of the THREE LITTLE PIGS.
• This book could prompt a discussion about how children leave home once they are adults.
• Kids could have a waffle classroom party with their favorite toppings.

Related books:

• Kimmel, Eric A. 2009. THE THREE LITTLE TAMALES. Ill. by Valeria Docampo. New York: Marshall Cavendish Children. ISBN: 9780761455196
• Scieszka, Jon. 1989. THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Ill. by Lane Smith. New York, NY: Viking Kestrel. ISBN: 9780140544510
• Trivizas, Eugenios. 1993. THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG. Ill. by Helen Oxenbury. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books. ISBN: 9780689815287

THE GREATEST OF ALL: A JAPANESE FOLKTALE by Eric A. Kimmel

Bibliography

Kimmel, Eric A. 1991. THE GREATEST OF ALL: A JAPANESE FOLKTALE. Ill. by Giora Carmi. New York: Holiday House. ISBN: 082340885X

Plot Summary

This is a story about the extravagant Father Mouse who only wants the best husband for his daughter Chuko.  When Chuko asks her father to give her permission to marry a field mouse named Ko Nezumi, he is displeased, so he sets out to find the greatest of all. First he goes to the emperor to tell him he has chosen him to marry Chuko because he is the greatest, but to his surprise the emperor tells him he is not the greatest.  The emperor tells him the sun is the greatest, but the sun also lets Father Mouse know there is someone greater.  He then approaches a cloud, wind, and a wall, but they too are not the greatest.  It turns out that Ko Nezumi, the humble field mouse, is the greatest of all.  The story happily ends with Chuko and Nezumi marrying and everyone agreeing "They make a handsome couple."

Critical Analysis

The illustrations do a fantastic job of  showing the reader ancient Japanese architecture, costume, and design.  They also include detailed faces of the anthropomorphic natural elements (sun, cloud, and wind).  The text within the long, light boxes remind me of Japanese wall hangings, however the salmon colored bordering is a bit distracting.  The story includes the repetition of Father Mouse saying, "I bring good news.  My daughter Chuko wishes to marry.  My wife and I want only the best for her husband.  We have chosen you because you are the greatest of all."  This repetition makes it easy to remember the story and also keeps the reader in suspense of who will ultimately be the greatest.  The story has a happy ending and has a little added humor at times. 

Review Excerpt(s)

Best Books For Children: Preschool-Grade 6 - Ninth Edition (2010) 

CLS Opening Day Collections Audit-June 2002 (And Ongoing)

More Books Kids Will Sit Still For 1995

Multicultural Review September 1996 Issue 3

Texas Summer Reading Program 1993

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: "Kimmel (Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock; Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins) concisely retells this pleasant if low-key tale of a self-important mouse who lives in the emperor's palace and dresses in fine silk. He refuses to allow his daughter to marry a humble field mouse, announcing that whomever she marries "must be the greatest of all." His quest to find the individual who fits this description begins with the emperor, who sends him to bright Sun, who defers to Cloud, who insists that Wind is far greater than he: "When Wind blows, clouds scatter." In the end, of course, the mouse discovers that it is not these powerful forces but the hard-working field mouse who deserves his daughter's hand. Warm colors and distinctive texture mark Carmi's (And Shira Imagined; The Chanukkah Guest) illustrations, which include effective renderings of the anthropomorphic natural elements. Ages 3-8."

KIRKUS review: "In this smooth retelling of "The Wedding of the Mouse," from Uchida's classic The Dancing Kettle (1947), Father Mouse approaches the emperor as the greatest possible bridegroom for his daughter. Not so, says the emperor: the sun can make him seek shade. The mouse pursues his quest from sun to cloud to wind to wall, only to have the wall demur like the others: one day the tunneling field mouse will bring him down, he says, so the mouse maiden is allowed to wed her own beloved after all. Carmi uses tall frames and details of dress to suggest a Japanese setting; her style is lively and accessible but undistinguished, the illustrations' muted tomato-soup borders more distracting than harmonious. Still, an acceptable setting for a good story. Folklore/Picture book. Ages 4-10."

