Module 15: Draw Me a Star

Summary

This simple book can be enjoyed for its colorful illustrations and childlike story, or it can be viewed as more complex with references to religious or cycle-of-life topics.  The text is brief, with one element of nature asking for another.  The boy is asked to draw a star, then the star asks the boy to draw and sun, and so on.  The illustrations of each object fill the page, and the colors are vibrant.  The only part that may startle some readers is that the sun asks the boy to draw a tree, and when you turn the page you see a beautiful tree.  Then tree asks for the boy to draw a man and a woman, so the page opposite of the tree has a woman and a man drawn in typical Eric Carle fashion, but they are nude.  There is not much detail, but adults who are reading this to children should be prepared for young readers to comment on it.  The rest of the book continues as it started, and flowers, a dog, cat, butterfly, and other earthly creatures appear.  Finally, a rainbow arches over two pages filled with things that children will recognize.  There is a house, and people, a garden, rain clouds, and birds chirping.  It is all very lovely and filled with life and energy.  The boy ages throughout the book.  By the end he is an old man, and the beautiful, colorful star asks him to hold on as they fly through the sky together in the night sky.  There are flying up with the other stars, and below is the green earth and homes.  Carle also shows readers how to draw a star, line by line.  This simple how-to piece helps the reader feel included in the experience.  The story seems to be written so that its meaning is "in the eye of the beholder".  Young readers will enjoy the beautiful art and simple story, and older readers will ask more questions and look for a deeper meaning to Carle's words and pictures.  

Carle, E. (1992). Draw me a star. New York, Philomel Books.

Impressions

I will admit that I was at first confused about what the purpose of this book was.  I had trouble understanding how the story was plotted out, and I was startled by the picture of the man and woman.  Not so much because they were nude, but because it made me think of the story of Adam and Eve.  I initially felt like I was not understanding what the book was about.  After reading through it a few times I realized that it could be interpreted many ways.  It can be a religious book if you are looking for that kind of meaning, it could be a book about the cycle of life because the boy ages as the story moves along, or it could be interpreted as a celebration of all of the truly wondrous living and nonliving things around us.  It could be providing the reader with a reminder that nature and our daily existence is to something to be treasured and acknowledged.  I think this is one of the things that makes Eric Carle's work so lasting.  He sees the magnificent in the ordinary, and his art work and simple text let us see the world the way he does, at least for a little while.

Professional Review

A remarkable, quintessentially simple book encompassing Creation, creativity, and the cycle of like withing the eternal.  Introduced on the title page as a toddler drawing the first of five lines to make a star, an artist ages until, at the end, he's an old man who takes hold of a star to travel the night sky.  Meanwhile, the first star says, "Draw me the sun", the sun says, "Draw me a tree," and so on, woman and man, house, dog, cat, bird, butterfly, flowers, cloud, a rainbow arching over the middle-aged artist's whole creation, and back to the night and the stars.  Carle's trademark style--vibrant tissue collage on dramatic white--is so wonderfully effective in expressing the joy of creation, while the economy with which he conveys these universal ideas gives them extraordinary power.  Yet the story is disarmingly childlike, concluding with an ingenuous letter from the author with instructions for drawing an eight-point star.  Thanks be to the book for asking Carle to "draw" it!

Kirkus. (1992, September 1). [Review of the book Draw me a star, by E. Carle]. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/eric-carle/draw-me-a-star/

Library Uses

I imagine a wonderful art activity around the makerspace area.  Post discussions about the book could center around ideas students have about how the story progressed.  Why do they think the boy was young in the beginning and old at the end.  Why do you think the star asked for the sun, and the sun asked for a tree?  What did they like about the story?  What would they change?  Could there be a different ending, or does it have to end the way it did?  Eric Carle wrote a note to the readers at the end of the book.  What do they think he meant when he wrote this about writing the story, "I had a beginning for a book, and an ending.  The middle was easy!"

All of these discussions will be more fun if done around the makerspace area where they can make their own "stars" using tissue paper, glue, foil, cardstock, etc.  

