The Lorax

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

The Lorax tells the story of how a Lorax attempted to warn the Once-ler of how much damage he was invoking on the plant and his surroundings. Once-ler was killing trees, polluting the homes of fish, birds, and numerous other animals in order to produce his Thneeds. Once-ler would not listen due to all the money being made from his product. Until the day came when the last tree was cut down and he could no longer make the Thneeds. Once-ler had to close down the factory. Friends and family left him with nothing but his factory.

Webster’s defines didactic as a way to teach or instruct for an intended purpose. Due to these guidelines The Lorax can be considered a didactic book. Story attempts to get people to realize the harmful affects we are causing to our environment. Pollution from factories wasted being dumped in our water supply, and not replacing trees that have been cut down. The story line details what kind happen to our world and surroundings if we do not recycling.

Seuss, Dr. (1971). The Lorax. New York: Random House, Inc.

Image of book was copied from images on www.yahoo.com on October 13, 2007.

Cat In the Hat

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss is a book that offers events of what could happen when a brother and sister meet a Cat in the Hat. Cat in the Hat appears one rain day at the children’s door while their mother is gone to work. A fish in the story attempts to be a voice of reason for the children. The children like most people have difficult listening to the voice telling them right from wrong. Children also meet Thing 1 and 2 and this adds more mayhem to their already crazy day. The children eventually catch Thing 1 and 2 and convince the Cat in the Hat to straighten their home before mother arrives.

The Cat in the Hat is written with numerous rhyming and repetitive word phrases throughout the book. Book will entertain children and adults of all ages due to the adventures of the children. Children in the story are battling with whether or not to play along with the crazy tricks of the Cat in the Hat. The book reminds me of raining days as a child and wanting something exciting to do instead of sitting around the house.

Seuss, Dr (1957). The Cat in the Hat. NY: Random House, Inc.

Image of the Cat in the Hat was copied from www.yahoo.com images on October 13, 2007

Children Book/ Movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Children Book/ Movie Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

How the Grinch Stole Christmas was made into a motion picture by Universal Studios in the year 2001. The book and movie have numerous similarities and differences. One similarity is that the same general story line appears in each story, that the Grinch did not enjoy Christmas and all the cheer brought by celebrating the holiday season. Another similarity is that both stories mention the Grinch, Cindy Lou, Who-ville, and his dog Max. The details of how the Grinch stole the Who’s Christmas presents, and Cindy Lou waking while he is doing this is discussed in both the movie and book. Both the movie and book share the same ending with the Grinch heat growing to a normal size.

The movie differs from the book in the area of giving more detail about the Who’s in Who-ville. For instance the movie offers more detail about how they celebrate Christmas, and shows many similarities of how we celebrate that time of year. Movie shows Grinch visiting the town before Christmas Eve night. Grinch also interacts more with Cindy Lou in the movie than in the book. For example Cindy Lou nominates the Grinch for the Cheer Meister and then goes to his home to inform him of the nomination. Another difference in the book and movie is Cindy Lou visits the Grinch on Christmas Day; this event does not happen in the book. Movie also offers a theory of why the Grinch turned against Christmas.

The movie is suitable for children of all ages that love the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Viewers will remember that Christmas is a time for giving and sharing what we have to with all people.

Dr. Suess. (1985). How the Grinch Stole Christmas. New York: Random House.

Grazer, B. (2001). Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas [Motion Picture]. California: Universal Studios.

Image of the book was copied from www.yahoo.com images on October 13, 2007.

Caldecott and Newbery Medal

Newbery Medal is an award given by the American Library Association every June. The award is named after John Newbery an eighteenth century bookseller. Award is given to a book published the preceding year. The medal is given to the author that has contributed
to American literature by publishing a distinguishing book. Honor award books are also given along with the overall winner of the Newbery Medal. Newbery Medal considers fiction, non-fiction, and poetry books when determining the winner.

The nominating committee for this award has certain guidelines to follow in order to declare a winner. One of the criteria for considering a Newbery Medal winner or honor book is the following literary qualities:
• theme or concept is interpreted
• clarity, organization, and accuracy when presenting information
• plot is developed
• characters
• setting
• is written in an appropriate comprehension manner for people to read
The second criterion is that the book is considered to contribute to literature in overall positive manner. The third criterion requires that a book does not have any support from media equipment in order to enjoy the book.

