Boys" Life Magazine

Module 8

Boys Life Magazine. March 2008.

Boys' Life is the official magazine for the Boy Scouts of America. First published in 1911 it has a long history of reaching out to boys of all ages. The magazine has a good mix of articles about sports, nature, science and scouting in general. Regular features include "Hitchin' Rack" (where a cartoon character named "Pedro" answers reader mail), "BL Headliners" (Scouts with Big Stories), "Collecting" (a space to share news about special collections), and "Games" (always a winner!) Comics sections such as the "The Wacky Adventures of Pedro" and "Pee Wee Harris" are a monthly staple in Boys' Life. The feature story for the March 2008 issue spotlights two scouts who have a rock climbing adventure at Kentucky's Red River Gorge. Adding to the outdoor theme is another section called "Hiking Through History" which provides information on hiking historic trails in the American wilderness. Another interesting article called "Mind Your Own Business" gives great tips for budding entrepreneurs. "A True Story of Scouts in Action", a regular part of the magazine, offers a true, inspiring story of a scout who saved the life of someone who had fallen in icy waters. The bright colorful magazine, containing many photos, will appeal to any boy (and maybe some girls) who enjoy the outdoors and sports. Boys' Life has three demographic editions for different reading levels: Ages 6-8, Ages 9-10,a and Ages 11 and up. The Ages 11 and up edition is available to all Boys' Life subscribers.
http://www.boyslife.org/

Actual Size

Module 8

Jenkins, Steve. 2004. Actual size. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Did you know that giant squids have eyes the size of basketballs? Or that the Goliath frog, of Western Africa can weigh as much as seven pounds? The world's largest earthworm is found in Australia and grow to over three feet long. These and other interesting "believe it or not" facts about animals can be found in this captivating book. Similar to a trivia book in style, it presents real facts in a palatable way that kids will gobble up. The collage illustrations are cleverly rendered using cut and torn paper. The animals represented are all shown in their actual size. The scariest illustration is a two page spread of a Siberian tiger, which in real life can be up to fourteen feet long and weigh up to seven hundred pounds. It looks as if it wants to jump off the page and eat someone. Notes at the end of the book provide more facts on the animals for children wanting to learn more. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. This is a quick and fascinating read with great possibilities for getting children hooked into reading more informational books about animals. It is recommended for ages 5-8, but may also appeal to older more reluctant readers.

The Flag Maker

Module 8

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. 2004. The flag maker. Ill. by Claire A. Nivola. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin.

The "star spangled banner" mentioned in our national anthem, is a flag that still exists today in the Smithsonian Institute. It was sewn by a flag maker named Mary Pickerell, with the help of her young daughter Caroline. The flag weighed eighty pounds, took about four hundred yards of bunting, and about 350,000 stitches to complete. The story is told in a way that helps children see things from Caroline's perspective. They will see the amount of work that went into creating such a large flag, especially when it was sewn by hand. Also, they will be taught a slice of our early American history. The author did her research well and recorded facts accurately. Some of her reputable reference sources include the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C. among others. Actual letters from the Pickerell family and others living at the time were other sources consulted by the author and lend additional credibility. The colorful illustrations by Clair Nivola, rendered in watercolor and gauche, will be appealing to children. She has fully captured the dress, architecture and lifestyle of the times. This is a great read for children ages 6-10

When Marian Sang

Module 8

Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2002. When Marian sang. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New York: Scholastic Press.

Marian Anderson, one of the greatest singers of all time, was also the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. This woman from a humble background, never lost her humble spirit, even though her life helped to bring great social change in the United States. In this well researched biography we learn how this talented woman filled audiences all over the world with awe. Yet in her own country she was prohibited from performing in Constitution Hall because of a white performers only policy. The book documents facts from her early and adult life in an interesting, readable story fashion. Illustrations by Brian Selznick, done in Liquitex acrylics, are rendered in warm brown tones. In his notes at the end of the book Selznick relates that he used photographs he took of Marians' house to help him research before doing his illustrations. He and Munoz also did visual research at the Archives of the Metropolitan Opera which lends additional authenticity. The book and its illustrations have a stage theme at the beginning and end. The author/illustrator notes at the end are appropriately called "Encore" and "Ovations" which build on the idea. Extensive research by both author and illustrator lend accuracy from both factual and visual fronts. A list of notable dates gives an accurate timeline of events which can be documented. The author also includes lines from actual songs sung by Anderson sprinkled throughout the book. A Selected Discography is included at the end for those who want to hear Anderson's talent. This book is recommended for ages 5-10.

Redwall

Module 7

Jacques, Brian. 1986. Redwall. Ill by Gary Chalk. New York: Philomel Books.

