BLOG 2

Keith Bradford
SLIS 5420

BLOG 2

In the Night Kitchen
written and illustrated
by
Maurice Sendak

Plot Summary: Mickey is asleep in his bed when heres a noise. Mickey gets up and shouts for the noise to stop and ends up falling through the dark and out of his clothes into the night kitchen, where he lands in a batter dish. Three giant chefs begin to stir the batter with Mickey in it and place the cake batter into the oven. Mickey opens the oven announcing that he's not the milk and the milk is not he. Mickey then jumps from the cake batter and lands in some bread dough, which Mickey forms into a suit and a plane. The plane flies past the chefs, who still think Mickey is milk and ascends into the sky grabbing a cup on his way up and landing in a bottle of milk that is as tall as a skyscraper. While in the milk Mickey's suit of dough dissolves and Mickey emerges from the bottle to give the chefs the milk they need. The chefs rejoice, mickey crows like a rooster and fall safely into his bed. The book announces at the end, that thanks to Mickey we have cake every morning.

My impression: Let me begin by saying that I think that this is a wonderful book. The dream like quality of the book is reminicent of "Where the Wild Tings Are." I was not the least bit bothered by the nudity. This book feels like it is littered with references to things Sendak enjoys. I really like that the Sendak named the boy Mickey, in honor of Mickey Mouse. That can be confirmed by the font of the name on the oven. That being said I'm not sure I would read this book to a group of children, because if they noticed the nudity, I'm not sure they would be able to get past it. Trying to explain the nudity to a group of children could put you in some hot water.

Review: In the Night KitchenBook SummaryReviewed by Peter LewisMaurice Sendak takes children for a joyride in this timeless nursery rhyme featuring Mickey, who tumbles from bed into the baker's night kitchen. Mickey's exploration of the strange night world is so vividly drawn readers almost live the dream, before returning safely to bed. Is It Any Good?Like a memorable nursery rhyme, Sendak's story can be a quick and easy experience, but probably even young readers will be drawn to ponder its suggestiveness. Mickey's experience comes full circle -- bed to kitchen to bed -- which gives the verse a sense of completion, though the text has some curious turnings: "Then Mickey in dough was just on his way." Some of the book's artwork is set in multiple panels to a page, a handsome screen of images that feels like a dance sequence, following Mickey's actions as set against a panorama of the city at night, a city of saltcellar, milk carton, and egg-beater architecture.

Lewis, Peter. Common Sense Media [Review of In the Night Kitchen] retrieved from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/In-Night-Kitchen.html/details

Suggestions for Library use: I would read this book at a storytime if I had a group of books with the theme of dreams or a selection of Maurice Sendak books. However, I would probably sit a few feet away to keep the nudity at a distance and harder to see.

Goodnight Moon
written by
Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by
Clement Hurd

Plot: Goodnight Moon is the story of a young rabbit saying good night to all of the items in his or her room, before he or she falls asleep.

My Impression: This is a very soothing book. The pictures and words are so well married to one another. The colors are bright and vibrant, but no so that they would excite and arouse anyone. There is a gentle rhyme scheme, almost sing songy. The pacing of the book creates a natural flow that makes it easy to follow. I read this to my 1 1/2 year old on a regular basis. I can't really see reading this book at any other time but at night.

Review:
Goodnight Moon
By Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by Clement Hurd
Review by: Jennifer Shelby Goodnight Moon is the perfect bedtime story with vibrant illustrations. The illustrations are very detailed and jump off the page. Goodnight Moon calms the busy toddler at nap time, bed time, or any time. Goodnight Moon is the perfect book to take along everywhere you go to occupy your toddler's mind. Goodnight Moon will diffuse even the most stressful situation even while standing in long lines at the grocery store. Goodnight Moon lulls a child into a peaceful and less fearful sleep. By saying goodnight to everything in the room (including the air), children's fears are put to rest. The first half of the book describes the bedroom of a young rabbit, and then "goodnight" is said to everything from the room decor to the rabbit's caregiver who is described as the little old lady whispering "hush". Goodnight Moon is short enough for even the shortest of attention spans. Goodnight Moon is simple enough for toddlers to understand and an excellent choice for a first reader. Goodnight Moon's rhymes flow right off the page and children's tongues. A child of any age will finishing the sentences. Goodnight Moon is an excellent tool to use for teaching lessons in colors, rhymes, reading comprehension, making general observations, and how fear can be caused from our imagination. Goodnight Moon is one of my son's favorite stories, and I'm sure yours will love it also.

