Module 6 - Clementine

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

Summary - Clementine is a lovely, and lively, tale of a young girl who just can't seem to stay out of trouble. Following Clementine through one very adventurous week, the reader is shown the power of imagination, friendship, and family in a fun and amusing manner. From the "hair incident" with Margaret at the end through the "great pigeon wars", Clementine does things in her own time and way, but the good humor and candid approach Clementine takes with just about everything (including trips to the Principal's office!) offer readers a fresh approach to understanding a hyperactive child.

Impressions - Clementine is a fairly carefree and easy to read book with engaging pictures and short vignette chapters which will please children of any age and both genders. The characterization of Clementine opens the story for identification by a high percentage of children (especially those who are considered 'active') and the humorous scenarios will keep children engaged and eager to read more. The underlying warmth of Clementine's family and friendships (even through misunderstandings) shines through and will give kids reassurance in that no matter what the situation, or trouble-making, they will be loved and appreciated. I especially liked how even Clementine's relationships with adults at school are both rooted in reality and reassuringly positive. The friendship between Margaret and Clementine and the one she has with her baby brother (of the infamous vegetable names) are realistic, but positive at their heart in such a way as to maintain the air of idealism that persists in the story. Children will both identify with Clementine and walk away believing that everything will turn out right, which is a pretty good position to offer from a children's book!

Reviews - While Vikk Simmons at Blogcritic.org (1) finds Pennypacker's voice in Clementine "very real and very strong", she considers Clementine a "fun read" and thinks that the character will become a hit among the "7-10" age group with them clamoring for more and grander adventures. Vikk appreciates how the illustrations tie well into the text and are engaging for readers, yet not distracting or attempting to stand on their own and overall highly recommends this raucous tale of the little "hard" girl "who slides from one disaster to another".

Use - This book would find its best audience in a mid-elementary aged group, especially in a school setting. The text is easy enough for wide comprehension, but detailed enough to advance readers comprehension abilities, and the pictures are scattered nicely throughout to draw attention to, vice away from, the text. Adults dealing with ADHD or ADD children groups may especially find their kids identifying with Clementine and her attention 'issues' and gain confidence from the positive portrayal of her relationships and abilities.

(1) Simmons, V. (2006, September 29). Book review: Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-clementine-by-sara-pennypacker/

Module 5 - Julius ~ The Baby of the World

Julius ~ The Baby of the World by Kevin Hankes

Summary - Julius ~ The Baby of the World is a wonderful children's picture book about a young mouse, Lilly, and her coming to grips with the arrival of her new baby brother, Julius. As Lilly deals with the attention, love, and admiration her new brother is receiving she travels through the 'older sibling' process quite unwillingly, until an outsider, Cousin Garland, decides to deride Julius. Lilly's anger over Cousin Garland's slights allows her to realize what a great gift Julius is in her family, and she, at last, becomes a loving older sister.

Impressions - I thought that this was a wonderful book for children of all ages who are dealing with the arrival of new siblings or other issues that impact the lives they once knew. I really enjoyed the pace and reality of the story, with all of the small slights Lilly perceived against her (not allowing her to scream like Julius) and which she inflicted upon him as revenge for the attention he was receiving (not inviting him to her tea parties, etc). The small examples of everything her parents were trying to do to make her feel better were also subtle and realistic enough to add to their impact on the reader, and Lilly's anger at Cousin Garland's was a great representation of the common childhood theme of "I can make fun of my family, but you can't!" In the end, Lilly finally comes to love and accept Julius, and sets the example for readers everywhere. As an older sibling myself, I definitely empathized with Lilly and remember going through the same feelings she had when a new baby arrived. This book was a wonderful lesson on and representation of how it is ok for children to feel the resentment they do in this circumstance, and a great look at how they will move past it (sooner rather than later).

Review - "Again, Henkes uses his gentle humor and his humanoid mice to look at common childhood fears and feelings." Carol Hurst opens her review (1) of Julius ~ The Baby of the World with this wonderfully descriptive and on-point statement, which immediately tells readers of the power and impact of this story. Hurst describes the movement of the story from Lilly's resentment to her fierce defense of Julius in this very positive review and brings readers into the story and offers them the opportunity to further explore Lilly and her family by pointing to other Henkes works, specifically 'Chester's Way'.

