This is a fraction of the reviews written by Jacki Kellum
Jacki has written reviews for School Library Journal and hundreds of reviews for NJLA. Few have been written the past few years, while Jacki has focused on completing the MLIS degree. She plans to begin reviewing again in 2010--hopefully for a number of children's review agencies.
A Ring of Tricksters - Virginia Hamilton
A Ring of Tricksters is a wonderful way to introduce to a class the genre of the traditional African American folktale. Hamilton’s text is easy to read. Although she includes phrases that are reminiscent of the tales collected in various slave settlements, most of her writing is modernized. That, alone, is helpful for today’s younger readers. Equally helpful – possibly more inviting—are Moser’s big, colorful paintings that are placed on almost every page. The illustrations are large enough that a teacher or librarian could share them, during a story time, with the entire class.
As in other of her collections of folktales, Hamilton stresses in this book the importance of storytelling. She discusses how storytelling was vital for the slaves, in their struggles to endure slavery. She also maintains the importance of the tradition for people today. A Ring of Tricksters is an excellent collection of tales for teaching the art of telling stories.
Hamilton includes an afterword that provides information about each of the tales. She distinguishes the selections by their types (pourquoi, fable, etc.); and she tells where the stories originated, as well as where they were collected. Hamilton also tells how and why the tales were altered by the slaves. This book would be an excellent resource for social studies teachers, who are teaching about the slave culture.
Category: Folk Tales - Reading Grade Level 5.5; Interest Level 3 - 6
Hamilton, Virginia. (1997). A Ring of Tricksters: Animal Tales from America, the West Indies, and Africa. New York: Blue Sky Press. Illustrated by Barry Moser.
As in other of her collections of folktales, Hamilton stresses in this book the importance of storytelling. She discusses how storytelling was vital for the slaves, in their struggles to endure slavery. She also maintains the importance of the tradition for people today. A Ring of Tricksters is an excellent collection of tales for teaching the art of telling stories.
Hamilton includes an afterword that provides information about each of the tales. She distinguishes the selections by their types (pourquoi, fable, etc.); and she tells where the stories originated, as well as where they were collected. Hamilton also tells how and why the tales were altered by the slaves. This book would be an excellent resource for social studies teachers, who are teaching about the slave culture.
Category: Folk Tales - Reading Grade Level 5.5; Interest Level 3 - 6
Hamilton, Virginia. (1997). A Ring of Tricksters: Animal Tales from America, the West Indies, and Africa. New York: Blue Sky Press. Illustrated by Barry Moser.
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type - Doreen Cronin
Click, Clack, Moo is funny and an original take on the farm story theme. Cronin’s sparse writing is great for this book; and Betsy Lewin’s illustrations are ideal. With very little detail, Lewin can speak volumes through facial expressions. She is a master of simplicity. Because of the art, all of the characters--including the animals--are fully developed.
Click, Clack, Moo is a great book for Story Hours. Its large, colorful paintings can be viewed from a substantial distance. It is a good book to be read, just for fun; but it is also a great book for telling. It can be used to reinforce studies of farms and of various farm animals. The Internet is swamped with lesson ideas for using Click, Clack,Moo in the classroom. Click, Clack, Moo is quickly becoming a picture book classic.
Category: Picture Book – Fantasy - 2001 Caldecott Honor Book. Reading Grade Level 2.3; Interest Level K - 3
Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Cronin, Doreen. (2000). Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin.
Click, Clack, Moo is a great book for Story Hours. Its large, colorful paintings can be viewed from a substantial distance. It is a good book to be read, just for fun; but it is also a great book for telling. It can be used to reinforce studies of farms and of various farm animals. The Internet is swamped with lesson ideas for using Click, Clack,Moo in the classroom. Click, Clack, Moo is quickly becoming a picture book classic.
Category: Picture Book – Fantasy - 2001 Caldecott Honor Book. Reading Grade Level 2.3; Interest Level K - 3
Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Cronin, Doreen. (2000). Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin.
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa - Erica Silverman
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa is the first in a series about a little Cowgirl and her horse. The book is divided into 4 short chapters that describe how Cowgirl Kate urges her rather reluctant horse, until the two become a decent team for working the “Wild” West.
