Sometimes things fall into place in interesting ways. Several months ago my husband went out to lunch with people with whom he had worked before his retirement. One of the men at the luncheon mentioned how proud he was of his daughter, a senior at a suburban Detroit high school. Who wouldn't be proud of such a daughter? The third book featuring her illustrations had just been published and two more were in the works.
The evening after that lunch, my husband told me about all of his friends and what they were doing. Of course, the story of a high school student who had illustrated picture books caught by librarian's ear. I contacted Sneha Reddy and she agreed to come to Emerson to talk to our students. Finding dates that worked for everyone was not as easy as we had hoped. (Doesn't that so often seem to be the case?) Finally it all fell into place and Sneha will be here to work with our students on Friday, March 13.
Sneha will be talk with students in grades three to five about the life of an illustrator and share a drawing lesson that helped her find her artistic skill and joy. She will also be autographing copies of her books.
The books are all about cats who have been rescued from a less than happy life to live with a caring family. They are The Ballad of Victor the Cat, The Ballad of Calvin the Cat, The Ballad of Omar the Cat, and The Ballad of Furrio the Cat. The fifth is not yet published. All of them are written by Gaile Harpan. Sneha's illustrations add to the humor and interest of each story by adding detail and great expressions to the cats who tell their stories and the humans who love them.
To me the fact that Sneha is a successful artist while still in high school is perhaps the most exciting part of her visit. We so often think that an published author or illustrator must be an adult. Sneha is proving that theory to be wrong. Every person who loves to hone their art--be it drawing or writing--and diligently works to improve may follow in Sneha's footsteps. Emerson is lucky to have Sneha come and share her talent and enthusiasm with us.
Many thanks to Nicola's Books for helping us secure copies of all four books to offer for sale as a part of this visit.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Abraham Lincoln
I have not forgotten nor overlooked that this year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of our 16th president. The publishing world certainly did not forget as there seems to be a new book about Lincoln at every corner. Happily for all of us there are several that are well worth reading--even nearly a month after Abe Lincoln's birthday.
The first two here are presented in a picture book format but are well worth reading at any age.
Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale by Deborah Hopkinson is great fun to read aloud because it has a certain Kentucky twang to it. "Now, here's an old tale," it begins, "of two boys who got themselves into more trouble than bear cubs in a candy store." If that doesn't capture your interest, take a look at the pictures by John Hendrix. They often include the hand of the artist who seems to be hurrying to finish the picture. The moral of the story--that what you do may never make it into history books while greatly affecting the course of history--is not all that is learned by reading this book. The classes to whom I read this book were intrigued by the concept that historians really don't know everything that happened. They can't tell us what a person was thinking or even what actually happened in the midst of the event. Did Lincoln's pal rescue Abe by pulling on his shirttail or did he reach out with a long stick? No one can ever truly know, so the author here let's the artist decide what to draw. How many times do historians fill in the gaps in the story with something that appeals to them or perhaps is easier to illustrate? The story ends by asking "And without Abe Lincoln, where would we be?" This leads to interesting discussions. I prefer to think that someone else would have stepped up to write an Emancipation Proclamation, but what else would we have missed. Our seventh grade students this year contemplated what would be different if Lincoln had either died before the end of the Civil War or lived out his term and into retirement. This is a topic than can be pondered and discussed over and over. That is a mental exercise that I always enjoy.