Matthias, a young mouse lives in Redwall Abbey, a place where creatures live peacefully. He is a part of an order that seeks to offer help, hope and healing. Their peace is threatened by the evil Cluny, a rat who wants to take over and rule the Abbey. His intentions are evil from the word go. Matthias, although young and inexperienced, feels a calling to defend the Abbey. He joins together with the other animals to fight against the evil forces of Cluny the Scourge. This action packed fantasy grabs readers right from the start. The well developed animal characters are personified in ways that we normally think of these animals. Rats are always considered worse than mice in most people’s minds and Jacques follows this line of thinking. The story seems to be set in an older time period in England. The language/dialogue used fits well with the type of story being told. The story has a definite theme of good and evil and the characters seem to fit into one camp or the other. We find ourselves rooting for the good characters and are anxious for Cluny to get what he deserves. The animal characters have very human traits, at times humorous, and readers can relate to some of their idiosyncrasies. The names of some of the characters fits their personalities well, particularly the rat characters such as Cheesethief, Mangefur and Skullface. In contrast, the mice and other gentle characters have names like Cornflower and Constance. The oldest and wisest character is appropriately named Methuselah. This story will keep children on the edge of their seats without weighing them down with complicated themes found in some of the more higher fantasy novels. The style of writing is successful in creating action and excitement that keeps children involved. While there are some scenes that could be considered a little too violent for some younger children, it is not as extreme as what some kids see on tv every day. The story has a very satisfying ending and children who like this type of fiction will be clamoring to read the others in the series. The book is recommended for ages 9-12.

Mixed Magics: Four Tales of Chrestomanci

Module 7

Jones, Diana Wynne. 2001. Mixed magics: Four tales of Chrestomanci. New York: Greenwillow Books

Chrestomanci, an enchanter with strong magical skills, is the common element in this collection of four stories. All of the characters are influenced by his strong personality. In these four tales, the settings take place in several other worlds/universes. For example, when a warlock gets into trouble in one universe, he wants to escape to another. The problem is, the second universe is worse than the first. In another tale, an evil magician who wants to become stronger than all the other enchanters holds two boys captive. In “Carol Oneir’s Hundredth Dream” a young girl whose dreams have become her claim to fame (she bottles them so other can view them) needs Chrestomanci’s help to figure out why she’s losing her gift. In the “Sage of Theare” the worlds/universes are threatened by Dissolution. Chrestomanci is the strong guiding “force” in all the stories. We see other characters misusing or losing their powers but he always seems to have the “wisdom” they lack. This book is high fantasy but readers are drawn into the worlds and characters and at least temporarily, they become “real”. The problems they face can seem very scary but are also humorous at times. While each story is set in a separate world the unifying factor is Chrestomanci. While he is almost god-like, he has some surprisingly human traits. While the themes of good magic vs. evil magic exist, sometimes the line between the two seems a little blurred. The plot moves quickly through these short stories and those who like action will find these enjoyable. Jones style of writing will capture children who enjoy high fantasy and will be happy to suspend their disbelief. Others, who prefer lower fantasy, may find it a bit much. This book is recommended for children ages 10-13, but some older teens will also find it appealing.

The Children of Green Knowe

Module 7

Boston, L.M. 1954. The children of Green Knowe. Ill. by Peter Boston. New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, Inc.


Toseland, a young boy comes to live with his grandmother in a mysterious old house, and discovers that the house is haunted with the spirits of children who lived there hundreds of years ago. . The ghosts of the children begin to present themselves to him. He learns that his grandmother also hears and sees the children. Toseland (nicknamed Tolly) listens to his grandmothers stories about the children who are also his ancestors and learns about his own history. A lonely little boy who seems to be largely ignored by his father and stepmother finds a connection with the ghosts of the children who played in the old house many years ago. While the story is mysterious and spooky, it also emphasizes the themes of good and evil and also the love a grandmother can have for her grandchild. The setting takes place in England, in the old mysterious house where his grandmother lives and sets us up for the events to follow. While the setting is realistic, the story takes a fanciful turn as Tolly begins to see unusual things begin to happen. The authors style of writing seems a bit outdated and in some ways this book could also qualify as being historical. The language used is definitely authentic to the times. Where some children may be able to relate most to Tolly, is his sense of feeling isolated from his father and new stepmother. Children being raised by grandparents may relate to his relationship with his grandmother. The book is not quite as action packed as some of the newer fantasy (either low or high) and some children may find it boring. While most kids like a good ghost story, this doesn’t quite have the same scary appeal as more modern ones because the ghosts are friendly. Even so, it can be a satisfying story for children who are willing to give it a shot. This is the first in a classic series by Boston and is recommended for children ages 9-12.

The Professor's Daughter

Module 7

Sfar, Joann and Emmanuel Guibert. 1997. The professor's daughter. New York: First Second.