Caldecott Medal is also given each year to a distinguished picture book in children’s literature by the American Library Association. The Caldecott Medal is named after a well known nineteenth century English illustrator named Randolph J. Caldecott. Illustrators of this order also need to have had their book published in the preceding year. Caldecott Medal also presents medals to honor books each year.

The nominating committee for this award has certain guidelines to follow in order to declare a winner. One of the criteria is the quality of the illustrations included in the book. Committee when judging is looking for overall artistic technique and appropriateness of how the pictures match the story. Second criterion is that the book does not depend on any form of media in order to enjoy the book. A third criterion in order to be considered for Caldecott Medal is not only does the book have excellent quality illustrations but overall meets high level of standard for written text and design.

Caldecott and Newbery Medal have some similarities and differences. A simulates for both awards is that each award is given to a book written or illustrated the preceding year. Each award also requires books to written or illustrated in a distinguished overall manner, and the ward is given by through American Library Associate. The awards are named after people in American Children Literature that have contributed in a positive manner. A difference is that Newbery is given to a distinguish children’s literature writer and Caldecott is awarded to a distinguished illustrator.

Images of Caldecott and Newbery Medal were copied form www.yahoo.com images on October 13, 2007.

Children Book/Movie Charlotte's Web

Charlotte’s Web. By E.B. White

Charlotte’s Web was made into a feature film produced by Nickelodeon and Paramount Home Entertainment in 2006. The movie shares many common characteristics as the book. The movie and book both share the same names for all the characters. In addition they both share the same story line about Wilbur becoming friends with Charlotte. Charlotte saves Wilbur from becoming Christmas dinner by writing in her web four different times throughout story. Charlotte writes such things as some pig, terrific, radiant, and humble to describe Wilbur. By the end of the book and movie she has succeed in saving Wilbur’s life.

One difference a person might notice between the book and movie is the how fast Fern learns of whether Wilbur’s lives or dies. The book has Fern’s father bringing the pig in as a surprise for her ability to persuade him not to kill the animal. Movie version has Fern receiving Wilbur immediately after persuading her father that it was not right to call the animal.

The book does not mention the incident that happens at school. Fern sneaks Wilbur to school on the first day she receives him in the movie. Once Wilbur causes commotion she gets sent to the principal office where her mother is called to pick them up from school. Book also has Fern listening to the animal’s conversation and actually understanding what is being said among them. Movie also added one extra scene with her mother talking to the family doctor about Fern spending so much time with the animals.

The Charlotte’s Web book is a child hood favorite of many people throughout the country. Both the book and movie share many similarities that ensure that the quality of the story line is not lost in a feature film production. The book and movie stay true to the theme of friendship and staying true to your friends through all circumstances.

White, E.B. (1952). Charlotte's Web. New York: HarperCollins Publisher.

Winick, G. (2006). Charlotte’s Web [Motion Picture]. Califoronia: Paramount
Home Entertainment.

Image of book was copied from www.yahoo.com images on October 13, 2007.

Children Book/Movie Because of Winn Dixie

Because of Winn Dixie By Kate DiCamillo

Because of Winn Dixie was released as a major motion picture movie in August of 2005. Movie story line is based on the book that shares the same title. The movie and book share similarities and at the same time some adaptations have been made to the picture. For instance the book and movie are both about a little girl named India Opal that finds a dog in a Winn Dixie store. The characters in the story are similar except for the landlord of the trailer park where India Opal lives with her father the preacher, book never mentions this person. Movie story line portrays the landlord as a man that does not want the dog on his premises, but by the end of the movie he changes his mind about Winn Dixie.

Movie and book also have another modification in the amount of information the preacher tells Opal about her mother. Preacher in the book tells Opal ten things about her mother the night she gets Winn Dixie, but in the movie she takes longer to work up the courage to ask him the question. Also the preacher was already at the party in the book when Winn Dixie runs away due to the storm. The movie has Opal running to their trailer and finding her father still at home. She later confronts him about coming to the party and her mother. Winn Dixie’s hiding place in the movie is also different.

The movie is suitable for children of all ages. Because of Winn Dixie is written for ages eight years old to adult. Movie and book will remind readers of how much a pet can influence the life of people it touches. The special bond, love, and story of Winn Dixie and Opal can remind people of special relationships they have shared throughout their life.

Wang, W. (2005). Because of Winn Dixie [Motion Picture]. Untied States: Twentieth Century

Fox Home Entertainment.

