Under the Persimmon Tree (Novel)

Title: Under the Persimmon Tree

Author: Suzanne Fisher Staples

Published by: Frances Foster Books

Recommendation:

To get the clearest picture of this book first familiarize your self with the glossary.

I personally found Under the Persimmon Tree to be an excellent cultural read. It will open your eyes to a way of life that must be experienced to understand. Najmah, a young Afghan girl whose name means, “star,” suddenly finds herself alone when her family is taken from her by the war. Elaine, whose Islamic name is Nusrat, is also on her own. An American, she waits out the war in Peshawar, Pakistan, teaching refugee children while her Afghan husband runs a clinic in Mazar-i-sharif, Afghanistan. Najmah’s father had always assured her that the stars would take care of her, just as Nusrat’s husband had promised that they would tell Najmah where he was and that he was safe. As the two look to the skies for answers, their fates entwine. Najmah, seeking refuge, begins the perilous journey through the mountains to cross the border into Pakistan. And Nusrat’s school awaits Najmah’s arrival. Together, they both seek their way home.

The overall writing was very descriptive, dramatic and direct. This story is one that will touch your life forever. It helps you to see the happiness in your life and embrace what you have. This book was an exquisite picture into a life full of fear and uncertainty. It is a book I would recommend to middle school students first of all because it is at their reading level, but I would recommend it to everyone with regards to the plot and style of this novel. It was a beautiful, tragic, and touching story from start to finish. It is also an eye-opener for those who do not know what the people of Afghanistan are really like culturally and religiously. This book gives incite to the receiving end of U.S. efforts in the Middle East and reveals the questionable nature of the actions of the U.S. military in that area.

In this book, the U.S. and the Taliban were both threats and it would be valuable for students to see that. The book is fast-paced with very detailed description that does not spare readers from any information. It is a realistic depiction of the state of Afghanistan, the amount of damage that the U.S. inflicts on innocent people, and the general horrors of war and the Taliban. It is educational as well as entertaining. It may lead readers to question what they believe about the war and what they believe should be done in the conflict. With universal themes like the importance of family, faith, and love, everyone can relate to the characters in this story. It is easy to understand and will keep students and people of all ages hooked throughout the story. In my opinion, everyone should read Under the Persimmon Tree. The persimmon tree symbolizes the transition of Najmah from a young child into a young adult. Nusrat (Elaine) is having to transition from a wife of an Afghan doctor to a widow that is in another country and is trying to return to the United States but wants to bring Najmah with her. She doesn't understand what Najmah has left for her, because all of her family is gone. 

Hey, Little Ant

Title: Hey, Little Ant

Author: Phillip M. Hoose, Hannah Hoose, 

Illustrator: Debbie Tilley

Published By: Tricycle Press



"Hey, Little Ant," by Phillip and Hannah Hoose is one of my children's books I used in my Social Studies lesson plan showing respect. However later I found out that this book is based on a real-life experience the author had as he watched his toddler squishing ants one day, this book is as powerful a teaching tool as I've seen come along in a very long time.It is an older book however in this classic book, a Kid threatens to squish the book's hero Ant and a clever dialogue evolves. The ant is allowed to plead its case, so he explains to the boy that he, too, has a special reason for being. Through cleverly rhyming verse, set to musical notes if you'd rather sing it, they are located in the back of the book, the Ant tries to negotiate for its life, reciting the "Golden Rule" to help his case. The beauty of this tale is that it ends with a dilemma: "what do you think that Kid should do?" Leaving it open-ended is a tremendous way to generate dialogue with children. It gives them the opportunity to think the problem through and offer problem-solving solutions; it serves to empower them by giving them a voice. At a time in our society when schools are reluctant to teach values through character education, along comes a little book with a powerful message. As a future educator I will use this book to show students how to deal with the people who are ANTS in their lives - who might bite them with their words or try to poison them with their actions - focusing on characteristics we might need like Awareness, Negotiation, Tolerance and Sensitivity. I give "Hey, Little Ant" as many stars as it can get and more. Don't miss this one; you will NOT be disappointed!

Oh as for the illustrations they are very wonderful. In several sequences, the two page spreads are developed vertically rather than horizontally. Ms.Tilley does this very well to portray the giant kid looming over the ant, and later the imaginary giant ant dominating the kid. Each illustration has a sense of movement and presence that makes them seem to come off the page.