Module 14: Comet, Stars, the Moon, and Mars

Summary

This picture book of poems explores the solar system planet by planet, making stops along the way to various moons and of course, to the "star" of the solar system, the Sun.  Douglas Florian magnificently provides young readers a wealth of information in a fun, adventurous way.  It is all presented in a way that allows readers to quickly flip through the pages or linger onger, picking out all the special facts about the featured topic on the page.  There is plenty to keep readers of all ages entertained with facts and splendid art.  The illustrations are a mix of materials, layered much like the information, inviting the reader to take as much from the buffet of the book as they want.  The poems are clever and humorous, and provide accurate information. This is an informational poetry picture book that can be simply enjoyed or used to introduce fascinating facts about the solar system and space.  

Florian, D (2007). Comets, stars, the moon, and Mars. New York, Harcourt.

Impressions

This is one of my favorites from our units of study this semester.  Douglas Florian cleverly inserts important and accurate information on each page.  The text is minimal,the poems are fun to read, and the art on the page provides additional information  for the reader if they choose to look more carefully.  He uses symbols, photos, collage, and sketches to give clues about the unique features of the topic on the page.  The poems and art complement each other and provide a enjoyable reading experience.

Professional Review

Stunning mixed-media illustrations accompany a series of poems that celebrate the wonder and mystery of space.  From the universe, the sequence narrows its focus to the galaxy, the solar system and then each body in turn, from the sun to poor demoted Pluto, and beyond.  The verse is characteristically playful, wrapping itself around the astronomical facts with ease.  Readers will learn about the temperature and size of the sun, our moon's phases and Voyager 2's discovery of Neptune's rings.  Delightful as the poems are, however, it's this volume's illustrations that surpass.  Bright gouache on brown paper bags lend texture to each spread, stamped words allow the illustrations to incorporate such details as names of moons and "sun" in several different languages; collage elements add further whimsy to the whole.  To top off this feast for the eyes, occasional die-cuts provide telescopic windows onto adjoining spreads, firmly establishing for the reader the truth that space is a vast continuum, with new surprises in every corner of the sky.  Each poem receives a thumbnail gloss at the end, offering additional facts or extending the information presented earlier.  Glorious.

Kirkus. (2007, March 15). [Review of the book Comets, stars, the moon, and Mars, by D. Florian]. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/douglas-florian/comets-stars-the-moon-and-mars

Library Uses

A librarian or teacher could use this book to introduce a unit of study on the solar system.  It is a wonderful book for creating interest in the topic, and students could return to it time and again for information.  This is equally useful as a resource for the study of poetry elements.  There is wonderful imagery and use of vocabulary.  This book could be a springboard for activities in science, literature, or art.  It would be a useful tool in collaborative lessons with teachers in any of these areas, and it could be used as a tool to engage students and inspire them to pursue further research.

Module 13: Camp Babymouse
Summary

Babymouse is sure that she is going to conquer all in her first camp experience, but she quickly discovers that things are more challenging then she ever imagined.  Her bravado and confidence get chipped away as finds it difficult to do all the typical camp activities like archery, canoeing, and being out in nature.  She even finds it difficult to win over her cabin mates, who she thought would love having her as a room mate.  Just when you think poor Babymouse can't salvage her camp experience she finds a way to turn things around, and learns some valuable lessons along the way.  This is the sixth book in the Babymouse series by Jennifer and Matthew Holm, and young readers will cheer for Babymouse as she conquers her fears and ends up having a wonderful time at camp.

Holm, J. & Holm, M. (2007). Camp Babymouse. New York, Random House.

Impressions

This book gives the reader another reason to cheer Babymouse's optimistic spirit and determination. Things don't always go her way, but she gives her best try and finds that the right attitude and hard work can turn things around.  I can see why young readers like this character.  I think they can identify with her fears and tendency to make mistakes.  She makes it ok to mess up and work your way through problems.  Her character can help reassure children as they venture into new and intimidating situations, giving them courage to try their best.  She learns the value of being a good friend and how to work with others to get things done.  This graphic novel is easy to read even for young elementary students, but the story stays interesting and the pictures support the text throughout.  The pictures and text work well together to help young readers comprehend the plot from beginning to end.

Professional Review

Babymouse is going to camp for the first time and she is deterined that she is going to have a wonderful and fantastic time.  She is going to the star of the camp she is sure.  In fact she sees herself as being "Scout Babymouse," the one who will save the day when everyone else is lost and miserable.  Of course Babymouse is letting her imagination run away with her just a little--as usual.  When she actually gets to camp she finds that the real camp experience is a little different from the one that she created in her imagination.

