Module 4: Because of Winn-Dixie

Summary. India is her given name. Opal is what her father calls her. She thinks of him as “the preacher” rather than “Dad;” he pastors a church in town. Her mother left them when Opal was small, so she and her father try to make sense of the world as a twosome. New to town and knowing no one, Opal is lonely and wonders how to meet people. Then she finds a shaggy stray wandering the aisles of the grocery store. On an impulse, she takes the mutt home and dubbs him “Winn-Dixie,” in honor of the place of their meeting. Over time, Winn-Dixie becomes more than just a pet to Opal. He is her entree into the town. Winn-Dixie wins the hearts of both old and young, and gives Opal hope for her future.

Citation. DiCamillo, Kate. Because of Winn-Dixie. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2000. Print.

My Impressions. Opal's feelings of isolation and loneliness will resonate with anyone who's moved to a new town, started a new school, or lost a parent to death or divorce. Her improvised solution to that problem, taking in a stray mutt, is not something she planned out but rather just something that happened along. As it turns out, Opal discovers a wealth of friends in the oddballs of the town that she'd overlooked or dismissed. And all this because Winn-Dixie loves everyone and gets into all sorts of predicaments. Grades 4-6.

Library uses. "Winn-Dixie" would be a great book for a book discussion group, due to its friendly outlook, appealing characters, and almost universal theme of wanting to fit in. It could also be used by counselors in a school setting who are brainstorming with kids who feel isolated as to what they can do to improve their situation.

Awards. 2001 Newbery Honor award, Josette Frank Award from the Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education.

Reviews. (Booklist) Like Kimberly Willis Holt's When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (1999), this novel joins the long tradition of fiction exploring a small southern town's eccentric characters. It's summer, and 10-year-old India Opal Buloni moves with her preacher father to tiny Naomi, Florida. She's lonely at first, but Winn-Dixie, the stray dog of the title, helps her befriend a group of lovable, quirky locals, eventually bringing her closer to her father and the truth about her mother, who left the family when India was 3. Told in India's sensitive, believable voice, the story is most successful in detailing the appealing cast of characters, including Otis, an ex-convict, musician, and pet store manager; Miss Franny, a Willie Wonkaesque librarian whose "Litmus Lozenges" candies taste like sorrow; and nearly blind Gloria Dump, whose tree hung with empty liquor bottles reminds her of "the ghosts of all the things I done wrong." While some of the dialogue and the book's "life lessons" can feel heavy-handed, readers will connect with India's love for her pet and her open-minded, free-spirited efforts to make friends and build a community. --Gillian Engberg. Booklist, May 2000,96.17:1665.

(School Library Journal) India Opal Buloni, 10, finds a big, ugly, funny dog in the produce department of a Winn-Dixie grocery store. She names him accordingly and takes him home to meet her father, a preacher. Her daddy has always told her to help those less fortunate, and surely Winn-Dixie is in need of a friend. Opal needs one, too. Since moving to Naomi, FL, she has been lonely and has been missing her mother more than usual. When she asks her father to tell her 10 things about her mother, who left the family when Opal was three, she learns that they both have red hair, freckles, and swift running ability. And, like her mother, Opal likes stories. She collects tales to tell her mother, hoping that she'll have a chance to share them with her one day. These stories are lovingly offered one after another as rare and polished gems and are sure to touch readers' hearts. They are told in the voice of this likable Southern girl as she relates her day-to-day adventures in her new town with her beloved dog. Do libraries need another girl-and-her-dog story? Absolutely, if the protagonist is as spirited and endearing as Opal and the dog as lovable and charming as Winn-Dixie. This well-crafted, realistic, and heartwarming story will be read and reread as a new favorite deserving a long-term place on library shelves.-Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.School Library Journal, 46.6:143.