A professor’s daughter takes a mummy for a walk on the streets of London. The mummy, Imhotep IV, who is thousands of years old, falls in love with her. The two are having a good time being together, but all sorts of bad things happen. Imagine a prim and proper young Victorian lady, sheltered and protected, being in such a situation. In addition to going out alone with “man” (something her society frowns on) they are chased by the police, go through a trial, have an “audience” with Queen Victoria and are also pursued by the mummy’s father. This book takes a little bit of information about mummies and creates an unusual story presented as a graphic novel. The setting is Victorian England which makes the story more ridiculous. As in most graphic novels, the characters are bizarre and almost laughable, but for some this is most enjoyable. There is action for those who enjoy it, and also lively humor. One theme seems to be that of the sheltered daughter and the mummy both breaking free from restrictions placed on them (her of her society, him of his casket). Also, the theme of forbidden love will be a draw for some teens. The watercolor illustrations add life to the story/ There is no excess violence in this graphic novel and it is more humorous than anything else. It is recommended. for grades 10 –12.

Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue

Module 6

Lester, Julius. 2005. Day of tears: A novel in dialogue. New York: Hyperion Books.

A pre-civil war plantation owner, Pierce Butler, has decided to sell all of his slaves to pay his gambling debts. In his mind, it's simply a business decision. To the slaves and even to some of his own family, it is is destroying their way of life. The story revolves around the emotional impact his decision has on these individuals, many of them who are ripped apart from their families. The story, told in dialogue, switches back and forth between several different characters. In the beginning, it's a little bit confusing to keep everyone straight, but eventually we begin to see how the characters relate to each other. It uses the literary technique of of jumping ahead and back in time. We see the characters as both young and old and we see their thought processes. Each uses their own speech patterns, which are authentic for the time period. Hearing about their struggles in their own words makes them seem real. In a sense, they are real because this book is based on true historical facts about a large group of slaves who were sold by the Butler family in 1859. The story is well researched using primary source documents from the time period. The setting is authentic and gives a cleaer picture of what life on a southern plantation was like. Author notes at the end provided more information about the actual events on which the story is based. The theme of the story is clearly about the wrongs committed when human beings can buy and sell other human beings. Yet, another theme comes through, a surprising one considering the first. In the last chapter of the book, Emma, a former slave who was now an old woman says this: "all white folks back in that time wasn't evil . . . If your heart hurts when you see somebody suffering, you have a good heart." Children who may feel the pain and perhaps anger at the way the slaves were treated, will also see that there were white people who cared about their plight. To remain authentic to the times, the author makes occasional use of the "n" word, so this book may not be appropriate for some younger children. It is recommended for grades 6-9.

The Midwife's Apprentice

Module 6

Cushman, Karen. 1995. The midwife's apprentice. New York: Clarion Books

In this hitorical novel, a young girl with no home, no family and no name other than Brat finds work with the local midwife. While her hunger drives her to work for the sometimes unkind midwife named Jane Sharp, she begins to discover more about herself and her own abilities. Renamed Beetle, they young girl begins to learn more about the midwife profession and eventually discovers that she has a gift. Even though she has suffered mostly neglect and abuse in her young life, she learns that it is possible to love and care for others. Set in fourteenth century medieval England, readers get a lesson in how much more difficult life was, especially for homeless children. Cushman has done her research to give an authentic picture of life in a medieval village. During this dark period, midwives relied on magic, spells, and old wive's tales to ply their trade. The dialogue used captures very well the speech patterns used during medieval times. While some children may find the speech humorous, they can still identify with Beetle, who later changes her name to Alyce. The main theme of the book is Alyce's survival and maturity. Cushman doesn't sugarcoat her struggles: life was hard for such children during those times. Alyce, while imperfect, is shown as a character who grows and begins to build her own identity. The story definitely reflects the morals and attitudes of the time, and for this reason may not be suited for younger children. Readers will learn interesting lessons about this period of time where superstition was equally, if not more important than science in midwifery. The Author's Note at the end of the book gives more facts about the profession. This Newbery Award winner is recommended for ages 12 and up.

Willow Run

Module 6

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2005. Willow run. New York: Random House.

During World War II Meggie Dillon and her family move to Michigan so that her father can work in an airplane factory to help win the war. Her brother Eddie is fighting in Europe and her grandfather must stay behind in New York. As she adapts to her new surroundings, and misses her grandfather, she also must face fears about losing her brother in the war. When they receive the news that her brother is missing in action, she realizes that she must be strong. Her relationships with her friends and family are a source of that strength. The story is told from Meggie's point of view, yet through the dialogue we capture the feelings of the other characters. They are well developed, believable, and show the struggles many families had waiting for their young soldiers to return home from the war. When Meggie imagines that a young ice cream man is a spy, she is simply reflecting the common fears of that time. The World War II setting of the story is accurately portrayed. Descriptions of food rationing and of families living in hastily built apartment buildings near defense factories are authentic and well-researched. While the mood of the story is sometimes sad, the overriding theme seems to be hope. Meggie, like many during this difficult time in American history, had to hang on to hope to survive. This heartwarming novel is recommended for children in grades 4-7.

