Title: Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez

Author: Kathleen Krull

Illustrator: Yuyi Morales

Genre: Nonfiction

Theme: As though the life is full of ups and downs, we have to have the hope, determination, and courage to continue living.

Summary: 10 years old Cesar Chavez and his family were forced to move in California, became migrant workers with a small payment, and were treated horribly. He didn't appreciated what he and his family went though and decided to protest the working conditions of migrant farmworkers. He had his people following him and made him a successful man.

Literary Elements:

Setting: The setting is man vs man occurred in the Arizona desert and ranches in California during between 1935 and 1993.

Characterization: This book is a biography about Cesar Chavez's roller coaster journey experiences through the oppression, hatred, prejudiced, and unfairnesses. At first, he wasn't considered a leader. He was shy, soft-spoken, and made fun at school. He didn't really have the positive supports beside his family. In the end, he became one of America's most inspiring leader who improved the lives of thousands of farmworkers. His character is a well-represented for the kids to realize that they are capable of doing anything without the influences of people's negativity thinkings.

Style: It's a colorful book clearly showed the characters' emotions as they went though from being happy living the life in Arizona, depressed when they became migrant workers, and then celebrated with joy in the end. The pictures are colorful, detailed, and emotive. It's a great strategy to attract the children's attention. Children can easily tell whether the characters are happy or sad.

Reflection/Evaluation

This book is a wonderful way to show the children that the negative comments don't matter. They are capable of doing anything. It's a wonderful strategy to promote the children's perspective on diversity. It helps them understanding what's it like to be in someone else's shoes. I don't think i've found any negative about this book. It's a well information for the children to be aware of historical events, diversity and anyone is capable of changing the world for better.

When this world was new

Title: When This World Was New
Author/Illustrator: D.H. Figueredo/ and Enrique O. Sanchez
Medium: acrylic

Genre: Realistic Fiction.

Theme: Show how to overcome the fear and acceptance of new place

Summary: It is a story about Danilito, a young boy who emigrated from his warm island home overcomes fears about living in New York. He and His parents moved from the Caribbean to New York City. He was very afraid of the concept of moving to a new country where he and his family does not speak English. He was introduced to snow, which he never has seen it before! His fear disappeared

Literary Elements:


Setting-The setting is in various places: From the Caribbean island to the city of New York.

Characterization- Danilito is a boy who portrays the children how they felt about moving to a different place. In the book, you could see the expression of Danilito’s face when he arrives at the airport. Danilito saw something that he never has seen before and got excited. The tendency of children when they see something new, they would get excited about it.
Plot- The story begins with Danilito moving from the Caribbean island to New York City. Danilito was not familiar with the America because no one speaks his native language. There is an explanation of how Danilito’s fear starts from high at the beginning to low at the end.

Theme-The theme of the story is descriptive and informative. Danilito expressed how he felt about moving.

Style- The author uses acrylic on paper. The pictures show different backgrounds: island, airport, and city, inside the car, meeting Danilito’s uncle Berto, and snowing. The dialogue is like a child is telling the story. The story is trying to teaching kids that it is okay to have a fear and eventually overcame it. The tone of the story is enlightening. D.H Figuereo uses “I” through out the book as if Danilito is telling the story. The point-of-view in the book is first person.

Reflection/Evaluation- When This World Was New is a great book for children who are not in a familiar place. For instance, when Freddy, a new student, moves from Tennessee School for the Deaf to California School for the Deaf, Fremont, of course, Freddy will face a lot of obstacles. That is where he gets fear; New environment, new people, and the speed of signing. Overall, I love this book, it is very adorable because Danilito is able to express how he felt.

Of Thee I sing: A Letter to My Daughters

Title: Of Thee I sing: A letter to my daughters

Author: Barack Obama

Illustrator: Loren Long

Genre: Historical/Informational non-fiction

Theme: Our country had many different kinds of people and we have always and always should embrace our differences and different ideas as those shapes our great country.