Connections

• Multicultural - Asian American
• THE GREATEST OF ALL: A JAPANESE FOLKTALE is a retelling of "The Wedding of the Mouse" from Yoshiko Uchida's THE DANCING KETTLE which features 14 authentic Japanese folk stories.
• The book could lead to a discussion about other Japanese stories and customs.
• Kids can talk about the sun, clouds, and wind as well as other natural elements.

Other books by Eric A. Kimmel:

• Kimmel, Eric A. 2013. LITTLE RED HOT. Ill. by Laura Huliska Beith. Las Vegas, NV: Amazon Children's Pub. ISBN: 9781477816387
• Kimmel, Eric A. 2009. THE THREE LITTLE TAMALES. Ill. by Valeria Docampo. New York: Marshall Cavendish Children. ISBN: 9780761455196
• Kimmel, Eric A. 1994. THE THREE PRINCES: A TALE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST. Ill. Leonard Everett Fisher. New York: Holiday House. ISBN: 0823415538

JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT by Simms Taback

Bibliography

Taback, Simms. 1999. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT. New York: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated. ISBN: 0670878553

Plot Summary

This story is about a man named Joseph who had an old, worn overcoat, instead of throwing it away, he decided to make a jacket out of it.  It too became old and worn, so he decided to make a vest out of the remaining fabric. Jospeh wears his new creations to different events.  Eventually each item becomes old and worn, so he continues to make smaller items such as a tie, handkerchief, and button.  Ultimately he runs out of fabric that originated from his overcoat, but still manages to make something out of nothing. Joseph writes a book about his experience with the overcoat.

Critical Analysis

The illustrations in this book are fun, vibrant, and colorful.  The book provides wonderful cutouts to illustrate the new creations made from Joseph's overcoat.  The repetition of phrases such as "old and worn" and "out of it" should make it easier for beginning readers. There are hidden messages within the pages in the background.  For example, one of the frames on the wall states, "Better to have an ugly patch than a beautiful hole."  It is fun to look for and find these messages throughout the book.  There also Jewish items and sayings throughout the book such as a menorah and the saying, "Mazel Tov" written on one of the frames.  The story is adapted from a Yiddish folksong called "I Had a Little Overcoat," and provides readers with the lesson "you can always make something out of nothing."

Review Excerpt(s)

2000 Caldecott Medal Winner

2000 American Library Association Notable Books for Children Winner

1999 National Jewish Book Award Winner

BOOKLIST review: "This newly illustrated version of a book Taback first published in 1977 is a true example of accomplished bookmaking--from the typography and the endpapers to the bar code, set in what appears to be a patch of fabric. Taback's mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity. Their colors are festive yet controlled, and they are filled with homey clutter, interesting characters, and a million details to bring children back again and again. The simple text, which was adapted from the Yiddish song "I Had a Little Overcoat," begins as Joseph makes a jacket from his old, worn coat. When the jacket wears out, Joseph makes a vest, and so on, until he has only enough to cover a button. Cut outs emphasize the use and reuse of the material and add to the general sense of fun. When Joseph loses, he writes a story about it all, bringing children to the moral "You can always make something out of nothing." Tim Arnold

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: "As in his Caldecott Honor book, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Taback's inventive use of die-cut pages shows off his signature artwork, here newly created for his 1977 adaptation of a Yiddish folk song. This diverting, sequential story unravels as swiftly as the threads of Joseph's well-loved, patch-covered plaid coat. A flip of the page allows children to peek through to subsequent spreads as Joseph's tailoring produces items of decreasing size. The author puts a droll spin on his narrative when Joseph loses the last remnant of the coat button and decides to make a book about it. "Which shows... you can always make something out of nothing," writes Taback, who wryly slips himself into his story by depicting Joseph creating a dummy for the book that readers are holding. Still, it's the bustling mixed-media artwork, highlighted by the strategically placed die-cuts, that steals the show. Taback works into his folk art a menagerie of wide-eyed animals witnessing the overcoat's transformation, miniature photographs superimposed on paintings and some clever asides reproduced in small print (a wall hanging declares, "Better to have an ugly patch than a beautiful hole"; a newspaper headline announces, "Fiddler on Roof Falls off Roof"). With its effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor, this is tailor-made for reading aloud. All ages."