The Whipping Boy

Module 6

Fleischman, Sid. 1986. The whipping boy. Ill. by Peter Sis. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Jemmy, an orphan boy, was taken from his life on the streets and made to serve as the royal whipping boy. He must take the punishment for a young spoiled prince, appropriately nick-named Prince Brat by his subjects. The two boys leave the palace and wind up having the adventure of their young lives. The are chased by two villains named Cutwater and Hold-Your-Nose Billy and are saved by a bear named Petunia and a horde of sewer rats. The humorous style of Fleischman's writing comes across in the first few paragraphs. We immediately know that the book is going to make us laugh. The characters are almost too comical to be believed. Jemmy is the only one who seems to have any common sense. Peter Sis's black and white illustrations add more fun to the story. The fast paced exciting plot will keep readers interested until the end. While the idea of a whipping boy is based on historical fact, Fleischman's story is definately a flight of imagination. In spite of the humor, a heartwarming theme emerges as Prince Brat begins to mature and the two boys become friends. The story provides all the elements for a good children's book: adventure, humor and a satisfying ending. This Newbery Medal Winner is recommended for ages 9-12.

Replay

Module 5

Creech, Sharon. 2005. Replay. New York: HarperCollins Children's Books.

In this book, Creech uses a style of writing which switches back and forth between reality and imagination. The reality is that Leo, a 12 year old boy, is growing up in a large Italian family and sometimes feels very unimportant in the family scheme of things. Like many children in this age group, he is struggling to find something to make him feel significant. His love of acting is where the imagination of the story kicks in. He is constantly acting out scenes in his head. Leo spends a lot of time imagining scenes where he is a hero - a far cry from his reality. Some of the chapters are written like scripts, where family members have lines. The drama/play theme is carried out even further in Creech's use of scenes and a cast list at the beginning of the book instead of chapter titles. Leo's need to understand his quiet, moody father adds an interesting psychological element to the story. We watch as Leo begins to discover his strengths as he takes part in the school play. He continues to mature as he begins to figure out the mystery of his father's life and to understand him better. While Leo imagines his life like a play, the characters in his family are realistic and believable; large families often have many different personalities. Creech includes the full text of the play in which Leo has a part: Rumpopo's Porch. The book is recommended for grades 6-8.

Becoming Naomi Leon

Module 5

Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2004. Becoming Naomi Leon. New York: Scholastic.

This book speaks to the reality of many children today who are being raised by grandparents. It is written from the perspective of Naomi, who along with her brother Owen, is being raised by her "Gram" in a trailer park. We see the character of Naomi grow from a girl who likes to read, write, and make lists, to someone who has to help fight to keep the life that has become her stability. The emphasis of the strong protective love that a grandmother can have for her grandchildren is a main theme of the story. When a selfish mother with less than sterling intentions returns after several years, we see what lengths that love will travel. The story will hit home for many children who already know what it feels like to experience the fear of being caught in the middle of a custody battle. The characters in this book are well developed. Ryan captures the emotional and sometimes physical issues that scar children in these situation. The story, which is told in first person by Naomi, lets us see clearly how she feels about her dilemma. It also shows how she uses simple things like making lists of special words and things she wants to remember to help her cope. While the book qualifies as multicultural, we first see Naomi as a girl who has a real problem. The adventure of traveling to Mexico in an Airstream trailer is coupled with the joy of a young girls' discovery of her father and her cultural roots. Ryan has also interwoven some very interesting information about the art of soap carving and the Mexican festival of the Night of the Radishes. Recommended for grades 4-7,this book has won several awards including ALA Notable Books for Children (2005) and the Pura Belpre Honor (2006).

The Quigleys

Module 5

Mason, Simon. 2002. The Quigleys. New York: David Fickling Books.

This short chapter book introduces us to an obviously British family who are zany and unique -- like so many families everywhere. Most families will relate and see themselves in some of the Quigley family situations because as they say "truth is stranger than fiction." The hilarious, ridiculous adventures of this ordinary family will really tickle the funny bone. Focusing on one family member in each of the four chapters is a good way to thoroughly introduce the characters: Dad, Lucy, Mum an Will. The simple black and white drawings help to bring out the humor. A drawing of Lucy wearing a bee outfit at a wedding is a good example. This short book is a good transitional read for children not quite ready for longer chapter books. The characters are believable mainly because they are far from perfect. Will and Lucy get into trouble. Dad is distracted by football and likes to swear a lot. Mum likes to drink. Some conservative families may find the swearing, drinking and permissive child rearing style of the Quigley parents offensive; others will find it realistic and hilarious. In this sense, the book may be more British than American, but otherwise just about any family can relate to at least some of the Quigley adventures. This book is recommended for children in grades 2-4.

