Blog 4

Keith Bradford

SLIS 5420

Blog 4

Maniac Magee

by

Jerry Spinelli



Plot Summary: After the death of his parents Jeffery "Maniac" Magee goes to live with his Aunt and Uncle. Unfortunatly, Jerry's Aunt and Uncle hate one another. One night, as a member of the chorus, during a performance of Dr. Dolittle Maniac takes off. Over a year later Jerry winds up in Two Mills PA. While running through Two Mills Maniac meets Amanda Beale who carries all of her books in a suitcase. After some coercing Amanda loans Jerry a book, which he proceeds to care with him everywhere he goes. Jerry's next encounter is intercepting a pass in a highschool football practice and hitting a homerun off of John McNab at a little league baseball game. Jerry then saves a kid from the feared Finsterwald's backyard, an incident that earns Jerry his nickname "Maniac." Maniac is cornered in a confusing confrontation with Mars Bar, who takes Maniac's borrowed Beale book rips out a page and crumples it up. Amanda Beale rescues Maniac from Mars Bar and invites Maniac to live with her and her family. Maniac helps out during his stay with the Beales. Others in the Beale's neighborhood are not happy with Maniac living with the Beales and make their feelings known by writing racist graffitti. Maniac runs to the zoo where he meets Grayson an ex-minor league baseball player who cannot read, who asks Maniac to stay with him. During his stay Maniac teaches Grayson to read. Grayson dies in his sleep and Maniac is off again. This time Maniac, on the verge of death from starvation, meets Piper and Russell who are running away and turn out to be Jack McNab's siblings. Maniac tries to make it work at the McNabs who are preparing a bunker in their basement for a suspected uprising of East Enders. However, Maniac eventually gives up working with Piper and Russell and moves again. Maniac runs into Mars Bar again and they have a race, which Maniac wins by running backwards. After moving back to the zoo, Maniac runs several miles before the people of Two Mills wake up. Mars Bar eventually joins Maniac on these runs, but the two never speak a word. On one of their runs the two come across Piper McNab who takes them to Russell who is stuck on the same trolley where Maniac's parent's were killed. Unable to help Maniac walks off, leaving Mars Bar to save Russell. Maniac goes back to the zoo where Mars Bar convinces Amanda to talk Maniac into living with her again.



My Impression: I was surprised that I enjoyed this book. This book could have easily become a bad episode of "Saved by the Bell," but Spinelli's book deals with racism and homelessness effectively without being heavy handed. Part of the success of the book, in my opinion, can be attributed to the pacing of the novel. The short chapters give the story a momentum that makes the reader feel like they are running alongside Maniac. The pace also helps build upon the idea that Maniac Magee is an urban legend.

The ancillary charcters are archetypes presented in swift strokes providing the bear bones of what the reader needs to get to know them. What I liked most about Maniac Magee was how little explanation there was for the events. I love it when characters accept what is going on without investigating the situation or asking for an explanation.


Review: You can find it in most libraries because it received the Newbery Medal but you'll want at least one copy of your own.
For those of you who haven't already had the pleasure, let us introduce you to this wonderful book. It's about prejudice and love and home and baseball and fear and understanding. It's about Jeffrey Lionel Magee, sometimes known as Maniac Magee, and about the people of the town of Two Mills.
Jeffrey's parents were killed in a trolley accident when he was three and he spent the next eight years in the bizarre household of his Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan, who hated each other but refused to divorce and so lived in the same house without speaking to each other, using Jeffrey as their go-between. In a scene that will remind some of you of John Irving's adult novel, Prayer for Owen Meany, Jeffrey screams at them from the middle of a school concert, "Talk to each other!" and then runs away.
That's the beginning of his running and his search for a real home. He ends up in the town of Two Mills, two hundred miles away from his aunt and uncle. Two Mills is a town divided by race into East and West End. There Jeffrey becomes "Maniac Magee", the subject of legends that have lasted ever since. In his search for a place to belong, he eventually succeeds to some degree in uniting the town by forcing at least some of the Blacks and Whites to know each other.
There's enough to work with in this novel to take up a whole school year, but first of all, the novel is fun. There is much to laugh out loud about before you cry and then you think about what Spinelli is telling us in this book which is understandable, at least on one level, by children as young as third graders.
You won't need most of these suggestions for things to talk about. The book is so rich and so well written that you need to talk about it when you've finished reading it and so will the kids.



