A Book Review Column
Linda D. Labbo
Reviews Section Editor
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia, USA
Editor's Note: The books reviewed in this column all deal in some way with the animal kingdom, but they reflect a variety of genres and purposes. For example, A Dog Like Jack is a piece of realistic fiction that addresses how a young boy learns to deal with the death of a beloved pet. The informational text Century Farm explores how life on a family farm has changed over the past 100 years. Little Bunny's Sleepless Night is a fantasy that teaches a life lesson about loneliness.
The reviews for this column were written by a few of the preservice teachers in my undergraduate developmental reading methods course in the spring 1999 semester at the University of Georgia. All of the reviewers are vitally interested in integrating high-quality children's literature into literacy instruction in the elementary classroom. Their reviews are especially well-written, insightful, and descriptive. Information about each reviewer is embedded within each book review.
The books reviewed are as follows:
Where possible, links to authors' and publishers' websites are provided. Clicking on any of these links will open a new browser window.
All-Weather Friends. Written by Udo Weigelt; illustrated by Nicolas d'Aujourd'hui; translated by J. Alison James. New York: North-South, 1999. ISBN 0-7358-1047-8. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
Reviewed by Kelly Burns
The main character of this well-written fantasy story is Moss, a frog who lives with various other creatures in a forest setting. Moss has been told that all really proper frogs are able to predict the weather. Now, this little frog, who had never heard of such a thing before, sets out to try to live up to others' expectations. Of course, when he fails at every weather-forecasting attempt, his forest friends, who had been depending upon the accuracy of his predictions to plan various tasks, become furious with him. With the help of one friend, Moss finally discovers a way to make the animals -- and himself -- happy.
Adults who share this book with children will find many opportunities to initiate discussion on issues of peer relationships that children frequently deal with. For example, adults can invite children to respond to the story by discussing or writing about the following questions: Do you think it is possible to please everyone all the time? Is there a time when it may be better to please others, rather than yourself? What valuable lesson did Moss learn about himself? Readers will also enjoy discussing the roots of the story in European folklore. In fact, the author informs readers that children in Germany frequently receive “weather frogs” as gifts!
A word from the reviewer: I am currently enrolled in an early childhood education program. I hope to teach first or second grade. As a future teacher, I have come to realize the importance of using children's literature in the classroom. And as someone who enjoys reading various types of children's books, I believe that children need to be exposed to a wide range of literature.
Century Farm: One Hundred Years on a Family Farm. Written by Cris Peterson; photographs by Alvis Upitis. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills, 1999. ISBN 1-5639-7710-9. 32 pp. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
Reviewed by Tonia Bowden
This book provides a wonderful look into life on a modern farm while also giving the reader a glimpse of farm life in the past. The farm highlighted has been in the family of the author's husband since the late 1800s, and it is this background that makes the book so poignant. Peterson intermingles tales of the modern day-to-day operation of the farm with fascinating bits of farm and family history. Upitis's beautiful photographs give one the perspective and feeling of actually being present on the farm today, while old family photographs give a sense of the history of the land. Children are likely to be interested in photographs that illustrate how farm equipment and the work of harvesting have changed, and how other aspects of farm life have remained the same. The text and photographs provide insights, for example, into how generations of Petersons have played together over the years. This wholesome book leaves little doubt that there has always been a great deal of love in this family. Readers will learn that although technology has profoundly changed the way farm work is done, the life of a farm family still requires hard work and commitment.
A word from the reviewer: I could identify with the underlying theme of family love presented in the book because I maintain very close ties with members of my own family. I believe that books like Century Farm have the potential to open up new worlds for children, especially, in this case, for those who do not have opportunities to visit nonurban settings. As a future teacher, I look forward to helping the students I teach use literature to open doors to fascinating people and places.
A Dog Like Jack. Written and illustrated by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1369-1. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
Reviewed by Courtney Annigian
Mike and his family adopt an eight-year-old dog named Jack from the animal shelter. In the early part of the book, Mike tells of the good times he and Jack share. Sadly, with the onset of old age, Jack slows down and is often unable to play with Mike as he used to. One day, Mike and his mother respond to a long, low howling and discover that Jack is very sick. Although Mike's father rushes him to the animal clinic, the dog soon dies. The book then turns to Mike's confusion and sadness about why his dog had to die. After a talk with his mother, Mike learns that dogs do not live as long as people. The family decides to bury Jack's ashes under a shady tree where the dog liked to rest.
DiSalvo-Ryan's gently told tale and masterful illustrations use colors to represent the emotions that are experienced by the main characters. Adults who want to use the book as an avenue for discussing with children the recent or impending death of a family pet will find helpful hints for doing so in an afterword by social worker Kathleen L. Dunn.
