Bibliography:
Selznick, B. THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439813786
Plot Summary:
In this book, orphaned Hugo resides in a Paris train station where he maintains his lifestyle through stealth, mechanical ability, and thievery, but his safety is challenged when the elderly owner of the toyshop catches him stealing toys. Motivated by his own past that haunts him, the shop owner confiscates Hugo’s notebook, which belonged to Hugo’s deceased father. Desperate to regain the notebook Hugo agrees to work at the shop where he interacts with the owner, his granddaughter Isabelle, and her friend Etienne. The interaction between characters leads Hugo to resolve his secret and to uncover the shop owner’s long hidden secret.
Critical Analysis:
The Invention of Hugo Cabret confronts many emotional issues concerning the protagonist among them loss, fear, abandonment, hope, and acceptance. Even though the pioneers of cinema influenced the author, the novel explores the redemptive forces of companionship, friendship, and acceptance among his characters. The story is presented through Hugo’s point-of-view and the author relies on coincidences to connect the past of the characters while also presenting their histories through flashbacks.
Selznick’s integration of text and image make the book distinctive. The pages of the book are edged in black framing the text and images. The black and white illustrations, created with graphite pencil, show the strokes used to make the image. Many times the images are used to carry the story in place of text. The images reveal intimacy by showing close up images of the characters while also showing action by using strong diagonals and partial figures moving across several pages. Considering the author’s interest in the inception of cinema, this approach is appropriate because the illustrations become movie stills, which are integrated into the book. Melies’s movie stills and Selznick’s illustrations complement each other creating a cohesive unit.
Readers who are unaware of the beginning of cinema will gain new information, but the new knowledge is secondary to Hugo’s story told seamlessly through both text and image.
Awards:
Quill Awards 2007
Caldecott Award 2007
American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2008
Book Sense Book of the Year 2008
Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: “With characteristic intelligence, exquisite images, and a breathtaking design, Selznick shatters conventions related to the art of bookmaking in this magical mystery set in 1930s Paris.”
Publishers Weekly: “Here is a true masterpiece-an artful blending of narrative, illustration and cinematic technique, for a story as tantalizing as it is touching.”
Booklist: “…bookmaking this ambitious demands and deserves attention, which it will surely receive from children attracted by a novel in which a complex narrative is equally advanced by things both read and seen.”
Connections:
-Since this book has basis in fact, discussions could revolve around the history of cinema, what changes have occurred since, and how cinema has changed entertainment
-Selznick provides resource for information about Georges Melies:
-http://www.missinglinkclassichorror.co.uk/index.htm
-Clee, P. Before Hollywood: From Shadow Play to the Silver Screen ISBN:
0618445331
-Since images tell much of the story, readers could create a flipbook, a shadow play, or reenact a scene from the book or a movie of their choice.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Moses by C. B. Weatherford
Bibliography:
Weatherford, C. B. 2006. MOSES: WHEN HARRIET TUBMAN LED HER PEOPLE TO FREEDOM. Ill. by Kadir Nelson. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786851759
Plot Summary:
Weatherford’s picture book portrays the spiritual, emotional, and physical journey experienced by Harriet Tubman as she leaves her life as a slave to find freedom in Philadelphia. The book tells of her life as a slave, the hardship of her journey, fear of capture, and the courage to return to help other slaves to escape to freedom using the Underground Railroad, while always relying on her relationship with God. The author provides a forward describing the act of slavery and an end note that tells of Tubman’s life.
Critical Analysis:
This picture book focuses on the spiritual relationship Tubman had with God during her flight from slavery. The text helps convey the different voices that are expressed. Tubman’s words are set in a larger font style and size from the narrator’s words, while God’s voice is set apart again by even larger text in all caps that floats across the page.
The story begins with Tubman fearing being sold to another owner and her decision to flee. At that moment she begins her dialogue with God and that interaction drives the journey. The author is able to convey Tubman’s deep spirituality through her conversations with God and the inclusion of hymns throughout the text. Weatherford is able to show the horrors faced by Tubman through straightforward writing that avoids sentimentality. The fictionalized relationship is supported with the real life facts from Tubman’s life.
The writing is complemented by Kadir Nelson’s color illustrations. The rich colors help convey moods. During her flight, Nelson’s images show Tubman surrounded by dark tones and images that trap the figure which helps convey fear. In moments of joy, Nelson fills the image with light and open space. In one image Tubman is hiding in a pile of potatoes. The dark scene is broken by fragments of light that surround her acting like a halo or the physical presence of God. The images help deepen the feeling of spirituality.
