Showing posts with label picture book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label picture book. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
no two alike
by Keith Baker
Thumbs Up.
This is conceptually a very simple book, but it's beauty is deep. The book features two fetching little birds who seem to be discovering the winter woods around them. They notice how even things that seem alike, are each just a little bit different. That each thing in nature is a unique entity. The text is done mostly in simple rhyme, that is very appropriate for even the smallest children.
The illustrations are a highlight of this book, as the pictures are bold and colorful. They hold hidden interest the closer and longer one looks. I was surprised to see that the illustrations were digitally done, as they appear to be drawn in a combination of perhaps the rich hues of oil pastels and stamping.
This is a beautiful wintertime story for a read aloud with small children. Besides the simply told story, there are delights to find and ponder and discuss on each page. It's an excellent book to be shared between a child and his adult, upon whose lap he is of course, cozily snuggled.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Write, Slide and Learn: Phonics
Edited by Kate Cuthbert
Thumbs up.
This is a really neat book with a variety of phonics activities. The range of activities is quite large, with just a few pages at each level, so this could be a deterrent for some users.
Perhaps the most useful lessons are found in the first few pages. The book begins with a really nice section on choosing the correct short vowel to match the pictures. Since many kids have trouble hearing the difference between some short vowel sounds, particularly, a, e, and i, these lessons give fun reinforcement when first learning those distinctions.
There is a section on long vowel sounds with a silent e. This section could be used to introduce the "first vowel says its name, second vowel is silent" rule.
After that, the progression of the book becomes slightly more arbitrary. The lessons continue with an extensive long vowel section, less suitable for a beginning reader, then back to some consonant practice that a beginner could do.
The long vowel sections could be useful for those practicing spelling lessons with various long vowel combinations or for review of the above. It includes a few pages of practice for each of the long vowel sounds in which the child chooses which vowel combination is the correct one for a given picture. For instance, on the long o page, the student must choose between o, oa, ow, and o+e, to complete the words "n__s__" or "t__ __d" and there is a corresponding photo for each.
The book includes lessons on choosing whether the vowel sound is long or short; ending and beginning consonants, and general consonants; ending and beginning blends; digraphs; and review pages.
The book is a write on/wipe off style book that is actually easy for the kids to wipe off. That is a big plus for me, since it seems like so many reusable books of this sort take a parent to do the wiping. It comes with its own marker. It has an enclosed spiral binding, in which my daughter kept handy a paper towel for wiping the pages clean.
The lessons are of two sorts, every other page is a practice page of four rows with four pictures in each, and a place below to fill in the correct letter or letter combo. There is a neat sliding mechanism that allows the child to check each row after filling in the answers. As the child pulls the slide, the pictures are hidden and are replaced with the correct entire word, and below it the particular letter or letter combo that the child ought to have filled in.
The alternate pages have just a few colorful photos and blanks, which reinforce the lesson. These pages have no answers included.
The pages and binding seem durable. The photos throughout are engaging and colorful. Most pictures are easily identifiable, but a few were difficult for my preschooler to determine. I'm sure an older user could more readily identify the photos. The book was originally published in Australia, so there are occasional words that have different English usages in American English, such as a light "globe" instead of "bulb".
Over all the book is very nice. It could make a nice addition to a homeschool collection, or a summer review or a classroom learner.
Thumbs up.
This is a really neat book with a variety of phonics activities. The range of activities is quite large, with just a few pages at each level, so this could be a deterrent for some users.
Perhaps the most useful lessons are found in the first few pages. The book begins with a really nice section on choosing the correct short vowel to match the pictures. Since many kids have trouble hearing the difference between some short vowel sounds, particularly, a, e, and i, these lessons give fun reinforcement when first learning those distinctions.
There is a section on long vowel sounds with a silent e. This section could be used to introduce the "first vowel says its name, second vowel is silent" rule.
After that, the progression of the book becomes slightly more arbitrary. The lessons continue with an extensive long vowel section, less suitable for a beginning reader, then back to some consonant practice that a beginner could do.
