Summer 2011

I'm very much enjoying my summer so far, but I've been very busy.  It has been run, run, run.  Brandi and Katie are both very involved in sports, so there has not been much time for rest and relaxation.  Plus, tomorrow, I turn 40!!! I remember when I used to think that was so old!  Where has time gone?

The Two Foolish Cats by Yoshiko Uchida

The Two Foolish Cats            Yoshiko Uchida


In this adaptation of a Japanese folktale, Yoshiko Uchida beautifully describes the greedy nature of two cats who learn a great deal from their own foolish behavior.  When one thinks of a classic children's tale, a story like this should come to mind. With colorful illustrations as well as fablistic characters, children are drawn to this book, as I saw with my own daughter who read the book as soon as I was finished with it; she loved it.  Of course, like most folktales, this story also has a moral:  act silly and greedy and you will pay a hefty price.  I think this is a good lesson for both children and adults alike to consider.

Still, this particular book by Uchida is not characteristic of other writings.  After researching her, I discovered that many of her other books discuss the Japanese-American plight, particularily during and after the World War II era.  In fact, in her book, The Invisible Thread, Uchida describes her own life of growing up in Berkely, California, as a Nisei--a second generation Japanese American--and her family's internment in a Nevada concentration camp during World War II.  Futhermore, her novel Journey Home depicts the life of a Japanese-American girl and her family after their release from an American concentration camp. Admist anti-Japanese feelings of fear, mistrust, and violence, this young girl and her family must try to rebuild their lives.

I plan on reading one of these books to find out more about this issue because I, like many other people, was basically unaware than such things occured in my own country.  When the words concentration camp are uttered, I have always thought of the atrocities committed by the Nazis to the Jewish people.  However, although nowhere near as severe as that, Japanese-Americans were definitely mistreated themselves during this era, a fact unbeknown to many Americans such as myself. 

Still, like other authors such as Laurence Yep, by reading the writings of such authors as Uchida, American students will be able to learn about a culture much different than their own, and, hopefully, develop both an appreciation and an understanding of these diverse cultures.

Later, Gator by Laurence Yep

Later, Gator      Laurence Yep

Later, Gator is the first book that I've ever read by Laurence Yep, but it definitely won't be the last.  I really enjoyed this book and laughed very hard several times while reading it.  Teddy is definitely a prankster, and although I couldn't relate personally to his plight since I myself am the youngest of two siblings, I relate to his point as seen through experiences of my own three children.  Still, even more than the plight of Teddy, reading this book helped me better understand the differences between the Chinese and the American cultures, which were referenced to several times in the book.

When reading this book and thinking about the allusions to the differences between the Chinese and American cultures, I remembered a short story I used to teach when I taught high school called "The Good Deed" by Pearl Buck.  This story discusses the Chinese belief that all women have the right to be married and should not be forced to find a husband on their own.  I remember how most of my students were astonished by this idea.  Usually, arranged marriages are viewed as a very bad thing, but when explained by Old Mrs. Pan in this story, several of my students--although not agreeing with the idea--were able to see the issue in a different light. 

This is very much like what I learned by reading Later, Gator.  At first, I didn't understand why on Earth these parents wouldn't show more affection to their children, but as the customs are better explained, I could understand this idea much better.  And, as a result, like my students who read The Good Deed, I, too, was able to see an issue with which I did not agree in a difference light.  I think this is a very important aspect of all literature, not just children's literature.  By teaching students that just because they may not agree with someone else about a given subject, they still can respect others' rights and opinions, and, therefore, build a better, more accepting society for everyone.

Before reading this book, I researched and reviewed several other books by Yep.  He is a writer of several Chinese-American stories and through his stories, children can have a better understanding of a different culture, a culture that they may not otherwise be exposed to if not for Yep's books.  Yep does a very good job in creating realistic characters and settings which very much bring the Chinese culture to life and help readers better appreciate a culture which is, in most aspects, very different than our own American culture.