The Wright 3

Module 5

Balliett, Blue. 2006. The Wright 3. Ill. by Brett Helquist. New York: Scholastic Press.

Taking facts about the history of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House in Chicago, Balliet has created a suspense filled mystery for children. This sequel to Chasing Vermeer is written with a mixture of history, art, math and somehow combines it into a detective story that is realistic fiction which sometimes borders on fantasy. It will appeal to children who like the unusual. Three above average kids, Tommy, Petra, and Calder, set out to save the Robie house from demolition. They must use all their skills involving research, observation and mathematics to unlock the mystery of the house. While encouraged by their unorthodox teacher, they discover for themselves that the house has a life of its own and dark mysteries that beg to be discovered. While the characters are realistic, they are slightly more advanced than many children in their age group (most 12 year olds won't see all the "coincidences" or even know what pentominoes are - but they will get a chance to learn!). What is more realistic is the portrayal of three friends who are not sure abut their relationships with each other. They must learn to deal with jealousy and personal conflict to be able to work together to save the house and solve its dark mysteries. The full page black and white illustrations help describe the characters. If you look closely (and you have to look at a lot of things closely in this book) you will see more - something that is very integral to the story. This is a book that will definitely make children think. Also, they will be exposed to more than just a mystery story. They will learn about an important part of American history, art and architecture. The book will appeal to older readers, but is recommended for ages 8-12.

!Pio Peep!: Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes

Module 4

Ada, Alma Flor and F. Isabel Campoy, Selec. 2003. !Pio Peep!: Traditional Spanish nursery rhymes. Adap. by Alice Schertle. Ill. by Vivi Escriva. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

This bilingual collection showcases traditiional Hispanic nursery rhymes. Stemming from oral folklore, these verses have been passed down for many generations. While similar to the types of mother goose rhymes children from North America learned, many retain their own special Hispanic flavor. An example is in the words to Tortillitas para Mama (Tortillas for Mommy) and Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding) which mention traditional Hispanic foods. La Pinata shows the delight of a traditional game enjoyed by Hispanic children. Other poems about animals and family life could be from any culture but reading them aloud in both English and Spanish adds a special element. The Spanish language has its' own rhythm which sounds very musical even to those who don't understand all the words. Watercolor illustrations beautifully grace each page. Scenes of children playing and enjoying life, animals and nature all create images to complement the poems. This is a beautiful collection to share with young children and is recommended for PreK to grade 2.

The Twentieth Century Children's Poetry Treasury

Module 4

Prelutsky, Jack. 1999. The twentieth century children's poetry treasury. Ill. by Meilo So. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

This highly enjoyable children's anthology pulls together works by 137 poets. Each decade of the 1900s are represented with poems which celebrate the wonder of childhood. The delightful watercolor illustrations by Meilo So add a visula treat which complements the poetry. Prelutsky has selected the best of of the best for this work and has even included some of his own work. One funny rhyming poem called Tutti Frutti Lovesong by will tickle any childs' funny bone with these lines:"Don't make me MELON-choly, Please by my HONEY DEW, 'Cause oh, my sweet PAPAYA, I'm BANANAS over you! The poem is wondrously illustrated with a face made up of the fruits mentioned in the poem, which makes it even more hilarious. Other poems celebrate nature and even make mundane topics like homework and sleeping seem special. Just for fun poems like Eletelephony will create delight with words like "Once there was an elephant, who tried to use the telephant -- No! No! I mean an elephone." This is a great collection to keep on hand for reading aloud in classrooms or at home. It is recommended for ages 4-8.

Footprints on the Roof: Poems about the Earth

Module 4

Singer, Marilyn. 2002. Footprints on the roof: Poems about the earth. Ill. by Meilo So. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

This individual poet compilation from Marilyn Singer presents poems about the world we live in. Most of the poetry is written in free verse but has a rhythm of its' own that flows when read aloud. She makes great use of alliteration, similies and other literary techniques as her words paint their own pictures. Even so, the black and white India ink drawings on rice paper, created by Meilo So add a great deal. A drawing of a dragon inside of a volcano which illustrates Dormant Dragons is a good example. It's easy to vizualize the fury of the volcano this way. Poems about caves, islands, dunes, mud and deserts show an appreciation for the natural world we live in. While this book is recommended for ages 8 and up, it will be enjoyed by adults as well.

