Module 15 - King and King by Linda de Haan

Bibliography:

de Haan, Linda. (2002). King and King. Berkeley: Tricycle Press. ISBN: 9781582460611

Summary:

There is a kingdom where the queen rules...and she is tired of it. So, she decides that her son, the crown prince, must marry. She wakes him up from his slumber to tell him her decision and continues to talk and talk and talk to her son about it until he finally agrees to marry, although he mentions that he was never that fond of princesses. Upon getting the okay from her son, the queen calls up every princess in the world, near and far, and they all show up the next day to meet the prince, hoping he will choose them. There was a princess from Austria, who sang opera, a princess from Texas who preforms magic acts and there was a princess from Mumbai with really long arms and legs. There was even a princess from Greenland, and although the prince was not interested in her, the prince's page fell in love with her at first sight. The queen and prince began to lose hope, until finally the page announced the arrival of Princess Madeleine and her brother, Prince Lee. It was love at first sight between the princes. The prince and queen were very happy, and then a beautiful wedding was held for the princes, with the wedding cake having two grooms on top. The queen passes on control of the kingdom to her son and has time for herself, and the princes become king and king. The king and king share true love's kiss. The page and his love, the two kings, and the queen all live happily ever after.

Impressions:

I thought this book was very cute. Although it slightly differs from other books falling into the happily ever after fairy tale sort, moving from boy meets girl, to boy meets boy, I think it accomplishes the same things, while also quietly addressing homosexuality. It may be a greatly opposed book because of this, but I see nothing wrong with this book being available for children to read. It leads children to have an open mind about homosexuality, which is better for us as a society. Everyone is equal, no matter who they love romantically. The illustrations are also very appealing, although unusual and unique, sticking to the whole theme and uniqueness of the whole book. I liked the book a lot and was happy that I was able to find it in my library (although, apparently it was only added in the library system last month although the book has been published since 2002).

Reviews:
"The text is brief and lighthearted, and it presents the gay relationship with matter-of-fact ease. But it's the illustrations that really shine. Whimsical, textured collages mix beautiful papers, fabrics, and bright paint in scenes that show the bossy queen, the wildly imagined town, the eclectic princesses, the wedding, and finally, a kiss between the two starry-eyed princes. Adults will know what's coming early in the story, but many kids won't. They'll simply like the fun artwork and the final twist on conventions."

Engberg, Gillian. (July 01, 2002). American Library Association.  [Review of the book King and King.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

"Indeed a book whose time has come, this is no pusillanimous bibliotherapy; it is, rather, a joyful celebration that at the same time firmly challenges the assumptions established and perpetuated by the entire canon of children's picture books. Hurrah to newcomers de Haan and Nijland and to the publisher for bringing them to an American audience."

 (February 01, 2002). Kirkus Reviews. [Review of the book King and King.]. Kirkus Reviews. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

This book would be perfect for introducing issues associated homosexuality to young readers. By doing this, their minds are open to such things, instead of growing up closed minded and prejudiced about the whole affair. I think its a great book to show that whether you are in love with a man or woman, happily ever afters can still happen, and its okay. Not only that, but by reading this at a young age, things such as bullying could be weeded out later for students that are gay or that have gay parents. A discussion could be had about the matter and any prejudiced thoughts that might have been passed on from others could be addressed. Children should know that even if a person happens to love someone of the same sex, we are all equal.

Module 14 - A Curious Collection of Cats by Betsy Franco

Bibliography:

Franco, Betsy. (2009). A Curious Collection of Cats. Berkeley: Tricycle Press. ISBN: 9781582462486

Summary:

This is a book of poems, all about cats. Readers are introduced to over thirty cats, each with their own personality and spunk. There are cats that want to catch squirrels, there are cats that hang from a dog's mouth, there are cats that sleep on folded laundry and there are cats that pee on hats. Each poem is about a cat (or a couple), that artistically portrays each cat. For the cat who has a long tongue to lick her neck, the words are written in the shape of the long tongue. For the cat who paces in between legs, the words are written in such a way to show the cat pacing. The book combines poetry and illustrations perfectly, illustrating cats and the world they live in.

Impressions:

Being a cat lover and owner myself, I absolutely loved this book. I thought it was adorable. I loved how each poem perfectly described the quirks of cats. What made the book even better was the way in which the poems were illustrated and the words arranged. I loved how it wasn't just a simple book filled with poems in a structured form. The book clearly shows how much fun poetry can be and that there are no limits. The poems made me laugh and the pictures made me smile. The arrangement of words had me flipping the book over and sideways to continue reading, and the whole thing was a blast. I never knew reading poetry could be so much fun.

Reviews:
"Words and pictures blend in these concrete poems about cats, written in forms that include haiku, limerick, and free verse. Once kids get the feel of how to follow the lines up and down or in curving jumps or around the page borders--they will have fun with the playful images."

Rochman, Hazel. (March 15, 2009). American Library Association.  [Review of the book A Curious Collection of Cats.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

"Franco understands the nuanced world of the fluffy, fractious, and faithful feline friend. Thirty-two unusual, concrete poems, one per page with a single exception, are matched by Wertz's monoprints. The words move in several directions and sometimes inhabit multiple objects. The poems are so embedded within the illustrations that it is hard to imagine them without the artwork; they are virtually inseparable."

