Bibliography:
Schulman, Janet. 2008. Pale Male Citizen Hawk of New York City. Illustrated by Meilo So.
Alfred A. Knopf for Young Readers. ISBN: 13-978-0-375-84558-1.
Plot Summary:
Pale Male is a Bluebonnet nominations, and is based on the true events of a Red Hawk living in New York City. Pale Male is a young hawk who is forced from his natural habitat in New York in order to breed. The conditions made because of the encroaching destruction of natural habitat in lieu of high-rises. The bird and his young mate slowly begin to build a nest, a home, when his neighbors in the local community begin to protest to have the birds removed due to the "messiness." The story takes a turn for the better when advocates for the birds challenged the owners of the apartments. Publicity brought positive results and the Audubon Society helped to reestablish the home front for Pale Male.
Reviews:
Booklist - Starred Review
School Library Journal - Starred Review
Horn Book Magazine - Starred Review
Nominated Bluebonnet Reading List (Texas)
Critical Analysis:
By contrast, my second selection, Pale Male, was illustrated is soft flowing lines and colors. I would almost say it appears to be watercolors, but I could be wrong. I was especially intrigued by the feathers of Pale Male, very lifelike when viewed closely, as if you could run your fingers through his wings and feel the softness of the downy.
I remember introducing this book to my 3rd-5th grade students, as this book is a Texas Bluebonnet nomination. I remember wondering if students in elementary school would be able to appreciate this book, and actually relate to the struggle this wild bird experiences. We do not live in a crowded, noisy, at times, dirty city. We live in a wide, fairly open-spaced area where birds come and go as frequently as the cars on the street. I wondered if they had even noticed the birds or even knew what birds had to go through to survive, much less in NY. But I believe my enthusiasm and passion for animal "suffrage" helped to push this books into their hands, of course so did the BB nomination requirements. I was surprised that some of the students actually nominated this book for the BB award.
My personal favorite is knowing that this book is based off of a true story and the journey the author took to follow the life of this red hawk. What hardship and determination this bird had. As if to say, "I don't care who takes my space, nature is supreme and I will endure." - I was even more surprised that Central Park is a high ranking area for birdwatching. Here in Texas, we take our land for granted, but to only have 800+ acres, you really appreciate the animals that live in this area. I am pleased to know that the people of NY realized the importance that the Red Tail's and other animals play in the ecosystem, rather than the importance of real estate. There are times when I wonder if developers realize this as they build and expand here in Texas; how much they force animals out of their natural habitat and into the backyards of families. Will Texas adopt the wildlife as NY-er's did over time, or will they set forth to destroy the wild animals because they need the homestead?
Monday, January 25, 2010
The House in the Night - review
Bibliography:
Swanson, Susan Marie. 2008. The House in the Night. Illustrated by Beth Krommes.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company. ISBN: 13-978-0-618-86244-3
Plot Summary:
The House in the Night is a gold medal Caldecott Award which focuses on the "light" that exudes from the darkness of night. The light glows bc. of the experience a young child encounters through a book found on her bed. As she begins reading, her journey "takes flight." The sun, the moon, the bird in the book, and the light in the house and the bedroom. The journey that we all take as we open a book and explore each page inside, it gives light into the soul of the author.
Critical Analysis:
- I love the "creaking" sound of the spine of a book as it is opened for the very first time. Which was the case in this particular book since it newly arrived in my library. I was quick to snatch it off the shelf once I saw it on our reading list, and I now understand why. It isn't because there is a "gold medal" located upon the front face cover, but instead, it is because of the bold and dynamic colorization of the book itself.
Upon opening the book, I began to leaf through the pages to fully appreciate the bold illustrations. I wondered why the illustrator chose the color scheme as they did; why black and yellow/gold? Why keep the black colorization so strong and bold as many times we will see the primary color soft in comparison to the secondary color which stands out and provides contrast? I think of black and white photos, where one color is selected to cause standout and notice to the subject. But this technique was quite different bold and bolder.
After previewing, I then returned to the beginning to read through the story. It is simple in nature, but what I like the most about it, is how the concept of "full circle" comes in to play. In order to achieve the next "level/stage" in our journey we must repeat the cycle. Sort of like the sun and moon complete cycles, but repeat over and over in order to continue further during their "lifespan."
