Diterlizzi, Tony. THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES. New York: Listening Library, 2003. Narrated by Holly Black and Mark Hamill.
It is easy to understand the huge popularity of this series. Simon, who loves tadpoles, frogs, and all animals. Mallory Grace, the eldest, who enjoys fencing and outdoor and athletic pursuits. Jared is the bookworm and the child who happens upon the dumb waiter and a legendary bogart, a mystery creature who is a "brownie" or "fairy" type creature from the Celtic Lands. There has been a divorce and the mother of the children moves into a crumbling old Victorian homeplace with her family. Soon thereafter Jared discovers a skeleton and a notebook with his great grandfather's last name, Spiderwick. The children's mother blames Jared for all the mischief that is caused by the bogart, but Jared cleverly leaves flour out to have evidence of his footprints. The bogart puts Simon's tadpoles in the freezer and causes Mallory much grief including leaving a threatening note and tying her hair to the headboard of her new bed. Soon, as Jared begins to unravel the mystery the flabbergasted children track down the bogart and come into his presence. An adventurous story that will be equally enjoyed by boys and girls. It is the beginning of a series. Very good narration and appealing to grades 1-6. Topnotch writing which reminds me just a bit of A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. Excellent character development and the right amount of action and mysterious fantasy.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Advanced Children's Literature: Fantasy
Alexander, Lloyd. THE BLACK CAULDRON. Random House, 2004. Read by James Langston.
The production is elegant, engaging and authentic. I speak a bit of Welsh and can attest to the fact that no British or Irish brogue or accent slips into Langston's performance. Once in a while a bit of a Scottish sound, but an A+ production. This is book 2 in the Prydian Cahronicles but Alexander says he wanted it to be well able to stand on it's own and indeed it does. Being a Newbery winner in print is in no way a surprise. Alexander himself begins the narration and says though the names, setting, a bit of the tale is from the ancient Welsh legends (the Mabinogion, however he doesn't use the term) that it is mainly a work of his imagination. Certainly it is a fictionalized account but with Gwydion, Arawn, Taran, the cauldron, or black crock as the enchantress' refer to it, the 3 drops of knowledge that come from the kettle, it is indeed familiar. Alexander's chosen country is Caer Dallben where peace reigns at the beginning of our story and then a quest and much conflict ensue. Getting back to the superlative job of the language on the audion version, Langston authentically accents the 2nd syllable of each Welsh name and word. In Ireland, Aidan is AID-n. In Welsh it is pronounced, a-DAY-n. A beautiful adaptation. I can hardly wait for book 3. Could hardly be any higher recommendation on the part of this reviewer.
The production is elegant, engaging and authentic. I speak a bit of Welsh and can attest to the fact that no British or Irish brogue or accent slips into Langston's performance. Once in a while a bit of a Scottish sound, but an A+ production. This is book 2 in the Prydian Cahronicles but Alexander says he wanted it to be well able to stand on it's own and indeed it does. Being a Newbery winner in print is in no way a surprise. Alexander himself begins the narration and says though the names, setting, a bit of the tale is from the ancient Welsh legends (the Mabinogion, however he doesn't use the term) that it is mainly a work of his imagination. Certainly it is a fictionalized account but with Gwydion, Arawn, Taran, the cauldron, or black crock as the enchantress' refer to it, the 3 drops of knowledge that come from the kettle, it is indeed familiar. Alexander's chosen country is Caer Dallben where peace reigns at the beginning of our story and then a quest and much conflict ensue. Getting back to the superlative job of the language on the audion version, Langston authentically accents the 2nd syllable of each Welsh name and word. In Ireland, Aidan is AID-n. In Welsh it is pronounced, a-DAY-n. A beautiful adaptation. I can hardly wait for book 3. Could hardly be any higher recommendation on the part of this reviewer.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Advanced Children's Literature: Historical Fiction
Lester, Julius. DAY OF TEARS. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2005.