Summary:

Barack Obama wrote a letter for his two daughters explaining how they can be one of these every famous people with a brief biography and how they contributed their greatness to our country (i.e. Helen Keller, Martin Luther King, Albert Einstein….). For example, Obama explained Martin Luther King was known for fighting for equality rights and he hopes that his daughters will take on King’s traits. Finally, Obama wanted his daughters to know that our country would not be great if it was not for those people who shaped our country as the one we know today.

Literary Elements:

Setting- In the book, it explained thirteen historical figures (all from the past), each one of them had their own page where it provides integral background where it truly described who they were and where they were at. For example, you will see Jackie Robinson wearing his baseball uniform and people around him cheering him on as he struck the ball with his bat. However, on the opposite page of each character’s page—there are children listening to what Obama has to say—therefore that background is during the present time.

Characterization- Even though each character has its own brief biography; it does not really explain the depth of who they were and details of their struggles/ victories they have experienced. Therefore, each character in the book is superficial (or flat). Each character was portrayed as the person who was viewed as “different” but overcame that as they showed their strengths through by showing their kindness, courage, determination….etc. Children who read this book can identify their differences with those characters and decide whether if they want to be great like those thirteen historical figures.

Plot- The sequence of this book within its text and its illustrations were very interesting! As I have mentioned before, all of those characters has their own page as it is being shown that they were in the past. However, on the opposite page of each character’s page, on there are a few children that are listening to what Obama has to say….So basically, they are in the present as they listen to what Obama is saying. As Obama explains each famous person, the picture of them are in the past. I would call this book’s sequence of events as an episodic. Children identifies this book with two conflicts—self versus self and self versus society.

Theme- Even though this book was written for his daughter, his message was clear; each individual (not just Malia and Sasha) should know that they carry something special to contribute to our country no matter how different they may be. Regardless of what races, religions, and beliefs we may have, we all can work together to protect/defend our great country.

Style- Obama’s writing style was in a “letter” writing and it was very inspiring, positive, and determined. Words certainly were carefully chosen for the children to read as the message was very clear and straightforward. Long’s illustrations were very moving, powerful and beautiful. With his illustrations for each character, you could see their emotions coming out—for example, you can see Martin King Luther’s determined face as he held hands with the others as they all fought for civil rights. Both of their works worked well together. The entire writing style was viewed in second person.

Reflection/Evaluation-

This book truly promotes for all of us to embrace our diverse backgrounds and emphasize that our nation will always be great because we strive to work together to preserve our country. Whenever the child read the book, each word gives the child all encouragement that they are already something great….an American. I have noticed that toward the end in the book, every picture included an America flag where it made me feel very patriotic. I truly have no criticism for this book. Well, maybe that each character could be a bit become more “round” to allow for children to have more information. Plus, this book could be an obstacle for children to read it as in not being allowed to do so all due to some ridiculous politics. I just truly appreciate how Obama and Long sincerely wanted to show that if we all came together to become one then our country forever will be great. (FYI- buy this book because if you do so, all money will go straight to the charity for fallen war veterans and education)

Jungle Drums

Title: Jungle Drums.

Author/Illustrator: Graeme Base.

Medium: Transparent inks, gouache, watercolors, watercolor pencils, color pencils and airbrushing.

Genre: Modern Fantasy.

Theme: Respect and acceptance.

Summary: Ngiri Mdogo was the smallest warthog who lived in the African jungle. He was rejected by the bigger warthogs because he was so small and the by the animals living on the other side of the river who considered themselves finer than warthogs due to their beautiful colorings and plumage. Ngiri was frustrated and upset about his small size and not being able to play with both groups of animals until one day he met the oldest and wisest wildebeest who gave him a pair of wishing magic drums to make any wishes he wanted when playing it.

