Julius, The Baby of the World
Written and Illustrated by: Kevin Henkes
This story's recommend audience is 4+. I agree with the "+"! I am 21 (almost 22) years old and I found this book enjoyable. I am assuming that most students would find this book interesting; however, any student with a sibling may find this book reeeaally interesting, funny, and relatable. Julius is the new baby in the family. Lilly is his older sister and she wants nothing to do with Julius. In fact, she thought that,
".....his wet pink nose was slimy. She thought his small black eyes were beady. And she thought his sweet white fur was no so sweet... 'Disgusting', said Lilly."
Lilly does some 'not so nice' things to her newborn baby brother. Fortunately, as the book goes on something happens that changes Lilly's mind about Julius.
I think this would be a great book to read in a K-2 grade classroom. Often times during these grade levels students are experiencing the change of having a new sibling. This book may be a good way to open up the topic of new siblings with your students. During the discussion students may chose to express feelings that they have experienced. This can help build classroom community!
Circle Dogs
Written by: Kevin Henkes
Illustrated by: Dan Yaccarino
This book would be useful in a Preschool-1st grade classroom. Throughout the pages of the book the main focus is shapes... from circle dogs to square houses. Although the recommended audience is 2+, I would put a limit on the "+". I wouldn't read this book to students past 1st grade. The language is quite simple and I had a difficult time not getting overly bored while reading.
The illustrations are rather cute and really help aid the words of the story nicely. This may be beneficial to the reader because some of the language is a little abstract (for example: Now circle dogs have triangle ears). The book takes the reader throughout almost two full days in the life of a circle dog. They have very similar lives to a pet dog one may think of now-a-days, however, there are some differences.
This book would be a great way to introduce shapes in the classroom. The plot is relatable and because of this students may be able to make connections with the story. Furthermore, the author asks the reader questions throughout the story. These questions may help draw the attention of the audience and further their interest in the story.
And Tango Makes Three
Written by: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Illustrated by: Henry Cole
Due to the fact that many of my classmates blogged about this particular book, I also chose to read this as my last controversial book blog. I absolutely loved this book. I personally enjoyed the two authors' choice of characters. Using animals as a way to model a homosexual relationship and family is such a creative idea. In my opinion this somewhat softens the topic. I can definitely see why this book would be considered controversial in many peoples' eyes. The subject of homosexuality is such a controversial issue in itself.... throwing a picture book on the topic made for children's eyes can only add fuel to the fire. Using animals as the characters within the story makes homosexuality seem natural, it's innate. Some people believe this to be true, however, others have very strong feelings and beliefs on that opposite end of that spectrum. To spice up the authors' belief of innate homosexuality they chose to inform their audience that the story they just read, And Tango Makes Three, is in fact quite true... in fact! you can go see Tango and his fathers at the Central Park Zoo. Anyone who believes that homosexuals choose their sexuality would more than likely be appalled by this book and instantly begin criticizing it. I personally find this book to have the potential to be a very good way to discuss homosexuality with my students (if appropriate) and definitely with my children someday.
So Happy!
Written by: Kevin Henkes
Pictures by: Anita Lobel
This book is one of five books that I am reading as part of my author study. The audience for this book is recommended to be 2+. Although the book uses simple language, it's not "insultingly simple" or "boring" and the illustrations really help aid the story. There are three main characters in the story: 1) a magic seed, 2) a boy, and 3) a rabbit. Although these characters never really know one another, the book takes the reader on an adventure that affects each character differently. In the end each character is happy with the outcome it had been handed.
I really enjoyed the simplicity of the story. It was short, simple, and sweet. As I was reading this story, future lesson plan involving this book kept popping up in my mind. I could see myself using this story as a predicting/inferring lesson. There were many points in the story were I could stop the story and say "Ok! Now... what do you think is going to happen to the seed?" (or to the boy, or to the rabbit).
The Book That Eats People
Written by: John Perry
Illustrated by: Mark Fearling
So I independently labeled this book controversial. Perhaps it was because I was sitting alone, at night, in an empty, cold bedroom while this book mentioned its desire to eat me. Cheesy sounding, right? Regardless I was super creeped out and because of that elementary students may be as well. I may have had a different response to this particular book if I had been reading it in a different setting, however, I wasn't and I didn't. I would hate for any student to refuse to read because they were afraid their book was going to literally eat them. Okay, okay, I know it sounds ridiculous but the author and illustrator did a fantastically creepy job when creating this book. The words are chilling in certain spots...
