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nicolejoerger's reviews
124 reviews
Tito Puente, Mambo King/Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo: Bilingual Spanish-English Children's Book by Monica Brown
4.0
MULTICULTURAL- Ed 230
This book discusses Latino culture, particularly going into depth about Tito Puente's musical style. Tito is referred to as the Mambo King, and the story explores how Tito expresses himself through his lively music, and how his music represents his culture.
What I especially loved about this book was the illustrations. They were absolutely breathtaking, full of color and energy. They complicated the vibrant story of the musician and his culture well.
This book discusses Latino culture, particularly going into depth about Tito Puente's musical style. Tito is referred to as the Mambo King, and the story explores how Tito expresses himself through his lively music, and how his music represents his culture.
What I especially loved about this book was the illustrations. They were absolutely breathtaking, full of color and energy. They complicated the vibrant story of the musician and his culture well.
The Mud Pony: A Traditional Skidi Pawnee Tale by Caron Lee Cohen
4.0
MULTICULTURAL- Ed 230
The Mud Pony is a Native American folktale that follows the adventures of a young boy and his magical mud pony that comes to life. The young boy grows into an important member of his tribe and achieves greatness with the help of his Mud Pony.
I really enjoyed reading this folktale because i've never heard of it before. The illustrations throughout the book are beautiful and whimsical. I think this would serve as a great read aloud in a classroom setting.
The Mud Pony is a Native American folktale that follows the adventures of a young boy and his magical mud pony that comes to life. The young boy grows into an important member of his tribe and achieves greatness with the help of his Mud Pony.
I really enjoyed reading this folktale because i've never heard of it before. The illustrations throughout the book are beautiful and whimsical. I think this would serve as a great read aloud in a classroom setting.
The Village of Round and Square Houses by Ann Grifalconi
2.0
HISTORICAL FICTION- Ed 230
This story is about an isolated Cameroonian village where men live in square houses and women live in circle ones. A young village girl asks her grandma why men and women live in different houses, and her grandmother then explains that this living situation began when a nearby volcano erupted. Only two houses were left standing in the village, one was round and one was square. The village chief then ordered the tall gray things, which were the men covered in ash, to go live in the square house. He then ordered the round gray things, the women, to live in the round houses.
I really enjoyed the artwork in this story, it was very detailed and beautiful. However, I was not too impressed with the story itself. I did not have much of a 'take away' after reading it.
This story is about an isolated Cameroonian village where men live in square houses and women live in circle ones. A young village girl asks her grandma why men and women live in different houses, and her grandmother then explains that this living situation began when a nearby volcano erupted. Only two houses were left standing in the village, one was round and one was square. The village chief then ordered the tall gray things, which were the men covered in ash, to go live in the square house. He then ordered the round gray things, the women, to live in the round houses.
I really enjoyed the artwork in this story, it was very detailed and beautiful. However, I was not too impressed with the story itself. I did not have much of a 'take away' after reading it.
Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan by Ashley Bryan
5.0
HISTORICAL FICTION- Ed 230
This story is a fictionalized version of stories from real people who lived as slaves on a plantation in the 1800's. The book discusses how a slave is given a value by the slave owner, but then goes on to discuses the one thing slaves held close to them that could not be bought or sold, their dreams.
I really enjoyed the message of this story and the gorgeous illustrations. Each illustration differed, as each individual differed in their dreams, emotions, feelings, loves, and fears.
This story is a fictionalized version of stories from real people who lived as slaves on a plantation in the 1800's. The book discusses how a slave is given a value by the slave owner, but then goes on to discuses the one thing slaves held close to them that could not be bought or sold, their dreams.
I really enjoyed the message of this story and the gorgeous illustrations. Each illustration differed, as each individual differed in their dreams, emotions, feelings, loves, and fears.
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe
5.0
CALDECOTT- Ed 230
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, is a juvenile nonfiction picture book based on artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Basquiat became famous in the 1980s for his unique use of collages in his paintings. The book discusses Basquiat’s life as a child living in New York City, and the struggles he endured. Most importantly the book teachers readers that art does not necessarily need to be neat or clean to be beautiful.
The thing I loved most about this book was the passage at the end of the book describing some additional aspects he wanted his book to achieve. Although Steptoe downplayed the tragic elements Basquiat endured, and focused on Basquiat's uniqueness, brilliance and creativity, he still hoped that the book would serve as a method of healing for children who need it. Books can be extremely therapeutic for children and it is of utmost importance to include these books in classroom libraries. Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat reaches out to children who have a parent suffering from a mental illness.
Bibliotherapy books have not always been available for children, but they are extremely important so that children realize they are not alone with what they are dealing with. Steptoe also brings up the idea of using art as a therapeutic method, which is another important phenomenon for children to understand.