Module 3: Trumpeter of Krakow

Summary. It is midsummer of the year 1461, and Krakow is a center of culture in eastern Europe. The trumpeter at the Church of Our Lady Mary is a timekeeper and watchman over this important commerce center. Two hundred years prior, a trumpeter had kept his oath to play the “Heynal,” the hymn used to mark the hours throughout the day and night, during an attack by marauding Tartars. He paid for this loyalty with his life. Now Joseph Charnetski and his parents arrive in Krakow after their home was destroyed by a band of Cossack robbers. Joseph is taught to play the “Heynal” by his father, the new trumpeter of Krakow. As the family tries to escape detection and deliver their precious cargo in the city, Kelly is able to describe the life of medieval folk in all their joys and miseries.

Citation. Kelly, Eric P. The Trumpeter of Krakow. New York: Aladdin. 1928. Print.

My Impressions. This work of historical fiction is valuable for those wanting to learn about life in the middle ages. I think many kinds of readers would find this book appealing. For those who like adventure, there are battles and power struggles, Cossacks, alchemists, and good-versus-evil. For those who gravitate to well-developed characters, I was impressed how nimbly Kelly defines many of the characters. Not just the male characters, as often happens in adventure offerings, but females too. Not just the children but the adults as well. There are good and bad aspects to each of the main characters' motivations, which makes them very believable. Overall, a good read. Grades 5 and up.

Library Uses. Whether in a study of the middle ages, of Eastern European customs, or just as an example of a Newbery winning book, I think this tale could be a good assignment with crossover connections in a school setting for either history or English.

Awards. Newbery Award winner 1929.

Reviews. Reviews for this older book were difficult to find, so they are from "unusual" sources. (weRead.com) by Julie (weRead user; published 2009-02-07.) This book was the 1929 Newbery Medal winner. Set in 1461 the story begins as a father tells his son the story of the trumpeter of Krakow. The latter died at the hands of the Tartars while playing his piece from a church tower. This proves to be the inspiration for the young boy as he and his father are pursued by a ruthless mercenary. Some of the descriptive writing was very enjoyable at first and the telling of the original legend promised much. However my interest then waned and despite some interesting descriptions of a number of cultural aspects along with the story surrounding the Crystal that the boy and his father were guarding this was not a Newbery winner I would wholeheartedly recommend.

(http://www.librarything.com/work/34652) This was a well realized historical story of medieval Krakow. I enjoyed the legend/history of the trumpeter role of watchman and herald and found the story of the Tarnov Crystal interesting as well. Other points of interest included descriptions of the what the city was like during those time, cultural issues such as threat of fire, medieval witchcraft and the state of science. tjsjohanna (Jan 1, 2009)

Module 3: Crispin, Cross of Lead

Summary. Crispin is the more formal name of Asta's son, a fatherless nobody raised in a tiny village in medieval England. Until his mother dies, he lives the formulaic life of all the serfs in his village, working on the land to raise crops for the Lord Furnival. Everything changes when Asta dies and leaves her son alone. As he journeys far from his village to seek safety, he meets Bear, an itinerant performer who takes him as an unwilling apprentice. Soon Crispin discovers this relationship will mean the difference between life and death: will he be able to keep the relationship intact?

Citation. Avi. Crispin, Cross of Lead. New York:Hyperion, 2004. Print.

My Impressions. A Newbery Award winner, this tale is an excellent read with a good mix of historical overtones and action. The characters are, to me, the high point of the book. As a reader, I really wanted to know who Crispin was, and what his mother died for. It's obvious from early on that he is destined for great things, but circumstances are all against his success. I hadn't read much by Avi before reading "Crispin," but now I'll make sure to read more. Grades 6 and up.

Library Uses. This would make an excellent addition to a middle school unit on medieval history, as a discussion starter about class and status in that society. I could also see it as a book discussion topic, looking at the changing roles of children from medieval times to the present.

Awards. 2005 Newbery Award winner, 2005 PNLA Young Reader's Choice award nominee, Rhode Island Children's Book award nominee, Nene Award nominee.

