I am thinking of starting a book club this Summer. My friend and I have been talking about this ever since we met. We are so busy that we have never gotten around to it.
I have a stronger motivation this Summer, so maybe I'll do it. I have a goal. I plan to read 25 chapter books and 23 picture books before school starts, this August. It's a tall order but I will have help, you see. I have four daughters and hopefully some of their interested friends, who might join me in my quest. Then, if I don't quite get to all of them, at least I'll have a reliable review source. So, admittedly, it will be a group effort. I suppose we will meet at our neighborhood swimming pool, maybe weekly, through out the Summer. If anyone gets bored with the discussion or tired of reading, they can just go play in the water. It is a good plan.
The books I intend to read are from a list compiled at the University of Georgia, in connection with a program called The Georgia Children's Book Awards. This program was established in 1968 by Professor Sheldon Root, to foster a love of reading in Georgia's children and introduce them to good books. Books are nominated throughout Georgia by media specialists and teachers. From these nominations, a committee selects a final list. During the school year teachers and media specialist are encouraged to introduce these books to students. The students who read or listen to the majority of nominees are allowed to vote on their favorite. Some past winners have been The Lightning Thief, by Riordan and Flush, by Hiassen, in the middle school category, and Sweet Tooth, by Palatini and Superdog, by Buehner. While these are good books, even great books, they were not my first choice, but then, I am not eligible to vote, since I am not in elementary or middle school.
The nominees for the 2010-2011 school year have been announced. You can find this list and more about the Georgia Book Award Program at the UGA website www.coe.uga.edu/gcba.
Some years ago, a librarian or media specialist, (I'm not sure which), named Helen Ruffin started a reading Bowl in the Atlanta Area. It's called the Helen Ruffen Reading Bowl, now, and has grown over the years from the Atlanta area, to the greater Atlanta area to now there are four districts covering most of the state. The bowl is similar to an academic bowl with 2 teams of 4 or 5 students buzzing in to answer questions. The difference is these question for the Reading Bowl are taken from the current list of Georgia Book Award Books.
So schools all across counties in Georgia form reading bowl teams, read the GA book Award books, and begin writing questions for each other and quizzing each other. The teams that are really good, begin preparing as soon as the new list comes out. Originally, the competition was open only to middle school grades. But the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl has grown in popularity and now their is a division for 4th and 5th graders at the elementary schools. I coach the team for my daughter's elementary school. We read, we write question, we practice, we borrow the buzzers from the academic bowl coach (Last year we nearly lost the buzzer machine! YIKES!) We get ready to compete. So far we have not won at the county level, but when we do, we will go to the region , then state. Whether we win or not, we will have had a good time and experienced excellent literature. It's not always the winning that is important. It is the process of engaging children and helping them know themselves better, helping them try something and see they can do more than they expected at first, helping them grow that counts.
A Summer Reading Club - Good Books, Good Fun, Good Stories, Good Idea!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
All Time Greats!
For some reason I keep thinking about the books I read in junior high (It's called middle school, now.) I think it's because I still read on that level. When I was in 7th and 8th grade, I read some books over and over. I was going through a fantasy phase and read most any of that genre that I could get my hands on. Yes! I was that kind of geek! I read all of Susan Cooper's, including her most famous The Dark Is Rising, series. (That title is the second book in that group of five, by the way.) I also read Lloyd Alexander's, The High King, another story that took five books to tell. Also, I read The Phantom Tollbooth, many times, and ,Madeline L'Engle's, Wrinkle In Time trilogy, although now I think there are two more books associated with that collection.
I liked historical fiction, too. I read Russell Baker's, Growing Up. I can still picture where it was in the stacks of our Junior high library. I had just out grown a biography phase, where I was reading these old, abridged versions of historical figures. I always picked the women to read about. Looking back, I am not even sure if they were that accurate, but it was so fun to read a heroine story. One day, I was going to be like Maria Mitchell, First Women Astronomer - the next day, I was Annie Oakley, Frontier Sharpshooter.
My favorite authors at the time were J.R.R. Tolkien, Louisa May Alcott, and C.S. Lewis. I realize I am not alone. Most of the directors, writers who have made movies Of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings are probable around my age, which means they were also reading and re-reading those authors as pimply-faced pre-teens, just like me. Now that I am thinking of these authors, I don't suppose they need any introduction but, just for kicks, I'll share their background.
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) was an Engilsh writer, poet, professor and philologist. A philologist is a lover of words -I think my dad is one - but in an academic sense, a philologist studies languages, ancient texts. Tolkien lost his father at age 3 and his mother at age 12. Since his mother had converted to Catholicism against her family's wishes, a priest was assigned to be his guardian. Catholicism was an important part of Tolkien's life. He married Edith, then served in WWI where he was invalided with trench fever and lost many of his childhood friends. He and Edith had four children and a happy life together. He wrote the Father Christmas Letters for them - I love this collection. He and C.S. Lewis were friend and in fact, Tolkien was part of Lewis' conversion back to Christianity, though Lewis ultimately chose the Anglican church over the Catholic church - and that bothered Tolkien.
I am blown away by the depth of imagination it took for Tolkien to create middle earth. He was steeped in Medieval literature, Old English, Gaelic, Welsh mythology and ancient texts, and that is where I feel I am, when I read The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Rings, The Two Towers, or The Return of the King - completely transported to a strange, alien, mystical place and time, with some hauntingly familiar pull - as if his words and that time are part of all of our past.
