Barb's Reads for Children Lit

BIBLIOGRAPHY Sidman, J. (2007). This is just to say : poems of apology and forgiveness. Illus. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 9780618616800 PLOT SUMMARY In this unique poetry book, Joyce Sidman writes about a sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Merz, and how she decides to have her students write apology poems and in turn, have their responders write a poem back in response to those apologies. This book is divided into parts, first part are the apology poems and second part are the responses in forgiveness poems.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS Joyce Sidman writes about a sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Merz, and how she has her students write poems of apologies and gets the respondents to write a poem back to them. Mrs. Merz collects all of her students' apology poems and forgiveness poems and cleverly places them together in the poetry book. This unique book is cleverly written with a lot of honest clarity. This book will surely make you laugh and cry. Pamela Zagarenski’s illust...

 BIBLIOGRAPHY   Wilson, K. (2022). The Most dazzling girl in Berlin . HarperCollins.  ISBN 9780358448907 PLOT SUMMARY In this novel verse, Kip Wilson writes about an 18 year old orphan named Hilde. The story takes place in Berlin where World War II is about to start. Hilde is finally allowed to leave her orphanage to start her own life. Hilde, having nothing to her name, struggles as she tries to find food, work and a home. Just when she was about to give up, she finds a glimmer of hope at a gay cabaret club called Cafe Lila. There she makes a friend that welcomes her and takes her in, but meanwhile the future of Berlin is at stake. CRITICAL ANALYSIS In this brilliant novel verse written by Kip Wilson, writes about an 18 year old orphan named Hilde. The story takes place in Berlin where World War II is about to start. She is finally released from the orphanage. Hilde is shy and desperately looking for food, work and shelter. The brilliantly written verses makes you feel a...

  BIBLIOGRAPHY Singer, M. (2019). I’m the big one now! : poems about growing up . Illus. by Jana Christy. Honesdale,           Pennsylvania: Wordsong. ISBN 9781629791692 PLOT SUMMARY In this poetry book, Marilyn Singer writes poems based on important children’s milestones in life. Some of the poems are about: first time riding a bike, snapping your fingers, counting money, first visit to the ocean, tying my shoes, and holding my new brother, to name a few. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Marilyn Singer writes poems about important children’s milestones in their life. In this lovely book, Singer writes about growing up and how exciting it was to ride your bike for the first time, cooking for mom for the first time, first big-kid party, and holding her little brother for the first time, to name a few. This lovely book describes all the accomplishments that a child goes through in their life. Jana Christy’s illustrations are beautifully made with characters with differ...

  BIBLIOGRAPHY Frost, H. (2009). Crossing Stones . Frances Foster Books. ISBN 9780374316532 PLOT SUMMARY In this poetry book, Helen Frost writes about eighteen year old Muriel Jorgensen that lives on one side of the Crabapple Creek with her family. On the other side of that creek, lives their neighbors and family’s closest friends, the Normans. Both families are coming to terms with the realization of a world war happening and the enlisting of one of Norman's eighteen year old sons, Frank. But Muriel is upset about the stereotypical woman’s place in society and finds herself supporting the women’s suffrage movement. In these challenging times, both families look to each other now more than ever for each other’s support.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS In this cleverly written book, Helen Frost writes poems based on each character’s perspectives. Both families, Jengensens and Normans, are coming to terms with the realization of a world war happening and the enlisting of one of Norman's eigh...

  BIBLIOGRAPHY Taback, S. (1997). There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly . Illus. by Simms Taback. Penguin Group. ISBN 0670869392 PLOT SUMMARY In this traditional tale, Simms Taback retells the story of “There was an old lady who swallowed a fly”. The old lady first swallowed a fly, then a spider to eat the fly, then a bird to eat the spider. In this traditional story, Taback recreates the story showing what the old lady’s stomach looks like from the inside. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Simms Taback retells the story of “There was an old lady who swallowed a fly”, in his unique way. The pages show his die cut artwork of what is happening inside of the old lady’s belly. Simms Taback’s illustrations use loud pop colors contrast with black. The contrast between the colors, the old lady’s bloodshot eyes really speaks to you on how crazy this story really is. Taback’s die cuts help you visualize what the animals would actually look like in her belly! You can feel the song, with the font sizes a...