There's never been a Julius Lester novel that I didn't enjoy and take much from, but DAY OF TEARS is a different type of slave narrative. With a subtitle of "a novel in dialog" it is marvelous listening, with many male and female narrators, but one can understand the point of the read-along after becoming familiar with this title. The book, like poetry, is made to be spoken. It is more a play than a novel, with a prinicipal characters list just like a playbill in the front of the book, but still and also (to use adolescent language) there are some things that may be more affecting and emotionally draining to see in print. The list of slaves at auction with their selling prices typed besides their names makes it all too real for me. The book drives home the point that must always be the main focal point with regard to slavery. It doesn't matter how well you are treated, slavery and freedom are two opposite ends of the spectrum. Pierce Butler treats his slaves like family until his "weak" wife leaves and the years of this youth become the gambling debts of his middle years. Daughter Frances is loved by Pierce much more than Sarah because she has a business head rather than a soft heart. Will and Mattie can't hide their grief or their disdain for Master Butler when he sells their daughter Emma. Never could anyone have convinced them that Emma being sold away was even a remote possibility. Will and Master grew up together, played in the dirt together, were treated like equals when they were young. Why do others not understand what Lester knows instinctively in his bones, that there is no good ending when slavery is involved. The emotional involvement with the reader is high for Lester and one wonders if retelling these painful tales is a burden or catharsis for him. The fact that the story is multigenerational adds richness and surprise. The interludes and flashbacks added to the drama, the suspense. I'm just a silly white girl but I so wish I could freeze time and let fictious Paris, of Nikki Grimes fame, and Emma shake the hand of Barack Obama, look into his kindly and learned face, gaze on his beautiful dark and self-sufficient wife and know the fact that in the end good almost always does defeat evil, but it is always a long, hard, lonely struggle. How can I praise Lester other than to say he has the skills of a time traveler, a fly on the wall. Even someone half human could not help being affected by this primal tale of love and hate, fear and deception, lucre versus love. There are not enough superlatives for this book, there truly are not. It would be an impossible choice between "Tears" and "The Old African" and I'm glad I don't have to make it. Pinkney's artwork is a plus, but the relationships in "Tears" are somehow unique. The time period is a bit different but the moral, the heartwrenching is not. The book will leave you breathless.
There's never been a Julius Lester novel that I didn't enjoy and take much from, but DAY OF TEARS is a different type of slave narrative. With a subtitle of "a novel in dialog" it is marvelous listening, with many male and female narrators, but one can understand the point of the read-along after becoming familiar with this title. The book, like poetry, is made to be spoken. It is more a play than a novel, with a prinicipal characters list just like a playbill in the front of the book, but still and also (to use adolescent language) there are some things that may be more affecting and emotionally draining to see in print. The list of slaves at auction with their selling prices typed besides their names makes it all too real for me. The book drives home the point that must always be the main focal point with regard to slavery. It doesn't matter how well you are treated, slavery and freedom are two opposite ends of the spectrum. Pierce Butler treats his slaves like family until his "weak" wife leaves and the years of this youth become the gambling debts of his middle years. Daughter Frances is loved by Pierce much more than Sarah because she has a business head rather than a soft heart. Will and Mattie can't hide their grief or their disdain for Master Butler when he sells their daughter Emma. Never could anyone have convinced them that Emma being sold away was even a remote possibility. Will and Master grew up together, played in the dirt together, were treated like equals when they were young. Why do others not understand what Lester knows instinctively in his bones, that there is no good ending when slavery is involved. The emotional involvement with the reader is high for Lester and one wonders if retelling these painful tales is a burden or catharsis for him. The fact that the story is multigenerational adds richness and surprise. The interludes and flashbacks added to the drama, the suspense. I'm just a silly white girl but I so wish I could freeze time and let fictious Paris, of Nikki Grimes fame, and Emma shake the hand of Barack Obama, look into his kindly and learned face, gaze on his beautiful dark and self-sufficient wife and know the fact that in the end good almost always does defeat evil, but it is always a long, hard, lonely struggle. How can I praise Lester other than to say he has the skills of a time traveler, a fly on the wall. Even someone half human could not help being affected by this primal tale of love and hate, fear and deception, lucre versus love. There are not enough superlatives for this book, there truly are not. It would be an impossible choice between "Tears" and "The Old African" and I'm glad I don't have to make it. Pinkney's artwork is a plus, but the relationships in "Tears" are somehow unique. The time period is a bit different but the moral, the heartwrenching is not. The book will leave you breathless.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Advanced Children's Literature: Fantasy
Baum, L. Frank. THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ. New York: William Morrow and Company, 1987.