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "Pre-Grade 3-A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit. When Joseph's overcoat becomes "old and worn," he snips off the patches and turns it into a jacket. When his jacket is beyond repair, he makes a vest. Joseph recycles his garments until he has nothing left. But by trading in his scissors for a pen and paintbrush he creates a story, showing "you can always make something out of nothing." Clever die-cut holes provide clues as to what Joseph will make next: windowpanes in one scene become a scarf upon turning the page. Striking gouache, watercolor, and collage illustrations are chock-full of witty details-letters to read, proverbs on the walls, even a fiddler on the roof. Taback adapted this tale from a Yiddish folk song and the music and English lyrics are appended. The rhythm and repetition make it a perfect storytime read-aloud." Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Connections

• Multicultural - Jewish American
• Encourages creativity of recycling items to be used in other ways
• SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL suggests students create cut-outs of Joseph's garments as they retell the story, demonstrating their understanding of the central message and its key details.
• Children can sing the Yiddish fold song "I Had a Little Overcoat" which is included in the book.  The author, Taback Simms, noted this was his favorite song as a child and adapted the song to make JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT.

Other books by Simms Taback:

• Taback, Simms. 2011. POSTCARDS FROM CAMP. New York: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated. ISBN: 9780399239731
• Taback, Simms. 1997. THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY. Ill. by Pam Adams. New York: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated. ISBN: 9780670869398
• Taback, Simms. 2004. THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. New York: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated. ISBN: 9780142402009

ARE YOU MY MOTHER? by P.D. Eastman

Bibliography

Eastman, P.D. 1960. ARE YOU MY MOTHER? New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 0394800184

Plot Summary

A mother leaves her nest to find food for her egg that is soon to hatch. While she is gone the egg hatches, and the baby bird is expecting to meet his mother. Since he discovers he is alone, he leaves the nest and encounters a variety of animals and asks them if they are his mother. The kitten, hen, dog, and cow are not his mother, so he then asks an old car, a boat, a plane, and a Snort, but they too are not his mother. Just when he the baby bird is getting frustrated because he can't find his mother, the Snort puts the baby bird back in his nest. The mother then returns and the two happily meet. The baby bird then explains to his mother that she is not any of the things he encountered on his search for her, but she is a bird and she is his mother.

Critical Analysis

The illustrations primarily consist of the colors brown, red, and yellow, but are appropriate for the content. The illustrations help children follow the story even if they are not able to read the words. The facial expressions on the baby bird are great at indicating his emotions throughout the story. Many words and phrases are repeated throughout the book which is good for beginning readers. The book provides an example of onomatopoeia when one of the machines makes a "snort" sound and the baby bird proceeds to name the machine a Snort. Overall, this is a classic story which should maintain the interest of most children because of the humor and persistence of the baby bird in his journey to find his mother.

Review Excerpt(s)

Best Books For Children 6th Ed (1998)

Books For Growing Minds - September/October 1998

Publishers Weekly Children's Books Fall 1997 (And Ongoing)

Baker & Taylor Forecast - September 1998

Baker & Taylor Forecast - October 1998

PW Reviews 1998 September #4

School Library Journal Advertisements 1996 - August 1999

CLS Opening Day Collections Audit-June 2002 (And Ongoing)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE review: "This is the 25th anniversary edition of a book countless preschoolers want to hear again and again and again; some authorities have been bewildered by the appeal of this easy-read book; some consider it downright silly. But the fact is Are You My Mother? opens up a question that many young children worry about. As the little bird goes from kitten to hen to a car to a boat, the young readers cheer him on. They appreciate that while the newly hatched little bird may not be sure what his mother looks like, his persistence in finding this important person is admirable. Furthermore, the book invites many opportunities for conversation as the children explain differences between the various candidates for motherhood and baby bird, or as they share experiences about times when they may have missed or lost their mother, only to be lovingly reunited." Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry

Connections

• Children can talk about their favorite animals.
• Could prompt a discussion about physical traits children receive from their parents as well as genealogy.
• Children can discuss times they have been lost from their mothers and what they did in those situations as well as discuss what steps to take to find their parents if they are ever lost in the future.

