Bibliography
Lewis, J Patrick. 2005. PLEASE BURY ME IN THE LIBRARY. Gulliver Books Harcourt, Inc. Orlando, Florida. ISBN 0152163875
Plot Summary
This poetry book is filled with poems about library, reading, and poetry. Various types of poetry are included to fit the preferences of most readers. The poetry contains some intellectual jokes that may help to include older readers.
Critical Analysis
My favorite poem in this book is “What If Books Had Different Names?” I found it humorous, as most readers will. This could be used for various activities involving changing tiles of books. “Oh, what extraordinary, merry HUCKLEBERRY FUNN!” The books illustrations are dark and cartoon like. The illustrations themselves help evoke a mood on readers.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “The brief selections encompass various forms, from an eight-word acrostic to haiku to rhyming quatrains and couplets. The tone is generally light, with the last few entries turning more to wonder and metaphor.”
Booklist: “Despite the picture-book format, it will take children older than the preschool crowd to appreciate the wordplay, which on occasion is quite sophisticated”
Connections
*This book could be used to introduce poetry to students, especially in the library.
*This book could be used to introduce various types of poems.
*This book could be used to get creative juices moving. Students could use the first poem, “What If Books Had Different Names” to create their own silly titles to books. This poem could even be paired with a lesson on locating books in the online catalog.
Terry, Sonya. L IS FOR LIBRARY. ISBN 9781932146448
Prelutsky, Jack. READ A RHYME WRITE A RHYME. ISBN 0375822860
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Poetry - C IS FOR CITY
Bibliography
Grimes, Nikki. 1995. C IS FOR CITY. Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books. New York, New York. ISBN 0688118089
Plot Summary
C IS FOR CITY depicts life in New York City through an alphabet poetry book. The book uses good vocabulary for the city life. Many of New York’s most noted features are depicted in this picture book.
Critical Analysis
In C IS FOR CITY the illustrations are bright and colorful. They are full of activity just as the streets of New York City are. One of my favorite verses of poetry is “T is for turnstile and trains full of tourists, for tough-talking boys with steel taps on their shoes. T is for taxi and two-story town houses next door to temples with hard, wooden pews.” This page is illustrated with a subway scene including crowds, a subway, turnstiles, and a musician playing. Each illustration is chalked full of items that start with the letter featured on the page just as the free verses of poetry are written with many words starting with the featured letter.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “Illustrations in vivid, neon colors suggest the electricity and brashness of a loud city with its hard edges as well as the teeming population.”
Booklist: “The rhymes themselves are quite clever and packed with vocabulary-expanding images. Each illustration is a hearty slice of urban life, with all its intersecting dramas and scenes within scenes.”
Connections
*This book could be used to teach the difference between city, rural, and urban communities. This is a skill that second and third grade teachers have to teach in Texas.
*This book could be used to start a class writing assignment of making an alphabet book about their own community.
*This book could be used to introduce students to poetry found in alphabet books.
Winters Productions. HOW COMMUNITIES ARE ALIKE AND DIFFERENT (DVD). ISBN 1585412732
School Videos. CITY, SUBURB, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES (VIDEORECORDING). ISBN 1585412007
Roop, Peter and Connie. A FARMING TOWN. ISBN: 1575721279
Roop, Peter and Connie. A SUBURB. ISBN: 1575721309
Grimes, Nikki. 1995. C IS FOR CITY. Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books. New York, New York. ISBN 0688118089
Plot Summary
C IS FOR CITY depicts life in New York City through an alphabet poetry book. The book uses good vocabulary for the city life. Many of New York’s most noted features are depicted in this picture book.