Mr. Lincoln's Boys: Being the Mostly True Adventures of Abraham Lincoln's Troublemaking Sons, Tad and Willie by Staton Rabin made me immediately think how happy I am that there are once again children in the White House. The story is of how much Lincoln doted on his young sons even while others in the White House saw the boys as misbehaving, terrorizing the many people who worked and visited their oh-so-public home. The boys, according to this book, did take liberties with proper conduct. They were known to ring all the call buttons for the servants at the same time or at least in rapid order to keep the servants running from room to room, trying to answer the call. The crux of the story is of the boy's toy soldier, proudly dressed in the red uniform of the Fire Zouaves. Jack, the soldier, constantly gets into trouble for various breaches of military conduct. Tad and Willie put him on trial, convict him, and sentence him to death by firing squad. It is the grave they dig in the rose garden that gets them in trouble. When an angry gardener interrupts their digging, the boys rush to their father, bursting in on a meeting with various generals. The solution to the problem with Jack is to offer a presidential pardon. The document that Lincoln wrote is reproduced in the book, showing this side of a president in the midst of one of the hardest times in American history. When asked why he caters to his children, Lincoln talks about how they offer a bright spot in his darkest days. That is what made me think of Obama, or any person who needs an opportunity to think about something other than the tough issues that they are facing. That is maybe the biggest reason why I want to continue working where I am as long as possible. Thank you, kids, for daily giving me reasons to smile.
Abe Lincoln's Hat by Martha Brenner is not one of the new books; it was published in 1994. It is, however, one of my favorite non-fiction easy reader books. It tells the story behind Abe's fondness for tall top hats. He stored papers in that spacious hat. Otherwise he tended to misplace important notes that he made. Books that make the people in history books seem human are always favorites with me.
Our Abe Lincoln: An Old Tune with New Lyrics adapted by Jim Aylesworth is a picture book that bests suits those in Kindergarten to grade three. Using the tune of "The Old Gray Mare" (though I learned this first as "Old Abe Lincoln") the verses on two page spreads tell the story of Abraham Lincoln in the simplest of terms. The illustrations are of a young class putting on a play based on the words of the verse. The play/story begins with "Babe Abe Lincoln was born in the wilderness." and ends with "Great Abe Lincoln died hard for his noble deeds." Along the way, the story of his life unfolds with lighthearted illustrations by Barbara McClintock. For those who want a little more information, facts are listed at the end of the book for each of the events shown. The kids and I had fun singing along with the story. I am sure your family will, too.
Finally, a biography for older students. This is not another biography of Abraham Lincoln, however. By upper elementary or middle school most students feel that they know all about the president. They are more interested in others who were a part of the Lincoln story. Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth by James Cross Giblin tells about the man who assassinated Lincoln as well as his lesser known good brother, Edwin. Both brothers were actors but there lives diverged in an important way when John took his political feelings too far. The book not only looks at the assassination's impact on the nation but also on the Booth family. Like the young pal who saved the life of Lincoln in the first book on this list, this book looks at a part of history that is often left out of history books, especially those for those in elementary and middle school.
Happy Birthday, Abe. American school children will be thinking about the impact you had on history and on their lives for years and years to come.
The first two here are presented in a picture book format but are well worth reading at any age.
Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale by Deborah Hopkinson is great fun to read aloud because it has a certain Kentucky twang to it. "Now, here's an old tale," it begins, "of two boys who got themselves into more trouble than bear cubs in a candy store." If that doesn't capture your interest, take a look at the pictures by John Hendrix. They often include the hand of the artist who seems to be hurrying to finish the picture. The moral of the story--that what you do may never make it into history books while greatly affecting the course of history--is not all that is learned by reading this book. The classes to whom I read this book were intrigued by the concept that historians really don't know everything that happened. They can't tell us what a person was thinking or even what actually happened in the midst of the event. Did Lincoln's pal rescue Abe by pulling on his shirttail or did he reach out with a long stick? No one can ever truly know, so the author here let's the artist decide what to draw. How many times do historians fill in the gaps in the story with something that appeals to them or perhaps is easier to illustrate? The story ends by asking "And without Abe Lincoln, where would we be?" This leads to interesting discussions. I prefer to think that someone else would have stepped up to write an Emancipation Proclamation, but what else would we have missed. Our seventh grade students this year contemplated what would be different if Lincoln had either died before the end of the Civil War or lived out his term and into retirement. This is a topic than can be pondered and discussed over and over. That is a mental exercise that I always enjoy.
