The Boy Who Swallowed Snakes by Laurence Yep

Yep, L. (1994). The boy who swallowed snakes. New York: Scholastic.




1. What did I like or dislike about the book?

I did not really enjoy this book because it deals with snakes! Not only is the story about snakes, it is about a boy named Little Chou who eats snakes! These are not just any snakes, they are magical ku snakes, which multiply when he eats them, and glow like fireflies. Little Choe and his mother are very poor, but in the end, the snakes bring great riches to them. The snakes in this book do not appeal to me; however, they may to some.

2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?

My uncle terrorized my mother with a dead snake when they were young. From that day on, my mother has had a great fear of snakes. She cannot even stand to look at a comical picture of a snake. I don't have that great a fear of snakes, but do not really enjoy being in their vicinity. I have never touched a snake and hopefully, never will!

3. How would I compare this book to another book or books?

The Boy Who Swallwed Snakes is an original Chinese folktale written by Laurence Yep. The only other Chinese folktale that I have ever read is Tikki Tikki Tembo, retold by Arlene Mosel. A humorous story and catchy rhythm make me enjoy reading Tikki Tikki Tebo. And - NO SNAKES!

4. What new thing did I learn about children's literature in reading this book?

I was taught that folktales originated many years ago and were handed down from one generation to the next. This story was an original folktale that was written by the author in 1994, not a retelling.

5. What oher books has he written?

Mr. Yep is a prolific writer. The Amazon.com website has 61 of his books for sale. According to Amazon.com, Mr. Yep's latest releases are:

City of Fire (2009)
Auntie Tiger (2008)

The Golden Mountain Chronicles is a series of books that Yep authored. He won two Newbery honors with two books in this series: Dragonwings (1977) and Dragon's Gate (1995).

Cat in the Hat / The Lorax

The Cat in the Hat

The Cat in the Hat, by Dr. Seuss, is a children's classic that was originally published in 1957. It was published again in 2007 to commemorate its 50th anniversary. For 52 years this book has been entertaining children, as it still does today. My kindergartners love for me to read it to them, as they do many of Dr. Seuss's books. They like the book just for the pure fun of reading it. They enjoy the rhyming, rhythm, and comical illustrations, and they think the far fetched antics of the cat are funny.

Some contemporary children's books that also include tension between right and wrong include:

Amelia Bedelia, by Peggy Parish or Herman Parish

The early books in this series were written by Perry Parish. After her death, her nephew, Herman Parrish, began authoring the books in 1995. Amelia Bedelia is a housekeeper who takes everything very literally. For example, when her wealthy employer asks her to dust the furniture, Amelia Bedelia sprinkles bath powder (dust) all over the furniture! I chose this comparison because wherever Amelia Bedelia goes, almost always a mess is generated, and wherever the Cat in the Hat goes, a mess is sure to follow.

One example from this series:

Herman, H. (2002). Good driving, Amelia Bedelia. New York: Greenwillow.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, by Doreen Cronin

I chose this comparison, because, like The Cat in the Hat, this book pits animal against man. The cows type a letter to Farmer Brown, telling him they want some electric blankets or they will quit giving milk.

Cronin, D. (2000). Click, clack, moo: Cows that type. New York: Simon & Shuster.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Joffe Numeroff

This book is another book where an animal causes problems for a person. Once the little boy gives the mouse a cookie, the mouse then starts asking for many other things. This is a cyclical book, so in the end, the mouse wants another cookie. The little boy wears himself out waiting on the mouse, and the house gets messed up, like the house in The Cat in the Hat. Another possible similarity between these two books is the absence of parents in the home at the time of the messes.

Numeroff, L. (1985). If you give a mouse a cookie. New York: Harper & Row.

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The Lorax

The Lorax was written by Dr. Seuss to help children understand how industrial progress negatively affects the environment. In the beginning of the story, the environment is clean and the animals are thriving in their habitat. The Once-lers move into the area, build a factory, and begin to chop down all of the truffula trees in order to produce a product called a thneed. After a time, the air, water, and land become polluted so the animals have to move out. Once all of the trees have been cut down, the thneed factory has to cease operation. In the end, the factory head has saved one seed from the truffula trees and entrusts it to a little boy to plant so the trees will regrow. The Lorax is didactic in the fact that it teaches a lesson about conserving the environment. The message is so strong in this book that the logging industry protested and people tried to get the book banned.