This book is approximately the size of the Easy Readers; and it has as many illustrations as them; yet, because it is structured as a Chapter Book, it will appeal to children who want to be able to say that they have graduated to the Chapter Book level. The illustrations for this series were done by Betsy Lewin. (She illustrated Click, Clack, Moo and hosts of other books.) Lewin’s whimsical illustrations and the brief text are a team, which excites and encourages new readers.
Other books in this series are Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: School Days; Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Rain or Shine; Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Partners; and Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Horse in the House.
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Category: Chapter Book – Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Award 2006 – Fiction – Reading Level 2.0; Interest Level K - 3
Silverman, Erica. (2005). Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa. New York: Harcourt Children’s Books. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin.
This book is approximately the size of the Easy Readers; and it has as many illustrations as them; yet, because it is structured as a Chapter Book, it will appeal to children who want to be able to say that they have graduated to the Chapter Book level. The illustrations for this series were done by Betsy Lewin. (She illustrated Click, Clack, Moo and hosts of other books.) Lewin’s whimsical illustrations and the brief text are a team, which excites and encourages new readers.
Other books in this series are Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: School Days; Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Rain or Shine; Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Partners; and Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Horse in the House.
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Category: Chapter Book – Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Award 2006 – Fiction – Reading Level 2.0; Interest Level K - 3
Silverman, Erica. (2005). Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa. New York: Harcourt Children’s Books. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin.
Everybody's Revolution - Thomas Fleming
Generously illustrated with original source documents and images, Everybody’s Revolution is a refreshing look at the Revolutionary War—as it was influenced by people not traditionally mentioned in history’s books—immigrants, African Americans, women, and young people. In the introduction, Fleming says the following: “I got the impression that the war was a struggle between two groups of Englishmen who happened to live on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. I felt left out of the story. All four of my grandparents had been born in Ireland.” This is an easy-to-read nonfiction book, which explains that the American Revolution was a war fought far and by all Americans—for everyone’s liberty.
Category: Nonfiction – Reading Level 6.6; Interest Level 3 - 6.
Fleming, Thomas. (2006). Everybody’s Revolution: A New Look at the People Who Won America’s Freedom . New York: Byron Preiss Visuall Publications, Inc.
Category: Nonfiction – Reading Level 6.6; Interest Level 3 - 6.
Fleming, Thomas. (2006). Everybody’s Revolution: A New Look at the People Who Won America’s Freedom . New York: Byron Preiss Visuall Publications, Inc.
Hi! Fly Guy - Tedd Arnold
Hi! Fly Guy is another cute and fun book that looks like an Early Reader, but is actually a very Early Chapter Book. Tedd Arnold’s illustrations are wacky, zany, and almost grotesque. They would appeal to both the slower reader, as well as to the young readers, who are reading above grade level. The cover of this book is even neat. It is a hologram with lots of bling! Little boys should love this book; but the story is great for both boys and girls. It has to do with pets (albeit an odd pet).
Hi! Fly Guy tells the story of a little boy, who needs a pet to take to the Pet Show. Fortunately, a Fly flies by; and the little boy thinks that this is his pet of destiny—especially since the pet can say his name, “Buzzzzz!” Everyone repeatedly tells the little boy that the fly is not an appropriate pet; they even laugh and ridicule the boy, until Fly Guy performs a stunning, daring feat.
The following Fly Guy books have been published since Hi! Fly Guy: Super Fly Guy; There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy; Hooray for Fly Guy; and Shoo, Fly Guy!
Category: Chapter Book – Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Award 2006 – Fiction – Reading Level 1.4;
Interest Level K - 3
Arnold, Ted. (2005). Hi! Fly Guy. Cartwheel Books.
Hi! Fly Guy tells the story of a little boy, who needs a pet to take to the Pet Show. Fortunately, a Fly flies by; and the little boy thinks that this is his pet of destiny—especially since the pet can say his name, “Buzzzzz!” Everyone repeatedly tells the little boy that the fly is not an appropriate pet; they even laugh and ridicule the boy, until Fly Guy performs a stunning, daring feat.