Literary Elements: The main character, Ngiri was well-developed and dynamic because he actively interacted with the plot to solve problems for his own and others. He displayed growth and change and strengths and weaknesses from wishing he could like be the other animals to accepting who he was. Ngiri was child-like and easy for children to identify with because he faced common issues in childhood, teasing and rejection by their peers. Children will understand his anger and his desire to fit in with others and to play with them. The other three character/s groups in the book, the old wildebeest, the group of fine animals and the group of bigger warthogs were flat and static. The setting was in African jungle which was depicted in the lush colorful illustrations of the jungle and animals. The setting was a backdrop of the story because the plot could have happened in another setting with different types of animals but the setting was integral for the illustrations. The plot was cumulative with different scenarios happening and tension kept piling on until the end where Ngiri finally solved the problem with the other animals in the plot. The plot showed self vs. self (Ngiri struggling with his desire to change himself), self vs others (Ngiri and the bigger warthogs and fine animals) and self vs. society (the ideology of animals with beautiful plumage, color and patterns on their body was automatically better than the plain warthogs). The narrating was in third person with the narrator knowing how Ngiri and other animals felt but not with enough depth to describe their thoughts and feelings to make it an omniscient narrator. The style was beautiful with vivid illustrations and imagery which were characteristics of Graeme Base's other works and language suited for older elementary students in 3rd-5th grade classes. The themes in this book were respect and acceptance because the book talked about Ngiri dealing with warthogs and other animals who did not accept him for being small and teased him and then the other animals had to deal with losing their identities later in the story and when it was resolved, all animals accepted who they were and respected eachother, including Ngiri accepting his small size.

Evaluation: I loved this book and would include it in my future book collection for my classroom and use in with my future students in my teaching. I felt this would be a useful book to teach children respect and acceptance before moving on to books with serious social justice issues. It's like an introduction to the issue. However, when I read the author section in the back of the book I got the feeling there was a subliminal message in the story. The author, Graeme mentioned that during working on the book he went to Tanzania, Africa with his family and that made me wonder did he saw something about race division during his trip and I found it interesting that he used the other side of river for one of the animals' home setting. On the last page of the book he included some Swahili terms that he learned during his trip and he illustrated the landscape and animals after the ones he saw in Tanzania. The book can be used to introduce different social justice issues with the students. The older students will enjoy the language and words he used and the younger ones will enjoy the vivid imagery and details he put in his illustrations. The students would have the added bonus of searching for the hidden old wildebeest Graeme illustrated on each page. The book will not be only enjoyed by children but by all ages from infants to adults.

Shades of People

Melanie Orr

Edu 665

Shades of People-Blog

The book I chose this week related to diversity is called, “Shades of People” by Shelley Rotner and Sheila Kelly.  The photos are by Shelly Rotner. 

Summary:

The book is about noticing how people come in many different shades, not colors.  The book also explores possible places where children can see different shades of people.  In summary the book emphasizes that it is not about skin color, but what is inside a person that counts. 

Content:

The genre of the book has elements of both nonfiction and contemporary realistic fiction.  However, I believe this book is contemporary realistic fiction.  It is informative, but isn’t specifically explaining what diversity is, but rather telling a story and showing real life events and pictures of people and the possible places you could find different shades of people.  The illustrations are pictures of real children doing real things like playing on a playground, playing a hand game, and painting pictures.

Literary Elements:

Setting-The setting is in various places children frequent.  Such as a park, a school, a bus, a beach etc.

Characterization-The characters within the story are round, real life children of different ethnic backgrounds and a variety of shades.  The illustrations are pictures of children and not drawings.  The children don’t speak in the story, but the author’s point of view of each child is displayed.  

                                                                       

Plot-The plot of the story is begins with describing the different shades of skin, and then summarizing by stating there is light and dark and everything in-between. 

Theme-The theme of the story is descriptive and informative.  The book was designed to exemplify diversity through the pictures and the story itself describes the many different shades of people.  The theme was designed to show diversity and unity.

