BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST by Steve Jenkins

BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST by Steve Jenkins

Bibliography: Jenkins, Steve.  1997. BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-547-25557-6.

Plot Summary: Biggest, Strongest, Fastest by Steve Jenkins is made up of comparisons. The story is more of a trivia book, containing information about the smallest, tallest, longest, and fastest animals on the planet.  For example the sun jellyfish is the longest animal measuring up to 200 feet long. Then compares it to the smallest mammal, the Etruscan shrew who, “could sleep in a teaspoon.”  The book also contains a table that has the animal; it’s record, where it lives and what it eats.

Critical Analysis: I love all of Steve Jenkins books. He really has a knack for giving kids information and trivia in a way that will keep them entertained.  His illustrations are what amaze me the most.  They are made to look like they’re made out of paper.  Much like an Eric Carle book, Steve Jenkins’ illustrations are bright and have such texture that the reader feels they can just reach out and feel them. 

Review Excerpts:

·      School Library Journal- “Kindergarten- Grade 2; Large, clear print’ fascinating facts; and beautiful, detailed, cut-paper collages make this excellent title a delight.”

·      Booklist- “Here’s proof that power isn’t just about size and that science can be a lot of fun.”

Connections:

·      This book would be a great way to introduce research to young children.

·      The illustrations in this book could be a copycat lesson in an art class.

·      Other books by this author:

o   Jenkins, Steve. 2004. ACTUAL SIZE.  ISBN:978-0618375943

o   Jenkins, Steve. 2003. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS? ISBN: 978-0618256280

QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA by Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop Photography

QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA by Sy Montgomery and Photographs by Nic Bishop

Bibliography: Montgomery, Sy. 2006.  QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-547-24892-9.

Bishop, Nic. 2006. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-547-24892-9.

Plot Summary:  The story centers around the search for and capture of Matschie’s tree kangaroo in the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea.  The story follows two men, Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop, as they search for these rare creatures with a team of scientists. 

Critical Analysis: As an animal lover I adored this book. The story of the tree kangaroo was astounding.  It felt as if you had stepped into Jurassic Park with all of the strange animals and birds.  My favorite line from the story is on the very first page. “ In a place like this, we half expect a hobbit or a troll to show up. But it’s better than that. The animals who really do live here are even more fantastic.” The author, scientists, and photographer take you to a place many of us can only dream about.  We not only see them finding these rare creatures but also how they tag them for study and rerelease them.  The pictures were just magnificent.  The photographer, Nic Bishop, did an amazing job of capturing the expedition and the people. However, my favorite pictures are the ones of the animals, insects, and plants. There are pictures of birds, tree kangaroos, weevils, snakes, and breath-taking scenery.  The pictures really do make the story come alive for the reader.

Review Excerpts:

·      School Library Journal: “ The books’ fascinating glimpses into a little-explored region will hold the attention of anyone interested in unusual creatures and the efforts to study them.”

·      Booklist: “As usual, Bishop’s color photographs are exemplary and extend the excitement in stunning close-ups of creatures and of the team at work.”

Connections:

·      This story is a great way to introduce expeditions and wildlife preservation efforts

·      The story can help children understand the process by which scientists go through to study rare species in order to better preserve and care for them.

·      Other titles by this author:

o   Montgomery, Sy and Nic Bishop, photographer. 2009. SAVING THE GHOST OF THE MOUNTAIN: AN EXPEDITION AMONG SNOW LEOPARDS IN MONGOLIA. ISBN: 978-0618916450.

o   Montgomery, Sy and Nic Bishop, photographer.  2007. THE TRANTULA SCIENTIST. ISBN: 978-0618915774

COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER: A POEM FOR EVERY DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR by J. Patrick Lewis

COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER: A POEM FOR EVERY DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
by J. Patrick Lewis

Bibliography: Lewis, J. Patrick.  2009. COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER: A POEM FOR EVERY DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. Illus. Ethan Long.  New York, N.Y.: Hachette Book Group.  ISBN:978-0-316-02089-3

Summary: Countdown to Summer by J. Patrick Lewis is a collection of 180 poems for every day of the school year.  The poems include nonsense and rhyming along with many poems on holidays throughout the year.

Critical Analysis: I love this book because it’s a lot of fun.  Most of the poems rhyme and just roll off the tongue.  It reminds me a lot of Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein because of the topics that the poems cover.  My favorite part of the book is that it goes through the different seasons.  There are poems about Halloween, Christmas, the Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day and others.  These poems seem to be most appropriate for those in 5^th grade and up.  There was one poem that I do not think I would read to a classroom full of kids called The Ninth Ward.  The poem follows a young girl who was in the ninth ward of New Orleans, Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina hit. The poem is very sad and talks about that the little girl was strapped to a chimney with a chord waiting to be rescued but her, “miracle flew to a passerby.” Overall I love the book and most of the poems are very light hearted and fun.  