Hurst, C. [Review of "Maniac Magee"] Retrieved from http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/maniacmagee.html



His story starts 'Maniac Magee was not born in a dump.' In fact, he was Jeffrey Lionel Magee until he was orphaned at the age of three and shipped off to Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan, who didn't talk to each other and lived in a house of two toasters. At the age of eleven, Jeffrey couldn't abide it any longer. He started to run, stopped in Two Mills and the rest is history. As the author says 'the history of a kid is one part fact, two parts legend, and three parts snowball' and so it is with Maniac.This is a good kid who happens to live on the streets and avoid school, though he actively seeks an education and books. He is color blind yet sees clearly. 'He kept looking and looking, and the colors he found were gingersnap and light fudge and dark fudge and acorn and butter rum and cinnamon and burnt orange.' His tale in Two Mills begins (and ends) with a meeting with Amanda Beale, who carries her library around in a suitcase to protect it from sibling crayons and a dog that chews. Maniac borrows a book.Maniac's fame spreads through the kid community as this phantom Samaritan in flap-soled sneakers performs athletic feats, rescues a child from bullies, faces off gang leaders on both sides of the tracks and untangles Cobble's Knot. He moves in with the Beales and is happy until he encounters racism in this black East End community. When it results in the destruction of one of Amanda's beloved books, Maniac moves to the buffalo pen at the Zoo.There he meets an old man, ex- baseball player Grayson, who works for the park and shares stories of the Minor League. In return, Maniac teaches him to read. Grayson discovers that consonants are fun, but doesn't get along with vowels - 'you could go through twenty words without bumping into some of the shyer consonants, but it seemed as if you couldn't tiptoe past a syllable without waking up a vowel.' The old man and the boy are happy together while it lasts.Later, Maniac meets two runaways, Russell and Piper. He convinces them to return to their West End cockroach and gang-ridden fortress home and makes deals to keep the boys at school. Still unhappy when people don't talk to each other, Maniac invites the East End gang leader Mars Bar, 'blackest of the black', to the boys' birthday party. Though it turns out badly they become friends in an ending like Kipling's ballad 'East is East, and West is West and never the twain shall meet'. And Maniac is finally called home.I could not put this book down once started. Jeffrey Lionel Maniac Magee is the perfect kid hero, with all the right stuff. He follows his own drummer, helps the weak and can teach adults a thing or two. In describing the legend, Spinelli shows how clearly he remembers the rumors and exaggerations of childhood and adolescence. I was not at all surprised to see that this book was the Newbery Medal winner in 1991.



Williamson, H. (2000). [Review of "Maniac Magee"] retrieved from http://www.bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Review.ASP?bookid=2154



Suggestions for Library Use: Maniac Magee would be a good book to suggest to a user who is dealing with bullies. A librarian could read it out loud, but the librarian would have to do so installments due to the length.



