Who's that Knocking on Christmas Eve?
Jan Brent
Traditional literature
Penguin Young Publishers (2002)
k-3
This book begins when a boy from Finnmark smelled smoke in the distance while on a journey with a polar bear to Oslo. The boy is very cold and hungry so he heads toward the house for warmth. He knocks softly on the door. Inside the house there is a girl named Kyri baking. she is nervous about opening the door because in the past a pack of trolls have broken in and eaten all their Christmas food. She is pleasantly surprised to see the boy and his polar bear. She tells the boy about the trolls and that her father has gone out to try to stop the trolls. The boy does not fear the trolls. Soon after, the trolls came banging on the door. The two barricaded the door and lock the window but the trolls manage to get in through the cellar. they stuffed themselves with the food until one of the trolls unwisely burnt the nose of the polar bear which he thought was a cat. the polar bear angrily ran the trolls off. The girl's father returned and the three made the best of the food that was left. A year later One of the Trolls asked Kyri if she still had that kitty. She informed them that the kitty had grown into a cat and had more kittens. the troll said that they would not be visiting this year if that was the case.
This story was based on a Norwegian folk tale from long ago. I thing that this book could be used to teach students about folklore as well as life so far north. The book could also be used to tell the students about the Northern Lights that were mentioned in the book. I really liked this book. it was entertaining and funny. Those trolls had a hack of a time with that BIG kitty. I also liked how the trolls were portrayed as pesky not evil. This is important to note because things that look different from us are often portrayed as evil.
The background of these double page illustrations were airbrushed by Joseph Hearne and the rest of the illustrations were done in watercolor. These Illustrations were very pretty. the detail was amazing and the trolls were even kind of cute despite their behavior. I feel that the illustrations added to the story but I defiantly feel that this book could have been quite effective without the help of illustrations.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Paper Crane
The Paper Crane
Bang, Molly
Folklore
Harper Collins Publishers (1987)
k-3
The paper crane is a fantastic story about restaurant owner who loved working in his restaurant and was very happy until a new road was built and customers stopped coming to his restaurant. Soon he became sad and poor. One day and old many with a gentle manner came into the restaurant and the owner fed him a feast even though he could not afford to pay for his meal. Instead of giving him money he made a paper crane and told the owner to clap his hands and the crane would come to life. The owner clapped his hands and the crane came to life as the man said. Soon his restaurant was busy again with people who came to see the dancing crane. One day the old man returned and flew away with the crane but the owners business remained.
Bang did a wonderful job creating this mystical story thats part fantasy and part reality. I think that children would absolutely eat this book up. this would be an excellent book to use to introduce children to the Japanese art form of origami which was used to create the crane. A teacher could even teach students how to make origami. This book teaches compassion for others though the owners willingness to feed the old man when he new he could not pay him. This is a good point to bring across to students.
The double page illustrations in this book are photographs taken by Ned Manter of full-color art cutouts by Molly Bang. this unique technique is amazing. The illustrations are so spectacular that I could barely take my eyes off of them. I think this art form would be a cool activity to teach children. Molly Bang is the full package in my opinion. She writes amazing stories and does incredible art work.
Bang, Molly
Folklore
Harper Collins Publishers (1987)
k-3
The paper crane is a fantastic story about restaurant owner who loved working in his restaurant and was very happy until a new road was built and customers stopped coming to his restaurant. Soon he became sad and poor. One day and old many with a gentle manner came into the restaurant and the owner fed him a feast even though he could not afford to pay for his meal. Instead of giving him money he made a paper crane and told the owner to clap his hands and the crane would come to life. The owner clapped his hands and the crane came to life as the man said. Soon his restaurant was busy again with people who came to see the dancing crane. One day the old man returned and flew away with the crane but the owners business remained.
Bang did a wonderful job creating this mystical story thats part fantasy and part reality. I think that children would absolutely eat this book up. this would be an excellent book to use to introduce children to the Japanese art form of origami which was used to create the crane. A teacher could even teach students how to make origami. This book teaches compassion for others though the owners willingness to feed the old man when he new he could not pay him. This is a good point to bring across to students.
The double page illustrations in this book are photographs taken by Ned Manter of full-color art cutouts by Molly Bang. this unique technique is amazing. The illustrations are so spectacular that I could barely take my eyes off of them. I think this art form would be a cool activity to teach children. Molly Bang is the full package in my opinion. She writes amazing stories and does incredible art work.