Reviews. (Publisher Weekly) Set in 14th-century England, Avi's (The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle) 50th book begins with a funeral, that of a village outcast whose past is shrouded in mystery and whose adolescent son is known only as "Asta's son." Mired in grief for his mother, the boy learns his given name, Crispin, from the village priest, although his presumably dead father's identity remains obscure. The words etched on his mother's treasured lead cross may provide some clue, but the priest is murdered before he can tell the illiterate lad what they say. Worse, Crispin is fingered for the murder by the manor steward, who declares him a "wolf's head" wanted dead or alive, preferably dead. Crispin flees, and falls in with a traveling juggler. "I have no name," Crispin tells Bear, whose rough manners and appearance mask a tender heart. "No home, no kin, no place in this world." How the boy learns his true identity (he's the bastard son of the lord of the manor) and finds his place in the world makes for a rattling fine yarn. Avi's plot is engineered for maximum thrills, with twists, turns and treachery aplenty, but it's the compellingly drawn relationship between Crispin and Bear that provides the heart of this story. A page turner to delight Avi's fans, it will leave readers hoping for a sequel. Ages 8-12. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

(School Library Journal) Gr 6-9-As with Karen Cushman's The Midwife's Apprentice (Clarion, 1995), the power of a name is apparent in this novel set in 14th-century England. "Asta's son" is all the destitute, illiterate hero has ever been called, but after his mother dies, he learns that his given name is Crispin, and that he is in mortal danger. The local priest is murdered before he can tell him more about his background, and Aycliffe, the evil village steward for Lord Furnival, declares that the boy is a "wolf's head," less than human, and that he should be killed on sight. On the run, with nothing to sustain him but his faith in God, Crispin meets "Bear," a roving entertainer who has ties to an underground movement to improve living conditions for the common people. They make their way to Great Wexley, where Bear has clandestine meetings and Crispin hopes to escape from Aycliffe and his soldiers, who stalk him at every turn. Suspense heightens when the boy learns that the recently deceased Lord Furnival was his father and that Aycliffe is dead set on preventing him from claiming his title. To trap his prey, the villain captures Bear, and Crispin risks his life to save him. Avi has done an excellent job of integrating background and historical information, of pacing the plot so that the book is a page-turner from beginning to end, and of creating characters for whom readers will have great empathy. The result is a meticulously crafted story, full of adventure, mystery, and action.-Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Module 2: Grandfather's Journey

Yes, it's true: I loved the Caldecott unit. So much so that I needed to write about one more book I really liked before the week ended!

Summary. A young man from Japan decides to seek adventure in a new land, and sets out for the United States. He travels via ship, train, foot, and riverboat. The landscapes and people fascinate him. He settles near San Francisco, marries, and together they raise a daughter. As time passes, the man yearns to see his homeland again. He and his family return to Japan, and see the places and people he remembers from his youth. The daughter marries, and raises her son in Japan. War comes, and their home in Japan is devastated. The grandfather and his family move back to the village where he grew up, and he speaks glowingly of California where he once lived. Though he never returns, his grandson does visit America. And he stays to raise his family, with occasional visits to Japan. His parting remark is, "...the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other."

Citation. Say, Allen. Grandfather's Journey. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. 1993. Print.

My Impressions. This beautifully illustrated book is a must for all those who love to travel and have left one place to seek adventure elsewhere. The people, the landscapes, the feeling of a real family history are lovingly portrayed and very believable. One of my favorite illlustrations depicts the California coastline I know and love well. As the story moves along, we get to know the grandfather, who loves his homeland and his adopted country equally. How difficult it must have been for him during World War II, a small but essential part of the story. Grandfather's love of songbirds and his penchant for raising them seems a thread that ties the disparate pieces of his life together. This and other details bring the grandfather alive, and help us to care about him and his family.

Library Uses. This book would be a good discussion starter for a program on world cultures or travel. It could also be used by students researching their own family tree and used as a jumping off-point for discussion about geneaology study.