Dear Mr. Henshaw
by
Beverly Cleary



Plot Summary: Leigh Botts is in the second grade when the reader encounters his first letter to author of Ways to Amuse Dogs Boyd Henshaw. Over the course of the first ten pages Leigh goes from 2nd grade to sixth grade. The reader only gets to read Leigh's letters not Mr. Henshaw's responses. In the beginning Leigh's letters to Mr. Henshaw are part of a school assignment, but evolve into a regular correspondence. Over the course of the letters the reader is treated to information about Leigh. Leigh's parents are divorced, Leigh's father is a truck driver, Leigh has had to move a great deal, Leigh does not have many friends and is quite lonely. Eventually Mr. Henshaw recommends that Leigh write in a diary. In the beginning the diary are pretend letters to Mr. Henshaw, but over time become Leigh's diary. Leigh begins to express his feelings about how his father's absense effects him. A reoccuring problem for Leigh is the lunch box thief; almost everyday someone takes part of Leighs lunch. Leigh develops a plan to deal with theif by creating an alarm. During the process of creating the alarm, Leigh makes his first friend, Barry. As Leigh writes in his diary, he get's better at writing and capturing the conversations he has with people and understanding the strained relationship between his father and mother. Through the diary Leigh is able to put his life in perspective.



My Impressions: This is a very well crafted book. Epistolary novels can be pretenious, because the author of the documents tends to be uncommonly wiser than their years would lead you to believe. What makes "Dear Mr. Henshaw" a great book is that just as much characterization about Leigh is revealed in the quality of writing as in the writing itself. As the letters go on the reader sees Leighs maturity develop. Leigh is dealing with same problems at the beginning of the novel that he is at the end, he just learns how to deal with it by expressing himself. Having the story start off with Leigh at such a young age underplays the personal losses, father and dog, that Leigh wrestles with through out the novel. Cleary respects her audience enough to know that not all problems are solved with hugs and smiles, which is why the end of the book feels honest. "I feel sad and a whole lot better at the same time," is the perfect way to end the novel. The audience doesn't know what happens to Leigh, but they know he will be okay. IThis is a great book and I plan on read the sequel, "Strider."



Review:
Review: Dear Mr. Henshaw
Beverly Cleary was definitely my favorite author growing up. I read all the Ramona Quimby books multiple times, but I think the prize for the most rereads of one books is this one...Dear Mr. Henshaw.This was the first time I had reread it as an adult. What a difference of perspective! Leigh Botts' favorite author is Boyd Henshaw. He writes to him for the first time in 2nd grade, and a couple years later sends him a list of questions to answer as part of a school report. Mr. Henshaw answers his questions and sends a list back for Leigh to answer. So begins a mentorship and friendship in writing. Along the way, Leigh deals with feelings surrounding his parents' divorce and being the new kid at school, all while developing the skills he needs to become an author someday.I was struck by the talent it takes for an adult to write authentically from a kid's perspective. We see the world through Leigh's eyes - even how he interprets Mr. Henshaw's advice. And, we see Leigh develop over the years he writes to Mr. Henshaw. His thinking becomes less concrete, and he is able to view a situation from multiple perspectives. He also develops self-awareness. I think it takes a skilled author to convey so many things in language plain enough that it can be understood by young readers.When I opened the book last night, I could have told you that the book was in letter format between a kid and an author. I had forgotten almost all of the details, but as soon as I read them again they came back. I could hear some of them being read by my second grade teacher, while others were familiar because I'd read them so many times before. It was a fun trip down memory lane.

Hermie, M. [Review of "Dear Mr. Henshaw"] Retrieved from http://cozyandcontent.blogspot.com/2009/05/review-dear-mr-henshaw.html


