Children's+Literature+Exploration

__ 2010 __

__ Red Sings from Treetops __, is a about an angular character in a crown and robes that enters into different seasons with her dog, who is also wearing a crown. Moving through spring to summer to fall and winter, they interact with different aspects that each season provides and the changing shades, and roles, of colors as they go. This book is read through poetry and is combined with artwork to capture the story. The combination of poetry and artwork is absolutely amazing because you are able to see the interconnection of colors and shapes. The Illustrator, Pamela Zagarenski, is an inspiration of mine, the way she captures each season with a unique technique in vibrant colors that allows you to really visualize each season through a different perspective. This book has given me a new perception towards children literature and this will be a book I am going to read in my classroom multiple times throughout the year. This book can be used for many different purposes it can be used to teach students about their seasons, colors, senses and in general all the different aspects of the world. This children’s literature book has given me the motivation and inspiration to become a children’s literature author and Illustrator. However, if I become an art educator this book will be an essential tool I would use daily to introduce different topics into the art world and how to depicts different seasons in their own individualized style. I would recommend this book for teachers, students, children, and even artists of all ages. __ 2003 __

__ Math-terpieces __ is about a series of artists and their works introducing different math concepts. I really enjoyed this book because it uses rhyme to explain the different aspects of a painting and at the end of each page there is a problem for the student to solve. This book is great for struggling math students that have troubling understanding specific concepts. It allows students to make connections with visually oriented problems to help their memory and create a better understanding of the concept. Not only does this book help their understanding of the concept but it also assists children as they develop different skills to think creatively. The book mentions twelve great master artists—Cezanne, Degas, Picasso, and Warhol. I am particularly interested in this book because I am an artist and I always have trouble with math problems. However, now that I have been introduced to this book I have a better understanding of ways I can teach math in a creative new way. The Author, Greg Tang, has great thoughts and incite to why he wrote this book and how it will help students development. In the Authors note, he explains that mastering skills is diverse regardless of the subject, some may be enjoyable and others may be boring, however, by combining two subject areas math and art, students can learn in a fun and engaging way. When Tang wrote this book he had two objectives in mind. The first objective is to create visually interesting problems and the second is to create a learning environment that stimulates creative thinking. __ 2009 __

__ A River of Words __, written by Jen Bryant, is about a boy named Willie William who grew up wanted to become a writer, however, as he grew older his mother shared with him her brother’s career path to become a doctor. Soon after, Willie went to college to become a doctor but still kept his interest in art by visiting museums with friends and starting discussions about different aspects of a specific painting. When Willie finally graduated school and opened his own medical practice, he went through his old poems and ideas to continue with his dream to become a poet. The story ends with when “He sat down and looked at the words...and shaped them into poems.” If I were to use this book in my classroom I would use it to stimulate creative thinking and allow my students to develop their own independent thoughts. In writer’s workshop, I would introduce this book by only showing them the pictures and reading the title of the book. Students will observe the different aspects of the illustrations and write their own story or poem. The Illustrator, Melissa Sweet, developed an interesting technique by using cutouts of letters, newspaper articles, sheet music, and even hand written bubble letters. I think believe that by giving students the title “A River of Words” and the pictures they will be able to think more creatively to become poets themselves. __ 2011 __

__ Goodnight iPad __, written by Ann Droyd, is a parody of the children’s classic Goodnight Moon for the gadget loving generation. The classic children’s book, Goodnight Moon has been parodied several times throughout the years but personally this book is my favorite. The book starts “in the bright buzzing room there was an iPad and a kid playing Doom,” explaining how modern life is a buzz with “huge LCD Wi-Fi HDTV, Facebook friends, and texts with no end.” In this modern generation, children and adults around the world lack sleep because they are attached to electronic devices. They are dependent on these different devices that they are unable to put them down until their eyes close on their own. If I were to read this in the classroom I would introduce this book starting at Kindergarten and use it through fifth grade because I believe this can change their view on our electronic generation. This book helps children understand that using electronic devices should only be used in moderation throughout the day. Children are entering into a world that could not imagine life without electronics. As educators, it is our responsibility to teach children how to become less dependent on these devices by choosing a book like Goodnight Moon before going to bed. __ 2011 __