The long vowel sections could be useful for those practicing spelling lessons with various long vowel combinations or for review of the above. It includes a few pages of practice for each of the long vowel sounds in which the child chooses which vowel combination is the correct one for a given picture. For instance, on the long o page, the student must choose between o, oa, ow, and o+e, to complete the words "n__s__" or "t__ __d" and there is a corresponding photo for each.
The book includes lessons on choosing whether the vowel sound is long or short; ending and beginning consonants, and general consonants; ending and beginning blends; digraphs; and review pages.
The book is a write on/wipe off style book that is actually easy for the kids to wipe off. That is a big plus for me, since it seems like so many reusable books of this sort take a parent to do the wiping. It comes with its own marker. It has an enclosed spiral binding, in which my daughter kept handy a paper towel for wiping the pages clean.
The lessons are of two sorts, every other page is a practice page of four rows with four pictures in each, and a place below to fill in the correct letter or letter combo. There is a neat sliding mechanism that allows the child to check each row after filling in the answers. As the child pulls the slide, the pictures are hidden and are replaced with the correct entire word, and below it the particular letter or letter combo that the child ought to have filled in.
The alternate pages have just a few colorful photos and blanks, which reinforce the lesson. These pages have no answers included.
The pages and binding seem durable. The photos throughout are engaging and colorful. Most pictures are easily identifiable, but a few were difficult for my preschooler to determine. I'm sure an older user could more readily identify the photos. The book was originally published in Australia, so there are occasional words that have different English usages in American English, such as a light "globe" instead of "bulb".
Over all the book is very nice. It could make a nice addition to a homeschool collection, or a summer review or a classroom learner.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Bridget's Beret
by Tom Lichtenheld
Thumbs Up.
Bridget is an artist. But she has lost her beret and along with it, her inspiration and, she things, her abilities. When the younger girls coax her to help with the sign for her lemonade stand, Bridget is newly inspired and regains her confidence.
The part I found most fun was Bridget's interpretations of classic works of art in her lemonade stand advertisements. The author includes a section in the back on famous works of art.
Thumbs Up.
Bridget is an artist. But she has lost her beret and along with it, her inspiration and, she things, her abilities. When the younger girls coax her to help with the sign for her lemonade stand, Bridget is newly inspired and regains her confidence.
The part I found most fun was Bridget's interpretations of classic works of art in her lemonade stand advertisements. The author includes a section in the back on famous works of art.
The Three Robbers
by Tomi Ungerer
Thumbs up. Mostly.
This basic color and silhouette style illustrations appeal to even the youngest children. The prose is also quiet simple, with a lilt of rhythm that makes it fun to read.
The story shows, perhaps, the redemptive quality of love and goodness. But might also appear to support the mentality of taking from the rich and giving to the poor.
The plot has some cute turns but the story ends somewhat abruptly. I always find myself turning the final page expecting that bit more closure.
Thumbs up. Mostly.
This basic color and silhouette style illustrations appeal to even the youngest children. The prose is also quiet simple, with a lilt of rhythm that makes it fun to read.
The story shows, perhaps, the redemptive quality of love and goodness. But might also appear to support the mentality of taking from the rich and giving to the poor.
The plot has some cute turns but the story ends somewhat abruptly. I always find myself turning the final page expecting that bit more closure.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
What Do You Do When a Monster Says Boo.
by Hope Vestergaard
Thumbs Up.
I love when a picture book totally engrosses a two year old. That's how my little one reacts to this book. Ms. Vestergaard, with the help of Maggie Smith's colorful illustrations, tells the story of a sister and brother. The sister is younger and pesters the older brother by constantly playing monster and jumping out at him. Each time this happens, the brother chooses to react in a constructive way rather than getting angry at the pesky younger sibling. This continues until the little sister finally succumbs to exhaustion and falls asleep on the couch.
The words are minimal and in rhyme. Most of the details of the story are added through Ms. Smith's rich illustrations. And this is what captivates my two year old. She will look at this book for extended periods of time and each time finds some new nugget of interest in the pages. She has brought the book to me several times and told me about the things she sees in the pictures. I certainly appreciate the illustrations much more through this process, because I would not have taken the time to see all this detail. Many of the portrayed scenes touchingly show an older brothers love and tenderness.