For one thing, Babymouse is not the instant success that she expected to be.  She is a bit of a klutz and this does not endear her to her cabin mates.  The, to make matters worse, she keeps earning demerits because she just doesn't seem to be cut out for canoeing, archery, walking in the woods, and nature hikes.  Poor Babymouse's camp experience gets worse and worse no matter how hard she tries.  Perhaps the time has come to call home and give up.  Perhaps Babymouse just isn't cut out to be "Scout Babymouse" after all.

Babymouse fans will not be disappointed when the dive into this new Babymouse adventure.  Poor Babymouse really gets into a sticky situation this time and for anyone who is thinking about going to camp for the first time this book is the perfect read.  Without a doubt, going to camp can be difficult for anyone, but after reading this book a first timer will soon see that if Babymouse can manage it anyone can!  After all, poor Babymouse makes more mistakes than any one person could possibly manage to do.

With her delightful trips into her own imagination and her "conversations" with the reader--which are both hilarious and at times caring--this Babymouse tale is a delight to read.  Its pink, black, and white graphic novel format is completely unique and without a doubt Babymouse is a character readers of all ages will find hard not to fall in love with, for she is so much like us--full of dreams, hopes, flaws, and wonderful qualities that we can admire.

Jansen-Gruber, M. (2010, April 27). [Review of the book Camp Babymouse, by J. Holm,and M. Holm]. Retrieved from http://lookingglassreview.com/books/camp-babymouse/
Library Uses

This book would be good for use when studying cause and effect, character traits and sequencing.  Her actions clearly lead the plot and young readers should be able to identify how they lead to other events in the story.  Her character grows as the story progresses and it should lead to good discussions about how her personal growth helped change her camp experience.  The graphics help lead the reader through the story and could provide a template for students to create their own, more abbreviated, graphic story.  This could be differentiated using apps on the iPad or materials in the makerspace areas.  Students could then present an alternate ending to Camp Babymouse or their own graphic text story.

Module 12: Miss Moore     Thought Otherwise

Summary
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough (2013) is a picture book that tells the true story of Anne Carroll Moore, a pioneer of children’s libraries.  Her story begins in the 1870’s, a time when libraries were for adults.  She grew up in Maine, surrounded by seven brothers in a very supportive, active family.  Her father read to them regularly and as she grew older she studied law at his office.  She had hopes of venturing to a bigger city to pursue her dreams, but her parents’ sudden death from flu put her plans on hold.  She helped raise her nieces and nephews until she heard of an opportunity to attend school for librarianship at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.  She quickly adapted to life in New York and after graduation she began working at the Pratt Free Library. It was there that she was introduced to something brand new, a children’s library.  It was a new idea, and she relished being able to share her love of books and reading, just like her father had done for her.  Word spread quickly about the success of the children’s library and soon she was asked to be in charge of all of the children’s libraries in the New York City Public Library system.  She visited all 36 libraries and soon had them up and running with a children’s section.  One of her biggest challenges, however, was convincing librarians to trust children with books.  Many of them did not want to let the children check them out.  She came up with a pledge that they would recite before signing up for a library card.  It was a promise to take good care of the book, and helped reassure librarians that children could be trusted.  She recommended other changes such as encouraging storytelling, offering book lists to parents, offering reviews of children’s books, and encouraging publishers to publish more books for children.  One of her greatest successes was the opening of the children’s library in the New York City Library in 1911.  She designed a special room just for children.  It had hands on items for them to explore, furniture that was built for their size, bright colored flooring and large windows with window seats.  She invited musicians, storytellers, and authors such as Dr. Seuss.  She organized reading clubs and worked closely with children that were learning English.  Even after retirement she traveled around the country helping librarians create better children’s libraries.  

Pinborough, J. (2013). Miss Moore thought otherwise. New York, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Impressions
I have great appreciation for how Jan Pinborough chose to tell the story of Anne Carroll Moore.  It could have been a dry timeline of her major accomplishments in creating some of America's first children's libraries.  Instead, she wrote a charming picture book that helps the reader understand Moore's passion for providing children with books, and developing child-friendly spaces in libraries.  The reader gets the impression that she a very determined and kind person from childhood to retirement and beyond.  This story may surprise young readers when they learn that at one time children were not allowed in libraries, and there were not many books written for children.  It is an enjoyable and interesting picture book biography that would be fun to read with students in the library.