Awards. Caldecott Medal winner, 1994. Bulletin Blue Ribbon, ALA Notable Book, Booklist Editors' Choice, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, Horn Book Fanfare Selection, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year.
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Reviews. (School Library Journal) Review of DVD version. Gr 1-4-Allen Say's beautifully written Caldecott Award-winning memoir of his grandfather's life (Houghton Mifflin, 1993) is treated with care in this expressive production. His grandfather traveled as a young man, finding beauty wherever he went and eventually settled in California. His love for Japan, however, soon called him to return to the land of his birth. Yet, through war and change, a part of him still loved California. The author chronicles the birth of his mother and of himself. California is now his home but, like his grandfather, he feels the tug of his Japanese heritage as well. This lovely circular story about family and tradition embraces the concept of home in a way that many immigrants will understand. The poignant story is nicely narrated by B. D. Wong. The original music by Ernest V. Troost begins with a Japanese flavor, but adopts a slightly more Western tone as the story progresses, beautifully complementing the text. Say's lovely watercolor illustrations, created like a family album, are scanned iconographically creating a feeling of movement. The production concludes with a 2008 interview with the author where viewers can learn more about his life as well as how the book was created. The CD contains the sound track from the DVD. This is an exceptional program that calls to the heart.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information. (April 1, 2009.)

(Publisher's Weekly) Say transcends the achievements of his Tree of Cranes and A River Dream with this breathtaking picture book, at once a very personal tribute to his grandfather and a distillation of universally shared emotions. Elegantly honed text accompanies large, formally composed paintings to convey Say's family history; the sepia tones and delicately faded colors of the art suggest a much-cherished and carefully preserved family album. A portrait of Say's grandfather opens the book, showing him in traditional Japanese dress, ``a young man when he left his home in Japan and went to see the world.'' Crossing the Pacific on a steamship, he arrives in North America and explores the land by train, by riverboat and on foot. One especially arresting, light-washed painting presents Grandfather in shirtsleeves, vest and tie, holding his suit jacket under his arm as he gazes over a prairie: ``The endless farm fields reminded him of the ocean he had crossed.'' Grandfather discovers that ``the more he traveled, the more he longed to see new places,'' but he nevertheless returns home to marry his childhood sweetheart. He brings her to California, where their daughter is born, but her youth reminds him inexorably of his own, and when she is nearly grown, he takes the family back to Japan. The restlessness endures: the daughter cannot be at home in a Japanese village; he himself cannot forget California. Although war shatters Grandfather's hopes to revisit his second land, years later Say repeats the journey: ``I came to love the land my grandfather had loved, and I stayed on and on until I had a daughter of my own.'' The internal struggle of his grandfather also continues within Say, who writes that he, too, misses the places of his childhood and periodically returns to them. The tranquility of the art and the powerfully controlled prose underscore the profundity of Say's themes, investing the final line with an abiding, aching pathos: ``The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other.'' Ages 4-8. (August 16, 1993)

Module 2: Llama Llama Red Pajama

Summary. Going to bed isn't easy, even for baby llamas. Sometimes after Mama leaves, and it's all quiet, baby llamas start to feel lonely. And a little bored. But calling for Mama only gets the response of, "I'll be up soon!" Oh no, now Mama's on the phone! Time for a temper tantrum, tears, and much commotion. Will Mama ever come?

Citation. Dewdney, Anna. llama, llama, red pajama. New York: Penguin (Viking), 2005. Print.

My Impressions. The relationship of mamas to their little ones is lovingly captured in this rhyming text by Anna Dewdney. She is a master of expressions, and both the baby and the mama are easy to "read" in every illustration. Children will recognize their own feelings, both secure and insecure, the the little red-pajama'ed llama. Mamas will appreciate the line, "Baby Llama, what a tizzy! Sometimes Mama's very busy. Please stop all this llama drama and be patient for your mama." A terrific read-aloud for little ones.

Library Uses. Lots of potential for dramatic readings in programs/storytimes with babies and toddlers. Rhyming text helps preschoolers master language skills needed for pre-reading. (for more on 'Phonological Awareness' and other aspects of Six LiteraCritical Early Literacy Skills, see citation below.)

