Shoes From Grandpa by Mem Fox

A. Bibliography
Fox, Mem. 1989. Shoes From Grandpa. Sydney, Australia: Ashton Scholastic. ISBN0-531-05848-4

B. Plot Summary
It is late summer and Jessie's Grandpa has come for a barbeque. Astonished at how much Jessie has grown since the last time he saw her; he declares she will need new winter shoes that he will happily buy for her. So begins the purchase of a whole new wardrobe for Jessie; "socks from the local shops" from her dad, "a skirt that won't show the dirt" from her mom, even "mittens that are softer than kittens" from her uncle. Jessie loves them all and hates "to be mean" but what she really wants someone to buy her are "some jeans" which Grandpa obligingly adds to the mix.

C. Critical Analysis

The combination of Mem Fox's funny, rhyming, narrative and Patricia Mullins' torn-paper collage illustrations depicting Jessie's increasingly outrageous wardrobe additions, courtesy of her friends and family, will keep preschoolers engaged and laughing as Jessie deals with the univeral problem of what to do about unsuitable gifts. Originally published in Australia, Shoes From Grandpa could be set almost anywhere English is spoken. However, the author's use of the term shops rather than stores indicates the setting is outside the U.S. The author suggests reading Shoes From Grandpa with an Australian accent and pronouncing 'laugh' as 'larf' to make the most of the rhyming narrative.

D. Review excerpts

Publishers Weekly: "A lilting, cumulative text accompanies Mullins's vibrant torn-paper artwork in this apparel-buying spree. Ages 3-6."

School Library Journal: "PreSchool-Grade 2-- Jessie, an active girl of nine or so, is growing out of her clothes, and the members of her large and loving family get carried away in their eagerness to provide her with a new wardrobe. In this humorous suburban variation on "The House that Jack Built," Grandpa gets things started off with a pair of new shoes, Dad offers "socks from the local shops," and Mom buys "a skirt that won't show the dirt." As each of Jessie's relatives gets into the act, the rhythmic cumulative tale builds momentum. Brightly colored torn-paper collages fill appealing double-page illustrations portraying Jessie increasingly laden down with everyone else's idea of the perfect addition to her outfit. Either in story hour or reading on their own, youngsters will enjoy seeing Jessie's free spirit triumph over her family's overly enthusiastic good intentions."

E. Connections

Books for use in storytime with Shoes From Grandpa:

Grandpa's Teeth by Rod Clement

Ain't Nobody A Stranger to Me by Ann Grifalconi

Tiger on a Tree by Anushka Ravishankar

A. Bibliography
Ravishankar, Anushka. 1997. Tiger on a Tree. Chennai, India: Tara Publishing. ISBN 0-374-37555-0

B. Plot Summary
After swimming a wide river and chasing an antelope; an inquisitive tiger quickly climbs a tree to escape when the antelope charges. Soon a man with a net spies the tiger amongst the high branches and calls to his friends. The tiger is trapped as more men gather to ogle him. Astonished, excited, and a little afraid of the tiger that is stuck in a tree; the men soon begin discussing what to do about the unusual circumstances. "Get him! Net him! Tie him tight!" they shout. After they capture the tiger the men are at a loss as to what to do next. "Send him to the zoo? Stick him up with glue? Paint him an electric blue?" What will the men do with the tiger? And who is more afraid; the men or the tiger?

C. Critical Analysis
Ravishankar's simple, rhyming text emphasizes the story being told through the double-page-spread, award winning illustrations of Pulak Biswas. Done entirely in tiger-colored orange, white, and black the Indian setting of the book is emphasized by the ink-black men, some with bamboo wind instruments, some with drums. Dressed only in white cloths tied loosely at their waists, the orange sun blazing overhead, the excitement and astonishment at finding the tiger comes alive in the men's faces and the thick black words run up, down and over the pages as, fear showing plainly in his eyes, the tiger paces, looking for an escape route. Preschoolers will join in the excitement of the capture in this American Library Association Notable Book, and cheer when the men set the tiger free to swim back across the river to safety.

D. Review excerpts
School Library Journal: "PreSchool-Grade 2--A curious tiger swims across a river and roams the forest looking for adventure. Frightened by the cry of a small animal, he climbs a tree. A group of dhoti-garbed village men discovers him and decides to capture him. After placing a large net around the tree, they blow horns and bang drums to create a racket, eventually scaring the creature down. Now the men have a problem: What should they do with the animal? "Send him to the zoo?/Stick him up with glue?/Paint him an electric blue?" Finally, they decide to set him free. The appealing illustrations are naive, childlike, and dramatic. Biswas uses a limited palette of black, white, and orange to create vivid scenes. The faces of the human characters are filled with personality and expression, while the tiger's emotions are conveyed through his body language and eyes. The simple text curves playfully across the pages, adding to the sense of motion in the artwork. This tale from India can be paired with Helen Bannerman's The Story of Little Babaji."

