St. George, Judith. So You Want to Be President? Philomel Books, 2000.
This book received the 2001 Caldecott Award for amazing illustrations created by David Small. Each page is illustrated in a detailed comic-like appearance. I have to admit that I gazed at each illustration for a long time after I read each page. It reminded me how a child usually studies and explores illustrations with a long gaze in between reading each page. I loved the detailed facial expressions used in each illustration!
This is a wonderful book that teaches children about presidents from the past. It is packed with fun facts, characteristics, biographical information, family ties, notable achievements, and embarrassing moments of our past presidents. The book definitely helps children become familiar enough with our presidents to be able to compare and contrast them. I was pleased to find a page in the back that lists the names of each president in each illustration. There were also four pages at the end that provided a presidential timeline for readers. It included the name of the president, years they served, birthplace, death year, and notable accomplishments made during presidency.
My only fault is that the book is slightly dated because it only runs through President Clinton. One has to keep in mind though that it was written in 2000 and you could also encourage your students to do their own "updating" of the book for our last two presidents.
I have always enjoyed learning interesting and fun facts about each president, which made this book right up my alley! My favorites were about the pony that Teddy Roosevelt's children brought into the White House elevator and that William Harrison journeyed to the market each morning to do his own shopping. I think children will definitely get a kick out of reading about William Howard Taft's specially designed bathtub that could hold four men!
I have never read any other works of Judith St. George or from the illustrator, David Small. Both did an excellent job at combining their talents to create a great storybook that is entertaining and educational. I definitely want to check out some more of their work! This book helped me realize how important illustrations are to the overall effectiveness of story. The detailed, but comic-like illustrations helped create a storybook that had pictures that would appeal to a child and correlate smoothly with the story.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Corretta Scott King Award "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis
Curtis, Christopher P. Elijah of Buxton. Scholastic Press, 2007.
This is one of the best children's novels that I have ever read! I would pick it up now and easily read it once again! Elijah of Buxton is historical fiction that is set in 1860. The story revolves around an eleven year old boy named Elijah Freeman. He lives in Buxton, Canada, a town where slaves from the south are fleeing to for safety as they travel in the Underground Railroad. At the end of the book, the author even includes a brief summary about the actual Buxton settlement that was started in 1849 by Rev. William King.
I loved that this story kept me in suspense throughout the entire book. I couldn't put it down! I also loved the imagery and details that Curtis used to describe the slave treatment. At one point Elijah witnesses slaves hanging and secured to a wall in another town. You can almost close your eyes and see exactly what Elijah is seeing. The southern-style dialect that the author incorporates helps to establish an accurate representation of the culture. It brings such life to the story, but did slow down the reading process slightly. Sometimes I had to go back and read sentences a second time to decipher exactly what the words were suppose to be. That was actually the only downfall I had to the story.
I have read quite a few books and watched many movies depicting African American slavery. Many memories and images from these works flooded my mind as I read this book. It was almost as if I recognized Elijah and was familiar with the African American culture from this time period. The horrible slave treatment described in this book were very similiar to descriptions I had read and heard before.
I have read one other book by Curtis, which was Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963. It also addressed African American history, but focused on the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. However, both stories were written around main characters that were young African American boys.
Elijah of Buxton is for older children. I would recommend it for 5th grade and above. It is a story of hope and determination to surpass the most difficult obstacles that one may face. Elijah faces death, dishonest people, and the realities of slavery. This work helped me understand that children's literature can tackle difficult situations, such as slavery, and present it in a way that a child's mind can grasp.
I think this book was very deserving of the Corretta Scott King Award in 2008 and the Newbery Honor Award in 2008. It addresses diversity by helping the reader understand the horrors and difficulties that slaves faced in America. Elijah is a symbol of freedom to his town and helps readers realize that freedom is not something we should take for granted. This is a wonderful story to show children the importance of the Underground Railroad.
This is one of the best children's novels that I have ever read! I would pick it up now and easily read it once again! Elijah of Buxton is historical fiction that is set in 1860. The story revolves around an eleven year old boy named Elijah Freeman. He lives in Buxton, Canada, a town where slaves from the south are fleeing to for safety as they travel in the Underground Railroad. At the end of the book, the author even includes a brief summary about the actual Buxton settlement that was started in 1849 by Rev. William King.
I loved that this story kept me in suspense throughout the entire book. I couldn't put it down! I also loved the imagery and details that Curtis used to describe the slave treatment. At one point Elijah witnesses slaves hanging and secured to a wall in another town. You can almost close your eyes and see exactly what Elijah is seeing. The southern-style dialect that the author incorporates helps to establish an accurate representation of the culture. It brings such life to the story, but did slow down the reading process slightly. Sometimes I had to go back and read sentences a second time to decipher exactly what the words were suppose to be. That was actually the only downfall I had to the story.