Critical Analysis
In C IS FOR CITY the illustrations are bright and colorful. They are full of activity just as the streets of New York City are. One of my favorite verses of poetry is “T is for turnstile and trains full of tourists, for tough-talking boys with steel taps on their shoes. T is for taxi and two-story town houses next door to temples with hard, wooden pews.” This page is illustrated with a subway scene including crowds, a subway, turnstiles, and a musician playing. Each illustration is chalked full of items that start with the letter featured on the page just as the free verses of poetry are written with many words starting with the featured letter.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “Illustrations in vivid, neon colors suggest the electricity and brashness of a loud city with its hard edges as well as the teeming population.”
Booklist: “The rhymes themselves are quite clever and packed with vocabulary-expanding images. Each illustration is a hearty slice of urban life, with all its intersecting dramas and scenes within scenes.”
Connections
*This book could be used to teach the difference between city, rural, and urban communities. This is a skill that second and third grade teachers have to teach in Texas.
*This book could be used to start a class writing assignment of making an alphabet book about their own community.
*This book could be used to introduce students to poetry found in alphabet books.
Winters Productions. HOW COMMUNITIES ARE ALIKE AND DIFFERENT (DVD). ISBN 1585412732
School Videos. CITY, SUBURB, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES (VIDEORECORDING). ISBN 1585412007
Roop, Peter and Connie. A FARMING TOWN. ISBN: 1575721279
Roop, Peter and Connie. A SUBURB. ISBN: 1575721309
Poetry - OUT OF THE DUST
Bibliography
Hesse, Karen. 1997. OUT OF THE DUST. Scholastic Press. New York,
New York. ISBN 0590360809
Plot Summary
This novel, written in poetry, is a story about a fourteen year old girl living in Oklahoma during the dust bowl. The reader encounters the struggles of the family, the young girl, and the terrible feeling of everything covered in dust.
Critical Analysis
OUT OF THE DUST is written in free verse form. It does have some visual imagery such as, “Ma starts to quaking but she won’t let Daddy see./ Instead, she goes out to the chickens/ And/ Her anger,/ Simmering over like a pot in an empty kitchen,/ Boils itself down doing chores.” (p.41). Visual imagery is minimal and used carefully to help the reader understand what life in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl was really like. This free verse poetry is an easy read as it reads like a child’s diary. I thought that Hesse portrayed Billie Joe’s life and mood swings beautifully. Readers will be forced to feel the feelings that go through this young girl’s mind.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “A triumphant story, eloquently told through prose-poetry.”
Kirkus Reviews: “Told in free-verse poetry of dated entries that span the winter of 1934 to the winter of 1935, this is an unremittingly bleak portrait of one corner of Depression-era life.”
Connections
*This book could be used to teach about World War II and the life of secrecy in Los Alamos.
*This book could be used to compare a boy’s perspective to a girl’s perspective of the dust bowl.
*This book could be used to compare with other events in the depression.
*This book could be used to compare fiction and nonfiction stories of the dust bowl.
*this book could be compared with other dust bowl books to show the difference between a book written in dialogue and a book written in poetry.
Turner, Ann. DUST FOR DINNER. ISBN 0060233761
Durbin, William. THE JOURNAL OF C.J. JACKSON. ISBN 0439153069
Medearis, Angela Shelf. PICKING PEAS FOR A PENNY. ISBN: 0938349546
Stanley, Jerry. CHILDREN OF THE DUST BOWL: THE TRUE STORY OF THE SCHOOL AT WEEDPATCH CAMP. ISBN: 0517880946
Hesse, Karen. 1997. OUT OF THE DUST. Scholastic Press. New York,
New York. ISBN 0590360809
Plot Summary
This novel, written in poetry, is a story about a fourteen year old girl living in Oklahoma during the dust bowl. The reader encounters the struggles of the family, the young girl, and the terrible feeling of everything covered in dust.