I especially enjoyed the final page where the "author's note" is located. First, the photo of the dog curled up in his bed holding his teddy (major dog fanatic), but also the understanding the inspiration behind the author's writings. I don't feel that many author's do this, and I am always wanting to know why and how, so I definitely appreciated this portion of the book.
After reading the book, I went back and began to look at the details of the illustrations, are they hand drawn or digital? Whichever, I am amazed at each line, each shading, and each space that lead to the intricate details of the drawings, I mean each pictures is composed primarily of lines. My favorite is of the bird and the little girl holding tight to the bird as it flies across the land.
Not knowing the list of other Caldecott contender, I can understand why this book was not only selected but won this distinguished award.
Reviews:
"a masterpiece that...will be loved for generations to come."--School Library Journal,
"the art is spectacular... scratchboard decorated in droplets of gold, Krommes' illustrations expand on Swanson's reassuring story." Booklist
"another standout performance by an illustrator...with a welcome kind of familiarity."Publisher's Weekly
Connections:
This book would be a wonderful book to use if you are comparing illustrations, watercolor, pencil, digital.
Swanson, Susan Marie. 2008. The House in the Night. Illustrated by Beth Krommes.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company. ISBN: 13-978-0-618-86244-3
Plot Summary:
The House in the Night is a gold medal Caldecott Award which focuses on the "light" that exudes from the darkness of night. The light glows bc. of the experience a young child encounters through a book found on her bed. As she begins reading, her journey "takes flight." The sun, the moon, the bird in the book, and the light in the house and the bedroom. The journey that we all take as we open a book and explore each page inside, it gives light into the soul of the author.
Critical Analysis:
- I love the "creaking" sound of the spine of a book as it is opened for the very first time. Which was the case in this particular book since it newly arrived in my library. I was quick to snatch it off the shelf once I saw it on our reading list, and I now understand why. It isn't because there is a "gold medal" located upon the front face cover, but instead, it is because of the bold and dynamic colorization of the book itself.
Upon opening the book, I began to leaf through the pages to fully appreciate the bold illustrations. I wondered why the illustrator chose the color scheme as they did; why black and yellow/gold? Why keep the black colorization so strong and bold as many times we will see the primary color soft in comparison to the secondary color which stands out and provides contrast? I think of black and white photos, where one color is selected to cause standout and notice to the subject. But this technique was quite different bold and bolder.
After previewing, I then returned to the beginning to read through the story. It is simple in nature, but what I like the most about it, is how the concept of "full circle" comes in to play. In order to achieve the next "level/stage" in our journey we must repeat the cycle. Sort of like the sun and moon complete cycles, but repeat over and over in order to continue further during their "lifespan."
I especially enjoyed the final page where the "author's note" is located. First, the photo of the dog curled up in his bed holding his teddy (major dog fanatic), but also the understanding the inspiration behind the author's writings. I don't feel that many author's do this, and I am always wanting to know why and how, so I definitely appreciated this portion of the book.
After reading the book, I went back and began to look at the details of the illustrations, are they hand drawn or digital? Whichever, I am amazed at each line, each shading, and each space that lead to the intricate details of the drawings, I mean each pictures is composed primarily of lines. My favorite is of the bird and the little girl holding tight to the bird as it flies across the land.
Not knowing the list of other Caldecott contender, I can understand why this book was not only selected but won this distinguished award.
Reviews:
"a masterpiece that...will be loved for generations to come."--School Library Journal,
"the art is spectacular... scratchboard decorated in droplets of gold, Krommes' illustrations expand on Swanson's reassuring story." Booklist
"another standout performance by an illustrator...with a welcome kind of familiarity."Publisher's Weekly
Connections:
This book would be a wonderful book to use if you are comparing illustrations, watercolor, pencil, digital.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Delight
In trying something new, and having it melt as chocolate in your mouth. That's how much fun this go round w/blogspot has been.... a delight!!!! This particular blog will represent Book Review's required in LS5603 (TWU) w/Professor S. Vardell.
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