Mr. Lincoln's Boys: Being the Mostly True Adventures of Abraham Lincoln's Troublemaking Sons, Tad and Willie by Staton Rabin made me immediately think how happy I am that there are once again children in the White House. The story is of how much Lincoln doted on his young sons even while others in the White House saw the boys as misbehaving, terrorizing the many people who worked and visited their oh-so-public home. The boys, according to this book, did take liberties with proper conduct. They were known to ring all the call buttons for the servants at the same time or at least in rapid order to keep the servants running from room to room, trying to answer the call. The crux of the story is of the boy's toy soldier, proudly dressed in the red uniform of the Fire Zouaves. Jack, the soldier, constantly gets into trouble for various breaches of military conduct. Tad and Willie put him on trial, convict him, and sentence him to death by firing squad. It is the grave they dig in the rose garden that gets them in trouble. When an angry gardener interrupts their digging, the boys rush to their father, bursting in on a meeting with various generals. The solution to the problem with Jack is to offer a presidential pardon. The document that Lincoln wrote is reproduced in the book, showing this side of a president in the midst of one of the hardest times in American history. When asked why he caters to his children, Lincoln talks about how they offer a bright spot in his darkest days. That is what made me think of Obama, or any person who needs an opportunity to think about something other than the tough issues that they are facing. That is maybe the biggest reason why I want to continue working where I am as long as possible. Thank you, kids, for daily giving me reasons to smile.
Abe Lincoln's Hat by Martha Brenner is not one of the new books; it was published in 1994. It is, however, one of my favorite non-fiction easy reader books. It tells the story behind Abe's fondness for tall top hats. He stored papers in that spacious hat. Otherwise he tended to misplace important notes that he made. Books that make the people in history books seem human are always favorites with me.
Our Abe Lincoln: An Old Tune with New Lyrics adapted by Jim Aylesworth is a picture book that bests suits those in Kindergarten to grade three. Using the tune of "The Old Gray Mare" (though I learned this first as "Old Abe Lincoln") the verses on two page spreads tell the story of Abraham Lincoln in the simplest of terms. The illustrations are of a young class putting on a play based on the words of the verse. The play/story begins with "Babe Abe Lincoln was born in the wilderness." and ends with "Great Abe Lincoln died hard for his noble deeds." Along the way, the story of his life unfolds with lighthearted illustrations by Barbara McClintock. For those who want a little more information, facts are listed at the end of the book for each of the events shown. The kids and I had fun singing along with the story. I am sure your family will, too.
Finally, a biography for older students. This is not another biography of Abraham Lincoln, however. By upper elementary or middle school most students feel that they know all about the president. They are more interested in others who were a part of the Lincoln story. Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth by James Cross Giblin tells about the man who assassinated Lincoln as well as his lesser known good brother, Edwin. Both brothers were actors but there lives diverged in an important way when John took his political feelings too far. The book not only looks at the assassination's impact on the nation but also on the Booth family. Like the young pal who saved the life of Lincoln in the first book on this list, this book looks at a part of history that is often left out of history books, especially those for those in elementary and middle school.
Happy Birthday, Abe. American school children will be thinking about the impact you had on history and on their lives for years and years to come.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Happy Birthday, Charles Darwin
February 12, 2009, would be Charles Darwin's 200th birthday. Because he shares that date with Abe Lincoln he does not always get the press he deserves in this country. This year there was significantly more talk about him so it seems time for me to add my two cents, such as it is.
No, I am not going to get involved in the Evolution/Creationism debate. That is way beyond the scope of this blog and no matter what I would say I would be sure to upset someone on this touchy subject.
What I would like to do is recommend a fascinating biography of Charles Darwin. The Tree of Life by Peter Sis may first look like a picture book but it is not for the very young and, like all good pictures, grows as the reader gains more interests in the world. Peter Sis (due check out that link because it is great fun and informative) first and foremost is an amazing artist. He also has creative ways of conveying information. This biography highlights both of his talents. Woven into the intricate illustrations are more facts about the life of Darwin from his childhood through his adult work. My favorite fact to share with folks that I learned from this book: Charles Darwin had a brother named Erasmus who was called Ras for short. Charles liked to work in the chemistry lab a lot so he earned the nickname Gas--Ras and Gas, two brothers at a boarding school. What a great picture that conjures up for me.