The following Fly Guy books have been published since Hi! Fly Guy: Super Fly Guy; There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy; Hooray for Fly Guy; and Shoo, Fly Guy!
Category: Chapter Book – Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Award 2006 – Fiction – Reading Level 1.4;
Interest Level K - 3
Arnold, Ted. (2005). Hi! Fly Guy. Cartwheel Books.
Hoodwinked - Arthur Howard
Mitzi is genuinely a little witch; and she loves creepy things. When it is time for her to choose a pet, she wants a creepy pet and swoops away to her favorite shop, Cackle and Company, to find one. The shop owner suggests several creepy creatures and Mitzi takes a couple of them home; but the pets who seem to be perfectly creepy are not perfect pets. After several disappointments, Mitzi succumbs to the thought that she will never be able to find a perfect pet. Just at that time, a sweet, adorable kitten scratches at the door, hoping to come in from the rain. Mitzi makes it clear that she does not like cute kittens; but she doesn’t want to leave the kitty in the storm. The kitten is allowed to stay one night and during that time, Mitzi discovers that this creature can indeed be a perfect pet. This book is a delightful way of reminding us that looks are not everything.
This is a great Story Hour book for young children. It is creepy enough to be a suitable witchy thrill; but it is not too creepy for the younger guys. The illustrations are large and colorful. They can be seen in a classroom or library, even from a distance.
Category: Picture Book – Reading Grade Level 2.9 - Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Howard, Arthur. (2001). Hoodwinked. New York: Harcourt Children’s Books.
This is a great Story Hour book for young children. It is creepy enough to be a suitable witchy thrill; but it is not too creepy for the younger guys. The illustrations are large and colorful. They can be seen in a classroom or library, even from a distance.
Category: Picture Book – Reading Grade Level 2.9 - Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Howard, Arthur. (2001). Hoodwinked. New York: Harcourt Children’s Books.
It's Pumpkin Time! - Zoe Hall
It’s Pumpkin Time is a light, sweet book, following the step-by-step growth of pumpkins, after the children plant seeds during the spring. The pumpkins begin as sprouts and develop through every stage until maturity in the fall, when the pumpkins are harvested. In this respect, the book is a wonderful introduction to nature and gardening. At the back of the book, Hall adds illustrations, showing how the seeds germinate and begin to develop. She elaborates on the scientific aspect of the development of seeds. In this way, this book is great for science classes, when they study plants. The book is also a glimpse at the changes outdoors, over the course of three seasons. After harvest, the children select a pumpkin and carve it into a jack-o-lantern. Then they go trick-or-treating. This book is very simple, and it is not at all scary. It is an excellent holiday story for very young children.
Category: Picture Book – Reading Grade Level 2.3 - Target Audience Ages 3 to 7
Hall, Zoe. (1994). It’s Pumpkin Time! New York: Scholastic to edit.
Category: Picture Book – Reading Grade Level 2.3 - Target Audience Ages 3 to 7
Hall, Zoe. (1994). It’s Pumpkin Time! New York: Scholastic to edit.
John Henry - Julius Lester
The Lester-Pinkney version of John Henry is exceptional on several levels. The text demonstrates that Lester is a fabulous Story Teller. He has captured the spirit of the John Henry myth; and he has told the story in a way that is reminiscent of the old 19th century African American dialect. Lester’s writing is fresh, humorous, and filled with exaggeration, which is the hallmark of the Tall Tale. This is a great book for teaching about Folk Tales and specifically, about Tall Tales. It is also a good book to be featured in studies about the African American culture, especially as it evolved in 19th century America.
Pinkney is an incredible painter. His illustrations for this book won a Caldecott Honor Award.
Category: Picture Book – Folk Tale - 1995 Caldecott Honor Book. Reading Grade Level 4.0
Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Lester, Julius. (1994). John Henry. New York: Dial Books. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.
Pinkney is an incredible painter. His illustrations for this book won a Caldecott Honor Award.
Category: Picture Book – Folk Tale - 1995 Caldecott Honor Book. Reading Grade Level 4.0
Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Lester, Julius. (1994). John Henry. New York: Dial Books. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.