Louisa May Alcott, on the other hand, stretches my imagination in a completely different way and to a different time. Maybe it is slightly more familiar to me, since I am a female, with sisters, and daughters, and the 1800's are ever so more recent than the dark ages. Plus,. Massachusetts is within driving distance (I would have to take an Elvin ship and been bearer of the ring to go to Frodo and Bilbo' world)
When I read Little Women, I always wanted to be Jo, but I suppose I am more like Meg. Hopefully, I have a bit of the good of each character she writes about. All of Louisa's books are wonderful. I think An Old-Fashioned Girl is my favorite.
Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), was an American novelist and the daughter of Amos Bronson Alcott and Abigail May Alcott. Her father, Bronson, was and educator and transcendentalist. This is a philosophy that believes we are innately spiritual and our senses and ego can hinder our path towards enlightenment, and that we must lessen our "self" in order to become part of knowing and becoming part of God. I am not sure I understand it completely.
This philosophy and way of life meant that Louisa and her three sisters were rich in ideas and poor in sustenance. They were always scraping by. Louisa was raised listening, absorbing and discussing ideals with her own parents and other great thinkers like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller - Nathanial Hawthorne. No wonder her books stretch and challenge. I think her ideas and her depiction of characters and relationships make her books timeless and relevant, even to today's time.
Once, at a library sale, I found most of her major works in an old set of 8 or 9 books, with a copyright date of 1911! I snatched these books up - They may be worth very little money, but the are worth a lot, sentimentally, to me.
Now on to C.S.Lewis (1898 - 1963), who was a novelist, academic, medievalist, and Christian apologist, among other things. He died 2 years before I was born, yet still I want to talk to him. But what would I say? "I really, really like your books , Mr. Lewis, sir. Really Really - " Probably, it would not go well - I think he was a complicated man. He may have been grumpy or very brusque with me. It is better this way - him living three generations ago and me just benefit ting from his work. My great- grandmother was of his era. If I had lived during his time, I am not sure a woman would have gotten much notice. It would have been great fun, though, to be an invisible presence at one or two of those Inklings meeting, watching the interactions and taking in the discussions of Tolkien, Lewis, Warnie, his brother, Hugo Dyson, Owen Barfield, and more.
Lewis lost his mom at an early age and his dad was emotionally distant. I suppose after his mom's death, his older brother was the brightest spot in his youth. He spent much time in boarding schools. These awful places might have been like, Roald Dahl describes in his memoir Boy. The boarding school experience was so bad, he was brought home and given a tutor. His tutor was Kirkpatrick, his best teacher, who became his friend and taught a love of Greek mythology, how to debate, and how to reason.
Though raised in a Christian home, Lewis, decided to become an atheist for a time, then converted back to Christianity in his early 30's. He served in WWI and was wounded, he also lost a friend Paddy, whom he made a promise to. His promise was, that if Paddy died in the war, he would look after his mom, and that he did. Later in life, in his 60's he met and married an American, Joy Gresham. Their marriage was happy but brief, only 2 years. Joy died of bone cancer, then Lewis died 2 years later of renal failure.
I continue to love all of Lewis books. to this day. They are not fond memories, I still read them, All of seven the Narnia books, The Space Trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet, Perlandrea, That Hideous Strength, his books on Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Pilgrim's Regress, Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain - (simply too many to list!) -They are dear friends to me. My favorite of his Narnia books, are The Magician's Nephew and The Last Battle. And I absolutely love, Till We Have Faces. That is one of those book I will read at different maturity points of my life and get different lesson from. The Great Divorce, is also very thought provoking. Hey, maybe I'll take a bus to Heaven, just like he describes in this book, and find him, the great C.S Lewis, speaking with the great George MacDonald, some imaginary day, and join their conversation. It Might Happen!
I liked historical fiction, too. I read Russell Baker's, Growing Up. I can still picture where it was in the stacks of our Junior high library. I had just out grown a biography phase, where I was reading these old, abridged versions of historical figures. I always picked the women to read about. Looking back, I am not even sure if they were that accurate, but it was so fun to read a heroine story. One day, I was going to be like Maria Mitchell, First Women Astronomer - the next day, I was Annie Oakley, Frontier Sharpshooter.
My favorite authors at the time were J.R.R. Tolkien, Louisa May Alcott, and C.S. Lewis. I realize I am not alone. Most of the directors, writers who have made movies Of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings are probable around my age, which means they were also reading and re-reading those authors as pimply-faced pre-teens, just like me. Now that I am thinking of these authors, I don't suppose they need any introduction but, just for kicks, I'll share their background.
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) was an Engilsh writer, poet, professor and philologist. A philologist is a lover of words -I think my dad is one - but in an academic sense, a philologist studies languages, ancient texts. Tolkien lost his father at age 3 and his mother at age 12. Since his mother had converted to Catholicism against her family's wishes, a priest was assigned to be his guardian. Catholicism was an important part of Tolkien's life. He married Edith, then served in WWI where he was invalided with trench fever and lost many of his childhood friends. He and Edith had four children and a happy life together. He wrote the Father Christmas Letters for them - I love this collection. He and C.S. Lewis were friend and in fact, Tolkien was part of Lewis' conversion back to Christianity, though Lewis ultimately chose the Anglican church over the Catholic church - and that bothered Tolkien.
I am blown away by the depth of imagination it took for Tolkien to create middle earth. He was steeped in Medieval literature, Old English, Gaelic, Welsh mythology and ancient texts, and that is where I feel I am, when I read The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Rings, The Two Towers, or The Return of the King - completely transported to a strange, alien, mystical place and time, with some hauntingly familiar pull - as if his words and that time are part of all of our past.
