Module 4: Book 2, Lincoln: A Photobiography

Lincoln:

A Photobiography

by Russell Freedman

Freedman, R. (1987). Lincoln: A photobiography. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

How well do you know President Lincoln?

Summary:

Lincoln: A Photobiography is a biography of Lincoln's life told from beginning to end through photographs, primary sources, and Russell's convincing words.  

Impressions:

Lincoln: A Photobiography was my favorite read of the week.  I generally do not gravitate toward biographies.  However, Freedman changed my view on them, and now I want to check out his other biographies.  His biography of Lincoln flowed easily and was full of interesting facts and fascinating, relevant photos.  There was no lull or jargon bogging down Lincoln's story, yet there was surprising depth for a children's book.  It's a well-deserved Newbery recipient, one of the few nonfiction winners.  Though it is a "photobiography," which implies that it's told in pictures, the writing is what makes this book an appealing one; the photographs almost feel like a bonus.    

Reviews:

From School Library Journal:

Gr 5 Up Few, if any, of the many books written for children about Lincoln can compare with Freedman's contribution. More than 80 photographs and prints illustrate the crisp and informative text. The pictures have been well-placed to coordinate with the text; captions have been written with care as well. While many of the photographs are well-known, many less familiar pictures are also included. Freedman begins by contrasting the Lincoln of legend to the Lincoln of fact. His childhood, self-education, early business ventures, and entry into politics comprise the first half of the book, with the rest of the text covering his presidency and assassination. Freedman's extensive research is apparent in the liberal use he makes of quotations from original sources (letters, contemporary newspaper articles, etc.). Freedman makes clear the controversy and vilification that Lincoln engendered and endured during his presidency. A listing of historic sites open to the public and a sampler of wise and witty excerpts from Lincoln's writings complete the book. Well-organized and well-written, this is an outstanding example of what (juvenile) biography can be. Like Lincoln himself, it stands head and shoulders above its competition. Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, Mass.

Citation: Weischedel, E. (1987). Lincoln (Book Review). School Library Journal, 34(4), 93-94.


From Kirkus Reviews:

Relying on the recent scholarly biographies that have argued that many famous Abraham Lincoln stories are myths, Freedman carefully introduces a more realistic portrait than is usually found in juvenile biographies. The well-loved tales of Abe (a nickname he hated) courting Anne Rutledge, splitting rails in New Salem, or walking miles to obtain books are put into perspective with a few sentences. Lincoln comes alive as a conscientious lawyer who put clients at ease with stories but was a hopeless slob with files and papers. Freedman also offers a concise but excellent picture of Lincoln's struggle with the ethics and the politics of slavery, as well as his frustrating search for the right general to lead the Union troops. The 90 black-and-white photographs are highlighted by fine book design and by Freedman's comments about the nature of photography in the mid-1800's. While the photographs contribute much, it is Freedman's talent for putting the right details in uncomplicated prose that provides a very sharp focus for this Lincoln portrait. Appendixes include Lincoln quotes from 1832-1865, a description of Lincoln sites, notes on materials consulted, and an index. This is a necessary purchase for all collections--and an opportunity for librarians to scrutinize earlier biographies on Lincoln that have long occupied their shelves.

Citation: Kirkus Reviews. (2010, October 26). Lincoln: A photobiography [book review]. Retrieved September 30, 2013, from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/russell-freedman/lincoln-photobiography/ 

Library Activity:

Use this book to pique interest in nonfiction.  Many students gravitate toward fiction.  Promoting quality, well-received nonfiction will encourage more readers to give informational text a try.  In addition to displaying other nonfiction works, begin a school "photobiography," scrapbook style.  Display it in a prominent location in the library and invite students to add their photos and captions of school activities throughout the year.  

Module 4: Book 1, The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman

Gaiman, N. (2008). The graveyard book. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

What's in a name?

Summary:

Living among the dead, Nobody Owens narrowly escaped his own death as a young child after his parents were murdered by a man named Jack.   A childless couple, who happen to be ghosts and live in a graveyard, adopt and raise young Nobody, giving him a new identity and a new home.  "Bod" learns important lessons about life, death, and what it means to be a part of a family, all within the tenuous setting of a graveyard and the dangers that linger within its realm, including the constant threat of discovery by the man named Jack.    

Impressions:

The Graveyard Book is well-written with a surprising amount of depth and care.  The story itself has strong themes of identity, community, and the timeless concept of good verses evil.  I can see why it was awarded the Newbery medal; it's very intellectual, and other than the presence of ghosts, ghouls, and a graveyard, which may attract young readers, this book and its insightful references and complex plot will appeal to older readers too.