I have read quite a few books and watched many movies depicting African American slavery. Many memories and images from these works flooded my mind as I read this book. It was almost as if I recognized Elijah and was familiar with the African American culture from this time period. The horrible slave treatment described in this book were very similiar to descriptions I had read and heard before.
I have read one other book by Curtis, which was Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963. It also addressed African American history, but focused on the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. However, both stories were written around main characters that were young African American boys.
Elijah of Buxton is for older children. I would recommend it for 5th grade and above. It is a story of hope and determination to surpass the most difficult obstacles that one may face. Elijah faces death, dishonest people, and the realities of slavery. This work helped me understand that children's literature can tackle difficult situations, such as slavery, and present it in a way that a child's mind can grasp.
I think this book was very deserving of the Corretta Scott King Award in 2008 and the Newbery Honor Award in 2008. It addresses diversity by helping the reader understand the horrors and difficulties that slaves faced in America. Elijah is a symbol of freedom to his town and helps readers realize that freedom is not something we should take for granted. This is a wonderful story to show children the importance of the Underground Railroad.
Newbery Medal "A Year Down Yonder" By Richard Peck
Peck, Richard. A Year Down Yonder. Dial Books, 2000.
A Year Down Yonder received the 2001 Newbery Medal Award. This story starts in the year 1937, while the U.S. economy is experiencing a recession. Times are very difficult and nearly 10 million people are out of work. Mary Alice is a 15 year old girl from Chicago and her parents have decided to send her to southern Illinois in order to live with her grandmother until times improve. The story is told from the perspective of Mary Alice after she becomes an adult. She has to adjust to the country lifestyle of the rural town where her grandmother lives. I enjoyed watched how Mary Alice's relationship with her grandmother is transformed throughout the book. Her lively grandmother definitely adds a spark of energy to the story and involves Mary Alice in some strange/funny situations. This story came to a surprising close by traveling forward a few years after Mary Alice has reached adulthood. She travels back to see her grandmother and share a very special moment with her.
Childhood memories of my own grandmother came flooding back to me as I read A Year Down Yonder. My grandmother was very similar to Mary Alice's Grandma Dowdel. They were both hard workers, wise with money, good cooks, helpful to people in the community, would say exactly what they thought, and were constantly getting into awkward situations. It was almost as if Peck modeled Grandma Dowdel exactly after my grandmother.I have never read any other books written by Richard Peck. I enjoyed this one so much, that I would love to read the book A Long Way From Chicago. A Year Down Yonder is actually the sequel to A Long Way From Chicago. This book reminds me of Cynthia Voigt's 1982 novel called Dicey's Song. Both novels revolve around grandmother characters that appear to be cold and emotionless. As the novels evolve, the granddaughters learn that their grandmothers are showing love for them in a different way.
After reading this story, I walked away with the realization of how important it is for authors to incorporate history into their stories. I loved how this story included important parts of American history, such as the Great Depression, the recession of 1937, the missing Amelia Earhart, WWII, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. Most of the time, students dread reading history from a textbook. However, they seem to enjoy history more when it is accurately placed within an actual story with life-like characters.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Caldecott VS. Newbery
Caldecott Award
The Caldecott Award began in 1938 and is awarded to illustrators of distinguished children's picture books. The award was named in honor of a 19th century illustrator named Randolph Caldecott. Each year the award is given to an illustrator of a book that was published in the previous year. This award is only given to children's books published within the United States. In order to receive this award, one must be a U.S. resident or citizen.The Caldecott Award committee uses the following criteria when selecting Caldecott Award and Honor books:
1. Excellent execution in artistic technique used
2. Excellent pictorial interpretation of the story, theme, or concept
3. Appropriate style of illustration to the story, theme, or concept
4. Proper delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting, mood or information through the illustrations
5. Excellent presentation designed for a child audience
Newbery Award
The Newbery Award committee considers the following criteria when selecting a book worthy of the Newbery Award or Honor:
1. Interpretation of the theme or concept
2. Information is presented in a manner that is accurate, clear, and organized
3. Plot development
4. Delineation of characters
5. Delineation of setting
6. Appropriate style
7. Designed for a child audience
Caldecott and Newbery Award Books
Both award committees decided that they would honor additional books that were worthy of recognition. These books are designated as runners-up or commonly known as "honor books."
In my opinion, one award is not more important than the other. Both award committees refer to the same definition of a "distinguished" book deserving of their award. According to the American Library Association website, both awards view distinguished books by the following criteria:
1. Marked by eminence and distinction
2. Marked by excellence in quality
3. Marked by conspicuous excellence or eminence
4. Individually distinct
The only major difference between the awards is that the Caldecott Award features an illustrator from a story book and the Newbery Award focuses on an author. Both awards have strict guidelines that were designed specifically to help in the selection of the highest quality of children's literature. We can depend upon these committees to only choose books that have earned the title of distinguished. Both awards are also sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children.
Caldecott Honor Book "Coming On Home Soon" by Jacqueline Woodson
Woodson, Jacqueline. Coming On Home Soon. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2004.
