Henry Brown
31 Tuesday May 2011
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in31 Tuesday May 2011
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in27 Friday May 2011
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inHenry Brown by Ellen Levine is the profound story of a man born into slavery who packaged and mailed himself to liberty. Henry Brown lived in Civil War times and lived in Richmond, Virginia. This book begins with young Henry being moved from his family when his kind master dies and sends him to work for his unkind son. He is great at his job of working with tobacco but his facial expressions and posture speak of his sorrow. After seasons of loneliness he meets and marries young Nancy and begins his family. Henry is overcome with anguish when appalling slavery once again separates him from the ones he loves. He decides to find a way to travel from Richmond, Virginia to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where there is freedom. He exhibits bravery, determination and leadership as he travels in a wooden box transported by a horse-drawn cart, steamboat and train. He goes down in history as a change agent as this box is delivered to his doctor friend’s connection in Philadelphia. His date of freedom and liberty is March 30, 1849. Kadir Nelson uses piercing and real life looking portraits to beautifully illustrate this story. With vividly shaded pencil drawings and vibrant use of watercolor and oil, Mr. Nelson created detailed drawings of Henry, other characters, and the surroundings found in the mid 1800’s. Young readers will feel compelled to join in the story and experience Henry’s feelings and emotions as he matures through the unimaginable hardship and grief of slavery and social injustice. In the beginning of the story the reader feels heartache for young Henry’s plight as he is separated from his mother and moves from the covering of his kind master. Later, the reader celebrates with Henry when he falls in love and begins his family. The story has a heart wrenching moment when Henry is torn from his family. Mr. Nelson portrays in detail the despair and grief Henry feels as his family rides off without him. Nelson shows Henry’s tortured thoughts and gives vivid cutaway imagery to illustrate him placed upside down in his confined box for his journey Philadelphia. The last page shows a thankful Henry coming out of the box and being welcomed with looks of kindness and warmth as he begins his life of freedom. This book is a wonderful addition to the classroom library and is a MUST read aloud in the elementary classroom. This book is profound and meaningful and will engage all students and provide the readers with the authentic perspective of Henry. Children will fall in love with this character and hope for justice to prevail and for Henry to find a way out of his grim circumstances. While reading this story with students, powerful discussions about Henry and his family’s perspective and emotions can take place.
Culturally authentic books have been used for years to develop positive cross-cultural attitudes. It is important for young learners to feel appreciated in school, and including members of their group through literature that represents their perspectives accurately will help achieve this goal. Knowledge of the contributions of one’s culture group will enhance one’s self esteem (Bennett, Russell.) Culturally authentic children’s biographies can help acquire this knowledge and are important to all students (Morgan.)
Other works of literature can be added to the classroom’s study on diversity and different perspectives and cultures. “Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky” by Faith Ringgold, “If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad” by Ellen Levine and “The Bus Ride that Changed History” by Pamela Duncan Edwards are other great books to use with this book.
These types of stories represent the views and perspectives of minority group members. This is important because a biography is not authentic if authors do not express an “insider’s” perspective of the culture they are portraying. (Morgan)
23 Monday May 2011
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inI have deeply enjoyed becoming more familiar with your work in this children’s literature course. Your stories are profound and heartwarming and I love your use of colorful collage art in your illustrations. My Questions for you are:
Who is your favorite author?
How many books do you have in your own person library?
Can you share what you are working on now?
Where do you receive most of your inspiration?
23 Monday May 2011
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inThe Dreamer is an authentic book that exposes young readers to multiple perspectives in a thought provoking manner. The authors give a poignant description of the early days of the adored poet Pablo Neruda. Pam Munoz Ryan and Peter Sis collaborate to create a dramatizing, captivating and beautiful depiction of a meek and gentle child’s growing artistic craft despite opposition. The Dreamer’s language is expressive and eloquent. The use of Pablo Neruda’s poetry adds to the book’s charm. This book invites the reader to jump in the story and experience the many treasures nature has to offer. The illustrations are deep and rich and only enhance and add to the uniqueness and distinction of the book.