The Shaman's Apprentice
The Shaman's Apprentice
Cherry, Lynne
Plotkin, Mark
Realistic Fiction, multicultural
Hardcourt Children's Books (2001)
k-3
The Shaman's Apprentice is about a young boy named Kamanya who lived in the Trio Native Village of Kwamala in the Amazon rain forest. When Kamanya was a boy his life was saved by Natahlah tha medicine man also known as the shaman. Shaman were highly regarded in their society because of there vast knowledge of herbs and medicines that were used to heal people. One day a man with a mysterious illness came to the village from another village and told them that white men had come to their village in search of gold and had given them all the dreadful illness. The man soon died but not before spreading the illness to others in the village. the Shaman could not figure out hoe to cure the disease. One day white missionaries came to the village and gave them pills that cured their illness which they called malaria. The village did not respect the shaman as much any more because he could not cure the malaria. One day a woman named Gabriela came to the village and told them that the pills that the missionaries gave them were derived from a plant in the amazon. this information caused the tribe to respect the Shaman again. Gabriela wrote a book about Natahlahs healing medicines and skills. The village elders chose Kamanya to be the shamans apprentice.
I found this book a little cheesy. It had too many predictable out comes for my tastes. I also did not like how the author referred to the tribe as Indians. I think she should have referred to them as Natives to the Amazon because they were not Indians from India. I think the name Indian is a derogatory term for Natives of the Americas and should not be used in literature meant to inform children. Despite this, the book does shed light on how instrumental medicines in the rain forest have been on modern medicine. This fact could help break down stereotypes that suggest that natives are privative and inferior. I am glad that she made the ethnobotanist character a woman because I agree with Cherry in that children should know that women to can be scientific role models.
In my opinion the illustrations were the best part of the whole book. The double page illustrations had bursts of color that filled the whole page. The Illustrations painted with watercolor using great detail. the illustrations saved the book because they were the only thing that really held my interest throughout the whole book. This book would be much less interesting without the illustrations.
Cherry, Lynne
Plotkin, Mark
Realistic Fiction, multicultural
Hardcourt Children's Books (2001)
k-3
The Shaman's Apprentice is about a young boy named Kamanya who lived in the Trio Native Village of Kwamala in the Amazon rain forest. When Kamanya was a boy his life was saved by Natahlah tha medicine man also known as the shaman. Shaman were highly regarded in their society because of there vast knowledge of herbs and medicines that were used to heal people. One day a man with a mysterious illness came to the village from another village and told them that white men had come to their village in search of gold and had given them all the dreadful illness. The man soon died but not before spreading the illness to others in the village. the Shaman could not figure out hoe to cure the disease. One day white missionaries came to the village and gave them pills that cured their illness which they called malaria. The village did not respect the shaman as much any more because he could not cure the malaria. One day a woman named Gabriela came to the village and told them that the pills that the missionaries gave them were derived from a plant in the amazon. this information caused the tribe to respect the Shaman again. Gabriela wrote a book about Natahlahs healing medicines and skills. The village elders chose Kamanya to be the shamans apprentice.
I found this book a little cheesy. It had too many predictable out comes for my tastes. I also did not like how the author referred to the tribe as Indians. I think she should have referred to them as Natives to the Amazon because they were not Indians from India. I think the name Indian is a derogatory term for Natives of the Americas and should not be used in literature meant to inform children. Despite this, the book does shed light on how instrumental medicines in the rain forest have been on modern medicine. This fact could help break down stereotypes that suggest that natives are privative and inferior. I am glad that she made the ethnobotanist character a woman because I agree with Cherry in that children should know that women to can be scientific role models.
In my opinion the illustrations were the best part of the whole book. The double page illustrations had bursts of color that filled the whole page. The Illustrations painted with watercolor using great detail. the illustrations saved the book because they were the only thing that really held my interest throughout the whole book. This book would be much less interesting without the illustrations.