Professional Review

Nowadays, Anne Carroll Moore is remembered as the fiercest of the library ladies whose influence on children's library service and publishing was both inspirational and --sometimes--intractable.  But this easygoing picture book biography forgoes coverage of the more formidable aspects of Moore's personality, giving us instead a simple narrative of Moore's Maine childhood and early love of books on through to her career at the New York Public Library, where she created the innovative Central Children's Room for the library's new main building in 1911.  With sun-dappled acrylic paintings of, first, rural Maine and, later, triumphantly, the light-filled interiors of the new Children's Room, the tone here is one of uncomplicated optimism, reflecting Moore's practical idealism. A bird's-eye view of Miss Moore setting off on her "retirement" travels spreading the gospel of children's librarianship across the land clearly places this apostle in the company of her (fictional) Maine sister, Miss Rumphius. 

Sutton, R. (2013, March 27). [Review of the book Miss Moore thought otherwise, by J. Pinborough]. The Horn Book Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com/2013/03/choosing-books/review-of-the-week/review-of-miss-moore-thought-otherwise/#_

Library Uses
Miss Moore made lasting changes in her community.  Have students think of how other people make a difference in the community.  Can they think of anyone in particular?  What character traits would someone need to create important changes?  Discuss why they think the author used the statement "Miss Moore Thought Otherwise".  Also use the pictures to help students what life might have been like during the late 1800's and early 1900"s.  What did Miss Moore do that was unexpected?  Have students compare and contrast libraries during that time with libraries of today.  Ask students about what ideas they may have for future libraries.  What changes do they think would help children?

Book Trailers

Click here to see the trailer for Miss Moore Thought Otherwise

Click here to see the trailer for Citizen Scientist

Click here to see the trailer for Rules

Module 11: 14 Cows for America

Summary

This is the true story of a Maasai student, Kimeli Naiyomah, living in New York City who witnessed the terrorist attack at the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.  The story details a visit back to his village in Kenya where he tries to explain what he saw to the other villagers.  The writer, Carmen Agra Deedy, successfully paints a picture in the reader’s head about the nature of the Maasai people and the illustrator, Thomas Gonzalez, manages to capture it in beautiful, colorful illustrations as well.  There is a warmth and kindness that comes across that helps you understand Kimeli Naiyomah’s deep love for his family and their community.  The reader learns that cows are treasured animals in the Maasai tribe and that they represent life, without them they might starve.  The cows are loved and respected like family members.  Naiyomah was deeply saddened by what he witnessed in New York City and he shares the story with the elders and then the remaining villagers.  He is moved to offer his only cow, Enkarus, in honor of those impacted by the terrorist attack.  He asks for the blessing of the elders, and is touched when they offer 13 more cows.  These cows, once blessed in a traditional ceremony, will never be slaughtered and will live long, comfortable lives.  The offering of a cow is substantial for any Maasai, and the symbolism of the gesture is a powerful statement about their feelings of compassion for others.

There is a two page note from Kimeli Naiyomah in the back of the book that gives a follow up to the story.  The 14 cows are flourishing under the careful watch of a Maasai elder.  They have calved and, as of 2009, number 35.  They still represent the strong connection that the Maasai feel for the people in a city that most of them can only imagine.

Deedy, C. A. (2009). 14 cows for America. Atlanta, Peachtree Publishers.

Impressions
Deedy's writing style reminds me of how poets write.  She chooses her words carefully so that even young readers can enjoy and understand the story.  Her words and the illustrator's drawings paint a vivid picture of Kimeli Naiyomah and the Maasai people.  The heart of the story is about one group's compassion and sympathy for another after a tragedy.   Naiyomah took the story of New York and 9/11 to his people in Kenya, and Deedy brought this powerful story to us.  I think it has the potential to inspire readers to learn more about the Maasai culture and traditions as well as the events of 9/11.