 Pfeifer, Teresa. (April 01, 2009). Library Journals LLC. [Review of the book A Curious Collection of Cats.]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

I think this book would be a great way to introduce poetry. There are a wide range of forms and types of poetry included in the book, but more than that, these poems are fun and they are written in such a way to make them that way. This book shows readers that poetry can be fun and that it is not just about structure. In my opinion, this book should be read and passed around before any talks of structure even happen. A love of poetry and their meanings should be acquired before diving in deeper to such things as structure. This would be the puurrfect book to do that, especially since it deals with a topic everyone can relate to: cats!

Module 13 - Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale

Bibliography:

Hale, Shannon. (2008). Rapunzel's Revenge. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN: 9781599900704

Summary:

In this graphic novel remake of the classic fairytale, Rapunzel takes her happy ending into her own hands. Growing up in a beautiful villa, but always surrounded by a very tall wall, Rapunzel climbs over the wall of her "mother's" house, who happens to be an evil witch, and discovers who her real mother is, a mother who is a slave to the evil witch, Gothel. She finds out that Gothel stole Rapunzel from her parents when she was a young girl because Rapunzel's father stole into Gothel's garden to bring his pregnant wife some Rapunzel lettuce. Upon discovering the truth, Rapunzel lashes out against Gothel, her fake mother, and in turn Gothel has Rapunzel taken into an over grown forest and locked in a room inside a very large tree. Because of Gothel's growth magic in the tree, Rapunzel's hair grows and grows. She finally manages to escape by learning how to wield her hair as a lasso and weapon. Upon escaping, she meets the handsome prince that is to rescue her, but she realizes he is a rich snob, so she deserts him and eventually meets up with Jack, as in Jack and the Giant Beanstalk, and his goose (whom he is waiting to lay a hefty egg..)and they decide to travel together, in through the land that Gothel has made barren with her powers. Rapunzel travels in the efforts to right the wrongs Gothel has created and to help people along the way, but most importantly, to try to save her real mother. Rapunzel and Jack are constantly chased by the evil witch's henchmen as well as people after Jack. But eventually, they manage to free Rapunzel's mother, destroy Gothel's magic as well as Gothel, and restore the land back to its healthy, green self. Not only that, but Jack and Rapunzel realize their love for one another and kiss, which is apparently the moment the goose was waiting for to lay her golden egg.

Impressions:

Growing up, I have read my fair share of graphic novels, and so its almost hard to impress me with one. I enjoy reading them all the time, and I enjoyed reading this one just as much. Even better, I was really impressed! The plot was interesting, giving a twist to a classic tale. It was fun and fast paced, which lends a hand to the action packed storyline. I also enjoyed the fact that it has a strong female main character, a girl who can take care of herself and others. The illustrations were great, and they bring the story to life. I thought it was a very clever remake of a classic fairytale story, and everyone should read it.

Reviews:
"This graphic novel retelling of the fairy-tale classic, set in a swashbuckling Wild West, puts action first and features some serious girl power in its spunky and strong heroine...Hale's art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers. "

Coleman, Tina. (September 01, 2008). American Library Association.  [Review of the book Rapunzel's Revenge.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

"The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive. Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after."

 Kinsey, Cara von Wrangel. (September 01, 2008). Library Journals LLC. [Review of the book Rapunzel's Revenge.]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

I think this graphic novel would be great to introduce interesting reading material for struggling readers. With a fast paced story, as well as great illustrations, I believe struggling readers would find this book interesting and overcome their hesitations in order to read through it. I think graphic novels are a great first step for struggling readers, whether they are struggling because of their reading abilities (graphic novels include pictures that help tell the story just as much as the words), or if they struggle with motivation (graphic novels are a great way to get students reading).

Module 12 - Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein by Don Brown

Bibliography:

Brown, Don. (2004). Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0618492984

Summary:

Albert Einstein was born in Germany in the year1879. Upon his arrival in the world, his family thinks he is too fat and a huge head. Although his head stays misshaped, he otherwise appears to be normal until his parents start to worry about when Albert will start speaking. When he finally does start to speak, his words and sentences are clever and sharp. When Albert is three, his parents have another child, a girl named Maja. He is shown being mean to his sister as well to his tutors, having a wicked temper. He had very few friends. While the other boys at school liked to play sports, Albert did not. He did not give much effort to things he did not like or have an interest in, even at school. But things he was interested in, he devoted all of his attention. He excelled in math and puzzles. But still, people and teachers wondered if he was dull witted. Albert later makes a friend named Max Talmud, who introduces Albert to geometry, and from there, Albert's love of math expands. Although Albert eventually graduates college, attains a job, and marries and becomes a father, Albert is still engaged in the wonder of mathematics in the world around him. He creates a view of space and time and energy that changed the world, changing the world for everyone. Because of his contributions, Albert Einstein is not the odd boy out anymore, but a revolutionary and great thinker.

