Module 6 - Ivy & Bean

Bean is a wild child always getting in trouble. Ivy is the quiet, girl-next-door. Can these two become friends?

Barrows, A. (2006). Ivy and Bean. Chronicle Books, San Francisco. ISBN: 978-0-8118-4903-6

Impressions: This is a fun book for young readers. There is a map of the neighborhood and Ivy's bedroom which make the story come to life. I liked the conclusion (and moral, if you will) of the story; two very different people can end up being friends if they just learn about each other.

Review:
Amazon.com
Barrow's debut children's book energetically kicks off a series about two seemingly unlikely plas, just right for kids moving on from beginning readers. Bean's mother suggests that she play with Ivy, the new girl across the street, "She seems like such a nice girl." Seven-year-old Bean says she already has plenty of friends ("Nice, Bean knew, is another word for boring"). After all, Ivy's long , curly red hair is neatly pushed back with a sparkly headband, and she always wears dresses and reads books; headband-, dress- and book-shunning tomboy Bean muses that Ivy "had never once in her whold life climbed a tree and fallen out." But when Ivy offers to get Bean out of a jam with her older sister, Nancy, Bean takes Ivy up on it. Bean discovers that the not-so-boring, wand-toting Ivy is in training to become a witch, and working on a spell that keeps its victim dancing for life--which sets Bean thinking about the ideal fate for bossy Nancy. Blackall's (Ruby's Wish) half tone spot art and full-spead illustraions deftly capture the girls' personalities and tale's humor, while also filling out fun details about Ivy's room and the neighbor's backyards. Barrow's narrative brims with sprightly dialogue and tidily ties everything together both Bean and Ivy find a fast friend and set the stage for Ivy and Bean and the Ghost that Had to Go, scheduled for the fall. -Publishers Weekly, starred review
(Link to review)


Suggestions for library or classroom use:
Teaching young children about Sibling relations. Also would be a fun story to read and teach about ways to pretend.

Module 5 - Strega Nona

A tale of a magic witch with a magic pot. A greedy boy wants to have his turn with the pot, but to his dismay, he doesn't know the words to stop the pot from cooking pasta. The town is overflowed with pasta. He learns his lesson when he has to eat his mess.

de Paola, T. (1975). Strega nona. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York. ISBN: 0-671-66283-x

Impressions:
The illustrations really make this story stand out. This would be a fun book to read as a family tradition then make pasta together! Even though Strega Nona is a "witch" she is nothing but endearing.

Review:
The New York Times Book Review "De Paola's illustrations aptly capture the whimsy of this ancient tale... simple line drawings clearly reveal the agony and ecstasy of pasta power, the muted colors create just the right ambiance for a Medieval village." (retrieved from Amazon.com at this product review.)

Suggestions for library and classroom use:
How to make pasta
Have an evening of Italian culture
Use when teaching a unit on fairy tales

Module 4 - Daniel Boone and Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village

Several stories, monologues, and poems are put together to tell the story of a medieval village and the townspeople who live there.

Schlitz, L.A. (2008). Good masters! Sweet ladies! Voices from a medieval village. Candlewick Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. ISBN: 978-0-7636-1578-9

Impressions:
I thought this book would be more stories, but I was pleasantly surprised when it was written as plays almost. The reader is introduced to the human side of a medieval town.

Review:
Shelley Glantz (Library Media Connection, November/December 2007) Readers are introduced to the entire strata of an English medieval town by 22 villagers from all walks of life, from the lord's nephew and daughter, apprentices, trades people, and artisans, to the lowliest beggar. Most of these characters are children or young people. Characters describe themselves through first-person monologues that are written to be read or recited by students. Annotations and notes are included on page margins to explain factual information and old English terminology, a feature that gives the book a scholarly feel, but which are very age-appropriate. Monologues are followed by straighforward informational text, "A Little Background," written in a narrative style. Color illustrations in the style of medieval tapestries or panels illuminate the text. Margin borders are each a different pattern reminiscent of the age. Depending on the grade level of students using this title, it will make a valuable supplement to history classes, English literature studies including Chaucer, and as an unusual variation on reader's theatre. Art classes can also use the illustrations to supplement any study of medieval art. Recommended. 2007, Candlewick Press, 96 pp., $19.99 hc. Ages 10 up.
Retrieved from Children's Literature Reviews, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database)

Suggestions for use in a library or classroom setting:
This would be an excellent book to use for reader's theater. Students can choose whether they want to read a monologue or in a group or pairs. They can dress up, study their character, study the circumstances surrounding their character.