Happy Birthday, Gas. I am so glad you liked exploring nature.
While you are reading Sis, be sure to check out his autobiography The Wall which documents his life in Czechoslovakia under Communist rule. It is not your typical autobiography.
For younger readers Sis has two books about a charming young girl exploring her New York City neighborhood--Madlenka and Madlenka's Dog--both of which have lots of interesting details and unusual twists. Another favorite that may be out of print is Komodo which is about a boy who really want to see a komodo dragon. Again, the illustrations deserve hours of careful study to see all the secrets hidden there.
No, I am not going to get involved in the Evolution/Creationism debate. That is way beyond the scope of this blog and no matter what I would say I would be sure to upset someone on this touchy subject.
What I would like to do is recommend a fascinating biography of Charles Darwin. The Tree of Life by Peter Sis may first look like a picture book but it is not for the very young and, like all good pictures, grows as the reader gains more interests in the world. Peter Sis (due check out that link because it is great fun and informative) first and foremost is an amazing artist. He also has creative ways of conveying information. This biography highlights both of his talents. Woven into the intricate illustrations are more facts about the life of Darwin from his childhood through his adult work. My favorite fact to share with folks that I learned from this book: Charles Darwin had a brother named Erasmus who was called Ras for short. Charles liked to work in the chemistry lab a lot so he earned the nickname Gas--Ras and Gas, two brothers at a boarding school. What a great picture that conjures up for me.
Happy Birthday, Gas. I am so glad you liked exploring nature.
While you are reading Sis, be sure to check out his autobiography The Wall which documents his life in Czechoslovakia under Communist rule. It is not your typical autobiography.
For younger readers Sis has two books about a charming young girl exploring her New York City neighborhood--Madlenka and Madlenka's Dog--both of which have lots of interesting details and unusual twists. Another favorite that may be out of print is Komodo which is about a boy who really want to see a komodo dragon. Again, the illustrations deserve hours of careful study to see all the secrets hidden there.
Valentine's Day
From a school library point of view, Valentine's Day is a tough one. The kids are all excited about the party that is worked into the day somehow. There are Valentine's cards to exchange and enjoy. But there is little good literature to share. In fact, I have only one book from a Valentine's Day theme that I actually enjoy reading more than once.
Love, Splat by Rob Scotton is a charming story of elementary school admiration with a little bullying thrown in to drive home the moral of the story. What really makes it, however, are the wonderful illustrations. Scotton began his career as an illustrator and is still popular for his posters and greeting cards. All of his books about Splat who is a cat and Russell the Sheep are graphically amazing. The humor of the stories makes them some of my favor ties. Check out more about Rob Scotton at his website.
Yes, I know this post is two weeks late, but it is never too late for Valentine's feelings.
Love, Splat by Rob Scotton is a charming story of elementary school admiration with a little bullying thrown in to drive home the moral of the story. What really makes it, however, are the wonderful illustrations. Scotton began his career as an illustrator and is still popular for his posters and greeting cards. All of his books about Splat who is a cat and Russell the Sheep are graphically amazing. The humor of the stories makes them some of my favor ties. Check out more about Rob Scotton at his website.
Yes, I know this post is two weeks late, but it is never too late for Valentine's feelings.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Subbing in Seventh Grade
Call me crazy but I think that seventh graders are great fun.
On Monday morning I had the opportunity (created by a teacher's sick baby boy--note: he is the cutest baby boy I know) to substitute in a 7th grade Language Arts/ Social Studies class. I hope those kids are not reading this because I am going to confess right here and now that they are hilarious. It took all of my will power to keep from laughing out loud for the entire hour.
The discussion of "In Flanders Field" was amazing. We went from deep thoughts to the most inane comments without batting an eye. Is this a pro-war or an anti-war poem? Someone argued that it might be both because it was, as stated in stanza two, written by the dead. The dead get a little confused at times, you know.