Reviews:

From Booklist:

*Starred Review* While a highly motivated killer murders his family, a baby, ignorant of the horrific goings-on but bent on independence, pulls himself out of his crib and toddles out of the house and into the night. This is most unfortunate for the killer, since the baby was his prime target. Finding his way through the barred fence of an ancient graveyard, the baby is discovered by Mr. and Mrs. Owens, a stable and caring couple with no children of their own—and who just happen to be dead. After much debate with the graveyard’s rather opinionated denizens, it is decided that the Owenses will take in the child. Under their care and the sponsorship of the mysterious Silas, the baby is named “Nobody” and raised among the dead to protect him from the killer, who relentlessly pursues him. This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming. Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages. Grades 6-10. --Holly Koelling

Citation: Koelling, H. (2008). The graveyard book. Booklist, 105(2), 54. 

From Kirkus Reviews:
Wistful, witty, wise--and creepy. Gaiman's riff on Kipling's Mowgli stories never falters, from the truly spine-tingling opening, in which a toddler accidentally escapes his family's murderer, to the melancholy, life-affirming ending. Bod (short for Nobody) finds solace and safety with the inhabitants of the local graveyard, who grant him some of the privileges and powers of the dead--he can Fade and Dreamwalk, for instance, but still needs to eat and breathe. Episodic chapters tell miniature gems of stories (one has been nominated for a Locus Award) tracing Bod's growth from a spoiled boy who runs away with the ghouls to a young man for whom the metaphor of setting out into the world becomes achingly real. Childhood fears take solid shape in the nursery-rhyme-inspired villains, while heroism is its own, often bitter, reward. Closer in tone to American Gods than to Coraline, but permeated with Bod's innocence, this needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child. (Illustrations not seen.) (Fantasy. 10 & up)

Citation: Kirkus Reviews. (2008). The Graveyard Book. Kirkus Reviews, 76(16), 123. 

Library Activity:

One of the central themes in The Graveyard Book is identity.  Host a genealogy class after school or a special library seminar during the day.  Invite parents and grandparents.  Highlight Web sources and library resources that help develop family trees.  Students are fascinated about their own family histories, and with today's technology, tracing our roots is easier than ever. 

Module 3, Book 2: Flotsam

Flotsam

by David Wiesner

Wiesner, D. (2006). Flotsam. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

Is a picture worth a thousand words?

Summary:

This wordless picture book tells a multilayered story of a boy who happens upon a camera on the beach.  Out of curiosity, he develops the film contained within.  The rest of the story is a visual masterpiece of impressive art that depicts the rich history of the roll of film, which eventually includes the young boy.   

Impressions:

This book gets better and better with each reading and is best enjoyed with a friend.  The artwork is impressive, unique, odd, fantastical, and realistic all at once.  The detail embedded in each panel pulls you in.  The perspectives and various points of view challenges the reader visually.  Readers of all ages can appreciate the painstaking work that must have been invested in this work and the level of participation the author expects from the audience.  

Reviews:

From School Library Journal:

K-Gr 4-- A wave deposits an old-fashioned contraption at the feet of an inquisitive young beachcomber. It's a "Melville underwater camera," and the excited boy quickly develops the film he finds inside. The photos are amazing: a windup fish, with intricate gears and screwed-on panels, appears in a school with its living counterparts; a fully inflated puffer, outfitted as a hot-air balloon, sails above the water; miniature green aliens kowtow to dour-faced sea horses; and more. The last print depicts a girl, holding a photo of a boy, and so on. As the images become smaller, the protagonist views them through his magnifying glass and then his microscope. The chain of children continues back through time, ending with a sepia image of a turn-of-the-20th-century boy waving from a beach. After photographing himself holding the print, the youngster tosses the camera back into the ocean, where it makes its way to its next recipient. This wordless book's vivid watercolor paintings have a crisp realism that anchors the elements of fantasy. Shifting perspectives, from close-ups to landscape views, and a layout incorporating broad spreads and boxed sequences, add drama and motion to the storytelling and echo the photographic theme. Filled with inventive details and delightful twists, each snapshot is a tale waiting to be told. Pair this visual adventure with Wiesner's other works, Chris Van Allsburg's titles, or Barbara Lehman's The Red Book (Houghton, 2004) for a mind-bending journey of imagination.

Citation: Fleishhacker, J. (2006). Flotsam. School Library Journal, 52(9), 186-187. 