A word from the reviewer: I am enrolled in the early childhood education program at the University of Georgia. I enjoy reading biographies because I am fascinated by other people's lives.
Dr. White. Written by Jane Goodall; illustrated by Julie Litty. New York: North-South, 1999. ISBN 0-7358-1063-X. 36 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
Reviewed by Megan Moriarty
Anyone who has ever loved a pet will enjoy the special insights that Dr. White reveals. Dr. White is a shaggy white dog with empathetic power so strong that he is able to enrich and even save lives. This cheerful dog makes his rounds every day at a hospital, where he checks in on and gives love to critically ill children. His dedication to duty is evident in several vignettes. For example, Dr. White lies for hours at the side of a sick child, gently licking a hand and offering the comfort that makes it possible for the child to relax and begin to recover. Illustrations, rendered in soft, pastel watercolors, give the story a “right there” quality that is sure to appeal to young or ill readers.
A word from the reviewer: I enjoyed writing this review because I love books about animals. As a preservice teacher of young children, I am eager to begin a collection of children's literature that may serve as a classroom library. Dr. White is a book that I will be sure to add to my personal book collection.
Fog Cat. Written by Marilyn Helmer; illustrated by Paul Mombourquette. Toronto: Kids Can, 1998. ISBN 1-55074-460-7. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Reviewed by Kelly Neville
Set in late summer in New England, this book offers a calming tale of a young girl and her relationship with a rather mysterious cat. Looking for a pet of her own, Hannah tries desperately to make the stray she names Fog Cat into a companion. Readers will enjoy seeing the way that mutual trust slowly develops between Hanna and Fog Cat over the course of the book. At first, the abandonded cat seems to be weary of getting too close to Hannah; however, through a combination of kind words and offers of tasty treats, Hannah eventually wins Fog Cat's trust. At the onset of winter, Fog Cat finds herself warmly snuggled in Hannah's cottage, where she awaits the birth of her kittens. Something goes terribly wrong and Hannah discovers, and Grandfather confirms, two stillborn kittens. In preparing to bury the two tiny bundles, Hannah discovers a third creature, the sole survivor of Fog Cat's litter. On the day that Fog Cat leaves, Hannah is comforted in knowing that Fog Cat's kitten is content to remain by her side.
Soft, watercolor illustrations contribute to this gently told tale by making calm visions of New England come to life. Underlying themes of love, contentment, trust, and peace in times of trouble permeate the book. Adults and children who share the story will have many occasions for discussing proper care of small creatures, the amount of time it takes to establish trust with a pet, and the type of trust that is needed for all types of healthy relationships.
A word from the reviewer: I expect to teach kindergarten or first grade when I graduate. I am amazed at the abundance of high-quality children's literature and am especially fond of fairy tales.
Hiding Horatio. Written by Udo Weigelt; illustrated by Alexander Reichstein; translated by J. Alison James. New York: North-South, 1999. ISBN 0-7358-1067-2. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 6 and up.
Reviewed by Wendy Folds
Hiding Horatio is a fanciful story about a hippopotamus on the run. Horatio had been on display at a small circus, but when he discovers that the new owners want to sell him, he sets off on his own. He finds himself in a forest where, at first, the animals are afraid of him; however, once Horatio gets close enough for them to see that he is not dangerous despite his imposing size, the animals come out one by one to introduce themselves. Horatio indicates that he wants to stay with them, and the animals all agree. When two hunters enter the forest in search of Horatio, the animals panic but then try to find a way to hide the hippopotamus. The book's clever illustrations, done in watercolors that create an appropriate sense of a forest's camouflage, allow children to discover Horatio's unique hiding places. The hunters never do find Horatio because his forest friends work together to protect him and keep him hidden.
Young readers will enjoy the many humorous situations presented in the story. For example, when one of the hunters suggests that they try to spot the hippo from a bridge, an illustration shows Horatio, covered in dirt and standing with his head bent down into the water, with the two hunters sitting on his back. Adults may use this book to initiate discussion on themes of friendship and accepting others who are different from yourself. The forest creatures learn not to judge Horatio based on his size, and by doing so they make friends with a kind, gentle animal. Children could be invited to draw or paint a hiding place for Horatio that was not included in the book. Where could Horatio hide if he were in the city, the local community, or on the playground?
A word from the reviewer: I am an undergraduate preservice teacher at the University of Georgia. I would like to teach either second or third grade because my own third grade teacher inspired me to read as much literature as possible. To this day I read whenever I get the chance. I hope to instill the same love of literature in every child I teach.
How Whales Walked into the Sea. Written by Faith McNulty; illustrated by Ted Rand. New York: Scholastic, 1999. ISBN 0-590-89830-2. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 7 to 12.
