The Patchwork Quily by Valerie Flournoy and Jerry Pinkney

The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy was illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. This is a story about a young girl named Tonya who helps her grandmother create a patchwork quilt using scraps cut from pieces of the family's old clothing. Each picture consists of pencil, graphite, and watercolor paintings that are color-separated and reproduced in full color. The attention to detail shows in each illustration. The illustrations enhance the storyline and draw attention to the emotions of each character.

Other stories illustrated by Jerry Pinkney include:
The Ugly Duckling
Goin' Someplace Special
Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales
Aesop's Fables
Roll of Thunder, Hear Me Cry
The Nightingale
Tanya's Reunion
The Sunday Outing
The Talking Eggs
John Henry
The Little Match Girl
The Little Red Hen


Flournoy, V. (1985). The patchwork quilt. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Black Cowboy Wild Horses: A True Story by Julius Lester

Black Cowboy Wild Horses: A True Story written by Julius Lester in 1998. It was illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. This story is based on a true story of Bob Lemmons, an African American cowboy and former salve who is well-known for his tracking ability. Bob sets off to follow a wild herd of mustang and bring them back to the cowboy corral with only the help of his own horse. The illustrations by Jerry Pinkney are wonderful in the story. They really help to make this story come to life. This book could be used to teach about biographies or the wild west and cowboys.
Other books by Julius Lester include:
To Be A Slave
True Love Stories
Long Journey Home
The Knee-High Man and Other Tales
Who I Am
All Is Well
This Strange New Feeling
John Henry

Lester, J. (1998). Black cowboy wild horses: a true story. New York: Dial Books

Dragon of the Lost Sea by Laurence Yep

Dragon of the Lost Sea written by Laurence Yep is an intriguing fantasy story. This book is about an evil witch named Civet who steals the sea from the dragons. One dragon in particular, Shimmer, sets on a mission to kill Civet. The story is told from the point of view of Shimmer, who is an outcast dragon princess who has lost her home and everything she has ever cared about. Shimmer sets out to wander the world and meets an orphan boy named Thorn, who is an outcast among his people as well. They build a strong relationship throughout the story. In the end Shimmer ends up defeating Civet, the evil witch and regaining her life. This story has wonderful detailed descriptions and realistic action scenes. The writing is very easy to read and understand.
Here are some other books written by Laurence Yep:
Tiger Magic
The Amah
Dragon's Gate
Dragon Steel
Hiroshima: A Novella

Yep, L. (1982). Dragon of the lost sea. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Journey Home by Yoshiko Uchida

Journey Home was written by Yoshiko Uchida and published in 1978. The story is about a Japanese American family and their experiences during World War II. Yuki is the main character and along with the rest of her family is forced from their home and into a “concentration camp” called Topaz. While imprisoned, Yuki misses her friends, school and her old way of life/home. Yuki and her family are finally released from Topaz, but things are still very difficult and life is a challenge filled with hardships. They move back, but things have changed. Yuki and her family continue to struggle throughout the story. Many people think of them as enemy aliens and do mean things to them.
Some Other Books by Yoshiko Uchida include:

The Magic Purse
Journey to Topaz
The Wise Old Woman
The Invisible Thread

Uchida, Y. (1978). Journey home. New York: Simon & Shuster Children’s Publishing.

Book vs. Movie: The Polar Expres by Chris Van Allsburg

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsuburg was published in 1985 and is a true Christmas classic. This is a wonderful book to read aloud to students around Christmas time. In my classroom we have a Polar Express pajama party and kikds wear their pajamas to school and bring their favorite teddybear. We read aloud the story, watch the video and enjoy hot chocolate. I give each student a bell with their name on it to take home to remember the story. This books tells the story of a young boy who wakes up on Christmas Eve awaiting the sound of Santa’s bells. The Polar Express, which is a magical train pulls up to the young boys house and invites him to come along for the ride. When he gets on the train many other children are on there as well. The illustrations in the book version of the story are wonderful. They are very detailed and rich. The movie version of the story The Polar Express was produced in 2004 and was a huge success. The digital animation in the movie was amazing. It truly looked like the book pages were blown up on the screen. The characters and the music were so engaging that I truly felt like I was on the train with them. Both the movie and the book truly get one into the spirit of Christmas.