Critical Analysis
OUT OF THE DUST is written in free verse form. It does have some visual imagery such as, “Ma starts to quaking but she won’t let Daddy see./ Instead, she goes out to the chickens/ And/ Her anger,/ Simmering over like a pot in an empty kitchen,/ Boils itself down doing chores.” (p.41). Visual imagery is minimal and used carefully to help the reader understand what life in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl was really like. This free verse poetry is an easy read as it reads like a child’s diary. I thought that Hesse portrayed Billie Joe’s life and mood swings beautifully. Readers will be forced to feel the feelings that go through this young girl’s mind.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “A triumphant story, eloquently told through prose-poetry.”
Kirkus Reviews: “Told in free-verse poetry of dated entries that span the winter of 1934 to the winter of 1935, this is an unremittingly bleak portrait of one corner of Depression-era life.”
Connections
*This book could be used to teach about World War II and the life of secrecy in Los Alamos.
*This book could be used to compare a boy’s perspective to a girl’s perspective of the dust bowl.
*This book could be used to compare with other events in the depression.
*This book could be used to compare fiction and nonfiction stories of the dust bowl.
*this book could be compared with other dust bowl books to show the difference between a book written in dialogue and a book written in poetry.
Turner, Ann. DUST FOR DINNER. ISBN 0060233761
Durbin, William. THE JOURNAL OF C.J. JACKSON. ISBN 0439153069
Medearis, Angela Shelf. PICKING PEAS FOR A PENNY. ISBN: 0938349546
Stanley, Jerry. CHILDREN OF THE DUST BOWL: THE TRUE STORY OF THE SCHOOL AT WEEDPATCH CAMP. ISBN: 0517880946
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
PIO PEEP Book Review
Bibliography
Ada, Alma Flor; Campoy, F Isabel. Adapted by: Schertle, Alice. 2003. PIO PEEP!. By Vivi Escriva. Harper Collins Publishers. New York, New York. ISBN 0688160204
Plot Summary
This book of traditional Spanish nursery rhymes is a collection of 29 nursery rhymes that are known in the Spanish culture. The rhymes are written in Spanish and then translated and adapted into English.
Critical Analysis
This book is impressive. Readers get a authentic look into Spanish culture through these nursery rhymes and illustrations. The adaptations by Alice Schertle are similar to the actual nursery rhymes and they rhyme and flow like they were meant to be nursery rhymes in English. The illustrations depict true Mexican clothing, environment or surroundings, and celebrations. The illustrations, made up of watercolors, have vivid colors that jump off of the page.
Review Excerpt(s)
Booklist: “They are presented both in Spanish and in English, although ‘to preserve the charm of the original rhymes,’ the English versions are not translations but "poetic recreations."
School Library Journal: “…this stellar collection of nursery rhymes. Selected from the rich oral tradition of Latin America and the American Southwest, most of the verses are known throughout the Spanish-speaking world.”
Publishers Weekly: “This gentle lesson in patience and loyalty, balanced on the back of a hilarious set of illustrations, will leave young readers clamoring for repeat readings.”
Connections
*This book is could be used to compare nursery rhymes. Examples would be Almonds and Chestnuts “Almendras y turron” to Pat-A-Cake or Sea Serpent “A la vibora de la mar” to London Bridge
*This book of nursery rhymes is a great way to incorporate Hispanic culture into the classroom.
Opie, Iona. MY VERY FIRST MOTHER GOOSE. ISBN 1564026205
Calmenson, Stephanie; Cole, Joanna. PAT-A-CAKE AND OTHER PLAY RHYMES. ISBN 068811038X
Garza, Carmen Lomas. FAMILY PICTURES / CUADROS DE FAMILIA. ISBN 0892390506
Garza, Carmen Lomas. IN MY FAMILY /EN MI FAMILIA. ISBN 0892391383
Ada, Alma Flor; Campoy, F Isabel. Adapted by: Schertle, Alice. 2003. PIO PEEP!. By Vivi Escriva. Harper Collins Publishers. New York, New York. ISBN 0688160204
Plot Summary
This book of traditional Spanish nursery rhymes is a collection of 29 nursery rhymes that are known in the Spanish culture. The rhymes are written in Spanish and then translated and adapted into English.