Baseball Saved Us
Baseball Saved Us
Mochizuki, Ken
Lee Dom
Lee & Low Books, Inc. (1995)
Realistic fiction, Multicultural
K-3
Baseball Saved Us began with the author's note which gave the reader background information on how Japanese Americans were unfairly forced into internment camps During world war two because their fellow citizens did not trust them. the story begins with a young Japanese American boy who is living in an internment camp. his father tells him that it is wrong that they are forced to live there. The boy thinks back to when Pearl Harbor was attacked and how he was called names and how sad his mother was when they had to leave there home and trow away many of their belongings. then he tells the reader about their cramped and unpleasant living conditions and how he had trouble sleeping. One day his brother Teddy talked back to his father in a very disrespectful way and this made his father decide that the camp needed to play baseball. the men dug out a baseball field while the women made uniforms out of mattress covers. Their friends from back home sent bats, balls, and gloves for them to use. Once the field was complete they formed teams and began playing. He remarked that playing baseball in the camps was easier that at home because most of the boys in the camp were his size. None the less, he still struggled until one day he decided that he was not going to let the guard who was always watching him see him defeated and he made a home run. After the war, he and his family were finally able to go home. But they still were not accepted and he was called names and had to eat lunch by himself. He played baseball when he returned home but it was once again harder because he was still smaller and he faced pregidous because he was Japanese. he was finally able to succeed at baseball when he imagined that the pitcher was that same guard.
Sadly, many children do not know the great injustice that was done to Japanese Americans during world war two by our country. I believe that children should be taught about the past so the same mistakes will not be made twice. Reading this book to students or having them read it themselves would be a wonderful way to inform them about this stain on our country's history. I think that children could easily identify with this boy's struggles because some of his struggles such as his difficulty playing a sport is not uncommon at all. This book also teaches students about tolerance and that you cannot judge someone simply by how they look or what descent they are.
The illustrations are absolutely amazing. they are made by firs etching the images into beeswax then by adding oil paint. the copy right page tells that some of the images were inspired by real photos from an internment camp. the time and detail Lee put into these single an double page illustrations show how important it must have been to him to illustrate this story in a way that would capture the readers attention. Lee defiantly succeeded in capturing my attention and they make the book much better.
Mochizuki, Ken
Lee Dom
Lee & Low Books, Inc. (1995)
Realistic fiction, Multicultural
K-3
Baseball Saved Us began with the author's note which gave the reader background information on how Japanese Americans were unfairly forced into internment camps During world war two because their fellow citizens did not trust them. the story begins with a young Japanese American boy who is living in an internment camp. his father tells him that it is wrong that they are forced to live there. The boy thinks back to when Pearl Harbor was attacked and how he was called names and how sad his mother was when they had to leave there home and trow away many of their belongings. then he tells the reader about their cramped and unpleasant living conditions and how he had trouble sleeping. One day his brother Teddy talked back to his father in a very disrespectful way and this made his father decide that the camp needed to play baseball. the men dug out a baseball field while the women made uniforms out of mattress covers. Their friends from back home sent bats, balls, and gloves for them to use. Once the field was complete they formed teams and began playing. He remarked that playing baseball in the camps was easier that at home because most of the boys in the camp were his size. None the less, he still struggled until one day he decided that he was not going to let the guard who was always watching him see him defeated and he made a home run. After the war, he and his family were finally able to go home. But they still were not accepted and he was called names and had to eat lunch by himself. He played baseball when he returned home but it was once again harder because he was still smaller and he faced pregidous because he was Japanese. he was finally able to succeed at baseball when he imagined that the pitcher was that same guard.
Sadly, many children do not know the great injustice that was done to Japanese Americans during world war two by our country. I believe that children should be taught about the past so the same mistakes will not be made twice. Reading this book to students or having them read it themselves would be a wonderful way to inform them about this stain on our country's history. I think that children could easily identify with this boy's struggles because some of his struggles such as his difficulty playing a sport is not uncommon at all. This book also teaches students about tolerance and that you cannot judge someone simply by how they look or what descent they are.
The illustrations are absolutely amazing. they are made by firs etching the images into beeswax then by adding oil paint. the copy right page tells that some of the images were inspired by real photos from an internment camp. the time and detail Lee put into these single an double page illustrations show how important it must have been to him to illustrate this story in a way that would capture the readers attention. Lee defiantly succeeded in capturing my attention and they make the book much better.