Many children's books can be considered didactic because they attempt to teach children lessons about different issues. The list below contains just a few examples of didactic books in children's literature along with the subjects of the moral lessons:

The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister - Sharing

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst - Spending money wisely

The Little Engine That Could, by Watty Piper - Never giving up

Curious George, by H.A. Rey - Following the rules

Arthur series, by Marc Brown- Various moral ideas, following the rules

Clifford the Big, Red Dog series, by Norman Bridwell - Various moral ideas

When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry..., by Molly Bang - Controlling temper

A Bad Case of Stripes, by David Shannon - Popularity, being true to yourself , standing up for what you believe in

Swimmy, by Leo Lionni - Working together to accomplish a task

Amazing Gace, by Mary Hoffman - Racism

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Mellon, by Patty Lovell - Bullying

The Meanest Thing to Say, by Bill Cosby - Bullying, making friends

Reference:

Booklist of children' s literature (2009). Monroe County Public Library. Retrieved July 26, 2009 from http://monroe.lib.in.us/.

Holes

1999 Newbery Award

Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. New York: Scholastic Inc.

1. What did I like or dislike about the book?

This book is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats (note that his name is a palindrome), whose family has had nothing but bad luck ever since a curse was placed upon his great, great grandfather for stealing a pig. Stanley gets charged for a crime that he does not commit, and chooses to do his time at Camp Green Lake instead of jail. Camp Green Lake isn't a lake or a camp, it is a juvenile correctional facility. Every day the boys have to dig a hole that is five feet wide, five feet long, and five feet deep in the hard, crusty, dried-up lake bed. The boys are told that the digging will help build character; however, Stanley soon realizes that the warden is actually looking for something. This book goes through some very bizarre twists and turns as Stanley tries to discover what they are looking for. The story moves back and forth between Stanley's story and his great, great, grandfather's story.

This strange story does not sound like a book I would normally like because I usually enjoy more realistic fiction. As soon as I began reading Holes, I couldn't put it down! Through all of the mystery and strangeness, Sachar wove a tale of friendship and a strong family bond.

2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?

I enjoyed reading about the friendships that evolved between some of the boys at Camp Green Lake. When I was growing up, I had a close group of girlfriends that lived in my neighborhood. I now enjoy watching my own two daughters (now going into 6th grade and 9th grade) still hanging around with friends that they made in kindergarten.

3. How would I compare this book to another book or books?

Louis Sachar's books are rather strange with lots of turns and twists. In Holes, Mr. Sachar took serious subjects such as juvenile delinquency, theft, and misfits and wrote about them in such a way that they become somewhat laughable. Another author that wrote along those same lines is Roald Dahl, author of books such as, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Matilda. In these books, Dahl wrote about topics such as abuse and poverty; however, managed to put a rather funny twist into the stories.

4. What new thing did I learn about children's literature in reading this book?

I learned that people sometimes enjoy reading books that they don't think they will. If I had known what Holes was about, I might not have read it, but by going ahead and starting the book, I really liked it and kept reading. Educators need to encourage our students to branch out and try books that may differ from their ordinary choices. By doing this, they may find a book interesting that they normally would not have even given a second thought.

Kira-Kira

2005 Newbery Award

Kadohata, C. (2004). Kira-kira. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

1. What did I like or dislike about the book?

I like the way the sisters in this story are so close and how the family makes the best out of bad situations. Kira-Kira is about a Japanese family trying to make ends meet while raising three children in the 1950's and 1960's. The parents endure long hours and horrible conditions working in a chicken plant to make a living so they can buy their own home. The children basically have to take care of themselves because they rarely see their parents. The oldest daughter becomes ill and eventually dies. The main theme in this book is to look for beauty in everyday things. The Japanese word, "kira-kira" (pronounced "keera-keera") means "glittering." Lynn taught Katie to look at the world as a place that glitters. They used the word to describe the stars in the sky, the ocean, people's eyes, and even colored Kleenex. The family endures poverty, prejudice, and death but remains a close-knit family.

2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?
I am an only child, so I always wanted to have a sibling. I was touched by the love and friendship that the three siblings had for one another, especially the relationship between Katie and Lynn. In addition, my dad always taught me to look at the glass as half-full. This is similar to the way Lynn taught Katie to look for the glitter (kira-kira) in everything.

3. How would I compare this book to another book or books?

Though the story line is not at all alike, a comparison to The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd, comes to mind. The Secret Life of Bees is also a "coming of age" story about a 14-year-old girl named Lily, who also experiences death and prejudice. She is taken in by a family of African American sisters, who eventually form a strong family relationship with her.