This is a title in the "Books of Wonder" series. The edition is a "lavishly produced facsimile of the rare first edition" which includes the 24 color plates by W.W. Denslow. Beautiful to look at but harder to read when some of the print is atop the illustrations. The quintessential fantasy of childhood and the secret favorite movie of many adults, it is embarrasing how few adults have actually read it if my library co-workers are a good sampling. Having only read THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ in my childhood I cannot be smug. The differences between the book and movie are not great but they are noticeable. I see now why people say you should always read the book first. The first truly American fairy tale got it's reputation honestly, by flat out being the best! The yellow brick road, the Munchkins, Dorothy with silver shoes, the ever present Toto, and the big tough lion that could hurt someone if he only knew how big and tough he truly was. This fantasy is practically the definition of fantasy. It makes you forget that any world besides Oz exists. Baum's first name is Llyman and he didn't realize he had talent at writing "fantastic tales" until he hit 40. Now that is inspirational to teacher as well as student. I truly don't know what to say about such a classic of all classics. In my mind nothing other than King Arthur can truly touch Oz! Soldiers with green whiskers and eyelashes, a scarecrow that can twist the neck of 40 crows so his companions can continue their journey. Bruno Bettleheim would certainly classify this as a "true" fairy tale. There is no evil stepmother, but isn't the wicked witch even better, and she too is conquered by a typical child. I enjoyed the magic helmet and the flying monkeys that I never thought would make it, but the real hero here is not Dorothy, but the narrative style of Baum's prose that literaly makes us feel as if we had taken winged flight on an unbelievable journey to another world. "You will remember there was no road--not even a pathway--between the castle of the Wicked Witch and the Emerald City." "On and on they walked, and it seemed that the great carpet of deadly flowers that surrounded them would never end. They followed the bend of the river, and at last came upon their friend the Lion, lying fast asleep among the poppies. The flowers had been too strong for the huge beast and he had given up, at last, and fallen only a short distance from the end of the poppybed, where the sweet grass spread in beautiful green fields before them." What I notice most about the above selections is it seems like Baum is truly talking only to me, like he's sitting beside me and whispering this all in my ear, such is the natural flow of the language and the sensory appeal of the images. The illustrations are good, but they don't in my estimation compare to the text in quality. Without this flowing yarn there would never have been a cult movie. I honestly hope that anyone who has died without knowing this story on earth will have someone read it aloud to them in heaven or in the Summerlands. This may well be the best read aloud after lunch, a chapter at a time book that was ever created. Yes, better than SOCKS by Beverly Cleary or ZUCCHINI by Barbara Dana. I thought making ferrets out of zucchini squash with gumdrops, marshmallows, and toothpicks was the ultimate read-aloud and craft tie-in. Would that my teachers or me as a teacher had discovered the art and philosophy that could be taught with this most American of all fantasies. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and his name, honest to God, is L. Frank Baum!
This is a title in the "Books of Wonder" series. The edition is a "lavishly produced facsimile of the rare first edition" which includes the 24 color plates by W.W. Denslow. Beautiful to look at but harder to read when some of the print is atop the illustrations. The quintessential fantasy of childhood and the secret favorite movie of many adults, it is embarrasing how few adults have actually read it if my library co-workers are a good sampling. Having only read THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ in my childhood I cannot be smug. The differences between the book and movie are not great but they are noticeable. I see now why people say you should always read the book first. The first truly American fairy tale got it's reputation honestly, by flat out being the best! The yellow brick road, the Munchkins, Dorothy with silver shoes, the ever present Toto, and the big tough lion that could hurt someone if he only knew how big and tough he truly was. This fantasy is practically the definition of fantasy. It makes you forget that any world besides Oz exists. Baum's first name is Llyman and he didn't realize he had talent at writing "fantastic tales" until he hit 40. Now that is inspirational to teacher as well as student. I truly don't know what to say about such a classic of all classics. In my mind nothing other than King Arthur can truly touch Oz! Soldiers with green whiskers and eyelashes, a scarecrow that can twist the neck of 40 crows so his companions can continue their journey. Bruno Bettleheim would certainly classify this as a "true" fairy tale. There is no evil stepmother, but isn't the wicked witch even better, and she too is conquered by a typical child. I enjoyed the magic helmet and the flying monkeys