Critical Analysis
This book is impressive. Readers get a authentic look into Spanish culture through these nursery rhymes and illustrations. The adaptations by Alice Schertle are similar to the actual nursery rhymes and they rhyme and flow like they were meant to be nursery rhymes in English. The illustrations depict true Mexican clothing, environment or surroundings, and celebrations. The illustrations, made up of watercolors, have vivid colors that jump off of the page.
Review Excerpt(s)
Booklist: “They are presented both in Spanish and in English, although ‘to preserve the charm of the original rhymes,’ the English versions are not translations but "poetic recreations."
School Library Journal: “…this stellar collection of nursery rhymes. Selected from the rich oral tradition of Latin America and the American Southwest, most of the verses are known throughout the Spanish-speaking world.”
Publishers Weekly: “This gentle lesson in patience and loyalty, balanced on the back of a hilarious set of illustrations, will leave young readers clamoring for repeat readings.”
Connections
*This book is could be used to compare nursery rhymes. Examples would be Almonds and Chestnuts “Almendras y turron” to Pat-A-Cake or Sea Serpent “A la vibora de la mar” to London Bridge
*This book of nursery rhymes is a great way to incorporate Hispanic culture into the classroom.
Opie, Iona. MY VERY FIRST MOTHER GOOSE. ISBN 1564026205
Calmenson, Stephanie; Cole, Joanna. PAT-A-CAKE AND OTHER PLAY RHYMES. ISBN 068811038X
Garza, Carmen Lomas. FAMILY PICTURES / CUADROS DE FAMILIA. ISBN 0892390506
Garza, Carmen Lomas. IN MY FAMILY /EN MI FAMILIA. ISBN 0892391383
The Lost Horse Book Review
Bibliography
Young, Ed. 1998. THE LOST HORSE. Silver Whistle: Harcourt Brace & Company. Orlando, Florida. ISBN 0152010165
Plot Summary
This Chinese folktale is about a man, Sai, that always believed that things were not quite as good or as bad as they seemed. Sai teaches his son to trust in the “changing fortunes of life”.
Critical Analysis
The plot of this story is well thought out and gives the reader a chance to see how a person can respond to good and bad circumstances. The illustrations in this book are done with watercolors and collage. The watercolors allow the pictures to have lifelike coloring For example, the dark lightning filled sky has many colors of black and gray. This edition of THE LOST HORSE includes puppets that can be manipulated while telling the story orally. The puppets are jointed so they can be moved to match pictures in the story.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “Pastel and watercolor collages appear on two-page spreads and depict characters wearing attire authentic to their time and place. The tents and the predominantly brown scenery provide realistic glimpses into the stark landscape of the northern frontier. Striking close-up views show the son tumbling from his horse and families mourning their dead after battle.”
Publishers Weekly: “Both text and art are elegantly spare in Young's (Lon Po Po) newest retelling of a Chinese folktale, which may be among the Caldecott Medalist's finest works.”
Connections
*This book could be used to teach about life’s ups and downs.
*This book could be used to talk about Chinese culture and oral tradition.
*This story has a great sequence of events and could be used to make a story map.
Carlson, Nancy. SMILE A LOT. ISBN 0876148690
So, Sungwan. A CHILD’S DAY IN A CHINESE CITY. ISBN 0761412247
Young, Ed. 1998. THE LOST HORSE. Silver Whistle: Harcourt Brace & Company. Orlando, Florida. ISBN 0152010165
Plot Summary
This Chinese folktale is about a man, Sai, that always believed that things were not quite as good or as bad as they seemed. Sai teaches his son to trust in the “changing fortunes of life”.
