Encounter

Encounter
by Jane Yolen
Illustrated by David Shannon

In this book, Jane Yolen tells the story of Christopher Columbus, from a young native American's perspective. The Island that Christopher Columbus landed on in San Salvador was inhabited by the Taino people.

I really enjoyed this unique perspective, and can imagine using this book as a part of a social studies unit. I thought it was interesting that in the illustrator's notes at the end of the book, Shannon shared that he struggled a bit with the illustrations. He explained that "as far as we know, the native people wore no clothing, so I was faced with the problem of how to represent them without offending those who object to nudity in a children's book." In the end, he chose to illustrate the natives with a cloth covering. As we analyzed controversial books earlier this semester, it is interesting to learn a little bit about one illustrators struggles with dealing with this potential controversy.

In general, I am not a fan of David Shannon's illustrations. The illustrations in this book, however, evoke a mysterious and dark emotion, which I believe fits the narrative in this book well.

Piggins

Piggins
by, Jane Yolen
Illustrated by, Jane Dyer

In this story, it is Piggins, Mr. and Mrs. Reynard's butler, who solves the mystery of the missing diamond lavaliere. When the lavaliere is stolen during a very elegant dinner party, Piggins spots all the clues and solves the mystery.

The dialogue in this story evokes the image of formality from another era. I hear this book being read with an English accent. The story may introduce children to new vocabulary, using words like "lavaliere," "motorcar," "scullery," "balderdash" and "poppycock." The story includes many characters, each illustrated in great detail by Jane Dyer. A tortoise (Professor T. Ortoise), Lady and Lord Ratsby (rats), Inspector Baywater (hound dog), Mr. and Mrs. Reynard (foxes) and Piggins (pig butler) are just a few. The detailed illustrations add a great deal to the story, and readers may find themselves looking for clues in the illustrations.

I think this would be a fun story to read with children when working on developing the skill of using predictions while reading. Throughout the story, clues can be found in the text and illustrations that may help readers predict who the lavaliere thief is.

So Far From the Bamboo Grove

So Far From the Bamboo Grove
by, Yoko Kawashima Watkins

This book tells the story of 11 year old Yoko and her Korean family, fleeing from Japan during World War II. This emotional and heart-wrenching account of Yoko's journey provides readers with a unique insight into one family's experiences during this troubling time.

I thought this was a very powerful book, and I found myself marveling at the resilience of children and families in the face of trauma. This was an emotional book to read, and although I "enjoyed" it-- I couldn't put it down-- it definitely left me feeling sad for children who are forced to endure such hardships. I also felt extremely thankful and fortunate that my family has not suffered in this way.

My son is very interested in World War II, and I told him that I was reading this book for class. I thought he might find it interesting, but I warned him that it is very sad. He replied, "What about World War II isn't sad?" While this is true, I think the fact that this story is told from a child's perspective makes it even more personal and emotional.

Glogster

Midterm reflection

I have truly enjoyed this class so far. I love children's literature, and honestly love having an excuse to read it every week! I especially have enjoyed reading "The Giver" and "The Misfits." Because I have children of my own, I feel fairly familiar with a great deal of picture books. However, I have been "out of the loop" regarding current children's literature for older students. I'm looking forward to reading the next set of novels selected for this class.

I never dreamed I would be a blogger. While I wouldn't say that I "enjoy" blogging, I am thankful for being forced into this experience. I believe that this will be a useful tool that I may be able to utilize as a teacher, and I am grateful that I have had this opportunity. I'm having a fearful response to the upcoming "glog" assignment, although I anticipate in the end I will be grateful for that opportunity as well!

This class has helped me to be a more critical reader of children's literature. As I prepare to teach, I hope to use the information from this class to help me to make wise, thoughtful decisions building my classroom library and guiding my students through their own reading experiences.

The Ballad of The Pirate Queens

The Ballad of the Pirate Queens
by Jane Yolen
illustrated by David Shannon

This pirate picture book tells the story of Anne Bonney and Mary Reade, women pirates who sailed with Calico Jack on the pirate ship "Vanity." I was intrigued by this story, realizing that I have never heard or read a book about women pirates. I was mildly bothered that they were captured in the end, and used their pregnancies to escape death. However, when I read the author's note and learned that this was actually a true story, my criticisms ceased.

