Funny Bones

Funny Bones:
Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras

A Review by Amanda Kendall

Bibliography:

Tonatiuh, Duncan. 2015. Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers. 1419716476

Plot Summary:

Skeletons and skulls have long been associated with El Dia de los Muertos, however these calaveras, as they are called, are the original creation of  Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada. An artist from a young age, he learned the art of lithography, engraving, and etching. He worked at a print shop and used his artistic skills to make political cartoons and make people laugh. This was the beginning of his success and his printing career. He continued to illustrate many different cartoons and designs throughout his life, however his creations for El Dia de los Muertos were his most popular. He created beautiful images to accompany short rhyming poems for the day. People were both entertained and impressed with his talent and ability to say so much through his imagery. Although his art was enjoyed by many during his life, his work was not appreciated until long after his death. His work and details of his life continue to be discovered as people learn more about the incredible man behind the famous images.

Analysis:

Duncan Tonatiuh does a remarkable job of honoring the life and art of Jose Guadalupe Posada in Funny Bones.  He tells the story with direct specificity that allows the reader to easily follow along and enjoy. The inclusion of how to print using lithography, engraving, and etching adds to the reader's knowledge of art and design while supporting the understanding of Posada's process. Carefully planned and well executed, Tonatiuh's text provides an excellent overview of Posada's life, chronicles the development of the Calaveras images used in Mexican culture, and highlights the importance of his work today.

The illustrations play a vital role in the storytelling of this informational text. The illustrations are a mix of Tonatiuh's hand-drawn images and reprints of art by Jose Guadalupe Posada and Manuel Manilla.  Beautifully incorporated together, both styles of imagery complement the story of Posada's life.  At times the primary source material is mixed within Tonatiuh's art, while other times it is showcased on a page of its own.  Woven in perfect harmony with the text, the images convey the importance and political and social context of each piece of art throughout Posada's life. While Tonatiuh's artwork makes the book accessible for young readers, the inclusion of the original artwork makes the book look and feel even more authentic in a very unique way.

The book concludes with an incredibly informative author's note, a glossary of art and Spanish terms, and a bibliography and index.  These helpful tools allow the reader to continue their study of El Dia de los Muertos and Posada's art.  Well researched and beautifully presented, Tonatiuh shares the story of an artist whose legacy has altered the imagery of a timeless celebration in a fresh new way.

Awards & Reviews:

• 2016 Sibert Award Winner
• Pura Belpre (Illustrator) Honor Book
• New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2015
• International Latino Book Award Finalist

From Kirkus Reviews: "Tonatiuh further marks himself as a major nonfiction talent with this artistically beautiful and factually accessible offering that effectively blends artistic and political content for young readers."

From Booklist: "Playful but informative, this picture book offers a fascinating introduction to the artist and his work."

From School Library Journal: "A stunning work, with great possibilities for lesson plans or tie-ins with Day of the Dead."

Connections:
More Books by Duncan Tonatiuh:

• Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation. 1419710540
• Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin. 0810938723
• Diego Rivera: His World and Ours. 0810997312
• Pancho Rrabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale. 1419705830
• The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes. 1419721305

More Books About El Dia de los Muertos:

• Barner, Bob. The Day of the Day/ El Dia De Los Muertos. Translated by Teresa Mlawer. 0823423816
• Bracegirdle, P.J. The Dead Family Diaz. 0147515580
•  Keep, Richard. Clatter Bash! A Day of the Dead Celebration. 1561454613
•  Thong, Roseanne G. Dia de los Muertos. Ill. Carles Ballesteros. 0807515663
• Winter, Jeanette. Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book. 0152059067

Suggested Curricular Connections:

• Host an El Dia de los Muertos celebration with pan de muerto, marigold flowers, sugar skulls, and paper cutouts. Build an ofrenda to honor people who have passed. 
• Write about a loved one who has passed to remember and celebrate them.
• Decorate a calaveras image with bright colors and marigolds to celebrate El Dia de los Muertos.
• Recreated the lithography and etching processes using rubber stamps. 
• Research and learn more about other Mexican artists.