From Kirkus Reviews:

From arguably the most inventive and cerebral visual storyteller in children's literature, comes a wordless invitation to drift with the tide, with the story, with your eyes, with your imagination. A boy at the beach picks up a barnacle-encrusted underwater camera. He develops the film, which produces, first, pictures of a surreal undersea world filled with extraordinary details (i.e., giant starfish bestride the sea carrying mountainous islands on their backs), and then a portrait of a girl holding a picture of a boy holding a picture of another boy … and so on … and on. Finally, the boy needs a microscope to reveal portraits of children going back in time to a sepia portrait of a turn-of-the-century lad in knickers. The boy adds his own self-portrait to the others, casts the camera back into the waves, and it is carried by a sea creature back to its fantastic depths to be returned as flotsam for another child to find. In Wiesner's much-honored style, the paintings are cinematic, coolly restrained and deliberate, beguiling in their sibylline images and limned with symbolic allusions. An invitation not to be resisted. (Picture book. 6-11)

Citation: Kirkus Reviews. (2006). Flotsam. Kirkus Reviews, 74(15), 798-799. 

Library Activity:

This book may be used to instill the value of rereading and an appreciation for detail.  After a once over, ask students to share their first impressions of Flotsam.  Then, challenge them to slowly reread the book with a partner two more times, noting new discoveries with each examination.  Meet as a group again a share thoughts, insights, and aha moments.  Connect this experience with reading in general and how one absorbs beautiful art and language.

Module 3, Book1: Kitten's First Full Moon

Kitten's First Full Moon

by Kevin Henkes

Henkes, K. (2004). Kitten's first full moon. Greenwillow Books.

Will Kitten get milk?

Summary:

Henkes's adorable story is about a little kitten who mistakes the moon for a bowl of milk.  She tries to reach the elusive bowl throughout the story with a satisfying resolution.   

Impressions:

The cover of this book is eye-catchingly adorable.  My first thought before even opening this book was that children would gravitate to it because kids love puppies and kittens.  upon closer inspection, the simple, fluid language, charming black and white illustrations, and cute kitten antics make this book a winner.  It brings to mind books about the moon, sky, and stars and their fanciful feel.  

Reviews:

From Booklist (starred review):

PreS. Henkes creates another winner in this simple, charming story about a naive little kitten who mistakes a round, shining moon for a bowl of milk. Kitten laps at the sky's creamy circle, but she is surprised when she tastes bugs instead of milk. Then she chases the milk-bowl moon through the garden and field to the pond, where she climbs a tree, discovers another milk bowl shining in the water, and dives in after it. Finally, "wet and sad and tired and hungry,"she returns home to find, at last, a true bowl of milk, out of the sky and on the porch, waiting for her. Henkes'text, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's work in the elemental words, rhythms, and appealing sounds, tells a warm, humorous story that's beautifully extended in his shimmering, gray-toned artwork. Working in bold black lines and the silvery palette of moonlight, he creates a lovable, expressive character in the determined kitten, and his dramatic contrasts of light and dark capture the excitement of a nighttime adventure. Wise preschoolers may chuckle at the kitten's folly, but they'll also recognize the mysterious power of moonlight to transform the familiar world of daytime into something altogether new.

Citation: Engberg, G. (2004). Kitten's first full moon. Booklist, 100(12), 1056. 

From Horn Book:

Henkes takes a break from his signature mice — and from illustrating in color — to tell this sweet story about a kitten who thinks the full moon is a bowl of milk. The black-and-white forms, with subtle gradations of gray, are larger and more solid-looking than Henkes's usual work, with less interior line. Nevertheless, the kitten, whose white fur glows against the charcoal-gray sky like the moon she desires, is sprightly and expressive as she fails repeatedly ("Poor Kitten!") to get at that milk. Small children, for whom the rhythmic, action-oriented text is just right, will appreciate the gentle slapstick of thekitten getting a firefly on her tongue when she tries to lick the moon and getting drenched in the pond when she tries to drink the moon's reflection. Anyone who has ever watched a cat spasmodically pounce and chase for no apparent reason will enjoy the imaginative, unpretentiously poetic method Henkes reads into this madness.

Citation: Heppermann, C. (2004). Kitten's first full moon. Horn Book, 80(3), 1056. 314-315. 

Library Activity:

There are several avenues to take to connect young children to this story.  Beginning a temporary collection of realia for display in the library of cat/kitten statues, toys, and stuffed animals on loan from students is one way to connect them to the power of a likable character.  

