Reading Chronicles

     The word that I have chosen for this semester is determined . Merriam-Webster defines  determined  as " having a strong feeling that you are going to do something and that you will not  allow  anyone or  anything to stop you." To be determined does not mean to be stubborn, but rather it  is a  willingness  to  change as needed. To keep an open mind while achieving the clearly defined  goals you  have set for  yourself. I have chosen determined as my word for this semester because this  is the type of  mindset  I have-not just to finish my classes, but to finish well. While I have goals for  my  classes, not just here  at HBU but also my Neuhaus coursework (which I should complete this  spring). I  also want to apply  a  determined  mindset to take  my CALT exam and prepare well in order  to pass.        While determined...

  I've always been stymied by poetry. Not as a reader, but as one who tried to write poetry in the past. I  have felt that my words needed to rhyme or have a distinct rhythm or cadence. However, reading  poetry is a breath of fresh air. It's as if what I am trying to say, but can't, seems so natural to the author.  They have the ability to take thoughts, feelings, and words and put them so eloquently.  A picture book of poetry that I recently read and absolutely loved is "Just  Like Me" by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. The author is a self-taught  illustrator, she's a doll maker and a crafter who studied fashion  illustration and children's book illustration in New York. This book is a  collection of poems filled with mini-stories about different types of girls- girls who love their bodies and girls who don't, country girls, city girls, etc.  The illustrations are bright with Vanessa's signature style of vibrant colors, unique patterns, and f...

    I recently read the sweetest picture book named, "Be Kind" by Pat  Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Jen Hill. This book  falls into the  realistic fiction category. Realistic fiction creates imaginary characters  with situations that depict our world and society. Realistic fiction  portrays characters as coming to understand themselves and others. Be  Kind, helps us look at the question- "what does it mean to be kind?"  When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmates  contemplate how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind. This lovely and moving story  explores actions a child can do to be kind, and how each act, big or small, can make a difference and  help a friend. The pictures are rich with practical ways we can show kindness to those around us. This  is a great book to discuss what it means to be kind and talk about empathy. I love that the book  acknowledges that it is n...

 Creating stories is an important part of the human experience. The oldest of stories, folklore, or traditional literature includes nursery rhymes, folktales, myths, epics, legends, fables, songs, and ballads that have been passed down over time. Today, when we think of stories, we usually think of books that are created by an author and written down. However, long ago, stories were told aloud and each time a teller told the tale it was revised. Many of these tales have survived over time and have eventually found their way into books. Many of these books are books that are shared with children and these tales have taken on a wide variety of cultural traditions.  One fable that I recently read is Town Mouse Country Mouse by Jan Brett. This classic tale of a town mouse and a country mouse takes on a new twist by the talented Jan Brett. In this tale, two mice couples are introduced, who are eager to get away from their everyday lives. They agree to swap homes and delve into unex...

 Picture books can be read to children of all ages from babies to teenagers. Picture books use illustrations, with our without text, to convey stories that can engage children. In picture books with text, the author and illustrator jointly share the responsibility of making the picture book 'work.' The best picture books provide a mix of engaging stories, strong characters, rich language, and visual wonder.  A recent picture book I read is Greedy Cat by Joy Cowley. I had never read this story before and was intrigued by the title. This book has a great interplay between visual and verbal features which enrich meaning and interpretation. This picture book did a great job in combining verbal and visual features as an integrated whole. Another recent picture book I read is Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Keats received the Caldecott Medal for his collage artwork. Words were chosen to capture a mood and were further enhanced by colorful settings.  The book Sam and Dave Dig a Ho...

 Last Stop on Market Street embraces diversity in children's literature, a  diversity that not only helps us see ourselves and one another, but that also asks that we make our world anew. It is a wonderful book of art and storytelling for children that won a Newbery Award, Caldecott Honor, and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor.  Last Stop on Market Street is a story about appreciating differences, happiness, and inequity. Every Sunday after church, CJ and his Nana take the bus to its' last stop on Market Street. This Sunday, CJ begins to wonder why they have to wait in the rain, why they don't have a car, why they always make this trip. His Nana responds by giving him different ways of appreciating what they have, what their routine is, and the different people they meet. Nana shows CJ the value in differences and the joy of helping those that need it.  I really enjoy how this book can raise questions about the diversity of people and their circumstances and ...

  Flotsam by David Wiesner was a 2007 Caldecott Award recipient. I use this book as a wordless book option with my students when they first begin the Neuhaus program with me. Flotsam contains illustrations of underwater life with no text to accompany them. Flotsam has illustrations that depict realism. Realism is defined as the "faithful reproduction of nature, people, and objects as they usually appear."  Wiesner uses a lot of diagonal lines in his illustrations to suggest movement. For example, there is a squid that appears to be swimming by the position of the lines used. Another example is a hot air balloon that appears to be floating above the water. The use of shapes in his illustrations is easily recognizable. The curves of the fish generally suggest things found in nature. The vibrant colors found throughout the book create a joyful atmosphere. The author also uses color colors to depict the ocean. Another awesome appearance that the author creates is the texture on t...