Poetry: " A Light in the Attic" by Shel Silverstein

"A Light in the Attic"

Author: Shel Silverstein

Illustrator: Shel Silverstein

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers

ISBN:0060256737

When I knew that we would be blogging on poetry I wasn’t too happy. I have never been a fan of reading poetry. I remember being in school and my teachers reading poetry with my class byt I could never build an interest in it. However, even though I never enjoyed poetry there was one book of poetry that I developed an interest in. That book is Shel Silverstein’s, “A Light in the Attic.” Shel Silverstien is the creator of the beloved poetry collection. Here is a description from his work.

Last night while I lay thinking here
Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
And pranced and partied all night long
And sang their same old Whatif song:

Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?...

In this poetry book you will find a variety of different poems. Some of these poems include Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt, and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire.  In these poems Shel Silverstein tries to explain the what ifs For example, you will talk with Broiled Face, and find out what happens when Somebody steals your knees, what happens when you get caught by the Quick-Digesting Gink, a Mountain snores, and They Put a Brassiere on the Camel. Although many of his poems are humorous, they make a reader really think about what he is saying.  Although the poems don’t tell a complete story, the readers can use there imagination while reading each poem.. In addition, Shel Silverstein uses illustrations for his poems images for each poem written. In these images Shel Silverstein only uses black and white pencil drawing. These images of his characters are drawn in cartoon format,

Since April is National Poetry Month, using Shel Silverstein’s “A Light in the Attic” is a great way to familiarize students with poetry. This was established in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets. The purpose of National Poetry Month was to increase the interest in poetry. “A Light in the Attic” it is good way to encourage interest in poetry. Shel Silverstein’s poetry is a great motivate. You can use this collection of poems to develop important skills to students. For example, teachers can read several poems to the students and have students draw their own illustrations of the poems, and then share Silverstein’s illustrations with the students. Students can learn to visualize what is being read and then draw a picture of what they see. I believe that having lessons like this can really boost a child’s learning of poetry and using a book like “A Light in the Attic” is a great tool!

Multicultural Book: "Whoever You Are" by Mem Fox

"Whoever You Are"

Author: Mem Fox

Illustrator: Leslie Staub

Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books

ISBN:0152007873










            When browsing through the children’s section in the book store, I found myself having trouble deciding on what kind of multicultural book I wanted to blog about. As I looked through many books, I came across one that caught my attention. This story was “Whoever You Are” by Mem Fox. Since I have heard many of Mem Fox’s stories from the read alouds given in class, I knew this would be the perfect opportunity for me to blog about one of her stories.

            “Whoever You Are” is a beautiful story about what united us all over the world. For example, it starts with “Little One, Whoever you are, wherever you are, there are little ones just like you all over the world.” The story continues to teach young readers about other people around the world. It shows that, every day all over the world, children are laughing, crying, playing, learning, eating and sleeping. However, they may not look the same, they may speak different languages, and their lives may be quite different. There is a common theme with all these children which is inside we are all the same.

Mem Fox shows her passion for multiculturalism by using moving words throughout the story. In addition there are beautiful and ethnic illustrations to go along with the story. Having illustration like this creates a passionate message of unity and humanity that we all hope to instill in children. These bold paintings weave the way around our earth, across cultures and generations. Together, the author and illustrator take the big idea of multiculturalism and handle it by bring it down to a level that children can relate to.

As I read through “Whoever You Are” I realized that this is a great read aloud for children of all ages. This story opens up many doors for students to explore and complete a study of diversity. In addition, children can explore the differences and similarities between children across the globe. Just by the illustrations alone children can get a feel of what life is like in other places. For instance, it shows the Asian children carrying produce to the market or children in India studying outside. Not only is this a good story for teachers to read in a classroom, but parents can read it at home to their children. Parents can read it to their children and take a deeper look at the illustrations an can explain more about diversity. This story shows the interpretation of large, global, and important issues in a way that children can understand and learn from. “Whoever You Are” makes us accept our differences, to recognize our similarities, and-most importantly-to rejoice in both.

"Cinderella" Translated and Illustrated by Marcia Brown

"Cinderella"

Author: Marcia Brown

Illustrator: Marcia Brown

Publisher: Atheneum

ISBN:0689814747

 

 

 

 

           

              Every fairy tale story begins with the simple words, “Once Upon a Time.” “Once Upon a Time” are the words that catch many readers attention. Many children know right away that they are about to read a fairy tale. One of my favorite childhood fairy tales was “Cinderella.”The beloved fairy tale Cinderella is probably one of the most famous of all time. There have been debates about who wrote the original Cinderella story. Some say it was published by the Brothers Grimm and other say Hans Christen Anderson or Charles Perrault.  The Cinderella, that I will be blogging about is the Caldecott Award winner in 1954 which was “Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper” by Marcia Brown

“Cinderella or The Little Glass Slipper” is about morality and imagination. The genre of the story is mythology/folktale and the heritage is European. Though Cinderella is mistreated by her step family Cinderella wins the heart of a handsome prince at a ball with the help of her fairy godmother. Moral reasoning of the story is self concern and concern for relationships. The theme of the fairy tale is when things seem difficult you must keep doing the right thing.

Even though Cinderella was treated poorly, she has a good heart. Although, this was an upsetting part of the story there is good that came out of it. What I appreciated most about this story is the magic. The illustrations are full of magic and enchantment, from the little cupids putting back the hands on the clock to the last scene at the palace. These are images that will make a lasting impression on a child. This is what makes Cinderella so appealing to children of all cultures. This rag to riches story has been re-written many times over the years. Children beg their parents to read or tell them the story over and over.