"Coming On Home Soon" was a Caldecott Honor book for 2005. The storybook is historical fiction based in WWII. Woodson writes through the perspective of a young African American girl named Ada Ruth. The girl's mother decides to travel to Chicago for work opportunities. While her mother is cleaning railroad cars in Chicago, Ada Ruth stays with her grandmother. Each day they eagerly wait for letters from Chicago. During her mother's absence from home, Ada Ruth develops a bond with a stray kitten. At the end of the story, Ada Ruth's mother writes home that she will be returning soon.
I loved the detailed illustrations by E.B. Lewis. I looked back through the book several times just to admire the illustrations. Lewis did a wonderful job depicting snowy landscapes and facial expressions that captured the emotions of each character. I also loved the sensory details from the story, like when the author describes how Ada Ruth recalls her mother's many scents. It is described "like sugar some days and some days like sun. Some days like the lye soap that turned her hands yellow but got the wash clean."
There were two things that I disliked about the book. First, I thought the story needed a location for the setting. I automatically assumed that it was in the south, due to the fact that Ada Ruth's mother was traveling north to Chicago. However, I think a historical fiction book such as this, needs to have a confirmed setting. I really wish the author would have named the state where they story was occurring, at least. Secondly, I disliked the fact that the author didn't use quotation marks. Instead, quotations were simply italicized. This could have been done for younger readers in order to emphasize the words being spoken. However, I still think that proper placement of quotations marks should have been used in coordination with the italicized wording.
A childhood memory of spending time with my grandmother on snowy days, influenced my reaction to this story. I could relate to the bond that Ada Ruth had with her grandmother and the love that they shared. I could also recognize that the grandmother was a hard worker, just as mine was. Her grandmother is depicted as carrying fire wood and even hunting animals.
This story reminds me of "Back Home" by Gloria Jean Pinkney. Both involve African American characters, have detailed illustrations that capture your attention, told through the perspective of young girls, and based in a similar time period. I have never read any other books written by Jacqueline Woodson.
After reading "Coming On Home Soon," I learned that recent books can be set in historic times and still have a storyline that appeals to the young readers of today. This story depicted life during WWII and was able to show readers how hard times were for some families. Ada Ruth's family had few belongings and little food. Readers are also able to recognize that Ada Ruth's mother took the initiative to go look for work in order to provide for her family. It is important that children understand how parents sacrifice and sometimes have to be away from their children in order to provide. This absence doesn't mean that the parents love their children any less.
"Coming On Home Soon" was a Caldecott Honor book for 2005. The storybook is historical fiction based in WWII. Woodson writes through the perspective of a young African American girl named Ada Ruth. The girl's mother decides to travel to Chicago for work opportunities. While her mother is cleaning railroad cars in Chicago, Ada Ruth stays with her grandmother. Each day they eagerly wait for letters from Chicago. During her mother's absence from home, Ada Ruth develops a bond with a stray kitten. At the end of the story, Ada Ruth's mother writes home that she will be returning soon.
I loved the detailed illustrations by E.B. Lewis. I looked back through the book several times just to admire the illustrations. Lewis did a wonderful job depicting snowy landscapes and facial expressions that captured the emotions of each character. I also loved the sensory details from the story, like when the author describes how Ada Ruth recalls her mother's many scents. It is described "like sugar some days and some days like sun. Some days like the lye soap that turned her hands yellow but got the wash clean."
There were two things that I disliked about the book. First, I thought the story needed a location for the setting. I automatically assumed that it was in the south, due to the fact that Ada Ruth's mother was traveling north to Chicago. However, I think a historical fiction book such as this, needs to have a confirmed setting. I really wish the author would have named the state where they story was occurring, at least. Secondly, I disliked the fact that the author didn't use quotation marks. Instead, quotations were simply italicized. This could have been done for younger readers in order to emphasize the words being spoken. However, I still think that proper placement of quotations marks should have been used in coordination with the italicized wording.
A childhood memory of spending time with my grandmother on snowy days, influenced my reaction to this story. I could relate to the bond that Ada Ruth had with her grandmother and the love that they shared. I could also recognize that the grandmother was a hard worker, just as mine was. Her grandmother is depicted as carrying fire wood and even hunting animals.
This story reminds me of "Back Home" by Gloria Jean Pinkney. Both involve African American characters, have detailed illustrations that capture your attention, told through the perspective of young girls, and based in a similar time period. I have never read any other books written by Jacqueline Woodson.
After reading "Coming On Home Soon," I learned that recent books can be set in historic times and still have a storyline that appeals to the young readers of today. This story depicted life during WWII and was able to show readers how hard times were for some families. Ada Ruth's family had few belongings and little food. Readers are also able to recognize that Ada Ruth's mother took the initiative to go look for work in order to provide for her family. It is important that children understand how parents sacrifice and sometimes have to be away from their children in order to provide. This absence doesn't mean that the parents love their children any less.
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