Reviews. (Booklist) PreS. After Mama Llama reads Baby Llama a bedtime story and turns out the light, the llama drama begins. Feeling alone without his mama, Baby Llama wants a drink and calls down to Mama, who says she'll be up soon. But Baby Llama frets, whimpers, boo-hoos, pouts, and shouts. What if Mama is gone? At last, she appears (she was talking on the phone), and reassures her baby that she's "always near, / even if she's / not right here."\b \b0 Dewdney gives a wonderfully fresh twist to a familiar nighttime ritual with an adorable bug-eyed baby llama, staccato four-line rhymes, and page compositions that play up the drama. The simple rhymes call out for repeating, and the whimsical illustrations cleverly dramatize the increasing panic. Key worry words, such as fret,0 are highlighted, and for extra humor, Baby Llama's toy llama mimics his every expression. A real charmer that will leave preschoolers giggling and parents appreciating the familiar scenario. --Julie Cummins Copyright 2005 Booklist

(School Library Journal) PreS-K-With its sweet rendering of the trials of bedtime and separation anxiety, this book's familiar theme will be a hit with youngsters. Baby Llama, all tucked in and kissed after his bedtime story, watches his mama leave the room with a worried expression on his face. When he calls her and she does not come back immediately, he succumbs to a fit of wailing and weeping, finally bringing his panic-stricken mother at a full gallop. After her reassurance that "Mama Llama's always near, even if she's not right here," Baby Llama settles and drifts off to sleep. This story has a simple rhyme scheme, using natural language that children will enjoy. The large, boldly colored pictures have a grand and sweeping quality, extending out to the edges of the pages. Baby Llama's facial expressions capture his fear and alarm wonderfully. The contrast between light and dark enhances the drama in the story. This effective read-aloud will be a popular choice for storyhour and one-on-one sharing.-Corrina Austin, Locke's Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information. April 01, 2005

Early literacy skills: Promotion and information at the Boise Public Library. http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/Kids_and_Parents/Early_Literacy/Early_Literacy.shtml

Module 2: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Summary. A tightrope walker / street performer is enchanted by the construction of enormous twin towers in New York City, the World Trade Center towers. He's fascinated by their height, and envisions walking on a rope between them. Because this activity isn't exactly legal, he hatches a plan to sneak into the buildings at night. With help from several friends, he manages to overcome several near catastrophes and mount his tightwire. His hour-long performance in the early morning hours over the streets of New York is a tribute to his perseverence and dedication to his craft.

Citation. Gerstein, Mordicai. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. Brookfield, CT: Roaring Book Press. 2003. Print.

My Impressions. This historical account is not just a memorial for the World Trade Center and those who died there. It is an uplifting tribute to the indomitable spirit of dreamers the world over. The landscapes are well-rendered, from many dizzying perspectives above and below the towers. My favorite illustration is Phillippe climbing fifteen floors down the face of the enormous tower at night to retrieve the guide arrow after it falls. Gerstein has a wonderful way of making the viewer feel right IN the pictures: we feel the wind and rain, we sense the triumph of Phillippe's dance on the wire in the sky. All in all, a worthwhile read for younger and older readers alike.

Library Uses. This book could be a discussion starter for older elementary students on any of a number of topics, including ethics (should Petit have concocted this trick? were the police justified?) or art (how many different perspective points does Gerstein use in this book? which are most effective?). It could also be an inspirational book for a program presenting basic acrobatics. Can you walk on a rope? Do a somersault? Stand on one foot?

Awards. 2004 Caldecott Medal. Boston Globe/HornBook award 2004.

Reviews. (Booklist) PreS-Gr. 3. Here's a joyful true story of the World Trade Center from a time of innocence before 9/11. In 1974 French trapeze artist Philippe Petit walked a tightrope suspended between the towers before they were completed. Gerstein's simple words and dramatic ink-and-oil paintings capture the exhilarating feats, the mischief, and the daring of the astonishing young acrobat. He knew his plan was illegal, so he dressed as a construction worker, and, with the help of friends, lugged a reel of cable up the steps during the night and linked the buildings in the sky. As dawn broke, he stepped out on the wire and performed tricks above the city. Gerstein uses varied perspectives to tell the story--from the close-up jacket picture of one foot on the rope to the fold-out of Petit high above the traffic, swaying in the wind. Then there's a quiet view of the city skyline now, empty of the towers, and an astonishing image of the tiny figure high on the wire between the ghostly buildings we remember. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2003 Booklist November 01, 2003.