Coretta Scott King Award book--2005

Remember: The Journey to School Integration by Toni Morrison

Like the Caldecott Award books, I also read several Coretta Scott King Award books in this class, some of which I will discuss later in some of my other assignments.  However, I really enjoyed reading the 2005 award receipent, Remember: The Journey to School Integration by Toni Morrison.  I read this book last week at the ERC on WKU's campus, and I just couldn't put it down.  Not only were its words wonderfully written, but also the pictures really spoke to me, especially the images of the faces of the white women who, while dressed very pretty, had such ugly looks of anger and hatred on their faces, glaring and screaming at the little African-American children who just wanted to go to school and have the same opportunities that their children had.  My daughter was with me the day I read this, and I kept thinking about how horrible it would have been to have seen my children go through something like that.  When it comes to my kids, I'm like a lioness protecting her cubs, but I also try to treat other children like I would want my own children treated--with kindess, fairness, and compassion.  Therefore, I just don't understand how these people could have acted like this.  But, I guess fear and ignorace can lead to people reacting badly in certain situations.

Also, the image in this book of the segragated water fountains reminded me of my own father and a story he once told me. Being in the military, my father was exposed to many difference races and cultures, so he always taught my sister and me that there were good and bad people of all kinds; we shouldn't judge people by the way they looked.  He told us about a time when he and his bunkmates--a man of Mexican descendant and an African-American man--went to a restaurant to eat.  When the waitress refused to serve his friend just because he was black, they all got up and left.  I was really proud of my father for doing this; I'm sure this wasn't easy for him, but he knew the difference between right and wrong and always taught us children the same way. The images from this book really brought these stories clearly to my mind.  Stories are just words, sometimes, but pictures can really bring those words to life.

Finally, the pictures of the four girls to whom this book is dedicated actually made me cry.  These girls were just at church when they were killed in a racist bombing.  Morrison eloquently reminds readers to remember these young girls, to remember that they were killed before their lives even really began, and, although things are a great deal better now than they were back then as far as race equality is concerned, we should all still never forget the people who sacrificed and took a stand for equality.

Caldecott Vs. Newbery Award Winners

During this course, I have read several Caldecott and Newbery Award Winners.  However, throughout my education career and training, I have actually been far more familiar with Newbery books than I have Caldecott books.  Prior to this course, if asked the question, "Which is a better award--Newbery or Caldecott," I would have definitely said, "Newbery, of course!"  Now, I'm not so sure.

First of all, according to the American Library Assocation's  (ALA) website, "The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children" (ALA website, 2011, Newbery Award List section).   Therefore, one can see that earning this award is a great achievement and includes such all time greats as my favorite book and the best book I have ever read, The Witch of Blackbird Pond.  Still, whether this award is better than the Caldecott Award is up for debate, but I don't really think so. 

Again, according to the ALA, "The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children" (ALA website, 2011, Caldecott Award List section).  As I have discovered by reading several picture books during this semester, pictures can tell a story without ever using a single written word.  In fact, sometimes picture books can actually stimulate one's imagination more than written words because readers are actually making up the story as they go from what they interpret from the pictures.  Therefore, just like Newbery books, Caldecott books honor extraordinary storytellers, even though one story is told through words and the other, through illustrations. Therefore, I see the awards as being very equal; one being just as honorable as the other.

Works Cited

American Library Association.  (ALA).  (2011).  Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/.

Caldecott Winners

 

Caldecott Award Winners 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, and 2003

The five recent Caldecott Award Winners which I read were the following:  The Lion and the Mouse, The House in the Night, Floatsam, Kitten's First Full Moon, and My Friend Rabbit. Since I teach middle school students, I must admit I hadn't spent much time reading Caldecott books; I didn't know what I was missing.  I simply loved them!

The first two I read were at Barnes and Nobel--The Lion and the Mouse and Floatsam.  I had no idea how well an illustrator could tell a story, without the use of one single word.  I really think that picture books like these can get children into literacy before they can even read a word.  I really liked Floatsam, but I must admit, The Lion and the Mouse was my favorite.  Pinkney's use of watercolors to create dreamlike, yet realistic images of the characters is simply stunning.  I really loved this book, and I thought it was going to be my ultimate favorite picture book; that is, until I read The House in the Night.