Madam President
Madam President
Thimmesh, Catherine
Jones, Douglas
Collective Biographies
Houghton Mifflin Company(2008)
4-5
Madam President is a clever and informative book about a young girl's desire to become the President of the United States and the history of women in politics. The book begins with a young girl proclaiming that she will be the President of the United States when she grows up. She is laughed at and told that she cannot be the President because she is a girl. Then the reader learns about the contributions women have made throughout the world in politics. From Abigail Adams to Benazir Bhutto, we learn about first ladies, senators, congresswomen, Secretaries of state, Supreme Court Justices Vice Presidential candidates, and world leaders all of whom were women. Throughout the book there are tid bits about how few women in America are leaders and facts like America is ranked 52nd in the world when it comes to women in politics. The girl is able to convince her friends that it doesn't matter if she is a girl because she can be the President and that there are no laws to stop her from fulfilling her dreams. At the end of the book there is a time line of women in politics.
The minny Biographies about women in politics are very informative and taught me allot about these women I was previously unaware of many of these women's contributions and accomplishments. The Biographies are a lesson with in them selves because so many of the women in this book are rarely mentioned in history books and they are definitely not portrayed with such importance. this book teaches students that women are very capable of being leaders and that many women have been and are current leaders. This book mixes facts from history with the ambitions of a young girl which I feel would help young readers identify with the book. The only criticism I have for the book is that the book would be more informative if the biographies were longer and more detailed.
The single and double page illustrations were drawn with pencil and the color was applied using photo shop. The digital coloring of the photos gave them a very unique look which captured my attention right away. Jones did an excellent job illustrating the girls disappointment and frustration with our society's stereotypes for women. He also captured her determination. There is also a collage of the white house that is made up entirely of tiny photos of women and young girls which was like nothing I had ever seen.
Thimmesh, Catherine
Jones, Douglas
Collective Biographies
Houghton Mifflin Company(2008)
4-5
Madam President is a clever and informative book about a young girl's desire to become the President of the United States and the history of women in politics. The book begins with a young girl proclaiming that she will be the President of the United States when she grows up. She is laughed at and told that she cannot be the President because she is a girl. Then the reader learns about the contributions women have made throughout the world in politics. From Abigail Adams to Benazir Bhutto, we learn about first ladies, senators, congresswomen, Secretaries of state, Supreme Court Justices Vice Presidential candidates, and world leaders all of whom were women. Throughout the book there are tid bits about how few women in America are leaders and facts like America is ranked 52nd in the world when it comes to women in politics. The girl is able to convince her friends that it doesn't matter if she is a girl because she can be the President and that there are no laws to stop her from fulfilling her dreams. At the end of the book there is a time line of women in politics.
The minny Biographies about women in politics are very informative and taught me allot about these women I was previously unaware of many of these women's contributions and accomplishments. The Biographies are a lesson with in them selves because so many of the women in this book are rarely mentioned in history books and they are definitely not portrayed with such importance. this book teaches students that women are very capable of being leaders and that many women have been and are current leaders. This book mixes facts from history with the ambitions of a young girl which I feel would help young readers identify with the book. The only criticism I have for the book is that the book would be more informative if the biographies were longer and more detailed.
The single and double page illustrations were drawn with pencil and the color was applied using photo shop. The digital coloring of the photos gave them a very unique look which captured my attention right away. Jones did an excellent job illustrating the girls disappointment and frustration with our society's stereotypes for women. He also captured her determination. There is also a collage of the white house that is made up entirely of tiny photos of women and young girls which was like nothing I had ever seen.
responce to Goose
Goose
Molly Bang
animal fantasy
Book Wholesalers, Incorporated (2008)
K-3
Goose is a children's picture book about a goose who while still unhatched in an egg, rolled out of it's nest and into a woodchuck den. The woodchuck family welcomes the goose and raises it as if it were a woodchuck. The woodchucks teach the goose all of the skills a woodchuck would need to know to survive such as, burrowing, swimming, and building a damn. Even though the woodchucks loved the goose and treated her like the same as an of the other young woodchucks, she felt different. She was very sad and none of the woodchucks or her friends could make her happy. One day the goose set off on her own to discover the world on her own. After leaving her home, the goose became very sad and lonely. One night during her journey, she fell of the side of a cliff. While she was struggling to survive, she discovered something about herself. She discovered that she could fly. Then she flew home happily.