"So the book -- this book -- went SNAP! And took a bite! Ant then another and another. Sammy squirmed and wriggled. Sammy squealed and yelled. Sammy pulled as hard as he could, but the book ate him. The it coughed up his bones and they clattered across the floor like wooden blocks. That was the first person this book ate."
Very detailed! (... and rather humorous sounding now that I typed it out). This book definitely can be taken light heartedly and more like will be seen as very funny by most. HOWEVER, I can't help but think the worse... some kindergartner having nightmares and refusing to open another book again. Eh, who knows :) But there's always that chance!
Happy to Be Nappy
Written by: Bell Hooks
So, I choose this book because I recently found out in another class that the work 'nappy' should not be used by those individuals who do NOT have nappy hair themselves. However, if you have 'nappy' hair then you are allowed to use the term. I found this very... 'interesting' and somewhat confusing. I had never heard that before. This book sends out a message to its reader that who you are as an individual is wonderful and that you should be happy with your physical appearance. What's wrong with that message? I personally think it's wonderful. However the message of the book is not the part that is considered controversial, the word 'nappy' is. Due to the fact that I just discovered that the word nappy was controversial in itself, I am having a difficult time understanding why it's controversial. Has the word nappy once been referred to in a negative way? I suppose unless something comes to my attention that I hadn't previously known, I wouldn't mind having this book in my classroom library. For now I see no reason for it not to be. In addition, I fell in love with the illustrations throughout the book. They are bright, playful, and created with water color. They definitely grabbed my attention and made this book memorable.
The Un-Wedding
Written by: Babette Cole
I can see why some may feel this book is controversial; however, I would have absolutely no problem having this book available for my students to read. Perhaps my opinion comes from the fact that I, myself, have parents who are divorced. I feel that this book really dumbs down the very real and difficult events that take place when divorce occurs in families. Oddly, while reading this picture book, I frequently found myself smiling. The author, Cole, does a nice job of allowing the reader to see the situation at hand through the children's perspective. This perspective was once seen through my eyes and, similarly to the children in this book, I was relieved when the actual divorce occurred. Divorce is often viewed upon as a very negative event. Some say that divorce is not okay, it shows a lack of commitment, laziness, stubbornness... the list goes on and on. The Un-Wedding sends a message to its audience that it is okay for parents to get divorced and it's not their children's fault. This is a wonderful message to send out to students because more and more families are splitting (for lack of a better word) due to divorce. Even though divorce is common in our society, subtle messages do get sent out about what is the 'norm'. For example, just within the past few days I have been asked, "How was your past weekend at your parent's house?" My parent's don't live in the same town more or less the same home. I feel like comments, questions, etc. are constantly being said/asked/discussed around me and I always feel like I have to step in and inform them of my "un-norm" situation in order for them to adjust their word usage. So, after all that being said :), this book may be a breath of fresh air for students to read or hear. It may really relate to those children who have gone through the process of divorce and they may find comfort while reading this. Others, who may be uncomfortable with the topic of divorce may find this book appalling; while others may be able to connect with this book and perhaps let out some feelings that are not easy to discuss.
Arlene Sardine
Written by: Chris Raschka
When I first began reading this book I wasn't able to figure out why it was considered controversial. As I read further into the book I was then aware why some may feel uncomfortable reading this book to their children or to their students. The overall topic of the book is death; death seems to always be a tricky topic to discuss with children. However, the author allows the audience to feel a connection with Arlene before she is happily processed and packaged into a can. It's such an odd way to think about death. Death of animals is rarely discussed in picture books; however, here Raschka, goes a step further and discusses death and of an animal in order to provide food for a human. I could definitely see younger students getting upset at the thought of their beloved pet goldfish getting processed into a can ( a thought that may cross their mind ). Furthermore, the matter-of-fact details of this sardine's death create a vivid image in the reader's mind and the illustrations help assist the author's message. In addition, the front cover of the book displays Arlene, the sardine, in a visual pun of a sardine can. How could anyone eat sardines and not think of this story, I get shivers!
I feel like adults would be able to appreciate the humor in this book; however, I would be reluctant to share this book with students. Due to its controversial characteristics, this picture book is intended for everyone, of all different ages.