What To Do About Alice?

What To Do About Alice?

A Review by Amanda Kendall

Bibliography:

Kerley, Barbara. 2008. What To Do About Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy. Ill. Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press. 0439922313

Plot Summary:

As President, Theodore Roosevelt faced many challenges but none were as challenging as wrangling his free-spirited, dynamic daughter Alice Lee Roosevelt. In What To Do About Alice?, Kerley takes us on a whirlwind adventure through Alice's upbringing and young adult life. The text chronicles her challenges as a child growing up without her mother, wearing leg braces, and fighting to have the to be free of being a "proper young lady". Alice's dynamic personalty and go-getter attitude emanates throughout the book. It showcases her escapades abroad as a young woman in Puerto Rico and Asia as well as her later presence and political involvement in Washington D.C. as a congressman's wife. Always looking for her next great adventure, Alice was a woman ahead of her time, who redefined what it meant to be the President's daughter in the public eye during the turn of the 20th century.

Analysis:

While Alice Roosevelt's story may not be familiar to many, once heard it is a story you will not forget! Kerly's lively and upbeat text allows Alice Roosevelt's larger-than-life personality to leap off the page. With purposeful sentences driven by vivid verbs, the mood of the text is playful and evokes a clear image of Alice to the reader. Alice never wanted to be called "poor little thing" and spent her life "eating up the world." The use of parallelism throughout the text with these lines creates continuity within the text. In addition, Kerly skillfully weaves quotations from her research into the story, crafting an authentic and well researched narrative that maintains charisma throughout. The art of story telling and authenticity have been perfectly blended in this picture book biography.

Fotheringham's illustrations are the perfect companion to this energetic text. Each double-page spread is filled with color, textured backgrounds, and detailed illustrations. The text has been carefully nestled within each illustration, becoming a part of the artwork. Similar to the text, the pictures capture Alice's personality. As Alice zig-zags over the pictures, racing around her father and later around the world, the intersecting dotted lines show Alice always on the move and always looking for fun.  Her dynamic personality comes through in every aspect of this book.  It is no wonder she was loved by everyone and known as Princess Alice.

The book finishes with a list of references and an author's note elaborating on Alice's relationship with her father, Teddy Roosevelt, her celebrity status, and her role in Washington for the remainder of her life. What to do About Alice? is an unforgettable read that will be enjoyed by readers of all ages for its quality of story, dynamic illustrations, and very memorable character - Alice!

Awards & Reviews:

• 2009 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
• Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
• Irma Black Award Honor Book
• Parents Choice Award
• Washington State Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award
• A Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year
• A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
• ALA Notable Book
• New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

From Booklist: "Kerley's text has the same rambunctious spirit as its subject, grabbing readers from the first line..."

From Publisher's Weekly: "It's hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves young Alice Roosevelt."

From School Library Journal: "Kerley's text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics...Fascinating."

Connections:
More Books by Barbara Kerley:

• Those Rebels, John and Tom. 0545222680
• The Extraordinary Mark Twain. (According to Susy) 0545125081
• A Home for Mr. Emerson. 0545350883
• Walt Whitman: Words for America. 0439357918

More Biographies of Strong Women:

• Clinton, Chelsea. She Persisted: 13 American Woman Who Changed the World. Ill. Alexandra Boiger. 1524741728
• Harvey, Jeanne Walker. Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines. Ill Dow Phumiruk. 1250112494
• Hopkins, Joseph. H. The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever. Ill Jill McElmurry. 1442414022
• Keating, Jess. Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist. Ill. Marta Alvarez Miguens. 1492642045
• Levy, Debbie. I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark. Ill. Elizabeth Baddeley. 1481465597
• Shetterly, Margot Lee. Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race. Ill. Laura Freeman.  0062742469
• Stone, Tanya Lee. The House That Jane Built: A Story About Jane Addams. Ill. Kathryn Brown. 0805090495
• Wallmark, Laurie. Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code. Ill. Katy Wu.  1454920009
• Yousafzai, Malala. Malala's Magic Pencil. Ill. Kerascoet. 0316319570

