Book Review: WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?

Kerley, Barbara. (2008) What to do about alice? :how alice roosevelt broke the rules, charmed the world, and drove her father teddy crazy. Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. Scholastic Press: New York. ISBN 9780439922319

PLOT SUMMARY

Join Alice on her adventure called life! President Teddy Roosevelt had seen and done it all but nothing prepared him for his daughter’s outlook of life and way of living. Ever since Alice was young she did what she wanted when she wanted and was not going to have it any other way whether it was joining an all-boys club, welcoming visitors with her pet snake at the white house, “playing her role as a goodwill ambassador”. She was liked by many and all. Following her passion of politics she became President Roosevelt’s most trusted advisors. Even after becoming a wife, her exciting life did not stop there as she, danced at balls, played poker, and rode horses. Still after President Roosevelt left the office was still not prepared for Alice’s outlook on life. The book ends with an author’s note.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Throughout the book certain words are emphasized in bigger text and bolded, to make statements, such as “THE POOR LITTLE THING”, “Alice ate up the world”, and ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH”. The book stands at 8.8 x 0.4 x 12.1 inches a little larger than most books, with that said the illustrations on both sides one very page brings authors Barbra Kerley’s words to life. The reader feels and truly gets a sense of what they are reading. Illustrations leave nothing to the imagination, as illustrator Edwin Fotheringham does a wonderful job of showing Alice and her adventurous life.

REVIEW EXCERPT (S)

-Booklist starred (2008) “Kerley’s text has the same rambunctious spirit as its subject, grabbing readers from the first line:”

-Horn Book Magazine (2008) “Both text and illustrations can depict a demure Alice (on her wedding day, for example), but that decorum is short-lived as she dances the turkey trot or plays poker with "the boys."

-School Library Journal (2008) “Kerley's text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics, as the girl greets White House visitors accompanied by her pet snake, refuses to let leg braces cramp her style, dives fully clothed into a ship's swimming pool, and also earns her place in history as one of her father's trusted advisers.”

*Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor, 2009

*ALA Notable Children's Books, 2009

CONNECTIONS

Students could fill in KWL chart before they read about Alice Roosevelt they write down what they know, what they want to know and after reading they write in what they learned. These charts could also be used along with the following books:

Kerley, Barbara (2001). The dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins: An Illuminating history of Mr.

Waterhouse Hawkins, artist and lecturer. Ill. by Brian Selznick. ISBN

9780439114943

Bennett, Doraine. (2012). Theodore Roosevelt. Hamilton, GA: State Standards Publishing.

ISBN: 9781935884521

Book Review: ACTION JACKSON

Greenberg, Jan., & Jordan, Sandra. (2007). Action Jackson. Ill. by Robert Andrew Parker New

York: Square Fish. (ISBN 0761327703)

PLOT SUMMARY

Authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan showcase how unique artist Jackson Pollock created Number One, 1950, (Lavender Mist) artwork. In Action Jackson, Jackson Pollock is a quite individual who uses a different method of creating his artwork. His art studio is an old barn and uses the barn floor as his work space. Jackson is a fan of array of paint from house paint to watercolors. He decides on creating a piece of art and begins his creation. After some time he becomes tired and loses focus. He goes through daily life responsibilities and gets a sudden burst of inspiration from music and nature and continued his artwork. Finally after oodles of paint and using brush strokes, streaks, and hands the painting is complete: Number One, 1950 (Lavender Mist). Pollock continued to create these unique paintings until his death in 1956.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The story is complete in 27 pages making the story short, simple, and to the point. The author provides little information on his personal life, but emphasizing on the creation of Number One, 1950 (Lavender Mist). The illustrations created by water colors expresses the simplicity of Jackson Pollock’s life.  In the biography at the end of the story it states, “He was famous now, but he told friends that all the attention made him “feel like a clam without a shell.””

REVIEW EXCERPT (S)

-Book List starred (2002) “the authors explore what an artist does in remarkably clear language that will encourage children to approach art, learn about it, and trust their own reactions”

-Horn Book Guide starred “This is a book with the energy and expression to match its subject.”

-School Library Journal (2002) “The text is accessible enough for younger readers to appreciate if read aloud and lively enough to appeal to older readers, who just might be inspired to learn more about the artist.”

*Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor, 2003

*New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age, 2004

*ALA Notable Children's Books, 2003

CONNECTIONS

This book along with the following texts would greatly assist students with writing or drawing conclusion: Nonfiction read and respond activity (writing/drawing conclusions):

Harris, L. V., & Cassatt, M. (2007). Mary Cassatt: impressionist painter. Gretna: Pelican. ISBN 9781589804524

Winter, Jeanette. (2003). My name is georgia: a portrait. San Diego: Voyager Books, Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 978-0152045975

Book Review: FUNNY BONES: POSADA AND HIS DAY OF THE DEAD CALAVERAS

 Tonatiuh, Dungan. (2015). Funny bones: Posada and his day of the dead calaveras. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers. (ISBN 978-1-41971-647-8)