Use - This book is an excellent picture book to share with children of all ages, beginning with pre-elementary and continuing through late-childhood. It can be used in school or home settings and can initiate a discussion with children who have recently become siblings or who may soon become older children in a growing family. It would especially be helpful with children who are gaining younger siblings for the first time. Discussion should revolve around how normal Lilly's feelings are, and call out no blame, so as to allow children the opportunity to understand and accept what they are feeling without shame, but can move onto discussions of how accepting and loving Lilly becomes towards Julius in the end and how this is the most positive aspect of the story. All in all, I think children will easily understand and appreciate this story, I know I certainly did!

(1) Hurst, C. O. (2006-2010). Julius, the baby of the world [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.carolhurst.com/title/juliusthebaby.html. Originally in Teaching K-8 Magazine.

Module 4 - The Tale of Despereaux

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Summary - The Tale of Despereaux is a fanciful children's book about the importance of being true to yourself, the power of friendship and being different, and the journey of life that takes us places we never imagined. Despereaux Tilling is a mouse born into a family/world to which he doesn't quite fit, and, as a result of being true to himself and showing his differences (as well as falling in love with the kind Princess Pea, he is cast out of his family group and sent to live (and possibly perish) in the dark dungeon. His ensuing adventures and interactions with colorful characters, including Miggery Sow - a serving girl, Roscuro - not very bright rat, and others, Despereaux learns what adventure and courage are all about, and how sometimes families are what - and who - we make them.

Impressions - The Tale of Despereaux was a very enjoyable - and quick - read. I think the simplicity of the story and description helped to keep the pace, and would be very appealing to children, but while simple, the 'behind the scenes' impact of the story and DiCamillo's characters speak to hidden fears, desires, and longings in children in a powerful manner. I really enjoyed the fact that reality was portrayed through some of the characters, like Despereaux's mother and the king, showing children in story form that not all people are truly good or truly bad, but some may be meaner than others. While it may seem traumatic to very young children that Despereaux is sent to die in the dungeon, the aspect of being sent out into the 'world' on your own and being able to take care of yourself will appeal to older children and help them through their continuing evolution away from the safety of home and into discovering their own person.

Review - In the School Library Journal review (1) of the audio version of The Tale of Despereaux, much is made of how "multi-layered" the story is and of the complex relationships that are shown between the characters, especially Despereaux and the Princess. This positive review concentrates on bringing in readers by pointing out how simple, yet powerful, the story is - and how important it is to show children "the importance of caring relationships" and "the simple, believable way that good (can) triumph over evil". I especially enjoyed the discussion of the author's relationship with the reader, which is so often overlooked in this age of taking the story alone/outside of the influences of its era and author.

Use - This book is a fabulous read for mid-elementary aged children either with assistance or without. The short chapters and easy flowing narrative will draw children in and allow them to feel success in their reading, and the heartwarming adventure story will appeal to both boys and girls. I would definitely recommend introducing children to the book before the movie, and possibly using both as an opportunity to explore with children or a class the differences between the two and why that may be, then leading them to explore other books that have movies as well in the same manner. I think most people will find that in the end, the kids like the book(s) better!

(1) Wysocki, B., Mandell, P. L. (2004, Mar). The Tale of Despereaux. School Library Journal, 50(3), 88.

Module 4 - From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

Summary - This book is both an adventure story and a great tale about families and the ties that bind them together - and can drive them apart. After becoming resentful of her lackluster life and lack of appreciation by her family, Claudia Kincaid decides to run away from home. However, instead of just running away - she decides to run to something, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. With her younger brother Jamie, and the assistance of a mysterious benefactor (and narrator) Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Claudia uncovers a mystery that needs solving in the museum, that home is where the heart truly is, and how some adventures can change you forever.

Impressions - This book was a really interesting look at parent/child and sibling/sibling relationships, and shows, in a calm and powerful manner, the quiet desperation that children on the brink of adulthood can go through when they feel they don't belong in the world where they exist. While it is somewhat dated (the prices in the book are VERY outdated and would cause shock for many modern children), the storyline is adventurous and appropriately far-fetched (running away to New York and sleeping in the Metropolitan Museum of Art) to catch the interest of readers, and the language doesn't speak down to children but can help them to increase their language skills without too much pain and suffering. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the direct narrative asides by Mrs. Frankweiler with the children's story (told in story format as if written in a letter by Mrs. Frankweiler to her lawyer), and enjoyed the sub plot of the mystery of 'Angel' that Claudia feels she must solve. I think the important brother-sister tie between Claudia and Jamie is the heart of the story, and stands a great example for children who love their siblings but may be annoyed by them at times. Claudia and Jamie's homecoming is somewhat shortchanged, and the pain and worry of their parents/family is hinted at throughout, but never fully explored - although this is more for time and focus reasons than just ignoring it.