Again, Jane Yolen shares her knack for poetry and verse in this story. As I read the words, I could "hear" a pirates voice in my head. I would definitely want to work on my pirate accent before doing this as a read aloud with students!

The illustrations in this story capture the essence of pirates and ships. The dark, eerie images definitely set the mood for the story.

Hoptoad

Hoptoad
by Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Karen Lee Schmidt

This is a simple, fun rhyming story for young children. It depicts a hoptoad (along with a lizard and a turtle) hopping across the road. Along comes a a truck, and hoptoad just might be in trouble! The words in the story state: Truck coming. Heavy load. Toad hop. Toad hop! Oh no- don't stop. Here comes toad-al disaster.

As I read this book, I can imagine a group of young children engaged in the reading. "Toad hop! toad hop!" The illustrations are cute, and kids will be cheering for the little hoptoad by the end of this story.

As I read Jane Yolen's books, I am struck by the enormous variety in her stories. It is hard for me to believe that the same women writing "Hoptoad" and "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?" wrote "Briar Rose" a novel about the holocaust.

I have truly been enjoying this author study, and I think Yolen's diversity of style and types of books might inspire young writers to explore different genres in their own writing.

Grandad Bill's Song

Grandad Bill's Song
by Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Melissa Bay Mathis

Well, I cried as I read this story. (For the record, I cry easily... but.. this one really got to me.) A young boy asks his family members what they did on the day his grandfather died. Each shares their special relationship with his grandfather, and Yolen simply, and poetically describes the many emotions surrounding death.

I thought this book was beautifully written. Simple, and straight forward- yet full of emotion. The illustrations depict the young boy talking with his family members, as well as photo album images of his grandfather in earlier years.

This would be a great book to share with young children coping with issues of death and loss.

Water Music

Water Music
by Jane yolen
Photographs by Jason Stemple

Water Music is a collection of poetry for children, written by Jane Yolen, and inspired by the photography of Jason Stemple.

I enjoyed this book of poetry, all with a "water" theme. Jane Yolen certainly has a poetic way with words, and her poems in this book cover a wide range of styles and different poetic verses. The photography is beautiful, and it is easy to see how these photographs inspired the lyrics in this book.

The last page of this book includes a "note from the author." In this note, Yolen explains that "normally a picture book grows text first and illustrations afterward." She continues to explain that for this book, she "responded poetically to the pictures he gave me." As I read her notes, I immediately thought that this would be a great book to share, along with her author's notes, with a class when encouraging students to explore poetry in their writing. I can imagine an activity where students gather their own photographs, or look through provided photographs, and begin to write their own poetic verse.

The Seeing Stick

The Seeing Stick
by, Jane Yolen
illustrated by, Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini

This picture book by Jane Yolen tells the story of an emperor's daughter, who was blind, and saddened that she could not see the world and enjoy the things around her. The emperor calls people from all around to help find a cure for his daughter. Many people came- monks, doctors, magician priests- but no one could help the young princess. An old man with a long walking stick came to help the princess. He explained to the guards that his stick was a "seeing stick" and that it would help the princess to see. In the end, the man carves beautiful images in the stick that the princess can feel with her hands. Feeling the stick, she learns to use her hands to feel faces, her own hair, and the world around her. She then can "see" the world in her own way.

The illustrations in this book are amazing. It begins in black and white, with gradual color being added as the old man enters the story, and the princess slowly begins to learn to "see." The color pages are printed on sturdy, glossy paper, with the images embossed on the page. Readers can feel the images, as well as enjoying the vibrant colors.

I enjoyed the extra information included in the book about names in the Chinese culture. The author shares that the princesses name "Hwei Ming" means "the lightless moon on the last day of the month (Hwei) and "becoming luminous" (Ming).

Briar Rose

Briar Rose
by, Jane Yolen

The cover of this book explains, "The Bright Tale of Sleeping Beuty, The Dark Tale of the Holocaust- Twined together in a story you will never forget."

I believe this to be true. I will never forget this story! I was intrigued by this concept- a fairy tale version of the holocaust? Before I began reading this book, I thought this would be an impossible combination.