The beginning of the story introduces the reader to young Neftalí Reyes, a native Chilean boy who is shy and timid. At the same time he is brilliant and insightful and his creative spirit grows despite his father’s callous behavior. From a young age Neftali is a wordsmith and feels poetry all around him. He finds and collects a plethora of treasures found in nature. His surroundings often speak to him. He writes the beautiful and thoughtful words that come to his mind. His father does not appreciate his writing ability or sense of wonder about what the world has to offer. The reader feels young Neftali’s frustration as his father insists he play a more traditional role in life. This causes him to recoil from his difficult father. I notice everything about the father’s persona is loud and big. His voice, footsteps and whistle are piercing. The drawings of his father picture a tyrannical, dark and frightful being. His footsteps seem to halt any pleasurable activities and stifle happiness and creativity. The father is often more pleasant when he is entertaining guest. However, it’s heartbreaking when he degrades his son at the dinner table with his words,
Do not pay attention to him. He is absentminded. There’s no telling what will become of him.
Those words cut Neftalí and all who read this will feel his misery and grief. The book mentions that Neftali is reminiscent of his birthmother in his creativity and awareness. I wonder if Neftali’s artistic craft served as a continuous reminder of the love his father lost. Many readers will assume the father is transfixed with trying to please and impress others. He doesn’t want his son’s perspective to be a negative reflection of his family. I feel warmth from Mamadre’s affectionate heart and loving relation with Neftali. She is gentle, submissive and aims to please the father but often works as an advocate for her stepson. I felt the love and connection between Neftaki and Mamadre. Even though she is quiet where the father is concerned, she supports him and occasionally gets the courage to speak up for him. I love Uncle Orlando and the way he embraces the differences of others. He is a change agent as he fights for the rights of the indigenous Mapuche people. He stands with them in their cause and shares their perspective in the newspaper from which he works. I love how he roots for and encourages his young nephew. They are kindred spirits in their open-mindedness of different cultures and perspectives. They both appreciate the beauty represented in different ways of life. He encourages his nephew’s writing, exploration and discovery. Neftali’s brother Rodolphi is calm, insightful, well spoken and wise. He is also a talented musician but does not use his gift around his father in order to please him. He often reinforces dad’s rules with his younger brother. However, the reader will love when he speaks up for his younger brother in hopes the father will let him take a job at the newspaper. The reader is frustrated by the father’s stubbornness and pride but touched by how the other’s support of Neftali. I love Neftali’s little sister Laurita. Her sweetness, innocence and intelligence are felt through the book. She and Neftali share in their passion for what the world has to offer in its splendor and beauty. She often clings to her mother and brother in times of fear and misery. Her disposition remains positive despite the father’s cruelty. All readers will enjoy the special bond and warm relationship between the brother and sister.
The key themes of The Dreamer are social injustice, courage and perseverance. Works of literature that depict and represent multiple authentic perspectives are so important to share with children.
Teaching for social justice is gaining a great deal of attention. One of the main ideas behind this theme is teaching students to develop and appreciate multiple perspectives…It is important for young learners to feel appreciated in school, and including members of their group through literature that represents their perspectives accurately will help achieve this goal.-Morgan
I would use this book as a read aloud starting with children in second grade. The young learner will love this book as it is a classic, well written piece of literature. Children will feel compelled to share their thoughts about the different characters and their different views and the multiple perspectives represented. Young readers will also feel invited to question and explore themes and key points presented through out the book. The poetry can guide classroom discussions and lead into student poetry writing. This book will open doors to a whole new world of wonder and marvel for children as they share in sweet Naftali’s experiences.
