Interestingly, tomorrow is Earth Day- a day in which people all around the globe take time to focus on environment issues and take proper actions, such as planting trees, recycling and picking up trash, in an effort to protect our environment and keep it clean. What a wonderful book to read and enjoy as a reminder of our duty to keep our environment healthy for everyone! While this book was published in 1971, ecological issues are still a major focus today. For example, there is currently an big initiative to "Go Green" to make the Earth a better place to live. For example, Western Kentucky University is taking part in this "green" action by changing hard copy tuition bills normally sent by mail to students' bills being sent via the Internet.
In The Lorax, Dr. Seuss clearly sends a serious didactic message to readers of the important responsibility of taking care of the environment, while also cleverly remaining true to his powerful rhyming schemes and vivid imagination. He does a fascinating job showing the progression of a beautiful and lively environment to an unattractive, desolate, and unhealthy atmosphere as the Once-ler arrives and destroys the peaceful and healthy environment. This book has a brilliant storyline with very interesting characters. Furthermore, Dr. Seuss's colorful description of how chopping down trees and polluting the air and water can cause a chain reaction of harmful affects at all levels of nature. At the end of the story, after many years, the Once-ler has a complete change of heart and sends the child in the story a message that it is up to people like him to make the world a better place to live. The Once-ler then gives the boy the last Truffula seed to plant and offers him specific instructions to care for it by providing it water, fresh air, and protection from axes.
I do believe there are didactic stories that are published today. There are countless children's books on topics such as environmental issues, challenges of family life, having new experiences, and growing up and dealing with emotions and bullying, that can lend themselves to have themes behind the stories and subtly teach children important lessons through entertainment and even humor.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Books that show tension as in The Cat in the Hat
Dr. Seuss is one of the most imaginative and brilliant children's authors of all time. He definitely had a way of making his books come to life. The Cat in the Hat is one of his most popular books. In this story, two bored young children are home alone with nothing to do, that is, until the Cat in the Hat arrives at their house. The Cat in the Hat turns the children's boredom into fascination as the Cat performs outrageous tricks. In the story, the children's pet fish is the voice of reason, making bold statements such as, "He should not be here when your mother is out!" and the children allowing the character of the cat do what he wants represents the tension between anarchy and maintaining order.
One contemporary book that I feel also depicts the tension presented in The Cat in the Hat is a book entitled I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! (2005) by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by David Catrow. In this story, a rebellious little boy finds a paint set. Naturally he desires to paint anything he can get his hands on. He paints the floor, the curtains, the walls, and even the ceiling. When his mother discovers what he is up to, she scolds him by telling him that he will not paint anymore. She then puts him in the tub to soak. When the mother hides the paint in the top of a closet, her son saw exactly where she placed the paint. So, when the mom wasn't looking, he went straight and maneuvered his way to the top of the closet where she placed the paint. Once he had the paint in his hands again, he decided that this time he would paint himself! I feel this story displays kid-friendly anarchy. The mischievous little boy tests his small freedoms with his mother.
I feel this book would appeal to children for various reasons. The use of vibrant colors utilized throughout the book would catch the attention of young children. Also, this book features simple rhyme, which allows the text to flow smoothly. This book can be sung to the tune "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More" which can make it exciting for children. Additionally, the author writes the story in a way that leaves children guessing which body part the little boy will paint next. Finally, I believe children will find this story humorous and some will be even be able to relate to similar experiences.
Another contemporary book that displays tension is Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2004)by Mo Willems. I read and responded to this book for one of my Caldecott Honor choices earlier in my blog. In this story, the pigeon desperately wants to drive a bus while the bus driver is away. However, the bus driver gives the reader specific instructions to not allow him to drive the bus. The pigeon pleads to try and persuade the reader to allow him the freedom to drive the vehicle. He even imagines himself at the end of the story driving a big truck. In this story, the bus driver is the character who does not quite condone anarchy.
I believe this book would appeal to children because the story is highly interactive. Willems allows the reader to play an important part in the story from the very beginning. Simple text and illustrations are ideal for this children's book.