Shelby, Jenifer. Preschool Library Education [Review of Goodnight Moon]. Retrieved from http://www.preschooleducation.com/br138.shtml

Suggestions for Library Use: This book would be a good read to children five and under. A selection of books about going to sleep or with a theme of dreaming might be a good acompaniment.

Frog and Toad are Friends
written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel

Plot Summary: Frog and Toad are Friends is a collection of five stories.
Spring: Frog comes and visits Toad to inform him that it is the first day of spring. Toad, who is still in bed, is a little annoyed by Frog's visit and goes back to bed and asks not to be bothered until May. Frog is sad that he will be alone and begins to rip the pages off the calender and then shows him that it is now May. Toad gets up and he and Frog go for a walk.

The story: Frog is sick and lying in bed and asks Toad to tell him a story. Toad walks away to think of a story and begins to get distressed. Toad gets so distressed that he tries standing on his head and pouring water on himself. Frog sees his friend getting upset and lets Toad lay in his bed. Toad falls asleep while Frog tells him a story.

A Lost Button: Frog and Toad are going for a walk. Toad notices that he has lost a button. The two friends begin to look through the woods for the button finding a few, but Toad proclaims that each button is not his. Toad begins to get very upset and storms off home. Once at home he sees his missing button on the floor in his house. Toad feels bad for all that he put Frog through so he takes the buttons that he found and sews them on Frogs jacket, which frog loves.

A Swim: Toad and Frog are getting ready to go swimming. Toad asks Frog not to look at him until after he has gotten into the water, because he is embarrassed and sure that Frog will laugh at him in his bathing suit. The two friends begin to swim. As they swim other forest creatures begin to show up. Toad asks Frog to ask the creatures to go away. The animals refuse, because they want a good laugh. Toad eventually gets out of the water and evryone laughs even Frog. Toad gets upset and walks away.

The Letter: Toad is sad that he doesn't get any letters. frog decides to send him a letter. The next day Frog tells Toad not to be sad, because he has written Toad a letter. Together they sit happily and wait for the letter.

My Impression: I like the Frog and Toad books, for the same reason I like Little Bear and George and Martha. You have several tightly written stories, each accompanied by beautiful artwork, portraying a lesson frankly with the greatest of ease. My favorite story in this collection is A Swim, because Toad has to learn two tough lessons. The first lesson is that if there is something you don't want people to know, don't make it a big deal. Toad was embarrassed about the way he looked in his swim suit. Toad made a big deal about it and unfortunately that drew more attention to the problem, ultimately causing everyone to look and laugh. The second lesson is, my favorite, that there are worse things than having people laugh at you. What makes children's books so great is that they can be thoughtful, educational, transparent, complex, and entertaining drawing on the best parts of marginalized genres like fantasy and ground them in mundane everyday situations, while at the same time being completly accessible to the audience in which they were intended. The Frog and Toad are excellent examples of this.

Review:
Frog and Toad Are Friends
Book Summary
Reviewed by Mary Dixon Weidler
Once Frog convinces the sleepy Toad that winter is actually over, the two amphibian friends "run outside to see how the world was looking in spring." With each new season comes new journeys.
The adventures of these two amphibians make for some of the simplest -- and most enjoyable -- chapter books for developing readers. Toad and Frog are, indeed, friends, and their respect for each other comes through on every page. Arnold Lobel's writing is engaging without being cloying, and the vocabulary is basic without being babyish. The story is illustrated with swamp-toned sketches of the friends and their surroundings.
Even though the characters are fictional, the feelings they share (and convey to their young readers) are very real, and the care they show for one another and the world around them stands as a good example of behavior.

Weidler, Mary Dixon. Common Sense Media [Review of Frog and Toad are Friends]. Retrieved from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/Frog-Toad-Are-Friends.html/details

Suggestions for Library Use: This book is a bit long for sitting and reading straight through to a group of small children and the pictures are too small. A librarian might be ablt to get away with reading a story from the book, but not all of them. This book belongs to the "I Can Read" collection and was picked for being easy to read. This book should be set aside and set for emerging readers.