This book would be an excellent tool to use to teach young students about tolerance and self acceptance. Even though the goose looked very different from the woodchucks they accepted the goose into their family. this could be used to help children understand that appearances and skin color should not be considered when evaluating someone. Children need to learn early not to discriminate when choosing their friends. this book also teaches the positive message that we should love who we are even if we look or act different. In the beginning of the book the goose let his appearance make him feel out of place with his family even though they loved him very much. The goose had to leave everything she loved in order to realize that it made no difference if she looked very different from his family.
Molly Bang's illustrations appear to be done in water color. The single and double page illustrations do an excellent job of complimenting the story. The dark, somber colors that are used for the portions of the book that the goose is sad and lonely help the reader to understand the goose's plight. Also, the cute and cuddly drawings of the goose help the reader to sympathize with the character. I also liked hot there were several illustrations on a few pages. This gave the book a movie effect where you were seeing the story move in time. This is an adorable and inspiring book the has many beneficial qualities for the classroom.
Molly Bang
animal fantasy
Book Wholesalers, Incorporated (2008)
K-3
Goose is a children's picture book about a goose who while still unhatched in an egg, rolled out of it's nest and into a woodchuck den. The woodchuck family welcomes the goose and raises it as if it were a woodchuck. The woodchucks teach the goose all of the skills a woodchuck would need to know to survive such as, burrowing, swimming, and building a damn. Even though the woodchucks loved the goose and treated her like the same as an of the other young woodchucks, she felt different. She was very sad and none of the woodchucks or her friends could make her happy. One day the goose set off on her own to discover the world on her own. After leaving her home, the goose became very sad and lonely. One night during her journey, she fell of the side of a cliff. While she was struggling to survive, she discovered something about herself. She discovered that she could fly. Then she flew home happily.
This book would be an excellent tool to use to teach young students about tolerance and self acceptance. Even though the goose looked very different from the woodchucks they accepted the goose into their family. this could be used to help children understand that appearances and skin color should not be considered when evaluating someone. Children need to learn early not to discriminate when choosing their friends. this book also teaches the positive message that we should love who we are even if we look or act different. In the beginning of the book the goose let his appearance make him feel out of place with his family even though they loved him very much. The goose had to leave everything she loved in order to realize that it made no difference if she looked very different from his family.
Molly Bang's illustrations appear to be done in water color. The single and double page illustrations do an excellent job of complimenting the story. The dark, somber colors that are used for the portions of the book that the goose is sad and lonely help the reader to understand the goose's plight. Also, the cute and cuddly drawings of the goose help the reader to sympathize with the character. I also liked hot there were several illustrations on a few pages. This gave the book a movie effect where you were seeing the story move in time. This is an adorable and inspiring book the has many beneficial qualities for the classroom.
Monday, February 25, 2008
The Princess Night
The Princess Night
Funk, Cornelia
Meyer, Kristin
fantasy
Scholastic Inc. (2005)
K-3
The Princess Night is an enchanting book about a princess named Violetta that was raised by her father the king after her mother died. Violetta that three brothers who were taught how to ride, joust, and give orders like all good princes should. Violetta’s father decided to teach Violetta all of the tasks and lessons he taught his sons because those were the lessons he was taught. Violetta’s brothers made fun of her riding and jousting abilities because she was small and a girl. They called her “Itsy-Bitsy Little Vi.” Violetta quickly tiered of being teased and decided to take the matter into her own hands. She snuck out at night and practiced tirelessly until she had mastered the skills. All was well until the King informed Violetta that he was holding a jousting competition and the prize would be Violetta’s hand in marriage. Violetta was only sixteen and she did not want to be forced to marry someone not of her choice. Once again Violetta took the matter into her own hands and dressed up as a man and one the competition herself. Violetta proclaimed that she would not marry until she found a man that could beat her in jousting. From that moment on she had her father and brother’s respect.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Responce to the Pirate Girl
The Pirate Girl
Funk, Cornelia
Meyer, Kristin
fantasy
Scholastic Inc. (2005)
K-5
The Pirate Girl is a humorous book about a feisty girl named Molly who is kidnapped by a gang of pirates on a ship named the Horrible Haddock while she was on her way to see her grandmother. Molly refused to give her captures her parent's names and address so they can collect a ransom. All she will tell them is that her mother's name would scare them. The pirates make her do chore after chore in order to get her to talk. Molly refuses to give in. Instead, she throws bottles in the ocean that have messages inside them. One day the pirates caught her throwing a bottle in the ocean. At the same time, a pirate ship appears full of female pirates. The pirates aboard the Horrible Haddok immediately recognize the leader of the female pirates as Barbarous Bertha. Molly informs the pirates that Bertha is her mother an that they are in big trouble. In the end Molly was able to continue her trip to her grandmother's and Barbarous Bertha forces the crew of the Horrible Haddock to do the same grueling chores Molly had done.