One contemporary book that I feel also depicts the tension presented in The Cat in the Hat is a book entitled I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! (2005) by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by David Catrow. In this story, a rebellious little boy finds a paint set. Naturally he desires to paint anything he can get his hands on. He paints the floor, the curtains, the walls, and even the ceiling. When his mother discovers what he is up to, she scolds him by telling him that he will not paint anymore. She then puts him in the tub to soak. When the mother hides the paint in the top of a closet, her son saw exactly where she placed the paint. So, when the mom wasn't looking, he went straight and maneuvered his way to the top of the closet where she placed the paint. Once he had the paint in his hands again, he decided that this time he would paint himself! I feel this story displays kid-friendly anarchy. The mischievous little boy tests his small freedoms with his mother.
I feel this book would appeal to children for various reasons. The use of vibrant colors utilized throughout the book would catch the attention of young children. Also, this book features simple rhyme, which allows the text to flow smoothly. This book can be sung to the tune "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More" which can make it exciting for children. Additionally, the author writes the story in a way that leaves children guessing which body part the little boy will paint next. Finally, I believe children will find this story humorous and some will be even be able to relate to similar experiences.
Another contemporary book that displays tension is Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2004)by Mo Willems. I read and responded to this book for one of my Caldecott Honor choices earlier in my blog. In this story, the pigeon desperately wants to drive a bus while the bus driver is away. However, the bus driver gives the reader specific instructions to not allow him to drive the bus. The pigeon pleads to try and persuade the reader to allow him the freedom to drive the vehicle. He even imagines himself at the end of the story driving a big truck. In this story, the bus driver is the character who does not quite condone anarchy.
I believe this book would appeal to children because the story is highly interactive. Willems allows the reader to play an important part in the story from the very beginning. Simple text and illustrations are ideal for this children's book.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson (chapter book that addresses diversity)
Jacqueline Woodson won a Newbery Honor in 2008 for her outstanding work, Feathers. I feel this book should be in every elementary and middle school library media center. There are numerous components embedded throughout the story that cleverly address diversity. This book allows the reader to step inside the 1970s to take a closer look at many themes such as racial tension, cultural language, Christian religion and faith, inside the world of a young boy who is deaf, and even adoption. The book also metaphorically weaves a part in one of Emily Dickinson's poems "Hope is the thing with feathers."
Frannie, the narrator and main character in the story, is a sixth grader who attends an all black middle school; that is until a white young boy joins her classroom one winter day. For a girl Frannie's age, she has had many things to cope with her older brother's deafness and her mother losing a young child. So, when the calm white boy shows up in Frannie's classroom, she is able to "see" him differently than most of her other classmates. The class calls him "Jesus Boy." While there is no more segregation in this time period, the reader gains a sense of the racial tension that was still present. For example, throughout the book Trevor, the class bully, constantly harasses Jesus Boy and Frannie also mentions life on "both sides of the highway." However, toward the end of the story, there is a warm sense of hope that leaves the reader feeling appreciative.
The book is an excellent choice because there are many dimensions that allow the reader to make connections and also to gain a better perspective inside the different lives of other people. I feel if this book were used as a literature unit, there would be many wonderful and deep discussions on diversity and the idea of feeling different. The story also allows the reader to come to the important realization that even though we are all different, we all have things in common as well, i.e hope, and I believe that is one of the best features of this story!
Frannie, the narrator and main character in the story, is a sixth grader who attends an all black middle school; that is until a white young boy joins her classroom one winter day. For a girl Frannie's age, she has had many things to cope with her older brother's deafness and her mother losing a young child. So, when the calm white boy shows up in Frannie's classroom, she is able to "see" him differently than most of her other classmates. The class calls him "Jesus Boy." While there is no more segregation in this time period, the reader gains a sense of the racial tension that was still present. For example, throughout the book Trevor, the class bully, constantly harasses Jesus Boy and Frannie also mentions life on "both sides of the highway." However, toward the end of the story, there is a warm sense of hope that leaves the reader feeling appreciative.
The book is an excellent choice because there are many dimensions that allow the reader to make connections and also to gain a better perspective inside the different lives of other people. I feel if this book were used as a literature unit, there would be many wonderful and deep discussions on diversity and the idea of feeling different. The story also allows the reader to come to the important realization that even though we are all different, we all have things in common as well, i.e hope, and I believe that is one of the best features of this story!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)