Awards:
Coretta Scott King Award 2007
American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2007
Review Excerpts:
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “In this gorgeous, poetic picture book, Weatherford…depicts Harriet Tubman's initial escape from slavery and her mission to lead others to freedom as divinely inspired, and achieved by steadfast faith and prayer.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The words and pictures create a potent sense of the harsh life of slavery, the fearsome escape, and one woman's unwavering belief in God.”
Connections:
-Further Reading about the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman:
-Levine, Ellen. …If you traveled on the Underground Railroad ISBN:0590451561
-Ringgold, Faith. Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky ISBN:0517885433
-Further reading about slavery that is illustrated by Kadir Nelson
-Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine ISBN: 043977733X
-This book can be used for discussions about Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad, slavery, and spirituality
Weatherford, C. B. 2006. MOSES: WHEN HARRIET TUBMAN LED HER PEOPLE TO FREEDOM. Ill. by Kadir Nelson. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786851759
Plot Summary:
Weatherford’s picture book portrays the spiritual, emotional, and physical journey experienced by Harriet Tubman as she leaves her life as a slave to find freedom in Philadelphia. The book tells of her life as a slave, the hardship of her journey, fear of capture, and the courage to return to help other slaves to escape to freedom using the Underground Railroad, while always relying on her relationship with God. The author provides a forward describing the act of slavery and an end note that tells of Tubman’s life.
Critical Analysis:
This picture book focuses on the spiritual relationship Tubman had with God during her flight from slavery. The text helps convey the different voices that are expressed. Tubman’s words are set in a larger font style and size from the narrator’s words, while God’s voice is set apart again by even larger text in all caps that floats across the page.
The story begins with Tubman fearing being sold to another owner and her decision to flee. At that moment she begins her dialogue with God and that interaction drives the journey. The author is able to convey Tubman’s deep spirituality through her conversations with God and the inclusion of hymns throughout the text. Weatherford is able to show the horrors faced by Tubman through straightforward writing that avoids sentimentality. The fictionalized relationship is supported with the real life facts from Tubman’s life.
The writing is complemented by Kadir Nelson’s color illustrations. The rich colors help convey moods. During her flight, Nelson’s images show Tubman surrounded by dark tones and images that trap the figure which helps convey fear. In moments of joy, Nelson fills the image with light and open space. In one image Tubman is hiding in a pile of potatoes. The dark scene is broken by fragments of light that surround her acting like a halo or the physical presence of God. The images help deepen the feeling of spirituality.
Awards:
Coretta Scott King Award 2007
American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2007
Review Excerpts:
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “In this gorgeous, poetic picture book, Weatherford…depicts Harriet Tubman's initial escape from slavery and her mission to lead others to freedom as divinely inspired, and achieved by steadfast faith and prayer.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The words and pictures create a potent sense of the harsh life of slavery, the fearsome escape, and one woman's unwavering belief in God.”
Connections:
-Further Reading about the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman:
-Levine, Ellen. …If you traveled on the Underground Railroad ISBN:0590451561
-Ringgold, Faith. Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky ISBN:0517885433
-Further reading about slavery that is illustrated by Kadir Nelson
-Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine ISBN: 043977733X
-This book can be used for discussions about Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad, slavery, and spirituality
Talking with Artists by Pat Cummings
Bibliography:
Cummings, P. TALKING WITH ARTISTS. New York, NY: Broadway Press. ISBN 0027242455
Plot Summary:
Pat Cummings book explores the lives of fourteen artists who work in children’s literature. An autobiographical essay introduces each artist. Each section includes art work created by the artist as a child and as an illustrator, a set of eight questions frequently asked by students, and motivational quotes. The book also includes a glossary of terms and a list of further reading by the artists included in the book. This edition included these artists: Victoria Chess, Pat Cummings, Leo and Diane Dillon, Richard Egielski, Lois Ehlert, Lisa Campbell Ernst, Tom Feelings, Steven Kellogg, Jerry Pinkney, Amy Schwartz, Lane Smith, Chris Van Allsburg, and David Wiesner.
Critical Analysis:
Artist Lane Smith starts his essay by saying “I guess I really knew I wanted to be an artist when my fourth-grade math test came back with a big “D” on it” (p. 72). This book presents the histories of fourteen different artists and each section represents the individual vision of each artists. Readers are provided with insight into the creative process and lifestyle. They are also shown the progress artists make from children to adults and the different pathways artists can take to achieve their goals in art. This book is effective because it presents the artists as children through their memories and artwork. The selected artists have different histories and experiences which allows a variety of readers to relate to different artists.