23 Monday May 2011
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inThis is a heartwarming and thought provoking book that I found engaging from beginning to end. In Happy Birthday Mr. Kang, Susan Roth shares a story that those living in two different cultures will find a close personal connection with and be deeply touched by. In this book Mr. Kang makes three wishes on his seventieth birthday, to fill his days by reading the New York Times, painting poems, and taking his caged bird to the park. He announces he doesn’t want to cook anymore in his restaurant.
The book’s jacket and opening is covered with actual photographs of animated New York City. This gives the cover a creative and unique appearance and entices the young reader to open the book and experience the story. Starting with the first page, the reader notices the brilliant and vibrant collage work of Ms. Roth. Many of the pages have brilliant borders of collaged newspaper, Chinese artwork, photography and other pieces of creative work. The illustrations are vivid and detailed and all readers will find the print eye-catching. Student will be intrigued by the amazing Chinese artwork. On several pages Ms. Roth uses multiple colorful and realistic looking pictures boxes to represent the meaningful treasures of Mr. King.
The reader will notice Mr. King is a beautiful wordsmith and a great listener. He hears poetry in his head and recites beautiful poems about “where he’s from.” He is insightful, aware and perceptive. Mr. Kang’s poetry and thoughtful words help tell his story and grasps the attention of the reader.
The reader is moved by the close bond with Mr. Kang and his grandson. The wise man spends much time pouring insight and knowledge into Sam. They are a great example of friendship and a solid bond. Sam does feel sorry for his grandfather’s caged bird. It seems unfair and wrong to him for the pet to be constricted by the cage. With contemplation and help from Sam, Mr. Kang compares his caged bird with his working tirelessly in the restaurant. The reader is saddened when Mr. Kang decides to let his birdie fly away, against the advice of his wife and friends. The conclusion to this story is poignant and heart touching. Birdie is waiting at the apartment to greet Sam and Mr. Kang. The reader can feel their joy and relief as they go inside to create poetry together.
This story will make for a great addition to the class or family’s collection of multicultural books.
Well-written books that express multicultural themes or are international in their origins may have a profound effect on readers, prompting a global outlook as well as an understanding that members of the human family have more similarities than differences(Multicultural and International Books.)
The story language Ms. Roth uses is beautiful and profound and will engage and capture the interest of children while giving them a greater look at other cultures to be experienced and learned about. Great discussions about the meaning of Mr. Kangs’s words and poetry can happen throughout and after the reading. The key points of this book include; listening and evolving, companionship, loyalty and adjustment. These themes are powerful and significant. This will be meaningful for all children as the book is experienced along with the reader.
We have a growing awareness and concern to include all cultures and nationalities as equal members of the world’s family. However, we are far from achieving this ideal. Well written multicultural children’s books may serve to help our new generations see people living in far-flung parts of the globe or even in their own city as equal and valuable citizens(Multicultural and International Books.)
22 Sunday May 2011
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inI was born to Phil and Jean Watson on August 27, 1980. I was raised in a King N.C. We had family in Pilot Mountain and my parents decided to make their home near them. Every Sunday we went to church then made the drive to eat lunch at Granny’s with all the aunts, uncles and cousins. Mother’s people are from Wilmington, N.C. and even though there was much love between us we didn’t get to see them as often. My cousin and I often wished for a secret passage way that would magically transport us to each other’s homes. Back then, it seemed like it took forever to get there with the lower speed limit. My Father, like his father, is an accountant. My Grandpa Harvey could add huge numbers together in a split second without using a calculator. May Dad takes a lot after him. Both were shopahoics, but thrifty. My Dad also has my Grandfather’s giving and charitable spirit. My Father and Mother met in Portsmouth, Virginia, where resided briefly. After moving to King, my Mother stayed home pouring herself into every area of our home. She loves to decorate and experiment with color and design around