__ Hello Goodbye and a very little lie __, by Christianne Jones, is about Larry who lies about virtually everything until a little girl named Lucy outsmarts him. Larry walked up to Lucy, “Hello. I’m Larry. I can swim all the way across the lake. Goodbye.” Normally, Larry would walk away after lying to someone but before he could run away Lucy ran up to him saying, “No you can’t,” which started an argument and Lucy said that he had to prove to her what he is saying was true. This is when Larry finally realizes that he was lying and that he can no longer lie or else he could be stuck in a tough situation. “Hello I’m Larry. I cannot swim across the lake. I lied.” When Larry finally told the truth he finally gained a friend and being alone was no longer a factor in his life. Larry asks Lucy one question, “Do you think two liars could stop lying and be friends?” When introducing this book to my students I would focus my lesson on friendship because a main quality in a good friend is honesty. I would start my lesson by asking the class if they know what the word friendship means, and if they are unsure, depending on the age group, I would start a list brainstorming what makes a friend. Then whether the students mention honesty or not, I will discuss honesty and the importance. After the before reading activity, I will read the book, stopping to ask questions to see if they would want Larry as a friend and why. At the end of the story, students will be able to use their knowledge about friends to see the importance of honesty. The after reading activity, students will create a collage with different words, pictures, drawings of what friendship means to them.

__ 2010 __

__ The Lion and the Mouse __, by Jerry Pinkney, is a about a Lion and a mouse. Unlike, most books there are no words, it is simply is picture book. When I was first introduced to this book I was amazed by the creative aspect this book captures for the reader. The pictures provide each animal in action open for interpretation. This book would be great to bring into the classroom to teach students about prediction or to emphasize that there are multiple ways to tell a story and forms of expression. The reason I enjoyed this book is because the concept of no words on the pages will stimulate their creative thinking process.

__ 2002 __

__ Wild About Books __, by Judy Sierra, is about the Springfield Librarian Molly McGrew, who by mistake drove her bookmobile into the zoo. All the animals in the zoo couldn’t resist but to listen to the sound of stories from Dr, Seuss, Nancy Drew, or even Harry Potter. I think this story is a great to read to students of any age because there are multiple topics that could be addressed. For younger students, teachers could implement rhyming, repetition, or even animals. For older students, this book will help students maintain a love for reading through the fantastic pictures and the familiar examples of different books. If I were to use this book in my classroom I would want my students to understand ways to make reading fun and through this book I believe that students can form a connection between themselves and the animals that love to read together.



__ The Greedy Triangle __, by Merilyn Burns is about a triangle that is unhappy with itself so it goes to the shape shifter to get one more side and one more angle. The triangle continues to go back to the shape shifter because it is unhappy with itself. However, at the end of the story the triangle goes back to the shapeshifter for the last time, realizing that all along he was the happiest when it was the original shape. I really enjoyed this book because it has a great story but teaches students the different shapes, while also showing the similarities between different shapes. When I have my own classroom, I will be reading this for a math lesson to allow my students to use manipulative in an after activity so they can learn different shapes and sizes, which will create a connection from the story I read to them and actually being able to hold and interact with the shape and the differences between each shape.



__ Leo the Late Bloomer __, by Robert Kraus, is about Leo the tiger, "who couldn't do anything right. He couldn't read. He couldn't write. He couldn't draw...And he never said a word." Leo's father was worried about his son and started watching him everyday to see if he "bloomed." Leo's mother exclaimed, "a watched bloomer doesn't bloom." From that day on, Leo's father didn't watch him and then one day in his own time, Leo Bloomed!

I choose this book because when I was in Elementary School I had the chance to meet the author and he signed the book for me. When I met the author and read this book for the first time I was really able to connect with the author and the story that was written. While meeting the author the Illustrator gave a presentation on how to draw the tiger. I thought this was interesting because it gave students the opportunity to make a connection between our own drawing, the author's personal story, and the book. I would use this book in all grade levels because it can teach students multiple concepts. For younger students, I would introduce.....



__ Sir Cumference and the First Round Table __, by Cindy Neuschwander is about the ruler of Camelot, who has trouble hearing his knights when they get together at the long rectangular table. Sir Cumference and Lady of Di of Ameter "measure up" to the challenge to fix the table? However, problems continuously occur after changing the shape of the table between each of the knights. In the end, Sir Cumference thinks she finally has the solution to allow the knight and the King get together without any problems.