Booklist: "PreS. First published in India in 1997 and an international prizewinner at the Bratislava Biennale of Illustrations, this very simple chanting story is perfect for reading aloud with young preschoolers. A tiger lopes along the shore until a deer suddenly scares him, rousing him to take shelter in a tree, where the villagers find him. They are scared of him ("Will he bite? He might!"), but they trap him in a net ("Get him! Net him! Tie him tight!"). Now what? Someone suggests they set the tiger free, and they agree: "Let him go!" The words in thick, black type are part of the action, and the thickly stroked illustrations, mostly black and white, have occasional splashes of orange: in the sun, on the tiger's back, and in the net that traps him. The comedic drama blends smoothly with the conservation message in deliciously scary sound words and pictures that will make this a favorite for sharing again and again."

E. Connections
Books to use in preschool storytime with Tiger on a Tree:
Excuse Me, Is This India by Anushka Ravishankar
The Road to Mumbai by Ruth Jeyaveeran

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

A. Bibliography

Funke, Cornelia. 2000. The Thief Lord. Hamburg: Cecilie Dressler Verlag. ISBN 0-439-40437-1

B. Plot Summary

Faced with separation after their mother's death 12-year-old Prosper and 5-year-old Boniface, known affectionately as Prop and Bo, flee their child-loathing aunt who has agreed to take in Bo but not Prop. They escape to Venice, city of their mother's dreams and numerous bedtime stories; and although Venice is visually everything their mother told them, the brothers soon realize they are not equipped to survive on their own. On the brink of starvation Prop and Bo are rescued by a group of street children led by the masked and booted Thief Lord. Living in an abandoned movie theater and buying what they need with money earned from pawning what The Thief Lord steals, Bo and Prop are happy until Prop realizes a private detective, hired by their aunt, is closing in on them. In the midst of dodging the detective Prop, Bo, and their friends become entangled in the theft of an object which, according to legend, has the power to make one older or younger; depending on ones wishes.

C. Critical Analysis:

Although the author is German The Thief Lord is set in Venice, Italy. Funke brings the culture and scenery of Venice to life through descriptions of the food; olives, red-pepper salami, and pastries, the architecture and scenery; sculptures of winged lions, dragons, and angels with small pen and ink illustrations scattered throughout the book, and everywhere one looks; in the gutters, blowing in the wind, and floating in the Canal Grande; vaporett or water bus tickets, the mode of transportation used by everyone to get around the city. First published in Germany in 2000 and winner of the 2003 Batchelder Award for a children's book considered to be an outstanding book originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States the Thief Lord will remind both adults and teens of the powerlessness of childhood and empowerment of good friends. Teens will especially enjoy the exploits of Scipio, Bo, Prop, Hornet, Riccio, and Mosca; mere children who live by their wits and outfox the adults at almost every turn. A glossary of Italian words used in The Thief Lord with their English translation is included at the back of the book.

D. Review excerpt:

Publishers Weekly: "Wacky characters bring energy to this translation of an entertaining German novel about thieving children, a disguise-obsessed detective and a magical merry-go-round. After their mother dies, 12-year-old Prosper and his brother, Bo, five, flee from Hamburg to Venice (an awful aunt plans to adopt only Bo). They live in an abandoned movie theater with several other street children under the care of the Thief Lord, a cocky youth who claims to rob "the city's most elegant houses." The Venetian setting is ripe for mystery and the city's alleys and canals ratchet up the suspense in the chase scenes. Ages 9-12."

E. Connections

Read-alikes for reader's advisory suggestions:

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults LS5653

This post marks the beginning of reviews written as class assignment for Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults/Summer 08 at Texas Woman's University.

The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

Fourteen-year-old Enola Holmes' mother has disappeared. Enola's initial search of the grounds at Ferndell Hall, the Holmes family estate, has turned up one fact; Lady Eudoria Vernet Holmes walked into the woods early in the morning and simply vanished. Enola, desperate to find her mother, wires her older brothers Mycroft and Sherlock for help.

Unfortunately, when the brothers arrive, their anger at Enola's lack of schooling in the social niceties of Victorian England far outweigh any concern for their missing mother. Enola, whom the brothers have not seen for ten years, has been allowed to run wild. Riding her bicycle around the village, showing her ankles, and obviously not wearing a corset; she is a disgrace to the Holmes family name and must be made into a lady without further delay.