Reviewed by Mandy Sanders
This book tells the story of how whales evolved from living on land to living in the ocean. The naturally flowing rhythm of the informative text reflects the flowing cycle of evolution in nature that underlies the story. Exquisite watercolor and acrylic illustrations enhance the book. Each two-paged layout features a different type of whale, starting with distant ancestors and moving up through the numerous species of whales that exist today. An illustrated glossary offers further descriptions of the whales that still live in our oceans. Also included is a list of postreading questions that may help young readers reflect on relevant information: What is it like to spend your life roaming, with no one place that is home? What is it like to dive into deep, cold water as dark as a cave, and then come up into the light and air?
A word from the reviewer: I hope to teach fourth grade after completing my degree in early childhood education at the University of Georgia. I enjoy reading various types of children's literature, including picture books and young adult novels.
Little Bunny's Sleepless Night. Written by Faith McNulty; illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev. New York: North-South, 1999. ISBN 0-7358-1069-9. 40 pages. Recommended for ages 4 to 9.
Reviewed by Mollie Knight
This wonderful fantasy story about a lonely rabbit who cannot fall asleep invites readers to share in Little Bunny's search for a good friend who is willing to offer him a comfortable, quiet bed. Little Bunny finds several friends who do offer him a place to sleep, but at every location he is rudely awakened by an odd situation. By the end of his adventures, Little Bunny realizes that being alone is not so bad afterall. Gorbachev's watercolor-enhanced pen-and-ink illustrations depict each step of Bunny's adventures and could easily tell the story independently of the text. Adults may decide to share this story with children in order to discuss feelings of loneliness or to consider what may be good about a difficult situation.
A word from the reviewer: I learned to appreciate children's literature as a very youg child. I believe that books with themes, such as the themes involved in Little Bunny's Sleepless Night, lend themselves to many creative classsroom applications.
Mouse Practice. Written and illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully. New York: Scholastic, 1999. ISBN 0-590-68220-2. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 5 and up. (Cover from Mouse Practice © 1999 by Emily Arnold McCully. Published by Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Press. Used by permission.)
Reviewed by Julie Thompson
This fantasy, about a little mouse who is trying to learn to play baseball, focuses on the notion that practice makes perfect. As the story begins, a group of young mice are eagerly running to a park to play baseball. Monk, a very small mouse, follows the “big kids” to the park. When a right fielder hurts his foot, the captain of the team invites Monk to play, noting that “nobody ever hits out there.” Of course, someone actually does hit a ball to right field -- and Monk drops it. Things go from bad to worse as the game progresses, and the little mouse has a difficult time hitting and throwing the ball. Discouraged, he goes home to practice.
With the help of his parents, he begins to improve. When the bigger young mice see Monk playing with a baseball, they decide to invite him to be on the team. Monk proves to the other mice that, with practice, anything is possible.
Because Monk demonstrates the positive effects of not giving up, the book may serve as a good springboard for discussion about the importance of practice. Young readers are also sure to enjoy the way the author uses direct conversation to enrich the tone of the story. For example, some of the mice have dialogues apart from the central story. Illustrations fill the pages with wonderful images of the family of mice and also subtly reveal that Monk is not the only one who is having trouble playing baseball. For example, the little mouse's parents try their best to help their son, but they are not natural athletes. In fact, Monk's father ends up hitting his mother in the head with a tennis ball when demonstrating how to throw.
A word from the reviewer: I believe that books like Mouse Practice should be included on the shelves of every elementary school classroom library. These types of books speak eloquently to children about fundamental values and characteristics that may help them succeed throughout their lives. When I am a classroom teacher, I plan to read aloud and guide daily discussions of good books.
Never Fear, Snake My Dear. Written by Rolf Siegenthaler; translated by T. Alison James. New York: North-South, 1999. ISBN 0-7358-1103-2. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 4 to 8.
Reviewed by Diana Mikle
This is a story about a snake who is an unhappy captive at a zoo. The only thing that Snake looks forward to each day is her “mousemeal.” One day, an unusual event occurs when one of the mice who has been served up to Snake comes up with a clever offer: if Snake spares her life, she will help her escape from her unhappy circumstances. These two unusual friends set off on adventures which eventually return the snake to her homeland. The snake is so happy that she vows to eat only fruit for the rest of her life.
This story illustrates how forging friendships with unusual or unexpected friends may be mutually beneficial. The clever mouse in the story ends up helping the snake while helping herself. “Never fear, snake my dear,” the mouse exclaims while looking for solutions to the snake's problems. Adults who share this book with children will certainly want to highlight the importance of friendships. Educators may also use the book as an introduction to science units that deal with mutually beneficial relationships among organisms.
A word from the reviewer: I am looking forward to being a classroom teacher in the near future. As a parent of two children, I have come to appreciate the value of good books as a springboard for investigating scientific concepts.