Leaf Man - Lois Ehlert
Leaf Man is a photographic collage of fall leaves and parts of leaves, crafted into images of various leafy creatures—a turkey, chickens, ducks, a cow, fish, a turtle, butterflies going south, a flock of birds, pumpkins and squash. The text tells the stories of leaves as they fall in autumn and float past other elements of nature—all moving toward winter.
The photography is exquisite; and the story is also very well written, beginning as follows:
“Leaf Man used to live near me, in a pile of leaves. But yesterday the wind blew Leaf Man away. He left no travel plans. . . .This I do know: Where a Leaf Man will land, only the wind knows. So listen for a rustle in the leaves. Maybe you’ll find a Leaf Man waiting to go home with you.”
This book could be used for all types of projects about autumn; but above all, it is a beautiful and sweet book. Team it up with Ehlert’s Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf (1991) – A Reading Rainbow Book – Reading Level 1.4; and you have a fall festival—Ehlert style.
Category: Picture Book – National Arbor Day Award 2007 –ALA Notable Children’s Books -
Reading Grade Level 2.4 - Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Ehlert, Lois. (2005). Leaf Man. New York: Harcourt Children’s Books
The photography is exquisite; and the story is also very well written, beginning as follows:
“Leaf Man used to live near me, in a pile of leaves. But yesterday the wind blew Leaf Man away. He left no travel plans. . . .This I do know: Where a Leaf Man will land, only the wind knows. So listen for a rustle in the leaves. Maybe you’ll find a Leaf Man waiting to go home with you.”
This book could be used for all types of projects about autumn; but above all, it is a beautiful and sweet book. Team it up with Ehlert’s Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf (1991) – A Reading Rainbow Book – Reading Level 1.4; and you have a fall festival—Ehlert style.
Category: Picture Book – National Arbor Day Award 2007 –ALA Notable Children’s Books -
Reading Grade Level 2.4 - Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Ehlert, Lois. (2005). Leaf Man. New York: Harcourt Children’s Books
The Moorchild - Eloise McGraw
The Moorchild is a delightful dip into the tricks and traditions of the wee Folk, who wander the Moor—especially on May Day, or Midsummer’s Eve, or for Harvest Dancing. In this book, Saaski is the victim of the wee Folk’s tricks, and is consequently born of mixed parentage. Her father had been human; and her mother was one of the Folk. Because she was unable to disappear and perform other illusions, like the other wee Folk, she became a changeling. Unbeknownst to a human family, she was switched with their baby, which had been snatched from its cradle. Unfortunately, Sasski did not fit in with either group . She had an inexplicable desire to spend all of her time roving about the Moor. She was, “Plainly more at home in the wild than in the cottage. . . .” The humans became increasingly suspicious of Sasski and ultimately decided that she was wicked, born of evil. She was to be thrown on the fire and burned on Midsummer’s Eve; but Saaski evaded the riotous crowds and managed a “changing” of her own.
The Moorchild is easy to read; and it is filled with bits of information about the ancient Celtic beliefs. It could serve as a class selection to coincide with a study of that part of ancient history; or it would be a good book to book talk, especially around St. Patrick’s Day, when most people are feeling a bit Celtic and are talking about little people. Saaski does find a young man, who adores her as she is; and the two of them leave the village that has been so very unkind to her. Before she does so, she manages to capture her human mother’s real baby from the Folk and return it to her home.
Category: Middle Grade Novel – Fantasy – Newberry Honor Book 1997- Reading Level 5.5.
McGraw, Eloise. (1996). The Moorchild. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
The Moorchild is easy to read; and it is filled with bits of information about the ancient Celtic beliefs. It could serve as a class selection to coincide with a study of that part of ancient history; or it would be a good book to book talk, especially around St. Patrick’s Day, when most people are feeling a bit Celtic and are talking about little people. Saaski does find a young man, who adores her as she is; and the two of them leave the village that has been so very unkind to her. Before she does so, she manages to capture her human mother’s real baby from the Folk and return it to her home.
Category: Middle Grade Novel – Fantasy – Newberry Honor Book 1997- Reading Level 5.5.
