Simple Pleasures

picture from amazon.com

Sky Sweeper

by Phillis Gershator

pictures by Holly Meade

published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, NY, 2007

Summary: "Despite criticism for his lack of 'accomplishments,' Takeboki finds contentment sweeping the flower blossoms and raking the sand and gravel in the monks' temple garden. Includes a note on the art and beauty of Japanese gardens."

Strengths: Readers discover the message of finding pleasure in simple things and insight into Japanese culture through the beautiful illustrations and repetitive text. I really liked the double page spreads of how Takeboki takes care of the garden during the four seasons. The importance of nature is seen in the intricate Japanese garden.

Concerns: Some parents may be concerned if teachers introduce this book to young students because of the book's element of religion.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be appropriate for ages 5 and up. Teachers can use this as an introduction to the Japanese culture or just as an interesting book to read aloud. If children live in New York, they could visit the Brooklyn Botanist Garden that is described in this book and compare it's garden with the Japanese garden in this book.

Underpraised Heroes

picture from amazon.com

Windflyers

by Angela Johnson

illustrated by Loren Long

published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, NY, 2007

Summary: The Tuskegee Airmen are introduced through the stories of a boy's great-great-uncle who loved to fly.

Strengths: This book has beautiful illustrations, especially of the sky and clouds, which is where the main focus of the book is. The story is fun and is not too straightforward, while sharing an important part of history. Children can relate to the story because it is told by a child. The uncle's passion for flying and his sacrifice for our country is clearly depicted.

Concerns: The story had some sad moments, such as when the reader discovers that not all of the Airmen made it home. However, it is written in such a way that this may not affect young readers. Readers may also be slightly confused that the narrator introduces the main character as his great-great-uncle, but later he just calls him just "Uncle".

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This story could be an introduction to war and to African Americans in the war effort. In addition, this book would be a fun way to introduce a writing prompt in which students can share a story from their own family. Children aged 5 and up would enjoy this book.

No Need For Words!

picture from amazon.com

You Can't Take a Balloon Into The Metropolitan Museum

by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman and Robin Preiss Glasser

published by Dial Books for Young Readers, NY, 1998

Summary: "In this wordless story a young girl and her grandmother view works inside The Metropolitan Museum of Art, while the balloon she has been forced to leave outside floats around New York City causing a series of mishaps that mirror scenes in the museum's artworks."

Strengths: This beautifully illustrated, wordless picture book in comic format captivates readers of all ages. The important characters and pieces of art are brought to the readers' attention with color, while the background illulstrations are black and white. The connection between art and life are exquisitely portrayed through the traveling balloon and the art that the girl sees in the museum. Children reading the book may relate if they have been to the museum or the different places in New York.

Concerns: My only, very minimal, concern is that some aspects of the background, such as the plants, are illustrated in color, while other equally important elements are black and white. Although this is not a huge criticism, it does take away the consistency in the illustrations.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This would be a fun book to have in any elementary school classroom for children aged 5 and up. Teachers could have students learn more about the different art pieces portrayed in the book. Children could also select a piece of art and create their own representation of it in today's society. Because this is a book without words, students could practice story telling and writing by writing their own text. Finally, if a class is close enough to this museum to visit, teachers could use this book as a basis for a field trip to the museum or zoo.

Flashlights Work Wonders!

picture from amazon.com (different language)

Scary Godmother

by Jill Thompson

published by Sirius Entertainment, NJ, 1997

Summary: "While trick-or-treating on Halloween night, Hannah Marie meets her ScaryGodmother and a host of creepy creatures."

Strengths: I liked the fun costumes and pictures that are combined with easy to read text. Children would be able to relate to both Hannah as the younger child who gets to be the hero and to the older children who either help or pick on Hannah. The characters are very funny and the comic book feel makes the story quick and easy to follow. Children who are scared of different elements of Halloween will find comfort in this fun story.

Concerns: Some parents may not approve of teaching about or emphasizing Halloween in school. In addition, I thought that it was sometimes difficult to see who was speaking based on the word bubbles. Finally, I thought it was a little strange that part of the book was very scientific with information about bats, but other parts were very imaginative with made-up monsters.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: If there is no problem with Halloween celebrations in your class or school, teachers can read this to their class as part of a science lesson on bats and bones. Through the book, a lot of information is given about bats and the skeleton sings the bone song, which is a fun way to add music to the lesson. Children ages 7 and up would identify with the older kids not being patient of the younger girl or with the younger child trying to be brave.

How To Get Out of Chores

picture from amazon.com

Meanwhile...

by Jules Feiffer

published by Harper Collins, 1997

Summary: A comic book lover escapes into adventures using the word meanwhile.

Strengths: Interesting, colorful, and dynamic illustrations combine with a very funny story to create a captivating piece with a comic-book feel. I find it interesting that the same motion of line depicting swords and bullet fire are used to depict the mother's yelling. This is a great book in which children can escape and use their imagination. Children will get very excited about what will happen next and can predict ways in which Raymond can write "meanwhile".

Concerns: Younger children may not understand the changes that occur with the word "meanwhile". Parents may be concerned with the violence portrayed in space, in the West, and on a pirate ship. (Parents also might be concerned that their children will write "meanwhile" on the walls where they can't see it!)

Classroom Use: This book would be great for children aged 7 and up. Teachers can use it as a way to introduce transition words. Children can also imagine their own story and write their own similar book.