4. What new thing did I learn about children's literature in reading this book?

I learned that sometimes the age levels that authors and reviewers feel are appropriate for a book can vary widely. According to Amazon.com and their included reviewers, the recommended age level for Kira-Kira was listed anywhere from 9 to 14 years old. I feel that the book would be best read by an older youth, possible 14-16 years old due to a few sexual references.

Reference:

Amazon.com (2009). Retrieved July 25, 2009 from http://www.amazon.com/.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

2008 Caldecott Medal

Selznick, B. (2007). The invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic Press.

1. What did I like or dislike about the book?

I LOVED this book!! The book was written in an extremely unique format and the plot was full of mysteries and secrets. It is a Harry Potter-sized book (544 pages), so when I first picked it up, I thought I would not have time to read it. However, when I began the book, I could not put it down! There is text, but it is sparsely scattered throughout the book. Most of the story is told through intricate black and white charcoal drawings, and looking through them is almost like watching a black and white movie. This is unique because one of the main characters in the book was a French black and white move maker in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?

I am interested in technical "gadgets" and in this book, 12 year-old Hugo Cabret takes over the rebuilding of an automaton (robot) that his father had begun repairing prior to his death.

3. How would I compare this book to another book or books?

I have never seen another book on the order of The Invention of Hugo Cabret. The author, Brian Selznick mentions in an interview on Amazon.com, that he was inspired by an author named Remy Charlip. Two of Charlip's books were Fortunately and Thirteen.

4. What new thing did I learn about children's literature in reading this book?

I learned that a skillful author can capture and hold the attention of young and old. I enjoyed this book as much as my daughters (ages 12 and 14) did.

So You Want to Be President?

Caldecott Medal Winner, 2001

St. George, J. (2000). So you want to be president? New York: Scholastic Inc.

1. What did I like or dislike about the book?

This book discusses the good things and the bad things about being president of the United States. It includes bits of information about U.S. presidents from George Washington to Bill Clinton. (It was written in 2000, so the most current presidents are missing.) The factual is mixed with the humorous in such a way that the book is fun and interesting to read, even for children. The illustrations are done in a comical, caricature style which appeals to kids. This book has been made into a video which can be found on the United Streaming website at http://www.unitedstreaming.com/.

2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?

During the last presidential campaign, since two women were involved in the race, my then 13 year-old-daughter (now 14) decided that she wants to be president when she grows up! She follows politics fairly closely for a young teenager.

3. How would I compare this book to another book or books?

There is another book by this same title that was written by John Warner. I have not actually read Mr. Warner's book; however, I did view the "Look Inside" pages on Amazon.com. and it appears that this book is written using more adult humor and may not be suitable for children.

4. What new thing did I learn about children's literature in reading this book?

I learned that, through a skilled author, even a book about history can be written in a humorous manner that appeals to children.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

2000 Caldecott Winner

Taback, S. (1999). Joseph had a little overcoat. New York: Scholastic Inc.

1. What did I like or dislike about the book?
There are several things about this book that appeal to me. The first thing is the interesting way in which Simms Taback created the comical illustrations. They have been drawn, and then photographs of people and fabrics have been applied over the drawings in a collage form. There are sayings and comics that appear to have been taped to the pages. Each page has a die cut hole in it that is in the form of Joseph’s “disappearing” overcoat. I enjoy the funny story of Joseph’s overcoat getting tattered and torn, and then Joseph making a smaller and smaller garment out of it until all that is left is a button. I also like this book because it was inspired by a song, which is included in the back of the book.

2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?
The story of Joseph making “new” clothes out of his tattered and torn old clothes reminds me of the stories my dad told about his growing up during the depression. He used to tell me about how his family had to “make do” with what they had because there was no money to buy new things.

3. How would I compare this book to another book or books?
I am not aware of any other books similar to this one in style; however, I do think it could be loosely compared with books that teach children about recycling. Joseph kept recycling/reusing that same piece of cloth to make another garment out of an old one instead of throwing it away and buying a new one.

4. What new thing did I learn about children’s literature in reading this book?
I learned that even novel books such as this can be used to teach children good lessons.