Related books:

• Eastman, P.D. 1961. GO, DOG. GO! New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 9780394800202
• Dr. Seuss. 1957. THE CAT IN THE HAT. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 9780394800011

TOMÁS AND THE LIBRARY LADY by Pat Mora

Bibliography

Mora, Pat. 1997. TOMÁS AND THE LIBRARY LADY. Ill. by Raul  Colón. New York: Knopf. ISBN: 0679904018

Plot Summary

Tomás is the son of migrant workers from Texas who travel to Iowa during the summer.  He loves listening to Spanish stories told to him by his grandfather, Papá Grande. One day while in Iowa, Papá Grande suggests that Tomás visit the local library, so he can learn and teach his family new stories. He takes his grandfather's advice and makes his way to the library where he meets the "Library Lady." The kind librarian introduces Tomás to the wonderful world of books and in return he teaches her Spanish words. As the summer comes to an end, Tomás goes to say goodbye to the librarian with a gift of sweet bread his mother made. She too has a gift for Tomás which is a new book for the new storyteller.

Critical Analysis

This heartwarming story is beautifully illustrated in earth tones that depict the warmth of summer and family love. The illustrations also show the reader Tomás' vivid imagination when he is reading the library books. This book is based on childhood experiences of Tomás Rivera, a migrant worker who valued education and went on to become a writer, professor, and chancellor of the University of California at Riverside. Children can relate to the story as it shows examples of family interaction. For example, family travel and a grandfather telling stories to his grandchildren. It also encourages reading and portrays librarians as caring and helpful individuals. Spanish terms and phrases throughout the book could help ESL students learning to read feel more comfortable and introduce a new language to native English speakers.

Review Excerpt(s)

1997 Américas Award for Children’s and  Young Adult Literature Commended Title 

1997 Notable Books for Children, Smithsonian

1998 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award 

1998 Teachers' Choices Award from the International Reading Association 

1998 Skipping Stones Multicultural Book Award

1999-2000, Texas Bluebonnet Master List Title 

1999-2000, Nebraska Golden Sower Nominee

BOOKLIST review: "From the immigrant slums of New York to the fields of California, it’s an elemental American experience: the uprooted child who finds a home in the library. Mora’s story is based on a true incident in the life of the famous writer Tomás Rivera, the son of migrant workers who became an education leader and university president."

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: " gentle text and innovative artwork depict a pivotal summer in a boy’ … Spanish words slip in naturally and unobtrusively throughout Mora’s text as she focuses on the snug library and the books that fire Tomás’ imagination, and on his friendship with the librarian. … While young readers and future librarians will find this an inspiring tale, the endnote gives it a real kick; the story is based on an actual migrant worker who became chancellor of a university—where the library now bears his name."

SMITHSONIAN review: "One summer in 1940s Iowa, a librarian welcomed a migrant worker child who found the wider world—and his future—in books. This powerful story is based on the boyhood of Tomás Rivera, who would grow to become Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside."

Connections

• Available in both English and Spanish.
• Introduce children to simple Spanish vocabulary.
• Introduce books which affirm and celebrate the Latino culture such as BOOK FIESTA! by Pat Mora.
• Celebrate El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day).