Vocabulary words were equally productive. Somehow we managed to leave behind the words for a discussion of the importance of parents. I think it came from trying to decide whether indulgent or strict parents were better. These 12 and 13 year olds are at exactly the right age to begin thinking that parents are really not that necessary to them any more. The suggestion came that somehow every person be given $20,000 upon reaching the ripe old age of 13 and be sent out to make a fortune. A wiser voice thought that might be too little for someone setting out in the world--no one mentioned the lack of education--and opted for $1,000,000 at age 13. "But what would that do to inflation?" someone asked. "You're right," came the reply. "You couldn't even afford a loaf of bread then." And so it went.
Do not be offended, wonderful seventh graders, but it strikes me that these conversations are not that far from those of my eager kindergarten students. You ramble off on unexpected paths with the same ease and disregard for where the teacher might have hoped you would go. Whether you are 5 or wishing you were 15, the trip is half the fun.
I don't want anyone to get sick again, but I am willing to sub with the seventh grade again any time. It was a real treat.
On Monday morning I had the opportunity (created by a teacher's sick baby boy--note: he is the cutest baby boy I know) to substitute in a 7th grade Language Arts/ Social Studies class. I hope those kids are not reading this because I am going to confess right here and now that they are hilarious. It took all of my will power to keep from laughing out loud for the entire hour.
The discussion of "In Flanders Field" was amazing. We went from deep thoughts to the most inane comments without batting an eye. Is this a pro-war or an anti-war poem? Someone argued that it might be both because it was, as stated in stanza two, written by the dead. The dead get a little confused at times, you know.
Vocabulary words were equally productive. Somehow we managed to leave behind the words for a discussion of the importance of parents. I think it came from trying to decide whether indulgent or strict parents were better. These 12 and 13 year olds are at exactly the right age to begin thinking that parents are really not that necessary to them any more. The suggestion came that somehow every person be given $20,000 upon reaching the ripe old age of 13 and be sent out to make a fortune. A wiser voice thought that might be too little for someone setting out in the world--no one mentioned the lack of education--and opted for $1,000,000 at age 13. "But what would that do to inflation?" someone asked. "You're right," came the reply. "You couldn't even afford a loaf of bread then." And so it went.
Do not be offended, wonderful seventh graders, but it strikes me that these conversations are not that far from those of my eager kindergarten students. You ramble off on unexpected paths with the same ease and disregard for where the teacher might have hoped you would go. Whether you are 5 or wishing you were 15, the trip is half the fun.
I don't want anyone to get sick again, but I am willing to sub with the seventh grade again any time. It was a real treat.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Quote of the Week--#017
Nobody can be exactly like me.
Even I have trouble doing it.
Even I have trouble doing it.
Tallulah Bankhead
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3, 4
This week the school has a strange feel. Kids are either louder or much quieter than usual as they bounce from standardized testing in the very quiet, controlled atmosphere of testing to the euphoria of relief that one more test is done. Only the students in kindergarten through second grade are living a normal life--normal except for the more ardent shushing that they hear as they march down the hall past doors with yellow signs declaring "Testing! Do NOT disturb."
Now is neither the time nor the place to enter into the wide world of controversy surrounding standardized tests. Most of the time I can find a reason to agree with all of the arguments, both pro and con.
I have been trying to remember when I started taking tests. I remember tests in third grade but don't know if that was the first year or just a continuation from years before. I have been saying that they were CAT--California Assessment Tests--but as I think about it they were probably from the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. I will say that CAT is much more interesting sounding that ITBS which is why we always used the longer name in some permutation of my life.
Just like most students I have talked to this week, I remember thinking that the testing process was pretty boring. For me the worst part was the rote reading of the instructions before every test. My last name at the time was almost as long as my current last name so had more letters than could fit into the space on the test. Each time we started the test the teacher would read with boredom dripping from the monotone of her voice, "If your name does not fit in the space, please raise your hand." Then she would look pointedly at me. I would raise my hand and explain that the line was two spaces short. The teacher would tell me to put in as much as I could. It was the testing ritual that stays with me all these years later. What the questions were are long gone from my memory, but I know that the line for last names had 11 spaces.