Style-  The author uses color words that children may or may not be familiar with to identify the different shades of people.  The pictures display various backgrounds such as playgrounds and sand boxes where children are playing and by doing this she creates a connection where children can relate and identify with what the book is saying.  The dialogue is like a child is telling the story.  The story is designed to be unifying and encourage acceptance.  The tone of the story is enlightening.  The point-of-view of the book is first person. The author uses “I” through out the book as if one person is telling the story.

Reflection/Evaluation-I like the overall goal the book is conveying, however some of the word choices in the book can be offensive if you are not careful.  Children are sponges and while we want them to be accepting of diversity, we walk a thin line when we categorize children according to color.  You don’t want them to walk around saying people are pink, very dark, pale, copper and so forth.  The goal is to recognize diversity not categorize.  Example from the book, “Some people have skin that is very dark”.  The word “very” is used for emphasis and when used with dark can mean that it is extraordinary and in turn may be offensive.  On the other hand the author does try to emphasis that skin is just a covering and its what is inside a person that counts. Example from book, “Our skin is just our covering, like wrapping paper, and you can’t tell what someone is like from the color of their skin.”  Overall, I like the book and the meaning it conveys.  The pictures are great and show many different shades of children. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Heather Has Two Mommies

Title: Heather Has Two Mommies (10^th Anniversary Edition)

Author: Leslea Newman

Illustrator: Diana Souza

Genre: Picture Book – Realistic Fiction

Theme: The most important thing about any family is that all the people in it love each other.

Other Relevant Information: Written in 1989 but with the new edition, the text is shorter in order to reach a younger group of children by eliminating controversial parts such as the detail of Heather’s conception and birth.

Summary: This book is about a girl named Heather, who has two mothers. When Heather, the preschooler goes to play group for the very first time, she learns that some of her friends have different kinds of families. Molly, the head of the play group asked the children to draw pictures of their families, with a focus on how each family is different but yet the most important message from the illustrations are how there is love within each family.

Literary Elements:

This book is classified as a realistic fiction book due to the accurate portrayal of a child with two mommies and how the child reacts to the fact her classmates have different families. The setting of this story mainly takes place during play group under the supervision of Molly, the head of the play group. The setting is an integral aspect to Heather’s understanding of how her family is “special” due to the fact she has two mothers and that it’s okay that families are different. The illustrator shows play group through the children’s illustrations which provides the reader with a sense that play group is children centered where they make discoveries about themselves. The author develops the character Heather with an innocence that reaches the reader and encourages the reader to step into Heather’s shoes with a heart-felt reaction to her realization that she does not have a father. With Heather’s young age, it helps ease the reader into a controversial issue within the plot itself. The book is written as if it was through the author’s observation of Heather and her situation. How important her mothers provide a loving home and a child learning about the diversity found within families. With this social justice/diversity issue presented in the story, the text is written with the sense of two mothers are more than okay. For instance the author writes, “Heather’s favorite number is two. She has two arms, two legs, two eyes, two ears, two hands and two feet. Heather has two pets: a ginger-colored cat named Gingersnap and a big black dog named Midnight. Heather also has two mommies: Mama Kate and Mama Jane.”

Evaluation:

As mentioned before, this book was written in 1989, which speaks volumes on the impact of this controversial story during a time when gay/lesbian literature was challenged to an extreme. Leslea Newman’s courage is displayed by her brilliant words and her message is revealed and appreciated through Diana Souza’s illustrations. Even though each page is accompanied by black and white illustrations, the drawings of the children’s families provides the powerful message that Newman was seeking as she wrote this book. This book is a well -developed portrayal of the challenges children of gay/lesbian parents face as they are sent off to school. I appreciate how the author does not shy away from possible controversy by displaying a child that is concerned with not having a father but then realizing each family is special. However I wonder if the original book was indeed inappropriate for young children with how Heather was conceived. Is this a topic that should be addressed at a later age? When is it the right time to introduce a story as controversial as this one?