Louisa May Alcott, on the other hand, stretches my imagination in a completely different way and to a different time. Maybe it is slightly more familiar to me, since I am a female, with sisters, and daughters, and the 1800's are ever so more recent than the dark ages. Plus,. Massachusetts is within driving distance (I would have to take an Elvin ship and been bearer of the ring to go to Frodo and Bilbo' world)
When I read Little Women, I always wanted to be Jo, but I suppose I am more like Meg. Hopefully, I have a bit of the good of each character she writes about. All of Louisa's books are wonderful. I think An Old-Fashioned Girl is my favorite.
Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), was an American novelist and the daughter of Amos Bronson Alcott and Abigail May Alcott. Her father, Bronson, was and educator and transcendentalist. This is a philosophy that believes we are innately spiritual and our senses and ego can hinder our path towards enlightenment, and that we must lessen our "self" in order to become part of knowing and becoming part of God. I am not sure I understand it completely.
This philosophy and way of life meant that Louisa and her three sisters were rich in ideas and poor in sustenance. They were always scraping by. Louisa was raised listening, absorbing and discussing ideals with her own parents and other great thinkers like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller - Nathanial Hawthorne. No wonder her books stretch and challenge. I think her ideas and her depiction of characters and relationships make her books timeless and relevant, even to today's time.
Once, at a library sale, I found most of her major works in an old set of 8 or 9 books, with a copyright date of 1911! I snatched these books up - They may be worth very little money, but the are worth a lot, sentimentally, to me.
Now on to C.S.Lewis (1898 - 1963), who was a novelist, academic, medievalist, and Christian apologist, among other things. He died 2 years before I was born, yet still I want to talk to him. But what would I say? "I really, really like your books , Mr. Lewis, sir. Really Really - " Probably, it would not go well - I think he was a complicated man. He may have been grumpy or very brusque with me. It is better this way - him living three generations ago and me just benefit ting from his work. My great- grandmother was of his era. If I had lived during his time, I am not sure a woman would have gotten much notice. It would have been great fun, though, to be an invisible presence at one or two of those Inklings meeting, watching the interactions and taking in the discussions of Tolkien, Lewis, Warnie, his brother, Hugo Dyson, Owen Barfield, and more.
Lewis lost his mom at an early age and his dad was emotionally distant. I suppose after his mom's death, his older brother was the brightest spot in his youth. He spent much time in boarding schools. These awful places might have been like, Roald Dahl describes in his memoir Boy. The boarding school experience was so bad, he was brought home and given a tutor. His tutor was Kirkpatrick, his best teacher, who became his friend and taught a love of Greek mythology, how to debate, and how to reason.
Though raised in a Christian home, Lewis, decided to become an atheist for a time, then converted back to Christianity in his early 30's. He served in WWI and was wounded, he also lost a friend Paddy, whom he made a promise to. His promise was, that if Paddy died in the war, he would look after his mom, and that he did. Later in life, in his 60's he met and married an American, Joy Gresham. Their marriage was happy but brief, only 2 years. Joy died of bone cancer, then Lewis died 2 years later of renal failure.
I continue to love all of Lewis books. to this day. They are not fond memories, I still read them, All of seven the Narnia books, The Space Trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet, Perlandrea, That Hideous Strength, his books on Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Pilgrim's Regress, Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain - (simply too many to list!) -They are dear friends to me. My favorite of his Narnia books, are The Magician's Nephew and The Last Battle. And I absolutely love, Till We Have Faces. That is one of those book I will read at different maturity points of my life and get different lesson from. The Great Divorce, is also very thought provoking. Hey, maybe I'll take a bus to Heaven, just like he describes in this book, and find him, the great C.S Lewis, speaking with the great George MacDonald, some imaginary day, and join their conversation. It Might Happen!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Contemporary Greats!
What do Tomie dePaola, Patricia Polacco and Cynthia Rylant have in common? They are excellent writers of children's book. I am pretty sure you have heard of these authors before, but let me join their groups of admirers. I think I love them because they are good storytellers and they write about relationships in their own unique style. Each author works to tell their story, but also about their characters. I really like that. I always prefer a character-driven story over a plot-driven one. It also seems that they are telling me something about themselves, as I listen to the tales they spin, about their own culture, about concepts that are important to them, and about subjects that interest them. It might be naive to imagine, but I think I might like these authors, if I were to meet them.
Tomie dePaola began writing and drawing at an early age. Born in 1934, in Connecticut, he had a happy childhood and knew he always wanted to be involved in art. His love of books developed probably because his mom read to him, all the time. He draws on his family experiences and his heritage when he writes. He writes about legends, The Legend of Bluebonnet, bible stories, religious characters, St. Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi, folk tales and family. His books range from fun and silly, like Fin who outsmarted a giant, Fin McCoul, to some pretty serious topics, like a little boy dealing with his grandfather's illness, in Now One Foot, Now the Other. His writing is direct and honest, just right for children aged 7-10 years and his illustrations are clear and simple and make his point. I love his books about Strega Nona, an old Italian woman, and her friend Anthony. He also wrote about his own family - one of my favorites is Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs.
