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.