Critical Analysis
The plot of this story is well thought out and gives the reader a chance to see how a person can respond to good and bad circumstances. The illustrations in this book are done with watercolors and collage. The watercolors allow the pictures to have lifelike coloring For example, the dark lightning filled sky has many colors of black and gray. This edition of THE LOST HORSE includes puppets that can be manipulated while telling the story orally. The puppets are jointed so they can be moved to match pictures in the story.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “Pastel and watercolor collages appear on two-page spreads and depict characters wearing attire authentic to their time and place. The tents and the predominantly brown scenery provide realistic glimpses into the stark landscape of the northern frontier. Striking close-up views show the son tumbling from his horse and families mourning their dead after battle.”
Publishers Weekly: “Both text and art are elegantly spare in Young's (Lon Po Po) newest retelling of a Chinese folktale, which may be among the Caldecott Medalist's finest works.”
Connections
*This book could be used to teach about life’s ups and downs.
*This book could be used to talk about Chinese culture and oral tradition.
*This story has a great sequence of events and could be used to make a story map.
Carlson, Nancy. SMILE A LOT. ISBN 0876148690
So, Sungwan. A CHILD’S DAY IN A CHINESE CITY. ISBN 0761412247
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Traditional Literature: CINDY ELLEN
Bibliography
Lowell, Susan. 2000. CINDY ELLEN: A WILD WESTERN CINDERELLA. By: Jane Manning. Joanna Cotler Books. New York, New York. ISBN 0060274476
Plot Summary
This book is a remake of the classic fairy tale CINDERELLA. In this story Cindy Ellen is a cowgirl that is trying to impress a rich rancher’s son by riding in a rodeo. Cindy Ellen loses one of her diamond spurs at the square dance and Joe Prince comes looking for her.
Critical Analysis
CINDY ELLEN is a catchy story with its western twang. Susan Lowell captures the cowgirl spirit in this classic story. Most will feel as though they have read this story before but will laugh out loud at the twists and turns in this story. The watercolor illustrations are realistic and vivid. I love that Jane Manning illustrated Cindy Ellen to blend in with the desert background in the beginning and then makes her jump off the page every time the fairy godmother pays her a visit.
Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly: “Savory slang adds punch to this tale…”
Publisher’s Weekly: “Illustrations lush with cactus-flower colors and pale maize gold enhance this rawhide-and-lace fantasy”
Booklist: “The smooth, hard-edged illustrations lack personality, despite Cindy Ellen's many freckles; the fairy godmother has the most spirit, in her huge sombrero and red-fringed gloves.”
Connections
*This book could easily be compared and contrasted with the original Cinderella story.
*This book could be used in a thematic unit of Cinderella stories. A great activity would be to map the different versions of Cinderella.
*CINDY ELLEN is good for sequencing events in a story.
Sanderson, Ruth. CINDERELLA. ISBN 0316779652
Daly, Jude. FAIR, BROWN AND TREMBLING: AN IRISH CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN 0374322473
Louie, Ai-Ling. YEH-SHEN: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM CHINA. (illustrated by Ed Young) ISBN 039920900X
Rebecca, Hickox. THE GOLDEN SANDAL:A MIDDLE EASTERN CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN 0823413314
Han, Oki S. Plunkett, Stephanie Haboush. KONGI AND POTGI: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM KOREA. ISBN 0803715722
San Souci, Robert D. CENDRILLON: A CARRIBEAN CINDERELLA. ISBN 068980668X
Lowell, Susan. 2000. CINDY ELLEN: A WILD WESTERN CINDERELLA. By: Jane Manning. Joanna Cotler Books. New York, New York. ISBN 0060274476
Plot Summary
This book is a remake of the classic fairy tale CINDERELLA. In this story Cindy Ellen is a cowgirl that is trying to impress a rich rancher’s son by riding in a rodeo. Cindy Ellen loses one of her diamond spurs at the square dance and Joe Prince comes looking for her.