I imagine my older son, would find this book unrealistic. Hmm.
Thumbs Up.
I love when a picture book totally engrosses a two year old. That's how my little one reacts to this book. Ms. Vestergaard, with the help of Maggie Smith's colorful illustrations, tells the story of a sister and brother. The sister is younger and pesters the older brother by constantly playing monster and jumping out at him. Each time this happens, the brother chooses to react in a constructive way rather than getting angry at the pesky younger sibling. This continues until the little sister finally succumbs to exhaustion and falls asleep on the couch.
The words are minimal and in rhyme. Most of the details of the story are added through Ms. Smith's rich illustrations. And this is what captivates my two year old. She will look at this book for extended periods of time and each time finds some new nugget of interest in the pages. She has brought the book to me several times and told me about the things she sees in the pictures. I certainly appreciate the illustrations much more through this process, because I would not have taken the time to see all this detail. Many of the portrayed scenes touchingly show an older brothers love and tenderness.
I imagine my older son, would find this book unrealistic. Hmm.
Friday, February 19, 2010
1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up
Edited by Julia Eccleshare. Preface and frontispiece artwork by Quentin Blake.
Thumbs Up.
This is such a great book. Many thanks to my librarian for recommending it. I generally would not read a book with a title such as this. I know there are any number of books out there with reading recommendations for families. But personally, I just don't need the guilt that might come with perusing such lists. "Oh, no, I haven't gotten to this one. Or this one. Look here's another..."
But this book is a pleasure from beginning to end. There is way too much material to enjoy in a mere three week library loan time. But an indulgent pleasure none the less.
The book is arranged by age range. F0r each title, it lists title, author, illustrator and other publisher information and a brief review of the book. Reviewers also note any awards the books have received and might include a note on any special significance the book had, such as it's literary, artistic, or social import. Often a well known quote is included. For many titles is also included a little box with further books in the series, other books by the author, or titles of similar style and genre.
I especially like that most books are portrayed with their original cover, many of whose titles therefore appear in the original in foreign language. On the picture, then, Little Brown Bear shows Petit Ours Brun est grognon. Not really earth shattering, but fun to see.
My kids of all ages have enjoyed paging through it. They sit two or three together and point out all the ones they know and talk about the ones they don't. For the several who don't read independently, this is based solely on the cover images.
I would say one drawback might be that the book is heavy and although hard covered, the spine is very flexible. I am not sure how well it would hold up to constant use by little hands. It just feels like it might not hold up to the wear and tear.
I had no idea there were so many wonderful children's books in the world and will certainly be requesting some of them. I will also eventually try to purchase my own copy of this, because I would like to mark off the books we've read and have a resource to consult when I want to request another title or two. But until then, the book is available at my library. I know where to find it. I just have to share.
Thumbs Up.
This is such a great book. Many thanks to my librarian for recommending it. I generally would not read a book with a title such as this. I know there are any number of books out there with reading recommendations for families. But personally, I just don't need the guilt that might come with perusing such lists. "Oh, no, I haven't gotten to this one. Or this one. Look here's another..."
But this book is a pleasure from beginning to end. There is way too much material to enjoy in a mere three week library loan time. But an indulgent pleasure none the less.
The book is arranged by age range. F0r each title, it lists title, author, illustrator and other publisher information and a brief review of the book. Reviewers also note any awards the books have received and might include a note on any special significance the book had, such as it's literary, artistic, or social import. Often a well known quote is included. For many titles is also included a little box with further books in the series, other books by the author, or titles of similar style and genre.
I especially like that most books are portrayed with their original cover, many of whose titles therefore appear in the original in foreign language. On the picture, then, Little Brown Bear shows Petit Ours Brun est grognon. Not really earth shattering, but fun to see.
My kids of all ages have enjoyed paging through it. They sit two or three together and point out all the ones they know and talk about the ones they don't. For the several who don't read independently, this is based solely on the cover images.
I would say one drawback might be that the book is heavy and although hard covered, the spine is very flexible. I am not sure how well it would hold up to constant use by little hands. It just feels like it might not hold up to the wear and tear.
