Movie/Book Discussion - The Polar Express

The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, is one of my favorite Christmas stories and has become a yearly tradition. My daughters are now 11-1/2 and 14 years old, so the bell's sound is becoming quite faint for them. Since I am an "old softy," I always tear-up when I read the book and show the movie to my kindergartners each year. Childhood goes by so quickly and I hate to see these little kids grow up too fast. Some of them are already questioning Santa in kindergarten!

For most children, the Christmas season is mysterious and magical and Chris Van Allsburg truly captures this spirit of childhood in the story. The illustrations are quite detailed and have a soft, cozy quality to them; however, the darkness of the pictures evokes a sense of mystery. He ends each page in a way that makes you want to see what happens next. I think it is sad in the end when the little boy's mother and father think the bell is broken because they can no longer hear it. Van Allsburg ends the book by saying that the bell still rings for him!

The Polar Express movie is fantastic! I have seen it both in the standard movie format and in the 3-D format at the IMAX. Both versions are great! The movie scenes are very much like the illustrations in the book. They include much detail, but have a sort of dark, soft quality to them. The movie plot is based upon the book; however, several extra items have been added for entertainment value. The music adds to the wonder of the movie. The hot chocolate scene in the train is wonderfully fun and upbeat. The scenes with the hobo are a little frightening to young children, but the hobo evokes discussions about who he is truly supposed to represent - Santa, an angel, God, who? The movie also highlights more characters than the book. The underprivileged little boy who has never received a Christmas present before is touching. The obnoxious, "know it all" boy is both annoying and funny at the same time. The little girl is tender-hearted and brave.

The Polar Express book and movie are so well done that they appeal to all ages. I appreciate the talent of Chris Van Allsburg in writing the story and the cast and crew of the movie for bringing it to life.

Movie/Book Discussion - The Cat in the Hat

I have already written about The Cat in the Hat on this blog, but I cannot pass up the opportunity to express my feelings about the movie.


I enjoyed my mother reading the book to me, I enjoyed reading the book to my daughters when they were little, and I still love to read it to my kindergarten class every year. This is a great book to read just for fun, and it is also an excellent book to read when teaching rhyming words. The black, white, red, and blue illustrations are entertaining. My favorite illustration is the one where the cat is balancing everything (even the fish), while standing on a ball! I do always have a discussion with my class that the cat's antics are not appropriate behavior!






When the movie version came out in 2003, my oldest daughter was 8 and my youngest daughter was 5. Of course, because my husband and I liked the book so much, we definitely wanted to take our daughters to see the movie. Well, this is one of the only movies that I have ever been to that I seriously considered walking out before it was over! I'm not sure to this day why we stayed until the end. How sad that a fun, light, Dr. Seuss classic was reduced to vulgarity, bodily functions, sexual references, and jokes that fell flat.

Movie / Book Discussion- How the Grinch Stole Christmas

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss, is a wonderful read for the Christmas season. In the wonderful Dr. Seuss rhyming style, the story tells of a love for Christmas by the Whos of Who-ville. The Grinch is an outcast whose heart is "two sizes too small." He hates Christmas and decides to put an end to it. He steals all of the presents, decorations, and "roast beast," so the Whos will not be able to celebrate Christmas. To his dismay, on Christmas day, the Whos gather in the town square and show their Christmas spirit by singing Christmas songs together. The Grinch finds out that Christmas does not come from a box, but from the love the Whos share for each other. This book has become such a bookshelf staple that the term, "Grinch," now commonly means someone who does not enjoy the Christmas season.

There are two movies based on this Dr. Seuss book. One is an animated version and one is made using real people as the characters. I will be discussing the "real people" version that was directed by Ron Howard, and starred Jim Carrey as the Grinch. These two talented performers created a move that is fun and entertaining for viewers of all ages. The use of costumes, funny hair styles, odd gadgetry, and clever tricks brings the story to life in Dr. Seuss fashion. In the movie version, the Whos are a little more human-like than in the book. The movie is more colorful than the book, as in the book, Dr. Seuss used mainly black line drawings, colored with tints of red. The movie's music really adds to the story, especially the songs, You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch; Where Are You Christmas?; and Welcome Christmas.

The Best Bad Thing by Yoshido Uchida

Uchida, Y. (1983). The best bad thing. New York: Atheneum.

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

I enjoyed reading about the way in which the Japanese community helped each other out in their time of need. Rinko's mom makes her move to Mrs. Hata's small, rundown cucumber farm that summer because Mr. Hata has recently passed away and Rinko is needed to help harvest the crop and help around the house. Even though Rinko does not want to go at first, by the end of the summer she feels that being coaxed into going to the farm was the best bad thing that has ever happened to her.

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

My parents could always be counted on to help out friends and family that needed help. I saw this type of devotion in the Japanese community in this book.

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

The book, Kira-Kira, is about a Japanese family, whose parents had to work long hours in a chicken processing plant in order to save enough money to purchase a house. The family in Kira-Kira was very close and helped out others in the Japanese community.

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

The Best Bad Thing illustrates that it is a good idea for students to read books about different cultures. This book gives insight into the close-knit Japanese American family life. It also discusses incidences of prejudice against the Japanese Americans. Books of this type could give students more tolerance of cultures different from their own.

