Amy,
I don't think that I have ever read a non-fiction book that has brought tears to my eyes. This is such a beautiul story, told through the experiences of these five young girls. The words tell the story, give the backgound and share with the reader information about the girls' disabilities. However, the photographs tell the story about who these girls are and show how their dreams have come alive. In each photograph you can see how the personality of each child shines from their faces.
I love the photos of Shekinah on stage. She is a prima ballerina in the making! You can tell that she loves the stage and the attention of the audience. When she is bending over to accept her rose, the smile on her face and her outstretched arms show that she is in her glory. I also loved the photo of Monica when she is getting ready to surprise her father on stage; this is the first time her father will ever see her stand with just the aide of her cane. Monica has a look of calm pride and poise on her face. Her expression is unlike what I've seen on an average five year old's face. She looks like a young woman. If you look at the helper's face behind Monica, you can see that she is holding the tears back as she lets Monica suprise her father with her special finale. I am sure that there was not a dry eye in that audience on that night.
The author wrote this story to help others learn about cerebral palsy and the accomplishments of these young dancers, but the story also helps readers to see this disability as something other than a text book condition. I think this would be a great book to share with children of any age. It would help to expand a child's knowledge and personal understanding about those affected by physical disabilities. I am sure that there are many children that could connect to the feelings of accomplishment gained from dancing and performing on stage. This book would show them that all children, regardless of their physical differences, can have similar interests and share similar dreams.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme
This illustrator,Meilo So, seems to be very in tune with his audience. As soon as you open the front cover you are staring at what looks to be a kids wall, bulletin board, or locker. The two pages are covered with lists, stories, posters, reminders, rhyming words, poem starters and more. This is a perfect picture to use when brainstorming with students, "reasons why we write". I think these pages would draw a reader in, helping them to become motivated to read the book and to write their own material.
Jack Prelutsky, the author, writes a letter to his readers in the first few pages of his book. This letter came across as kid-centered and kid-intended. He writes, " I have lots of fun playing with words and ideas and 'solving' the poem...Maybe you'll even be inspired to write some poems from scratch. I surely hope so." He makes writing seem fun, creative and something to be shared. In this letter he explains why he wrote this book. A few years ago, he created a website for teachers and children. This website was designed to help students write poetry and share it publicaly. He based this poetry writing on "poemstarts", where he would start a poem off with a few lines and then the student would finish the poem. He shares goofy examples to show children that poetry can be fun and lighthearted. He then turned this website idea into a book, "Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme."
What a great idea for reluctant writers, or writers that just need a little push to get started. Poetry writing is broken down into "do-able" steps and there are ample examples from child writers throughout the book. There are also great illustrations and brainstorming prompts to help get the imaginations going. Another touch that the author added, which I loved, is this big stop sign in the beginning of the book asking readers not to write in the book. He writes, "I have something important to ask you - PLEASE DON'T WRITE IN THIS BOOK. It is beautifully printed on very fine paper, and it would be a shame to scribble in it. Also, if you write in it, you're likely to ruin things for someone else..." Was this guy ever a teacher? It sure sounds like it! I thought this one comment showed his love of books and the importance of taking care of these gifts.
Jack Prelutsky, the author, writes a letter to his readers in the first few pages of his book. This letter came across as kid-centered and kid-intended. He writes, " I have lots of fun playing with words and ideas and 'solving' the poem...Maybe you'll even be inspired to write some poems from scratch. I surely hope so." He makes writing seem fun, creative and something to be shared. In this letter he explains why he wrote this book. A few years ago, he created a website for teachers and children. This website was designed to help students write poetry and share it publicaly. He based this poetry writing on "poemstarts", where he would start a poem off with a few lines and then the student would finish the poem. He shares goofy examples to show children that poetry can be fun and lighthearted. He then turned this website idea into a book, "Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme."
