So Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins

Where to even begin with this book?! I simply could not put it down. I tried reading a couple chapters before bed which did not work out so well; I found myself turning on the lights to keep reading because thoughts about the book were swimming through my head and I couldn't sleep. It was so interesting reading about Yoko and her family's experience in Korea during WWII. This is a perspective that most of us never come in contact with when learning about WWII. I had never thought about what the Japanese families went though or been asked to reflect on anything other than the American experience during that time. Further, I never even realized that there was such conflict between the Japanese and Koreans. It's true that I'm no history buff, but I'm pretty sure that this can be attributed to me not learning about it in school. I certainly do not want this to happen with my future students, and therefore, will do everything in my power to present them with stories like Yoko's. I want them to have the chance to express their feelings and and be able to respond to the Japanese experience during this time.

What Yoko and her family went through is by no means pleasant. Many grueling and graphic details were revealed on account of the author's honesty and openness about the events that occurred. Students do not need to be sheltered from these details. It needs to be accepted that students can handle such content; keeping it from them means keeping them from the truth.

She Come Bringing Me That Little Baby Girl by Eloise Greenfield

I'm not quite sure how this book is perceived as "controversial." A little boy is at home awaiting the arrival of his brand-new baby brother. He asked his mother to bring home a baby boy and experiences much disappointment when she ends up having a girl. In addition to disappointment, he begins to resent the baby girl. There are constantly people coming over just to see the new baby, bringing her gifts and not even paying any attention to the little boy. Eventually, things do turn around after his mother takes the time to talk to him.

I think it is pretty normal for an older sibling to feel resentment toward the new baby in the family, whether the baby is a boy or girl. Also, it seems natural that a young child would hope for a baby that is the same sex as they are. I would consider the book controversial if one of the parents or one of the visitors shows disappointment that the baby is a girl instead of a boy. In such a case, the male gender is being preferred and valued over the female gender. However, this is not at all the message of the book. I'm glad that there is a book like this out there to read to children in a similar situation as the boy in the book. Going off the topic a bit, I thought the illustrations were pretty spectacular; they are unique and different from any other book I've read before.

"Never underestimate the value of doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering."

~ Winnie The Pooh

I love this quote! Just thought I'd share it with you all!

Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting

In this book, a little boy and his father are homeless and living in an airport. They move around the airport constantly, wearing the same blue pants and blue jackets and carry the same blue bags, trying as hard as they possibly can not to get noticed. It is terribly sad when the boy becomes fed up with his situation towards the end of the book and gets upset with all the "normal" families he sees in the airport, living "normal" lives when he cannot. When a bird flies into the airport and becomes trapped, the boy tells it to not give up. Eventually the birds gets out and the boy is given hope that maybe someday, he too might get out.

This book bring awareness to children that not all people have homes. Many children know nothing about this topic until they start moving into the upper elementary grades and talk about economics in social studies class. I admire Bunting for writing such a book, as many children's authors do not even think about writing anything besides what life is like for the perfect American family. This book will be read in my classroom, no matter what grade I am teaching.

Children's Literature so far..

Exploring various children's literature has been a great experience for me. Obviously, because I am going into the field of teaching, becoming familiar with different books,
genres, authors etc is really important to me. Reflecting back on my grade school experience, I only remember teachers reading novels (Charlotte's Web and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), never picture books. I have been in search of picture books and novels that will be great read-alouds for my future classroom. Many of the books reviewed on my blog will serve this purpose. Coming into this, I was basically in the frame of mind that I needed to find books that would appeal to children of all different ages..I did not realize that so many of the books would have such a strong effect on me!

Come Look With Me, Discovering African American Art for Children by James Haywood Rolling, Jr.

This is just one of the books in the "Come With Me" series created by Gladys Blizzard. Each book in the series introduces children to 12 works of art.

The book starts with a page on "how to use this book"; it gives tips on how to use the book with children and explained some of the dynamics of the book. There are 12 works of art presented in this book, along with a page of background information on the artist and a set of invigorating questions that can be asked to children as they are exploring the image. It goes without saying that the images are beautiful and striking. The questions are thought-provoking and sure to generate great conversations. The information that is provided is meaningful and interesting. While this book is educational, it is not boring. I learned about African American artists I did not know existed, and think it is important for children to learn about them as well. This book would be a great resource for a social studies lesson!

The Moon Over Star By Dianna Hutts Aston

In this book, a little girl named Mae is anxiously awaiting the first spaceship to land on the moon. On July 20, 1969 the Eagle landed and astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, Jr. and Michael Collins walked on the moon. Mae is a special little girl with big dreams and aspirations; her heartfelt passion about the events taking place and her dreams of someday going to the moon, convinces her gramps to value the space program rather than think it is a waste of money. Read this book to your children, to your students, and especially, read it for yourself!

Oh yeah, isn't this a FANTASTIC cover?!