Young Adult Fiction: Book Reviews 5603.21 Picture Books

Showing posts with label Book Reviews 5603.21 Picture Books. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Artist to artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art

Picture Book Review

LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Carle, Eric. Artist to artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art. Edited by David Briggs, Courtenay Plamer, Kiffin Steurer, Patricia Lee Gaugh. New York, New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 9780399246005

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Eric Carle's note, at the beginning, sums up the reason for this book in the first couple of sentences:

"I am so pleased to be able to present this unique anthology, which I hope will be inspiring for you and all who read it. In the pages that follow, twenty-three artists have shared the story of their work......."(Carle n.d.).

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The book is set up in two page layouts with the right side being a fold out. The left side is a letter from the featured artist, on the right, is the artist's self portrait. The self portrait tops the fold out page. When opened, this page reveals some of the artist's original work. Some of the artist even include pictures from their childhood. All share where they work, whether it is a studio or a mountain top and proceeds from the book benefit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Having each of these talented artist work exhibited in the same book allows the reader to appreciate the unique qualities of each individual illustrator. The illustrator styles range from: detailed pencil drawings of Chris Van Allsburg , paper engineering with Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart, the loose line drawings of Quentin Blake, the more primitive art of Alice Provensen and Petra Mathers and , of course, the amazing collages of Eric Carle. Other artist included in this collection are: Mitsumasa Anno, Ashley Bryan, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Tomie dePaola, Jane Dyer, Mordicai Gerstein, Robert Ingpen, Steven Kellogg, Leo Lionni, Wendell Minor, Barry Moser, Jerry Pickney, Alice Provensen, Gennady Spirin, Rosemary Wells and Paul O. Zelensky. Each artist inspires future illustrators as they share stories, advice and personal experience. Some are self taught and others academically trained but, all communicate passion for their art. This book does not disappoint and is a must have for any elementary art teacher, library and classroom teacher.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

...a gorgeous, browsable gallery of international treasures. -- School Library Journal

Fun to read and view, this anthology is a treasure trove of creative insight and inspiration. -- Kirkus, starred review

5. CONNECTIONS

Eric Carle's Official website: http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html

Images from Eric Carl's Official Website

http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html

Eric Carle's Museum of Picture Book Art:

http://www.carlemuseum.org/

Web Pages, illustrations, books by any of the following: Mitsumasa Anno, Quentin Blake, Ashley Bryan, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Tomie dePaola, Jane Dyer, Mordicai Gerstein, Robert Ingpen, Steven Kellogg, Leo Lionni, Petra Mathers, Wendell Minor, Berry Moser, Jerry Pinkney, Alice Provensen, Robert Subuda and Matthew Reinhart, Maurice Sendak, Gennady Spirin, Chris Van Allsburg, Rosemary Wells and Paul O. Zelinsky

Monday, February 1, 2010

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Picture Book Review
LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Weatherford, Carole Boston. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. New York, New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2006. ISBN 0786851759

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This beautifully crafted children's book acquaints the reader with the historical period from 1619 to 1865, when "Africans and their descendents were enslaved in colonial America and the United States" (Weatherford 2006). The book tells about Harriet Tubman's treacherous journey to claim her freedom.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Carole Boston Weatherford tells a well known story in a unique way by creating a sermon like cadence. Based on Harriet Tubman's historic story, the text, communicated by a narrator, contains a spiritual prayer or a conversation with God that is inserted throughout the text. This technique maximizes the impact of Harriet's journey and how she, and others who escaped, had only their faith to guide them. Harriet experienced life as an owned property, a free woman of Philadelphia and finally a conducter for the Underground Railroad. Ms. Weatherford's rendition is fresh and creative and timeless. Told in an inoffensive way, it would be an appropriate book to introduce this period of our nation's history to young readers.

Ms. Boston Weatherford's story, remarkably told, would not have as much impact without the illustrative talents of Kadir Nelson. The visual background created for Harriet's journey conveys the emotion of each stage of her journey. Colors are brilliantly used to illustrate the level of desperation and hope she has each step of the way. The "Harriet" figure is drawn with thoughtful movement and emotion. A light source is used to beautifully illuminate the character's face in the darkest of moments. Most of the book is set up in two page layouts. Mr. Nelson places his main character off center creating a strong composition that is balanced to Ms. Weatherford's text. Each illustration can easily stand on its own as a work of art.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Coretta Scott King Award Winner
Caldecott Honor Book

Starred Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Tubman's religious faith drives this handsome, poetic account of her escape to freedom and role in the Underground Railroad."