Kitten's First Full Moon

Caldecott Medal Winner, 2005

1. What did I like or dislike about the book?

I like the simple style of the book and feel it would appeal to a toddler-age child. Even though many of the illustrations are detailed, they seem simplistic because they are in black and white. I was a little surprised to see that Kevin Henkes wrote and illustrated the book, because I enjoy the fun stories, good messages, and colorful illustrations in Mr. Henkes’ “mouse” books. He is the author of books such as Chrysanthemum, Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Wemberly Worried. These books have a great deal more substance and appeal to an older audience than Kitten’s First Full Moon.

2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?

My husband and I were “adopted” by a stray kitten a month prior to our wedding. We had our cat, Ada, for 15 years until she died two years ago. She was a big part of our family and we loved her very much. Kitten’s First Full Moon depicts behaviors that are so typical of a cat, such as pouncing, licking, stalking, climbing, and sleeping. The persistence of the kitten is also a trait of many cats.

3. How would I compare this book to another book or books?

In an interview in School Library Journal (2004), Mr. Henkes mentioned that he was inspired by Clare Turlay Newberry’s illustrations when he illustrated Kitten’s First Full Moon. I looked up Ms. Newberry’s work on Amazon.com and found his illustrations to be somewhat representative of Ms. Newberry’s. Two of the books that Ms. Newberry wrote were April’s Kittens and Marshmallow.

4. What new thing did I learn about children’s literature in reading this book?

I learned that an author can write and illustrate books that are completely different from each other and that can appeal to totally different age groups of children.

References
Amazon.com (2009). Retrieved July 22, 2009 from www.amazon.com.

Henkes, K. (2004). Kitten’s First Full Moon. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Horning, K. (2004). The complete package. School Library Journal, 50(10), 50-53. Retrieved from Wilson Web database.

The House in the Night

Caldecott Medal Winner, 2009

Swanson, S. (2009). The house in the night. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

1. What did I like or dislike about the book?

The text of this good night story is very "short and sweet," so when I first read it I didn't really understand why it was a medal winner. Then I went back and reread it a few more times, while slowly looking at the illustrations, and the story was brought to life in my eyes. Many children are afraid of the dark, and the way in which the illustrations are done gives the readers a warm, cozy feeling about the home, and the world, in the dark. The illustrations are done by Beth Krommes and are mostly in black and white on scratchboard with a few items on each page highlighted in a golden yellow to make them appear illuminated in the dark. After looking at the illustrations carefully I now understand why this book won the Caldecott Medal.

The story is about a little girl who is coming home in the dark with her mom and dad. After she gets ready for bed, she picks up a book that is lying on her bed and begins to read. She soon either imagines or dreams that a bird flies out of the book and takes her for a ride on its back outside in the dark. After the ride, the bird flies her back to her bed, and goes back into the book. At the end of the book, the girl's mother gives her a good night kiss and turns off the light as the text reads, "a home full of light." The reader gets the feeling through the tender illustrations and text that the light portrays the love the family shares.

2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?

I am an only child and the little girl in the story appears to be an only child because no other siblings are seen in the illustrations. I felt that my home was full of love and light, just like the home depicted in this story. As a little girl, I normally went to bed feeling warm, cozy, and loved, which are the feelings this book brought back to me.

3. How would I compare this book to another book or books?

I would compare this book to Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. The illustrations are key to the story in both books. My husband and I used to read Goodnight Moon right before bedtime to our two daughters when they were little. I was left with the same warm, cozy feeling after reading The House in the Night that I used to get after reading Goodnight Moon.

4. What new thing did I learn about children's literature in reading this book?

One thing that struck me when I read this book was how much importance illustrations can have on getting the story across. Since young children cannot read the words, the pictures are so important in getting them involved in the story. The text of this book may at times be too deep for a child to understand; however, the illustrations really tell the story on a child's level.

Caldecott and Newbery Awards

Both the Caldecott and the Newbery medals are given by the American Library Association each year. The Caldecott award is given to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book published in the United States during the preceding year. The Newbery Medal is given for the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year. Basically, the Caldecott is awarded to an illustrator and the Newbery is awarded to an author. Both of the awards also recognize runners-up with an "honor" award.

Both of these awards are very prestigious and sell books. I do not feel that one award is better than the other; however, the Caldecott winners my be more well-known to the general public. I think this is due to the fact that the Caldecott is given for picture books. Parents are the ones who normally choose/purchase the picture books for their children. Parents are the ones who read these books to their young children before their children can read for themselves, so parents become very familiar with the books. The Newbery is generally given to books that are written for the older child. Parents generally do not read to their older children, and therefore, may not be familiar with the books that the children read.