What a great idea for reluctant writers, or writers that just need a little push to get started. Poetry writing is broken down into "do-able" steps and there are ample examples from child writers throughout the book. There are also great illustrations and brainstorming prompts to help get the imaginations going. Another touch that the author added, which I loved, is this big stop sign in the beginning of the book asking readers not to write in the book. He writes, "I have something important to ask you - PLEASE DON'T WRITE IN THIS BOOK. It is beautifully printed on very fine paper, and it would be a shame to scribble in it. Also, if you write in it, you're likely to ruin things for someone else..." Was this guy ever a teacher? It sure sounds like it! I thought this one comment showed his love of books and the importance of taking care of these gifts.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Rosa
Amy,
After just taking a picture walk and reading the author's and illustrator's note, I am intrigued about what this book has to offer. In the pages before the title page there is a black and white picture of some men and women on a bus. One man is holding a newspaper with a headline reading, "The Life of Emmett Till". I couldn't remember the story of Emmett Till, but the name sounded familiar, so (as always) I googled it. I found out that Till was a fourteen year old boy brutally murdered by two white men as punishment for whistling at a white married woman. The men were acquitted, but later admitted their guilt. This case was reopened in 2004, the same year Rosa was published.
On the following page there is a note from the author and illustrator. The author, Giovanni, writes, " Rosa Parks is a cooling breeze on a sweltering day, a sun-dried quilt in fall, the enchantment of snowflakes extending from the horizon, the promise of renewal at spring." The illustrator, Collier, explains how he used a darkish yellow hue in many of his paintings so that the reader could feel the heat of Alabama, and also the heat of an uneasy quiet before the storm. Through their words it's obvious that both Giovanni and Collier are invested in this character and her acts of bravery and honor.
As I took a picture walk through this book I noticed the yellow hue that Collier wrote about. The yellow clouds in the sky give you that feeling of a calm, humid, slow Southern day. They also create a haunting, almost eerie feeling in the air. I also noticed the glow that seems to come from Rosa's face; this point was also discussed in the illustrator's note. She has a calm, gentle look on her face throughout the beginning of the story. I love how the illustrator drew the faces of the characters so that it looked like you were standing only inches away from them. It helps the reader to feel involved and part of the story itself. You can see the determination of a glare or the clenching of hands around a piece of cloth. I also loved the use of collage throughout the illustrations. It looks like Collier cut out pieces of photos (perhaps from that time period) and placed them throughout the paintings in the book. This gives the pages a sense of real life texture, which I also think helps the reader to feel closer to the story and setting.
I have not even begun to read this book yet, but I already feel invested in the characters and message of the story.
After just taking a picture walk and reading the author's and illustrator's note, I am intrigued about what this book has to offer. In the pages before the title page there is a black and white picture of some men and women on a bus. One man is holding a newspaper with a headline reading, "The Life of Emmett Till". I couldn't remember the story of Emmett Till, but the name sounded familiar, so (as always) I googled it. I found out that Till was a fourteen year old boy brutally murdered by two white men as punishment for whistling at a white married woman. The men were acquitted, but later admitted their guilt. This case was reopened in 2004, the same year Rosa was published.
On the following page there is a note from the author and illustrator. The author, Giovanni, writes, " Rosa Parks is a cooling breeze on a sweltering day, a sun-dried quilt in fall, the enchantment of snowflakes extending from the horizon, the promise of renewal at spring." The illustrator, Collier, explains how he used a darkish yellow hue in many of his paintings so that the reader could feel the heat of Alabama, and also the heat of an uneasy quiet before the storm. Through their words it's obvious that both Giovanni and Collier are invested in this character and her acts of bravery and honor.
As I took a picture walk through this book I noticed the yellow hue that Collier wrote about. The yellow clouds in the sky give you that feeling of a calm, humid, slow Southern day. They also create a haunting, almost eerie feeling in the air. I also noticed the glow that seems to come from Rosa's face; this point was also discussed in the illustrator's note. She has a calm, gentle look on her face throughout the beginning of the story. I love how the illustrator drew the faces of the characters so that it looked like you were standing only inches away from them. It helps the reader to feel involved and part of the story itself. You can see the determination of a glare or the clenching of hands around a piece of cloth. I also loved the use of collage throughout the illustrations. It looks like Collier cut out pieces of photos (perhaps from that time period) and placed them throughout the paintings in the book. This gives the pages a sense of real life texture, which I also think helps the reader to feel closer to the story and setting.
I have not even begun to read this book yet, but I already feel invested in the characters and message of the story.
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