Patricia Polacco is also a well-known writer and illustrator. She illustrates her own books, beautifully with a sophisticated and emotive style. Her stories are usually about the relationship between a child and an older person, like a grandparent or teacher. She mentions in her short autobiography on her website, that she spent a lot of time with her own grandparents when she was young - and she cherishes those memories. Although she has always been an artist, she did not start writing her stories until she was 41 years old. Her stories are wonderful, because they show a her young characters learning something about themselves or about life, growing more confident, becoming a better person. These protagonists are always helped by the nurturing of some loving elder person in their community. In Mr. Lincoln's Way, a principal helps a troubled boy. In The Keeping Quilt, Ms. Polacco shares a special tradition from her culture with her readers. In Just Plain Fancy, two little girls gain a clearer understanding of their own faith. In Thank You, Mr. Falker, a little dyslexic girl is diagnosed and helped by her teacher. And in one of my favorite, Chicken Sunday, readers find an excellent example of tolerance and cultures living side-by-side. A warning to the tender-hearted: It is hard to get through Patricia Polacco's stories without emotion, so just know this if you are planning to read them to a group of children!
Cynthia Rylant - if I could just write one small story, as powerfully as she does! Her words have almost a lyrical quality as she describes her days with her grandparents in, When I Was Young in The Mountains. And I am carried away to my own memories, when I read The Relatives Came. Maybe that's because she writes poetry - a free verse type, or a prosy poetry, if that's such a thing. Many people, especially pet lovers, like her Dog Heaven and subsequent Cat Heaven books. The Henry and Mudge, chapter book series is excellent for 1st and 2nd grade readers. I must recommend two of her books. Though they are written for middle school age, any adult would grow from reading them. A Fine White Dust, a Newberry Honor book, is about a young boy learning truth about faith and God. And Missing May, a Newberry Award book, is about a girl and her adopted father, working through the grief of losing May.
I like these three authors, so much, that I collect any books they write. My collection is growing, since these contemporary authors keep writing wonderful books. I believe the reason their work resonates with so many people, is that these authors, dePaola, Polacco, and Rylant, write true words. Their stories never fail to spark interest, encourage and inspire, because the ideals they choose to write about, come from their own hearts, their own passion. Whether their tales are funny, sad, historical, mythical, or relational, they are mostly about learning to love.
Tomie dePaola began writing and drawing at an early age. Born in 1934, in Connecticut, he had a happy childhood and knew he always wanted to be involved in art. His love of books developed probably because his mom read to him, all the time. He draws on his family experiences and his heritage when he writes. He writes about legends, The Legend of Bluebonnet, bible stories, religious characters, St. Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi, folk tales and family. His books range from fun and silly, like Fin who outsmarted a giant, Fin McCoul, to some pretty serious topics, like a little boy dealing with his grandfather's illness, in Now One Foot, Now the Other. His writing is direct and honest, just right for children aged 7-10 years and his illustrations are clear and simple and make his point. I love his books about Strega Nona, an old Italian woman, and her friend Anthony. He also wrote about his own family - one of my favorites is Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs.
Patricia Polacco is also a well-known writer and illustrator. She illustrates her own books, beautifully with a sophisticated and emotive style. Her stories are usually about the relationship between a child and an older person, like a grandparent or teacher. She mentions in her short autobiography on her website, that she spent a lot of time with her own grandparents when she was young - and she cherishes those memories. Although she has always been an artist, she did not start writing her stories until she was 41 years old. Her stories are wonderful, because they show a her young characters learning something about themselves or about life, growing more confident, becoming a better person. These protagonists are always helped by the nurturing of some loving elder person in their community. In Mr. Lincoln's Way, a principal helps a troubled boy. In The Keeping Quilt, Ms. Polacco shares a special tradition from her culture with her readers. In Just Plain Fancy, two little girls gain a clearer understanding of their own faith. In Thank You, Mr. Falker, a little dyslexic girl is diagnosed and helped by her teacher. And in one of my favorite, Chicken Sunday, readers find an excellent example of tolerance and cultures living side-by-side. A warning to the tender-hearted: It is hard to get through Patricia Polacco's stories without emotion, so just know this if you are planning to read them to a group of children!
Cynthia Rylant - if I could just write one small story, as powerfully as she does! Her words have almost a lyrical quality as she describes her days with her grandparents in, When I Was Young in The Mountains. And I am carried away to my own memories, when I read The Relatives Came. Maybe that's because she writes poetry - a free verse type, or a prosy poetry, if that's such a thing. Many people, especially pet lovers, like her Dog Heaven and subsequent Cat Heaven books. The Henry and Mudge, chapter book series is excellent for 1st and 2nd grade readers. I must recommend two of her books. Though they are written for middle school age, any adult would grow from reading them. A Fine White Dust, a Newberry Honor book, is about a young boy learning truth about faith and God. And Missing May, a Newberry Award book, is about a girl and her adopted father, working through the grief of losing May.
I like these three authors, so much, that I collect any books they write. My collection is growing, since these contemporary authors keep writing wonderful books. I believe the reason their work resonates with so many people, is that these authors, dePaola, Polacco, and Rylant, write true words. Their stories never fail to spark interest, encourage and inspire, because the ideals they choose to write about, come from their own hearts, their own passion. Whether their tales are funny, sad, historical, mythical, or relational, they are mostly about learning to love.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Forever Books
You know you have them. I am speaking of books you like so much that you must own a copy. Ones that you'll save to share with your children, and then share with your grandchildren. Maybe they are temporarily forgotten on your shelf, but you'll remember them sooner or later. I have a list of books I recently rediscovered. I mean, I have the actual books in a stack, right here, beside me. I have been carrying them around so I can read them over and over and over. Let me tell you about them.