A Taste of COLORED Water

Title: A Taste of Colored Water

Author and Illustrator: Matt Faulkner

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary: It is about two children named Jelly and LuLu in small country that they heard from a friend, Abbey Finch that there is a colored water in the big city. So they went to big city with his uncle and they didn't know anything about the Civil Rights. So they didn't expect to see racial violence between protesting black people and police.

Literacy: This book is a historical fiction because it includes two children who were curious about the colored water. The book also includes protests, violence, and segregation. It was in 1960’s during the Civil Rights. The setting was originally in smaller city where the children never saw any segregation or oppression to black people. The bigger city shows the segregation. The characters in the book are Lulu, Jelly (the two children), Uncle Jack, Abbey Finch, policemen, and black people protesting in the background. It is well developed for young readers to understand. It is well illustrated. The plot is fascinating for the readers to understand from children’s point of view. The young readers could apply their curiosity to new facts. It is visible in text and illustrations. It is progressive book where the children went through the adventure in the big city. The theme is racial segregation, oppression, and racial tensions. It is hard for children to understand why the segregation was occurring. The child asked, “What color does a person have to be to drink colored water?” The point is well identified. Its style is first person point of view. (LuLu’s) The book also includes metaphors and dialogues, which shows rich language.

Evaluation: I really like this book because of first person point of view. It has really colorful illustrations that looked like cartoon in some way. In my opinion, it resemblances to the TV cartoon show “The Winnie Pooh”. It makes the book even more interesting. I like the plot because it has the hook to the readers when the children were curious about the colored water. I believe that the author has meaning behind it. The children didn’t understand why there is such colored water if it looks normal water. It applies the same concept with humans. Maybe only thing I would like to see more of is the segregation itself because the book doesn’t show the emotions the protestors felt. The faces aren’t shown. What does the author really mean to write the book for all of us as the readers? Overall, I would read this to my future students someday because they will learn about oppression, segregation, and racial tensions.

My Princess Boy

Title: My Princess Boy
Author: Cheryl Kilodavis
Illustrator: Suzanne DeSimone
Genre: Nonfiction
Summary: This picture book talks about how the author’s son likes to dress up like a princess, and to twirl like a ballerina. It also showed how the boy’s family loved him even though if he likes to dress like a girl.

This book is a nonfiction book that talks about acceptance. It is arranged to show that every child should be accepted no matter what toys they would like to play, no matter what kind of clothes they would wear and so on. For the most part of the story, the setting was outside. I think this book speaks thousands of words because you do not see this kind of book out there. This book brings awareness to what is not really spoken about that much. This book basically shows what the author feels about her son being a princess and how his family has accepted him but it hurts them both whenever people pick on him for his preferences. I loved how the author arched the sentences to make it sound like “music” in a way. The book was colorful all the way from the start to the end. I also liked how the author made the sky pink to go along with the theme of the story. He loved the color pink and I felt that it connected to the author's love for her son- her love for her son is big as the sky. This book is non-fiction because it was wrote by a mother who has tremendous love for her son and it did not matter to her that he was different than others. It is a huge social issue in our society because often children are not accepted for who they are. A lot of parents out there can benefit from this book because often parents want their children to be "normal" according to what society thinks but what is normal? How can we define what is normal way for children to act or feel? I won't be too surprised that a lot of parents do not like this book because it is something different, something they are not used to but our society is changing and we should go along with it. I thought that this book is amazing because it kept me entertained throughout the book. One thing that I noticed about this book is that the faces are kept empty and I wonder what is the purpose behind if there was any. I do wonder if the illustrator had purpose behind those empty faces. I actually got that curious and went on the Internet to research, I did not find anything but then I saw the pictures of the boy this story is based on and he looked completely different than I envisioned. Overall, I think this book really approaches the concept of social issues going on in our society. I was really impressed with this book and I have never seen something like this book before.

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