Nobody Likes Me! Written and illustrated by Raoul Krischanitz. New York: North-South, 1999. ISBN 0-7358-1054-0. Unpaged. Recommended for ages 5 to 9.
Reviewed by Laurie Kennedy
Buddy is a new dog in town who desperately wants to make friends. However, he believes that no one in town likes him. When a red, flashy fox decides to speak to Buddy, they begin working together to question all of the animals about their apparent rejection of the dog. Through conversations, Buddy learns to make many friends and is happy once again.
Large watercolor illustrations done in bright hues add vividness to the tone of Buddy's search. Young readers are likely to enjoy the patterned text and may begin joining in on phrases such as “Well, why didn't you say so in the first place? We'd be glad to be your friends.” After hearing the story, children may enjoy drawing their favorite animal friends, or having the opportunity to take on roles to re-enact the characters' interactions. Adults who share the book with children will likely want to touch on issues such as friendship, rejection, and resolution.
A word from the reviewer: I would like to teach first or second grade. I really enjoy reading various genres of children's literature. The genres that interest me most are folk tales and realistic fiction. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I came to be very fond of it.
Pigs. Written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1441-8. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 3 to 8.
Reviewed by Heather Robinson
Did you know that some scientists believe that pigs are actually smarter than dogs? Gail Gibbons' book provides an appealing summary of interesting information about characterstics of pigs, their intelligence, behavior, and life cycles, and some common breeds and uses of this animal. It can be difficult to find an informational book for children that addresses the relationship between humans and animals. Pigs, which Gibbons has filled with bold, detailed illustrations, addresses many misconceptions that humans hold about these supposedly “dirty” animals. A picture time line of pigs throughout history is offered at the book's end.
A word from the reviewer: I am studying the field of special education at the University of Georgia's College of Education, and I hope to teach elementary school when I graduate. My interest in children's literature has really grown over the past year. I particularly enjoy reading realistic and historical fiction, as well as poetry and books of riddles. I intend to find many ways to use children's literature in my own classroom one day in the not-too-distant future.
Rosie: A Visiting Dog's Story. Written by Stephanie Calmenson; photographs by Justin Sutcliffe. New York: Clarion, 1994. ISBN 0-395-95722-6. 48 pages. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Reviewed by Caren Garland
Although this book has been around for several years, it is worth revisiting. Rosie is a fascinating informational book that presents a unique perspective on a working dog's life. Rosie is a “visiting dog” whose job it is to visit people who are sad, lonely, or sick, and to cheer them up. Her heartwarming demeanor and appearance allow her to work with sick children and the elderly.
Rosie's career is vividly described through photographs that are an absolute pleasure for any dog lover. The book explains Rosie's training in “puppy kindergarten,” where she learned obedience, patience, gentleness, and other temperament-related skills required for work with various people and personalities. Her visits to her human clients are nicely portrayed in photographs that reveal the comfort Rosie was able to deliver. The book ends with an author's note that explains the history of visiting dogs, which dates back to 1930.
Rosie's story would be a wonderful resource for a unit on dogs, companionship, or even careers. This book may help children understand that animals inhabit the earth alongside human beings, and that they contribute to our well-being.
A word from the reviewer: I hope to use children's literature as an instructional resource in first- or second-grade classrooms after I graduate. I enjoy all types of children's literature, but I am especially drawn to the beauty of children's picture books. I am convinced that books like Rosie can provide children with much satisfaction and knowledge.
The Treasure Chest. Written and illustrated by Dominique Falda. New York: North-South, 1999. ISBN 0-7358-1049-4. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 3 to 9.
Reviewed by Ladonna Toney
This story begins when Squirrel finds a buried treasure late one night. Owl, a night creature, observes and tells others about Squirrel's discovery. All of the forest creatures wonder what is in the chest. The typically wise Owl tells them that treasure chests are always filled with jewels and riches. However, he cautions that Squirrel will probably forget all about his friends once he becomes wealthy. The animals cannot believe such cruel things about their friend, and they run to him for an explanation and assurances. Squirrel admits that he has found a chest filled with treasure. Because he wants to share his good fortune with his friends, he takes the unexpected contents of the chest and turns them into a surprise -- a nut, honey, and seed cake that can be enjoyed by all.
Squirrel informs Owl that the chest has made him richer because he has been able to share with his friends. Indeed, the reason Squirrel thinks he is rich is because he has friends -- not a treasure chest.
A word from the reviewer: I am an undergraduate student in the elementary education program at the University of Georgia. I believe that children's literature offers a wonderful way to teach young children many things. It is enjoyable yet so much of it can be educational -- not simply entertaining. I enjoy all types of children's literature and plan to have a literature-rich classroom.