 BIBLIOGRAPHY Scieszka, J. (1996). The true story of the 3 little pigs . Illus. by Lane Smith. New York: Puffin Books, New York N.Y., U.S.A. ISBN 9780140544510 PLOT SUMMARY In this picture book, Jon Scieszka retells the story of the “The three little pigs” from the Big Bad Wolf’s perspective. The wolf explains “the true story”, clarifying that he is not as bad as they say he is. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Jon Scieszka retells the story of the “the three little pigs” from the Big Bad Wolf’s perspective. This hilarious, intelligent story explains “the true story” of what really happened that day. The wolf claims he was misunderstood and it all happened because of a sneeze and sugar.  Lane Smith’s illustrations are brilliant, with mainly brown and black hues making the pages look like old newspaper clippings. The illustrations look dark and adds more mystery to the story. This story is actually one of my family’s favorites. I would highly recommend this story for kindergarten students to ...

BIBLIOGRAPHY Kimmel, E. A. (2009). The three little tamales . Illus. by Valeria Docampo. Marshall Cavendish Children. ISBN 9780761455196 PLOT SUMMARY In this folktale, Eric A. Kimmel retells the popular folktale of “The three little pigs” with a Texas twist. Tia Lupe owns a taqueria, or restaurant, and is known for making the best tortillas and tamales in town. The problem is the three little tamales do not want to be eaten, so they decide to run away. But as the tamales find their own new homes to live in, Senor Lobo (big bad wolf), is onto them and plans to blow their houses down.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS Eric A. Kimmel retells the popular folktale of “The three little pigs” with “The three little tamales”. This clever story tells the story of a tex-mex restaurant where Tia Lupe makes the best tamales in town. The three tamales do not want to be eaten, so they ran away. The tamales find very particular homes for themselves, a sagebrush, cornstalk and a cactus. But the foolish Senor Lob...

BIBLIOGRAPHY Carle, E. (1995). The very lonely firefly . (E. Carle, Illus.). New York: Philomel Books. PLOT SUMMARY In this picture book, Eric Carle writes about a little lonely firefly that is trying to find other fireflies. While the firefly searches, he mistakes other forms of light for fireflies. But that does not discourage the firefly from his quest. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Eric Carle writes a beautiful, colorful story about a small lonely firefly trying to find other fireflies.  Carle’s illustrations are so unique with his vivid, rich, multi-colored,  illustrations. His textured illustrations seem so real, that you can’t help but touch the illustrations yourself. The contrast between the dark colors and the bright colors is so intriguing. Eventually the story ends with the firefly finding other fireflies, with the page actually lighting up. Amazing!  I would recommend this book for all ages to enjoy not only the story but the amazing illustrations. This is sure to please...

  BIBLIOGRAPHY Willems, M. (2010). Let’s say hi to friends who fly! (M. Willems, Illus.). New York: Balzer & Bray. PLOT SUMMARY In this picture book, Mo Willems writes a story about Cat the Cat who wants to meet other animals that can fly. Along the way, she meets different animals, asking them if they can fly. Once these friends find they have something in common, they have an adventure of their own. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Mo Willems writes a simple, direct story about a cat that wants to make friends with other animals that can fly. Along the way of meeting all these animals, the cat realizes that she made many friends and they all share the same hobby, flying. Willems illustrations are unique with the big bright eyed characters and the simplicity of his animations. As you read this book and any books from this series, you can feel the happiness in the story. I would recommend this book for kindergarten aged children. This is a good story to remind children of how fun it is to me...

  BIBLIOGRAPHY Klassen, J. (2014). This is not my hat. (J. Klassen, Illus.) .  Candlewick Press. PLOT SUMMARY In this picture book, Jon Klassen writes about a small fish that stole a small hat from a big fish. The small fish thought he was sneaky enough to do this while the big fish was asleep. But little did he know, the big fish was going to find out of his hiding place and take back what was rightfully his. This is the second book in the trilogy. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Jon Klassen writes a simple story showing how a small overly confident fish steals a small hat from a big fish. The small fish thought he could outsmart a big fish by hiding “where the tall plants grow big and tall and close together”. Klassen’s illustrations use dark black, green, gray colors to show this simple story on how it is wrong to steal things that don’t belong to you. I would recommend this book for preschool aged children and for teaching children on how wrong it is to steal items that don’t belong to ...

 BIBLIOGRAPHY Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are . (M. Sendak, Illus.). Harper Collins Publishers. PLOT SUMMARY In this picture book, Maurice Sendak writes about Max, a mischievous boy that is sent to his room by his mother for his behavior. He then fantasizes of an island where all the wild things are. On this island (in his bedroom), the wild things appoint Max as their king. Max enjoys being king or ruler of the island until he realizes how lonesome it really was.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS Maurice Sendak writes a beautiful, colorful adventure about how mischievous Max is one of the “wild things” being sent to his room. Although Max has an awesome time being “wild” on this island with the other “wild things”, Maurice writes about how sad and lonely it became. With the delicious smell of his dinner waiting for him in his bedroom, Max realizes he must go back home where someone loves him best. Sendak’s illustrations are so uniquely colorful with his distinct black line...