Little Bear
written by
Else Holmelund Minark
Illustrations by
Maurice Sendak

Plot Summary: Little Bear is composed of four stories.

What Will Little Bear Wear: Little Bear tells his mother he wants to play in the snow outside. Little Bear's mother gives him a hat, coat and snow pants. When mother asks Little Bear if he wants a fur coat, Little Bear replies yes, and mother takes off all of the clothing she had given Little Bear. Little bear plays in the snow warmed by his mothers love.

Birthday Soup: Little Bear is cleaning when he realizes it is his birthday and his mother is not there. Certain that his friends will be arriving, Little Bear begins to make soup for his friends. Little Bears begin to arrive and he seats them and serves them soup. While everyone is eating Little Bear's mother comes in with a surprise cake.

Little Bear Goes to the Moon: Little Bear makes a space helmet and pretends to go to the moon. When his travels end and he comes home Little Bears mother facilitates the ending of his pretend game.

Little Bear's Wish: Little Bear lies awke in he bed telling his mother all that he wishes. Little Bear then asks his mother to tell him a story about himself. Little Bear's mother then recounts the tales in the book and then puts him to sleep.

My Impression: This book is similar to the Frog and Toad books, but instead of ending in a lesson the stories end with Little Bear being reminded he is loved. These books supply a warm feeling and an opportunity for hugs. The pictures are meticulously beautiful and while the stories are about animals, it is easy to identify with them and recognize their mirror images in your own life. This book also belongs to the "I Can Read" collection and it is easy to see why. The story is told with simple sentences that utilize simple words. I write that not to minmize Ms. Minark's contribution, but to illustrate her genius. I copied the words on to a word document and read them without the pictures and they still worked quite beautifully. Perhaps it is part of Mr. Sendak's brilliance that he took these elegant words and constructed such lasting images. What am I saying, of course it his brilliance.

Review: In this first book of the Little Bear series, we are introduced to our innocent hero. Our first story starts by Little Bear telling his mother that he wants something to put on that is fit for the cold. Mother Bear gives Little Bear a hat. But when our little protagonist goes outside, he's still cold. What can mother bear give her son now? A coat, of course. But,again,Little Bear is still cold. Finally Mother Bear gives Little Bear pants, but he's still cold. Then Little Bear asks for a final article of clothing-a fur coat, and after Mother Bear takes off all the clothes she has given him, he realizes he already has one. The other two stories-In my opinion-are just as heartwarming as the first. I found myself grinning after each of the three conclusions. Minarik's simple text and Sendak's classic drawings make this book the perfect introduction to one of the most loveable characters in children's book history. A must-have for any parent. R

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Bear-Can-Read-Book/dp/0064440044

After searching the internet the only review I could find for this book was from Amazon.

Suggestions for Library use: This book is comprised of short sweet stories and would be just fine to read to a group of five year olds. As a librarian a theme could be constructed around motherhood, parenthood, possibly imagination and bears. Frank Asch's bear books would be good compliments to read with Little Bear.

George and Martha Tons of Fun
written and illustrated by
James Marshall

Plot Summary: This book is comprised of five stories:

The Misunderstanding: George is standing on his head when Martha drops by and he tells her he is too busy to chat. Martha is miffed and leaves. she calls George later and says she never wants to see him again. To calm herself she begins to play her saxaphone, and she doesn't hear George call. However, she is no longer mad.

The Sweet Tooth: George is looking for sweets and Martha tries to shy him away from eating to many. George ignores Martha, so she begins to smoke a cigar. George warns Martha about smoking a cigar, but she ignores him. Eventually Martha turn yellow and George pleads with her to stop. Martha agrees to stop if George will cut down on the sweets. George agrees.

The Photograph: Martha gets her picture taken and she thinks she has never looked prettier.

The Hypnotist: George hypnotizes Martha and she falls asleep. George takes the opportunity to break his promise to cut down on sweets and eat some cookies. Martha catches him and eats all of the cookies.