Review Excerpts:

·      Children’s Literature: This is a fun book that could suit a number of classroom purposes.”

·      School Library Journal: A lively mostly lighthearted countdown to summer, beginning with #180, ‘A Sixth Grader Sees the Future.’”

Connection:

·      This book would be a great way to start the day in a classroom.

·      Could be used at home to help interest kids to read for other purposes other than just for school

·      Other books by this author:

o   Lewis, J. Patrick. 2012. TAKE TWO!  A CELEBRATION OF TWINS. ISBN:0763637025

o   Lewis, J. Patrick. 2012. EDGAR ALLAN POE’S PIE, AND OTHER MATH PUZZLERS IN CLASSIC POEMS. ISBN:0547513380

THE TREE THAT TIME BUILT: A CELEBRATION OF NATURE, SCIENCE, AND IMAGINATION By Mary Ann Hoberman and Linda Winston

THE TREE THAT TIME BUILT: A CELEBRATION OF NATURE, SCIENCE, AND IMAGINATION by Mary Ann Hoberman and Linda Winston

Bibliography: Hoberman, Mary Ann and Linda Winston. 2009. THE TREE THAT TIME BUILT: A CELEBRATION OF NATURE, SCIENCE, AND IMAGINATION.  Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. 

Plot Summary: The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination is a book of poetry about different themes from different authors.  These themes include Oh Fields of Wonder, The Sea is Our Mother, Prehistoric Praise, Think Like a Tree, Meditations of a Tortoise, Some Primal Termite, Everything That Lives Wants to Fly, I am the Family Face and Hurt No Living Thing.  Under each theme are different poems that go with it.  For example, under Some Primal Termite, there are poems about insects and under Think Like a Tree there are poems about trees and plants. 

Critical Analysis: This book was absolutely gorgeous in its simplistic illustrations and great poetry.  I especially liked the poem If They Spoke under Oh, Fields of Wonder.  The poem is about animals and their names that we give them.  The gist is that animals don’t call themselves by the names we give them, they just are.  To quote the poem, “Simply they are. And so with us; And they would say it if they spoke; And we might listen; and the world Be uncreated at one stroke.”  The poems in this book are uplifting, thought provoking and strong.  I especially like that at the bottom of most of the pages there’s a description of the poem and what it means.  I don’t think I would let kids read that because I would want their interpretations not the ones from the book.   However, I love the poems and would love to use them.

Review Excerpts:

·      The Washington Post: “This anthology is perfect for dipping or diving into, for reading aloud and for celebrating the quirks and glories of everything from William Blake’s ‘World in a grain of sand’ to Wislawa Szymborska’s lighthearted whale.”

·      School Library Journal: “From the playful to the profound, the poems invite reflection and inspire further investigation.”

Connection:

·      This is a great way to introduce poetry in a classroom

·      Great way to start thinking deeper  into poetry

·      Other books by this author

o   Hoberman, Mary Ann. 2009.  STRAWBERRY HILL. ISBN: 9780316041355

o   Hoberman, Mary Ann. 2009. ALL KINDS OF FAMILIES. ISBN: 9780316146333

o   Hoberman, Mary Ann.  2002.  THE MARVELOUS MOUSE MAN. ISBN: 9780152017156

DIAMOND WILLOW by Helen Frost

DIAMOND WILLOW by Helen Frost

Bibliography:  Frost, Helen. 2011.  DIAMOND WILLOW. Harrisonburg, Virginia: R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company. ISBN: 978-0-31260383-0.

Plot Summary: Diamond Willow is about a young girl, whom the story is named after.  Diamond Willow lives in Alaska with her family and helps take care of the sled dogs.  She feels that the dogs are the only ones who really like and understand her.  Diamond Willow is close to one dog in particular, Roxy.  Roxy and Diamond think the same way and are able to run with the sled like they were one.  One day Diamond takes the dogs to her grandparent’s house for the first time by herself.  Everything goes well except on the way back.  There’s an accident and Roxy loses her sight completely.  Diamond feels completely responsible and her parents want to put Roxy to sleep.  Diamond won’t have it and runs off with Roxy to her grandparent’s house, her friend Kaylie along for the ride.  They get lost along the way but with a little help from unexpected friends Diamond and Roxy make it to the house. After everyone is safe they decide not to put Roxy to sleep.  However, a strange turn of events leads to the revealing of Diamond Willows twin sister who passed away when she was a baby.  We then find out that the spirit of Diamond’s twin sister resides within Roxy.  Roxy and Diamond are rarely parted and love each other like the twins they are.