The tale of Daniel Boone, written by James Daughtery, won the 1940 Newbery Award. This story is about Daniel Boone and the land he loved - Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee.

Daugherty, J. (1939). Daniel Boone. Viking Press, New York.

Impressions:
The illustrations are lacking, romantisizing Boone and making the "savages" look especially savage. The story was long and tedious to read. I didn't especially like this book.

Review:
Michelle F. Bayuk (Review found here)
"Daniel Boone (1940 winner, James Daughtery, Viking) is fortunately out-of-print, but it was(and it) a real travesty that an apparently intelligent committee would choose a book of dubious scholarship and horrible insensiticty as something good for children to read. The book is racist, misogynistic, and quite frankly, not a work of nonfiction. It is the glorification of a man who, according for the author, never does anything wrong. When bad things happen to him (like losing his land - twice - because he fails to file the paperwork), it's not his fault. Daniel Boone, after all, is a man's man and a great hero. Why should he have to deal with little things like seeing to his own future? What is interesting is that the immediately proceeding Newbery winner is Thimble Summer (1939 winner, Elizabeth Enright, Holt) in which a girl acts with equality with the boys in the story. The book immediately following, Call it Courage (1941 winner, Armstrong Sperry, Simon & Schuster) is a fine attempt at presenting an island culture to a young audience. Given that the children's literature of the time was fairly progressive, we can't blame the pre-World War II isolationism or rhetoric for the committee's incongruous choice. Daniel Boone is both a travesty and a conundrum."

Suggestions for library and classroom use:
This book could be used when discussing Newbery Award winning books, shown as an example. Maybe ask the children why they think it won the award. Also can be used when talking or teaching about the colonization of America.

Module 3 - The Little House and Ox-Cart Man

A father prepares his wagon of goods made throughout the year to sell in the market in Portsmouth. He sells everything he has, buys new things for his family and heads home. Through the winter, the family sets again making things to sell next year in the market.

Hall, D. (1980). Ox-cart man. Viking Press, New York. ISBN: 0-670-53328-9

Impressions: I loved this book. The simplicity of the story and illustrations is charming and poignant. The author points out at the end of the book that this story is an oral tradition. It would be a great tradition to read with children.

Review:
Jill Bennett (Books for Keeps No. 25, March 1984)
Set in 19th century rural New England, this award winning picture book from The States gives a fascinating glimpse of a farmer's year in a bygone age and shows how a whole family is involved in the business of survival. A book to extend children's horizons in both place and time. All ages. Category: Infant/Junior. . ...., Picture Puffin, D1.75. Ages 5 to 8.
(Retrieved from Children's Literature Reviews, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database)

Suggestions for use in library or classroom setting:
Teaching about seasons or living on a farm.



The Little House lives in the country, but she wants to find out what the city is like. When the city is built up around her, she misses the country and yearns to go back. Will she regret wating to live in the city?

Burton, V. L. (1943). The little house. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. ISBN: 0-395-18156-9

Impressions: I loved the illustrations in this book, especially the difference between the country and the city. By the end of the book, I was rooting for the Little House to make it back to the country!

Review:
Seth Greenstein (Children's Literature)
The little house lives happily in the country, surrounded by apple trees, flowers, and a happy family. But she always wonders what life would be like living in the city. As the years pass, the city moves to her. Soon the little house is abandoned between two high rises, and she is certain she does not want to live in the city any longer. The city continues to grow and grow, and nobody notices the little house. At night, the little house dreams of apple trees, rolling hills, flowers, and a happy family that she may never see again. The colored illustrations contrast with the lush countryside and the smoky city perfectly. The story in this book is timeless and gives a gentle lesson on urban sprawl as well. This book is enjoyable for all ages. 1998 (orig. 1969), Houghton Mifflin Co, $14.95, $5.95 and $9.95. Ages 4 to 8.
(Retrieved from Children's Literature Reviews, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database)

Suggestions for library or classroom use:
This book won the Caldecott Medal, so would be a good source when teaching about that. It would also be a good book to have in a rural community, to use when teaching about the importance of rural communities.