Writers often use the moon to create a certain mood in a story, whether it be playful, mysterious, or somber.  Sharing other books with an moon theme, such as Owl Moon, will expose young children to universal ideas and themes that all people share.  

Module 2, Book 2: And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street

And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street

by Dr. Seuss

Geisel, T. (1937). And to think I saw it on Mulberry Street. New York, NY: Vanguard Press, Inc.

How big is your imagination?

Summary:

Dr. Seuss's book And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street is a clever book about a boy who is not satisfied with the ordinary.  Every day is an adventure to him.  His father tells him to "stop turning minnows into whales" (p. 1), but he can't help himself.  One day, while walking to and from school, he spies a horse and wagon.  Boring.  His mind begins to morph the ordinary into extraordinary; the wagon is transformed on a grand scale on Mulberry street and Marco is marveled by what he found there.  Will he share his adventure with his dad, or will he relay exactly what he spied?

Impressions:

This book embodies classic Dr. Seuss to me.  It was his first children's book, and in my opinion, it sets the tone for all of his other books.  Impressions of this book's illustrations can be found throughout his body of work, as it is the big idea concept of imagination and the fantastical.  Being a huge Dr. Seuss fan as a child, this book left me warm and fuzzy because of its nostalgic feel.  Adults will be able to identify with Marco and his father's perspectives, having experienced both.  Kids will feel a sense of validation for all the times a box became a spaceship and a blanket a new universe.  Its whimsical feel and rhythmic language lasts long after the book closes.

Reviews:

From Horn Book:
And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss, 1937. On a dull afternoon Marco uses his imagination to turn a 'plain horse and wagon' he sees on Mulberry Street into many, much-more-exciting sights. Surely there will still be bored children in 2101, and they will still make up stories to entertain themselves and everybody else. What's more, Seuss always drew more from the future than from life.

Citation: Kuskin, K. (2000). Future classics. Horn Book Magazine, 76(6), 778-779. 

From School Library Journal on the new "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" app:
In Theodor Geisel’s 1937 debut title, little Marco strolled down Mulberry Street in a marvelous blend of whimsical artwork and sophisticated text. Seventy-five years later, Oceanhouse Media takes a new generation of readers on a slightly altered path, complete with street noise, shuffling feet, and softly falling confetti.

Citation:
Darylgrabarek. (2012, February 13). And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street: the app. School Library Journal. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://blogs.slj.com/touchandgo/2012/02/13/and-to-think-that-i-saw-it-on-mulberry-street-the-app/

Library Activity:

Because And to Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street is Dr. Seuss's first children's book, it is a perfect choice for a read aloud on Dr. Seuss's birthday, March 2.  It can serve as an introduction to his work for older children who may not be familiar with this title, or the fact that it was rejected dozens of times by publishers before it finally was picked up.  It will serve as an example and inspiration for the value of perseverance and following your dreams.  Follow-up with a digital timeline presentation of Dr. Suess books and a discuss of characteristics that make Seuss books unique.

Module 2, Book 1: The Hundred Dresses

The Hundred Dresses

By Eleanor Estes

Estes, E. (1944). The hundred dresses.  New York, NY: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Is Wanda telling the truth?

Summary:

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes is a small book that packs a big punch.  It follows a young girl named Maddie as she struggles with being accepted and standing up for what is right.  Maddie and her friends harass a classmate, Wanda, who wears the same dress every day.  They tease her mercilessly about the hundred dresses she claims to have at home.  As Maddie's conscience begins to prick at her to do the right thing, she realizes that she has to do something, but she doesn't know where to begin, as she herself feels like an outcast.  To stand up to the cruelty around her may mean that she will be excluded too.  As the story progresses, Maddie and her friends learn the truth about Wanda and what it means to seek and receive forgiveness.

Impressions:

This book is a wonderful, tender read about bullying.  Its simple message will strike a chord with young and old readers alike.  As the book moved along, the reader began to identify more and more not only with Wanda, the offended, but also with Maddie who feared standing up for her.  Most readers have been in both positions: the coward and the bullied.  Estes created well-rounded characters in both girls, and evoked empathy for each of their plights.  This book is a timeless, easy read that will resonate with readers. 

