Bright Lights, Little Hero
30 Nov 2010 3 Comments
in Holidays, Picture Books Tags: Barbara McClintock, Eric A. Kimmel, Hanukkah, multicultural literature
Kimmel, Eric A. When Mindy Saved Hanukkah. Illus. by Barbara McClintock. Scholastic, 1998.
Can children ever get enough of stories with small heroes? Of Kimmel’s many finely crafted picture books, this is one of his best. Mindy and the rest of the pint-sized Klein family live behind the walls of the Eldridge Street Synagogue in New York. When resourceful Papa goes on his quest for a candle they can melt into tiny candles for their menorah, he meets with near-disaster. “A fierce Antiochus of a cat” pounces on him. Leave it to brave little Mindy to save the day! A huge part of the fun of this exciting story is Barbara McClintock’s humorous, detailed ink and watercolor paintings, evoking century-old styles and interesting aspects of the historic synagogue. I can’t imagine a more enjoyable way for children to discover the reasons for Hanukkah.
More Great Hanukkah Read-alouds
Kimmel, Eric. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Holiday House, 1994. Hershel of Ostropol arrives at a village where the people can’t celebrate Hanukkah because their synagogue has been overtaken by goblins. Hershel is brave and bright enough to outwit those goblins, though, in this thrilling story brought to life by Trina Schart Hyman’s spooky illustrations, which won a Caldecott Honor.
Krensky, Stephen. Hanukkah at Valley Forge. Illus. by Greg Harlin. Dutton, 2006. Inspired by facts, this quiet, moving story features a young Jewish soldier explaining Hanukkah to George Washington and sharing with him a thirst for freedom. Atmospheric watercolor paintings capture the contrast between the cold Pennsylvania winter and the soldier’s glowing candlelight.
Kroll, Stephen. The Hanukkah Mice. Marshall Cavendish, 2008. A girl’s new dollhouse is the perfect place for a family of mice to celebrate Hanukkah.
Manushkin, Fran. Hooray for Hanukkah! Random House, 2001. “I am bright, but I could be brighter!” Young children will be charmed by this lighthearted Hanukkah story told from the perspective of the menorah.
Polacco, Patricia. Trees of the Dancing Goats. Simon & Schuster, 1996. 
Based on the author’s childhood, Polacco shows how Trisha and her family prepare to celebrate Hanukkah. When Trisha visits her neighbors, she finds them bedridden with scarlet fever instead of decorating for Christmas. Then Grampa comes up with a surprising way to cheer up their neighbors. The plan involves a lot of work and sacrifice, but it will make for a holiday for all to cherish.
Rosen, Michael J. Elijah’s Angel: A Story of Chanukah and Christmas. Harcourt, 1992. Touching story of a friendship between nine-year-old Michael and the elderly African-American Elijah, who gives the boy one of his carved wooden angels. Should a Jewish child keep such a gift?
Singer, Isaac Bashevis. Power of Light: Eight Stories for Hanukkah. Farrar, 1990. Thoughtful, uplifting stories for children ages 10-14.
Welcome to my Table: Tales of Hospitality
22 Nov 2010 4 Comments
in Folk and Fairy Tales, Picture Books, Tales of hospitality Tags: folklore - Turkey, folktales, hospitality, multicultural literature, picture books
Demi. The Hungry Coat. Margaret K. McElderry, 2004.
“Once upon a time in Turkey there lived a funny, little wise man named Nasrettin Hoca. He wore a huge, white turban and a worn-out coat made of patches upon patches. Riding about on his little gray donkey, he liked to help whomever he could.”
When Nasrettin sets out to visit a friend who’s having a banquet, he encounters a caravan getting wrecked by a frisky goat. Because he stops to help, Nasrettin finds he doesn’t have time to change his dirty clothes before visiting his friend. He finally arrives, but instead of the friendly, cheerful welcome he expects, he is ignored. Nasrettin slips out and returns, this time wearing an elegant silk coat. The host promptly invites him in and gives him all the fine food previously denied him. But Nasrettin has a trick up his sleeve; he starts to feed his coat instead of his belly! Children will love chanting the refrain “Eat, coat, eat” and as they participate in the story, they’ll understand what Nasrettin’s host should have: It’s wrong to judge a person by his clothes. Demi’s gorgeous paintings feature the motifs and colors of traditional Turkish art and brighten this lively tale featuring Turkey’s famous folk hero.