the house! She often came and ate lunch with me at the school (She was brave.) My Dad has always been a wonderful provider and my mother is an outstanding homemaker. We always enjoyed time spent outside talking and having a great time with neighbors. My Mother would discuss current events, school politics and other issues with our neighbor friends. I enjoyed playing kickball and basketball with my best friends Steven and Mandy. My friends and I felt free and safe to walk on our road and discover things we had yet to notice. We played with each other’s puppies and tried our hardest to teach each other’s pets tricks. Looking back, I’m sure we terrorized those pets. Steven, Mandy and I argued like cats and dogs but at the end of the day we loved each other. I felt bittersweet emotions when we moved to Winston to be closer to Dad’s office. Mandy and I thought we were dying inside when we said goodbye, even though we were only separated by thirty minutes. I was so upset to leave my friends and home but anticipated life in a city that had more restaurants, busier streets and a great shopping mall. At my new school and church I formed friendships that I treasure to this day. To follow in my families footsteps I went to college in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where my Dad’s family is from. As we drove around Tulsa I had fun listening to him reminisce of old childhood memories. As aforementioned, most of my Dad’s “people” have jobs using accounting or some type of math. I never enjoyed math or the office setting but I have always had a passion for working with children. My sister and I use to drag out the huge chalkboard Mom bought us, lined up our stuffed animals and played school. I have enjoyed teaching ever since. I still enjoy getting together with my family. Now it’s usually on Sunday afternoon and at a restaurant on Stratford Road. We play catch up and take turns sharing stories from each other’s week. I am so blessed to have such a strong, supportive, and loving family.
I am from a loving, affectionate and passionate family.
I was brought up in a small and close-knit town where everyone knew all about each other.
I’m from where people visit each other and stop by just to say hi or share a latest recipe.
I have a strong family heritage with deep roots in faith in God.
I am from Sunday drives up the mountain to visit with Dad’s family
I am from “always to trust God for help and put Him first in my life.”
We were in church every time the doors were open, singing, sharing and enjoying other’s company.
I am from a long line of mathematicians but the subject has never been interesting to me.
I am from spending time with family over food and conversation.
I am the anxious, restless and sometimes different one of my peaceful and serene family.
I am from “Tiff, stop pacing” and “Tiffany Necole, watch your tone!”
I am from “mind your manners” and “eat over plate.”
I am from “I forgive you” and “we’ll have a better day tomorrow.”
I’m from King, NC where we lived till I was fifteen.
I am from moving to the city to be closer to Dad’s work.
I am from picking up and beginning a new school with long hallways and lots of stairs.
I am from dad dropping me off at school on his way to work, rarely on time.
I am from a running late family but we always arrive and have fun where we’re going.
22 Sunday May 2011
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in≈ Comments Off on Hanukkah, Oh Hanukah By Susan L. Roth
Hanukkah, Oh Hanukah is an eye-catching picture book version of the traditional holiday song. In this book a family of mice and their relatives celebrate Hanukkah by eating latkes, dancing the traditional hora, lighting the menorah, and of course spinning dreidels. The reader will feel compelled to turn the pages and experience the story. The lovely tune makes for a great Holiday read aloud and addition to the classroom library.
I loved this book’s illustrations. She uses vibrant collage to make for bold and beautiful illustrations. Ms Roth used paper, scissors, paper, lace, glue, and tweezers to make for creative and detailed pictures. The collages are created in many different patterns and textures and only enhance the appearance. Her artwork truly is “one of a kind” and creative in every sense of the word.
This will be a meaningful and informative multicultural read aloud for elementary students. The student’s will be captivated by the eye catching pictures. They will fall in love with the mice and want to join in their celebration. The reader can feel the love and warmth the mice feel for each other as they celebrate the meaningful holiday together.
This is a unique and meaningful multicultural book to use in the classroom. It is so important to expose students to different perspectives and cultures through great literature that sheds positive light on the culture depicted in the book.