PLOT SUMMARY

Does the name Jose Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada ring a bell? Chances are you may not have heard it, but more than likely you have seen his artwork here or there especially nearing November 1-2: Mexico’s Dia De Muertos (Day of the Dead). Author Tonatiuh writes about Jose Guadalupe Posada’s most popular artwork of Calaveras (skeletons) in Funny Bones Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. Posada born in Mexico, a great artist at young age, began gaining experiencing in different types of art work such as at a print shop where he learned lithography, learned engraving, printing all sorts of certificates, invitations, flyers, and documents. He even dabbled in humorous political artwork, which was not liked by all politicians forcing Posada to move the city of Leon. He married and had one son. At that time he became a very distinguished and respected individual, as he started illustrating for books and became a lithography teacher. A flood caused his family to move to Mexico City, where he opened up another shop. It was at that time along with a fellow co-worker they began to create these meticulous works of arts: calaveras (skeletons). His work is celebrated around the world. The book ends with an author’s note, glossary, bibliography, and art credits.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Even though calaveras (skeletons) are usually associated with death and is a heavy subject to talk about, the way the author depicts and expresses Posadas’s life throughout the book is easy for children to read and understand. The illustrations are deep in color and rich in culture and helps the readers interpret the text. There is art work throughout the book that was created by Posada himself, including the cover of the book.

REVIEW EXCERPT (S)

-Booklist starred (2015) “This exceptional picture-book biography profiles Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913), who is remembered primarily for his portrayal of calaveras, the droll skeletons prominent in Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations.”

-Horn Book Magazine (2015) “He incorporates amusing, thoughtful exercises for young readers into the narrative, prompting them to interpret the messages behind Posada's artwork.”

-School Library Journal (2015) “The beautifully expressive Day of the Dead-inspired illustrations on heavy paper pages sport borders of bones, grinning skeletons, and Tonatiuh's signature figures shown in profile, influenced by the ancient Mexican art of his ancestors.”

*Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor, 2016

*Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2016

CONNECTIONS

For Spanish class or history class students can make their own Dia De Los Muertos altar or display reading the following books about the topic:

Haeger, Eric. Rosita Y CONCHITA: A RHYMING storybook in English & Spanish. Ill.

by Eric Gonzalez. ISBN 978092715307

Luenn, Nancy. A gift for abuelita: Celebrating the day of the dead. Ill. by Robert

Chapman. ISBN 9780873586887

Book Review: THE RIGHT WORD: ROGET AND HIS THESAURUS

         Bryant, Jen. (2014). The right word: Roget and his thesaurus. Ill. by. Melissa Sweet. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. (ISBN 9780802853851)

PLOT SUMMARY

Ever looked through a thesaurus and wondered why or how anyone would take the time to write and research those many words? Well, that is what author Jen Bryant was thinking when flipping through the thesaurus, which in turn wrote The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus and answered his own questions. The Roget and his thesaurus all started when a small boy named Peter Mark Roget unfortunately loses his father and has to move with his mother, uncle and sister. His family constantly moves which makes it difficult for Peter to make friends. He falls in love with reading books and discovers making lists of topics that intrigue him constitute as “friends”. As a teenage boy he adventures off on his own to London, enrolls in medical school at the age of fourteen, graduates from medical school at age nineteen, becomes a tutor to a wealthy man’s two sons, then at last, became a doctor, all the while Peter was creating multiple lists throughout this time. By the time 1805 comes around his big book of word lists is completed. During the time of his medical practice he also provides lectures of his knowledge to others, which find him intensely interesting. He marries at the age of forty-five and has one boy and one girl. As Peter held on to his book of lists, others around him had published their own work of lists, but found them to be incomprehensible. That encouraged Peter to work on his own book to be more user friendly so that everyone from doctors to fishermen could use and understand it. In 1852 Peter finally publishes the first edition Thesaurus: Thesaurus of English: Words and Phrases, Classified and Arranged so as to Facilitate the Expression of Ideas and Assist in Literary Composition.    

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The author Jen Bryant from the beginning of the book to end the author Jen Bryant keeps the text light and is easy to follow along, making it interesting on how she decided to format the text on every page. For example, the books starts off with the paragraph in a list format, then goes back to using regular style format, and also includes journal like note taking style format. The style of text, keeps the readers engage throughout the book, along with the illustrations. The illustrations represent the book of lists Peter had worked on throughout part of his lifetime and Illustrator Melissa Sweet helps the readers visualize Peter’s world.

REVIEW EXCERPT (S)

-Book List starred (2014) “Bryant’s and Sweet’s talents combine to make the lowly thesaurus fascinating in this beautifully illustrated picture-book biography of Peter Mark Roget.”

-Horn Book Guide starred (2015) “Sweet embellishes her own gentle watercolors with all manner of clippings and realia.”

-School Library Journal (2014) “Those who have relied upon a thesaurus (meaning treasure house in Greek), either in print or through the tool menu of word processing software, will gain a greater appreciation for the reference tool in this beautifully designed picture book biography of its creator, Peter Roget.”

*Caldecott Honor, 2015

*Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2015

CONNECTIONS

The following books would greatly pair with Roget and His Thesaurus as students use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast their unique findings on inventions:

Brown, Don. Rare treasure: Mary Anning and her remarkable discoveries. ISBN

9780547349107

Ferris, Jeri. Noah Webster and his words. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN

9780544582422