Critical Analysis
CINDY ELLEN is a catchy story with its western twang. Susan Lowell captures the cowgirl spirit in this classic story. Most will feel as though they have read this story before but will laugh out loud at the twists and turns in this story. The watercolor illustrations are realistic and vivid. I love that Jane Manning illustrated Cindy Ellen to blend in with the desert background in the beginning and then makes her jump off the page every time the fairy godmother pays her a visit.
Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly: “Savory slang adds punch to this tale…”
Publisher’s Weekly: “Illustrations lush with cactus-flower colors and pale maize gold enhance this rawhide-and-lace fantasy”
Booklist: “The smooth, hard-edged illustrations lack personality, despite Cindy Ellen's many freckles; the fairy godmother has the most spirit, in her huge sombrero and red-fringed gloves.”
Connections
*This book could easily be compared and contrasted with the original Cinderella story.
*This book could be used in a thematic unit of Cinderella stories. A great activity would be to map the different versions of Cinderella.
*CINDY ELLEN is good for sequencing events in a story.
Sanderson, Ruth. CINDERELLA. ISBN 0316779652
Daly, Jude. FAIR, BROWN AND TREMBLING: AN IRISH CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN 0374322473
Louie, Ai-Ling. YEH-SHEN: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM CHINA. (illustrated by Ed Young) ISBN 039920900X
Rebecca, Hickox. THE GOLDEN SANDAL:A MIDDLE EASTERN CINDERELLA STORY. ISBN 0823413314
Han, Oki S. Plunkett, Stephanie Haboush. KONGI AND POTGI: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM KOREA. ISBN 0803715722
San Souci, Robert D. CENDRILLON: A CARRIBEAN CINDERELLA. ISBN 068980668X
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Talking with Artists
Bibliography
Cummings, Pat.1992. TALKING WITH ARTISTS. Bradbury Press. New York, New York. ISBN 0027242455
Plot Summary
This book is a nonfiction picture book. It is an informational book on illustrators. Each illustrator is asked the same questions about their life and how they began illustrating.
Critical Analysis
This book is a hard read for younger readers. I think most elementary students are only going to use pieces of this book and will have a hard time getting through the text. I think readers will be drawn to the various illustrations throughout the book. This book is great to gain information on a particular illustrator. As a teacher/librarian I really enjoy this book but I can see why it gets little circulation in an elementary school library. I like that this book has the same interview format through out with the same illustrators. It would be easy to compare and contrast different illustrators.
Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly: “Brief autobiographical statements precede interviews that touch on both personal and professional concerns--working conditions, pets, and business associates. Each subject is represented by one or two samples of his or her current work and one childhood piece, usually a real charmer.”
School Library Journal: “Young artists will learn a lot; teachers and other children will also love it. Well designed and well conceived, this book will be welcomed in all those classrooms in which children's literature has become central to the curriculum.”
Connections
*This book is great for teaching about artists and how they got started.
*This book could be paired with an author/illustrator study. Readers could learn important facts about the author or illustrator while reading books that they worked on.
Van Allsburg, Chris. THE POLAR EXPRESS. ISBN 0395389496
Ehlert, Lois. FEATHERS FOR LUNCH. ISBN 0152305513
Wiesner, David. FLOTSAM. ISBN 0618194576
Cummings, Pat.1992. TALKING WITH ARTISTS. Bradbury Press. New York, New York. ISBN 0027242455
Plot Summary
This book is a nonfiction picture book. It is an informational book on illustrators. Each illustrator is asked the same questions about their life and how they began illustrating.
Critical Analysis
This book is a hard read for younger readers. I think most elementary students are only going to use pieces of this book and will have a hard time getting through the text. I think readers will be drawn to the various illustrations throughout the book. This book is great to gain information on a particular illustrator. As a teacher/librarian I really enjoy this book but I can see why it gets little circulation in an elementary school library. I like that this book has the same interview format through out with the same illustrators. It would be easy to compare and contrast different illustrators.
Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly: “Brief autobiographical statements precede interviews that touch on both personal and professional concerns--working conditions, pets, and business associates. Each subject is represented by one or two samples of his or her current work and one childhood piece, usually a real charmer.”
School Library Journal: “Young artists will learn a lot; teachers and other children will also love it. Well designed and well conceived, this book will be welcomed in all those classrooms in which children's literature has become central to the curriculum.”
Connections
*This book is great for teaching about artists and how they got started.
*This book could be paired with an author/illustrator study. Readers could learn important facts about the author or illustrator while reading books that they worked on.
Van Allsburg, Chris. THE POLAR EXPRESS. ISBN 0395389496
Ehlert, Lois. FEATHERS FOR LUNCH. ISBN 0152305513
Wiesner, David. FLOTSAM. ISBN 0618194576
MC TURTLE AND THE HIP HOP HARE
Bibliography
Vozar, David .1995. M.C. TURTLE AND THE HIP HOP HARE. by Betsy Lewin Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers. New York, New York. ISBN 0329054104
Plot Summary
In this rap version of the traditional story the THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE readers get sucked into the rhyming rap that David Vozar created. The illustrations are hilarious! Betsy Lewin captured the stereotype of rappers and the “gangsta” look. Backward hats, triple earrings, and even break hip hop dancing can be found throughout the pictures in this book. I think that older children will probably enjoy this story more because of the more grown up illustrations and humor. The illustrations are very cartoon style with lots of details on every page.
Critical Analysis
This contemporary version of THE HARE AND THE TORTOSIE still has the same lesson as the original story. The story is energetic even in the text . A reader cannot read the story line without rapping.
The illustrations are detailed and full of vibrant colors. They seem to be made with paint of some sort, maybe watercolors. The illustrator then went back and added detailed black lines. The illustrations [paired with the rap make this book a very funny read aloud for older children.
Review Excerpt(s)
Booklist: “Vozar’s story is bouncy fun that plays with both words and rhymes”
School Library Journal: “The cartoon-style illustrations combine close-ups, multiple images, and crowd scenes. This makes the visual presentation as energetic as the text”
Connections
*This book is great for teaching for comparing versions of THE TORTISE AND THE HARE.
*This book could be used to talk about not thinking you are good enough to do something you really want to do.
Sykes, Julie. THAT’S NOT FAIR, HARE! ISBN 0764153471
Aesop. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. ISBN 0893754684
Vozar, David .1995. M.C. TURTLE AND THE HIP HOP HARE. by Betsy Lewin Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers. New York, New York. ISBN 0329054104
Plot Summary
In this rap version of the traditional story the THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE readers get sucked into the rhyming rap that David Vozar created. The illustrations are hilarious! Betsy Lewin captured the stereotype of rappers and the “gangsta” look. Backward hats, triple earrings, and even break hip hop dancing can be found throughout the pictures in this book. I think that older children will probably enjoy this story more because of the more grown up illustrations and humor. The illustrations are very cartoon style with lots of details on every page.
Critical Analysis
This contemporary version of THE HARE AND THE TORTOSIE still has the same lesson as the original story. The story is energetic even in the text . A reader cannot read the story line without rapping.
The illustrations are detailed and full of vibrant colors. They seem to be made with paint of some sort, maybe watercolors. The illustrator then went back and added detailed black lines. The illustrations [paired with the rap make this book a very funny read aloud for older children.
Review Excerpt(s)
Booklist: “Vozar’s story is bouncy fun that plays with both words and rhymes”
School Library Journal: “The cartoon-style illustrations combine close-ups, multiple images, and crowd scenes. This makes the visual presentation as energetic as the text”
Connections
*This book is great for teaching for comparing versions of THE TORTISE AND THE HARE.
*This book could be used to talk about not thinking you are good enough to do something you really want to do.
Sykes, Julie. THAT’S NOT FAIR, HARE! ISBN 0764153471
Aesop. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. ISBN 0893754684
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