To encourage young students to develop multiple perspectives, teachers need to pay attention not only to how they teach, but also to what they teach. Educators can guide students to develop cross-cultural understanding at an early age by using well-written picture book biographies which represent people from diverse backgrounds.-Morgan
I cover the main components and attributes of Hanukah every year with my kindergarten class. Now that I have been introduced to this book I anticipate using it with my class next December. The students are always curious about and intrigued by other cultures and what different holidays look like in our world. While reading this book, the students will find many similarities and several differences with Hanukah and Christmas. They will take a step outside their world and experience a different perspective. When I read this book with the class, I will have our school’s music teacher come to our class with her keyboard for a class sing along. We also have a Jewish faculty member at our school and I will ask her come to the room and share in this book with us, and if possible maybe eat latkes together.
Not only would this book be a great springboard to research and discuss Hanukkah, but it would also give students a model to use to research and design a book based on other holidays. Kerry Smith
I would also love to do a class book with my kinders about a holiday, such a Christmas or Easter. Later in the year Kindergarten students will be able to make their own books. Students always have so much to say, using their precious kid language, about the holidays we celebrate throughout the school year.
22 Sunday May 2011
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inThis is great picture book! In The Biggest Frog in Australia, the largest frog in Australia wakes up very thirsty. When he drinks all the water on the continent, even the rain from the clouds, the land is parched and dry and the other animals are thirsty and desperate for water. They try to make the frog laugh, hoping the water will pour out. Eventually they are successful and the water flows back to the billabongs, lakes, ocean, rivers, puddles, and clouds.
I love this book’s illustrations. Ms. Roth has created bright and colorful collage work using cut paper with unique texture to make for detailed and eye catching illustrations. The colors she uses to create the animals and background are bold, vivid and rich. The young audience will be captured by this book’s pictures and feel as if they can reach out and experience the real the character’s true consistency. They will be amused when they see the frog is so bloated his eyes fill with water. Ms. Roth does a wonderful job of showing exactly how the characters are feeling and what they are thinking. Children will know when the frog finally finds amusement in the animal’s tactics to get him to laugh. The young reader will giggle along with the frog as he watches the eels do their tricks. The reader’s eyes are also drawn to the different colors, font shapes and sizes and arrangement and direction of the text. Children will step into the story and feel the thirstiness of the animals, land and plants. The young reader may point out that the frog is only thinking and concerned about himself as he drinks ALL of Australia’s water. The other animals work together in spite of their differences to find relief and quench their thirst. The ending leaves the reader hoping the frog has learned a lesson about valuing and sharing with others
Teaching young students to have multiple perspectives is very important (Banks 2009; Norton 2009). To help young children develop an understanding of perspectives different than one’s own, educators often use high quality multicultural children’s books.-Morgan
This is a wonderful book to use in the elementary classroom and I will most definitely share this story with my kinders. The children’s eyes will be drawn and stay focused on the pictures. They will love that the animals exhibit teamwork, cooperation, and humor to find a positive outcome to their dilemma. The teacher can ask her students, “How did the animals exhibit teamwork?” “What do you think they would have done if the frog did not laugh and let out water?” “What would make you laugh if you were in the frog’s position?” “What will happen with the water situation now? Will the frog make sure the water is equally dispersed?”
20 Friday May 2011
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inThis is an incredibly moving and motivational story and I enjoyed my time reading it immensely. The book’s illustrations,story and factual events and literary language make for a fascinating story to share with young readers.
This is an EXCELLENT multicultural book to read aloud with your students.
Cultural details need to be represented accurately in literature. These may include the use of dialects or idioms; descriptions of ethnic foods, customs, and clothing; and information about religious beliefs and practices.-Ciardiello
Listen to the wind will engage and inspire all young children. The book tells the story of when Mr. Mortenson took a wrong path while climbing the K2 in the Baltistan district of Pakistan. Then Mortenson, a nurse, staggers into Korphe, a small remote village in the mountains of Pakistan. The kind people from the villiage help nurse a very sick Mr. Mortenson back to heath. While recovering, he meets the precious children of Korphe who have a desire and passion to learn and attend school. After he is compelled to listen to the wind (the village children’s voices), he pledges to come back to help build a school. The reader will be touched by the hospitality of the village people and the generosity of Mr. Mortenson.