Enola, however, has other ideas. The ladies of Victorian England have no rights, no voice, and are expected to dress in nightmarishly uncomfortable clothing. Following clues her mother has left for her, and using the same talent for reasoning, deduction, and disguises as her brother Sherlock; Enola plans her escape.

Both The Case of the Missing Marquess and its sequel The Case of the Left-Handed Lady will have you cheering for its intelligent and resourceful heroine; Enola Holmes. The author's use of coded-messages and clues combined with the heroine's refusal to conform to the outrageous strictures placed upon girls and women of the Victorian era will keep teens 6th grade and up mesmerized. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Springer, Nancy. The Case of the Missing Marquess. New York: Philomel Books, 2006.

Springer, Nancy. The Case of the Left-Handed Lady. New York: Philomel Books, 2007.

bookshelves of doom blog review

I chose to review this blog of the Canadian Library Association's list of the best young adult novels of 2007 because I thought it would be interesting to keep track of what Canadian teens are reading - and the name is cool. The blog includes a forum for teens to discuss the books.

The list includes:

Alison Acheson - Mud Girl (Coteau)
William Bell - The Blue Helmet (Doubleday)
Hadley Dyer - Johnny Kellock Died Today (HarperCollins)
Beth Goobie - Hello, Groin (Orca)
Maureen Hull - The View from a Kite (Vagrant Press)
Carrie Mac - Droughtlanders (Penguin)
Richard Scarsbrook - Featherless Bipeds (Thistledown)
Arthur Slade - Megiddo’s Shadow (HarperCollins)
Kathy Stinson - 101 Ways to Dance (Second Story Press)
Teresa Toten - Me and the Blondes (Penguin)

Here is a plot description of Featherless Bipeds and information about the author Richard Scarsbrook:

"Dak Sifter is playing drums in a great rock and roll band, impressing the girls, and generally having a blast. But then again, this is Dak Sifter; readers who know him understand that his life doesn’t run that smoothly. The second novel in the Dak Sifter Series, Featherless Bipeds finds Dak firmly centred in the minefield of youth with the temptations, seductions, and subterfuge that rock and roll, young love, and university life are sure to provide. While Featherless Bipeds is a novel about rock and roll musicians, love, poignant social politics, and the emerging value systems in youth culture, it’s also about Dak Sifter. Dak’s adventures still don’t make him the person he wants to be, and being a rock star will not change his relentless pursuit of Zoe Perry’s love.

Richard Scarsbrook is a Toronto writer, teacher, and drummer. His fiction and poetry have been published in literary magazines, anthologies, and journals. He has won the 2002 Lawrence House Centre for the Arts Short Story Competition, the 2001 New Orphic Short Story Competition, the 2001 Scarborough Arts Council Poetry Competition, the 1998 Hinterland Award for Prose, and the 1997 Cranberry Tree Press Poetry Chapbook Competition."

I am not familiar with any of the books or the authors. It would be interesting to know if anyone else knows about these books.

The link is:

http://bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com/bookshelves_of_doom/2007/03/canadian_librar.html

Boneville.com Blog Review

Boneville.com is a blog for graphic novels and comics by Bone author Jeff Smith. He does of course hawk his merchandise, but he also provides information about graphic novels as literature. He includes a link to a guide for teachers and school librarians on using graphic novels in the classroom.

Many school and public librarians still consider graphic novels mere fluff and not worthy of being included in a serious library collection. Using the popularity of the Bone series of graphic novels and blogging Smith presents graphic novels as a legitimate form of literature; and anyone who has read even one of the Bone books will agree with him.

Besides the blog Smith includes a view of his studio, a discussion board, a forum for contacting the author and most impressive; the story of how, back in 1991, Jeff Smith started his own publishing house because no existing publishers would touch the story about the three Casper-like cousins and their adventures, especially in its comic book format. He succeeded because of the burgeoning power of the internet. "Grass roots support for Bone started on the Internet. It was one of the first comics to benefit from the new network of comics web chat rooms that were springing up all over the globe. For the first time in history, word-of-mouth could spread around the world at the speed of light." One of Bone's taglines even slipped into everyday computer speak; "Stupid, Stupid Rat Creatures", a phrase used repeatedly to describe the vicious, not-so-smart giant rats that populate Bone's world, was adopted as on-line jargon to refer to inept end-users.

Boneville.com is a great introduction to the world of graphic novels and probably more than you will ever want to know about Jeff Smith.

The link for the blog is:

http://www.boneville.com/