The Special Gift: Martha buys George a book for his birthday but on the way home she loses it. Martha decides to give George the photograph she had taken. When George sees it he laughs and laughs, because he loves that his friend knows how to make him laugh. Martha swallows her pride and sees the humor.

My Impression: The best thing about all of the George and Martha books is how funny they are. James Marshall deftly weaves five stories, most of which could stand alone, into a humorous tale of friendship. Another great attribute of the George and Martha books is that they portray friendship honestly. Friends get mad at one another and so do george and Martha. The lessons learned from the book are usually on how to treat one another and perspective taking. Lessons don't have to be hard pills to swallow, even tough lesson can be fun.

Review:
George and Martha
Book Summary
Reviewed by Mary Dixon Weidler
How big can a friendship be? Just imagine the friendship shared by two hippos! Five stories explore issues such as vanity, privacy, and honesty. Will Martha make fun of George's gold tooth? Will there be split-pea soup for lunch again? Lessons in behavior are included in these solid, simple stories.
The two hippos teach lessons about friendship, respect, and courtesy, and the stories lead kids to their own conclusions about the hippos' misbehavior. Bright color washes added to expressive line drawings gently convey the warmth between Martha and George.

Weidler, Mary Dixon. Common Sense Media [Book review of George and Martha]. Retrieved from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/George-Martha.html/details

Suggestions for Library Use: Because of the bright colorful illustrations, the short length and the humorous aspects of the stories this is a great book for almost any story time, obviously for the five to seven year old age range. This book creates opportunities to discuss feelings and friendship. A librarian could also create a James Marshall theme.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
by
C.S. Lewis

Plot Summary: Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy, siblings, are staying with a Professor. One rainy day while they are playing hide and seek, Lucy hides in a wardrobe. The wardrobe turns out to be magic and takes her to Narnia where she meets a faun Tumnus. Tumnus takes her to his place and gives her tea and tells her how the White Witch makes it always winter, but never Christmas. Lucy heads back through the wardrobe and tries to show her siblings, but they find only a wardrobe. On another day when they are playing hide and seek, Lucy and Edmund hide in the wardrobe and this time it takes them to Narnia. Lucy runs and Edmund can't catch up with her. Edmund comes across the White Witch who informs him that if he can bring the other children she will make hims a prince of Narnia. The White Witch leaves and lucy comes scampering back. Days later all four siblings go through the wardrobe and into Narnia where they meet the beaver family who tells the siblings that Aslan is the true king of Narnia. Edmund sneaks away to the White Witch's castle, intially she is displeased to see that he is without his siblings. The White Witch is about to kill Edmund when Aslan rescues him. The White Witch demands Edmund's return. Aslan offers himself instead. The White Witch accepts and sacrifices him in a ritual. Lucy and Susan had hid and watched the sacrifice, when they go down to inspect the body they are surprised to see has risen from the dead. the next day a battle is fought between the White Witches army and Aslan's army. Aslan's army wins and the siblings become kings and queens of Narnia. The siblings grow to maturity and evntually leave Narnia to find they have not aged at all.

My Impression: This is a great story, that has been poorly written. C. S. Lewis breaks a cardinal rule of good writing he tells you the story, he does not show you the story. Maybe because it is being told and not shown is the reason why it is so easy to follow, and that is why it has been so successful with children. I also think Mr. Lewis can be heavy handed at times.

Review:

Children's Books Site
Taisha TurnerBellaOnline's Children's Books EditorThe Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe - Book Review
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a beloved book. It is more than fifty years old, read by generations. The book is the first in the The Chronicles of Narnia series.In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, we meet the Pevensie children. There are four children: Edmund, Lucy, Peter and Susan. They live in the English countryside. Their parent sends them to live with Professor Digory Kirke. Times are bad in London, England. The Nazis are constantly bombing the city. So like hundreds of London children, they are sent to the safety of the country.Professor Kirke. is kind and friendly, but spends most of his hours in a closed study. The children, to amuse themselves, explore the rambling old house. The house abounds with rooms. Some are furnished. Others are not. The children play hide-and-seek to wile away the days.One day, Lucy Pevensie hides in a large wardrobe. She moves toward the wardrobe’s back panel to escape detection. Carefully, she moves past the musty fur coats. She avoids slipping on the moth balls and tolerates their scent.Ah, there is no back to this wardrobe! Lucy tumbles into the magical world of Narnia through a time portal. Curious, she inches forward. She stops under a lamp post. There she meets a faun, Mr. Tumnus. She agrees to visit Mr. Tumnus’ cave to get out of the cold.Narnia is under a spell and has been for years. The White Witch is the cruel ruler. The White Witch's spell has cast a permanent winter over the land. Everything is frozen. Snow is everywhere. Yet, there is a ray of hope for the residents of Narnia. Aslan, the lion is coming. Will he help the citizens? What will he do?The most important question, will her sister, Susan, and her brothers, Edmund and Peter, ever believe that Narnia exists? Edmund teases her unmercifully.Read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for the answers. This fantasy story is a page turner. There are laughs and tears. Cheer on the good guys. Boo the evil ways of the bad. This book is a keeper. Past it forth to other family members and future generations. It is great book.