that I never thought would make it, but the real hero here is not Dorothy, but the narrative style of Baum's prose that literaly makes us feel as if we had taken winged flight on an unbelievable journey to another world. "You will remember there was no road--not even a pathway--between the castle of the Wicked Witch and the Emerald City." "On and on they walked, and it seemed that the great carpet of deadly flowers that surrounded them would never end. They followed the bend of the river, and at last came upon their friend the Lion, lying fast asleep among the poppies. The flowers had been too strong for the huge beast and he had given up, at last, and fallen only a short distance from the end of the poppybed, where the sweet grass spread in beautiful green fields before them." What I notice most about the above selections is it seems like Baum is truly talking only to me, like he's sitting beside me and whispering this all in my ear, such is the natural flow of the language and the sensory appeal of the images. The illustrations are good, but they don't in my estimation compare to the text in quality. Without this flowing yarn there would never have been a cult movie. I honestly hope that anyone who has died without knowing this story on earth will have someone read it aloud to them in heaven or in the Summerlands. This may well be the best read aloud after lunch, a chapter at a time book that was ever created. Yes, better than SOCKS by Beverly Cleary or ZUCCHINI by Barbara Dana. I thought making ferrets out of zucchini squash with gumdrops, marshmallows, and toothpicks was the ultimate read-aloud and craft tie-in. Would that my teachers or me as a teacher had discovered the art and philosophy that could be taught with this most American of all fantasies. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and his name, honest to God, is L. Frank Baum!
Advanced Children's Literature: Non-fiction/Magazines
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FOR KIDS. December 2008. Published by Time Magazine.
This month is a "Year-end Double Issue" with the "Gotta Get It Guide Goes Green" for finding out what to ask for should you celebrate the winter holidays. The Gotta get it guide is more than a gimme guide. It has cool athletic shoes, basketballs, and hoodies but many are made from recycled materials. Steve Nash gives his tips for preserving the planet: 1. Go paperless when you can. 2. Set an example around the house. 3. Remember image isn't everything (GOOD ONE.) 4. Get some fresh air! Now that's an excellent tie in with sports and good health. The "traditional" one sided format features the 2008 "Sports Kid of the Year." Derek Andrews plays 4 sports but more importantly he has a big heart and loves to raise money for less fortunate children and volunteer. Derek has of late had many medical tests to try and discover what muscle ailment is afflicting him with fatigue and requiring as many physical therapy sessions as games each week. This gave the town of Buffalo just one more reason to rally behind their native little son. Derek will be a good role model for persevering despite hardship, because he still comes across as a smiling typical American boy. This periodical has more commercial aspects than National Geographic Kids but that is to be expected. There are also some very thought provoking pieces to go along with the videogame trading cards. "Playing for Peaces: Our reporter traveled to Israel to see how soccer is slowly bringing together a country in conflict." There are facts about basketball, both professional and collegiate. It's popularity is not surprising!
This month is a "Year-end Double Issue" with the "Gotta Get It Guide Goes Green" for finding out what to ask for should you celebrate the winter holidays. The Gotta get it guide is more than a gimme guide. It has cool athletic shoes, basketballs, and hoodies but many are made from recycled materials. Steve Nash gives his tips for preserving the planet: 1. Go paperless when you can. 2. Set an example around the house. 3. Remember image isn't everything (GOOD ONE.) 4. Get some fresh air! Now that's an excellent tie in with sports and good health. The "traditional" one sided format features the 2008 "Sports Kid of the Year." Derek Andrews plays 4 sports but more importantly he has a big heart and loves to raise money for less fortunate children and volunteer. Derek has of late had many medical tests to try and discover what muscle ailment is afflicting him with fatigue and requiring as many physical therapy sessions as games each week. This gave the town of Buffalo just one more reason to rally behind their native little son. Derek will be a good role model for persevering despite hardship, because he still comes across as a smiling typical American boy. This periodical has more commercial aspects than National Geographic Kids but that is to be expected. There are also some very thought provoking pieces to go along with the videogame trading cards. "Playing for Peaces: Our reporter traveled to Israel to see how soccer is slowly bringing together a country in conflict." There are facts about basketball, both professional and collegiate. It's popularity is not surprising!
Advanced Children's Literature: Nonfiction/Magazines
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS. August 2008. Washington, D.C. National Geographic Society.