I read a copy of The House in the Night at the ERC on campus, and I was blown away by its illustrations.  At first, I was surprised by the lack of color; my thought was, "How can this be a Caldecott Award Winner and not have color illustrations?"  What I didn't realize until I started looking through the book was that it did use color, especially when emphasizing the brightness of the moon, but the whole idea behind this story was to distinguish between the moon's brightness and the darkness of the night.  And, as I said before, I had no idea how wonderfully these pictures could tell a story.  Without the illustrations, this book would have had nowhere near the same effect upon me that it had.

I also read Kitten's First Full Moon--which also used pencil sketch-like illustrations--and My Friend Rabbit, a beautiful, color-illustrated book and the kind of book I actually expected to see when looking for Caldecott Award Winners.  Still, although I did have my favorites, I was really amazed by all of the books, and I am very glad I had the opportunity to not only read them but also to share them with my own children.  Again, this gave me a new insight into literacy--children can begin to become literate without be able to read a word. 

 

Children's Books as Feature Films

The three children's books that I have chosen to discuss that were made into feature films are Freak the Mighty, Hatchet, and Holes.

First, Freak the Mighty, a novel with a movie version called The Mighty, is a wonderful, heart-warming book that shows how friendship can overcome many of life's obstacles and teaches the moral lesson that people shouldn't be judged just by looks alone.  This is one of my favorite books, and I teach it to my seventh grade classes every year.  We also watch the movie and, usually, students enjoy both about the same.  While the book and the movie do have the basic plot and characters, some minor details are changed--how the boys meet, how exactly Kevin finds Max when Max is kidnapped by his father, etc.  Of course, these changes are more than likely included  for "dramatic effect," but I never understand why the book just can't be left alone and the movie follow it more precisely. Still, I guess that is why I am a middle-income teacher and not a multi-millionaire movie producer.  Go figure!

Again, another of my favorite children's books which is not very much like its feature-film version is Hatchet. The movie version is actually called A Cry in the Wild, which is why I had a difficult time finding it the very first time I taught this book.   While the plot is basically the same--Brian Robeson is the sole survivor of a plan crash in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, left to try to live on his own--many elements of the book are changed, especially with the inclusion of a mysterious white wolf who comes to Brian's aide in the movie but is never once mentioned in the book.  Probably, dramatic effect--again--is the reason for this, but I think that the novel has enough excitement and adventure that nothing else should be added. 

Finally, the book Holes is actually a book with a feature film version that actually follows the novel very well.  In fact, I really can't think of any major changes between the two.  How refreshing!  I can say that the only down-side to this would be the fact that a student could watch the movie, not really read the book, and still pass the AR test.  However, it is nice to know that the producers thought this book well-written enough that nothing had to be changed or dramatized. 

Sttill, I do always try to show a video version of a story, if possible.  I think this helps the students see if their visual interpretations of the characters, setting, and plot are like that of the movie producers.  However, sometimes, as I have found with the novel The Outsiders, watching the movie can corrupt one's  imagination into always seeing the actor's' face every time that character is mentioned.  For example, I always picture C. Thomas Howell each time I teach The Outsiders and start reading about Ponyboy.  Sometimes, I wish I didn't do that, but I don't seem to be able to stop myself.

The Lion and the Mouse/The Sunday Outing/The Old African Jerry Pinkney, illustrator

Jerry Pinkney, writer and illustrator

Jerry Pinkney is a fabulous illustrator who, not surprisingly, has won several awards for his art, but was, unfortunately, someone I had not heard about prior to taking this class.  However, I am very  impressed by his work and very glad that I have been exposed to him and his art.

The first book I picked up by Pinkney was his recent creation, The Lion and the Mouse.  I was stunned by this book's beauty as well as how Pinkney's art tells the story without ever using a word.  Sitting in Barnes and Nobel that day and glancing at all the Caldecott Winners, I just happened to pick up this book and realize it was by Pinkney.  I was immediately enthralled!  In fact, I loved it so much, I shared with my daughters, and, they, like me, were in awe.  Pinkney uses watercolors, making his images look almost dream-like but still real. 