Van Allsburg, C. (1985). The polar express. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Dr. Seuss: The Cat in the Hat and The Lorax

The Cat in the Hat is probably one of Dr. Seuss' most famous books he has written. It has been made into a movie in recent years. When the children’s' mother goes out, the cat comes to their house. The cat destroys almost everything in his path. He makes a total mess of everything in the home and even brings in Two Things, Thing One and Thing Two that make a mess as well. They do get the mess cleaned up before the mother comes home. Children love this book still today because the cat is so funny. You can't help but laugh at all the silly things he does. A book that has a similar tension level as The Cat in the Hat is When My Worries Get Too Big! This is a contemporary children's book written by Kari Dunn Buron. As the child in the story worries things get out of control much like the cat entering the house gets out of control. But in the end of both stories, the children learn a lesson and everything is ok again. I believe The Cat in the Hat still appeals to children today. I have read it to my elementary students who still love to hear it read aloud. The rhyme and imaginative creatures draw the child into the book and plot is one they can relate to their own world.

The Lorax is a didactic book. Didactic means that it could be used for teaching purposes. The Lorax is an excellent book for teaching children about pollution. There are many didactic books today. I use a lot of children's literature across the different content areas in my classroom. I have used many of Shel Silverstein's poems to teach everything from economics to writing. The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry is another story that teaches students about the importance of rainforest conservation. Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss is another story that I feel is didactic. In this book, the message that people have to stand up for each other, especially those who cannot stand up for themselves is portrayed.

Corretta Scott King Award: Rosa by Nikki Giovanni

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni is a very interesting and informative book. This book takes a look at the Civil Rights Movement in Montgomery, Alabama. This book won the Coretta Scott King Award and is a Caldecott Honor Book. This book tells the story of how Rosa Parks was tired of being treated different and refused to give up her seat on the bus. The legendary tale sparked a series of events from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the 1956 Supreme Court ruling that segregation was wrong.The illustrations in this book are wonderful, and really help to tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement. They truly add to the meaning of the story. One of the best illustrations is on the front cover of the book. It is a picture of a while male, which looks like a police officer, looking down harshly at Rosa Parks. I would recommend this book to anyone, young and old. I think a lot of different groups can learn a lesson from this story which is all people should be treated equally.

Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

Book vs. Film: Because of Winn-Dixie

When comparing books and videos, I find that it is important to always read the book first before watching the video. When using this story in my classroom we always read the story first then watch the video in order to compare and contrast the two. Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo is a wonderful story about a young girl who finds friendship with a dog she finds at the supermarket. India Opal is the main character in this story and she has moved to a new town with her father, the preacher. Opal's mother left her and her father when she was a baby leaving just the two of them. Opal tries to make friends in this new place and while doing so she meets several very intriguing characters. I love the way Kate DiCamillo described these characters in the book. I was able to visually picture the characters while reading the book. I read aloud this book every year to my third grade students. They get so into the book that they always ask me to read one more chapter. This is a great book to use with children because it addresses issues that many students go through everyday, divorce and friendship. It addresses the issue of divorce and what children must go through when their parents split up. It also addresses the issue of children making friends when they move somewhere new. Making friends in a new place can be very overwhelming and hard for a child.

The movie Because of Winn Dixie is very similar to the book version. However, the movies does leave out a few scenes from the book and it doesn't emphasize some scenes as much as the book does. While watching the movie I was shocked to see that the visions of the characters that I had in my mind were not what they actually looked like in the movie. That is one thing that my students pointed out as well. Gloria Dump is one character who looked totally different in the movie than she was described in the book. I also felt like the book added scenes that weren't necesarily needed. All in all, I truly enjoyed the book better than I did the movie. I think it is defintely a great family film but would recommend that everyone read the book first before ever thinking about going to see the movie.

DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of Winn-Dixie. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

Newbery Honor Book: Pictures of Hollis Woods

This book is a book that will touch your heart, “Pictures of Hollis Woods”, by Patricia Reilly Giff. This is a very good book to read when you are feeling sad or depressed. It really brings out the inner “you “. Hollis had never known how it felt to be truly loved, until she met her foster parent Josie. The downside of Hollis and Josie having an incredible bond is that Josie is loosing her memory. If the secret service finds this out, Hollis has to be sent to another foster home. Since Hollis is known of being a girl that escapes from her homes, they are expecting her to run away. This time Hollis wasn’t the only one running away, Josie was too. I also like this book because, the unexpected happens. Hollis is a very clever girl that does what she wants. I think I relate to her because if there was someone I loved and I knew I was going to be separated from them, I would do anything I could think of to escape it. Even though most people would say Hollis is crazy for running away from her foster homes, I think she has the right to do what she wants. With her being a foster kid, she probably thinks different about her self then other kids. I believe that she deserves more attention, because she has gone through more dramatic phases throughout her life.