More Tales of Hospitality
Becker, Bonnie. A Visitor for Bear. Candlewick, 2008. A grumpy bear posts a “No visitors” sign outside his door. But a bright-eyed, friendly mouse keeps popping in and opens Bear’s eyes to his need for companionship.
Leodhas, Sorche. Always Room for One More. Illus. by Nonny Hogrogian. Caldecott Medal. Lachie MacLachlan lives in a “wee house in the heather” in Scotland, with his family of twelve. He always welcomes every weary traveler who wanders by in rough weather. His guests show their gratitude in a delightful way that continues to charm readers young and old.
Kinsey-Warnock, Natalie. Nora’s Ark. Harper-Collins, 2005. Based on the Vermont flood of 1927, the author tells a memorable story of how a girl’s grandparents welcome neighbors, chickens, ducks, pigs, a horse and a cow into their home on the hill as the waters rise and uproot their community. The humorous, detailed paintings by Caldecott Medal-winning artist Emily Arnold McCully evoke the dangers of the flood and the warmth of a kitchen filled with kind people and good cheer.
Muth, Jon. Stone Soup. Scholastic, 2003. Muth retells a beloved old French folktale and transports it to China. Instead of hungry soldiers, he features three monks who know the importance of community in making people happy. This picture book presents a feast for the eyes, heart and mind.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. Mice and Beans. As Rosa Maria prepares for a big family party, some mice are planning their own festivities. Even though Rosa Maria sets mouse traps, the mice save the day when they notice she forgot to stuff the piñata.
Rylant, Cynthia. The Relatives Came. Aladdin, 1993. It’s a full, full house every year when the relatives come bumping up from Virginia. When they leave at summer’s end, the beds feel “too big and too quiet.” Gammel’s lively illustrations capture the unbridled love and fun of the family get-togethers.
Thank your lucky beans
17 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
in Picture Books Tags: estimating, gratitude, industriousness, picture books, Thanksgiving
Birtha, Becky. Lucky Beans. Albert Whitman, 2010.
Who wants beans? Marshall’s family, like many others living through the Depression, is lucky to have food on the table. That doesn’t stop Marshall from growing tired of having beans every night, though.
Some welcome excitement bubbles up after the family hears about the contest at Kaplan’s Furniture Store. Guess the number of beans in the jar and win a new sewing machine! Marshall knows someone who’s good with numbers and who’s been wanting a sewing machine — Ma. He can’t help but wonder if this contest is open to all people, not just to whites. Reassured by fair-minded Mr. Kaplan, Marshall is ready for action. Together, the family members tackle the problem, using the estimation techniques Marshall has learned at school. The day arrives when Mr. Kaplan announces the winner. The jar contains 53,293 beans — just 13 more than Ma guessed. She gets to take home that shiny black sewing machine. In no time, she’s putting it to good use and earning money.
This likable picture book is a natural to use with units on estimating, the Depression, or the trait of industriousness. As with Grandmama’s Pride, her first picture book, Birtha notes she was inspired by recollections of her grandmother — who actually did win a sewing machine in a similar contest.
More Books Featuring Industrious Characters
Galdone, P
aul. The Little Red Hen. Clarion, 2006. Every child should hear this classic, retold with sass and rhythm by Galdone and illustrated with lively humor. Then share another, newer version that emphasizes cooperation: The Little Red Hen: An Old Fable by Heather Forest. Discuss with children the similarities and differences between the two and ask which they prefer, and why.
Galdone, Paul. The Three Little Pigs. You know which one built the best house. Compare the classic with an Appalachian version, The Three Little Pigs and the Fox by William H. Hooks, in which sister Hamlet saves her silly brothers. S.D. Schindler’s finely detailed paintings add to the fun.
