BIBLIOGRAPHY
Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786818700
PLOT SUMMARY
Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny stroll through the neighborhood and into the Laundromat to wash some clothes. When they leave Trixie realizes she’s missing her beloved stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny. She tries to communicate to her Dad her dilemma by using all the baby talk she knows. Daddy dismisses this for just a toddler’s fussy behavior. When they arrive home, Trixie’s mother realizes that her bunny is missing and they rush back to the Laundromat. After a frantic search, they find her toy. With great delight, Trixie then utters her first words, “Knuffle Bunny!”
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Children will love this book and will be able to understand the frustration of losing something near and dear to them, such as a favorite toy. This is a cute and humorous story that begins with a trip to the Laundromat with Trixie and her Dad. One of the funniest scenes is when Trixie recognizes she has lost her beloved Knuffle Bunny and desperately tries to explain the loss to her Dad. Even though you can see the anguish on Trixie’s face, her frantic and nonsense babble is comical and is a laugh out loud moment.
Willems shows his creativity by using black and white photographs of real life objects with funny cartoon figures. The illustrations are simple yet dramatic and display the characters facial expressions and gestures with full emotion. The cartoon drawings express Trixie’s mood changes from frustration to delight as she finally finds her Knuffle Bunny.
Willems has created an exciting adventure which children as well as parents can relate to and enjoy!
REVIEW EXCERPTS
A 2005 Caldecott Honor Book
Starred Review in Booklist: “a comic gem.”
Starred Review in School Library Journal: “A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text.”
CONNECTIONS
Pre-reading activity: Show students the front and back cover and the endpapers of the book. Ask them: what do you think this story will be about? What do you think will happen in the story.
More books by Mo Willems: Knuffle Bunny too: A Case of Mistaken Identity, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, The Pigeon Finds a Hotdog!, Leonardo the Terrible Monster
Friday, September 19, 2008
THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gerstein, Mordicai. 2003. THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. New York: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 0761317910
PLOT SUMMARY
A young Frenchman, Philippe Petit, attempts a daring tightrope walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center. Petit and his friends secretly make their way up to the Twin Towers. With a bow and arrow they string a cable between the two buildings. At the break of dawn, Petit puts on an amazing show by walking and dancing on the wire while bystanders look in awe at his amazing feat. He is eventually arrested and sentenced to perform for children in the parks of New York.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this Caledcott Medal winning book, Gerstein describes an adventurous true story of Philippe Petit’s tightrope walk between the Twin Towers in 1974. Throughout the book, he recalls the life of the French aerialist by using clear and concise words along with vivid and colorful illustrations. Gerstein captivates the reader by describing Petit’s bold night climb up to the towers. There are two 2-page foldouts; One which illustrates an aerial view of Petit’s tightrope walk. Looking at this scene, the reader can imagine how it would be like to be hundreds of feet above the ground. The second foldout is a vertical illustration of bystanders looking up in amazement at Petit’s high-wire act. Gerstein has a way of drawing the reader in by his descriptions and illustrations. By the end of the book, the reader will understand and feel Petit’s drive and determination to challenge himself. As the reader flips to the last page, they will come to Gerstein’s final illustration which shows the Twin Towers gone forever. The book gives tribute to the World Trade Center, New York City and the young Frenchman who “walked between the two towers.”
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Winner of the 2004 Caldecott Medal
Booklist: “Gerstein’s simple words and dramatic ink-and-oil paintings capture the exhilarating feats, the mischief, and the daring of the astonishing young acrobat”.
School of Library Journal: “With its graceful majesty and mythic overtones, this unique and uplifting book is at once a portrait of a larger-than-life individual and a memorial to the towers and the lives associated with them.”
CONNECTIONS
Other children’s books by Mordicai Gerstein:
The Old Country. ISBN 0307245427
The Mountains of Tibet. ISBN 0064432114
The White Ram. ISBN 0823418978
Sholom’s Treasure. ISBN 0374380554
A collection of children’s writings and art projects about the events of 9/11 is a book called Messages to Ground Zero: Children Respond to September 11, 2001. This book is dedicated to those that lost their lives and honors the city’s heroes of the September 11th tragedy.
Gerstein, Mordicai. 2003. THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. New York: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 0761317910
Gerstein, Mordicai. 2003. THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. New York: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 0761317910
PLOT SUMMARY
A young Frenchman, Philippe Petit, attempts a daring tightrope walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center. Petit and his friends secretly make their way up to the Twin Towers. With a bow and arrow they string a cable between the two buildings. At the break of dawn, Petit puts on an amazing show by walking and dancing on the wire while bystanders look in awe at his amazing feat. He is eventually arrested and sentenced to perform for children in the parks of New York.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this Caledcott Medal winning book, Gerstein describes an adventurous true story of Philippe Petit’s tightrope walk between the Twin Towers in 1974. Throughout the book, he recalls the life of the French aerialist by using clear and concise words along with vivid and colorful illustrations. Gerstein captivates the reader by describing Petit’s bold night climb up to the towers. There are two 2-page foldouts; One which illustrates an aerial view of Petit’s tightrope walk. Looking at this scene, the reader can imagine how it would be like to be hundreds of feet above the ground. The second foldout is a vertical illustration of bystanders looking up in amazement at Petit’s high-wire act. Gerstein has a way of drawing the reader in by his descriptions and illustrations. By the end of the book, the reader will understand and feel Petit’s drive and determination to challenge himself. As the reader flips to the last page, they will come to Gerstein’s final illustration which shows the Twin Towers gone forever. The book gives tribute to the World Trade Center, New York City and the young Frenchman who “walked between the two towers.”