Module 2 - George and Martha Rise and Shine and The Story of Ferdinand

Two friends, George and Martha, share their days together laughing, experiementing, and going on picnics. In this book, there are five short stories about George and Martha's friendship.

Marshall, J. (1976). George and martha rise and shine. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. ISBN: 0-395-34738-1

Impressions:
Younger kids may need help realizing what is going on, since the plot of the book is heavily supported by the illustrations. I enjoyed the humor and tongue-in-cheek play on words, but young readers may need to have explained to them that George and Martha are friends. Older readers may wonder if they are boyfriend and girlfriend. There is not any indication either way in this book, so a discussion about friendship may be appropriate.

Review:
Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature)
...The illustrations provide moderate support, and the story moves along on the dialogue of George and Martha. Readers may need support understanding the interferences in the story and the twist of the endings. Fans of the "George and Martha" series will continue to love the humor, and those that are new to George and Martha stories will find additional books to enjoy with laughter. 1976, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, $15.00. Ages 5 to 7.
(Retrieved from the UNT Electronic Libarary, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database,

Suggestions for library use:
Unit on friends and friendships. Kids could be asked about their friends or what makes someone your friend. Since the last story is about the "Martha Fan Club" there could be a project about fan clubs and kids could come up with ideas about making fan clubs.



A shy, gentle bull is taken to Madrid for the bull fight. He just sits and smells the flowers instead of fighting the matador and is taken back to his cork tree.

Leaf, M. (1936). The story of Ferdinand. The Viking Press, United States of America.

Impressions: I've always loved this classic book with its simple pencil drawings and heartwarming story. This book is well written and a favorite amoung children.

Review:
"Ferdinand's day in the arena gives readers not only an education in the historical tradition of bullfighting, but also a lesson in nonviolent tranquility. Robert Lawson's black-and-white drawings are evocative and detailed, with especially sweet renditions of Ferdinand, the serene bull hero. The Story of Ferdinand closes with one of the happiest endings in the history of happy endings - readers of all ages will drift off to a peaceful sleep, dreaming of sweet-smelling flowers and contented cows." (Amazon.com Review, http://www.amazon.com/Story-Ferdinand-Puffin-Storytime/dp/0142409529/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1285117884&sr=1-1)

Suggestions for library use:
If there is a large Spanish culture in the area, this would be a great book to involve those patrons and chidren. Questions such as "What is a bull fight?" and "Who are all the characters?" would be appropriate. Another aspect of the books is non-violence. Children could talk about bullies and how Ferdinand is an example of not being bullied.

Module 1 - Once Upon a Cool Motocycle Dude

This twist on a fairytale tells of a forlorn princess, a muscle dude and their battle with an ugly giant. It's told as a book report from two elementary school kids.

O'Malley, K. (2005). Once upon a cool motorcycle dude. Walker & Company, New York. ISBN: 0-8027-8947-1

Impressions:
I enjoyed this book. It moved quickly, the illustrations were bright and fun.

Review:
Brenda Dale (Library Media Connection, August/September 2005)
A girl and boy create a fantasy for their library report. The girl's character is a damsel-in-distress and the boy's character is a motorcycle-riding "cool muscle dude." When the boy narrates, the "mucle Dude" is rewarded with gold thread that the damsel spins, then the girl transforms her damsel into "Princess Warrior" who tells the muscle dude to make his own thread. While there is some attempt to dispel stereotypes, the message is confusing as only the Princess changes. The value of this story might be in discussion of plot development and choices writers make at various junctions in a narrative. Additional Selection. 2005, Walker & Comany, 32 pp., $16.25 hc
(Taken from the UNT Electronic Library, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~q2aRxx:1

Suggestion for library use:
This book would be a great catalyst from more traditional fairytales to modern ones. Children could read this book, then practice writing their own fairytale. They could also work in pairs or in groups, like the girl and boy in the book.