Make Way For Ducklings By: Robert McCloskey
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY: McCloskey, Robert. 1941. MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS. New York, NY: The Viking Press. ISBN 0670451495.
2. SUMMARY OF PLOT: Make Way For Ducklings is about a mom and dad duck, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, who are looking for a new home to raise their ducklings. When they reach Boston they stop by various places such as the Public Garden, Beacon Hill, Louisburg Square, and Charles River. At first they like the pond in the Public Garden because of the people who gave them peanuts, but changed their minds when a young boy rushed by them almost running them over. They ended up on a small island at the Charles River where they eventually had their ducklings. Soon Mr. Mallard decides to take a trip to find a better home and tells Mrs. Mallard to meet him in a week in the Public Garden with their ducklings. The trip with all eight ducklings caused quite a commotion with the people in town as they crossed highways and other busy streets. Luckily, the policemen, including their friend Michael, was there to assist them as they completed their journey to meet Mr. Mallard at their new home in the Public Garden.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS: The mother and father duck had very believable characters and took on their roles as parents quit well. Mrs. Mallard seemed very particular about where they would live because she was very protective over their ducklings as any mother should be with their children. The plot is really simple, where are we going to live? The conflict rises from a couple of simple reasons such as little food, not safe for baby ducklings, or, my favorite, plenty of peanuts to eat! The illustrations are done very well and resemble the various outside areas of Boston. Mrs. Mallard, the mother duck, represents someone who is proud of who they are and lets everyone else know that they will just have to make way for her and her eight little ducklings. I think think there is some meaningfulness to this story and it is represented through the Mr. and Mrs. Mallard. It is hard to say exactly what the author's style is because no specific devices or features of sound are used. There is slight repetition with the ducklings names being Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack. The design and layout of the illustrations does complement the story because their simple drawings for a simple story.
4. AWARDS WON:
The Caldecott Award
5. CONNECTIONS: This can be used with young readers for a science lesson about migration. A more in depth look can open up a discussion about why the ducks went looking for a new home.
Related Books:
HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON By: Crockett Johnson
THE STORY OF BABAR By: Jean Brunhoff
February 6, 2012Tomas and the Library Lady By: Pat Mora Illustrated By: Raul Colon
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Mora, Pat. 1997. TOMAS AND THE LIBRARY LADY. New York. Random House Children's Books. ISBN 0679904018.
2. SUMMARY OF PLOT: Tomas is a young boy and comes from a family of migrant workers. As Tomas and his family travel one summer to Iowa, he describes how he misses his home in Texas but finds comfort in activities such as playing with his brother and listening to his grandfather's stories. To learn new stories Tomas walks down to the local library, which seems intimidating at first, but is greeted by the warm librarian. It is not long before Tomas comes to the library on a regular basis to read about all the things he loves to dream about and goes home to share the new stories he's gathered with his family members. However, the time comes when the summer is over and he says good-bye to the nice librarian. The story ends with both of them giving each other a present and Tomas treasuring his new shiny book the whole ride back to Texas.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS: All of the characters in this book are enjoyable and interesting. After reading the book, I began to wonder more about the librarian and whether it would have been beneficial to add more information about her story. For example, what was her age? What did she think about Tomas as a little boy? Also, did they ever communicate later in life? This character does seem credible because she obviously did make such an impact; however, there wasn't much detail given about her besides the warmth and opportunities she gave Tomas as a little boy. The plot seems very relevant to young children given the various financial hardships families suffer through and what they do to survive. The series of events are logical because this happens over several months and during this time the friendship between the librarian and Tomas grew. This is very relatable to children because the relationship between a teacher their and students grows over time as well into a trusting partnership, almost like friendship. The illustrator did a wonderful job of depicting an appropriate setting as the story moved on. The reader is able to clearly see Tomas transition to the car, outside in the green fields, the library, his fantasies of riding a dinosaur, to being back in the car on the way to Texas. The shading helped indicate time by depicting a bright or darkened background on each page. The theme to this story represents a deeper meaning and is great to share with children as well as young adults because it isn't "preachy" but shines a light on how someone can work hard and fulfill their dreams. The artistic style and author's use of language makes everything flow together well giving the main character a real voice in his story. The illustrations also compliment the story by using warm toned colors with lines and shapes that help convey action and set the mood of a memory for Tomas. This book kept the cultural markers in check by including more than one ethnicity and not depicting one culture in a negative manner.
4. AWARDS WON:
Bluebonnet Award
Golden Sower Award
Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literarure
Beehive Children's Picture Book Award
Georgia Children's Picture Storybook
Florida Reading Association Children's Book Award
Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature
Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award
International Reading Association Teacher's Choice Award
Review Excerpt(s): "Ages 4-8. Based on a true incident in the life of the famous writer Tomas Rivera, the son of migrant workers, this picture book captures an elemental American experience: the uprooted child who finds a home in the library." --- From Booklist
5. CONNECTIONS: Various activities can be done with this book such as a booktalk or retelling with props, which is a good way to assess their reading comprehension. The Murrieta Valley School District also provides a mini-unit on migrant farm workers and can be used as a social studies lesson. This as well as other activities and print-outs, and supporting information is on the RandomHouse.com Web site.
February 5, 2012
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave By: Laban Hill Illustrated By: Bryan Collier
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Hill, Laban. 2010. DAVE THE POTTER: ARTIST, POET, SLAVE. New York, NY: Hachette Book Group. ISBN 9780316107310.
2. SUMMARY OF PLOT: Dave was a slave during the 1800s in South Carolina. He was a potter as well as a slave, artist, and poet who made an impact on his surrounding community. Although his life was different from other slaves because he was a potter, he expressed the hardships he went through by carving poems onto the pots he made. This is a tale of Dave making a pot as he is describing his life story.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Dave was the only character in this story; however, he was credible and interesting to read about. He seemed like he had a strong sense of self and uniquely expressed how he saw the world through his eyes. The plot is clear, he is a slave in the south during the 1800s and has no choice but to work everyday of his life for his owner. The resolution seems to be the poems he wrote on the clay pots he made and sent off to various places. When I read the book I noticed how the illustration clearly moved the plot along to the end where he writes one of his final verses on his pot. The setting seems to be various places where Dave works or the outside set back in the 1800s. You can see through the illustrations how the world works during this time with images of other slaves working in the background. The dialogue fits appropriately to the style of the book, which uses literary devices such as symbolism and some rhythm. The illustrations design and layout as a whole works into Dave's story to help create a simple timeline of his life. The cultural authenticity of this story remains true to Dave's time; however not to current times. There is not a variety in skin tones, ethnicity, or gender.
4. AWARDS WON:
2011 Caldecott Honor Book
2011 Coretta Scott King Award
Chicago Public Library's 2010 Best of the Best List
New York Public Library's 2010 Best 100 Books of the Year
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2011
Review Excerpt(s): "An inspiring story, perfectly presented and sure to prompt classroom discussion and projects. Outstanding in every way." --- School Library Journal
5. CONNECTIONS:
Related Books-
ALFRED NOBEL: THE MAN BEHIND THE PEACE PRIZE by: Kathy-jo Wargin
ME, FRIDA by: Amy Novesky
A PICTURE BOOK OF PAUL REVERE by: David A. Adler
A PICTURE BOOK OF GEORGE WASHINGTON by: David A. Adler
Enrichment Activities- As a Social Studies unit, research slavery during the 1800s. Also, research other slaves of the same time that had an impact on society just like Dave.
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