McDonald, Margaret Read. Too Many Fairies: A Celtic Tale. Marshall Cavendish, 2010. An old woman complains, “Work! Work! Work! How I hate it!” But after noisy fairies invade her home to do her chores, she decides work might not be so bad after all. The watercolor illustrations by Susan Mitchell are fun
, but it’s McDonald’s use of repetition and onomatopoeia that make this tale lively and engaging.
Taback, Simms. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. Viking, 1999. This winner of the 2000 Caldecott Medal is a visual and verbal delight. Simms Taback creates bright, folksy illustrations by using gouache, watercolor, collage, pencil and ink, to tell a fun, simple story that celebrates frugality. The tailor Joseph made a fabulous coat, but he didn’t discard it as it wore out. Each page contains a die-cut hole that you can hold up for children as you read it. Let them guess what the tailor made next out of the material left. Taback includes the lyrics and notes for the Yiddish song on which this book is based.
Whelan, Gloria. Jam and Jelly by Holly and Nellie. Sleeping Bear, 2002. Living in nort
hern Michigan, Holly’s family might not be able to let her go to school because they can’t afford to buy her a coat. But resourceful Mama hatches a plan to make jam and jelly, using the abundant berries growing nearby. While this book is a little wordy at times, it evokes an unusual respect for nature and for the trait of industriousness.The uplifting story is enhanced by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen’s glorious paintings.
Williams, Karen Lynn. Galimoto. Harper, 1991. Kondi, who lives in a village in Malawi, has no money for toys. He does have the creativity and determinat
ion to make his own galimoto, a toy vehicle made of wires. Children will enjoy following his adventures throughout the village, as he goes about gathering all he needs to build his galimoto. See Williams’ helpful teaching guide for Galimoto.
Recommended Thanksgiving Books
Anderson, Laurie Halse. Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving.
Atwell, Debbie. The Thanksgiving Door.
Cox, Judy. One is a Feast for a Mouse.
Cowley, Joy. Gracias, the Thanksgiving Turkey.
Cuyler, Margery. The Bumpy Little Pumpkin. Scholastic, 2005.
Waters, Kate. Giving Thanks: The 1621 Harvest. Scholastic, 2001.
The bullies, the victims, and the silent bystanders
10 Nov 2010 2 Comments
in Peace stories, Picture Books Tags: anti-bullying, bullying, conflict resolution, empathy, kindness, respect, self-esteem
“Another thing I think about names is that they DO hurt. They hurt because we believe them. We think they are telling us something true about ourselves, something other people can see even if we don’t.” — James Howe in The Misfits
GREAT READ-ALOUDS THAT DEAL WITH BULLYING
Estes, Eleanor. The Hundred Dresses. Ages 7-10. 
This timeless little novel remains one of the most powerful explorations of bullying in children’s literature. First published in 1944, Estes sets her story in a cliquish, Waspy little town. Wanda Petronski is from a family of Polish immigrants. She has a strange name. She wears the same clean but faded blue dress to school every day. After Wanda confides to popular Peggy that she has 100 dresses, she gets taunted daily. Then one day, she’s gone. Her father informs the school they’re moving to the big city, where plenty of people have “funny” names. Yet another surprise comes when Wanda’s lovely drawings of 100 dresses win the school art contest. The girls, even queen bee Peggy, regret their behavior, but it is too late to make amends. Especially moving is the response of Maddie, the bystander too afraid to intervene. Maddie reaches the decision that she will never again remain silent while someone gets bullied in her presence. Since research indicates that most children tend to be bystanders, it is important to teach them to stand up for what’s right, even (or especially) when it means contradicting the “in” crowd.
Polacco, Patricia. The Junkyard Wonders. Philomel, 2010. Drawing on her own experiences as a dyslexic child, Polacco tells how young Tricia landed in the “junkyard” class for kids who had learning differences. The children were taunted and ridiculed and felt like cast-offs, but their wise and nurturing teacher, Mrs. Peterson, saw their gifts and helped them realize their potential. The story, while lengthier than most picture books, has plenty of conflict and action and can easily be read in two sessions. Allow time to discuss the need to value each person and to resist judging on the basis of appearances. Then share Polacco’s concluding note, in which she reveals the stellar achievements of her “junkyard” classmates.