Suggested Curricular Connections:

• Discuss how Alice "ate up the world" with students. Then, invite students to write their own eating up the world poems, sharing what experience they would like to have and the places they would like to see.
• Write a newspaper article about Alice and one of her many adventures.
• Alice had a pet snake. Research other pets that have resided in the White House over the years.
• Keeping in mind Alice's personality, create a game that Alice would have enjoyed playing with her siblings when she was young.

Actual Size

Actual Size

A Review by Amanda Kendall

Bibliography:

Jenkins, Steve. 2004. Actual Size. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 0547512910

Plot Summary:

From the two inch pygmy on the title page to the giant Gippland earthworm at the end, Actual Size features a variety of exceptionally large and unusually small creatures found all around the world. Highlighting specific features of larger critters and showcasing them to scale, the book captures the uniqueness and wonder of the animals it describes and ignites the curiosity of its reader with eye-popping illustrations and staggering statistics. This remarkable picture book concludes with a glossary of sorts, offering additional information on each animal and a matching illustration providing the reader with a clear visual of each creature.

Analysis:

Steve Jenkins has a exceptional knack for crafting informational books for young readers. His unique perspective gives readers an opportunity to see animals in exciting and unexpected ways. Actual Size is a brilliant example of how scope and perspective shapes a reader's understanding. The true to scale paper collage illustrations of a giant squid's eyeball and great white shark's teeth show the reader the immense size and magnitude of these animals. Whereas the pygmy mouse lemur's size is more fully understood when placed next to a full-scale image of a gorilla's hand. These actual size illustrations offer an unforgettable visual that cannot be captured in text alone.

Factually accurate and well organized, each page is exquisitely designed to enhance the illustration. The simple white backgrounds, expertly crafted paper collage representations of each animal, and simple and direct text adds to the power of each page.  Jenkins created his images with multiple layers and textured papers to create lifelike depictions of each animal's features.  With additional fold out pages to capture the full range of the saltwater crocodile and the Goliath frog, the reader is mesmerized by the presentation of each creatures unique size.

 

Jenkins has masterfully conveyed the actual size of each animal in a distinct and visually pleasing way that will have readers of all ages rethinking their preconceived notions of the size of many animals.

Awards & Reviews:

• NCTE Orbis Pictus Non-Fiction Honor Book 2005
• International Reading Association Children's Choices 2005
• ALA Top 10 Sci-Tech Books for Youth 2004 
• The Children's Literature Choice List, 2005
• Editor's Choice Top of the List Winner 2004 Youth Nonfiction
• Chicago Public Library Best-of-the-Best
• Natural History Best Books for Young Readers, 2004
• A New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
• CHILD Magazine Best Book of the Year
• A Booklist Editor's Choice
• BCCB Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book

From Booklist: "Jenkins' artwork is gorgeous. . . An unusual, unusually effective tool for connecting children to nature's astonishing variety."

From Kirkus: "A new exploration of the biological world, from one of the current masters of collage..."

From School Library Journal: "A thoroughly engaging read-aloud and a must-have for any collection."

Connections:
More Books by Steve Jenkins:

• What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? 061899713X
• What Do You Do When Something Wants To Eat You? 061899713X
• Biggest, Strongest, Fastest. 0395861365
• Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea. 0544709519
• Creature Features: Twenty-Five Animals Explain Why They Look the Way They Do. 0544233514

More Orbis Pictus Honor Books from 2004:

• Burleigh, Robert. Seurat and La Grande Jatte: Connecting the Dots. 0810948117
• Freedman, Russell. The Voice That Challenged A Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights. 0547480342
• Giblin, James C. Secrets of the Sphinx. Ill. Bagram Ibatoulline. 0590098470
• Hoose, Phillip. The Race to Save the Lord God Bird. 1250073715

Suggested Curricular Connections:

• Collaborate with others to create a full scale picture or model of one of the larger animals in the book to show its actual size.
• Choose a favorite creature, large or small, and create a paper collage of the creature in its entirety or just one of it's noteworthy features to scale. 
• Continue research on one or several of the animals mentioned in the book using online and print resources.
• Choose a favorite personal feature and create a paper collage of that personal feature to scale.

Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold

Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold

A Review by Amanda Kendall

Bibliography:

Sidman, Joyce. 2014. Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold. Ill. by Rick Allen. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. 0547906501

Plot Summary:

In this collection of winter poems, Joyce Sidman captures the winter months from beginning to end. The book commences with the tundra swans migrating before winter arrives, then explores the animals behavior throughout the cold months, and finally arrives at the onset of spring where the snow begins to thaw, and springtails bound from the snow to welcome the new season. Each one of the twelve poems captures a moment frozen in time during a forest winter and is accompanied by breathtaking illustrations and an informational paragraph that further explains the animal's instincts and adaptations.

Analysis:

Joyce Sidman is a masterful poet and storyteller.  This beautiful book is more than a collection of winter poems.  It encompasses a season. Each poem in the collection builds upon the next to tell the story of the creatures of the forest.  The twelve poems include a range of styles, some lyrical and some free verse, and cover a wide variety of topics from swans and snowflakes to moose and chickadees. The lyrical meter and rhyme presented in many of the poems give them a lovely sing-song quality. While the poems written in free verse like "Dream of the Tundra Swan" create a formidable yet elegant mood that perfectly pairs with the swan's own power and demeanor. The use of vibrant language and imagery throughout the collection brings the poems to life, while the use of alliteration and onomatopoeia entice the reader to read the poems aloud again and again. Each poem beautifully captures the essence of its subject in the style, mood, and word choice giving each part of the forest its own voice.

Rick Allen's intricate and exquisitely executed illustrations create depth and beauty to each poem.  From the opening page of the tree branch transitioning from fall to winter, to the same tree branch progressing into spring on the final pages, Allen's illustrations complete the story of the winter forest. The colors convey the beauty of the forest buried in snow, while highlighting the creatures that color the landscape with vibrant life even during these frozen months. Each poem is cleverly buried within the illustrations, allowing the poetry and the artwork to work together in perfect harmony. 

As an added bonus, each poem includes a snippet filled with information on the poem's subject including their adaptions and behaviors that help that not only survive but thrive during these cold winter months. The blend of poetry and information text is flawless in its delivery, encouraging readers of all ages to appreciate the beauty of the natural world presented in the text. The final inclusion of the glossary of scientific terms (and one poetry term) is another lovely addition for the inquisitive mind.

An absolute delight for all the senses from cover to cover, Winter Bees soars.

Awards & Reviews:

• 2015 Claudia Lewis Poetry Award
• ALSC Notable Children's Book
• ILA Teacher's Choice Award
• School Library Journal Best Book of 2014
• Kirkus Best Book of 2014
• The Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
• Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2014
• New York Public Library's 100 Best Books for Reading and Sharing
• 2014 Nerdy Poetry Award

From Publisher's Weekly: "Each poem brings a sense of humor, respect, or wonder to its subject..."

From Kirkus: "A work to be savored by young artists and scientists."

From School Library Journal: "Winter Bees distinguishes itself with a focus on the science of animal survival, coupled with superlative illustrations. Readers young and old will enjoy this winter journey and marvel at the wonders of nature."