This is really cool book. I like that Cornelia Funk's books show young girls and women as smart and powerful. Molly was not portrayed as the damsel in distress as she waited helplessly for someone to save her. Instead she kept her wit and saved herself by sending her mother messages. Furthermore, Molly did not have to be saved by a man. Instead, she was saved by strong and powerful women. I think this book would be an excellent book to use to teach children about gender roles and to help break down stereotypes about how women act and what they are capable of. I think that children need to be taught early that women can be as strong and capable as men.
This book was a joy to read largely because of the illustrations by Meyer. There is no information about the illustration in the book or on the Chicken House web site but they appear to have been drawn in pen then colored with water color. The double page Illustrations use a mixture of vibrant colors that really capture the reader’s interest and set the humorous mood of the book. I defiantly enjoyed this book and will incorporate it into my classroom.
Funk, Cornelia
Meyer, Kristin
fantasy
Scholastic Inc. (2005)
K-5
The Pirate Girl is a humorous book about a feisty girl named Molly who is kidnapped by a gang of pirates on a ship named the Horrible Haddock while she was on her way to see her grandmother. Molly refused to give her captures her parent's names and address so they can collect a ransom. All she will tell them is that her mother's name would scare them. The pirates make her do chore after chore in order to get her to talk. Molly refuses to give in. Instead, she throws bottles in the ocean that have messages inside them. One day the pirates caught her throwing a bottle in the ocean. At the same time, a pirate ship appears full of female pirates. The pirates aboard the Horrible Haddok immediately recognize the leader of the female pirates as Barbarous Bertha. Molly informs the pirates that Bertha is her mother an that they are in big trouble. In the end Molly was able to continue her trip to her grandmother's and Barbarous Bertha forces the crew of the Horrible Haddock to do the same grueling chores Molly had done.
This is really cool book. I like that Cornelia Funk's books show young girls and women as smart and powerful. Molly was not portrayed as the damsel in distress as she waited helplessly for someone to save her. Instead she kept her wit and saved herself by sending her mother messages. Furthermore, Molly did not have to be saved by a man. Instead, she was saved by strong and powerful women. I think this book would be an excellent book to use to teach children about gender roles and to help break down stereotypes about how women act and what they are capable of. I think that children need to be taught early that women can be as strong and capable as men.
This book was a joy to read largely because of the illustrations by Meyer. There is no information about the illustration in the book or on the Chicken House web site but they appear to have been drawn in pen then colored with water color. The double page Illustrations use a mixture of vibrant colors that really capture the reader’s interest and set the humorous mood of the book. I defiantly enjoyed this book and will incorporate it into my classroom.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Free verse poem
How can you understand the plight of others?
Through their words, emotions, actions.
It is so very hard to understand a life so different and so far away.