Turner, Taisha. Bellaonline [Review of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]. Retrieved from http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art19794.asp

Suggestions for Library Use: This book is a chapter book. Fifth graders would be the youngest age group I would introduce this book too. It takes some dedication to push through two hundred page book. This book would be a good suggestion for the Harry Potter Artemis Fowl crowd.

Are You There God, It's Me Margaret?
by
Judy Blume

Plot Summary: Margaret Simon has just moved from Manhattan to New Jersey, leaving her paternal grandmother behind. She is the only daughter born from a christian mother and jewish father. Margaret is starting the sixth grade and is the new girl in school. Margaret quickly makes friends with some of the girls in town. When school starts Margaret and her friends learn that they will be getting a new teacher, Mr. Benedict. However, a new teacher is not the only surprise instore for Margaret, one of her classmates has developed more than others. Since breast size and menstration are important milestones for Margaret and her friends, this overdeveloped classmate is a cause for speculation and gossip. Through out the novel Margaret talks to God, generally asking for help or advise. Mr. Benedict assigns Margaret's class a year long project, something "personal." Margaret decides her project will be on religon. She attends temple with her grandmother and a church with a friend, but neither moves Margaret enough to get her to join. Over the year Margaret's friends begin to get their periods, have a square dance and a boy/girl dinner party where Margaret gets her first kiss. By the end of the novel Margaret has gotten her period , but is still confused about religon.

My Impression: I'll admit that my plot summary is jumpy, but to give a play by play of evrything that happened in this novel, would be to rewrite the novel. Like most Judy Blume novels this book deals with unpleasent truths delicately. This is a great novel and I plan to give it to my daughter when she comes of age. I feel like book reminds girls that they are not alone and while their experiences might be a little embarrassing, every girl feels that way. If I ever have a son, I'll probably make him read it as well.

Review:
Are You There God, It's Me Margaret.
Reviewed by Katherine Olney
Margaret Simon and her three best friends grapple with growing up in a book whose language perfectly reflects the cadence of their age. Embedded in the simple story are passions that are on the minds of most eleven- and twelve-year-old girls: boys, bras, bodily changes, relationships with authority figures, popularity, trust between friends, and more.
Judy Blume so perfectly captures the obsessions, fantasies, and colloquialisms of adolescence that her story and writing seem simple. Her style is a bone of contention for literate kids. Many adult critics think Blume's books are shallow too, but the loyalty of her readers is real. She discusses things that many preteen girls worry about, and they take comfort in hearing they are not alone.
Margaret's greatest strength -- and education -- comes from the fact that she faces her worries and grapples with them, even if they aren't solved. She discovers that the beautiful, early-maturing girl in her class doesn't really make out with all the boys, as the cruel rumor has it -- and in fact, her premature curvaceousness carries its own problems. And Margaret sees the depths to which her friends will go to fit in when one of her club members lies that she's first to get her period. Margaret never settles on a religion, but she survives her dueling grandmothers, who each want her to join their respective faiths.

Olney, Katherine. Common Sense Media [review of Are You There God It's Me Margaret]. Retrieved from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/Are-You-There-God.html/details

Suggestions for Library Use: This book should be available in the yound adult section of the library, along with its companion Then Again Maybe I Won't. This book should be added to a list of books dealing with emerging sexuality, that could be suggested to parents with children dealing similar issues.