Module 3: The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses and Ashanti to Zulu

Citation:

Goble, Paul. The girl who loved wild horses. Simon & Schuster, 1978. Print.

Summary:

A young girl tends and loves the horses that belong to her nomadic tribe.  One day there is a stampede because of a storm.  The herd is far away from the tribe so she gets swept up in the mad dash away from the storm.  The herd ends up joining with a wild one where the lead stallion accepts her as a member.

Personal Impression:

The beautiful story with its striking illustrations makes this book unique and memorable.  It exposes children to another culture's legends and provides an insight into their values and lessons.  I highly recommend it.  There is a version available with an audio tape that has Native music playing in the background during the reading.

Review:

"K-Gr 3 - After becoming lost in a storm, a young Indian girl joins and lives with a herd of wild horses until, finally, she becomes one herself.  The story is good for telling aloud, but the real strength of the book lies in the highly detailed, full-page lithographs finely printed in bright colors that correspond with the text.  For example, a night scene in a dark canyon is enchanting, conveying well the mood of desolation.  The illustrations alone make this worth owning. - Victoria Campell, Great Falls Public Library, Mt." Published in the School Library Journal in December 1978

Suggestions in a Library Setting

This would be an excellent book to use in conjunction with a program focusing on multiculturalism.  Children can draw pictures of horses.  A display can be fashioned that showcases Native American items or a variety of native horses.  If one acquired the book/tape set, that would be a wonderful way to conduct a storytime.

Citation:

Musgrove, Margaret, Leo Dillon, and Diane Dillon. Ashanti to Zulu: African traditions. Dial Books for Young Readers, 1976. Print.

Summary:

This is a different take on the traditional A to Z book, normally for young children.  In order to inform an older age of children, about a variety of African tribes in a familiar format.

Personal Impression:

I liked the text and the illustrations but I don't know how much the information would appeal to children.  I believe this is one of those books that would appeal to a certain audience but not to a general one.

Review:

" Gr 3 - 5 -Twenty - six African tribes - from Ashanti to Zulu; from the Sahara down to the savannas - file by in the Dillons' dazzling processional.  Each framed tableau in lush tropical tones (parrot green, mango, aqua, lemon) offers a composite picture of a particular people, showing their regional dress, wildlife, type of home, etc.  Unfortunately, the text, limited to a boxed paragraph below each picture, neglects to point all this out and, instead, is restricted to describing a folkway or custom.  At best there are snippets of interesting information... Still the artwork makes it all worthwhile; as beautifully designed as the famous Ashanti kente cloth, its stylized elegance manages to capture both the variety and vitality of African tribal life. - Jane Abramson"  Published in School Library Journal in February 1977.

Suggested Use in a Library Setting:

This particular book is an excellent example children's book artwork.  It could be used in conjunction with a program focusing on art and its practical applications.  It could also be used as a cultural book during Black History Month.  

Module 2: Goodnight Moon and Millions of Cats

Citation:

Wise, Margaret, and Clement Hurd. Goodnight moon. Lap Edition. New York, NY: Harperfestival, 2001. Print.

Summary:

A child sized rabbit is going to bed while an old woman rocks and knits in the room with him/her.  The story describes the room and the baby bunny says goonight to everything in the room and outside before lights go out and the child settles down to sleep. 

Personal Impression:

I like the way this book helps children deal with their fear of the dark and how it changes the look of familiar things.  My three year old likes naming all the items in the room and while the book doesn't magically settle her down for the night, it does capture her attention.  The only issue I have with it is that at times it seems to have a rhythm and then it doesn't.  This interrupts the flow of the language when reading aloud.

Reviews:

"... the book sounds like going to sleep. I’m not sure how else to say it. By the time I read it, my voice gets quieter and quieter, without me realizing it.  I have no idea if Brown had this intention, but my belief is that GoodNight Moon was written as much for wiggly toddlers as for adults who are winding down for the night."

"And you go through and say goodnight to all of them. The pacing, the ordering of the words, and the tenderness of the artwork really have to be experienced to be appreciated. It captivates Max and it calms me down.
There are a lot of books out there that set out to create a mood and fail miserably, laughably, or both. I didn’t need to have a son to have an excuse for revisiting children’s favorites, but it does make sure that I do it.
Goodnight Moon does mood better than any book I can think of. And if you get the board book, you can chew on it and it will last a long time anyways."

by Josh Hanagarne on July 13, 2010http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/6494/book-review-goodnight-moon/
© 2010


"Goodnight Moon is the perfect bedtime story with vibrant illustrations. The illustrations are very detailed and jump off the page.
Goodnight Moon calms the busy toddler at nap time, bed time, or any time. Goodnight Moon is the perfect book to take along everywhere you go to occupy your toddler's mind. Goodnight Moon will diffuse even the most stressful situation even while standing in long lines at the grocery store.
Goodnight Moon lulls a child into a peaceful and less fearful sleep. By saying goodnight to everything in the room (including the air), children's fears are put to rest. The first half of the book describes the bedroom of a young rabbit, and then "goodnight" is said to everything from the room decor to the rabbit's caregiver who is described as the little old lady whispering "hush".
Goodnight Moon is short enough for even the shortest of attention spans. Goodnight Moon is simple enough for toddlers to understand and an excellent choice for a first reader. Goodnight Moon's rhymes flow right off the page and children's tongues. A child of any age will finishing the sentences. Goodnight Moon is an excellent tool to use for teaching lessons in colors, rhymes, reading comprehension, making general observations, and how fear can be caused from our imagination.
Goodnight Moon is one of my son's favorite stories, and I'm sure yours will love it also. "  
 