Everyone in the world has a different interpretation of Cinderella. For example, "Yeh-Shen," is a Chinese version of the tale almost a thousand years older than the earliest known European version. This story contains many familiar details like a poor over-worked girl, a wicked stepmother and stepsister, a magical helper, a king in search of a wife, and a lost shoe. However, while Cinderella is simply handed gifts from her fairy godmother, Yeh-Shen earns her wishes through kindness to a magic fish. This one change makes a big difference in the ethical tone of the book.

Even though there are different elements to the Cinderella Story many interpretations agree with the elements in “Cinderella.” The main character is mostly a girl who is badly treated by her family. Cinderella is a good and kind person and since she has goodness she is rewarded with magical assistance.  In addition, she is recognized for her worth by something she has left behind, like a glass slipper. She is then seen by a royal person who loves her for her genuine qualities.

Throughout each century, Cinderella opens up new doors for interpretations, styles, presentations, appearances, and meanings. For example, teachers can do a “Cinderella”, Around the World unit. Since there are many versions when teaching a fairy tale like Cinderella children can learn about each one. Students can compare and contrast this tale to other works with the same elements. Children can use a graphic organizer to look at the original and then compare it to another place in the world. This gives children an opportunity to explore and learn about how children in different cultures perceive fairytales.

Picture Book: "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault

"Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"

Authors: Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault

Illustrator: Lois Ehlert

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

ISBN: 067167949X

Recently, I have been reading many picture books to children that in my class. It is so exciting to see the expression on their faces when I tell them that it’s story time. Picture books are a wonderful way for children to see a story that contains both pictures and text. These pictures and text can help children gain knowledge and help them learn to read. Many children get excited when they get to see their favorite picture book being read. One picture book that many of my children seem to like I work is “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.” “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” is an alphabet book that was written by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault and illustrated by Lois Ehlert.

“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” is an entertaining alphabet book. It starts with A telling B and B telling C to meet “at the top of the coconut tree.” The letters are in alphabetical order as they begin to climb the coconut tree. The letters are really enjoying themselves but as the more climb up to the tree, the tree begins to bend over. It bends and bends more over until Chicka Chicka. BOOM! BOOM! all the letters fall down. The letters get untangled and the letters start climbing up the tree again. This seems to want children to read it over and over again.

As discussed in class, this picture book offers rhyme, rhythm and repetition. This story has catching rhyming text and energetic pictures that makes this a favorite to many. Not only does this book have rhyming it also shows repetition of the words “Chicka Chicka, Boom Boom”  These four words positively invite children to sing along with the story. I know from personal experience that when I do this story with children they love when I say, Chicka, Chicka, and then they say BOOM BOOM! To go along with the text the illustrations are what makes this story come to life. The illustrations are collages that are full of colors and movement that complement and extend the story. What I also enjoy is lower base letters are the children and the upper case letters are the adults

Children of all ages will enjoy the rhythm, story, and illustrations. The older the children, the more they will want to chant along. Children especially enjoy identifying the letters of the alphabet for you. After reading this story the children and I developed a poster board with the rhyming alphabet. Every time a child went near it they would say, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. This book is a great tool for children to recognize the letter in the alphabet and enjoy an entertaining story!

Caldecott Medal Winner: "The Little House" by Virginia Lee Burton

"The Little House"

Author: Virginia Lee Burton

Illustrator: Virginia Lee Burton

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

ISBN:0-395-18156-9

After this weeks class, I started to think about which Caldecott Medal winner book I was going to choose to write about. As I looked at the list of winners, it occurred to me that I have read some of these books as a child. It wasn’t til now that I realized that these books were apart of a very distinguished award. As I continued to look I came across the book “The Little House” by Virginia Lee Burton. I thought to myself, that this sounds very familiar to me. Sure enough this book is on the bookshelf in the pre-k room at the daycare where I work at. When I took the book from the shelf to read I couldn’t help but think about my own home. I recently moved from the home and as I looked through the illustrations it brought back many memories. Some of these memories include close friends and family member. These people who were in my life were either coming or going as I lived within that home. This showed me that through the years of living there, that time has changed and we must grow with that change.

“The Little House” was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1943. Author Virginia Lee Burton stated that “The Little House” was based on her own little house. The story centers on a house built at the top of a small hill, far out in the country.  The original owner said that this house shall never be sold. He wanted to see the great-great grandchildren’s, great- great grandchildren’s living in her. The house watches the seasons pass, and wonders about the lights of the city, which grow ever closer. As the year pass, the city comes closer and closer and eventually surrounds the little house. The dirt that was once in front of the house eventually is made into concrete roads. The house sees its change by roadside stands, gas stations, and more little houses. These small houses are then replaced by tenements and apartments. In addition, streetcars, and elevated railroad, and a subway appear to surround the house. The final change was the two gigantic skyscrapers are built, one on each side. When the little house realizes that its surrounding have changed it makes her miss the old hills and trees that once were.

After many years, the great-great granddaughter of the builder sees the house and remembers stories that her grandmother told her about living in just such a house far outside the city. The great-great granddaughter discovers that this is the same house and arranges to have it moved out of the city.  She then decides to move the house back to a hill in the countryside. The little is now once happy again to watch the seasons pass.

As I read through this book, I couldn’t help but notice how the text met to each and every illustration. Even though the illustrations look simple, they have great detail. Each illustration is unique and interesting to look at. I couldn’t help but look at every little detail that was provided within the illustration. For example, the way Burton filled the page with autumn colors, or how the little house's outcome was through the black and white images. These pictures are extremely well done and what makes the story so special.  I feel that children can see and learn through this story. They can see what life was like before the growth of expansion and how people lived a different lifestyle during those times. It can also show that children that through time things around them change. They can see that things can change from good to bad and bad to good again.  As I look back in the story, it makes me think about what can happen next for the little house. I ask this question, will things go from good to bad again for her if we continue her story.