More picture books that explore bullying:
- Anholt, Laurence. Camille and the Sunflowers: A Story About Vincent van Gogh. Barron’s, 1994. Ages 6-8. A boy and his family befriend the lonely painter who has a unique perspective.
- Bateman, Teresa. The Bully Blockers Club. Ages 5-7. Lottie is tired of being bullied, so she starts a club where everyone is welcome.
- dePaola, Tomie. Trouble in the Barkers’ Class. Ages 5-7. When the new girl acts like a bully, the students try talking to her and ignoring her until she finally figures out a better way to treat others. Also, see dePaola’s Oliver Button Is Not a Sissy.
- DiSalvo, Dyanne. Spaghetti Park. Ages 7-9. A community unites to fix up their park and manages to persuade the bullies to join them.
- Fierstein, Harvey. The Sissy Duckling. Ages 5-8.
Elmer’s interests are different from the other male ducks. His father doesn’t sympathize, and after getting bullied at school, Elmer decides to run away from home. After Elmer saves his father’s life and looks after him until he’s well again, the father realizes he should be proud of his brave son. - Fleischman, Paul. Weslandia. Ages 7-10. The neighborhood kids torture Wesley for being different, but in time they learn to appreciate his ingenuity, as he creates his own wild and wondrous civilization.
- Howe, James. Pinky and Rex and the Bully. Ages 6-8. Short chapter book, easily read in two sessions. Pinky got his nickname because his favorite color is pink. When boys at school tease him because of that, he initially tries to change his ways. But a kind, elderly neighbor helps him realize how important it is to be true to yourself. This engaging story presents great opportunities to discuss bullying and gender-based stereotypes.
- Howe, James. Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores. Atheneum, 1999. Ages 6-8. Three mice friends learn it’s more fun to include others than to exclude them.
Kellogg, Steven. Island of the Skog. Puffin, 1993. This is a must-read picture book that can be appreciated and discussed on many levels. A group of mice, tired of living in fear, sail off to find a peaceful home. They land on an island inhabited by one skog. That’s when fear and conflict creep in again. Discuss how the mice approached the creature and how they could have made better choices.
- Lester, Helen. Hooway for Wodney Wat. Ages 5-8. The other kids tease Rodney, but his way of speaking is what helps defeat the classroom bully.
- Michelson, Richard. Busing Brewster.
Random House, 2010. Ages 7-10. This is an unusual, sensitive picture book set in Boston during the contentious 1974 court-ordered busing. Brewster and his brother experience taunts by children and adults when they start at the white school. Fortunately, Brewster finds caring, helpful Miss O’Grady, the librarian, who encourages Brewster in his goal to become president some day. - Moss, Peggy. Say Something. Tilbury, 2004. A child who doesn’t speak up when other children are bullied finds herself in that position one day.
- O’Neill, Alexis. The Recess Queen. Scholastic, 2002. Ages 5-8. Mean Jean was the playground bully nobody contradicted until the new kid, sweet, sassy little Katie Sue broke the rules and even invited Jean to become her friend.
- Swope, Sam. The Araboolies of Liberty Street. Random, 1995. Ages 6-8. Horrors! The Araboolies don’t conform to General Pinch’s standards! They must go! No, decide the neighbors, that intolerance must give way to freedom, respect, and individuality.
For middle-school and up, consider such novels as …
- Blume, Judy. Blubber. Ages 9-12.
- Hiassen, Carl. Hoot. Ages 10-14.
- Howe, James. The Misfits. Ages 10-14.
- Spinelli, Jerry. Loser. Ages 10-14.
For more information, read “Names Can Hurt You.”
Librarian on the Roof!
03 Nov 2010 4 Comments
in Hero stories, Picture Books Tags: citizenship, community-building, librarians, literacy, multicultural literature
Yes, librarians can be heroes, too. If you don’t believe it, just read Librarian on the Roof! A True Story 
by M.G. King and illustrated by Stephen Gilpin. This spirited picture book is based on the real adventures of RoseAleta Laurell, who blew into the small town of Lockhart, Texas, and found a small, outdated library with a lot more dust than people. The old brick-and-limestone building had been a cultural center once, but it had lost its luster. And worst of all, it had no children’s section. So RoseAleta decided to raise a ruckus, or raise funds for an area just for kids. “We need more books — picture books, mystery books, adventure books! We need tables just the right size. Comfy chairs. Colorful artwork. And computers.” Of course, the question was where the money would come from. That’s what led RoseAleta up to the roof. Fifty feet up, she perched a tent and vowed to camp out until the community raised the funds needed.