I also read The Sunday Outing which is illustrated by Pinkney and written by his wife, Gloria Jean Pinkney.  This wonderful story of  how a little girl's dream to ride on a train in order to visit her relatives in North Carolina comes true is further enhanced by Pinkney's illustrations.  I really enjoy the colors Pinkey uses in this book as well as the detail he gives to the characters' facial features.  All of their expressions really come to life, especially the illustration depicting Ernestine's friends as she is telling them about her trip.  Their looks exhibit wonder, happiness, and even jealously. 

Also, Pinkney illustrated Julius Lester's book The Old African, which I discussed in a previous blog.  Again, the artwork is exquisite with a dream-like quality that still shows the realism and horror of the characters' situations.  However, my favorite illustration in this book are the ones which depict the people traveling underwater back to their homes in Africa. These scenes not only show the characters but also the sea life, swimming around them, guiding them home.  It is simply beautiful.

I never realized how beatiful artwork utilizing watercolors can be, and I am not surprised that Pinkney is an award-winning illustrator.  Most of the other children's illustrations I have seen are trite, simple, humorous pictures which don't really show anything about the characters's plights or their situations.  Pinkney's illustration are nothing like this.  He truly is a first-class artist with whom, I am sure, many writers would love to collaborate.  I am very glad I know about him now, and I will continue to follow him and his art.

The Old African by Julius Lester

The Old African   Julius Lester

Never have read anything by Julius Lester previously, I didn't really think I would enjoy his work; I was wrong.  His book, The Old African, not only brought tears to my eyes, but, undoubtedly, will be one that I will never forget. 

My first impressions of looking through the book were not good; I felt that this book would be depressing, depicting the horror and brutality of slavery.  However, while this book did discuss this, I did not anticipate the hope it would express, and that it would actually have a happy ending.  I loved it! I loved that, for once, the "good guys" did prevail; I loved that, for once, the "bad guy" was completely destroyed; and, I loved, for once, that justice was served.  I had to remember, of course, that this was a children's book, but I was having a bad day when I read this--feeling down and stressed out--so I guess that is why I expected the book to also be like this.  Luckily, I was wrong, and this book actually changed my mood, from gloom to triumph.  As I said before, I love it when the good guys win!

Although I haven't read anything else by Lester, after researching, I found that many of his books focus on slavery, including books which have received Newbery Honors as well as Coretta Scott King honors and Jewish Book Award finalists.  In fact, I found a website, http://members.authorsguild.net/juliuslester/works.htm, where Lester discusses not only his books, but his motivations for writing his books. 

The realism of this book, however, did surprise me.  Although it does have a happy ending and the good guys do prevail, the focus on the Old African's horrific journey to America and the brutalities he endured were quite graphic.  At first, I was surprised that this book would be part of children's literature, but sometimes, I don't realize how much children are exposed to at younger and younger ages.  They need to realize, at a young age, what really happened to so many Africans on their voyage to the New World, so when they do grow up, they can better appreciate what they have and be more tolerant and accepting of others around them..  Furthermore, by not "watering down" these horrors, both children and adults like can really visualize how awful these journeys were. 

Again, Lester is an author I plan to read again.  He is a spectular writer.

The Cat in the Hat

Book: The Cat in the Hat                                       Author:  Dr. Seuss

Wow!  Before starting this book and reading the questions asked about it in assocation with creating this blog, I had no idea how controversial Dr. Suess could be.  While I had never read The Lorax, I began doing some research last night and discovered that his book was actually banned by some schools, back in the 70's.  I had no idea.  Still , The Cat in the Hat is still as popular today as it was back in 1957 when it was very copyrighted.  My seven-year-old daughter loves it and was so excited when she found out that I was actually going to read it and write a blog about it. 

