Book 27 The Name Jar

Title:  The Name Jar 

Author:     Yangsook Choi

Year Published:  2001

Ages: Ages 4-8  years old

Why I chose this book:  I was introduced to this book in class during a student teaching lesson of making connections.  The book was read to us and we were to list out text to self, text to text and text to world connections that made impressions on us.  It was a great exercise and really helped enhance my perspective of the book by introducing other’s perspectives. 

Reaction:  This book, like many books that I find awesome, is awesome.  Unhei the main character, a little girl from Korea who moves to the US with her family is confronted with the cultural challenges of fitting in.  After her name is made fun of in the school bus, she decides she’s going to adopt an American name.  Her classmates help her by putting different names they like in the name jar.  She meets Joey, a little boy who likes her for who she is.  He takes the name jar because he’s afraid that she’s going to change her name.   That very same day Joey returns the name jar to her and explains that he likes her name because it suits her.  This book is a sweet book and attests to the beautiful honest of children and true friendship.  I would definitely recommend this quality book to be used in the classroom.  I would even suggest that this book be used to help teach children that differences are to be celebrated!  

Book 27 The Name Jar

Title:  The Name Jar

Author: Yangsook Choi

Year Published:  2001

Ages: Ages 4-8  years old

Why I chose this book:  I was introduced to this book in class during a student teaching lesson of making connections.  The book was read to us and we were to list out text to self, text to text and text to world connections that made impressions on us.  It was a great exercise and really helped enhance my perspective of the book by introducing other’s perspectives. 

Reaction:  This book, like many books that I find awesome, is awesome.  Unhei the main character, a little girl from Korea who moves to the US with her family is confronted with the cultural challenges of fitting in.  After her name is made fun of in the school bus, she decides she’s going to adopt an American name.  Her classmates help her by putting different names they like in the name jar.  She meets Joey, a little boy who likes her for who she is.  He takes the name jar because he’s afraid that she’s going to change her name.   That very same day Joey returns the name jar to her and explains that he likes her name because it suits her.  This book is a sweet book and attests to the beautiful honest of children and true friendship.  I would definitely recommend this quality book to be used in the classroom.  I would even suggest that this book be used to help teach children that differences are to be celebrated!  Or maybe when there's a new student that book can be read to help reassure them that we've all been new students at one point or another and everything is going to work out just fine. 

Book 26 Who Stole Mona Lisa?

Title:  Who Stole Mona Lisa?   

Author:  Ruthie Knapp  

Year Published:  2010

Ages: 4-9 years old

Why I chose this book:  I went to France for the first time in 1999.  It was astonishing.   I never knew how rich the culture is.  I had of course heard about the infamous Mona Lisa.  But know nothing about who she was and the scandals that surrounded her legacy.  When I marched up the decadent marble staircase at the Louvre I was expecting a massive chef-d'œuvre (master piece).  In stead I was face to glass with a teeny-tiny Mona Lisa.  How on earth could that tiny piece of paint cause so much mystery, so much mischief, and so much misery?   My obsession with French, the Louvre, the Mona Lisa and the scandals of the Mona Lisa drove me to this book.

Reaction: Loved the book.  It was an adventurous retelling of the time the Mona Lisa was stolen.  It was told from the painting Mona Lisa’s point of view, which was an interesting perspective.  There was ample factual information for students to have a solid understanding of who was Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa and why the painting became so famous.   I think this book would be a great introduction of art and art history for students.  It captures the attention and the illustrations are fantastic.

Book 25 Art & Max

Title: Art & Max

Author: David Wiesner    

Year Published: 2010

Ages: 4-8 years old

Why I chose this book: I am familiar with David Wiesner's interesting work and love art projects.  This cover made me laugh, I very much relate to the lizard on the right side, more of a free-spirit.

Reaction: Art & Max, a beautifully crafted book with amazing illustrations. The relationship between the two was very heart-warming.  Seeing the two completely opposite lizards, interact was a delight.  I think it would be a great lesson on celebrating differences and learning how to cooperate with people who do things differently.  ( I would know, as I am one of those people who operates differently).  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Art's emotional evolution of letting go.  That is one life lesson that children understand however adults need to remember.

Many reviews of this book suggest that Wiesner is inviting dialogues of "What is art?" in this creation.  I would agree with that statement.  I find that Art's character represents the traditional approach of defining art and Max's character represents a more modern approach.  Interestingly, both approaches are neither the wrong or right answer.  (I am a huge believer in all shades of gray!)

I plan to read this book every time I embark upon a crafting session, to remind myself that art does not have to follow a strict set of rules or standards.

Book 24 Swimmy

Title:  Swimmy

Author: Leo Lionni   

Year Published:  1973

Ages: Baby-Preschool

Why I chose this book: I chose Swimmy because of the title and the cover.  I found the cover to be beautiful and it reminded me of swimming.  Swimming is one of my favorite summer things to do, especially since I moved to the sweltering heat of Texas from glorious summer weather in Wisconsin.  I love the freeing feeling of being weightless and flowing in the water.  When I am emotionally stirred, I head towards a body of water, or my backyard which has a fountain.  Water is safe, beautiful, majestic, and ought to be respected.

Reaction: Swimmy is a quaint story with amazing illustrations that inspires and teaches "little fish" that when they work together they can accomplish anything.  Swimmy the fish's differences weren't mentioned in the text.  At first I wasn't sure why he was black and the other fish were red; if it was a symbol of diversity or had another meaning.  His differences ended up being very useful.  

Book 23 Olivia Goes to Venice

Title: Olivia Goes to Venice

Author: Ian Falconer

Year Published: 2010

Ages: 4-8 years old

Why I chose this book:  I originally indulged in Olivia Goes To Venice, because I was planning a trip to Italy.  Well, that's part of the reason why I chose the book, I was also intrigued by the protagonist.  A pig!  I had heard about the movie Olivia and how they had to put a snout on someone.  So I wanted to investigate keeping my Italian agenda a priority as well.

Reaction:  Olivia is darling.  She's feisty and she's a proud pretty pig.  When her family visits Venice, they eat gelatto every chance they can and nearly sink a gondola!  I hope they tipped that gondola driver well ;-)  Olivia is in search of the perfect souvenir and goes on quite the adventure to find it.

This book is charming and pretty accurate in my opinion.  I haven't been to Venice, however I have visited Milan.  I ate a metric ton of gelato and had to dodge a gazillion pigeons which had me worried I was going to be poo'ed on.  The illustrations are hilarious.  I can see this book being part of the library for fun reading and also being used to practice making predictions.   Andiamo!!

Book 22 What Can You Do With a Paleta?

Title:  What Can You Do With a Paleta?   

Author:Carmen Tafolla and Magaly Morales    

Year Published: 2009 

Ages: 4-8 years old

Why I chose this book:  I am dying to find out what one can do with a paleta!  I also would like to know what is a paleta.

Reaction: This vivacious summery fun book was awesome.  A paleta is a popsicle, well not just any popsicle, it's a Latin American frozen treat, made with fruit.  Some say it is an intensely awesome fruit flavor that hits you in the face when you take a bite.  I have yet to try a paleta, but with summer right around the corner, I'm hoping I will have plenty of opportunities to test them out.  

The colors in this book are so inviting and friendly.  Those who have been to Mexico say the illustrations feel like Mexico.  Again, something I hope to experience soon.

I can absolutely see this book being used in classrooms to bridge cultural gaps.  Who doesn't love a popsicle or excuse me a paleta?  This could also be an engaging introduction into a science lesson.  In my opinion this is a great authentic read, which speaks the truth about the many creative things you can do with a paleta!  Enjoy!