(Publisher Weekly) This effectively spare, lyrical account chronicles Philippe Petit's tightrope walk between Manhattan's World Trade Center towers in 1974. Gerstein (What Charlie Heard) begins the book like a fairy tale, "Once there were two towers side by side. They were each a quarter of a mile high... The tallest buildings in New York City." The author casts the French aerialist and street performer as the hero: "A young man saw them rise into the sky.... He loved to walk and dance on a rope he tied between two trees." As the man makes his way across the rope from one tree to the other, the towers loom in the background. When Philippe gazes at the twin buildings, he looks "not at the towers but at the space between them.... What a wonderful place to stretch a rope; a wire on which to walk." Disguised as construction workers, he and a friend haul a 440-pound reel of cable and other materials onto the roof of the south tower. How Philippe and his pals hang the cable over the 140-feet distance is in itself a fascinating-and harrowing-story, charted in a series of vertical and horizontal ink and oil panels. An inventive foldout tracking Philippe's progress across the wire offers dizzying views of the city below; a turn of the page transforms readers' vantage point into a vertical view of the feat from street level. When police race to the top of one tower's roof, threatening arrest, Philippe moves back and forth between the towers ("As long as he stayed on the wire he was free"). Gerstein's dramatic paintings include some perspectives bound to take any reader's breath away. Truly affecting is the book's final painting of the imagined imprint of the towers, now existing "in memory"-linked by Philippe and his high wire. Ages 5-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. September 01, 2003.

(School Library Journal, starred review) K-Gr 6-In 1974, a young Frenchman saw the completion of the World Trade Center towers as an irresistible invitation to stretch a cable between them and dance across it. Gorgeous oil-and-ink paintings capture the aerialist's spirited feat and breathtaking perspectives high above Manhattan harbor. Winner of the 2004 Caldecott Medal. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. October 01, 2004

Module 2: Arrow to the Sun

This module includes Caldecott Award winners.

Summary. The 1975 Caldecott winner was "Arrow to the Sun." In this adaptation of a Native American folk tale, the Lord of the Sun, "sent the spark of life to earth." It entered a maiden, and a boy was born. The boy is rejected by his peers because of lacking a father, so he leaves home to seek his father. After a long search, he requests help from the arrow maker, who "saw that the Boy had come from the Sun." He makes an arrow and the Boy becomes the arrow. He journeys in that form to the Lord of the Sun. To prove that he is the Sun's son, he must undergo trials in four ceremonial chambers (called Kiva): lions, serpents, bees and lightning. Upon being transformed by the lightning kiva, he returns to earth in his arrow form to "bring [the Lord of the Sun's] spirit to the world of men. The people join in a Dance of Life to celebrate his return.

Citation. McDermott, Gerald. Arrow to the Sun: a Pueblo Indian tale. New York: Viking Press. 1974. Print.

Impressions. The illustrations are the striking part of this self-proclaimed myth retelling, as befits the winner of the Caldecott Medal. Sadly, its text has not stood the test of time. I was struck by the lack of notation as to the source(s) the author consulted when creating this tale. Other folklorists will include a page or even two explaining how they learned the tale, the experiences they have had with a storytelling people group, and the changes to or variations on the tale they heard as they listened. McDermott includes none of these. His subtitle, "A Pueblo Indian Tale," is contested by those who are knowledgeable about pueblo culture, such as Debbie Reese. Ms. Reese, a Nambe Pueblo Indian researcher, notes particular discrepancies with McDermott's uses of dance (it is religious, not celebratory) and kivas (places of worship, not trials). See a portion of her review, below.

