Book Review ~ Olivia

Book Review

Falconer, I. (2009). Olivia. NY: Atheneum.

Summary
This is the initial book in the Olivia series.  Olivia is an older sister, who is quite energetic. In this story, Olivia visits the beach, a museum, tries on all of her clothes, and attempts to paint her own wall.  It is all in the day in the life of Olivia.

Analysis
Ian Falconer uses an interesting color concept in this book.  The majority of the book is in four colors white, black, gray, and red.  By using this method, red items seem to scream off the page.  It really draws in the attention of the reader.  Mr. Falconer has also capture the love of millions of readers with his character Olivia.  Children can relate to her feeling and enjoy her adventures. 

Websites, games, and activities for this series
http://oliviathepiglet.com/
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/olivia.php
http://www.myolivia.com/activities-color.php

Book Reveiw ~ It's a Book

Book Review

Smith, L. (2011). It's a book. NY: Roaring Brook.

Summary
In this humorous book, a jackass tries to understand what the monkey is doing.  (He's reading a book).  Through questions and answers, the jackass discovers that even though it is low tech, a book is a wonderful thing.

Analysis
The illustrations in this simple story are just that, simple.  The author uses geometric shapes to portray this conversation / story.  The illustrations are essential to this story.  You can see the confusion of the jackass as he tries to comprehend why the monkey would spend his time on something that didn't blog, tweet, google, ect... The dialogue is also written in two different colors to help the reader know which character is talking.

Book Review ~ The Three Pigs

Book Review

Weisner, D. (2001). The three pigs. NY: Clarion.

Summary
This 2002 Caldecott Medal award winner is an interesting take on the tradition big bad wolf and three little pig's story.  In this version, the pigs escape the wolf by actually leaving the pages of the story.  They make paper airplanes out of the pages of the book, venture into other stories, and make their way safely home.

Analysis
Mr. Wiesner is able to use texture to portray a 3D type image where the pigs actually leave their story.  This realistic depiction of the pigs gives the illusion that the reader can touch the pigs.  The setting is told through the amazing art work in the book.  Most of the story is told through dialogue.  Without the illustrations, the story would be difficult to follow.

 

 

Book Review ~ A Big Guy Took My Ball!

Willems, M. (2013).  A big guy took my ball! NY: Hyperion.

Summary 

This is another book from the Gerald and Piggie series.  In this book, Piggie is really upset when a big guy takes the ball she was playing with.  Piggie  asks Gerald to help her with her problem.

Book review ~ A Crooked Kind of Perfect

Urban, L. (2009). A crooked kind of perfect. NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.Zoe Elias (10 years old) has big dreams; she dreams of owning the perfect piano andone day playing at Carnegie Hall. As an only child, she spends most of her time withher father who has a fear of leaving the house. He spends large amounts of thefamily’s money on frivolous programs from the Living Room University. When daddoes brave going out in public, he purchases Zoe an organ, along with free musiclessons to help her reach her dream. This realistic fiction follows the typical plotformat reaching its climax when Zoe competes in an organ competition call thePerform –O-Rama. Readers will cheer Zoe on as she reaches for her goal. Throughher lessons and determination, Zoe realizes that her life may not be perfect, butthere is nothing wrong with it either (theme).

Book Review ~ Balloons over Broadway

Sweet, M. (2011).  Balloons over Broadway: The true story of the puppeteer of Macy's parade. NY: 

        Houghton.

Summary

Tony Sarg was a wonderful puppeteer.  Once he started working for Macy's Department store, he tried to bring his puppets to the parade.  The problem was that many people in the crowd couldn't see the puppets.  Through trial and error, Tony Sarg invented the balloons/puppets that have become a tradition for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.  

Analysis 

Melissa Sweet, author of Balloons Over Broadway, took a different approach to catching the eye of her reader than many author's of nonfiction chose to do.  The style she used when writing this biographical piece makes it feel like a fiction book.  You can feel not only the passion of subject of the book, Tony Sarg, but the passion of the author.  The pictures are bright, colorful, and cartoonish.  It is written in a manner that informs the reader of Tony’s life experiences and gives the reader an uplifted feeling. Most children have seen a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on their television and have experienced the wonder of the balloons as they fly above the streets of New York City. They can connect to the material and now understand how this national tradition started.  

Balloons Over Broadway Activity Kit

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=27322&a=1

http://ksbillmartinaward.wikispaces.com/Balloons+over+Broadway-+activities

http://www.rif.org/documents/us/Balloons-Over-Broadway_RIF-Extension-Activities-for-Educators.pdf

Book Review ~ Wonderstruck

Selznick, B. (2007). Wonderstruck. NY: Scholastic.

Summary and Analysis 

This book appeals to readers for a few reasons.  The first thing that will catch the reader’s eye will be the captivating illustrations.  Originally, a reader might be overwhelmed with the size of this book, but once they flip through the pages they will realize that half of the book is illustrations.  Also, readers will be attracted to the fact that there are two stories being interwoven together and told simultaneously.  I read this book in my class during a DEAR day.  After I finished a students asked if she could read it.  She then recommended it to another student.  I believe the appeal to many books is the word of mouth recommendations from others.  I would use the art work and word of mouth from other student to “sell” this book to my students.

Books by Brian Selznick

1.     The Houdini Box

2.     Frindle

3.     The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Wonderstruck  is similar to these other books due to the amazing art work. There are real historical events involved in the stories, such as the World’s Fair and that Houdini was a real person.  However, the similarities end there. 

Wonderstruck website