McGraw, Eloise. (1996). The Moorchild. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
Pumpkin Eye - Denise Fleming
Pumpkin Eye was both written and illustrated by Denise Fleming; and it is excellent in both areas. Fleming’s illustrations are not painted in the traditional way. She creates batches of paper pulp; she colors the pulp in various bright colors; and she casts it, allowing the brilliant colors to rest next to each other without merging and losing their intensities. The effect is stunning, screaming a bright, fiery jack-o-lantern smile on a dark, eerie, Halloween night.
The text is simple. Although many rhyming books are weak, the rhyme in Pumpkin Eye is unforced, short, and natural. The illustrations could work by themselves; yet, the poem, added to the illustrations, creates a wonderful, mildly spooky story for Halloween Story Hours. It is just the right length for young children.
Category: Picture Book – Reading Grade Level 2.4 - Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Fleming, Denise. (2001). Pumpkin Eye. New York: Henry Holt & Company.
The text is simple. Although many rhyming books are weak, the rhyme in Pumpkin Eye is unforced, short, and natural. The illustrations could work by themselves; yet, the poem, added to the illustrations, creates a wonderful, mildly spooky story for Halloween Story Hours. It is just the right length for young children.
Category: Picture Book – Reading Grade Level 2.4 - Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Fleming, Denise. (2001). Pumpkin Eye. New York: Henry Holt & Company.
Tuck Everlasting - Natalie Babbitt
It seems that many reviews of Tuck Everlasting focus upon the book’s presentation of immortality in a way that older elementary children can grasp. Tuck Everlasting is much, much more than that. In fact, Tuck Everlasting is literature at its finest. The first paragraph is indicative of the book’s outstanding writing quality:
"The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color."
Tuck Everlasting can be studied, merely as exemplary of the best in descriptive writing and/or nature writing. It can also be studied as an example of the fantasy genre. In addition, it can be examined on a philosophical level. Regardless of the approach to this book, it could be followed by creative writing challenges and/or class discussions. More important than any of the rest, Tuck Everlasting can be read, as a feast to the soul.
In my opinion, Tuck Everlasting is a masterpiece that is accomplished in a mere 139 pages. I think that it is a disgrace that this book did not win a Newberry Medal.
Category: Middle Grade Novel – Fantasy – ALA Notable Book - Reading Level 5.0.
Babbitt, Natalie. (1975). Tuck Everlasting. New York: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux.
"The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color."
Tuck Everlasting can be studied, merely as exemplary of the best in descriptive writing and/or nature writing. It can also be studied as an example of the fantasy genre. In addition, it can be examined on a philosophical level. Regardless of the approach to this book, it could be followed by creative writing challenges and/or class discussions. More important than any of the rest, Tuck Everlasting can be read, as a feast to the soul.
In my opinion, Tuck Everlasting is a masterpiece that is accomplished in a mere 139 pages. I think that it is a disgrace that this book did not win a Newberry Medal.
Category: Middle Grade Novel – Fantasy – ALA Notable Book - Reading Level 5.0.
Babbitt, Natalie. (1975). Tuck Everlasting. New York: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux.
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle - Hugh Lofting
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle is one of an enchanting series of books, detailing the life and exotic travels of an extraordinary little physician, who has opted to treat animals, rather than people. In this tale, Dr. Dolittle is joined by a young boy named Tommy Stubbins. Because Dr. Dolittle has the capacity to talk to and understand animals, he becomes involved in a trial, where a dog is called to testify. Afterward, he sails across the sea, looking for a wise Indian named Long Arrow and to learn the language of the Shellfish.
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle is an enchanting dip into fantasy – a fantasy that is almost believable. The writing is simple and is a good way to illustrate “thinking outside the box.” It would be an excellent choice for prompting creative writing exercises. I feel certain that authors since The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle have been influenced by Lofting’s light and lyrical text. In fact, I wonder if Sendak had not been influenced by Lofting, when he wrote in Where the Wild Things Are (1963) that Max, after sailing across a similar sea, had been named the “king of all wild things.” Dr. Dolittle was named the King of all Spidermonkey Island. By correlating Doctor Dolittle and Wild Things, children could appreciate the experience of sailing into fantasy, both visually and through text.