Dear Mr. Henshaw Review

Veronica Hosking

When I was eight years old, I read Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. It was the first chapter book I read by myself that I remember devouring. I finished the book in three days. After reading it, I too, wanted to become an author like Leigh Botts and his penpal, Mr. Henshaw. I followed the advice in the book and began writing in a journal.Fast forward twenty years - my writing took a back seat. I was married, had two little girls and was a stay at home mom. My oldest began pre-k and I felt something was missing in my life. I started journaling again and began a blog, http://hosking.mindsay.com. While online one day, I saw submission guidelines for the anthology, Forget Me Knots... from the Front Porch. The previous year I sent my first submission off to Strange New Worlds, a star trek anthology publishing trek fiction by new writers. My story was not published but I met some wonderful, encouraging writers. I decided it wasn't too nervewracking to let a stranger read my writing.I sent my creative nonfiction story, "Carousel", to the editor of Forget Me Knots... and she liked what she read. In early 2003 I saw my first print byline. I thought of Dear Mr. Henshaw because the advice Mr. Henshaw gave to Leigh was to write what you know. "Carousel" was a true story about how my oldest daughter sat in trees in our park one day, pretending they were horses on a carousel.Fast forward another five years my youngest is now eight years old and comes home from school excited one afternoon; "Mom, my teacher is reading a book about a boy writing to an author.""Dear Mr. Henshaw!" Mom blurts out. My Little One looks at me, "How did you know?""It was my favorite book when I was your age. It was the first chapter book I read by myself."Of course my Little One talked me into buying a copy for our home. She began reading it ouloud to me yesterday afternoon, and I continued reading some more to her at bedtime. We are already half way through the book. Almost thirty years later, Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary is still a great read. It's even better to be able to share it.

Hosking, V. (2009). [Review of "Dear Mr. Henshaw"] Retrieved from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1743750/dear_mr_henshaw_review.html

Suggestions for Library Use: I would use this book to suggest writing in journals or writing to Authors to a group of children. Maybe reading the first part of the book on one day, having the children go home and start their own journals or write a letter to an author and bring it back the next week.

Blog 3

SLIS 5420
Blog Post 3

Owl Moon
written by
Jane Yolen
illustrated by
John Schoenherr

Plot Summary: Owl Moon is the story of a child and father going for a late night walk, through the snowy woods looking for owls. The child recalls the various necessities and pleasures of owl watching or owling. To owl one must be quiet, patient, weather resistant, brave and most of all filled with hope. Eventually the father and child get to see an owl and as great an experience as seeing the owl is, the time spent with one another is the real treat.

My Impression: Owl Moon is a touching story of father and child spending quality time alone together. The father is sharing something that seems to be very important to him with his child, while at the same time creating a priceless moment that the child will remember forever. This is the kind of story that creates warm fuzzy feelings and recalls memories of ones own parents. What Owl Moon does really is create the warm fuzzy feeling without having to explicitly say that a warm fuzzt feeling was being created. The illustrations are deceptively good. I don't think the illustrations themselves are genious or beautiful stand alone paintings. What the illustrations do well are the staging of the scene. All the action of the father and child are played in wide shots and medium shots. The distance from the father and child helps to create the mood, by showing how isolated and special the activity is.

Review: Book reviews: Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen
by Moe Zilla

Owl-watching seems exotic, and this book captures the mystery. The author dedicated it to her husband, "who took all of our children owling," and the illustrator dedicated it to his granddaughter, "For when she is old enough to go owling." But the book is really about a childhood memory. All the details are lovingly preserved - every sound and feeling, all these years later, from one magical night of owl-watching.

The real details set a strong mood, from the first drawing of the tiny house by a cold snowy field. "Somewhere behind us a train whistle blew, long and low, like a sad, sad song." All the intimate memories of that night flow together seamlessly. "I could hear it through the woolen cap Pa had pulled down over my ears. A farm dog answered the train, and then a second dog joined in..." There's an implied hush, since there's no wind and the trees "stood still as giant statues." And together the girl and her father walk into a colorless forest.
Illustrator John Schoenherr sets the tone from his first drawing - the overhead view of a house and barn by a wide snowy field. It's simple yet realistic, with thin black lines representing the bare branches of trees. In his next drawing the trees are grey with shadows as the tiny pair of humans trudges up over the horizon. And they're nearly swallowed up by the white snow of the next package, appearing small beside their long shadows at the end of a long trail of grey footprints.
"Our feet crunched over the crisp snow and little gray footprints followed us." And then beside a snow-covered tree, the father stands and calls to the owls. The next page shows strange blue shadows from the branches overhead - but no owls are heard. The tension grows. Will the little girl be disappointed? Half of the next page is filled with the blank white of snow - and a dark background of pine trees - as she follows silently behind her father. "We walked on..."
There's more beautiful drawings of the dark forest in the pages to come. I have to give the book credit for being about the experience of looking for owls - and not the owls themselves. It records the girl's experience - all her feelings on this first mysterious trek. "I didn't ask what kind of things hide behind black trees in the middle of the night. When you go owling you have to be brave."
And then an echo came threading through the trees.