Honey I Love

Module 4

Greenfield, Eloise. 1978. Honey, I love and other love poems. Ill. by Diane and Leo Dillon. New York:HarperCollinsPublishers

This classic compilation by Eloise Greenfield contains 16 poems written from the perspective of an African American child. Greenfield uses some free verse, some rhyming couplets and a lot of internal rhyme in these poems about what a child loves about life. They speak about ordinary things: music, jumping rope and riding on a train. They also touch the emotions of joy, feeling pretty and friendship. The black and white drawings completely capture the feelings of the child. The brown drawings, done in a childish style, are a contrast to the the black and white drawings and give an image of what the child is thinking. A poem about Harriette Tubman uses a childs' language to convey a lesson about this great woman: "Harriette Tubman didn't take no stuff, Wasn't scared of nothing neither, Didn't come in this world to be no slave, And wasn't going to stay one either." The book was published in 1978 and some of the hairstyles are outdated (as well as some references to the Jackson Five and Earth, Wind and Fire); even so it speaks to the feelings of children today about what's really important: love and life. It is recommended for children ages 9-12.

The Neighborhood Mother Goose

Module 4

Crews, Nina. 2004. The neighborhood mother goose. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Crews has put together a collection of some of the most well known traditional nursery rhymes. Children have enjoyed the rhythm, rhyme and humor of these verses for hundreds of years, but she puts them in a new light with delightful, full color photographs. Children in modern day, urban and multicultural settings illustrate the age old verses. One beautiful photograph of a father counting his daughter's toes, illustrates "This little pig went to market" and shows the real joy of parent-child interaction. A small boy looking sadly out of a window shows the emotion of "Rain, rain go away, come again another day". Other photos are digitally manipulated to create humorous pictures such as the one illustrating "There was an old woman who lived in a shoe." This collection puts a different spin on favorite nursery rhymes and is recommended for preschoolers and early elementary children.

Aesop Prize Winner

Module 3

Philip, Neil, Selec. 2003. Horse hooves and chicken feet: Mexican folktales. Ill by Jacqueline Mair. New York: Clarion Books.

This collection of Mexican folktales borrows from traditional sources. While many of these stories have their roots in Spain, they have developed a Mexican flavor over time. They are great examples of how magic, reality and the influence of the Catholic religion are entertwined to create the stories that are so typical in Mexican culture. Mexican folktales often emphasize good and evil as do many traditional tales. Trickster tales are especially popular in Mexican folk lore and play a large role in this book. A good example is the story of Pedro the Trickster, who even attempts to outwit the Devil and God. Also, we see a couple of good variants of the Cinderella story in The Two Marias and Cinder Juan (a male version). The vibrant, colorful illustrations are reminiscent of Mexican folk art. The cover of the book gives us a taste of what lies inside. Each story is illustrated with at least one full page painterly illustration which lends an authentic Mexican feel. Notes at the end give more information for those researching the stories. This 2003 Aesop Prize Winner is recommended for grades 3-8.

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book

Module 3

Morales, Yuyi. 2003. Just a minute: A trickster tale and counting book. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

In this trickster tale, the skeleton Senor Calavera knocks on Grandma Beetle's door early one morning and asks her to go with him. She asks him to wait "just a minute" as she counts one job after another that she must first finish. Grandma Beetle counts in both English and Spanish. By the end of the day, Senor Calavera is tired of waiting but stays around long enough to enjoy Grandma Beetle's birthday party with her grandchildren. Then he leaves without her. The bright colorful illustrations performed in acrylic and mixed media on paper, help to set the tone for this story. Senor Calavera, a humorous looking skeleton wearing a fedora hat, obviously represents Death, who Grandma Beetle tricks out of completing his mission. This story is different from some trickster tales because in this case the trickster is the heroine. We realize that having a purpose in life is what keeps us alive and joyful. The warm colored illustrations authentically capture the importance of family life in Mexican culture. This book is recommended for PreK-Grade 2.

Raccoon's Last Race

Module 3

Bruchac, Joseph and James Bruchac. 2004. Raccoon's last race. Ill. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

In this retelling of a Native American tale, Azban or Raccoon is the fastest runner of all the animals. Unfortunately, his pride in his ability leads him to taunt the other animals until finally many of them stop speaking to him. One day he challenged Big Rock to race him. Big Rock didn't want to travel but Azban, so sure of himself, pushed Big Rock off the hill. Big Rock had never moved before and didn't know how to stop: he rolls over Azban and flattens him. In desperation Azban calls for help, but the only animals who will help him are the ants. He tells them he will be their friend if they will help stretch him back into shape. Before they finish the job, he returns to his selfish ways and like many other tricksters, gets what he really deserves. The illustrations help tell the story using pen and ink, gouache (painting with opaque watercolors), and pastel. They show the movements of the animals they try to race Azban. The animal characters faces are shown with expression. Even Big Rock has personality. The book has done a great job of remaining true to the traditional Abenaki Azban the Raccoon tales and is recommended for grades K-4.