Connections:
More Poetry Books by Joyce Sidman:

• Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature. 054731583X
• Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors. 0547014945
• Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night. 0547152280
• Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow. 061856313X
• Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors. 0618717196

More Poetry Books about Winter:

• Florian, Douglas. Winter Eyes. 0688164587
• Krantz, Julie. Sledding Down the Hill: Poems for Winter. 069263584X
• Rogasky, Barbara. Winter Poems. Ill. Trina Schart Hyman. 0590428721
• Yolen, Jane. Snow, Snow: Winter Poems for Children. 1590783468

Suggested Curricular Connections:

• Create a winter scene out of torn construction paper. Add white tempera paint for snow. Display with a winter poem written by the child about winter.
• Research one of the winter animals in the book to learn more about them.
• Perform "Brother Raven, Sister Wolf" or "Big Brown Moose" as a class choral reading with assigned roles for the students.
• Choose a scientific terms from a informational blurb in the book and create an acrostic poem.

bow wow meow meow

bow wow meow meow

A Review by Amanda Kendall

Bibliography:

Florian, Douglas. 2003. Bow Wow Meow Meow: It's Rhyming Cats and Dogs. San Diego: Harcourt Inc. 0152163956

Plot Summary:

This collection of twenty-one unique cat and dog poems includes a variety of styles of poetry that beg to be read aloud. Divided into two distinct sections, the animal poems consist of various breeds of household pets including the prideful bulldog and long-haired Persian as well as various members of the canine and cat families found in the wild. From the wild wolf and carnivorous lion to the spotted ocelot, each poem captures the unique and wonderful traits of the cat or dog.  

Analysis:

Douglas Florian has a knack for creating unique and surprising poems on any given topic. Bow Wow Meow Meow is a eclectic collection of poems and art that is filled with fun. Of the twenty-one poems included, many of the poems are short, only a few lines, and pair perfectly with the watercolor illustrations. Humorous word play and creative rhymes make these poems fun to read aloud over and over again.

His concrete poem on poodles, is not only visually stunning, but an auditory gem as well, with the repetition of "oodles and oodles" and the alliteration of  "whirls, while the whirls may have swirls." Another poem, "Dog Log" is particularly notable with it's carefully chosen words, witty rhyme, and beautifully paired illustration of a dog's brain broken into the most important dog thoughts. Although short in length, these canine and feline poems do not disappoint in depth. Each illustration extends the message of the poem, bringing the words to life in humorous and unexpected ways. The poems are deliberately centered on a page of white, while the illustrations consume the other page completely, directing the reader's eye first to the illustration, then to the poem, and finally back to illustration. This beautiful give and take in the layout of the book, engages the reader in thoughtful discourse while reading and enjoying these seemingly simple poems.

This collection showcases Florian's witty writing and his dynamic art perfectly. His zany personality comes through with each poem he writes using his talent for word choice, word play, rhythm and rhyme in each poem. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for cat and dog lovers of all ages.

Awards & Reviews:

• 2004-2005 Texas 2x2 Reading List

From Publisher's Weekly: "Florian fans will be delighted with another edition of his funny, punny poems about animals."

From Booklist: "In this winning collection, both clever and silly, Florian again shows how much fun poetry can be."

From School Library Journal: "This is a delightful selection to read aloud to younger children, and it offers older students models of simple poems that really work. A definite contender for "best in show."

Connections:
More Animal Poetry Books by Douglas Florian:

• Beast Feast: Poems & Paintings.0152017372
• Mammalabilia. 0152050248
• Insectlopedia. 0152163352
• Lizards, Frogs, and Polliwogs. 0152052488
• In the Swim. 0152024379

More Poetry Books by Douglas Florian:

• Poetrees. 1416986723 
• Winter Eyes. 0688164587
• Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings. 0152053727
• Laugh-eteria: Poems and Drawings. 0141309903
• Poem Runs: Baseball Poems and Paintings. 0544456106

Suggested Curricular Connections:

• Create a shared choral reading experience for kids with each poem. Add movement and bring the poems to life by reading them aloud together.
• Invite children to write their own dog or cat poem. Compile the poems together to create a class poetry book.
• Use oil pastels and water color paints to create abstract animal portraits like those shown in the book.