Zilla, M. Helium [Review of "Owl Moon"] retrieved from http://www.helium.com/items/1380483-jane-yolen-caldecott-medal-winner-childrens-book-owl-moon-about-owling

Suggestions for Library Use: This is a good book for children seven and under. Owl Moon would be a good book to read if the librarian had books with winter theme, because of the great depictions of the snow, surroundings and the people in their winter clothes. Owl Moon would also be good to read for fathers day because of the quality time between father and child. Perhaps an owl craft could be made afterwards. Some examples of owl crafts can be found at http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/birds-owls.html

The Three Pigs
written & illustrated by
David Wiesner

Plot Summary: The Three Pigs by David Wiesner starts off by skipping over the pigs leaving their mother's house and purchasing house building supplies and moves right to the wolf knocking at the house of straw. Right at the moment when the Wolf blows the house of straw down, the force of the Wolf's blow knocks the pig out of the frame of the picture and through the fourth wall of the story, changing the pig from 2d to 3d. The pig takes this opportunity to save his brother. Although the events in the three pigs story have changed the written words on the page stays the same, befuddling the wolf. As the pigs traverse the added dimension of their world they notice that the pictures begin to fall off the page. The pigs fold one of the fallen pictures into a plane and fly through their new found world. what the pigs find are portals into other story book worlds including the nursery rhyme "Hey Diddle Diddle" and a story involving a dragon. Followed by the cat who ran away with the spoon, the pigs rescue the dragon before the Knight can attack. The dragon so thankful for being saved from his fate agrees to help the pigs solve their wolf problem. However, in the process of reemerging in the pigs story, the pigs and the dragon knock the letters off the page.

My Impression: This book is too self aware. While reading this book I felt like David Wiesner was patting himself on the back, congratulating himself for being clever. If I were to read this book to a child I would have to stop and explain every page just so the child could have a clear idea of what is going on. Having to explain a story defeats the purpose of reading a story to a group. The pictures are good, but the story is awful.

Review: David Wiesner's The Three Pigs; illustrated by the author 40 pp. Clarion Reviewed 5/01David Wiesner’s postmodern interpretation of this tale plays imaginatively with traditional picture book and story conventions and with readers’ expectations of both. (Though with Wiesner, we should know by now to expect the unexpected.) Astute readers will notice the difference between the cover’s realistic gouache portrait of the three pigs (who stare directly out at the viewer with sentient expressions) and the simple outlined watercolor artwork on the title page. In fact, the style of the illustrations and the way the characters are rendered shifts back and forth a few times before the book is done, as Wiesner explores the possibility of different realities within a book’s pages. The text, set in a respectable serif typeface, begins by following the familiar pattern—pigs build houses, wolf huffs and puffs, wolf eats two pigs, etc. But while the text natters on obliviously, the pigs actually step (or are huffed and puffed) out of the muted-color panel illustrations without being eaten Escaping their sepia holding lines and the frames of their predictable storybook world, they enter a stark white landscape where they are depicted realistically with more intricate shading. The now-3-D-looking pigs, released from the story’s inevitability, explore this surrealistic realm. The perplexed wolf remains behind in the two-dimensional pages which, when viewed from the pigs’ new vantage point, stand vertically in space, looking altogether like paper dominoes waiting to be knocked down. And that’s what the three pigs do, with glee. The pigs’ informal banter appears in word balloons in a sans-serif font; a few striking wordless spreads feature the pigs flying (this is Wiesner, after all) across blank spreads on a paper airplane made from a page of their story. Obviously there’s a lot going on here, but once you get your bearings, this is a fantastic journey told with a light touch. The pigs encounter other free-standing story pages; they enter and exit a nursery rhyme and then a folktale, morphing into and out of each one’s illustrative style. Saccharine, cotton-candy illustrations cloy “Hey Diddle Diddle” (“Let’s get out of here!” one pig exclaims); precise black-and-white line drawings dignify a folktale about a dragon who guards a golden rose. The cat and its fiddle as well as the chivalrous dragon join the pigs in full-color, realistic definition, and eventually the five friends end up back at the pigs’ story. After shaking the type off the pages, the animals re-enter the tale— but this time on the pigs’ own terms. The last page shows them all happily ensconced in the full-page watercolor illustration, using letters of text to write their own happy ending while the wolf sits outside at a nonthreatening distance. Wiesner may not be the first to thumb his nose at picture-book design rules and storytelling techniques, but he puts his own distinct print on this ambitious endeavor. There are lots of teaching opportunities to be mined here—or you can just dig into the creative possibilities of unconventionality. K.F.

