"Kira- Kira" is a 2005 John Newbery Award winner written by Cynthia Kadohata. The book is set in the late 1950’s to early 1960 in Georgia. Katie Takeshima, a young American born Japanese girl, leaves her Iowa home with her family in route to Georgia so her parents can work at a chicken hatchery in hopes of providing a better life for their family.
As the book progresses, "Kira- Kira" tells the story of the trials and tribulations of the Takeshima family, the most prominent being the death of the oldest child, Lynnie. It is during her period of sickness that the family struggles most, both financially and emotionally. "Kira- Kira" is an eye opening book to Japanese- American culture. The book portrays the difference in two cultures, all the while, defining a family who contributes to both.
While "Kira- Kira" (which means sparkling, shinning) is a well-written book, it is not one of my favorites. It is simplistically written with little detail. While this may be pleasing to some readers, I do not favor this type of writing. I do recommend Kira- Kira however as it is a delightful fictional book.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Difference Between Caldecott and Newbery Awards
Caldecott Award
Created in 1938, the Caldecott Award is presented annually by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association(ALA), to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children published that year. The award was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott.
Newbery Award
Created in 1922, the Newbery Medal is also presented annually by the American Library Association (ALA) for the most prominent American children’s book published the previous year. The award was named in honor of eighteenth-century English bookseller John Newbery.
Is one better than the other?
I do not believe that one award, the Caldecott or Newbery, is better than the other. Each award serves a particular purpose in that one is for illustrations (Caldecott) and the other for literature (Newbery). Readers who favor one type of book may preference one award over the other depending on the variety of material they enjoy most.
A complete inventory of the Caldecott Award winners and Newbery Award winners may be located at the American Library Assocation webpage (www.ala.org)
Created in 1938, the Caldecott Award is presented annually by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association(ALA), to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children published that year. The award was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott.
Newbery Award
Created in 1922, the Newbery Medal is also presented annually by the American Library Association (ALA) for the most prominent American children’s book published the previous year. The award was named in honor of eighteenth-century English bookseller John Newbery.
Is one better than the other?
I do not believe that one award, the Caldecott or Newbery, is better than the other. Each award serves a particular purpose in that one is for illustrations (Caldecott) and the other for literature (Newbery). Readers who favor one type of book may preference one award over the other depending on the variety of material they enjoy most.
A complete inventory of the Caldecott Award winners and Newbery Award winners may be located at the American Library Assocation webpage (www.ala.org)
"Becoming Billy Holiday" A Coretta Scott King Award Book
"Becoming Billy Holiday", by Carole Boston Weatherford, is a 2009 Coretta Scott King Award winning book. "Becoming…" tells the story of a young Eleanora Fagan’s transformation into jazz sensation, Billy Holiday. The book is comprised of a series of poems and lyrics telling the story of how Billy Holiday began her life far from the glitz and glamour of being famous, and instead growing up in a broken home filled with trouble and loss. One of my favorite poems in the book is entitled,"I Wished on the Moon". It describes that no matter how poor Billy was growing up, she could take refuge in a five cent matinee to forget her troubles. It was there in the theatre that she could dream bigger than her own life and just for a few hours, forget what it was like to be a young black girl living in poverty.
The Coretta Scott King Awards are presented annually by the American Library Association (ALA).The awards are given to honor African-American authors and illustrators who create books for children and young adults. In addition, the awards observe the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. and honor Coretta Scott King in her efforts for peace and civil rights.
The Coretta Scott King Awards are presented annually by the American Library Association (ALA).The awards are given to honor African-American authors and illustrators who create books for children and young adults. In addition, the awards observe the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. and honor Coretta Scott King in her efforts for peace and civil rights.
"The Red Book" Book Review
"The Red Book", by Barbara Lehmen, is a book like no other that you will ever read. Why, you ask? There are no words! "The Red Book" is an entirely illustrated book. It is however one of the best stories you could “read” with a child. This book allows children to create their own story line without constructing boundaries. It is perfect for both young and older children alike. I think it would be interesting to see how each age group would construct plot and their view of what they see.
"The Red Book" illustrates a young girl who has discovered a misplaced book located in a large city. As she views her new found treasure, she is surprised to see that a young island boy is doing the same. The magic within this book is that both people can see each other, all the while developing a friendship through the book.
As readers go forward in the book, they will see that sadly, the young girl losses the book. Luckily, it is discovered by another person, thus starting the adventure all over.
This book could obviously be frustrating to those individuals who follow the straight and narrow of book reading. It is however enjoyable to create and recreate different stories each time you read it!
"The Red Book" illustrates a young girl who has discovered a misplaced book located in a large city. As she views her new found treasure, she is surprised to see that a young island boy is doing the same. The magic within this book is that both people can see each other, all the while developing a friendship through the book.
As readers go forward in the book, they will see that sadly, the young girl losses the book. Luckily, it is discovered by another person, thus starting the adventure all over.
This book could obviously be frustrating to those individuals who follow the straight and narrow of book reading. It is however enjoyable to create and recreate different stories each time you read it!
"Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom" Book Review
"Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom" is a 2007 Caldecott Honor book written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
This is without a doubt one of the best historical books I have read that is oriented towards children and youth. "Moses" tells the story of enslaved Harriet Tubman and the journey she took to free others. This book tells the story through the use of three different people. One is an all knowing undefined person who tells the story of Harriet. The second is Harriet herself praying for strength and knowledge to survive the dangers that she will face. The third is God responding to her pleas, telling Harriet that she will survive and that she can go forward on her journey.
I recommend "Moses" to anyone who wishes to educate and inform young students about the trials and tribulations of enslaved African Americans. This book is both beautifully written and historically sound. Likewise, the illustrations are realistic and obviously meaningful to Nelson the illustrator. In addition to being a Caldecott Honor book, "Moses: is also a Coretta Scott King Award winner.
This is without a doubt one of the best historical books I have read that is oriented towards children and youth. "Moses" tells the story of enslaved Harriet Tubman and the journey she took to free others. This book tells the story through the use of three different people. One is an all knowing undefined person who tells the story of Harriet. The second is Harriet herself praying for strength and knowledge to survive the dangers that she will face. The third is God responding to her pleas, telling Harriet that she will survive and that she can go forward on her journey.
I recommend "Moses" to anyone who wishes to educate and inform young students about the trials and tribulations of enslaved African Americans. This book is both beautifully written and historically sound. Likewise, the illustrations are realistic and obviously meaningful to Nelson the illustrator. In addition to being a Caldecott Honor book, "Moses: is also a Coretta Scott King Award winner.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
"The House in the Night" Book Review
"The House in the Night", written by Susan Marie Swanson and illustrated by Beth Krommes, is the 2009 Caldecott Medal winner. This book is reminiscent of "Good Night Moon" in that both are excellent bedtime stories for young children. "The House in the Night" is an example of what I call a “leading” book. It starts with one object, a house, and leads you through to many others. For example,
In the house burns a light.
In that light rests a bed.
On that bed waits a book.
"The House in the Night" is beautifully illustrated in a grey scheme with yellow accents. Like "Good Night Moon", this book is a one of my new favorites.
In the house burns a light.
In that light rests a bed.
On that bed waits a book.
"The House in the Night" is beautifully illustrated in a grey scheme with yellow accents. Like "Good Night Moon", this book is a one of my new favorites.
What Do You Do With a Tail LIke This? Book Review
"What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?" is a 2004 Caldecott Honor Book written by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. "What Do You Do…" is a beautifully illustrated animal book that leads readers on a guessing game. Pages are filled with realistic pictures of animal parts and questions that correspond. For example, one page shows the hands of various animals and asks what these hands do. The following page shows the animal in which the hand belongs and tells a short interesting fact about the animal and what it does.
Jenkins and Page have created a fun and enjoyable book for readers of all ages. Not only do readers have to indentify the animal in which the part belongs (hand, feet, tail, nose, eyes, ears and tongue), they are given an interesting fact about how the animal uses that part. Did you know that the chameleon uses its eyes to look two ways at once?
What I really liked about this book was the informative glossary at the end. Each body part discussed prior in the book is detailed with interesting facts in full about each animal.
Jenkins and Page have created a fun and enjoyable book for readers of all ages. Not only do readers have to indentify the animal in which the part belongs (hand, feet, tail, nose, eyes, ears and tongue), they are given an interesting fact about how the animal uses that part. Did you know that the chameleon uses its eyes to look two ways at once?
What I really liked about this book was the informative glossary at the end. Each body part discussed prior in the book is detailed with interesting facts in full about each animal.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet Book Review
"Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet", written by Davis McLimans, is a 2007 Caldecott Honor Book. "Gone Wild" is an informative picture book, appropriate for upper elementary school students and perhaps lower middle school.
For each letter of the alphabet, a different endangered animal is introduced. What I found entertaining about this book is how each letter is shaped or designed to reflect the animal it represents. For example, the letter “C” represents the Naked Characin fish and is illustrated in the form of a crescent.
"Gone Wild" is in fact a very informative book. Each page contains facts about endangered animals. These facts include the general name of the animal, the scientific name, the class, habitat, location or range, the threat(s) the animal currently faces, as well as the level of endangerment (critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable).
I truly enjoyed this book. Although the information is much too advanced for my two year son, he enjoyed looking at the illustrations and pointing out the letters he is familiar with. This book is different from any other alphabet book I have read or purchased due to the fact that it presents non-fiction, real life information along with the letter and picture. "Gone Wild" is an example of a top-notch children’s literature book for being both informative and enjoyable to read.
For each letter of the alphabet, a different endangered animal is introduced. What I found entertaining about this book is how each letter is shaped or designed to reflect the animal it represents. For example, the letter “C” represents the Naked Characin fish and is illustrated in the form of a crescent.
"Gone Wild" is in fact a very informative book. Each page contains facts about endangered animals. These facts include the general name of the animal, the scientific name, the class, habitat, location or range, the threat(s) the animal currently faces, as well as the level of endangerment (critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable).
I truly enjoyed this book. Although the information is much too advanced for my two year son, he enjoyed looking at the illustrations and pointing out the letters he is familiar with. This book is different from any other alphabet book I have read or purchased due to the fact that it presents non-fiction, real life information along with the letter and picture. "Gone Wild" is an example of a top-notch children’s literature book for being both informative and enjoyable to read.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to my blog! This blog is used to communicate with my fellow grad- students for Western Kentucky University. Feel free to post anytime. Thanks!
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