Yoshiko Uchida Book

Makoto, The Smallest Boy: A Story of Japan

This book is written by Yoshiko Uchida and illustrated by Akihito Shirakawa. This is a charming story of a boy growing up in modern Japan. Makota was the youngest in his family and the smallest in his class. He always seemed to be on the losing team and he was the slowest runner. Makota was very discouraged until his neighbor and friend Mr. Imai helped him to realize that he was a talented artist. Makota entered one of his best paintings into his school's Hobby Show where it won "Best in Class." He finally found something he was really good at and in which he could come in first. I think this story is a good way to relate to children about finding out what their gifts and talents are. The story also shows how one must practice his or her skills in order to become better at whatever he or she is trying to do.

Yoshiko Uchida has written many books about Japan for children. Some of her books include:

Takao and Grandfather, The Jar of Dreams, The Bracelet, Two Foolish Cats, The Birthday Visitor, The Terrible Leak, and The Dancing Kettle and Other Japanese Folk Tales.

Laurence Yep Book

When the Circus Came to Town

Laurence Yep is one of children's literature's most respected Asian American authors. When the Circus Came to Town is based on actual events that occurred in the early twentieth century. It is a story about the pain of being different and the comfort in finding the community to which you belong. The main character is Ursula, who always wanted to see the circus. Then she caught smallpox. When she recovers, her face is badly scarred, and she doesn't want to leave her room or for anyone to see her. Her parents' Chinese cook sets up a surprise for Ursula when he brings a magical circus to town. This helps give Ursula the confidence she needs to face the world. In return, Ursula surprises Ah Sam by creating the best Chinese New Year celebration the town has ever seen.

I enjoyed reading this story and think that children will relate to going through hard times and feeling like an outcast. Other books written by Laurence Yep include: The Magic Paintbrush, The Imp That Ate My Homework, Dream Soul, Dragonwings, Angelfish, and many more.

Book Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Goin' Someplace Special

Goin' Someplace Special is a book written by Patricia C. McKissack and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. This is a poignant story of growing up in the segregated South in the 1950s. Tricia Ann knows a special place in her southern town where all people are welcome no matter what their skin color. When Tricia Ann's grandmother thinks she's old enough to go to Someplace Special by herself, she hurries to catch the bus heading downtown. She must sit in the back of the bus behind the Jim Crow sign, unlike the white passengers. On her journey to Someplace Special, Tricia sees hurtful signs and hears painful comments. However, there are friends along the way that help remind her that she is not alone on her trip. Words of encouragement echo in her mind that her grandmother says about her being "somebody." Finally Tricia Ann makes it downtown to her Someplace Special, which is a tall building that has a sign in the front that says "PUBLIC LIBRARY: ALL ARE WELCOME." After the end of the story, the author states that this is a fictional story based on her life. I think this is a very good story to illustrate to children about how segregation took place in our country. I loved the message this story conveys that "reading is the doorway to freedom."

Jerry Pinkney's detailed watercolors are beautiful in this book. He is the only illustrator to have won the Coretta Scott King Award four times. He has also received four Caldecott Honor Medals. Some of the other books that Jerry Pinkney has illustrated include: Mirandy and Brother Wind, The Talking Eggs, The Patchwork Quilt, Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman.

Julius Lester Book

Albidaro and the Mischievous Dream

This book was written by Julius Lester and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Albidaro is the Guardian of Children who watches children while they sleep to be sure no harm comes to them. When the children get tired of doing what they are told, a mischievous dreams whispers to them and tells them they can do whatever they want, not what they are told, when they wake up. Then Albidaro decides to play a trick on his sister, Olara, the Guardian of Animals. Albidaro tells the dream to weave itself around all the hearts of the animals so that the animals can do whatever they want to do as well. As the children wake up, the parents are all amazed when the children won't get up or do as they are told. Then pets escape from their cages and wild animals leave their original habitats and end up sitting on couches and taking showers in the children's homes. The joke went a little too far, and Olara must clap her hands to send the animals back to "normal." Finally Albidaro ends up putting everyone in a deep sleep so they won't remember what happened when they wake up.

This is a magical story that I really enjoyed reading. Everyone can relate to not wanting to obey their parents, but we forget they are trying to do what is best for us. This book is quite different from other books I have read by Julius Lester. He has written more than 25 books including

To Be a Slave, John Henry, The Long Journey Home: Stories from Black History, What a Truly Cool World, The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit, How Many Spots Does a Leopard Have? and Other Tales, and From Slave Ship to Freedom Road.

Dr. Seuss Books

Dr. Seuss books were some of my favorites when I was growing up. I can still remember my teacher reading Green Eggs and Ham to me in kindergarten and eating green eggs and ham afterwards. I use Dr. Seuss books now in my kindergarten classroom as a fun way to explore rhyming and rhyming words. In my experience, most young children are entertained by many of Dr. Seuss's books. I realize that Dr. Seuss's books are considered "moralistic," but children are not concerned with this. They just think the nonsense stories are funny and entertaining. The Cat in the Hat is a great example of this. Sure, you could get into conversations with your students regarding honesty and ask the question at the end of the story "What would you do if your mother asked you?" I really don't think you have to get into all that. I plan on just enjoying the nonsense story and using the story to help my students learn how to rhyme.