I had no idea there were so many wonderful children's books in the world and will certainly be requesting some of them. I will also eventually try to purchase my own copy of this, because I would like to mark off the books we've read and have a resource to consult when I want to request another title or two. But until then, the book is available at my library. I know where to find it. I just have to share.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Bats at the Library
by Brian Lies
Thumbs Up.
This is an excellent picture book.
After word goes out that the librarian has left a window ajar, the bats all flock to the library. They wait all year for these rare opportunities. The bats do all kinds of library things, photo copy themselves, go on the computers, and, best of all, read books.
The artwork is a definite high point. The illustrations are beautiful and so creative. The bats group together to make Human Shadows. They look at books abouts moths and the Fibonacci sequence. They hang upside down from the tables and the reader bat props the picture books upside down while he reads. Each time I look at the book I see more witty things.
The best part of the story is the visual allusions to many works of classic children's lit. I'm not going to tell you more; you'll have to check it out yourselves. But I will add that this is the kind of book that makes a person curious about any of the alluded to stories he or she may not have read yet. (Just yesterday I picked up Drummer Hoff from the library.)
It would make an excellent gift for a child.
Thumbs Up.
This is an excellent picture book.
After word goes out that the librarian has left a window ajar, the bats all flock to the library. They wait all year for these rare opportunities. The bats do all kinds of library things, photo copy themselves, go on the computers, and, best of all, read books.
The artwork is a definite high point. The illustrations are beautiful and so creative. The bats group together to make Human Shadows. They look at books abouts moths and the Fibonacci sequence. They hang upside down from the tables and the reader bat props the picture books upside down while he reads. Each time I look at the book I see more witty things.
The best part of the story is the visual allusions to many works of classic children's lit. I'm not going to tell you more; you'll have to check it out yourselves. But I will add that this is the kind of book that makes a person curious about any of the alluded to stories he or she may not have read yet. (Just yesterday I picked up Drummer Hoff from the library.)
It would make an excellent gift for a child.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Sofia and the Heartmenders
by Marie Olofsdotter
Thumbs Down
This book first appealed to me because of the artwork. It's done in Mexican folkart style with bright colors and stylized perspective.
But the appeal ended soon after I began reading the story. Sofia is scared of the dark. There are "shadow monsters" in the corners of her bedroom. When the parents insist upon turning the light off, they become uncaring idiots.
The next day, Sofia, with her heart already half broken by her parents cruelty, cannot eat her breakfast. She goes to school and in art class instead of drawing the assigned subject matter, Sofia draws the shadow monsters a bit on each of many pieces of paper. The teacher is also a heartless idiot for not realizing and praising her artistic expression.
Sofia runs away and finds this somewhat voodoo-ish heartmender with the help of a wolfish looking dog. Finally someone who understands. Sophia using wisdom given her by the dog, gets past the shadow monsters who appear at the door of the heartmender. The heartmender shows Sophia how to heal her heart by the light of the moon.
All is well. Sofia can now return and deal effectively with all the idots in her life.
But the artwork is great!
Thumbs Down
This book first appealed to me because of the artwork. It's done in Mexican folkart style with bright colors and stylized perspective.
But the appeal ended soon after I began reading the story. Sofia is scared of the dark. There are "shadow monsters" in the corners of her bedroom. When the parents insist upon turning the light off, they become uncaring idiots.
The next day, Sofia, with her heart already half broken by her parents cruelty, cannot eat her breakfast. She goes to school and in art class instead of drawing the assigned subject matter, Sofia draws the shadow monsters a bit on each of many pieces of paper. The teacher is also a heartless idiot for not realizing and praising her artistic expression.
Sofia runs away and finds this somewhat voodoo-ish heartmender with the help of a wolfish looking dog. Finally someone who understands. Sophia using wisdom given her by the dog, gets past the shadow monsters who appear at the door of the heartmender. The heartmender shows Sophia how to heal her heart by the light of the moon.
All is well. Sofia can now return and deal effectively with all the idots in her life.
But the artwork is great!