But in the end we are not so different just with very different struggles.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
Weatherford, Carole Boston
Nelson, Kadir
Hyperion Books For Children 2006
Realistic Fiction
Moses Tells the story of the life of Harriet Tubman. Before the story begins, the author defines slavery and details it's brutality. The book begins with Harriet Tubman desperately wants to flee slavery because her cruel master wants to sell her south which would be far away from her family. She is afraid but God gives her the strength to carry out her escape and promises to protect her. Harriet escapes at dusk and sings a cryptic message to her family so they will no where she went. Harriet goes to a woman who had been kind to her for help. The woman told her places where she could hide and be safe. While at one of the safe havens, the broom Harriet is using turns into a staff then a riffle. then god tells her that he will arm her against her enemies and that she will not harm any one and no one will harm her. A farmer hides her in his wagon and a boat man carries her up river. Harriet endured many hardships through her journey. she had to wade through the river to avoid hounds that were looking for her and walk barefoot. her feet were cut and bleeding and she was very hungry but she kept on with God's encouragement. She said that she would rather die that return to slavery. Next, Harriet had to hide in a potato hole for seven long days to avoid those patrolling for runaway slaves. After leaving the potato hole, Harriet walks until she is exhausted. At that time, a wagon pulls up and the couple inside tell her that they believe that slavery is a sin and they take her to freedom in Philadelphia. Once in Philadelphia, Harriet deeply misses her family who are still in the bonds of slavery. God tells her to go to church and prepare to go on a journey to free her family. At church she finds a station in the underground railroad. there she helps feed and cloth runaway slaves while learning the routes four the underground railroad. Harriet becomes a conductor and God tells her she is ready to free her family. Harriet is able to free her family and many other slaves and lead them to Canada. The Author's note gives a more detailed account of Harriet's life. The author tells that Harriet Tubman was born a slave around the 1820's on a Bucktown Maryland plantation. Her birth name was Araminta and she was nick named Minty. She was a nanny to a baby but was beat when the baby cried for any reason. Harriet despised slaver and rebelled. she even hid in a pigpen to avoid being whipped but she was found. she tried to help a slave escape but struck in the heat with a two pound weight and was almost killed. She suffered Blackouts, headaches, and bouts of speechlessness for the rest of her life as a result. Harriet was forced to marry John Tubman in 1844. She decided to flee in 1849 when when her master died which meant she would be sold. Harriet fled using the underground rail road. After she escaped she helped her brothers to freedom in 1851 and carried her parents to Canada. She made nineteen trips to the south by 1860 and freed at least three hundred slaves
Harriet's story is very inspirational. This book would be a very good tool to use to teach young readers about the plight of slaves and about the Underground Railroad. Although, I am not sure if I would be able to read this book in the classroom because of its heavy religious content. Furthermore, I think that the layout of the book could be confusing for children. The book leaves many unanswered questions until the author's note is read. I think the book would be stronger if more detail about Harriet's life were given in the book as apposed to being given in the authors note which would be read last.
The illustrations are quite impressive. There is no information about how the double page illustrations were made but they appear to have been drawn with colored pencils. the illustrations are very detailed and the expressions on Harriet's face really help the reader understand her situation. Also, the dark tents and shading on the pages where Harriet is scared, confused, or in danger help the reader understand the gravity of her situation. Likewise, the illustrations during times of hope and freedom are light and bright. The illustrations really aided the author in explaining the story because the text leaves so many holes. The book would have a hard time telling it's story without the illustrations.
Nelson, Kadir
Hyperion Books For Children 2006
Realistic Fiction
Moses Tells the story of the life of Harriet Tubman. Before the story begins, the author defines slavery and details it's brutality. The book begins with Harriet Tubman desperately wants to flee slavery because her cruel master wants to sell her south which would be far away from her family. She is afraid but God gives her the strength to carry out her escape and promises to protect her. Harriet escapes at dusk and sings a cryptic message to her family so they will no where she went. Harriet goes to a woman who had been kind to her for help. The woman told her places where she could hide and be safe. While at one of the safe havens, the broom Harriet is using turns into a staff then a riffle. then god tells her that he will arm her against her enemies and that she will not harm any one and no one will harm her. A farmer hides her in his wagon and a boat man carries her up river. Harriet endured many hardships through her journey. she had to wade through the river to avoid hounds that were looking for her and walk barefoot. her feet were cut and bleeding and she was very hungry but she kept on with God's encouragement. She said that she would rather die that return to slavery. Next, Harriet had to hide in a potato hole for seven long days to avoid those patrolling for runaway slaves. After leaving the potato hole, Harriet walks until she is exhausted. At that time, a wagon pulls up and the couple inside tell her that they believe that slavery is a sin and they take her to freedom in Philadelphia. Once in Philadelphia, Harriet deeply misses her family who are still in the bonds of slavery. God tells her to go to church and prepare to go on a journey to free her family. At church she finds a station in the underground railroad. there she helps feed and cloth runaway slaves while learning the routes four the underground railroad. Harriet becomes a conductor and God tells her she is ready to free her family. Harriet is able to free her family and many other slaves and lead them to Canada. The Author's note gives a more detailed account of Harriet's life. The author tells that Harriet Tubman was born a slave around the 1820's on a Bucktown Maryland plantation. Her birth name was Araminta and she was nick named Minty. She was a nanny to a baby but was beat when the baby cried for any reason. Harriet despised slaver and rebelled. she even hid in a pigpen to avoid being whipped but she was found. she tried to help a slave escape but struck in the heat with a two pound weight and was almost killed. She suffered Blackouts, headaches, and bouts of speechlessness for the rest of her life as a result. Harriet was forced to marry John Tubman in 1844. She decided to flee in 1849 when when her master died which meant she would be sold. Harriet fled using the underground rail road. After she escaped she helped her brothers to freedom in 1851 and carried her parents to Canada. She made nineteen trips to the south by 1860 and freed at least three hundred slaves
Harriet's story is very inspirational. This book would be a very good tool to use to teach young readers about the plight of slaves and about the Underground Railroad. Although, I am not sure if I would be able to read this book in the classroom because of its heavy religious content. Furthermore, I think that the layout of the book could be confusing for children. The book leaves many unanswered questions until the author's note is read. I think the book would be stronger if more detail about Harriet's life were given in the book as apposed to being given in the authors note which would be read last.