The Lorax might have been considered his best book by the author, but it isn't my favorite. I do think the story is didactic, and I think it does teach an important lesson about taking care of our environment. Although the story does rhyme, this isn't a story I choose to use to with my kindergartners. I think the length of the story and the subject matter lends itself better to older students.

Children's Book Produced as Feature Film #1

The Polar Express

by Chris Van Allsburg

I actually saw the movie before I knew about and read this story. I loved the movie, so I wanted to read the book to my students. I think Chris Van Allsburg is a brilliant author and illustrator. I really enjoyed Jumanji as well.

The Polar Express is a magical story about a little boy who goes on a journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve on a train, the Polar Express. The pictures have a dream-like quality. I find the language used throughout the story captivating. I especially like the pictures of the mountains and the text that says, "We climbed mountains so high it seemed as if we would scrape the moon." I think the way the author chooses his words and writes his story is important to the overall charm of the book and keeps the reader engaged. The little boy finds himself at the North Pole where he sees hundreds of elves and meets Santa Claus. The little boy is chosen by Santa to receive the "first gift of Christmas." The little boy asks for a silver bell from Santa's sleigh. Santa gives the boy the bell, but the boy later discovers that the bell has fallen through a hole in his robe pocket and has been lost. My favorite part of the story is when the boy discovers the bell wrapped under the tree with a note from Santa the next morning. The boy and his sister shake the bell and hear a wonderful sound, but the parents can't hear the bell. They think it is broken. The last sentence (and my favorite) in the book is "...the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe."

Christmas is my favorite time of year and this story reminds me of all the magical Christmas mornings when my siblings and I found presents under our tree from Santa. This book is a classic that I will read each year as a way to remember these special times.

Coretta Scott King Award Book

Martin's Big Words

text by Doreen Rappaport

illustrated by Bryan Collier

This book was a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book in 2002. I think this is an excellent book with captivating pictures. I have read this book to my students over the past several years when we learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. The front cover shows a smiling Martin Luther King, Jr. and the inside and back inside covers have beautiful stained-glass windows. I think the way the story is written enables children to understand the struggles Martin went through in his life and why he is important in American history. The pictures throughout tell an interesting story as well. The way the print is laid out on each page is varied and eye catching and stresses the importance of Martin's "Big Words."

I liked the way the author used quotes by Martin throughout to help tell the story. I think this is the best book I have seen on the topic as it relates to being in terms a child can understand. It talks about the "White Only" signs that Martin saw growing up and how his mother told him, "You are as good as anyone." This book is a great way to spark conversations with students about our differences and how we are all special and should be treated fairly.

Newbery Award Winning Book #1

Pictures of Hollis Woods

by Patricia Reilly Giff

This story was a Newbery Honor book in 2003. It took me a while to get into this book, but after I got further into the story, I was captivated. It tells the story of a little girl who was abandoned as a baby at a place called Hollis Woods. A note her mother left with her said simply to call her Hollis Woods. Hollis is now twelve years old and has been in so many foster homes that she can't remember them all. Her only wish is to be a part of a loving family. She finds a home with the Regan family, but gets scared and runs away from them as well. Hollis ends up with an elderly artist named Josie whose creativity inspires Hollis to hone her own artistry. When Social Services finds out about Josie's failing memory, they come to take Hollis away from her. Before Hollis will allow this to happen, Hollis escapes with Josie and takes her to hide out in the Regan's summer home near the lake. I loved the happy ending when Josie gets adopted by the Regan's and Josie's cousin, Beatrice, moves in with Josie to take care of her.

This is the kind of story that makes me emotional. I cried several times while reading it. I felt like I knew Hollis, and I longed for her to have a family and a happy home. My husband and I are preparing to adopt a baby, so this causes me to react strongly to stories about children that need a family.

Patricia Reilly Giff is an excellent author who has won the Newbery Honor Award two times as well as many other reading awards. Some of her other books include Lily's Crossing, Nory Ryan's Song, All The Way Home, and The Gift of the Pirate Queen.

Caldecott Award Winning Book #1

The Stray Dog

by Marc Simont

This book was a Caldecott Honor book in 2002. It is based on a true story by Reiko Sassa, Marc Simont's friend. Reiko told this story to Marc in 1983 about his adventure of adopting a stray dog. This is a story about a stray dog that shows up at a family picnic. The little boy and the little girl in the story play with the dog all afternoon, and they name him Willy. The children want to take the little dog home with them, but the parents say that he must belong to somebody and that the owner would miss him. The family returns to the same location the following week to look for Willy, and they find him being chased by the dogcatcher. The little boy and girl claim the dog and get to take him home.

I enjoyed reading this story and the pictures were whimsical. This is a story every child who has a pet or wants a pet can relate to. It reminded me of a little dog I had when I was little named Speckles. The fond memories I have of playing with Speckles probably contributed to my favorable reactions to this book. I want to read this story to my kindergarten class when we study animals and have our Pet Day. I am sure that reading this book to them will spark many stories and writing about their own pets. I learned from this book that stories that our friends tell us can make really good stories to write, and that one doesn't always have to use personal experiences.