All Year - A Child's Calendar, by John Updike, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. This collection has a poem for each month. The author's lines, along with the expressive pictures, aptly captures each season. The March poem begins, "The sun in nervous, As a Kite, That can't quite keep, It's own string tight..."
January - All In A Day, by many authors and illustrators. It follows several people and cultures all around the world in one day - January 1st. It broadens your horizons and expands you mind to understand how many, many people there are on earth and how even though we have differences, we are the same.
February - Snowflake Bentley, by Jaqueline Briggs Martin, iillustrated by Mary Azarion. This book is about a remarkable man who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He loved snow so much he studied it and discovered many intricate and delicate qualities of snowflakes. He photographed much of his work and shared this with the world.
March - The Happy Day, by Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Marc Simont, a Caldecott Honor Book. This is a joyous, welcoming book about the first signs of spring.
April - Grandpa, by John Burningham. I want to write like this author. His book is clear, simple and beautiful. This book never fails me.
May - The Gardner, by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small. This is a lovely book, set in the 1930's, written in short letters back home, from a lonely farm girl who has moved to the big city. It shows how she adjusts to a very different life and learns hoe to bloom no matter where she is planted.
June - Scrambled States of America, by Laurie Keller. This is hilarious and a good vacation book, since all the states decide to go on trips to trade places. They are tired of where they are at and want to see what it's like on the other side of the fence.
July - United Tweets of America, by Hudson Talbott. This is another state book and another funny book. This one gives facts about each state and each state's birds, as well.
August - The Relatives Came, by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Cynthia Rylant is one of my favorite authors. She and the illustrator make a great team with this book about a summer visit. It really takes you back to an era when you seemed to have forever in front of you and were surrounded with love on all sides.
September - To Market, To Market, by Anne Miranda, illustrated by Janet Stevens. You know that rhyme "To market, to market, to buy a fat pig?" This book adds volumes to the simple talk. The lady who takes care of all the animals she unintentionally collects, reminds me of my granny from Florida.
October - Five Little Pumpkins - Any and All Versions
The Spider and The Fly, illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi. This is a famous 1829 poem written by Mary Howitt. It is always a must read for our spooky season.
November - Thank You, Sarah, The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving, by Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by Matt Faulkner. I love this book because it is about a real woman who wouldn't give up. Her persistance, persuasiveness and her pen finally triumphed, when Abraham Lincoln agreed to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Our hero, Sarah Hale, also wrote books, for important magazines of her time, and the "Mary Had a Little Lamb" poem.
December - The Nativity, illustrated by Julie Vivas. Julie Vivas is my favorite illustrator, because she captures funny, quirky humanity, in her bright, optimistic, artwork. This is the BEST nativity book, in my opinion.
Going Home, by Eve Bunting, illustrated by David Diaz. It is such a poignant story, and it is part of most of us. Any of us who have immigrant ancestors or who have traveled far from home will identify with this book.
I hope you check some of these books out. And I would love to hear about some of your favorite books. Happy Reading!
All Year - A Child's Calendar, by John Updike, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. This collection has a poem for each month. The author's lines, along with the expressive pictures, aptly captures each season. The March poem begins, "The sun in nervous, As a Kite, That can't quite keep, It's own string tight..."
January - All In A Day, by many authors and illustrators. It follows several people and cultures all around the world in one day - January 1st. It broadens your horizons and expands you mind to understand how many, many people there are on earth and how even though we have differences, we are the same.
February - Snowflake Bentley, by Jaqueline Briggs Martin, iillustrated by Mary Azarion. This book is about a remarkable man who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He loved snow so much he studied it and discovered many intricate and delicate qualities of snowflakes. He photographed much of his work and shared this with the world.
March - The Happy Day, by Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Marc Simont, a Caldecott Honor Book. This is a joyous, welcoming book about the first signs of spring.
April - Grandpa, by John Burningham. I want to write like this author. His book is clear, simple and beautiful. This book never fails me.
May - The Gardner, by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small. This is a lovely book, set in the 1930's, written in short letters back home, from a lonely farm girl who has moved to the big city. It shows how she adjusts to a very different life and learns hoe to bloom no matter where she is planted.
June - Scrambled States of America, by Laurie Keller. This is hilarious and a good vacation book, since all the states decide to go on trips to trade places. They are tired of where they are at and want to see what it's like on the other side of the fence.
July - United Tweets of America, by Hudson Talbott. This is another state book and another funny book. This one gives facts about each state and each state's birds, as well.
August - The Relatives Came, by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Cynthia Rylant is one of my favorite authors. She and the illustrator make a great team with this book about a summer visit. It really takes you back to an era when you seemed to have forever in front of you and were surrounded with love on all sides.
September - To Market, To Market, by Anne Miranda, illustrated by Janet Stevens. You know that rhyme "To market, to market, to buy a fat pig?" This book adds volumes to the simple talk. The lady who takes care of all the animals she unintentionally collects, reminds me of my granny from Florida.
October - Five Little Pumpkins - Any and All Versions
The Spider and The Fly, illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi. This is a famous 1829 poem written by Mary Howitt. It is always a must read for our spooky season.
November - Thank You, Sarah, The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving, by Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by Matt Faulkner. I love this book because it is about a real woman who wouldn't give up. Her persistance, persuasiveness and her pen finally triumphed, when Abraham Lincoln agreed to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Our hero, Sarah Hale, also wrote books, for important magazines of her time, and the "Mary Had a Little Lamb" poem.
December - The Nativity, illustrated by Julie Vivas. Julie Vivas is my favorite illustrator, because she captures funny, quirky humanity, in her bright, optimistic, artwork. This is the BEST nativity book, in my opinion.