Fanny
by Holly Hobbie
Thumbs Up
I like this book on so many levels. Fanny wants a Connie doll for her birthday. Connie dolls somewhat resemble the Brats dolls. Although all her friends have them, Fanny's mom says no. "They are just too much."
After Fanny's mom explains this, Fanny sets out to make her own Connie doll. Although the finished product does not really resemble the sleek (slutty-my word) looking Connie dolls, Fanny kind of falls in love with her homemade Annabelle.
And what does Fanny get for her birthday instead of the ached for Connie? A box of fabrics and various sewing supplies. Very uncool.
By the end of the book, Fanny has come to peace with her gift and even uses it to make Annabelle a doll of her own.
I like the portrayal of a mom standing on principles. I like Fanny's imagination and the fortitude she shows in fixing her dilemma. And I love that she comes to a peace with her gift and shows further creativity by putting the contents to use.
I also like the example Fanny shows in dealing gracefully with her friends and their cool dolls and oh-so-cool opinions.
Thumbs Up
I like this book on so many levels. Fanny wants a Connie doll for her birthday. Connie dolls somewhat resemble the Brats dolls. Although all her friends have them, Fanny's mom says no. "They are just too much."
After Fanny's mom explains this, Fanny sets out to make her own Connie doll. Although the finished product does not really resemble the sleek (slutty-my word) looking Connie dolls, Fanny kind of falls in love with her homemade Annabelle.
And what does Fanny get for her birthday instead of the ached for Connie? A box of fabrics and various sewing supplies. Very uncool.
By the end of the book, Fanny has come to peace with her gift and even uses it to make Annabelle a doll of her own.
I like the portrayal of a mom standing on principles. I like Fanny's imagination and the fortitude she shows in fixing her dilemma. And I love that she comes to a peace with her gift and shows further creativity by putting the contents to use.
I also like the example Fanny shows in dealing gracefully with her friends and their cool dolls and oh-so-cool opinions.
The Cow Who Wouldn't Come Down
by Paul Brett Johnson
Thumbs Up
In this humorous picture book, Miss Rosemary has a somewhat irksome cow. This time Gertrude has learned to fly and won't come down to get milked. Follow the very spry Miss Gertrude as she attempts some ineffectual ways attract Gertrude, and then finally concocts just the right trick to get Gertrude down. A sweet book with neat acrylic painted illustrations.
Thumbs Up
In this humorous picture book, Miss Rosemary has a somewhat irksome cow. This time Gertrude has learned to fly and won't come down to get milked. Follow the very spry Miss Gertrude as she attempts some ineffectual ways attract Gertrude, and then finally concocts just the right trick to get Gertrude down. A sweet book with neat acrylic painted illustrations.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Albert
by Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrated by Jim LaMarche
Thumbs up.
In this quirky picture book, the main character, Albert is not quite normal. Albert appears to be a young man, but he looks very child like. I'm not sure whether Ms. Napoli was trying to portray a man with OCD or on the autism spectrum.
At any rate, regardless of his unusual personality, Albert is very lovable. He decides each day whether or not to go out based on the weather. But alas, his judgment of the weather is based upon what kind of noises are emanating from the streets below his apartment.
When an act of kindness toward a pair of cardinals traps him at the window for an extended time, he learns that not everything that at first sounds ugly truly is.
The illustrations are fabulous and really help to define Albert. An altogether beautiful celebration of the unusual.
Illustrated by Jim LaMarche
Thumbs up.
In this quirky picture book, the main character, Albert is not quite normal. Albert appears to be a young man, but he looks very child like. I'm not sure whether Ms. Napoli was trying to portray a man with OCD or on the autism spectrum.
At any rate, regardless of his unusual personality, Albert is very lovable. He decides each day whether or not to go out based on the weather. But alas, his judgment of the weather is based upon what kind of noises are emanating from the streets below his apartment.
When an act of kindness toward a pair of cardinals traps him at the window for an extended time, he learns that not everything that at first sounds ugly truly is.
The illustrations are fabulous and really help to define Albert. An altogether beautiful celebration of the unusual.
Swing: A Scanimation Picture Book
by Rufus Butler Seder
Thumbs Up.