DiCamillo, K. (2001). Because of Winn Dixie. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

Image of book was copied from www.yahoo.com images on October 13, 2007.

Yoshiko Uchida

The Invisible Thread By Yoshiko Uchida

The Invisible Thread details the early life of Yoshiko and the difficulty her family faced being a Japanese American family during the war. Yoshiko attends school, goes to football games, has company over to eat, goes to church, and has the desire to go to college to like any American citizen. Yoshiko is treated differently due to her culture and skin color. The book details how her family was treated after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She describes the conditions they had to live in and how hard they worked to keep their family together through all the events that happened throughout the story. Yoshiko during this time does find her deserve to become a elementary school teacher and works to make that dream come true no matter what the circumstances where in her life.

Readers will gain a better understanding of how harsh Japanese Americans were treated due to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Yoshiko opened my eyes as to how harsh and cruel people were treated due to their skin color and ancestor heritage. The conditions described in the contrition camps were not fit for an animal to live in let alone human beings. Yoshiko’s family had the determination to stay together and no to remain positive through all the situations that took place.

Yoshiko Uchida has written numerous books about life as a Japanese American. She has written a book called Journey to Topaz that details the life of a Japanese American family in a concentration camp. She has won awards from Friends of Children Literature, Children's Spring Book Festival Honor Award, New York Herald Tribune, and American Library Association Notable Book.

Image of book was copied from www.yahoo.com images on October 13, 2007.

Laurence Yep

The Imp That Ate My Homework By Laurence Yep

One day at school Jim is assigned an assignment to interview and write about his grandparent(s). Jim’s grandfather is known as being one of the meanest men in all Chinatown, because he is always fighting with someone in the community. Jim was going to interview his grandfather until that night at supper he came in complaining about a gentleman that he was living with, and referred to himself as the ugliest man in Chinatown. While watching TV that night somebody opened a Chinese vase that made his grandfather very upset and he left the apartment immediately. At this point Jim had no choice but to write the report the way his parents would want him to describe his grandfather.

Jim wakes up the next morning to find an Imp in his room. The Imp pulls the report on his grandfather at of his school bag reads it, and then eats it. This is just the start of Jim’s adventure with his Imp friend that nobody but his grandfather, father, and mother believe that is harassing him. I enjoyed the ending of the book due to Jim getting to acquire a new impression and appreciation of his grandfather.

Laurence the author of this book has written numerous books that have dealt with Chinese culture, heritage, and traditions. He tends to write realistic fiction, science fiction, and fantasy for children and young adults. Mr. Yep has won awards from Newbery Medal Honor Book, International Reading Association, Boston Globe Book Award Honor Book, and Friends of Children and Literature Award

Image of book was copied from www.yahoo.com images on October 13, 2007.

Corretta Scott King Award Honor Book

Locomotion Jacqueline Woodson 2004 Corretta Scott King Honor Book

Lonnie Collins Motion is an eleven year old boy that has lasted both his parents in a fire and then was separated from his younger sister. Throughout the book Lonnie recalls conversations with his mother, sister, and other people that have came in and out of his life. Lonnie’s teacher Mrs. Marcus encourages him to write his emotions down on paper, due to him being some what of a withdrawn child. His teacher plays an important rule in his life and when the teacher gets recognized with award Lonnie and the rest of the class is there to celebrate with her. Lonnie does get to visits and talk with his sister on numerous occasions throughout the book. They also get to experience a life changing event together that brings them closer.

The book will remind readers of the difficult children must face when losing a parent. Lonnie’s story gave me a deeper understanding of how life would be for a child(ren) that has no immediate family and they are put in foster care.

Image of book was copied from www.yahoo.com images on October 13, 2007.

Newbery Award/Honor Books

Joey Pigza Loses Control Jack Gantos Newbery Honor Book 2001

Joey Pigza was been raised in a single family home since his father went off and left his mother and him many years before. Joey’s dad had a drinking problem and didn’t want help at the time he left them. His mother is a very supportive and loving person that has always tried to help Joey with his problems. Joey has a Chihuahua mixed dog that is his best friend named Pablo. Joey has been diagnosed with ADHD and is required to wear a patch to help calm him down, without the patch he tends to have no control over his actions.