Dr. Dolittle is a quaint, old masterpiece of children's literature. It won the Newberry Medal in 1938. If it is at all possible, try to find one of the original old books--just for the joy of experiencing an old book. I recently wrote a blog, describing the emotions that swept over me, after I rediscovered an antique volume of this text. This experience affirmed my belief that libraries should never become totally digitized. There is much to be said for enjoying books--just as physical objects: Are Books A Dying Breed?
One final pleading, please share this masterwork with today's kids. Please don't allow them to think that Eddie Murphy is Dr. Dolittle.
Category: Middle Grade Novel - Fiction – Newberry Medal - Reading Level 5.4
Lofting, Hugh. (1937). The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle. New York: Fred A. Stokes Co
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle is an enchanting dip into fantasy – a fantasy that is almost believable. The writing is simple and is a good way to illustrate “thinking outside the box.” It would be an excellent choice for prompting creative writing exercises. I feel certain that authors since The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle have been influenced by Lofting’s light and lyrical text. In fact, I wonder if Sendak had not been influenced by Lofting, when he wrote in Where the Wild Things Are (1963) that Max, after sailing across a similar sea, had been named the “king of all wild things.” Dr. Dolittle was named the King of all Spidermonkey Island. By correlating Doctor Dolittle and Wild Things, children could appreciate the experience of sailing into fantasy, both visually and through text.
Dr. Dolittle is a quaint, old masterpiece of children's literature. It won the Newberry Medal in 1938. If it is at all possible, try to find one of the original old books--just for the joy of experiencing an old book. I recently wrote a blog, describing the emotions that swept over me, after I rediscovered an antique volume of this text. This experience affirmed my belief that libraries should never become totally digitized. There is much to be said for enjoying books--just as physical objects: Are Books A Dying Breed?
One final pleading, please share this masterwork with today's kids. Please don't allow them to think that Eddie Murphy is Dr. Dolittle.
Category: Middle Grade Novel - Fiction – Newberry Medal - Reading Level 5.4
Lofting, Hugh. (1937). The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle. New York: Fred A. Stokes Co
Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak
Where the Wild Things Are is a masterpiece, in every way possible. Both the story and the illustrations are clever—even timeless. This book can be enjoyed, merely as a tale about a mischievous boy—a voyage into his imagination—and his encounter with some almost friendly monsters. On the other hand, Where the Wild Things Are suggests layers of deeper, philosophical meaning, beginning with the forest that “. . . grew and grew—and grew until his ceiling hung with vines and the wall became the world all around and an ocean tumbled by with a private boat for Max and he sailed off through night and day. . . .” These words appear very early in the book; yet, through them, Sendak has already created an absolute enchantment, by using merely 38 words. If the reader looks deeper—at the forest, the ocean, the night, and the day—he might begin to unravel a network of underlying messages that may or may not have been Sendak’s intention.
Where the Wild Things Are offers something for everyone. It is a great book for Story Hour. It is a good introduction into the genre of fantasy. It is also a good introduction into science fiction (or monsters for younger kids). It is an excellent tool for opening discussions about anger and fear and about one’s personal monsters.
Where the Wild Things Are could even be effective to initiate discussions in high school and college literature classes, as well as in college philosophy and psychology classes.
Category: Picture Book – Fantasy - 1964 Caldecott Medal Book. Reading Grade Level 3.4
Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Sendak, Maurice. (1988). Where the Wild Things Are. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
Where the Wild Things Are offers something for everyone. It is a great book for Story Hour. It is a good introduction into the genre of fantasy. It is also a good introduction into science fiction (or monsters for younger kids). It is an excellent tool for opening discussions about anger and fear and about one’s personal monsters.
Where the Wild Things Are could even be effective to initiate discussions in high school and college literature classes, as well as in college philosophy and psychology classes.
Category: Picture Book – Fantasy - 1964 Caldecott Medal Book. Reading Grade Level 3.4
Target Audience Ages 4 to 8
Sendak, Maurice. (1988). Where the Wild Things Are. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
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