Going Home, by Eve Bunting, illustrated by David Diaz. It is such a poignant story, and it is part of most of us. Any of us who have immigrant ancestors or who have traveled far from home will identify with this book.
I hope you check some of these books out. And I would love to hear about some of your favorite books. Happy Reading!
Monday, March 8, 2010
I want to be Mrs. Piggle Wiggle!
When we were growing up, we didn't have a regular reading rime, but we did have books, always. Our mom seized every opportunity she could to spend time with us. She loved to play games - and she still does; She loved to hear about our day - She still does; and she loved to read - She still does.
I suppose she is the very one who put Mrs. Piggle Wiggle into our consciousness. I say that, because I don't really remember a time before this literary character. We always wanted to hear about Mrs. P-W, and about what children she had helped. There wasn't a time, when we weren't excited to learn about the bad habits she had cured with magic or with hard work, or the funny, self-important neighbors who had perfect children, or the wonderful post-depression era world Betty McDonald had created. Wow! How romantic to live in a time when the moms had tea parties, routinely, and planted nasturtiums in their yards, and served freshly baked cookies to their bright-eyed children, who rushed home from school, all pink-cheeked. And these same ladies managed to fix such good meals, keep such straightened houses, and all had second cups of coffee in their daily routines. In this world, you walked everywhere, because everywhere was just around the corner. I wonder if there were more hours in the day, back then? How strange and appealing it all sounds!
The Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books, are best read one chapter at a time, maybe before bed. Each chapter is a short story, that examines, in a humorous light, a bad habit or character flaw of a child - and how Mr.s Piggle Wiggles' wise advice or special magic helps cure them. These books are so excellent because they are timeless. The people she wrote about are the same, today. My sister Melissa observed it is still so true, that the mom will pounce on her errant child, fretting constantly over a solution until the situation is resolved, while the dad, if he is even aware of a behavior change, just takes measures to avoid the problem until it is worked out - just like the characters in the book. There are still overprotective, pompous, or prissy parents (and their children are exactly like them!) - and normal ones, too. It is the same today, as it was in the 1940's. Somehow, that is comforting.
The author, Betty McDonald, was a genius at capturing the foibles of human nature and relating them in a humorous, sensitive way. She was also a great writer. Besides her children's books, she wrote a few adult books, that were quite popular at the time. The most famous one is The Egg and I. It is about her time spent on a chicken farm during her first, unhappy marriage. I plan to read it, as soon as I can get a copy. This book was such a phenomenon, that it inspired the Ma and Pa Kettle films, during the 1940's. Her children's books were written during her second, happy marriage on Vashon Island. Sadly, she died at the early age of 49. Betty McDonald's own life seemed not so idyllic as real, with the some of the same problems all people have, but she faced them with bravery and humor and luckily for us, portrayed her experiences in her stories. If you are interested in learning more about her, read her books, and check out http://www.bettymcdonald.net/.
When I was young and growing up, I thought it would be so much fun to have a Mrs. P-W living nearby and now that I am grown, I believe I would like to be Mrs. P-W. I think I don't have to look far for an example -- I watch and learn from my mom. She has become Mrs. Piggle Wiggle to her grandchildren. Just ask my kids!
I suppose she is the very one who put Mrs. Piggle Wiggle into our consciousness. I say that, because I don't really remember a time before this literary character. We always wanted to hear about Mrs. P-W, and about what children she had helped. There wasn't a time, when we weren't excited to learn about the bad habits she had cured with magic or with hard work, or the funny, self-important neighbors who had perfect children, or the wonderful post-depression era world Betty McDonald had created. Wow! How romantic to live in a time when the moms had tea parties, routinely, and planted nasturtiums in their yards, and served freshly baked cookies to their bright-eyed children, who rushed home from school, all pink-cheeked. And these same ladies managed to fix such good meals, keep such straightened houses, and all had second cups of coffee in their daily routines. In this world, you walked everywhere, because everywhere was just around the corner. I wonder if there were more hours in the day, back then? How strange and appealing it all sounds!
The Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books, are best read one chapter at a time, maybe before bed. Each chapter is a short story, that examines, in a humorous light, a bad habit or character flaw of a child - and how Mr.s Piggle Wiggles' wise advice or special magic helps cure them. These books are so excellent because they are timeless. The people she wrote about are the same, today. My sister Melissa observed it is still so true, that the mom will pounce on her errant child, fretting constantly over a solution until the situation is resolved, while the dad, if he is even aware of a behavior change, just takes measures to avoid the problem until it is worked out - just like the characters in the book. There are still overprotective, pompous, or prissy parents (and their children are exactly like them!) - and normal ones, too. It is the same today, as it was in the 1940's. Somehow, that is comforting.
The author, Betty McDonald, was a genius at capturing the foibles of human nature and relating them in a humorous, sensitive way. She was also a great writer. Besides her children's books, she wrote a few adult books, that were quite popular at the time. The most famous one is The Egg and I. It is about her time spent on a chicken farm during her first, unhappy marriage. I plan to read it, as soon as I can get a copy. This book was such a phenomenon, that it inspired the Ma and Pa Kettle films, during the 1940's. Her children's books were written during her second, happy marriage on Vashon Island. Sadly, she died at the early age of 49. Betty McDonald's own life seemed not so idyllic as real, with the some of the same problems all people have, but she faced them with bravery and humor and luckily for us, portrayed her experiences in her stories. If you are interested in learning more about her, read her books, and check out http://www.bettymcdonald.net/.