Reviews - The Amazon.com official review (1) of this book mentions how it is a "timeless novel", and discusses the wonder of staying in the Metropolitan Museum and having an "adventure", but it focuses on the "mystery that awaits" Claudia and Jamie and the running away "in order to teach their parents a lesson", missing some of the more important themes in the book: discovery of self, familial love, and finding the extraordinary in ourselves. This review is positive and should give the casual observer a good entry into the story, but I think it should be augmented to share more of the power of the story (and possibly mention the dated aspect) in order to truly give someone a good insight.

Use - This book is a great read for late-elementary aged students with proper instruction and discussion to set expectations for the differences the children will notice in era and the, possibly, controversial idea of running away from home. Children who will be most drawn to it are those that feel somewhat different, or those who feel slight disappointment in their 'ordinary' lives, and it may be more accessible to higher level readers than those who have difficulties, so a honors/gifted level class may be a better audience than a regular/remedial group. Older children may also find comfort in the 'apartness' Claudia feels, but may be somewhat bored by the tame 'adventures' she and her brother undergo and their interest in an artifact and the historical mystery which surrounds it.

(1) Unk. (n.d.). Editorial reviews - Amazon.com review. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Mixed-up-Files-Mrs-Basil-Frankweiler/dp/068985322X

Module 3 - Rapunzel

Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky

Summary - Zelinsky's classic retelling of the story of Rapunzel is beautiful both in text and illustrations. Recounting the tale of the young girl, given to a witch at birth because of the sins of her parents, who grows alone in a tower - separated from family and society remains as powerful today as it did when the Brothers' Grimm recounted it, and when it was created in the oral tradition. Children will revel in how Rapunzel's hair is both the witch's and, eventually, the Prince's means to climb into Rapunzel's tower and anxiously await the reunion of Rapunzel, her Prince, and their children after the witch chases them away after discovering their secret marriage. Staying close to the original story (this version includes a wonderful and informative recount of the history of the tale at the end of the story), Zelinksy maintains all of the power and mystery of the tale for children of every generation.

Impressions - I really enjoyed both the illustrations and the text in this book. Zelinsky's choice to maintain all of the elements of the original oral story (or at least as much as can be known) helps to flesh out all of the elements of the story - the mother's cravings, the father's theft, the childhood with the witch before the tower, the secret marriage and subsequent children, and the Prince's blinding and recovery - as well as retains all of their impact both consciously and unconsciously for the reader. His beautiful illustrations enhance the story experience without drawing away from it in the style choices he used (Italian Renaissance-esque) and help the reader to delve fully into the story. Stylistically, this book is quite engaging for children at any age, but the depth in the text can speak to different ages at a number of different levels. From the basic childhood tenet of being fair in your dealings (the parents giving the witch their daughter because they said they would), the psychological impact to parents who see the destruction that can occur when a parent cannot let a child grow up, and the uplifting experience of discovery and reunion after loss (the Prince and Rapunzel), the story walks through its lessons in as graceful a manner as the illustrations portray Rapunzel.

Reviews - Malcolm Jones, Jr speaks of Zelinsky's Rapunzel as "ravishing" in his Newsweek review (1) as he discusses the new age of children's literature. Additionally, Melissa Howard (2) calls it "lusciously illustrated" and speaks to the grace and power Zelinsky's text in her review, which also calls the book "a valuable addition to the book collections of those who love fairy tales, romance, and fine art." Most of the reviews regarding this book proclaim a sense of wonder for the power of the story and the illustrations and eagerly await more from the multiple Caldecott Award winning Zelinsky.

Use - This is a fabulous picture book for children of any age, from the very young pre-Elementary ages through Middle school. For younger children, even the darker aspects (the witch, the Prince's blindness) are dealt with in such a matter-of-fact manner that there should be little to faze them. For older readers, the illustrations style can aid in discussions of Italian art and the Renaissance, and there are a number of interesting side projects which the book can become the jumping off point for (as described in a number of online education resources).

(1) Jones, Jr., M. (1997, December 01). Spruced up evergreens. Newsweek, 130(22), 76-79.

(2) Howard, M. (2007, May 10). Rapunzel: children's book review. Retrieved from http://picture-books.suite101.com/article.cfm/rapunzel_childrens_book_review