One summer Joey’s father decides after all these years that he wants to spend the summer with his son and get to know him again. Joey has mixed emotions about going to live with his dad and grandmother for a whole summer. He has a lot of questions for his dad and longs to have conversations with his father. When Joey final gets to spend time with his dad he is unable to speak over three fourths of the time because he never stops talking. Joey’s grandmother is also not the most supportive person in the family. Joey’s dad had supposable stopped drinking until one night he sees him drinking beers to celebrate a win for his little league team that Joey pitches on. Joey’s father also decides his son no longer needs the patch to help him and flushes them all down the toilet and makes Joey promise not to tell his mom because she would not understand why he decided to do that. The story takes an interesting turn after this happens.

Joey Pigza Loses Control reminds me of the battle between knowing what is right and actually following through with the right thing to do in life. Joey knows that he needs the patch and tries to tell his dad but he refused to listen. Finally Joey realizes he can’t lie to his mother anymore and that he needs the patch. So many people in life think they know what is best for others and are not willing to listen to what that person has to say about certain circumstance. Joey knew he need the patch and his dad would not listen to reason, so he takes matter into his own hands.

A Year Down Yonder Richard Deck (Dial) Newbery Award Winner 2001

The book details the life of Mary Alice and how the Great Depression affected her family. She lived in Chicago with her mother, father, and older brother, until the Great Depression occurs and she is sent to live with her grandmother on the family farm. Mary Alice does not look forward to living with her grandmother, who is known around town as being trigger happy and not the most rational person to deal with in certain situations.

Mary Alice has numerous adventures with her grandmother and grows to appreciate the ways that at first where strange to her. She experiences noises from the attic above her bedroom and wonders what it could be until one day she finds out what had been sleeping above her all those nights. Mary Alice and her grandmother go out and pick pecans, pumpkins, and catch foxes under the cover of the night so that nobody knows what they are doing. She also finds the love of her life through all her adventures and mishaps.

I enjoyed reading this book. The book makes me think of my life growing up in the country and experiences that I have had. The author did a wonderful job with details and describing how difficult life was during and after the great depression.

Image of Newbery Medal was copied from images on www.yahoo.com on October 13, 2007.

Jerry Pinkney

Noah’s Ark

By Jerry Pinkney

Noah’s Ark by Jerry Pinkney tells the bible story about Noah and his family. The story starts with God being displeased with his people and wanting to clear all the wickedness off the Earth. God tells Noah to build an ark that could hold both himself, his family, and animals that roam the land. While building the ark people make fun of Noah until the day of the great flood that covers the land. Noah patiently waits for God to clear the land of all the water. He sends a dove out to help him recognize when all the water has dried up completely. Noah and his family praise God when they are released from the ark.

The story reminds me of the bible story Noah’s Ark that you have heard numerous times at church. Mr. Pinkney has written the story exactly like I have also heard it explained. The details to each picture helps tell the story and makes the reader feel like they are there with them. When looking at the pictures you can see the emotions on the animals and Noah’s face as the story is being told. Story is well written and the illustrations are captivating.

Jerry Pinkney is an award winning children illustrator. He has been illustrating books since 1964 and has illustrated books for numerous authors. Some of Mr. Pinkley well known illustrations are Aesop’s Fables, The Ugly Duckling, John Henry, and many more books.

Picture was copied from images on www.yahoo.com on October 13, 2007.

Julius Lester

Sam and the Tigers

By Julius Lester pictures by Jerry Pinkney

Sam and the Tigers is about a little boy named Sam that lives in Sam-sam-sa-mara with his mother and father that are also named Sam. Sam’s parents take him shopping for new clothes for school. He does not purchase your normal color clothes; instead he gets purple pants, yellow shirt, green umbrella, red jacket, and a silver pair of shoes. On the first day of school Sam puts on all his new clothes and feels that he looks good in his bright colored outfit. His mother and father feel that he is brighter than the sun with all those colors, and later on in the book his classmates agree too. On Sam’s way to school he runs in to 5 different tigers one at a time, and by the time Sam meets the last tiger he has given all his new clothes away. Sam starts to feel bad because he has no new clothes and he is down to wearing his underwear to school He then hears the tigers fighting over who looks the best. While the tigers are fighting Sam gets his clothes and hurries off to school. On Sam’s way home that afternoon from school he finds butter in the spot where the tigers had been fighting early that morning. Sam gets the butter and hurries home to ask his mother to mix pancake for supper. The mother fixes the pancakes that night and they invite their neighbors to eat with them. The pancakes turn out to be the orange and back striped just the tigers.