Parents, teachers, and society sometimes seem to make the testing process much more intense than anyone intends. That is why I like the picture book Testing Miss Malarkey by Judy Finchler with illustrations by Kevin O'Malley that give even more personality to the story. Miss Malarkey is a good teacher. Readers of others in this series already know that. Suddenly, however, she is chewing her fingernails and looking very stressed. It is time for the state sponsered IPTU test. (Say it out loud and you will agree that someone is deserving of pity.) All the other teachers are equally stressed as they practice filling in bubbles in art class and do "yogurt" in P.E. to help them become "one with THE TEST." Even the aptly named cafeteria lady Miss Slopdown is focusing on THE TEST by serving no more potato chips and lots of fish. The school brings in Dr. Scoreswell, The Svengali of Tests to help the parents understand what to do help with the test. The questions that the parents ask him are hilarious yet more than a little frightening in how close to reality they may be. On test day there are sick kids and sicker teachers. When the story tells about one girl who, told to erase all pencil marks, erases the entire test. Throughout the story, adults are telling the kids to relax, have fun, and not worry about THE TEST. The actions of the adults tell another story.
I enjoy reading this book to the classes that are in the midst of testing. It helps them relax. They find new humor in it every year.
Next week the testing will all be little more than a memory for the kids. We can only hope that parents and teachers remember how relatively small the impact this test has on the students and their future.
Now is neither the time nor the place to enter into the wide world of controversy surrounding standardized tests. Most of the time I can find a reason to agree with all of the arguments, both pro and con.
I have been trying to remember when I started taking tests. I remember tests in third grade but don't know if that was the first year or just a continuation from years before. I have been saying that they were CAT--California Assessment Tests--but as I think about it they were probably from the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. I will say that CAT is much more interesting sounding that ITBS which is why we always used the longer name in some permutation of my life.
Just like most students I have talked to this week, I remember thinking that the testing process was pretty boring. For me the worst part was the rote reading of the instructions before every test. My last name at the time was almost as long as my current last name so had more letters than could fit into the space on the test. Each time we started the test the teacher would read with boredom dripping from the monotone of her voice, "If your name does not fit in the space, please raise your hand." Then she would look pointedly at me. I would raise my hand and explain that the line was two spaces short. The teacher would tell me to put in as much as I could. It was the testing ritual that stays with me all these years later. What the questions were are long gone from my memory, but I know that the line for last names had 11 spaces.
Parents, teachers, and society sometimes seem to make the testing process much more intense than anyone intends. That is why I like the picture book Testing Miss Malarkey by Judy Finchler with illustrations by Kevin O'Malley that give even more personality to the story. Miss Malarkey is a good teacher. Readers of others in this series already know that. Suddenly, however, she is chewing her fingernails and looking very stressed. It is time for the state sponsered IPTU test. (Say it out loud and you will agree that someone is deserving of pity.) All the other teachers are equally stressed as they practice filling in bubbles in art class and do "yogurt" in P.E. to help them become "one with THE TEST." Even the aptly named cafeteria lady Miss Slopdown is focusing on THE TEST by serving no more potato chips and lots of fish. The school brings in Dr. Scoreswell, The Svengali of Tests to help the parents understand what to do help with the test. The questions that the parents ask him are hilarious yet more than a little frightening in how close to reality they may be. On test day there are sick kids and sicker teachers. When the story tells about one girl who, told to erase all pencil marks, erases the entire test. Throughout the story, adults are telling the kids to relax, have fun, and not worry about THE TEST. The actions of the adults tell another story.
I enjoy reading this book to the classes that are in the midst of testing. It helps them relax. They find new humor in it every year.
Next week the testing will all be little more than a memory for the kids. We can only hope that parents and teachers remember how relatively small the impact this test has on the students and their future.
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