Reviews:

From Publishers Weekly:

Classic titles return in time for the gift-giving season. For a new generation of readers, Eleanor Estes's long-treasured title, The Hundred Dresses (1944), illus. by Louis Slobodkin, appears in its 60th anniversary finery with newly "restored color" in the artwork. Wanda faces mockery at school, both because of her "funny" last name (Petron-ski) and her claims that she has 100 dresses at home even though she wears the same one to school each day. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Citation:
Publishers Weekly. (2004, September 1). The hundred dresses. Publishers Weekly, Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-15-205170-9

From Book Links:

This long standing favorite tells the story of Wanda, a Polish immigrant who is teased by her classmates for her differences and her claim that she owns a hundred dresses. Estes skill with language shines in this tale as she uses just the right or phrase to vividly catch the emotion and the moment, but still keeps the text natural sounding and accessible.  The story serves as a classic example of outstanding use of language in transitional literature.

Citation:
Liang, L. & Graves, B. (2006). The hundred dresses. Book Links, 15(3), 51. 

Library Activity:

This book could be used in the library to provide a springboard for discussion on cyber-bullying.  Librarians are often the front line of defense for appropriate technology use.  Using The Hundred Dresses to promote sensitivity and connect it to today's realities will spur thought-provoking discussions about the far reaching affects of name calling and bullying.

Module 1: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore 

by William Joyce

Joyce, W. (2012). The fantastic flying books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.  New York, NY: Antheneum Books for Young Readers.

Does a story ever really end? Or is the end a new beginning?

Summary:

The The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce is a whimsical book about books and the power of language.  From the onset of the book the reader gets the impression that Mr. Lessmore is a lonely soul seeking adventure through the pages of a book.  He embarks on a journey, much in the same way that Dorothy does in The Wizard of OZ.  He is swept away in a frenzied storm of words and is left to wander and wonder what's next.  One day he happens upon a mysterious lady being carried away by books.  She shares one of her magical books with Morris, and thus his journey begins.  He is led to a building of magical books and becomes immersed in their stories, all the while inspired to complete his own life story.

Impressions:

I was taken aback by the beauty and detail in this book.  Not only was the topic interesting, but the book itself was an interesting mix of words, images, and techniques.  I watched the video after reading the book, and must say that both affected me equally.  This is one example where the book and video complement rather than detract or compete with one another.  It effectively pays homage to storytelling and its ability to transcend time and bridge past and present.

Reviews:

From School Library Journal:
Joyce's Academy Award-winning animated short-film-turned-app that celebrates those who care about (and receive nourishment from) books is, ironically, now a picture book. The wonder and mystery inherent in the wordless film and the ability to manipulate the visuals and play the soundtrack on the app's piano beg the question: Can the bookcompete? As it turns out, the book has its own rewards. Clarity comes from Joyce's well-chosen words. In the opening on a New Orleans balcony, readers learn that Morris "loved words…stories…books." Every day he would "write of his joys and sorrows, of all that he knew and everything that he hoped for." When an Oz-like storm turns everything topsy-turvy, the melancholy man in the pork-pie hat spots a lady held aloft by a "festive squadron of flying books." Her gift leads Morristo a book-filled sanctuary set in a landscape staged and lit like a Maxfield Parrish painting. He tends to the volumes, distributing favorites to visitors, whose once-gray bodies blossom with color. Every life and story ends, and those struggling with their own goodbyes (and yearnings about printed books) may find comfort in seeing the fading elder revert to his younger self in order to be transported by the joyful squadron-just as a little girl arrives to choose Morris's story. The author's motivations (explained on the flap) will resonate with adults in the reading business. The best part? Lingering quietly while savoring the atmospheric scenes of Joyce's narrative vignette.

Citation:
Lukehart, W. (2012). The fantastic flying books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. School Library Journal, 58(8), 78. 

From Library Media Connection:
Mr. Morris Lessmore is a booklover who loses his precious book collection in a storm. As he wanders among the devastating effects of the storm, he is urged to follow a book that leads him to a building filled with numerous volumes that are alive. As time passes, his daily interaction with the books inspires Morris to once again record his own thoughts and feelings. Joyce's memorable character leaves his readers with the message that stories imprint upon our hearts, have healing power, and live on. The artwork is beautifully matched with the text but is worthy of standing on its own to tell this extraordinary tale. Book lovers of all ages will want to have a copy of this picture book in their collections, it is sure to become a classic.

Citation:
Merrill, A. (2012). The fantastic flying books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Library Media Connection, 31(3), 60.          

Library Activity:

Since this book's central theme is about the power of a good story, it's an excellent choice to launch a school-wide storytelling festival.  Because this book was a short film first, it's also a good opportunity to discuss how a story may be told in many formats, not just a book.  Students may share their stories orally, through the use of visuals, or in picture book format during the festival.