Interestingly, a Caldecott Honor book from the same year, Jambo Means Hello: A Swahili Alphabet Book, by Tom and Muriel Feelings, focuses on a non-Western culture as well. "Jambo," however, continues to be well-received 35 years later.

Llibrary Uses. This book could be used to show how authors can misrepresent cultures which they do not understand. In a more positive vein, it could be shown before a unit or program on Native American art, along with other examples of shape and color in art.

Reviews. (School Library Journal, reviewing a Spanish translation of the book) K-Gr 3-- A translation of McDermott's Caldecott winner. In this Pueblo folktale, a boy is transformed into an arrow so that he may travel between the sun and the Earth to search for his father. The wonderful illustrations have a Native American motif, with geometric shapes painted in bright desert colors that graphically convey the boy's experiences. Perfect for storytelling and independent reading.

(Reese, Debbie) "Its popularity and acclaim aside, 'Arrow to the Sun' has many problems. For Pueblo people, kivas are places of ceremony and instruction, not places of trial. However, in McDermott’s kivas, the protagonist must prove himself by fighting lions, serpents, bees, and lightning in four different kivas.

"I think most teachers, prepping to use this book, would know that kivas are not scary places, but more like a church or temple. Hopefully, that teacher will pause as she reads the story, to tell her students that McDermott’s representation of a kiva is wrong. Fortunately for her students, they will have had a valuable experience, as they learn to question the books they read, no matter how popular they may be...

"Another problematic area of Arrow to the Sun is the status of the protagonist. In the story, the protagonist is mocked and chased away by other boys in the pueblo who say to him “Where is your father?” and “You have no father.” This conflict is the impetus for the boy’s journey to the sun. However, the conflict is one that does not reflect Pueblo family structure and values. The concept of illegitimacy does not exist. Children in Pueblo communities are born into large extended families. The stain of illegitimacy is European, not Puebloan."


Reese, Debbie. "Gerald McDermott's Arrow to the Sun." American Indians in Children's Literature. See also "McDermott Made Up the Dance of Life in Arrow to the Sun." Linked to: American Indian Library Association page. http://www.ailanet.org/ Web. June 14, 2010.

Module 1: You Were Loved Before You Were Born

Summary. A family prepares for the birth of a new baby. The grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and neighbors help by painting the room, creating toys, and making a "Welcome" banner. The message is that many people love the new baby.

Citation. Bunting, Eve. You Were Loved Before You Were Born. Ill. Karen Barbour. New York: Blue Sky Press, 2008. Print.

My Impressions. The tone of the book is very warm and inviting, but perhaps a little over-the-top in a sentimental way. Parents are very sentimental about their children, and this book might appeal more to the parents than the baby. By the time children are old enough to hear about their arrival as babies, they're usually more interested in action than stories of babies. The drawing style didn't appeal to me, not just because they aren't realistic but because no one smiles! The book is colorful, however, which is good.

Library Uses. This book could be used in a baby storytime, with a theme of new babies.

Reviews. (Booklist) In this second collaboration between Bunting and Barbour, a mother, speaking in soothing tones, narrates an idyllic portrait of how a child is anticipated and then welcomed into the world: The minute Daddy and I found out we were going to have you, we loved you. Grandmother plants a rosebush in the garden that will grow as you grow, and grandfather brings over the rocking chair that rocked an earlier generation. An aunt paints the moon and stars on the walls of the baby's room. Even the family pets cooperate. Barbour's gorgeous woodcuts are alternately nostalgic and psychedelic, perfectly fitting the sweet, boundless dreams that can precede a child's arrival. The trees are magnificent, multicolored orbs with trunks painted in unusual hues; the butterflies appear big as eagles; and the sky tint varies from hot pink to a buttery yellow. Since there are no images of the mother growing larger, the book will work equally well for adoptive and expectant families.--Nolan, Abby. Booklist. 104.13 (2008): 74.