Mightier than the Sword

Module 3

Yolen, Jane. 2003. Mightier than the sword: World folktales for strong boys. Ill. by Raul Colon. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc.

Yolen has collected fourteen folktales from all over the world and retold them with her own special expertise. Dedicating the book to her sons and grandsons, her goal is to show how boys can be strong without using their fists or brute strength, but rather their intelligence, courage and generosity. She has succeeded masterfully in this diverse compilation of tales which include magic and enchantment, trickery and humor. We start out with a story from China called The Magic Brocade in which a son risks everything to make his mother happy. In the end, he not only makes her happy, but himself as well. Another, such as Mighty Mikko from Finland tells the magical story of how a kind heart, bravery and faith (along with the help of a friend who happens to be a bit of a trickster) help a young man find his good fortune. Other tales from all over the world, Angola to Russia, emphasize the theme of succeeding without using violence. The black and white illustrations, rendered in pen and ink, are done with expression and detail. They are reminiscent of the types of illustrations found in older fairy tale books. this excellent collection is recommended for grades 4-8.

Move Over Rover

Beaumont, Karen. 2006. Move over Rover. Ill. by Jane Dyer. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc.

Rover is in the doghouse alone, but not for long. When a thunderstorm pops up he suddenly has a lot of company. As other animals join him it becomes very crowded -- until skunk shows up! The cover of this book is irresistible with a picture of Rover and his mouse friend to draw children into the book. This perfect for storytime book uses watercolor and liquid acrylic on hot press watercolor paper to create delicious illustrations which help tell the story. As the children listen to the story which uses repeating phrases, they can visualize how crowded the dog house becomes. This humourous story will delight children and adults. It's recommended for ages 3-7.

The Name Jar

Choi, Yangsook, 2001. The name jar. New York: Afred A. Knopf.

Unhei is from Korea, but has moved to the United States. On her first day of school the other kids tease her about her name and she decides to choose an American name. Her family thinks she should be proud of her name; her classmates give her a jar filled with names, so that she can choose her favorite. But it's so hard to choose. Eventually, she makes her decision, a surprising one. This heartwarming story shows the courage of a child who wants to be accepted, but also wants to be herself. This book is creatively illustrated at the beginning and end with a Chinese name stamp and slips of paper with some of the names from Unhei's name jar. The painterly illustrations throughout the book are bright and expressive but a little stereotypical (especially the Asian characters). This book is recommended for K-2nd grade, but it might work will with slightly older children.

I Am too Absolutely Small for School

Child, Lauren. 2004. I am too absolutely small for school. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press

Lola can think of all kinds of reasons why she doesn't want to go to school for the first time: she's too small, she doesn't have time, she doesn't really need to learn to count or learn to read. Her older brother finally is able to help Lola see the advantages of going to school. After all, she might need to be able to "read to an ogre, count up elephants or send notes to the North Pole". And most of all, she might need to go so her invisible friend, Soren Lorenson won't be all by himself. This is a wonderful mixed media illustrated picture book. Child uses photographs, drawings and fabric to create a treat for children's eyes. The illustrations are as creative as the excuses Lola uses for not wanting to go to school. Using different type fonts, sometimes setting sentences in circles, the books shows the creative skill of this well-known author/illustrator. This book is recommended for PreK to 2nd grade.

Ella Sarah Gets Dressed

Chodos-Irvine, Margaret. 2003. Ella Sarah gets dressed. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Inc.

Ella Sarah has her own ideas about what she wants to wear. Her mother, father and big sister all have other ideas, but Ella Sarah doesn't care what everyone else says - she has her own sense of style, including a red hat! Any child who likes to play dress-up can relate. The vibrantly colored, visually appealing illustrations were created with several printmaking techniques. The warm oranges, pinks and reds emphasize Ella Sarah's favorite colors. In the first part of the story, we only see the face of Ella Sarah: the faces of the other characters are missing as they try to get Ellas Sarah to wear what they have chosen for her. This puts the emphasis on Ella and the fact that she can make her own choices. At the end of the story we see the faces of her friends as they all come to tea in outfits of their own choice. This Caldecott Honor book is recommended for PreK-1st grade.