This is an awesome book. Each page spread revolves around a certain sports action, such as kicking a soccer ball or shooting a basket. The pages are animated with a part of the page the slides behind the opposite page with the page turning motion. (I am sure there is some name for this, but I can't figure out the correct google search to figure it out.)
The text asks a question about the featured activity and includes onomatopoeic words to add to the experience.
But the highlight is really the animation. These are just really cool. The batter on the cover cut out really swings. And the ball comes directly toward the reader. Duck!
My kids of all ages have been very intrigues by this book and it has entertained all of us repetitively.
Thumbs Up.
This is an awesome book. Each page spread revolves around a certain sports action, such as kicking a soccer ball or shooting a basket. The pages are animated with a part of the page the slides behind the opposite page with the page turning motion. (I am sure there is some name for this, but I can't figure out the correct google search to figure it out.)
The text asks a question about the featured activity and includes onomatopoeic words to add to the experience.
But the highlight is really the animation. These are just really cool. The batter on the cover cut out really swings. And the ball comes directly toward the reader. Duck!
My kids of all ages have been very intrigues by this book and it has entertained all of us repetitively.
Pumpkinhead
by Eric Rohmann
Thumbs, uh, thumbs don't even come into this one.
This is the most bizarre picture book I've ever read. From inside the back cover, "Eric Rohmann is a painter, printmaker, and fine bookmaker whose work both explores and generates the excitement of an imagination unleashed." Yes. Well. This pretty much sums up the book.
The story follows Otho, a boy with a pumpkin for a head, who is none-the-less loved by his parents. He loses is head in a traumatic fashion and the rest of the plot is what is happening to his head while it is separated from his body. And how they come to be rejoined.
And the Oh, so stunning moral, "You must be careful, Otho. You know the world will always be difficult for a boy with a pumpkin for a head."
The book as a whole is visually appealing. It has a nice thick cover with a cut out window featuring Otho. The illustration prints are interesting and add to the whimsy of the story. But I just can't get past the somewhat nightmarish quality of the plot.
My kids all love it. Frightening.
Thumbs, uh, thumbs don't even come into this one.
This is the most bizarre picture book I've ever read. From inside the back cover, "Eric Rohmann is a painter, printmaker, and fine bookmaker whose work both explores and generates the excitement of an imagination unleashed." Yes. Well. This pretty much sums up the book.
The story follows Otho, a boy with a pumpkin for a head, who is none-the-less loved by his parents. He loses is head in a traumatic fashion and the rest of the plot is what is happening to his head while it is separated from his body. And how they come to be rejoined.
And the Oh, so stunning moral, "You must be careful, Otho. You know the world will always be difficult for a boy with a pumpkin for a head."
The book as a whole is visually appealing. It has a nice thick cover with a cut out window featuring Otho. The illustration prints are interesting and add to the whimsy of the story. But I just can't get past the somewhat nightmarish quality of the plot.
My kids all love it. Frightening.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
You Can't Take a Balloon into...
The Metropolitan Museum
The National Gallery
The Museum of Fine Arts
by Jaqueline Preiss Weitzman and Robin Preiss Glasser
Thumbs up.
I really liked this set of three wordless picture books. In each, there is a brother and sister and the grandparents touring a famous museum in an important American city. The girl brings a balloon along each time and has to leave it outside with a different someone in each book. The balloon gets away and floats around the city visiting famous landmarks. Meanwhile the children and grandparents are inside viewing famous works of art. But all ends well as the balloon finds its way back to the museum each time, just in time for the family to come out.
The Metropolitan Museum is in New York City, the National Gallery is in Washington, DC, and the Museum of Fine Arts is in Boston. The author/illustrator team really hit their stride with the second book. The second and third include a map of the city with the route the balloon is traveling and all the famous landmarks. All three include notes at the end on the works of art viewed by the family. But the second and third also include notes on famous people who somehow end up with cameo appearances around town in the illustrations. In the second and third, Ms Glasser also manages to have the people in the balloon chase imitate whatever is going on in the art work being viewed back at the museum.