(School Library Journal) (PreS-K) A mother voices a familiar message to her new arrival: that relatives and neighbors had expressed their love for the baby in a variety of ways before the birth. Grandmother planted a rosebush, grandfather brought a rocking chair, an aunt painted a mural in the nursery. In Barbour's scenes, flowers, trees, and houses are depicted as bold shapes upon which a multitude of patterns have been painted. The decorative designs contrast with the background expanses of warm color in which dry brushstrokes provide texture. While the unspecified gender and Barbour's choice not to alter the mother's body during pregnancy make this story adaptable to a variety of situations, including adoption, it is questionable whether youngsters will really appreciate this title. The Cubist faces come across as rather stern, and the figures are static. The story lacks the humor of Robert Munsch's Love You Forever (Firefly, 1995), the tension and cultural interest of Barbara M. Joosse's Mama, Do You Love Me? (Chronicle, 1991), and the emotional range in Patricia McMahon and Conor Clarke McCarthy's Just Add One Chinese Sister (Boyds Mills, 2005). This title's greatest appeal may be to parents and grandparents. --- Lukehart, Wendy (Washington DC Public Library), School Library Journal. (2008)

Module 1: The Rainbow Fish

Both Module 1 books are from a module entitled, "Books adults like that aren't necessarily good books."

Summary. A beautiful, conceited fish won't play with anyone else, thinking they're not good enough for him. Eventually, he feels lonely and asks other ocean animals for advice. The octopus says to share his beauty (shiny scales) with others and they'll like him. Eventually he gives away all but one of his shiny scales, and has lots of friends. Grades PreS-K.

Citation. Pfister, Marcus. The Rainbow Fish. Adapt./trans. J. Alison James. New York: North-South Books, 1996. Print.

My Thoughts. Kids love the shiny scales on every page. The message of sharing is well-taken. That being said, not many of us rip off our body parts to share with others and make them happy. And other fish can't just paste Rainbow's scales on and live happily ever after. The best lines in the book both come from Rainbow: "Why doesn't anybody like me?" is a great self-reflecting question. I'm not convinced the answer given was correct, but that's another issue. The other great line is: "The little blue fish was so pleased, it made the Rainbow Fish feel happy." That's probably the most perceptive observation in this brief tale. Uses in library. While this book could be used in a preschool storytime about fish, there are many better selections. It could be modified (with permission) and presented as a puppet show fairly successfully, but again, I'm not sure it's worth it.

Reviews. (Booklist) Ages 4-7. Proud of his shimmering silver scales, Rainbow Fish disdains the plainer fish who asks him to share his treasures. When word of his refusal gets around, Rainbow Fish finds that the other fish swim away at his approach. A wise old octopus advises him to share his scales. When he does, Rainbow Fish finds that the more he gives to others, the happier he feels. The plot is rather predictable, but the artwork certainly catches the eye. Incorporated into the fluid, watercolor paintings, iridescent foil catches every light and radiates colored sparkles that would be the envy of any fish and will fascinate preschoolers. A gimmick? Well, yes, but in context it works. A popular choice for picture book displays. ~--Carolyn Phelan. Booklist, 92.14 (1996): 1269.

(School Library Journal) PreS-Gr 1-- Children will be immediately drawn to this book that features an iridescent, metallic-looking main character whose ``scales were every shade of blue and green and purple, with sparkling silver scales among them.'' Adult suspicions of the gimmick overwhelming the story quickly fade as the plot unfolds: none of the other fish will have anything to do with the Rainbow Fish, who always swims by superciliously and refuses to give away any of his special garb. He is lonely and without admirers until a wise female octopus advises him to give away his scales. Rainbow Fish then discovers that sharing brings happiness and acceptance. The delicate watercolors of underwater scenes are a perfect foil to the glittering scales that eventually form a part of each fish's exterior. This is certainly a story written to convey a message, but in its simplicity, it recalls the best of Lionni. Besides, what three-year-old doesn't need reinforcement about sharing? --Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, CT. School Library Journal, 38.11 (1992): 75.

A New Journey

Having never blogged before, I type this with some trepidation but also some excitement. I'll be posting about children's and young adult fiction in the next few weeks. I'm a library student, and a library assistant, and a reader. I hope you find these book overviews useful.