When I was young and growing up, I thought it would be so much fun to have a Mrs. P-W living nearby and now that I am grown, I believe I would like to be Mrs. P-W. I think I don't have to look far for an example -- I watch and learn from my mom. She has become Mrs. Piggle Wiggle to her grandchildren. Just ask my kids!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
You Should Read Peter Sis
Okay, I am really, really trying to up my entries to one a week. I do have a lot of authors and book-related topics I would like to cover before the semester is over. I know you are thinking I could continue after the class. The end of term doesn't necessarily mean the end of this blog. Very True!
So today, I want to speak about Peter Sis. I like this author so much, I am collecting all of his books - his childrens' books - anyways. I love them. They are engaging, informative, mysterious. He has written books for the very small schildren, but the books I am most interested in appeal to readers who are around 8 years of age and continue to capture their interest through adulthood.
Peter Sis writes and illustrates most of his books. He also has illustrated for other authors. Perhaps the strongest voice emanting from his books is his passion for freedom. He reiterates his message that freedom should be cherished and protected through all his books and in every facet of his storytelling. Perhaps he is so keenly aware of the value of freedom, because of where he came from. Peter Sis was born in Czechoslovakia, in 1949. He was raised and educated under the communist regime, attending a school in Prague and also one in London. He began his career as a filmaker, as his dad was before him. In 1982, he was sent by his government to the United States to make a film about the 1984 Olympics. When he was ordered to return home, he instead chose to seek asylum.
The appeal of his books, The Thing that keeps me coming back to read them and visit the lands he tells about or the characters he creates, is that he tells his story in so many different ways and all in a relatively short picture book style. I'll use STARRY MESSENGER - the story of Galileo, as an example.
He uses a direct narrative, first, not inspired or elaborate, but a clear simple recounting to the reader. So now we know something about Galileo. Did you know he was the first to assert the earth was not the center of the universe? Probably so.
But we must look again, for his compliment to his narrative. This time, as we look through the book, we see he has included more facts abou this topic in the margins, or as headings to the pictures - in script usually and curved around corners in interesting ways. These extra messages are everywhere - telling us more and more about the person. Letting us get to know Galileo, even better. Did you know his book was translated into many languages, even Chinese? Neither did I.
And listen to this quote from Galileo that Peter Sis includes in his book, "Why should I believe blindly and stupidly what I wish to believe, and subject the freedom of my intellect to someone else who is just as liable to error as I am?"
Now look once more, and see that he tells the story in his strongest way, through his amazing pictures. His illustrations are incredibly detailed drawings and the most inspired part of his books. Many times he will include a double page with many beautiful small sketches. So you get a picture by picture account of a story he is telling, within his story. He has small illustrations in his margins and ghostly images in the background that echo his view or the folk lore of the culture he is expressing in his particular book. This adds to the mystique of his tales. In Galileo there is a map of Italy that clearly explains the politics of the day - just by the picture, and an especially haunting one of the doubt and fear Galileo must have felt as the church tried him for his beliefs.
Peter Sis chooses subjects for his books that embody his belief in freedom of choice, speech and thought. His books have helped me and my children grow - and I have shared many of them with teachers. Here is a list of his books that we have enjoyed.
So today, I want to speak about Peter Sis. I like this author so much, I am collecting all of his books - his childrens' books - anyways. I love them. They are engaging, informative, mysterious. He has written books for the very small schildren, but the books I am most interested in appeal to readers who are around 8 years of age and continue to capture their interest through adulthood.
Peter Sis writes and illustrates most of his books. He also has illustrated for other authors. Perhaps the strongest voice emanting from his books is his passion for freedom. He reiterates his message that freedom should be cherished and protected through all his books and in every facet of his storytelling. Perhaps he is so keenly aware of the value of freedom, because of where he came from. Peter Sis was born in Czechoslovakia, in 1949. He was raised and educated under the communist regime, attending a school in Prague and also one in London. He began his career as a filmaker, as his dad was before him. In 1982, he was sent by his government to the United States to make a film about the 1984 Olympics. When he was ordered to return home, he instead chose to seek asylum.
The appeal of his books, The Thing that keeps me coming back to read them and visit the lands he tells about or the characters he creates, is that he tells his story in so many different ways and all in a relatively short picture book style. I'll use STARRY MESSENGER - the story of Galileo, as an example.
He uses a direct narrative, first, not inspired or elaborate, but a clear simple recounting to the reader. So now we know something about Galileo. Did you know he was the first to assert the earth was not the center of the universe? Probably so.
But we must look again, for his compliment to his narrative. This time, as we look through the book, we see he has included more facts abou this topic in the margins, or as headings to the pictures - in script usually and curved around corners in interesting ways. These extra messages are everywhere - telling us more and more about the person. Letting us get to know Galileo, even better. Did you know his book was translated into many languages, even Chinese? Neither did I.
And listen to this quote from Galileo that Peter Sis includes in his book, "Why should I believe blindly and stupidly what I wish to believe, and subject the freedom of my intellect to someone else who is just as liable to error as I am?"
Now look once more, and see that he tells the story in his strongest way, through his amazing pictures. His illustrations are incredibly detailed drawings and the most inspired part of his books. Many times he will include a double page with many beautiful small sketches. So you get a picture by picture account of a story he is telling, within his story. He has small illustrations in his margins and ghostly images in the background that echo his view or the folk lore of the culture he is expressing in his particular book. This adds to the mystique of his tales. In Galileo there is a map of Italy that clearly explains the politics of the day - just by the picture, and an especially haunting one of the doubt and fear Galileo must have felt as the church tried him for his beliefs.