Review by: Jennifer Shelby
http://www.preschooleducation.com/br138.shtml
© 1997-2011
Suggestions in a Library

Have a "sleepover" in the library.  Have the children wear their pajamas and bring pillows, blankets, and/or sleeping bags along with their favorite bedtime critters.  Select several bedtime themed books including Goodnight moon to read.  You could even pair the event up with a "Build-a-bear" workshop so that the kids could create a sleeping buddy.  Turn the lights low with just a lamp and rock and read to the children.

Citation:

Gag, Wanda. Millions of Cats. New York, NY: Coward-McCann, Inc., 1928. Print.

Summary:

An old man and woman are lonely and decide to get a cat to ease that loneliness.  The old man sets out on a quest to get that cat.  He can't pick just one and brings home "hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats."  When he gets home, the old woman tells him that they can only have one.  After a giant fight amongst all the cats to prove who is prettiest, the couple end up with a scrawny, scraggly cat who becomes beautiful after some tender loving care.

Personal Impression:

This is a timeless little story with simple illustrations.  It's catchy and amusing.  Another story that my daughter begs for at night.

Reviews:

School Library Journal names Millions of Cats as one of the Hundred Books that Shaped the Century and it was voted number 9 of the Top 100 Picture Books by SLJ readers in a poll. 

"... However, according to 100 Best Books for Children, this title has the distinction of being the American picture book that has continuously been in print the longest."

"Was Millions of Cats the impetus that brought about the Caldecott Medal?  Possibly.  As Minders of Make-Believe puts it, "when librarians awarded Millions of Cats a Newbery Honor, they chose to recognize the book’s distinction while apparently not feeling quite right about giving the literature prize to a picture book.  It may well have been then that the idea for a companion award for illustration was born, although it would be another decade before the Caldecott Medal became a reality. . ."  Remember, the first Newbery Award was given out in 1922.  It wouldn’t be until 1938 that the Caldecott would come along as well."

"Considered by many to have ushered in the age of the modern picture book, this Newbery Honor winner is characterized by innovative design and a strong storyteller's cadence. "


School Library Journal
Top 100 Picture Books Poll Results (#9) May 5th, 2009         
One Hundred Books that Shaped the Century
01/01/2000
© 2010

Suggested for Library Setting

In conjunction with a display or informational presentation about animals from any number of different organizations, this book could be set up as a companion piece with its valuable lesson about not judging a cat by its current appearance.

Module 1: Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind

Citation:
Finchler, Judy, and Kevin O'Malley. Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind. Walker Books for Young Readers, 2006. Print.

Summary:

Miss Malarkey is a determined teacher who aims not only to help the school achieve their goal of 1000 books read by mid-June but also to find at least one book that each child in her class loves.  One child is particularly stubborn about reading and NOT enjoying books, only video games.  Even the principal's promise to color his hair purple and sleep on the roof of the school if the goal is met is not enough to entice this young man.

Personal Impression:

I thought this was an adorable book that would resonate with young children.  It shows empathy with students that aren't particularly into books while at the same time showing that there is a book out there for everyone.  Miss Malarkey is particularly attractive as a stubborn, genuinely caring teacher.  The artwork adds to the story; providing other points-of-view and fleshing out the story more.

Reviews:

Retrieved from School Library Journal on 2/2/2011
(August 1, 2006)

"...This title will resonate with those who choose math, video games, and sports over books. O’Malley’s illustrations, done in markers and colored pencils, enhance the text with expressive pictures of the students and their teacher as they explore (or choose not to explore) the joys of reading. The illustrations lend humor and credibility to the reluctance of some of the students. A must-have for all libraries.–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA"

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Retrieved from Booklist Online on 2/2/2011

"...Expressive cartoon-style illustrations, brightened with markers and colored pencils, create a series of lively scenes in which speech balloons record conversations and comments not found in the text. With an unstated moral, this is one volume that librarians won’t soon forget. Short lists of recommended books, including a bibliography of adult books that recommend children’s books, are appended.

— Carolyn Phelan"

Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved.

Possible Use in a Library:

This title had a variety of ages for which it was recommended; everything from pre-k to 5th grade depending on the source.  Personally, I thought it was most appropriate for the 3rd grade crowd.  This would be a good book to use during National Reading Day for Pk through 3rd grade or during National Reading Month especially considering it's theme.  Teachers and librarians could follow Miss Malarkey's example in the book by matching their students with appropriate books, setting reading goals and awarding ribbons (or something similar) for each book read.