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Winner of the 2004 Caldecott Medal
Booklist: “Gerstein’s simple words and dramatic ink-and-oil paintings capture the exhilarating feats, the mischief, and the daring of the astonishing young acrobat”.
School of Library Journal: “With its graceful majesty and mythic overtones, this unique and uplifting book is at once a portrait of a larger-than-life individual and a memorial to the towers and the lives associated with them.”
CONNECTIONS
Other children’s books by Mordicai Gerstein:
The Old Country. ISBN 0307245427
The Mountains of Tibet. ISBN 0064432114
The White Ram. ISBN 0823418978
Sholom’s Treasure. ISBN 0374380554
A collection of children’s writings and art projects about the events of 9/11 is a book called Messages to Ground Zero: Children Respond to September 11, 2001. This book is dedicated to those that lost their lives and honors the city’s heroes of the September 11th tragedy.
Gerstein, Mordicai. 2003. THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. New York: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 0761317910
PASS IT DOWN: FIVE PICTURE-BOOK FAMILIES MAKE THEIR MARK
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Marcus, Leonard S. 2007. Pass It Down: Five Picture-Book Families Make Their Mark. New York: Walker & Company ISBN 0802796004
PLOT SUMMARY
Leonard S. Marcus introduces the reader to five famous picture-book families and reveals how sometimes artistic ability is inherited and at times can be encouraged and developed with family support. The book includes biographies, interviews, and artwork by The Crews and Jonas Family, The Hurd Family, The Myers Family, The Pinkney Family, and The Rockwell Family. Readers will understand that family traits can influence a person to choose a profession like that of their parents, such as writing and illustrating children’s books. Marcus states that creative parents who continue to encourage and support their children can shape their artistic abilities and can have a hand in passing their talent along to the next generation.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In Marcus’ book, readers will find it interesting to see how family traits are inherited and how they can “pass down” they’re creative abilities to their children. He shows real-life photos of these famous families and some of their artistic work. He chronicles their life stories by also sharing personal memories and interviews. The reader really gets a sense of who these great children’s book creators are and will recognize that a parent’s influence along with inherited traits can develop who we may become.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
A Starred Review in Kirkus Reviews: “Fascinating…An outstanding work about the connections between parents and children, editors and artists and readers and writers.”
Library Journal: Grade 4 Up—Marcus presents the events and circumstances that have resulted in five picture-book dynasties. Each chapter includes biographical information about the subjects that zeroes in on the salient pieces that nurtured artistic growth and includes numerous quotes from the authors/illustrators themselves. The featured families are Donald Crews, Ann Jonas, and Nina Crews; Clement and Edith Hurd and Thacher Hurd; Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers; Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney; and Harlow and Anne Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell. Marcus carefully makes the point that, although perhaps blessed with some inherited talent and encouraged by their parents, all of the children pursued their art with diligence and have emerged with their own unique styles. Marcus's writing is, as usual, tight but lively, and each chapter is liberally laced with photographs, preliminary sketches, and final art. The book will be of interest to those readers who enjoy getting behind the scenes of the books they love.
CONNECTIONS
Side by Side: Five Favorite Picture-Book Teams go to Work Leonard S. Marcus ISBN 0802796168
Genealogy activity: Children can research their family history and create a family tree.
Marcus, Leonard S. 2007. Pass It Down: Five Picture-Book Families Make Their Mark. New York: Walker & Company ISBN 0802796004
PLOT SUMMARY
Leonard S. Marcus introduces the reader to five famous picture-book families and reveals how sometimes artistic ability is inherited and at times can be encouraged and developed with family support. The book includes biographies, interviews, and artwork by The Crews and Jonas Family, The Hurd Family, The Myers Family, The Pinkney Family, and The Rockwell Family. Readers will understand that family traits can influence a person to choose a profession like that of their parents, such as writing and illustrating children’s books. Marcus states that creative parents who continue to encourage and support their children can shape their artistic abilities and can have a hand in passing their talent along to the next generation.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In Marcus’ book, readers will find it interesting to see how family traits are inherited and how they can “pass down” they’re creative abilities to their children. He shows real-life photos of these famous families and some of their artistic work. He chronicles their life stories by also sharing personal memories and interviews. The reader really gets a sense of who these great children’s book creators are and will recognize that a parent’s influence along with inherited traits can develop who we may become.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
A Starred Review in Kirkus Reviews: “Fascinating…An outstanding work about the connections between parents and children, editors and artists and readers and writers.”
Library Journal: Grade 4 Up—Marcus presents the events and circumstances that have resulted in five picture-book dynasties. Each chapter includes biographical information about the subjects that zeroes in on the salient pieces that nurtured artistic growth and includes numerous quotes from the authors/illustrators themselves. The featured families are Donald Crews, Ann Jonas, and Nina Crews; Clement and Edith Hurd and Thacher Hurd; Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers; Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney; and Harlow and Anne Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell. Marcus carefully makes the point that, although perhaps blessed with some inherited talent and encouraged by their parents, all of the children pursued their art with diligence and have emerged with their own unique styles. Marcus's writing is, as usual, tight but lively, and each chapter is liberally laced with photographs, preliminary sketches, and final art. The book will be of interest to those readers who enjoy getting behind the scenes of the books they love.
CONNECTIONS
Side by Side: Five Favorite Picture-Book Teams go to Work Leonard S. Marcus ISBN 0802796168
Genealogy activity: Children can research their family history and create a family tree.
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