Related books:

• Mora, Pat. 2009. GRACIAS. Ill. by John Parra. New York: Lee & Low Books. ISBN: 9781600602580
• Mora, Pat. 1992. A BIRTHDAY BASKET FOR TÍA. Ill. by Cecily Lang. New York: McMillan. ISBN: 0027674002

THIS IS NOT MY HAT by Jon Klassen

Bibliography

Klassen, Jon. 2012. THIS IS NOT MY HAT. Somerville, MA: Candlewick. ISBN: 0763655996 

Plot Summary

This story is told from the point of view of a tiny fish who steals a tiny blue hat off of the head of a very large fish who appears to be deeply asleep. The little fish confidently swims away believing the big fish will not notice his hat is gone or that he will even know it was him who stole it. Unbeknownst to the tiny fish, the large fish has woken up and sets out to retrieve his hat. The tiny fish admits to stealing the hat, explains why he is not worried, and even justifies the theft by explaining how the hat was too small for the large fish, but will fit him just right. He believes he has a zero chance of getting caught, and every declaration he makes is followed by an amusing illustration that suggests otherwise. After he finally makes it to his hiding place, the large fish follows him in and reemerges wearing the tiny blue hat leaving the reader guessing what happened to the tiny fish.

Critical Analysis

The protagonist in this story, a tiny, hat stealing fish, has anthropomorphic characteristics. Throughout the story, he shows these characteristics by reassuring himself that he will not get caught and even admits that he knows it is wrong to steal. Despite this confession, he keeps the hat and continues to make his way to his hiding place in the pitch black sea.  As he narrates his progress, the illustrations tell a different story. The big fish is shown examining his hatless head.  He then squints with suspicion and makes his way to find his stolen hat. Although the illustrations are simple, the drawings of the characters' eyes are so revealing. For example, the tiny fish's eyes are shown as very wide which make him look nervous and guilty.  The bubbles and the seaweed help the reader imagine the movements of the characters, and the little red crab is hilariously shown giving away the tiny fish's location.  The last several pages have no dialogue and only show the tall seaweed followed by the big fish triumphantly returning with his little blue hat.  In the end, the tiny fish is not shown which leaves an open ending to the story.

The story is darkly humorous, because the ending leads the reader to believe the big fish probably ate the little fish. This could scare some children, but most children can probably see the humor or can make the conclusion that the tiny fish is fine. That is the beauty of the open ending. I asked my 5 year old niece to read this book aloud to her 8 year brother and 10 year old sister. They were all so intrigued by the book, and couldn't wait to see what happened next. They thought it was funny that a tiny fish would steal a hat of all things from a huge fish. At the very end, they looked at the last pages, and my 5 year old niece concluded with saying, "Haha, the big fish ate the little fish."  We all laughed, and they asked her to read it again.

Review Excerpt(s)

2013 Caldecott Medal Winner

Starred review in BOOKLIST: "Klassen's authorial debut, I WANT MY HAT BACK (2011), became one of the surprise picture-book hits of the year, and while it's tempting to see this follow-up as a sequel, it's really only related in its hat-theft theme, animal characters, deadpan humor, and a suggestively dark conclusion.... The simple, dramatic tension and macabre humor that's right at a kid's level of deviousness mesh splendidly with Klassen's knack for tiny, telling details and knockout page turns. Who knew hat thievery was such a bottomless well?"

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Simplicity is key in both text and illustrations. The black underwater provides the perfect background for the mostly gray-toned fish and seaweed while the monochromatic palette strips the artwork down to essential, yet exquisite design. Movement is indicated with a trail of small white bubbles. This not-to-be-missed title will delight children again and again."

Starred review in HORN BOOK: "The eyes have it in Klassen’s latest hat book (I WANT MY HAT BACK). Klassen manages to tell almost the whole story through subtle eye movements and the tilt of seaweed and air bubbles. . . Darkly hilarious."

Starred review in KIRKUS: "Klassen combines spare text and art to deliver no small measure of laughs in another darkly comic haberdashery whodunit...Hats off!"

Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Klassen excels at using pictures to tell the parts of the story his unreliable narrators omit or evade."

Connections

• This book could prompt a discussion with children about how stealing is wrong.
• Invites children to discuss what they believe happened to the tiny fish.

Related books:

• Barnett, Mac. 2012. EXTRA YARN. Ill. by Jon Klassen. New York: Baltzer & Bray. ISBN: 9780061953385
• Klassen, Jon. 2011. I WANT MY HAT BACK. Somerville, MA: Candlewick. ISBN: 0763655988