The images contained in the book reflect the work of each individual artist. Each section shows a photograph of the artist, an artwork done by the student completed as a child, and an example of their current artwork. Showing the artwork completed as children and as an adult helps readers imagine the transition from what they are currently capable of to what might be. Also the images of current work will help readers connect to books read previously.
Awards:
Boston Globe/Horn Book for Non-Fiction, 1992
Review Excerpts:
Booklist, starred: “a delight.”
Horn Book, starred: “An inspired concept.”
School Library Journal, starred: “Well designed and well conceived.”
Connections:
-Further Books in the series by Pat Cummings:
Talking With Artists, Volume 2: Conversations with Thomas B. Allen, Mary Jane Begin, Floyd Cooper, Julie Downing, Denise Fleming, Sheila Hamanaka, Kevin Henkes, William Joyce, Maira Kalman, Deborah Nourse Lattimore, Brian Pinkney, Vera B. Williams and David Wisniewski ISBN 0689803109
Talking With Artists, Vol. 3: Conversations with Peter Catalanotto, Raul Colon, Lisa Desimini, Jane Dyer, Kevin Hawkes, G. Brian Karas, Betsy Lewin, Ted Lewin, Keiko Narahashi, Elise Primavera, Anna Rich, Peter Sis and Paul O. Zelinsky ISBN 0395891329
-Readers can also be introduced to further readings by artists presented in the series, which if the series follows the first book will be included in the book
-Books can also be introduced that are related to different how to art books on drawing, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, etc.
Cummings, P. TALKING WITH ARTISTS. New York, NY: Broadway Press. ISBN 0027242455
Plot Summary:
Pat Cummings book explores the lives of fourteen artists who work in children’s literature. An autobiographical essay introduces each artist. Each section includes art work created by the artist as a child and as an illustrator, a set of eight questions frequently asked by students, and motivational quotes. The book also includes a glossary of terms and a list of further reading by the artists included in the book. This edition included these artists: Victoria Chess, Pat Cummings, Leo and Diane Dillon, Richard Egielski, Lois Ehlert, Lisa Campbell Ernst, Tom Feelings, Steven Kellogg, Jerry Pinkney, Amy Schwartz, Lane Smith, Chris Van Allsburg, and David Wiesner.
Critical Analysis:
Artist Lane Smith starts his essay by saying “I guess I really knew I wanted to be an artist when my fourth-grade math test came back with a big “D” on it” (p. 72). This book presents the histories of fourteen different artists and each section represents the individual vision of each artists. Readers are provided with insight into the creative process and lifestyle. They are also shown the progress artists make from children to adults and the different pathways artists can take to achieve their goals in art. This book is effective because it presents the artists as children through their memories and artwork. The selected artists have different histories and experiences which allows a variety of readers to relate to different artists.
The images contained in the book reflect the work of each individual artist. Each section shows a photograph of the artist, an artwork done by the student completed as a child, and an example of their current artwork. Showing the artwork completed as children and as an adult helps readers imagine the transition from what they are currently capable of to what might be. Also the images of current work will help readers connect to books read previously.
Awards:
Boston Globe/Horn Book for Non-Fiction, 1992
Review Excerpts:
Booklist, starred: “a delight.”
Horn Book, starred: “An inspired concept.”
School Library Journal, starred: “Well designed and well conceived.”
Connections:
-Further Books in the series by Pat Cummings:
Talking With Artists, Volume 2: Conversations with Thomas B. Allen, Mary Jane Begin, Floyd Cooper, Julie Downing, Denise Fleming, Sheila Hamanaka, Kevin Henkes, William Joyce, Maira Kalman, Deborah Nourse Lattimore, Brian Pinkney, Vera B. Williams and David Wisniewski ISBN 0689803109
Talking With Artists, Vol. 3: Conversations with Peter Catalanotto, Raul Colon, Lisa Desimini, Jane Dyer, Kevin Hawkes, G. Brian Karas, Betsy Lewin, Ted Lewin, Keiko Narahashi, Elise Primavera, Anna Rich, Peter Sis and Paul O. Zelinsky ISBN 0395891329
-Readers can also be introduced to further readings by artists presented in the series, which if the series follows the first book will be included in the book
-Books can also be introduced that are related to different how to art books on drawing, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, etc.
Disclaimer
This blog is being used to post reviews of children's literature for course work being completed for a class at Texas Woman's University.
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