The book reminds me of how people sometime feel they are better than other people around them do to their appearance or what they have in life. Story can teach an available lesson to all readers to not think of ourselves as being supreme because in the end it does not matter. The illustrations in the book detail the events that are happening in the story. I like the way the writer uses the colorful clothes to assist in teaching his lesson about life to the readers.

The author Julius Lester has written numerous stories and has won awards numerous awards for these books. Some of the awards he has won are Newbery Honor Medal, ALA's Notable Book Award, and The New York Times Outstanding Book Award. Mr. Lester likes to write books about difficult subjects that sometimes challenge the norm of what people might think. His books have covered topics about race, God, and faith. Sam and the Tigers comes from a story about one race thinking they are more superior to another and the problems it would cause for the people involved.

Image of book was copied from images on www.yahoo.com on October 13, 2007.

Caldecott Honor Books

Hot Air The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride

Marjorie Priceman

Caldecott Honor Book 2006

Hot Air The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride tells about the adventures of a rooster, duck, and a sheep taking the first hot air balloon ride on September 19, 1783. People from all walks of life have gathered to watch this event. The animals fly across the country experiencing new adventures together. Animals travel across the countryside and at one point find themselves being shot at by a bow and arrow from a boy sitting on a roof top. Also the duck falls out and then gets back in after birds attack the balloon. Although the animals experience numerous mishaps they do arrive safely in the woods of Vaucresson.

The book contains bright colorful illustrations similar to Zen Shorts. Illustrations detail the events from the beginning to the end of the book. Story will remind people of the first time they saw or rode a hot air balloon. Priceman’s story can be used in the classroom to inform children about the date of the first balloon ride and challenge them to come up with different adventures that could have happened to the animals.

Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth

Caldecott Honor Book 2006

Zen Shorts details the events of a how a panda contributes to two brothers and a sister becoming friends. Each child individual visits the panda. The panda during each child’s visit tells a story that teaches a lesson about life. Each child walks away with a better understand and appreciation of his or her bother and sister.

Zen Shorts can teach children different lessons about life. Lessons taught during the story are sharing, and acceptance of other’s behavior, circumstance, and attitude during different circumstances in life. The story has illustrations that detail each event that happens in the book. Story will remind the reader of stories that could have been told by teacher, parents, or grandparents about events and lessons they have learned in life.

So You Want to Be President? By Judith St George and David Small

Caldecott Medal Winner 2001

Judith St. George’s book offers interesting facts about the U.S. Presidents. The White House is described as having a bowling alley, swimming pool, and movie theater used especial for the President and his family/friends. Book is written in a manner that a person reading the book does not realize it is non-fiction.

Information is presented in a colorful informative manner that will appeal to children. Readers will enjoy learning interesting facts about the most common names of presidents, and who lived in a log cabin. The book will entertain and inform children at the same time they are educating them about our Presidents.

Golem By David Wisnieuski

A rabbi, his son, and a student of the rabbi create Golem. Golem is a creature that was created from clay to help battle violence and evil that was plaguing a group of people. Golem protects the people and after he has completed his mission destroyed. The clay that created him is stored in the synagogue attic.

Golem has very dramatic pictures to paint the events that happen in the story. The story reminds me of bible stories that I have heard over the years. Book is written for students in the third grade and up due to the meaning of the story.

The Hello, Goodbye Window By Norton Juster and Chris Rachka

Caldecott Medal Winner 2006

The Hello, Goodbye Window is a story about a child visiting their grandparents. Her grandparents have one special window that is called the hello goodbye window. The window is where she can always see her grandparents at when the child arrives or leaves. She also describes same of the games played at the window with her grandparents.

The book has colorful, child-like illustrations. Illustrations assist in telling the story of the child’s adventures with her grandparents. Story will remind readers of special times they have spent with their grandparents.

Image of Caldecott Medal was copied from images on www.yahoo.com on October 13, 2007.

What is the LME 518 Reading Journal Blog

LME518 Reading Journal Blog was created to publish reviews on select Caldecott Award, Newbery Award, and Corretta Scott King Award winning books. A book by Julius Lester, Laurence Yep, Yoshiko Uchida, and a book illustrated by Jerry Pinkney will also be discussed. In addition, this blog will look at books that have been turned into movies, Dr. Seuss stories, and difference between Caldecott and Newbery Awards will also be discussed.

Image was copied from images on www.yahoo.com on October 13, 2007.