Fortune Cookie Fortunes

Lin, Grace. 2004. Fortune cookie fortunes. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Opening fortune cookies with her family in a Chinese restaurant makes one little girl curious about whether the fortunes come true. Her sister doesn't think so but over the next few days it appears that they do some true, in some amazing ways. She begins to see the world through the fortunes she finds when she cracks open the cookies. Inside this bright colorful book are painterly illustrations, done in pen and watercolor. The theme is made dominant throughout with fortune cookies on the front and back covers. Fortunes are sprinked throughout the book (as if we have just been given an entire platter to open up all at once) and help us, as as the girl discovers, to "see the world in a different way". This delightful book also provides some history about the fortune cookie at the end. It would fit well in a multicultural collection and is recommended for children in PreK-3rd grade.

Award Winner: The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Selznick, Brian. 2007. The invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic Press.

Set in 1930 era Paris, this is the story of Hugo Cabret, a young boy living alone in the walls of a train station. We realize early on that Hugo is a survivor and that part of what helps him survive is his obsession with one goal: unlocking the mystery that had been his father's obsession. Hugo and his father shared a love for mechanical things and figuring out how they work. How does an old man in a toy store, a curious young girl and a young man with an eye patch figure into the equation?

The 544 pages of this book seemed a bit daunting at first until you realize that most of the book is illustration; but not the kind of illustrations that you want to (or should) skip over. The exquisitely detailed pencil and watercolor illustrations are an important part of the story. The first 45 pages tell the beginning of the story and then the text of the story picks up where the illustration left off. Even if they weren't part of the story, you wouldn't want to miss them.

This fiction book is based on some fact. History buffs might enjoy doing more research on the life of George Melies, a well known pioneer of the early motion pictures. Selznick includes some early photos of Melies work in his book.

Selznick has created a masterpiece. It was hard to put this book down once you have started it. His research on the mechanical figure (automaton)really added an interesting element to the book. My feeling is that this element is just the hook to get some boys interested in reading this book.

This 2008 Caldecott Winner is recommended for children ages 9-12, although it will be enjoyed by everyone.

Are You My Mother

Eastman, P.D. 1960. Are you my mother. New York: Beginner Books.

This classic beginner book tells the story of a newly hatched baby bird who becomes separated from his mother before he even knows what she looks like. He has quite an adventure while trying to find her and learns a lot about his new world.

Using delightful pictures, simple vocabulary and repeating phrases, the well respected easy book has been used as a reader in many school for years. Somehow, I missed this particular book as a child. I added it to my repetoire and can see why it has retained its' popularity over the years. Children love animal stories and repeated phrases are a good way to get them involved in telling the story during a preschool story time.

For a story time with a "Mother" theme, I would pair this with other books such as Mothers Are Like That by Carol Carrick and/or Come Along Daisy by Jane Simmons.

My Librarian is a Camel

Ruurs, Margriet. 2005. My librarian is a camel: How books are brought to children around the world. Honesville, PA: Boyds Mills Press.

Most of us grew up thinking of libraries as buildings. In some remote parts of the world, libraries can take on unusual forms. The title of the book hooks us immediately by bringing up the image of a camel checking out books. It could be a fiction title, but this is an informational book about unique libraries around the world. It provides an educational tour around the world to see how books are brought to children by boat, bicycle, horseback, trains, camels and even by elephants!

I appreciate the fact that in addition to learning about these unusual libraries, children are learning facts about other countries and their people. Each chapter contains a flag and a few important facts about the featured country. The colorful photos give the children a visual taste of how kids around the world appreciate things that they sometimes take for granted.

This is a fun, interesting and educational read and the book could also be a great tool for sparking interest in using the library. It could be part of a unit on teaching library skills or perhaps be included as part of a display for National Library Week.

It could be paired very well with Down Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky by Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer That book shows how American librarians delivered books by horseback to poor Americans is rural areas of Kentucky during the Great Depression.

My Librarian is a Camel is recommended for children in grades 3-5.

Library Lion

Knudsen, Michelle. 2006. Library lion. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

Anyone who works in a library will get a kick out of this fun children's picture book. Those of us who are familiar with librarians and library rules know that sometimes we have to laugh at ourselves. This book about a lion who wants to visit the library but has to learn the rules just like everyone else, is both humorous and heartwarming. A lion in the library is a little bit like the proverbial bull in a china shop. Only this lion is smarter because he really can learn the rules.

While the book tends to paint librarians in a stereotypical way and seems to be outdated (in these days of on-line catalogs, most kids have never seen an old fashioned card catalog), the story will capture their attention. The lion teaches the children about all the great things a library provides -- books, story times, and most of all friends. The story also teaches kids that there are exceptions to all rules, especially when it comes to safety.

The colorful illustrations, rendered in acrylic and pencil, were created by award winning illustrator Kevin Hawkes. He really succeeded in capturing the mood and emotions of the characters.

This book is the perfect size for a story time. It could be paired with I.Q. Goes to the Library by Mary Ann Fraser for a theme of animals in the library.

Library Lion is a New York Times bestseller and is recommended for children ages 4-8.