 

Critical Analysis: I was a little leery to read this book at first but I am so glad that I did.  The story itself is beautiful and very ethereal.  However, the way the story was written stole the show for me.  In the beginning of the book the author explains that she once saw a lamp and a walking stick made out of Diamond Willow which has diamond shaped divots where a branch has either been damaged or falls away.  So she wrote her story in diamond shaped poems.  I was so floored by this.  What a great idea! Within each poem are words written in bold that create a completely different sentence.  This has become one of my very favorite books simply for its individuality.  Another aspect of the story that really got to me was the ancestor in animal form.  For example, one of the animals that help Diamond along the way, a hen, is her great-great-great grandmother’s spirit.  I just loved that.  Wonderful book with great form!

Review Excerpts:

·      School Library Journal: “This complex and elegant novel will resonate with readers who savor powerful drama multifaceted characters.”

·      Booklist: “Set in a remote part of Alaska, this story in easy-to-read verse blends exciting survival adventure with a contemporary girl’s discovery of family roots and secrets.”

·       2009 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award

·      2008 Mitten Award- Michigan Library Association

·      The Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry: 2009 Honor Book.

Connections:

·      This book is a great introduction to non rhyming poetry

·      Shape poems

·      A great way to explore the Alaskan culture

·      Other books by this author

o   Frost, Helen. 2009. CROSSING STONES. ISBN: 0374316538

o   Frost, Helen. 2007. KEESHA’S HOUSE. ISBN: 0374400121

o   Frost, Helen. 2007. THE BRAID. ISBN: 0374309620

The Three Little Tamales by Eric Kimmel

THE THREE LITTLE TAMALES by Eric Kimmel

Bibliography:

Kimmel, Eric. 2009. THE THREE LITTLE TAMALES. Illus. Valeria Docampo. Seattle, WA: Amazon Children’s Publishing.

Summary: This story is a lot like the traditional three little pigs story but instead of pigs it has tamales.  The three little tamales are sitting on the windowsill cooling when they are told by a tortilla to run or be eaten! So the tortillas run off and each builds his or her own house.  The first builds a house out of sagebrush. The second builds a house out of cornstalks. The third tamale builds her house out of cactus.  Then Senor Lobo (the big bad wolf) comes and begins to blow their houses down.  As you can imagine the first two lose their houses quite easily.  They run to the third tamale and its strong cactus house saves them.

Critical Analysis: I love this story because, being from Texas, Tamales are a big part of everything my family does. (yum!) It is pretty much the exact same story as the three little pigs except for the change from pigs to tamales.  I especially like the fact that there is a lot of Spanish and Texas related terms used in the story.  Also, the illustrator made the pictures extremely bright and fun. The colors especially caught my attention.  

Review Excerpts:

·      Booklist: “Docampo’s oil-on-paper illustrations add dimension to the story and bring the three little tamales to life. An excellent addition to collections of fairy-tale retellings.”

·      School Library Journal: “The colorful artwork combines with a text brimming with humor and sound effects (Ay! Ay! Ay!) for a delightful parody sure to satisfy readers appetite for fun.”

Connections:

·      This book would be a great way to introduce variants of their favorite fairytales

·      There is a lot of Spanish in this book so it would be a great way to continuing their understanding of Spanish

·      Other books by this author:

o   Kimmel, Eric A. 2009. THE MCELDERRY BOOK OF GREEK MYTHS.

o   Kimmel, Eric A. 2008. LITTLE BRITCHES AND THE RATTLERS.

·      Other books like this:

o   Scieszka, Jon and Lane Smith.  1996.  THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS.

o   Lowell, Susan.  1992.  THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS. 

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly by Simms Taback

THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY by Simms Taback

Bibliography:

 Taback, Simms. 1997. THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY.  New York, NY: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780670869398.

Plot Summary: This story is a fun singsong tale of a woman who swallows bugs and animals.  She swallows a fly first, then a spider, bird, cat, dog, snake, pig, goat, cow, donkey, and horse.  The book is written based on the song written by Alan Mills and Rose Bonne and is more of a silly poem than a story.

Critical Analysis: I adore this book because of its fun pretense.  It is a little odd that the woman eats all of these things and it might be a little disturbing for some when the woman dies in the end.  However, it is meant to be a fun singsong type of book that is fun to read and fun listen to.

Review Excerpts:

·      Library School Journal: “From cover to moral (never swallow a horse), this cleverly illustrated version of an old folk favorite will delight children.”

·      New York Times: “The book is beautifully illustrated and lovingly designed by Simms Taback, and the publisher should be given enormous credit for the careful way it has produced the book and carried through his concept, which is a dandy.”

Connections:

·      This book is great to read to children because of its fun tone and topic

·      It helps kids understand rhyming

·      Other books by this author:

o   Taback, Simms. 2006. THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO SWALLOWED A BELL.  ISBN:  978-0439866439

o   Taback, Simms. 1999. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT.  ISBN: 978-0670878550

o   Taback, Simms.  2005. KIBITZERS AND FOOLS.  ISBN:  978-0670059553