I must admit that I have never been a true fan of Suess's books.  As a child, I found that difficult and confusing; still, my children are the exact opposite and love his books.  Although I am sure some contemporary books do exist which provoke the same tension as that presented in The Cat and the Hat, I haven't read one yet.  Still, I do believe that many children's book today over didactic, teaching moral lessons, but many of them are more subtle in today's time, so that every thing remains "politically correct" and unoffensive.  Still, I admire Suess's ability to question the "norm" and allow children to step outside of their comfort zone to decide, on their own, what they would do in a similar situation.  When reading this book, I always ask my daughter, "What would you have done?".  Her response is always, "I wouldn't have told!"  Back when this book was first written, although most children would have agree with her, most of them would not have admitted it.  Nowadays, I believe that more children have become more independent and free-thinking and are confident enough in both themselves and their parents to admit this truth.  I wouldn't have admitted this to my mother, but I'm glad my child is willing.

While The Cat in the Hat may be one of Suess's best known books, Oh! The Place You Will Go!  is by far my favorite of his stories.  In fact, when my son graduated from high school, a relative gave him the the book, and he really seemed to appreciate it.  Dr. Suess's books, although didactic in nature, still appeal to both children and adults alike because they are fun, crazy, and exciting.  I guess that's why they never appealed much to me as a child; I was always serious and obedient, always wanting to please, always wanting to be good, never really having the confidence to step out and be who I really was.   I'm glad my children aren't like that.  Maybe, Dr. Suess helped them.  Thanks, Dr. Suess!

Newbery Award Winners

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park and Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins.


The two novels which I chose to complete this first blog over for my Newbery Award Winners are A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park and Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins.

First, the two of these books with which I am most familiar is A Single Shard, since I have actually taught this book to a class I had a few years ago.  Although I really enjoyed this book, most of my students simply hated it.  I taught this to a seventh grade class that I had.  Most of the students I had in this class were top students with above-average reading levels.  However, they seemed not to be able to relate to this book at all, and in fact, complained so much about reading it that I haven't taught it since.

Still, as for me, I really enjoyed reading this book.  The character development was superior, and the plot was not at all draggy; this was a very fast read for me. Once, I started it, I couldn't put it down.  Since I have children myself, I have a tendency to think about my own kids when reading about others, so I couldn't help but picture my own children when reading about the little orphan, Tree-ear.  I even found myself relating to Crane-man--the way he cared so much for Tree-ear and sacrificed what little he had to give him. 

In addition, I really believe that most children could relate to this book if they would just give it a chance.  Maybe, the way I taught the book caused my students to dislike it so much, but I really don't understand why they did.   Perhaps, they were too immature to appreciate what Tree-ear was going through or just simply couldn're relate to his plight at all.  However, after visiting this book again, I think I'm going to give it a second try and attempt to teach it again this year.  I really believe this novel can show children that even when failure seem inevitable, they should never stop trying and never give up hope for a better tomorrow.

The other Newbery book I read is Criss Cross by Perkins.  Honestly, I didn't get into this book and didn't really like it until I read the last two chapters.  However, these last two made the entire book worth reading for me; I even cried.   I feel that so many young people could relate to Debbie and her feelings that something "just isn't quite right" about her.  I see this everyday in my middle school students.  So many of them are just on the edge of discovering who they are and what they want to do with themselves that they feel that they don't fit in or belong anywhere, that something just isn't "quite right" about them.  I even remember feeling this myself when I was their age.  Who am I kidding?  I even have those moments today as a adult, so I was really able to connect to the characters in this book.  Also, the last part, when Debbie and Hector just seem to barely miss each other, made me catch my breath and almost scream.  I wanted them to see each other so badly. This part also made me wonder if I ever missed something like this in my own life; but, of course, I'll never know, which is probably for the best. 

After reading both of these Newbery Award winners, I can see why they are both exemplary books for children.  Both books try to show kids that even though childhood may seem lonely, many other kids are experiencing the same emotions and issues that they themselves are feeling and that they shouldn't give up.  They have a whole, new, long life in front of them full of opportunites that they may not be even able to imagine.  How exciting!

Reading Journal for LME 518 Spring 2011--Newbery Winners

The two Newbery Winners I am reading are A Single Shard and CrissCross. More later!