Review for "Biggest, Strongest, Fastest" by Steve Jenkins

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. Biggest, Strongest, Fastest. Orlando: Houghton Mifflin, 2004.  ISBN 978-0395861363

PLOT SUMMARY

This picture book introduces readers to amazing facts about 14 different animals.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The author/illustrator, Steve Jenkins, provides a great introduction to “world records” held by 14 different animals. The language is simple and easily understood by young readers, while the facts that are shared are interesting to students of all ages. Jenkins’ illustrations are bold, textured and created by paper collage. Each illustration extends past the boundaries of a page, drawing the reader’s eyes to the next page to continue the story. Jenkin’s book is a great introduction to nonfiction for young readers.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From School Library Journal 1995: “Large, clear print; fascinating facts; and beautiful, detailed, cut-paper collages make this excellent title a delight.”

From Booklist: “Here's proof that power isn't just about size and that science can be a lot of fun.”

CONNECTIONS

Gather other books that are about animals to read such as:

•                    Spelman, Lucy. National Geographic Animal Encyclopedia: 2,500 Animals with Photos, Maps, and More! ISBN 978-1426310225

•                    Hanna, Jack. Jack Hanna's Big Book of Why: Amazing Animal Facts and Photos. ISBN 978-1942556022

Gather other books by Steve Jenkins to read such as:

•                      What Do You Do with a Tail?  ISBN 978-0618997138

•                      Actual Size. ISBN 978-0547512914

Play Biggest, Strongest, Fastest Charades with your students—have a child choose one of the animals described to act out, and have other children guess what it is.

Have children research their own interesting animal facts. Have each student choose an animal fact to write about and illustrate, and then collect the pages into a class animal fact book.

Review for "The Tarantula Scientist" by Sy Montgomery

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Montgomery, Sy. The Tarantula Scientist. Orlando: Houghton Mifflin, 2004.  ISBN 978-0-618-14799-1

PLOT SUMMARY

Spiders! A creature that causes many people to jump when sighted! But this is not the case for Sam Marshall, an arachnologist. This book follows Marshall through the rainforests in South America and provides lots of interesting information about various arachnids including tarantulas. Learn the difference between rainforest and dessert tarantulas. How do the different climates effect the species? Marshall travels from Arizona all the way to Venezuela to answer this question and more about Tarantulas. Visit his actual “Spider Lab” at Hiram College in Ohio and learn what kind of research is done by Arachnologists.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is written in such a way that the reader feels as if he/she is on a journey with Arachnologist, Sam Marshall, through the rainforest, dessert, and into the research lab. The author, Sy Montgomery, writes as though she is speaking directly to the reader. She does a great job of working facts and data into an exciting story about a scientist. The photographer, Nic Bishop, provides a new view of spiders and other creatures that they are used to seeing. He also provides very raw photographs that show the reader what life in the rainforest is like. For example, he does not use photo editing software to eliminate sweat or dirt from Marshall’s face. Readers are able to understand the and almost feel what it would be like to be in the rainforest with Marshall. Montgomery provides an excellent index of additional resources, including definitions, websites, etc. Anyone who loves learning about creepy crawly stuff with enjoy this non-fiction piece!

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal Best Books Of The Year 2004

Automatically Yours - CATS Awards 2004

From School Library Journal 2004: “this is a vivid look at an enthusiastic scientist energetically and happily at work, both in the field and in the lab, questioning, examining, testing, and making connections. A treat, even for arachnophobes.”

From Booklist 2004: “Enthusiasm for the subject and respect for both Marshall and his eight-legged subjects come through on every page of the clear, informative, and even occasionally humorous text.”

CONNECTIONS

Gather other books that are a part of the Scientists in the Fields series to read such as:

•                      Turner, Pamela. The Frog Scientist. ISBN 978-0547576985

•                      O’Connor, Jane. The Octopus Scientists. ISBN 978-0544232709

Gather other Sy Montgomery books to read such as:

•                      Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot.  ISBN 978-0544668294

•                      The Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea.ISBN 978-0547248929

Use this book to enhance a unit on Spiders or Arachnids. 

This is a great example of writing nonfiction to be an interesting story instead of strictly providing facts. Challenge students to write a report with this style of writing.

Review for "Drawing from Memory" by Allen Say

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Say, Allen. Drawing from Memory. New York: Scholastic Press, 2011.  ISBN 9780545176866

PLOT SUMMARY

This book is an autobiography of famous artist and illustrator, Allen Say. His story is one of a young boy, struggling to grow as an artist in a post-WWII Japanese society where drawing was viewed as frivolous and childish. When his family chooses to send him to live on his own to attend prep school and become a “serious student,” Say’s artistic journey truly begins. He manages to do well in school as well as learn under Noro Shinpei, a famous Japanese cartoonist.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Say takes a graphic novel approach to tell the story of his life as an artist. He uses a combination of pencil sketches, line drawings, paintings and photographs to give the reader a first-hand look into his world and Japanese culture. The book almost takes on the appearance of an artist’s sketchbook or scrapbook. 

These illustrations provide cultural insights that cannot be expressed through text alone. For example, when Say moves out to go to school, his grandmother “hired a man to move [his] things.” Without an illustration, one would assume a moving truck was involved, but Say’s drawing of a man pulling a two-wheeled cart of his belongings tells the reader more about Japanese society in the 1940s. 

In this story, Say uses a voice that is very personal and sometimes even comical so that the reader feels as if he/she is sitting at a table listening to his stories unfold. At the end of the book, he leaves the reader wanting to know what came next when he moved to America. This is the sign of an author who understands how to form a relationship with his reader.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

ALA Notable Children’s Book 2012

2012 Robert F. Sibert Medal Honor

From School Library Journal 2011: “Readers of all ages will be inspired by the young Say's drive and determination that set him on a successful career path.”

From Booklist 2011: “this is a powerful title that is both culturally and personally resonant”

CONNECTIONS

Gather other artist biography books to read such as:

•                    Steptoe, Javaka. Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.  ISBN 978-0316213882

•                      O’Connor, Jane. Henri Matisse: Drawing with Scissors. ISBN 978-0448425191

Gather other Allen Say books to read such as:

•                      The Inker’s Shadow. ISBN 978-0545437769

•                      Grandfather’s Journey. ISBN 978-0547076805

Use the story to compliment a unit on Japanese Cultural or during a unit about World War II.

Use this story as an example of an alternative way to write an autobiography. Assign students to write their own autobiography using a graphic novel approach.

Read this book as a part of an artist study or at the beginning of a Cartooning Unit.