Review: New Socks

By Bob Shea

Little, Brown and Company; 2007; 40 pages

Picture Book; Wildcard

Ages: 2 - 7

ISBN: 978-0-316-01357-4

Leon is pleased as punch with his new orange socks. When wearing them he feels unstoppable!

My Thoughts:
This book makes my top ten for picture books ever. It is about socks, and I knit socks. The socks are orange, which is my all time favorite color. I read it to my family (all adults), I read it to the boys I babysat (3 and 4), and I read it to my friend (25). Everyone enjoyed it for different reasons. That is what I most appreciated about this book: its broad based appeal and versatility.

The exciting illustrations will catch the eye and hold the interest of even small children, while the brief text will not be too much for them. (Honestly, I think this would translate wonderfully into a board book.) At the same time, the pictures are hip and slick...not too baby-ish for older readers. Again, the simplicity of the text is such that it can also double as an easy reader. I think that beginning readers would be able to read it independently or to a parent. The graphic design style screams to be made into a flannel board for story time. The plot translates well into a story telling rather than reading format. (I plan on incorporating it into a family story time I am doing on knit goods: hats, mittens, scarves...and now socks!)

The Thoughts of Others:

Publisher's Weekly gave the book an overall good review - pointing out the exciting illustrations and over-the-top antics as positive. However, they summed up the review with a word of warning, fearing that "like its title product, it [would be] unlikely to seem fresh after repeated use."

Joy Fleishhacker's review for School Library Journal was also enthusiastic, as she raved about the illustrations and pacing. She drew connections between this book and the Mo Willems "Pigeon" series, suggesting it as a read-a-like.

Review: Don't Say That Word

By Alan Katz; Illustrated by David Catrow

Margaret K. McElderberry Books; 2007; 40 pages

Picture Book; Rhyming Text

Grades: Preschool - 3rd

ISBN: 978-0-689-86971-6

Michael tells his mom about the exciting events that happened at school, while she steers him away from using offensive or crude language.

My Thoughts:
Aside from the fact that I have never met a David Catrow book that I didn't like, this is a great book, especially for boys. The text follows Michael, in rhyme, as he tells his mother about his day at school. At the end of each stanza, the rhyme scheme leads kids toward the inevitable crude word, which is never actually printed. Instead of the word, Michael's mother interrupts with the title refrain: Don't Say That Word! This format is turned on its head at the end of the book, when Michael interrupts his mother. The illustrations, brilliantly executed as always, also help lead little readers/hearers toward the appropriate "bad" word. (For example, in the stanza about boogers, Michael is picking his nose, while in the stanza about passing gas, little bubbles are popping in the bathtub.)

This is a great book for storytime...as long as you are familiar enough with the children and parents to be sure that they won't be offended. I read it aloud to the children of some friends. The little boy shouted the bad word every time, while his sister shouted the mother's refrain. I should note that some of the words in the book are not appropriate in all families. This can either offend, or open discussion. I loaned it to another friend who saw it as a good opportunity to discuss bad language with her son, and why their family didn't use certain words. So while I highly recommend this book, especially to be added to library collections, I also highly recommend parental review before handing it over to kids.

The Thoughts of Others:
School Library Journal pointed out in their review that "allowing kids to talk about 'naughty' words can remove the power associated with them."They also recognized that the author and illustrator clearly had fun putting this book together.

Publisher's Weekly also agreed with me that "readers will be able to supply each missing word with gusto (booger, fart, burp, etc.), though those a tad less daring may choose to keep silent, rather than risk voicing a 'bad word.'" They also praised the illustrations and text.

Review: Runny Babbit

A Billy Sook By Shel Silverstein

HarperCollins; 2005; 89 Pages

Juvenile Non-Fiction; Poetry

Ages: 4(read aloud to) -10 (independent reading)

ISBN: 0-06-025653-2

A posthumous book of poetry centering on a single character, Runny Babbit, and his world of mixed up phonemes!

My Thoughts:
Of course I loved this book. Not only does this book center around a rabbit main character, it also derives most of its humor from wordplay. In fact, to be honest, many of the poems, if read straight, are really not all that amusing. However, with the first sound of many of the words swapped, hilarity ensues. Some of the themes, such as knitting and reading, were personally intriguing as well. The book is not as diverse in meter, theme, and length as other Silverstein books. In fact, to some extent, I would not recommend sitting down and reading it straight through in one go. It's humor holds up better in smaller chunks.

This is a good book to introduce children to poetry. The poems are short, cleverly illustrated, and entertaining. This would also be a good book to use as a public speaking or recitation exercise. The poems beg to be read aloud...I would venture that they HAVE to be read aloud in order to be properly enjoyed. The intricate phoneme swaps would encourage children to enunciate and pay close attention to their words, while the poems are brief enough to keep recitation from being an ordeal.

The Thoughts of Others:
Lee Bock of School Library Journal in 2005 wrote that "children will love these clever poems and without prompting will probably create their own, unaware that they are focusing on a key reading skill: phonemic awareness."

Kirkus Reviews published a review of Runny Babbit in March of 2005. They enjoyed it overall, but felt it "plays too long on a single trope."