K.F. HBook [Review of The Three Pigs] Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com/magazine/reviews/group/wiesner.asp

Suggestions for Library Use: I suggest this book not be read to a group of children. However, if this book must be read it might be a good idea for the book to be read with "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" and James Marshall's "The Three Little Pigs" to give multiple perspectives on the same story. If the librarian wanted to do a three little pigs craft with it, the librarian could find one at http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/pigs.htm.

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.

Keith Bradford
SLIS 5420
slis5420blog.webs.com

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Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies
By Carolyn Crimi
Illustrated by John Manders

Plot Summary: Henry is the odd man out on the bunny pirate ship. Unlike his bunny shipmates Henry is not concerned with treasure, making bunnies walk the plank or parrots. Henry likes to read. However, Henry’s reading frustrates the other pirates, which is why they throw the books overboard. Shortly after the books are gotten rid of, Henry notices a storm cloud formation that he read about. Henry tries to tell the other bunnies, but the warnings fall on deaf floppy ears. Consequently the bunnies are shipwrecked. Thanks to everything that Henry learned from his readings, he was able to build shelter and eventually a boat. The bunnies were so grateful for what Henry had learned that the pirate bunnies recanted their derision of books and began to read.

My Impression: Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies begs to be read out loud, preferably with gusto and pirate voices. The illustrations are cartoony and adequate, evoking the scene well, but far from extraordinary. However, the bunny design reminded me of the Nestle Quick chocolate milk mix in a good way though. This book feels appropriate for a seven and under crowd, a decent book but not a benchmark of children’s literature. This is the kind of book you buy in paperback.

Review: Even pirates fear the rowdy Buccaneer Bunnies aboard the Salty Carrot. Captain Barnacle Black Ear, “the baddest bunny brute of all time,” leads a scurvy crew that includes a female pirate, Jean LeHare, and Calico Jack Rabbit. One rabbit, though, refuses to be a pirate--Black Ear’s son, Henry. Rather than shivering timbers, ordering prisoners to walk the plank, or toting the requisite parrot on his shoulder, Henry likes to read the books stolen from captured ships. As punishment for refusing to heed his father, Henry must swab the decks until “ye come to yer senses!”
One day, he spies a red sky. Parrots squawk and fish jump out of the water. Henry knows exactly what this means from his reading--a vicious storm heads their way. He tries to warn the others, but they ignore him. When even the rats abandon ship, Henry stows his precious books in the empty treasure chests. The storm destroys the Salty Carrot, but all is not lost because Henry’s reading comes in handy when the pirates are marooned on a deserted island.
Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies is an enchanting pirate adventure. The story itself is entertaining and filled with opportunities for young children to learn about pirates, nautical language, and the treasures to be found within the pages of books. Perfect for reading aloud, it will quickly become a favorite of young and old alike. The illustrations are a treasure in themselves. Look closely for tidbits that make the Buccaneer Bunnies pirates, such as the Jolly Roger with long floppy ears or the firecrackers tied to the captain’s ears. Be warned! They will make you roar with laughter. A superb treasure trove of piratical escapades!