Some of Patricia Reilly Giff's other books include:
Lily's Crossing
Maggie's Door
Polk Street School Books
Fourth Grade Celebrity
Willow Run

Newbery Honor Award: The House of the Scorpion

This is a science fiction novel that is set in the future. The main character, Matt, is a young child who is a clone, though he doesn't know it at the beginning of this powerful novel. Set in the future in Dreamland, a drug empire that took over parts of today's Mexico, Matt still has the normal concerns and fears that other children have. He wants friends and the freedom to do what he wants. Being a clone of the powerful El Patron gives Matt safety that other clones, despised by his world, do not enjoy. Most clones are grown for horrible reasons and their intelligence is removed with a drug at birth. But he has been spared; he is highly intelligent and loves music. In the end, Matt is able to escape the town and its hardships. Nancy Farmer's characters are so believable you find yourself feeling compassion for a clone, and anger at those who treat him as anything less than human. Farmer cleverly uses figurative language and understatements to slowly build your curiosity and the suspense. You struggle along with Matt as he attempts to understand his purpose and what those who love him are trying desperately to convey to him.


Although this book has a science fictional flair to it, it appeals to a wider range of readers including those who enjoy suspense and mysteries. Within a classroom, this book could be used to stimulate discussions on present day controversies of cloning, stem cell research as well as nature vs. nurture, since Matt and El Patron had the same DNA however turned out to be very different people. I would recommend this book for older students in high school and college. Younger students would not benefit from reading this book.

Other books by Nancy Farmer include:
The Sea of Trolls
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm
A Girl Named Disaster
The Clever Ali

Book vs. Movie: Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

I absolutely love this book! Charlotte's Web is a timeless classic and a favorite of many because it includes wonderful characters, humor, and an interesting storyline. My favorite thing about this book is all of the different personalitites shown by the animals. The author did a great job of portraying the animals as if they had human qualities. Each animal acts and talks just like I would imaging them doing so. Charlotte's Web has been released several times as cartoons and movies. However, the most recent release was in 2006 was a real life movie. The movie closely follows the book and does captures all the joy that the book has. The actors in the film do an excellent job of portraying the characters and animal voices. I love Julia Roberts voice for Charlotte. I think that anyone who has read and loved the book Charlotte's Web will love the movie as well. The book and movie have several lessons embedded in them about the importance and meaning of friendship. This book is truly a classic!

Other books by E.B.White include:
Stuart Little
Trumpet of the Swan
Some Pig!

White, E.B. (1952). Charlotte's web. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Corretta Scott King Award: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Bud, Not Buddy is an uplifting story of a young orphan boy trying to make his own way during the Great Depression. In this story, Bud is looking for the man whom he thinks is his father. Along his journey he meets many interesting characters and experiences many new things. Through it all Bud manages to take charge of his destiny while also holding on to his past. Bud makes reference of serveral comical rules as he meets new people and makes choices along the way. Bud, Not Buddy is full of laugh out loud humor and wonderful characters.

Other books by Christopher Paul Curtis include:
Mr. Chicksee's Messy Mission
Mr. Chicksee's Funny Money
The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963

Curtis, C.P. (1999). Bud, not buddy. New YorkL Scholastic Inc.

Caldecott Medal: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

Imagine all the happiness you would have if you found a magic pebble that granted your every wish! Sylvester Duncan, a donkey who collects pebbles "of unusual shape and color," experiences just such a lucky find. But before he can make all his wishes come true, the young donkey unexpectedly encounters a mean-looking lion. Startled, Sylvester wishes he were a rock, and drops the pebble because he can no longer hold it and thus cannot wish himself back to a donkey. His parents become very depressed and think that they will never see thier son again. However, in the happy ending Sylvester's parents pick up the pebble and wish for thier son back. The rock that they were sitting on magically turns into Sylvester and they reunite happily.

This is another heart-warming story of true love and family. This story has simple illustrations of animals taking on human characteristics wearing clothes and talking. The illustrations of the animals emotions are very detailed as well. Children will love this truly magical story.