Review: Magic Pickle

By: Scott Morse

Scholastic; 2008; 112 Pages

Graphic Novel

Grades: Second-Seventh

ISBN: 978-0-439-87995-8

Agent Kosher is a radiated pickle who was put into a cryogenic sleep until the Brotherhood of Evil Produce came out of hiding. When he re-emerges he finds that his lab is now below JoJo, a little girl's, bedroom...and nothing is going to keep her from joining him on his escapades!

My Thoughts:
This graphic novel has a very unique premise...super powered produce. It also has engaging text and illustrations that are a great introduction to the graphic novel genre. I appreciated how, when there are multiple speakers in a frame, the speech bubbles were different colors in addition to pointing toward the speaker. This is a good way for newer readers to learn how speech bubbles work, and minimizes confusion. The text itself is hilarious. Morse uses LOTS of puns, many of which are more for parental benefit than children. It introduces concepts that kids may want to explore later, like communism and cryogenics, as well.

The characters in this book definitely have personality. JoJo is quick thinking, independent, and inquisitive...all characteristics that children will want to emulate. (Plus, she wears footie pajamas!) The Magic Pickle, Agent Kosher, seems to dismiss JoJo as just a little girl. This is a reaction that a lot of kids may experience. JoJo's handling of the situation, her insistance of being respected and included, may empower young readers. The fact that they take down the Romaine Gladiator (via a garbage disposal) is just the icing on the cake!

The Thoughts of Others:
Library School Journal's Elizabeth Bird reviewed the graphic novel in March. 2008. She seemed as enamored with it as I am. She noted that "Morse’s drawing style is this elastic, energetic series of shifting panels and inserts. Images are constantly overlapping or going panel-less for maximum effect."

Kirkus Reviews utilized Morse's own punning sense when they called the book "diverting and dill-ectable." They felt that it was well executed, and that the story and characters were engaging.

Review: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

By: Barbara Park

Random House; 1992; 69 pages

Juvenile Fiction; Series

Grades: Kindergarten - 3rd grade

ISBN: 9-78-0679-92642-9

Junie B. Jones is excited to start kindergarten and to meet new people, but she is NOT excited about riding the school bus. In fact, at the end of the school day, she decides not to ride it home again!

My Thoughts:
I thought that this book was perfect for kids who are ready to transition from easy readers to regular juvenile fiction. I had heard from some friends that they didn't care for these books because of the poor grammar. I felt, however, that the text was suited to the narrator. When read aloud, it sounds like a 5 year old is actually talking. (I especially liked how she described her classmates when she didn't know their names: that boy I can beat up, etc.) The plot moved along quickly to hold interest. The chapters were brief to give a sense of accomplishment. Most importantly, the book felt real. Junie B. is not the nicest little girl, but that makes her seem more true to life, and easier for kids to relate to. I believe that kids will be able to identify with Junie B. even if they are already out of kindergarten.

The other thing that I loved about this book, was that it allowed me to connect with my six year old cousin who is in kindergarten. She loves these books, and loves to read them with my aunt. The repetitive nature of the series has enabled her to recite parts of each book, because the introductions are always the same. This empowers her and makes her feel like she is actually reading. (She also was very thrilled that I had to read it for homework in college...it made her feel very grown up to be reading the same books as college students!)

The Thoughts of Others:
School Library Journal's review in 1992 raved about Park's humor. They felt like this book was a great addition to a library because Junie B.'s ignorance will let "even the most insecure readers... feel superior because they know so much more than she does."

Publisher's Weekly also reviewed the book in 1992. They picked up on the realism of Junie B.'s narration, but also pointed out the book "is peppered with reader-involving questions." This would allow teachers and parents to pause and allow their students/child to interact and engage with the text.

Hair and Back Again

I had a hard time deciding on a story for the "My Story" assignment.

At first I was going to do some anecdotes from my brother's, sister's, and my childhood. However, in order for it to turn out as I had envisioned, I was going to need to find a good illustrator. While my brother has the skills and was willing to do it, he just didn't have the time.

Next, I decided to recount a story from when I was studying abroad in Prague...mostly because of the plethora of pictures I had available to accompany it. Unfortunately, I couldn't locate my letters home to check facts and get some ideas.

While looking through photos, though, I came across one from the night before classes my freshman year of college. I had found my story.

It is uploaded to the left...and called Hair and Back Again: A Blonde Girl's Tale.

I suppose if anyone from class wanted to tell it, they could. But, seeing as how it is fairly specific to my life, I don't think anyone will.

Also, as long as we are discussing the topic of hair...there is a hilarious book called If I Had Long, Long Hair that is similar in theme to my story. I don't think it would make a good flannel board story, but maybe with a wig, or a puppet whose hair could "grow"...At the very least, it is great for a traditional storytime session at a library!

Hack Hack, Cough Cough!!

So, I was extremely excited to share a story with the class online tonight. I had decided to do an oral version of a Robin Hood and Marian story that I adapted from the middle english ballads as my undergraduate honors thesis.

I practiced. I timed myself. I found a cool picture.

Then it hit...the Shang-hai funk.

My father brought back a great souvenier...a sore throat/cough/cold germy thing! It got so bad that they sent me home early from work to rest my voice in hopes that I would be able to talk on the phone tomorrow!

I had to write Jenine and ask for a one week extension on my story...sad!

On the plus side, now I can come up with a wicked cool visual to go with the story!