I didn't ride the short bus but let me tell you I learned dozens and dozens of fun facts and had trouble putting this magazine down. This was a "Special Awesome Animals Issue!" "Dolphins in Disguise" is the cover story but "20 Cool Things About Butterflies" is given an equal number of pages inside. Who would not want to read about two 2 tiger cubs rejected by their mother who ended up being "temporarily adopted" by 2 abandoned orangutans after taking the zoo keeper's lead? How cool is that, orangutans and tigers hugging, cuddling, and grooming each other. As expected, the photographs are incredible. The oversized butterfly pics are the most unique. But not only is the magazine educational, warm, and fuzzy, there are regular features such as "Video game Central," "The Green List" and "All About You." Trading cards are favorite childhood treasures and these 6 feature sand cats and a giraffe-necked weevil. There is a back to nature "funny fill-in" which works like a madlib. Kids wrote in to ask the "Pet Vet" how lost dogs find their way home and why ferrets steal things from their owners. First rate and fun filled!
I didn't ride the short bus but let me tell you I learned dozens and dozens of fun facts and had trouble putting this magazine down. This was a "Special Awesome Animals Issue!" "Dolphins in Disguise" is the cover story but "20 Cool Things About Butterflies" is given an equal number of pages inside. Who would not want to read about two 2 tiger cubs rejected by their mother who ended up being "temporarily adopted" by 2 abandoned orangutans after taking the zoo keeper's lead? How cool is that, orangutans and tigers hugging, cuddling, and grooming each other. As expected, the photographs are incredible. The oversized butterfly pics are the most unique. But not only is the magazine educational, warm, and fuzzy, there are regular features such as "Video game Central," "The Green List" and "All About You." Trading cards are favorite childhood treasures and these 6 feature sand cats and a giraffe-necked weevil. There is a back to nature "funny fill-in" which works like a madlib. Kids wrote in to ask the "Pet Vet" how lost dogs find their way home and why ferrets steal things from their owners. First rate and fun filled!
Advanced Children's Literature: Fantasy
Barron, T.A. THE MIRROR OF MERLIN. Random House, 1999. Read by Kevin Isola.
Book four in the series, "The Lost Years of Merlin," Barron does for Merlin that which T.H. White did for Arthur, take him back to his boyhood to help us understand him better as an adult, to see how life forged the fire of inspiration into his soul. In growing up and learning more about others Merlin begins to turn inward and learn more about himself than he cared to. Barron's verbal introduction not only "channels" Merlin, the depth of his passion filled voice makes one wonder if he isn't going all the way back to Taliesin, the Bard of Wales. Just as full of adventure as mysticism Barron's tale knows how to entertain but he is really doing so much more than that. Young people will be unknowingly drawn into the web of our cultural heritage, our identity as Westerners. The sage of Arthur was once a little boy washed up on the shore who grew and became fond of Hallia, the deer woman as he began to age. Barron sends young Merlin into the swamps and forests of the magical island of Fincayra to grow up and find the strength to save his homeland from disaster. Merlin discovers that altering fate is not a thing to take lightly. The magical mirror helps teach him the art of prediction and as we all know the legend contains many moments where Merlin would have rather not foreseen tragedy that was yet to come. Isola handles the female voices as well as the male. A very engaging tale, an unforgettable series.
Book four in the series, "The Lost Years of Merlin," Barron does for Merlin that which T.H. White did for Arthur, take him back to his boyhood to help us understand him better as an adult, to see how life forged the fire of inspiration into his soul. In growing up and learning more about others Merlin begins to turn inward and learn more about himself than he cared to. Barron's verbal introduction not only "channels" Merlin, the depth of his passion filled voice makes one wonder if he isn't going all the way back to Taliesin, the Bard of Wales. Just as full of adventure as mysticism Barron's tale knows how to entertain but he is really doing so much more than that. Young people will be unknowingly drawn into the web of our cultural heritage, our identity as Westerners. The sage of Arthur was once a little boy washed up on the shore who grew and became fond of Hallia, the deer woman as he began to age. Barron sends young Merlin into the swamps and forests of the magical island of Fincayra to grow up and find the strength to save his homeland from disaster. Merlin discovers that altering fate is not a thing to take lightly. The magical mirror helps teach him the art of prediction and as we all know the legend contains many moments where Merlin would have rather not foreseen tragedy that was yet to come. Isola handles the female voices as well as the male. A very engaging tale, an unforgettable series.
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