Steig, W. (1969) Sylvester and the magic pebble. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Caldecott Honor Book: Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

This is truly a heartwarming story about a boy or man who overcame slavery. Henry's Freedom Box is about a boy named Henry who was born a slave. When his master grows ill, Henry hopes that he will be freed but his hopes did not come true. Instead, he was given to his masters son and his life became much worse. Henry got married and had children but then his entire family was sold. Henry had nothing left so he asked a white abolitionist to pack him in a crate so he can be "mailed to freedom". His journey is long and dangerous but he does arrive in Philadelphia free!

This is a wonderful story to use to teach students about slavery and the underground railroad. Many students do not understand or realize that freedom was not always for everyone. When teaching elementary students its important to incorporate children't literature with the concept you are wanting to teach in order to get them to understand it better.

Other books by Ellen Levine include:

If Your Name Was Changed at Ellis Island

If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon

If You Lived with the Iroquois

If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad

Levine, E. (2007). Henry's Freedom Box. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Caldecott Honor: No David! by David Shannon

Have you ever felt like all you hear yourself saying is "No?" Think about it from a child's perspective. This book is an easy quick read for young children. The story is quite simple with a happy ending! The plot is about a boy who is constantly getting in to trouble and always hears "No, David!" from his parents. However, in the end, he finally hears "Yes, David!" and "I Love You!"

This book is very easy to read. Kindergarten students can pick up this book and feel successful reading it because of the few words in it. The illustrations are brightly colored and vivid making this book even more enjoyable. I have a four year old cousin who can read the words in this story. He finds this book very funny and laughs constantly when it is read to him. Many young children can relate to David and therefor enjoy reading about his adventures.

Other books by David Shannon include:

A Bad Case of Stripes

Oops!

How I Became a Pirate

Too Many Toys

Pirates Don't Change Diapers

Shannon, D. (1998) No David! New York: Scholastic Inc.

Caldecott Honor Book: Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type

I love this story! Read this story to see how a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown's farm upside down. Farmer Brown discovers that his cows know how to type when he recieves a message from them about their need for electric blankets. When he refuses to give them blankets the cows in turn refuse to give Farmer Brown any milk for the day. As the story moves on the cows continue to ask for things for not only themselves but for thier other farm friends. Overall, this book is a great book for young readers because it is humorous and will make children laugh out loud. The illustrations in the story are very bright and vivid which helps to keep students attention. Also, the detail to the characters facial expressions help students understand what the characters are thinking. Children will also learn the life lesson that although it may seem very difficult to get things you want, if you never give up, there is always the opportunity to get what you are hoping for. The author of this story, Doreen Cronin, has written other childrens books very similar to this one. Some of other other hilariously written books are Giggle, Giggle, Quack; Diary of a Worm and Diary of a Spider.
Cronin, D. (2000). Click, clack, moo cows that type. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

Caldecott Medal: So You Want to Be President?

This is a book that provides interesting facts about the presidents of the United States. It is full of stories and art about the lives, administrations, families, likes, dislikes and even pets of our national chief executives. In the back of the book there is a picture of all the presidents to date with a short biography for each. The book is very kid friendly and is very easy to read and understand. It includes interesting facts but it does not read like a textbook. That is what makes this book so enjoyable. Kids can read this book and learn about history without getting bored like they would with a textbook. There are cartoon drawings of the presidents and other illustrations that make this book humorous. From reading this book, I have learned that it is possible to present facts and history in a way that is fun, interesting, and appealing to children. This type of book could be used as a supplement to help teach about the presidents during Social Studies.

St. George, J. (2000). So you want to be president? New York: Philomel Books.

Caldecott vs. Newbery Award

The Caldecott and Newbery Awards are awarded annualy by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association. The main difference is the Caldecott Award is for illustrations while the Newberry Award is for literature.

The Caldecott Award was created in 1938 and it is named after Ralph Caldecott who was an English illustrator during the nineteenth-century. This award is given to the artist of the most distinquished American picture book for children that was published that year. The Newbery Award was created in 1922 and it was named after John Newbery who was an eighteenth-century English bookseller. This award is given to the most distinquished childrens book published the previous year.

Both the Caldecott and Newbery Awards are highly sought after and are considred the most prestigious childrens book awards given. Neither of the awards are considered better than the other. They are given to books for different reasons and therfore are highly desired.

Reference:
http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2007/10/14/the-difference-between-a-caldecott-award-and-a-newberry-award/
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literacyawds/literaryrelated.cfm