5. What other books has she written?

Some other books written by Yoshiko Uchida include: Desert Exile: The Uprooting of a Japanese American Family, Picture Bride: A Novel, A Jar of Dreams, The Bracelet, and Sea of Gold.

Reference:

Amazon.com (2009). Retrieved on August 1, 2009 from http://www.amazon.com/.

Let It Shine

by Ashley Bryan
2008 Corretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner

Bryan, A. (2007). Let it Shine. New York: Simon & Shuster.

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

The text of this book contains the lyrics of three spirituals that I enjoy singing: This Little Light of Mine, When the Saints Go Marching In, and He's Got the Whole World in His Hands. The illustrations are made from construction paper cutouts which have been layered collage-style on the page. I like the intricate detail and bright, cheerful colors of the illustrations. As a musician, I am pleased to see that the music for the songs has been included in the back of the book. There is also a page that explains the history behind spirituals.

2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?
When I was a child, I learned This Little Light of Mine and He's Got the Whole World in His Hands in my Sunday school classes and children's choirs at church. I loved to sing them and do the hand motions. Today's children are still begin taught these songs. Most of the grownups in our church can still remember the words and motions, and singing them puts smiles on their faces!

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

The illustrations in Let it Shine remind me of some of Lois Ehlert's work (Growing Vegetable Soup, Eating the Alphabet, etc.). Ms. Ehlert also uses a paper collage format when illustrating her picture books. Both of these illustrators do exquisite work and their books are enjoyable to peruse.

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

I learned that children's books can be written using words from songs. No new text was used in the making of this book. The words of the old spirituals have stood the test of time and nothing else is needed to tell the stories. The illustrations make the words seem new again.

The Little Red Hen illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Pinkney, J. (2006). The Little Red Hen. New York: The Penguin Group.

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

Jerry Pinkney's illustrations are exquisitely detailed throughout this classic story. Each page contains small details, so that each time you read the book, you find something new. For instance on the first page of the story, the flowers and the sun have subtle little faces drawn into them. They don't stand out at first, but by carefully examining the illustration, the details come to life. As a teacher, I also like the way in which Mr. Pinkney printed the characters' names in the text according to the color of the character. Each time "little red hen" appears in the text, it is printed in red, and each time the "round pink pig" appears, it is printed in pink, and so forth.

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

This story brings back memories of my childhood, as this was one of those stories that was in the "most read" pile bedside my bed. I probably had a Golden Books version of the story. I am so happy to see that this story is still being read via Mr. Pinkney's delightful version!

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

In comparing the illustrations between Jerry Pinkney's version to the 2001 Golden Books version, I found several differences. The illustrations in the Golden Books version were simplistic and comical. Mr. Pinkney's illustrations were rich, warm, and soft. He filled each page with subtle details that make the book interesting over many readings. He gave his characters a more realistic appearance.

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

I learned that the quality of illustrations in a picture book can make all the difference in the story. The Little Red Hen is a classic story that would seem to have lost its appeal by now; however, Mr. Pinkney's exquisite illustrations make this story engaging to a new generation of children.

5. What other books has the author written?

According to Mr. Pinkney's website, his books have won five Caldecott Honor Medals, five Corretta Scott King Awards, and three Coretta Scott King Honor Awards, in addition to many other awards and honors. Mr. Pinkney has illustrated numerous picture books, some of which include: The Moon Over Star, Little Red Riding Hood, God Bless the Child, Noah's Ark, Aesop's Fables, John Henry, and The Ugly Duckling.

Reference:

Pinkney, J. (2009). Jerry Pinkney Studio. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.jerrypinkneystudio.com/frameset.html.

John Henry by Julius Lester

Lester, J. (1994). John Henry. New York: Penguin Books.





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

When I read this book, I laughed out loud at some of the funny lines. For instance, John Henry drank a "soda mom" instead of a "soda pop!" I enjoyed the personification of the sun and moon. When John Henry was a baby, he laughed so hard that the sun got scared, hid behind the moon's skirts, and went to bed! Many interesting or profound sayings were included in the text. I especially liked this one: "Dying ain't important. Everybody does that. What matters is how well you do your living." The storyteller-style of the writing is warm and humorous. This book is a Caldecott Honor book.

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

My dad was a master of sayings. He had a saying suitable for almost every occasion. I find myself now using some of my dad's sayings. This version of the John Henry story includes several sayings that remind me of my dad.

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

I compare this book to another talltale entitled, Paul Bunyan, by Steven Kellogg. Both stories are about extraordinarily strong men who accomplish amazing feats with their strength. Both stories are enjoyable to read and the remarkable illustrations make the books delightful to view.

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

At the end of the book, John Henry dies after hammering through the mountain. The subject of dying is not often addressed in children's picture books. The author, Julius Lester, handled it in a respectful, but celebratory manner. I learned that even difficult subjects, when treated carefully and properly, can be included in children's stories.

5. What other books has the author written?

According to Amazon.com, Julius Lester has written 25 books that include fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and poetry. Some of his books include: To Be a Slave (Newbery Honor), Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales, Days of Tears, From Slave Ship to Freedom Road, Sam and the Tigers: A Retelling of Little Black Sambo, and Othello (a retelling of Shakespeare's play).

Reference:

Amazon.com (2009). Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.amazon.com/.