All this commotion didn’t meet with the town official’s approval. One page shows him scowling as he yells, “RoseAleta, stop this nonsense right now. We are a respectable town. We simply cannot have librarians falling off the roof.”
“HORSEFEATHERS! Respectable towns have libraries filled with children.” RoseAleta didn’t budge.
In one week, the community raised $39,000 — nearly twice her goal – and today, the library is once again a vital place, with scores of kids learning and reading in the oldest library in Texas.
The very idea of a librarian camping out on the roof will tickle a lot of children. The colorful, cartoonish illustrations by Stephen Gilpin are humorous and defy the outdated stereotype of a librarian. They depict RoseAleta as a bright-eyed, feisty, energetic woman determined to stay on top of things.
Other Books Featuring Heroic Librarians
- Gonzalez, Lucia. The Storyteller’s Candle. Illus. by Lulu Delacre. 2008. Ages 8-10. What role does the public library play in building a community? Join Hildamar and her cousin, Santiago, as they enter the library in Manhattan’s El Barrio. Recently arrived from Puerto Rico, they are struggling to navigate new customs in a bewildering big city. Fortunately, the children find a creative and caring librarian, who lights her storyteller’s candle, speaks in both English and Spanish, and sparks imagination in her listeners. Soon, the children lead their Hispanic community to the public library, where they create a holiday play and, in the process, create a stronger community. This picture book is a tribute to Pura Belpré, New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian, whose name was given to the American Library Association’s annual award that honors Latino authors and illustrators. Delacre’s oil and collage illustrations add warmth to an inspiring story.
- Henson, Heather. That Book Woman. Illus. by David Small. Simon & Schuster, 2008. Ages 6-8. This spare, uplifting picture book pays homage to the 1930s era of pack horse librarians in Kentucky. Young Cal cares not a whit about books and can’t fathom why the Book Woman would bother to ride a horse up the mountains to loan such things. Even Cal is impressed, though, when she braves a fierce winter storm. Cal asks his younger sister to teach him to read, and when the Book Woman arrives the following spring, he shows off his new skill. Small’s expressive watercolor, pastel chalk, and ink illustrations beautifully convey the characters’ emotions.
- Ruurs, Margriet. My Librarian Is a Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World.
Boyds Mills, 2005. Ages 8-10. Take children around the world by selecting from the two-page entries describing rural library services in 13 countries. Camels, donkeys, and elephants are here, as well as a boat, a wheelbarrow, and a refitted boxcar. You can use this to enliven geographical studies, to reinforce the important role of literacy, and to broaden awareness of different lifestyles and cultures. - Winter, Jeanette. Biblioburro: A True S
tory from Colombia. Simon & Schuster, 2010. Ages 6-8. Sometimes it takes two — burros, that is — to deliver library resources. That’s how avid reader Luis shares his beloved books with those in the remote jungles of South America. Winter’s vivid paintings evoke the lush, tropical setting of this story centered on the joys of books. She includes an author’s note on the actual Luis and his “biblioburros.” - Winter, Jeanette. The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq. Houghton Mifflin, 2005. Ages 8-10. Meet a real hero, Alia Muhammad Baker, chief librarian of Basra’s Central Library. As war approached, she set about protecting her community’s precious books. When the government refused to help, she found a nearby restaurant owner who helped her store the books — just nine days before the library burned. Then she moved the 30,000 volumes to her own home and to those of her friends, hoping that peace would soon come. Winter based this picture book on the July 27, 2003 New York Times article by Shaila K. Dewan. She deftly describes and illustrates the events without overwhelming children with the horrors of war. This book presents a great opportunity to discuss the vital role the library plays in a community and to analyze the characteristics of a hero.