Professional Review

Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah is about to return home, to a small village in Kenya.  He has been studying to become a doctor in the United States. Amid a joyous homecoming, the children in the village ask if he has brought any stories.  He has only one: one that has "burned a hole in his heart."  Naiyomah was in New York City on September 11.  In gentle yet piercing present-tense prose, storyteller Deedy introduces readers to a young Maasai scholar who wants nothing more than to help a nation heal.  In Maasai tradition, cows are sacred, and Naiyomah asks the elders to bless his cow so he can offer it to grieving Americans.  In an incredible show of compassion and strength, other villagers join him.  Fourteen cows in all, from one tiny Kenyan village, prove that hope and friendship can cross all boundaries. Gonzalez's saturated paintings, glowing with oranges, reds, and browns, radiate a warmth that is matched only by the Maasai's generosity.  A stirring, heartwarming tale that made headlines when it happened--and is now, thankfully, preserved on the page for children.

Kirkus. (2009). [Review of the book 14 cows for America, by C. Deedy]. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/carmen-agra-deedy/14-cows-for-america/ 

Library Uses
This would be an excellent book for a discussion about author's purpose, imagery, symbolism, or cause and effect.  Inferencing skills can be used to discuss the actions of Naiyomah and the villagers, as well as the reaction of the Americans when they received the gift of 14 cows. There are opportunities for activities related to the study of cultures, geography, and government.

Module 10: Henry's Freedom Box

Summary

Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine is an historical fiction picture book that is based on real people and real events.  It is the true story of Henry “Box” Brown’s escape from slavery.  It chronicles his life from childhood to adulthood through brief glimpses of the heart wrenching events that he endured and through occasional dialogue with others.  Kadir Nelson is the illustrator and the images he creates tell the story in a powerful, honest way.  It’s the type of picture book that could be understood by just looking at the illustrations.  This book tells a story that readers will not forget.  It is a true story that is told so simply and clearly that there is no escape from the realization that this was a time of unbelievable suffering for slaves.  This book would fit in nicely with some of the content my fifth graders are studying in social studies, and I think it would initiate a lot of meaningful discussions.  I think the author took great care to make the story accurate.  Even so, you may find yourself shaking your head thinking that such cruelty can’t be possible.  The author doesn’t overly embellish on the details of Brown’s life, instead she states things in way that gives you appreciation for his perseverance and ingenuity.

Levine, E. (2007). Henry's freedom box. New York, Scholastic Press.

Impressions

Levine provides readers with a compelling true story that seems unimaginable and unbelievable.  I feel grateful to her for sharing Henry Brown's story, I had never heard it before.  Henry's life is relatable to children because Levine focuses on family.  He is torn first from his mother, then later in life from his wife and children.  After such tragic losses, and with no hope of happiness as a slave, he decides to get help so that he can be secretly shipped to a free state in a crate.  Younger students may be very confused by why all of this happened to Henry, so the librarian will need to prepare the lesson carefully to help guide students in their understanding of the story.  The illustrations fit the text beautifully, and provide plenty of information to tell the story on their own.  This is the type of historical fiction that can shape people's understanding of the injustice and cruelty of slavery.  In addition to the Caldecott Medal it also won the Jane Addam's Peace Award.

Professional Review

Nelson's powerful portraits add a majestic element to Levine's history-based tale of Henry "Box" Brown, a slave who escaped by having himself mailed to freedom in a crate. Depicted as a solemn boy with an arresting gaze on the cover, Henry displays riveting presence in every successive scene, as he grows from child to adult, marries and is impelled to make his escape after seeing his beloved wife and children sold to slaveowners.  Related in measured sonorous prose that makes a perfect match for the art, this is a story of pride and ingenuity that will leave readers profoundly moved, especially those who may have been tantalized by the entry on Brown in Virginia Hamilton's Many Thousand Gone: African Americans from Slavery to Freedom (1993).

Kirkus. (2007). [Review of the book Henry's Freedom Box, by E. Levine]. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-levine/henrys-freedom-box/

Library Uses

The librarian could collaborate with the classroom teacher on the social studies unit that best ties with developing the students' understanding of the social and political issues related to slavery.  Thoughtful consideration should be given to the questions posed to students before, during, and after reading this story.  Students could explore these questions through guided-inquiry activities that include research, interviews, data collection, and perhaps even debate.  The illustrator does an excellent job in telling this story in pictures.  Students could identify elements in the illustrations that relate to the text, as well as identify some techniques the artist used to help us relate to Henry.