Vallar, Cindy. (2005). Books for Young Pirates [Review of the book Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies]. Retrieved from http://www.cindyvallar.com/henry.html

Suggestions for Library Use: This book would be good if you had a group of children who were coming to the library for the first time. This book would help explain the magic and mystery of books, and perhaps why they should be treated with care. This book would also be good for a pirate theme, maybe halloween. A good art activity might be to make treasure maps or eye patches.


I Already Know I Love You
By Billy Crystal
Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles

Plot Summary: This story is a poem from Billy Crystal to his unborn grandchild. In the poem Mr. Crystal excitedly discusses all of the things he is looking forward to doing, while at the same time professing his love for the unborn child.

My Impressions: This is a book that did not need to be written. As sweet as the sentiment is, the execution leaves something to be desired. I say the same thing to my daughter every time I tell her I love her. The pictures remind of greeting cards illustrations. I get what he Mr. Crystal was attempting to do, but the book feels more like Mr. Crystal waxing his ego than trying to make lasting children’s literature. If this book has any staying power it will be on the strength of the author’s name not the craftsmanship of this work.

Review: A heart warming story about a first time, expecting grandfather. "I Already Know I Love You" celebrates all the joy a grandchild brings to the world of a grandparent, from the anticipation of the baby's arrival to the many special moments, such as playing horsey, or eating breakfast together. The story talks about the circle of life through the eyes of a grandfather. One of the main themes in the book demonstrates the incredible bond that can exist between a grandchild and grandparent. The grandfather remembers everything he did with his own daughter when she was young, and he is looking forward to reliving similar joys with the new arrival. I absolutely loved the story. The pictures, done in beautiful pastel colors, illustrated the love and warmth that existed within this family. You feel the excitement the author is exuding in the telling of this tale. The book is suited for all age ranges, however older children will have a better understanding of the importance of family and the many relationships that can be formed. This story can be read over and over again. Every family should have a copy of this book.

Mariasine, Erin. I Already Know I Love You. [Review of I Already Know I Love You]. Kaboose. Retrieved from http://entertainment.kaboose.com/books/i-already-know-i-love-you.html


Suggestions for Library Use: If a class were being held at the library for expectant fathers, this book would be a good way to begin the class. This book might also be suggested to the parents who already have a child but are expecting another. This book would also be helpful to children who might have recently lost a parent or grandparent.



The Giving Tree
By Shel Silverstein

Is this a sad tale? Well, it is sad in the same way that life is depressing. We are all needy, and, if we are lucky and any good, we grow old using others and getting used up. Tears fall in our lives like leaves from a tree. Our finitude is not something to be regretted or despised, however; it is what makes giving (and receiving) possible. The more you blame the boy, the more you have to fault human existence. The more you blame the tree, the more you have to fault the very idea of parenting. Should the tree's giving be contingent on the boy's gratitude? If it were, if fathers and mothers waited on reciprocity before caring for their young, then we would all be doomed.

The Giving Tree. Jackson, Ben. Retrieved from Wikipedia on Sept. 5, 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Giving_Tree

Plot Summary: The Giving Tree is the story a boy and his friendship with a tree in the forest. In the beginning the boy has simple needs that the tree can provide for without much personal loss; shade, apples, a playmate. However, as the boy grows older his needs get greater and the cost to the tree is equally great; all the fruit, limbs, the trunk. However, the tree is never resentful of the boy and the boy is never ashamed to ask. The book ends where it began with simple requests, which are met gladly; a place to sit.