Theses really are a treat to look at. Although the reviews on Amazon rate them for ages K-3, K-4, and K- 5, respectively I "read" one of them to my kids the first night we had them from the library and I had all ages on the floor surrounding the book. I would have enjoyed spending much longer to look at them, and still hope to get a chance, in order to absorb all the historical figures popping into the pictures. I think the bigger kids have had them in their bedrooms going over them.
Other children's picture book connoisseurs may recognize the illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser. She did the illustrations for the historical picture books by Lynne Cheney, such as A is for America and A is for Abigail. She also does the Fancy Nancy books, of which we are great fans.
The National Gallery
The Museum of Fine Arts
by Jaqueline Preiss Weitzman and Robin Preiss Glasser
Thumbs up.
I really liked this set of three wordless picture books. In each, there is a brother and sister and the grandparents touring a famous museum in an important American city. The girl brings a balloon along each time and has to leave it outside with a different someone in each book. The balloon gets away and floats around the city visiting famous landmarks. Meanwhile the children and grandparents are inside viewing famous works of art. But all ends well as the balloon finds its way back to the museum each time, just in time for the family to come out.
The Metropolitan Museum is in New York City, the National Gallery is in Washington, DC, and the Museum of Fine Arts is in Boston. The author/illustrator team really hit their stride with the second book. The second and third include a map of the city with the route the balloon is traveling and all the famous landmarks. All three include notes at the end on the works of art viewed by the family. But the second and third also include notes on famous people who somehow end up with cameo appearances around town in the illustrations. In the second and third, Ms Glasser also manages to have the people in the balloon chase imitate whatever is going on in the art work being viewed back at the museum.
Theses really are a treat to look at. Although the reviews on Amazon rate them for ages K-3, K-4, and K- 5, respectively I "read" one of them to my kids the first night we had them from the library and I had all ages on the floor surrounding the book. I would have enjoyed spending much longer to look at them, and still hope to get a chance, in order to absorb all the historical figures popping into the pictures. I think the bigger kids have had them in their bedrooms going over them.
Other children's picture book connoisseurs may recognize the illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser. She did the illustrations for the historical picture books by Lynne Cheney, such as A is for America and A is for Abigail. She also does the Fancy Nancy books, of which we are great fans.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A Fair Bear Share
by Stuart J. Murphy
Thumbs up.
This cute book is part of a teaching series by Stuart J. Murphy called MathStart. In this book, Murphy tells the story of a Mama bear who wants to make a pie for her four cubs. But she needs their help gathering berries, nuts and seeds.
As the cubs bring in each item they've harvested, Mama bear helps the cubs count their own things. She has them put the items in piles of tens and ones, and then helps them total the harvest. The counting of each "crop" they bring in increases in difficulty until Mama gently guides them through the process of re-grouping, or carrying, of extra groups of ten.
The illustrations by John Speirs are appealing and engaging. He manages to show each seed, and berry, and group of ten, and so on, in such a way as to make the concepts understandable to young children.
My 9 and 11 year olds could easily read it alone, and although they both already understand the math concepts being taught, they still appreciated its visual portrayal. My 6 and 7 year old were very engaged and I could see the continuous "light bulbs" gong on. My 4 year old enjoyed the story pictures, and she and helped to count the harvest.
Thumbs up.
This cute book is part of a teaching series by Stuart J. Murphy called MathStart. In this book, Murphy tells the story of a Mama bear who wants to make a pie for her four cubs. But she needs their help gathering berries, nuts and seeds.
As the cubs bring in each item they've harvested, Mama bear helps the cubs count their own things. She has them put the items in piles of tens and ones, and then helps them total the harvest. The counting of each "crop" they bring in increases in difficulty until Mama gently guides them through the process of re-grouping, or carrying, of extra groups of ten.
The illustrations by John Speirs are appealing and engaging. He manages to show each seed, and berry, and group of ten, and so on, in such a way as to make the concepts understandable to young children.
My 9 and 11 year olds could easily read it alone, and although they both already understand the math concepts being taught, they still appreciated its visual portrayal. My 6 and 7 year old were very engaged and I could see the continuous "light bulbs" gong on. My 4 year old enjoyed the story pictures, and she and helped to count the harvest.
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