Peter Sis chooses subjects for his books that embody his belief in freedom of choice, speech and thought. His books have helped me and my children grow - and I have shared many of them with teachers. Here is a list of his books that we have enjoyed.
- The Wall; Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
- The Three Golden Keys
- A Small Tall Tale from the Far Far North
- Tibet Through the Red Box
- Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei
- Follow the Dream: A Story of Christopher Columbus
Friday, February 12, 2010
Myths, Fairy and Folk Tales
I have been thinking most recently of D'Aulaires' Greed Myths. Have you heard of this book? I spent hours as a child reading about the mishaps and adventures of the Greek gods and their heroes they championed. I loved the adventure, the monsters, the mystical power, the idea that there was this council of imperfect gods determining the fates of the characters in the story - sort of like a chess game. Apparently, I wasn't alone. Now there is a bestseller series and a movie coming out today, on what else? - Greek Myths in New York City!
But what are myths other than an oral tradition of stories passed down through generations and eventually recorded? Stories that instruct, entertain, help explain the natural world around us, and venture to explain the spiritual. They are folk tales.
About the same time I was reading Greek myths, I was also pretending to be a princess. Fairy tales are also about magic, monsters and adventure. They are apart of the folk tale tradition, as well. I love folk tales because they do more than instruct. They also reveal the rich culture and history from which they were born. Imagine, before there were so many books, sitting around the fire and listening to how Brer Rabbit outsmarted Fox and Bear. Or even further in the past, understanding your heritage and identity as your father recited lineage and the stories that were part of you. I just want to thank Aesop, the Grimm brothers, and Hans Christian for their part in recording these tales.
Sometimes I hear parent worry about the magic or violence in these stories. They are concerned their children will be harmed when they hear that a witch was fattening Hansel so she could eat him or a wolf was stalking a little girl in the forest and then ate her grandma. I like what C.S.Lewis has to say on the matter.
When my girls were small, we loved all the classic fold and fairy tales, Now that my girls are older, we love them eve more! Here are some of our favorites.
What are some of your favorites? Please let me know!
But what are myths other than an oral tradition of stories passed down through generations and eventually recorded? Stories that instruct, entertain, help explain the natural world around us, and venture to explain the spiritual. They are folk tales.
About the same time I was reading Greek myths, I was also pretending to be a princess. Fairy tales are also about magic, monsters and adventure. They are apart of the folk tale tradition, as well. I love folk tales because they do more than instruct. They also reveal the rich culture and history from which they were born. Imagine, before there were so many books, sitting around the fire and listening to how Brer Rabbit outsmarted Fox and Bear. Or even further in the past, understanding your heritage and identity as your father recited lineage and the stories that were part of you. I just want to thank Aesop, the Grimm brothers, and Hans Christian for their part in recording these tales.
Sometimes I hear parent worry about the magic or violence in these stories. They are concerned their children will be harmed when they hear that a witch was fattening Hansel so she could eat him or a wolf was stalking a little girl in the forest and then ate her grandma. I like what C.S.Lewis has to say on the matter.
C.S. Lewis, On Stories and Other Essays
"Those who say that children must not be frightened may mean two things. They may mean (1) that we must not do anything likely to give the child those haunting, disabling, pathological fears against which ordinary courage is helpless, in fact, phobias. His mind must, if possible, be kept clear of things he can't bear to think of. Or they may mean (2) that we must try to keep out of his mind the knowledge that he is born into a world of death, violence, wounds, adventure, heroism and cowardice, good and evil. If they mean the first I
agree with them: but not if they mean the second. The second would indeed be to give
children the false impression and feed them on escapism in the bad sense. There is something ludicrous in the idea of so education a generation which is born to the Ogpu [State Police in the USSR] and the atomic bomb. Since it is so likely that they will meet cruel enemies, let hem at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making
their destiny not brighter but darker. Nor do most of us find that violence and blood shed, in a story, produce any haunting dread in the minds of children. As far as that goes, I side impenitently with the human race against the modern reformer. Let there be wicked kings and beheadings, battles, and dungeons, giants and dragons, and let villains be soundly
killed at the end of the book. Nothing will persuade me that this courses and ordinary child any kind of degree of fear beyond what is wants, and needs to feel. For of course it wants to be a little frightened."
When my girls were small, we loved all the classic fold and fairy tales, Now that my girls are older, we love them eve more! Here are some of our favorites.
- Shelley Duvall's Fairie Tale Theatre - This is a DVD collection of classic fairy tales, made is the late 1980's - mid 1990's. When she produced these, she recruited some of the best talent of the time, including Robin Williams, Pam Dawber(remember her?), Jeff Goldblum, and directors like Tim Burton and Francis Ford Coppola. These are great fun to watch and see who you can recognize.
- The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Stupid Tales and Squids Will Be Squids, both by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith --These are really funny picture books. One is a collection of twisted fold tales and the other is a collection of twisted fables.
- Lon Po Po, by Ed Young - A Red Riding Hood story from China
- Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, by John Steptoe - An African Folk Tale similar to Cinderella
- Goldilocks Has Chicken Pox, by Erin Dealey and Hanako Wakiyama - A good picture book with a rhyming story. It's got great rhythm.
- Henny Penny, by Jane Wattenburg - The FUNNIEST version of "The sky is falling". You have go to read this!
What are some of your favorites? Please let me know!
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