My Impressions: I’ve read this book many times throughout my life. I’ve found it sweet and endearing. I’ve found it frustrating. But it is always compelling. Mr. Silverstein seems to speak to the truth. That doesn’t mean that the truth is easy or fun. His drawings are simple and precise. I find that I can sit and stare at most of his drawings endlessly. The drawings are intricate and carefree. The book touches on the subjects of parenthood, giving selflessly, taking, taking selfishly and presents it in a way that is accessible to children, but gives adults a moment to pause.

Review: "Look Shel," I said, "the trouble with this ‘Giving Tree' of yours is that it falls between two stools; it's not a kid's book -- too sad, and it isn't for adults -- too simple." This was in 1963; I was working at Simon & Schuster; Shel was Shel Silverstein, and the manuscript was "The Giving Tree," which Harper & Row subsequently published, and which has sold over 150,000 copies. Kurt Vonnegut must have some kind of philosophical saying for the way I feel now.Shel Silverstein first came to prominence as Playboy's roving cartoonist. He published a number of children's books and the outrageous "Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book," and just a few years ago turned up as a song-writer with Johnny Cash's hit "A Boy Named Sue." Even more recently, he had a hit, singing in his own raucous voice his "Freakin' at the Freaker's Ball," and we'll soon see in November a large collection of his poems for children, "Where the Sidewalk Ends."When I called this paper and said I'd like to do a piece about "The Giving Tree," they said, fine, but would I also look into two other surprise sellers, "The Velveteen Rabbit," and "Go Ask Alice"? Very good."The Giving Tree" begins, "Once there was a tree..." (Dots are Shel's) and goes on for 50 more pages with a simple tale, illustrated in graceful cartoon style by the author. There was a boy who played in the tree, gathering its leaves, swinging on its branches, eating its apples. When the boy grew older he lay in the shade of the tree with a girl and carved initials in a heart. Yet older, a young man, he took the tree's branches to build a house. As an old man he needed a boat to get away from it all, so the tree said cut me down and make a boat. So we have a stump. Along comes the boy, now an old, old man, and the ex-tree says, "Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest." And the tree was happy.My interpretation is that that was one dum-dum of a tree, giving everything and getting nothing in return. Once beyond boyhood, the boy is unpleasant and ungrateful, and I wouldn't give him the time of day, much less my bole. But there's a public out there who think otherwise, and Harper & Row expects to sell another 100,000 this year. And this month they are bringing out a version in French, "L'arbre au Grand Coeur." I called Ursula Nordstrom, who has been Shel's editor at Harper & Row, and asked how this all came about. Ursula, noted for finding and encouraging such artists as Maurice Sendak and Tomi Ungerer, had long ago noted Shel's "simple and direct drawings" in Playboy, and tried to get him to do a book. Shel, the hardest man in the world to pin down, didn't react until Tomi Ungerer said, "Go see Ursula." There was tremendous disagreement in the office over "The Giving Tree," one editor saying "That tree is sick! Neurotic!" They did a small first printing in 1964. Nothing much happened. Then, as Ursula says, "The body twitched". Apparently, it had been taken up by the great word-of-mouth underground with an assist from the pulpits; where it was hailed as a parable on the joys of giving, and from Shel's disk-jockey friends, a strange pairing. The book, to me, is simply a backup of "more blessed to give than to receive." My wife's interpretation, not surprisingly, is that the tree represents a mother, giving and receiving with not expectation of return. Whatever it is, it touches a sensitive point clearly and swiftly, as do other recent phenomena of Segals and seagulls.

Cole, William. (Sept. 9, 1973). About Alice, A rabbit, A Tree… [Review of The Giving Tree]. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://shelsilverstein.tripod.com/Books/NYTBR-GT.html

Suggestions for Library Use: As odd as it may sound I think this book should be read at children's story time, but it should be the only book read and a discussion should follow.