The main character in this book, Becca, seeks to discover more about the mystery's of her grandmother's life. Her grandmother ("Gemma") shared a unique version of the fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty" to Becca throughout her childhood. Gemma's dying words to Becca were "I was the princess in the castle in the sleeping woods. And there came a great dark mist and we all fell asleep. But the prince kissed me awake. Only me. Promise me you will find the castle. Promise me you will find the prince. Promise me you will find the maker of the spells." And so, Becca begins her quest, and it leads her to a deep and powerful account of the holocaust.

I couldn't put this book down. The book seems to be part fairy tale, part mystery, part historical fiction. The accounts of the holocaust are graphic and painful. Certainly not a book for young, young children. However, I found it to be very engaging, and the story might help teenagers and young adults to gain some sense of the horrors of the holocaust.

The Misfits

The Misfits
by, James Howe

I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought the characters were interesting, and I quickly felt connected to each of them. As I read the story, I felt so happy for this group of kids- primarily because they had one another. I found myself frequently thinking about how difficult middle school/junior high can be for kids, especially the "misfits." Too often, kids who feel like they don't quite fit in feel isolated and alone. I thought that this book did a nice job articulating what true friendship entails. I think this book would be very empowering for students as they go through the awkward years of adolescence.

I enjoyed the style of the writing in this book, with the main character Bobby frequently addressing the reader directly. I thought this slightly unique approach to sharing the story made the book even more engaging.

Although this book is sometimes considered controversial, I would have no qualms about having students in my classroom (if I were teaching middle school) reading this book. Although some individuals may struggle with the issues of homosexuality presented in this book, I believe that it is our jobs as teachers to make school a safe and welcoming place for ALL students. I think the messages taught in this book will help to foster this kind of environment.

Uncle What-Is-It is Coming to Visit

Uncle What-Is-It is Coming to Visit!!
by, Michael Willhoite

I liked this book primarily because it illustrates the importance of open communication between parents and their children. As I read several different "controversial" books for this assignment, it occurs to me that as adults, we often create controversy and inadvertently fuel feelings of uneasiness by our own responses to "controversial" topics. Children are typically much more comfortable with a matter of fact discussion, and I think adults tend to make these issues more complicated. When the children in this story ask what "gay" means, "mom's eyes popped wide open, as black smoke started billowing out of the kitchen." She dashed to the stove, and never answered the kid's question. I think this scenario probably occurs many times in families in our society. Unfortunately, when this happens, kids go out into the world, and get their information from other uninformed children or information based upon stereotypes and misunderstandings.

At the end of this story, when Uncle Brett explains to the children "gay men are just guys who fall in love with each other instead of women," the children clearly understand that this isn't such a big deal. I think the last page of this book provides good information for parents who might struggle to know how to talk about sexuality issues.

I struggled the most with the use of the words "fag" and "queer" in this book. On the one hand, including these words could help parents to engage their children in a meaningful conversation about the harmful effects of using hateful language and name-calling. However, I must admit I squirm when I read these words in a children's book.

Like many of the controversial books I read, I think the manner in which this book is presented to children will make all the difference.

Mommy Laid An Egg

Mommy Laid an Egg
by, Babette Cole

This is a humorous picture book explaining to children the answer to the question "where do babies come from?" The children in this book already know the answer, and they laugh when their parents present them with ridiculous explanations.

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I think the humorous style of this book would help parents to discuss this topic with their children in a relaxed manner. The topic of sex can be very uncomfortable for parents and children alike, and presenting accurate information, without being incredibly serious and uptight about it all, can help lay the foundation for years of healthy and open communication between parents and their children. However, I would not be truthful if I didn't admit that the page with illustrations depicting the various ways that parents might "fit together"doesn't make me a tad uncomfortable. This being said, I do think I would be willing to share this book with my own children. I truly believe that children need to have accurate information about this subject, and I believe that creating an open and safe environment for kids to ask questions and talk about sex will help children to grow up to have healthy relationships.

I realized as I read this book that there are probably many controversial books that I would feel comfortable sharing with my own children, but would be unlikely to present to students in my classroom. This is one of these books. I would be interested to here what others think about this.