Ms. Roth uses beautiful and DETAILED collages. Children will be captivated by the close to life and unique illustrations of the Pakistani people and their surroundings. Children will notice the “texture” of the pictures and believe they can reach out and touch the pictures and experience the real texture. On many pages the pictures appear three dimensional. The mountains, rocks and people look as if they’re leaping off the pages. The time dedicated to crafting these illustrations is noticed and appreciated by all readers. Student will love seeing collaged images and photographs of what thriving schools look like in other parts of the world. The reader will recognize that this story speaks to the devotion, loyalty and kindness of Mr. Mortenson as he returns to the villiage to help fulfill his promise. Children always love a heartwarming story of friendship, camaraderie and loyalty where someone lends a helpful hand. The teacher will be able to discuss about and extend on those key points with the reader, especially that of teamwork and sense of civic duty. All will feel motivated and inspired to help reach out and rally around those that are under resourced or in need.
20 Friday May 2011
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inDear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin
By Duncan Tonatiuh
Dear Primo is a precious picture book about Charlie and Carlitos, two inquiring cousins that write informative letters back and forth to each other. Carlitos lives in the countryside of Mexico and lives on a farm. He rides his bike to school and enjoys eating quesadillas and playing games outside with his friends. His cousin Charlie lives in a large US city. He lives a different life in many ways. He uses the subway for transportation to school and back. Every day he stops to get a slice of pizza on his way home and enjoys basketball and playing video games with his neighbor. Throughout the book the reader can also make many comparisons with the two different worlds. Both characters are bright, curious and full of life and adventure.
This is my one of my favorite books so far in this Children’s Literature class. Perhaps this is because of the different trips I have been on and the prior knowledge I had about the customs, traditions, and vocabulary used in Mexico.
Mr. Tonatiuh’s artistic design includes hand drawings that are digitally colored and collaged. The reader will find the colors used engaging, as they are bright, vivid and eye catching. The lines are bold and give an intense appearance to the pictures. The labeling involved provides a wealth of information and models what students can do in their writings.
This is a great example of a meaningful and engaging multicultural book. My English Language Learners will feel validated and extra special as we read this precious book that gives an optimistic and positive glow on their culture and traditions.
Books about specific cultures and nations can foster an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of people who seem at first glance different from the reader. Present a positive and reassuring representation of a reader’s own culture group. Introduce readers to the literary traditions of different world cultures or cultural groups within a specific nation
(Multicultural and International Books Article.)
This made for a meaningful and enlightening read aloud with my kindergarten class. My English Language Learners were thrilled and animated from the beginning and were able to make personal connections. Several of these students have recently traveled to Mexico to visit with family. Their eyes lit up and they had much to say about Dia De Los Muertos and fiestas with sombreros and piñatas. The students remembered what they got out of the busted piñata at their last party. My English speaking children were surprised that soccer is called football in Mexico, whereas the other students had much to say about playing with their brothers or sisters. Many of these children talked of their families that still reside in Mexico and how they correspond with them via phone calls and letters. Of course they LOVED correcting my less than adequate pronunciations of their language. The kids also were excited by idea of firefighters opening hydrants for children to play and cool off on hot summer days. One of my students is the son of a firefighter and he informed the class that he knew all about this.
Most children are fascinated with writing some type of letter to a friend, pen pal, or relative. These characters are so sweet in how descriptive and detailed they are with their letters. They include so much information about their daily routines and details about where they live and meaningful events in their cultures. They invite the reader to do the same and provide a wonderful model of what our students can carry out with friends or family members. This book encourages the reader to think intently about the everyday lives of children in different cultures and then make comparisons and differences with that of their own life.
This book has me excited about the future Hands Around The World project that we are preparing for. I love the idea of children learning about different cultures and giving information through beautiful kid language.