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, is a juvenile nonfiction picture book based on artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Basquiat became famous in the 1980s for his unique use of collages in his paintings. The book discusses Basquiat’s life as a child living in New York City, and the struggles he endured. Most importantly the book teachers readers that art does not necessarily need to be neat or clean to be beautiful.
The thing I loved most about this book was the passage at the end of the book describing some additional aspects he wanted his book to achieve. Although Steptoe downplayed the tragic elements Basquiat endured, and focused on Basquiat's uniqueness, brilliance and creativity, he still hoped that the book would serve as a method of healing for children who need it. Books can be extremely therapeutic for children and it is of utmost importance to include these books in classroom libraries. Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat reaches out to children who have a parent suffering from a mental illness.
Bibliotherapy books have not always been available for children, but they are extremely important so that children realize they are not alone with what they are dealing with. Steptoe also brings up the idea of using art as a therapeutic method, which is another important phenomenon for children to understand.
Swimmy by Leo Lionni
5.0
CALDECOTT- Ed 230
Swimmy is a story about a fish who lost his family to a giant tuna fish. The story follows the fish through his grief until he is reminded of all the beautiful things the ocean has to offer. When the fish meets a school of fish he knew he had to befriend them and tell them about all the new wonders he discovered in the ocean.
This book not only reaches out to children who have experienced loss but it also teaches the importance of friendship, teamwork, bravery, and empathy. I believe it is extremely important to reach out to the children who have gone through losses to let them know they are not alone. It is also important to instill empathy and compassion in students, which this book does beautifully. Swimmy shows the importance of bravery and teamwork which is beneficial for students to learn at a young age. It also teaches students how to find the good in every situation, and that they can accomplish everything they put their minds to.
Swimmy is a story about a fish who lost his family to a giant tuna fish. The story follows the fish through his grief until he is reminded of all the beautiful things the ocean has to offer. When the fish meets a school of fish he knew he had to befriend them and tell them about all the new wonders he discovered in the ocean.
This book not only reaches out to children who have experienced loss but it also teaches the importance of friendship, teamwork, bravery, and empathy. I believe it is extremely important to reach out to the children who have gone through losses to let them know they are not alone. It is also important to instill empathy and compassion in students, which this book does beautifully. Swimmy shows the importance of bravery and teamwork which is beneficial for students to learn at a young age. It also teaches students how to find the good in every situation, and that they can accomplish everything they put their minds to.
Journey by Aaron Becker
5.0
CALDECOTT- Ed 230
This is a wordless book about little girl wants to escape from the boring world around her. To accomplish this she draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and she then goes into a world where she goes on countless adventures.
I loved this book, another one of my favorites from the year. I enjoyed the illustrations throughout the book, but what I liked even more was how there was not any text to accompany the pictures, giving the reader the opportunity to make up their own story line. It just made sense to make this a textless book, since the book itself is about imagination.
This is a wordless book about little girl wants to escape from the boring world around her. To accomplish this she draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and she then goes into a world where she goes on countless adventures.
I loved this book, another one of my favorites from the year. I enjoyed the illustrations throughout the book, but what I liked even more was how there was not any text to accompany the pictures, giving the reader the opportunity to make up their own story line. It just made sense to make this a textless book, since the book itself is about imagination.
The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock
5.0
CALDECOTT- Ed 230
This book tells the story of a young boy named Vasily Kandinsky, who is encouraged by everyone around him to act a certain mannered way and focus on his studies. However, Vasily becomes obsessed with colors, he experiences colors as sounds, and sounds as colors.
The illustrations in this novel are astounding, but more importantly it teaches the lesson of being true to yourself, making this an important book to include in the classroom.
This book tells the story of a young boy named Vasily Kandinsky, who is encouraged by everyone around him to act a certain mannered way and focus on his studies. However, Vasily becomes obsessed with colors, he experiences colors as sounds, and sounds as colors.
The illustrations in this novel are astounding, but more importantly it teaches the lesson of being true to yourself, making this an important book to include in the classroom.
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
5.0
CALDECOTT- Ed 230
A very cute, quirky, and hilarious book that all students will enjoy! The pictures are simple and funny and go well with the text. This book is a necessary addition to every classroom.
A very cute, quirky, and hilarious book that all students will enjoy! The pictures are simple and funny and go well with the text. This book is a necessary addition to every classroom.
The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster
5.0
CALDECOTT- Ed 230
This book is about a little girl who visits grandparents Nanna and Poppy. She enjoys waving greetings through window, playing games, and working in the garden.
A lot of people dislike the illustrations in this book, however I really enjoy them! I think the simple, childlike style of them fits perfectly with the book since it is told from the point of view of a child.
This book is about a little girl who visits grandparents Nanna and Poppy. She enjoys waving greetings through window, playing games, and working in the garden.
A lot of people dislike the illustrations in this book, however I really enjoy them! I think the simple, childlike style of them fits perfectly with the book since it is told from the point of view of a child.