The illustrations are quite impressive. There is no information about how the double page illustrations were made but they appear to have been drawn with colored pencils. the illustrations are very detailed and the expressions on Harriet's face really help the reader understand her situation. Also, the dark tents and shading on the pages where Harriet is scared, confused, or in danger help the reader understand the gravity of her situation. Likewise, the illustrations during times of hope and freedom are light and bright. The illustrations really aided the author in explaining the story because the text leaves so many holes. The book would have a hard time telling it's story without the illustrations.
What Do You With a Tail Like This?
Jenkins, Steve
Page, Robin
Houghton Mifflin Company 2003
Picture Book
K-3
"What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?" tells the reader about thirty different animals. The book details how these animals use their Noses, Ears, Tails, eyes, feet, and mouths to survive in the wild. I learned several new facts about animals from this book. I did not know that Lizard's tails can easily break off to escape harm. I also did not know that horned lizards can squirt blood out of their eyes to scare away unwanted guests, or that hippopotamus' can close their ears while under water.
I was surprised by how much I learned from this book. I can only imagine how much a child would learn about animals from this book. I also think that children would enjoy this book. I can see young children cringe when the lizard's tail breaks off, and I can hear the ewe's when the horned lizard squirts blood out it's eyes. Children will most definitely enjoy the amazing illustrations. I wonder if they could guess that they were made from cut paper collages? I was absolutely enthralled the collages. I have never seen such intricately detailed collages. the double page illustrations make the book. This informational book is a great way to introduce exotic animals in class. Each student could choose an animal from the book and write about the animal in their own words.This book is defiantly deserving of the Caldecott medal. The book simply would not be as entertaining and informative without them. the collages are amazingly detailed and really help the reader visualize the animals. You have to see a horned lizard squirt blood out of its eye's to believe it! I liked how the text about each animal was located right next to that animals picture. this makes the story much easier to follow. I especially liked how the text about the skunk comes out of the skunks tail like spray. I will most defiantly read this book to my class if a am teaching at this level.
Page, Robin
Houghton Mifflin Company 2003
Picture Book
K-3
"What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?" tells the reader about thirty different animals. The book details how these animals use their Noses, Ears, Tails, eyes, feet, and mouths to survive in the wild. I learned several new facts about animals from this book. I did not know that Lizard's tails can easily break off to escape harm. I also did not know that horned lizards can squirt blood out of their eyes to scare away unwanted guests, or that hippopotamus' can close their ears while under water.
I was surprised by how much I learned from this book. I can only imagine how much a child would learn about animals from this book. I also think that children would enjoy this book. I can see young children cringe when the lizard's tail breaks off, and I can hear the ewe's when the horned lizard squirts blood out it's eyes. Children will most definitely enjoy the amazing illustrations. I wonder if they could guess that they were made from cut paper collages? I was absolutely enthralled the collages. I have never seen such intricately detailed collages. the double page illustrations make the book. This informational book is a great way to introduce exotic animals in class. Each student could choose an animal from the book and write about the animal in their own words.This book is defiantly deserving of the Caldecott medal. The book simply would not be as entertaining and informative without them. the collages are amazingly detailed and really help the reader visualize the animals. You have to see a horned lizard squirt blood out of its eye's to believe it! I liked how the text about each animal was located right next to that animals picture. this makes the story much easier to follow. I especially liked how the text about the skunk comes out of the skunks tail like spray. I will most defiantly read this book to my class if a am teaching at this level.
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