Impressions:

I thought this book was a great view into who Albert Einstein was as a person, as a boy growing up. It was nice to see that Albert had problems and issues just like "normal" children growing up, and that he struggled as well. But in a way, it is important to see the differences in how he struggled because he was so brilliant. The illustrations help illustrate this with illustrations that are sometimes funny, such as a teacher running from Albert's cruelty, but more importantly, the illustrations show how lonely Albert must have been, such as Albert sitting by himself while other boys played. This book makes Albert Einstein a person as well as one of the most brilliant and magnificent thinkers of all times. I also enjoyed how on the last page of the book, it illustrates what he has done for us, not only in his magical creation of E=mc^2, which younger readers might not be able to understand and appreciate yet, but he also illustrates Albert's contribution in a way young readers can appreciate, such as automatic doors and television.

Reviews:
"Young readers won't come away from Brown's newest picture-book biography understanding the theory of relativity, but they will be heartened by the parallels between their own experiences and those of an iconic science guy. "

Mattson, Jennifer. (September 01, 2004). American Library Association.  [Review of the book Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

"Through eloquent narrative and illustration, Brown offers a thoughtful introduction to an enigmatic man. This book will pique the interest of readers with little or no knowledge of Einstein."

 Taniguchi, Marilyn. (October 01, 2004). Library Journals LLC. [Review of the book Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein.]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

I think this book would be great to use in a set of books about inventors who have influenced our life today. Reading this book and then talking about the effects that Albert's works on light, energy, space and time have made on our daily lives would be a great introduction into such a topic. It is important for children to understand why we have the things we do, and that these were real people, with real problems who created these solutions. Not only that, but this book could also be tied into a science class when introductions to the E=mc^2 equation are being taught. It would give a nice background to the lesson.

Module 11 - Aliens are Coming!: The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast by Meghan McCarthy

Bibliography:

McCarthy, Meghan. (1988). Aliens are Coming!:The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast . New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 0375835180

Summary:

Aliens are Coming! begins with a brief explanation of the context surrounding the 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds. After explaining the significance of radio programming to Americans in 1938, readers are informed of a particular prank phenomena that occurred during this time. After establishing the time an setting, the day before Halloween in the United States, readers are given an impression of how the broadcast must have sounded - as a legitimate new flash rather than part of a radio play. Following this setup, the book mainly uses actual dialogue from the War of the Worlds broadcast itself. Seeing this dialogue, readers follow how radio listeners in 1938 would have perceived the broadcast as a series of genuine news reports, elaborating interstellar disturbances from Mars, followed by the arrival of a UFO in Grovers Mill, New Jersey, and then the hostile first contact between witnesses and alien technology. Once the dialogue from the broadcast culminates into a doomsday warning and report of alien ships appearing nation-wide, the book takes a turn, describing the significance of the radio play in terms of the reactions caused. It tells of both the mass panic as evidenced by crowded highways and evacuations, as well as specific anomalies such as one man's confused identification of a water tower as an alien vessel. Only after this hysteria do the broadcasters conclude that aliens have not actually invaded, but that the whole broadcast was nothing more than a Halloween special. 

Impressions:

I thought this was a cute depiction about the true event of the radio scare in 1938. I liked how the books contained an author's note, giving a denser version than the story itself. Although the story is fully, if simply, explained in the earlier, thoroughly illustrated pages, it is followed by an author's note much longer than the rest of the book, which provides much more detailed information about the event for more advanced readers.The note lends help towards giving a more thorough understanding of the event. The illustrated section makes learning about the even entertaining and more suitable for younger audiences. The illustrations are comical and unique and easily reflect the time era in which the broadcast occurred. The illustrations are stylishly cartoonish, making it enjoyable for young readers, and me. It amazes me that the nation was taken in by such a widespread prank, even though they were warned that it was just a play. It makes me wonder if such a thing could happen today with our advanced technology.

Reviews:
"Using a 1930's art style, and a palette comprising mostly muted grays and reds, McCarthy evokes an era gone by, at the same time creating a cozy nostalgia. Even somewhat older, media savvy kids, who may view the gullibility of the characters with a disdainful eye, will be disarmed by the depictions of panicked faces and slimy Martians, eyes on stalks, that appear amid eerie red light. An abrupt ending notwithstanding, this is packed with age-appropriate thrills and scares."

Karp, Jesse. (February 01, 2006). American Library Association.  [Review of the book Aliens are Coming!:The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

"The interplay between the text of the play and the author's description of actual events is effective, and the illustrations are exaggerated and funny. A unique treatment of a fascinating topic, and sure to have wide appeal."

 Vilmar, Rachael. (April 01, 2006). Library Journals LLC. [Review of the book Aliens are Coming!:The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast.]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

I think this book would be great to read aloud, and even better, given to the children to read in dramatic announcer voices. Its a good opening for general education on the importance radio used to have in day to day life, as well as a great opener for any lessons on the 1930's. The kids could act out the crazy event, taking turns giving the "devastating" news. The book also includes questions throughout its pages, that would be great to talk about with the kids, such as "What would you do?", "Would you have been fooled?", and "What would you do if an alien came to visit you?" These are great starters for fun conversations that could get the ball rolling on more intellectual conversations.