Starred Review in BOOKLIST: "Weatherford's handsome picture book about Harriet Tubman focuses mostly on Tubman's religious inspiration, with echoes of spirituals ringing throughout the spare poetry about her struggle ("Lord, don't let nobody turn me 'round")."

5. CONNECTIONS
• Civil War/Slavery
ABES HONEST WORD'S: THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN by Gary Kelley
Civil War on PBS: http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/
Kidport Reference Library online:
http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/UsaHistory/CivilWar/Slavery.htm#Books
Stories of the Underground Railroad and other journeys to freedom
• Civil Rights and Integration
MARTIN'S BIG WORDS: THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING by Doreen Rappaport
MLK online: http://www.mlkonline.net/video.html
THE STORY OF RUBY BRIDGES by Robert Coles
THROUGH MY EYES by Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges Official Website: http://www.rubybridges.com/
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE by Jacqueline Woodson

Image credit: http://www.americancivilwar.com/

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Picture Book Review
LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Selznick, Brian. The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York, New York: Scholastic Press, 2007. ISBN 13:9780439813785

2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this creative picture book/graphic novel, Brian Selznick tells the story of a young man struggling with life's many unanswered questions and a coincidence that finally leads him, and other characters in the book, to an internal, as well as external resolution. The despairing situation of the main character creates empathy, concern and caring drawing the reader into the experiences and challenges of the story. The result of this dual journey relates to anyone who has found themselves in an unsure situation seeking answers for things that might not have answers.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
As the writer, Brian Selznick uses complication to start the plot rising. Early on, Hugo, the main character, is conflicted about his needs and wants. He also struggles to acquire the means of survival that will aid him physically and mentally. Hugo actively engages in unsavory behavior for self-preservation and in an unusual task he feels destined to finish. The journey connects him with the future and aids in healing his past, while at the same time impacting other lives that have gone astray. The heartfelt nature of Selznick's writing immediately grabs the reader's interest and sustains that interest till the end.

Brian Selznick the illustrator creates a unique experience while reading this novel. Using 284 pages of pencil drawings, he has created a "silent film" experience. This format foreshadows the ultimate discovery in the biographically based novel. The setting is a Paris train station's underground. The main character's life revolves around the responsibility of accurately keeping "time" for the station's clockworks. The illustrations, all in pencil with a contour, crosshatching technique, and the black pages reflect the dark places the character must live in the underground station and his unsettled mind. The pacing of the book is driven by these original sequential illustrations that communicate emotion and relay action within Hugo's personal journey.

The book is a feast for the eyes and, as the time moves forward, reading this story makes the heart beat a little faster. All necessary journeys in life, even the ones we don't know we are embarking on, take time, persistence, faith and determination. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is an excellent resource, not only in literary elements, but as a conversation for readers to have with themselves and others who have experienced moments of self-doubt and confusion of purpose.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Caldecott Medal Winner 2008
Junior Library Guide Selection
2007 National Book Award Finalist, Young People's Literature

Starred Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Here is a true masterpiece—an artful blending of narrative, illustration and cinematic technique, for a story as tantalizing as it is touching. Twelve-year-old orphan Hugo lives in the walls of a Paris train station at the turn of the 20th century, where he tends to the clocks and filches what he needs to survive."

Starred Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: " Grade 4–9—With characteristic intelligence, exquisite images, and a breathtaking design, Selznick shatters conventions related to the art of bookmaking in this magical mystery set in 1930's Paris."

5. CONNECTIONS
• Early French artist and cinematic pioneer Georges Melies

• Films and drawings by George Melies

Wikipedia: http:///en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_M%C3%A9li%C3%A8s

• Magicians and the world of automata

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automaton

• Books Written by Brian Selznick

THE HOUDINI BOX (Oct. 7, 2008)

THE BOY OF A THOUSAND FACES (Aug. 21, 2001)

THE ROBOT KING (Sept. 1995)

• Books Illustrated by Brian Selznick

THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS by Barbara Kerley

THE DOLL PEOPLE by Laura Godwin

• Websites