Creaky Old House: A Topsy-Turvy Tale of a Real Fixxer Upper

Title: Creaky Old House: A Topsy-Turvy Tale of a Real Fixer Upper
Author: Linda Ashman
Illustrated By: Michael Chesworth
Published by: Sterling

Who could resist this book with this cover.This book has a pleasantly rhyming text and comically busy illustrations, the story tells of a large family in a dilapidated house and what happens when the doorknob falls off. Several members of the family come up with ideas of how to fix it, without the help of a handyman, which ends up making them decide they just need to design an entirely new house. First-person voice lends an insider feel to what is going on. I love how the illustrator places the ink, watercolor and the pencil illustrations on each page and the use of white space to surround them and to hold the text. Some illustrations have like cutaway views of the house, allowing me to see the location of each family member. Other pages offer a birds-eye view, looking down at a large scene of activities going on. Unlike other books that I have read, every page is busy, with eight people in a large family, plus a dog, a lot of fun is going and some cooperation. The illustrations reflect the words of the text and add more detail. In the end, the baby resolves the doorknob problem, simple and sweet, the family decides to love their house as it is.

Where is Tippy Toes?

Title:Where is Tippy Toes?

Author/Illustrator: Betsy Lewin

Published by: Simon & Schuster Children's 

Where is Tippy Toes is a charming selection for toddlers. The sturdy die-cut pages tell the story of the cat Tippy Toes and where he likes to wander. Cat lovers will relate to Tippy Toes' fondness for sleeping in dresser drawers and his dislike of the garden hose. With one line of text per page, it's not too long - just perfect to hold the attention of even the youngest story listeners. I loved the illustrations! The bold, bright over sized pictures are just perfect for a small audience. The page with Tippy Toes glowing eyes among the fireflies is wonderful. I also like the nighttime scenes they shimmer with the pale yellow moon and the texture of the blue sky that spills over into the blue fence posts and blankets. Lets don't forget about the bright colors represented in the daytime the sunny yellows, oranges and greens. 

This is a natural choice for bedtime and is also effective as a read aloud for any story time group of toddlers. The die-cut, different sized pages make it a bit challenging for group sharing, but it is well worth it. With a great flow, sturdy construction, and joyful illustrations, this is an enthusiastic recommend. This book would be useful for teachers in planning lessons on time or night and day. 

A Day With Dad

 

Title: A Day with Dad
Author:  Bo. R. Holmberg
Illustrated By: Eva Eriksson
Published By: Candlewick Press


A young boy of divorced parents makes the transfer between his mom and his dad at the train station. When his father arrives, they immediately plan their day. As they go from a hot dog stand, to a movie, to a pizza place to the library, the mood is happy. A wonderful portrayal of the love between father and son, this story evinces no sense of abandonment but acknowledges that time together is short. The illustrations, in colored pencil, always shows the father and son as the center of attention in each drawing. Colors are muted, as if in a memory being savored, although Dad's red scarf stands out in many of the drawings. A comforting, reassuring story for children who do not live with their father.

Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears

Title: Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears

Author/Illustrator: Emily Gravett

Published By: Macmillan

A collection of fears could be scary, but this book makes them manageable. Little Mouses states her fears on each page spread, each labeled with the particular phobia portrayed. A wide array of fears, some common (fear of spiders!) and some not so common (a fear of clocks), these come to life through illustrations of Little Mouse and her fearless pencil. A color scheme of shades of tan, with black and white and some occasional splashes of blue and red. After reading about the illustrator, I found out she uses oil-based pencils and water colors for her illustrations. Several pages features foldouts of newspaper, a map, and a postcard. Pages with chewed corners and illustrations of spills continue the theme of a little mouse creating the book as I read. The twist ending makes it all worthwhile. But you will have to read it to find out!  

Thunder-Boomer!

Title: Thunder-Boomer!

Author: Shutta Crum 

Illustrated by: Carol Thompson

Published By: Houghton Mifflin/Clarion Books

In this book the authors took me through a summer storm in the country. A farm family, consisting of parents and two children, feel a change in the weather, see the darkening sky, and run for shelter just before the rain and hail hit. Funny illustrations, in water color, pastels, crayons and collages, capture the excitement and fear of the potentially damaging storm. 
The text, using strong verbs, is just right for a storm story. I like how the author using poetry in her phrases that arouse the senses. As a reader I could almost feel the humid air of the summer day, hear the frenzy of the wind and the rain and the hail. Ah, and the smell of the after rain, reminds me of my grandmothers farm. Sound and bits of dialogue become part of the illustrations, which make it all seem immediate. A good story to use in a discussion about storms or farms. 

The Giving Tree

Title: The Giving Tree
Author / Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Published by: Harper Collins Publishers


The Giving Tree is a beautiful book about a tree who loves a little boy. In the beginning, the love the two share is enough to make them both happy. As the boy grew older, his needs change and the tree gives him everything in order to help him be happy. When the boy is gone and the tree is left with nothing, she is happy or so it seems. Eventually the boy returns and the tree has nothing left to give, but the boy has changed and no longer wants anything from the tree other than the friendship they once shared, and both are happy once again.

I had never read this book until I last week, I can understand the cost of unconditional love and I know why the tree was sad. The fact that this book inspires so much debate is a testament to the power of Shel Silverstein's writing. The pictures are plain and simple lines with no color however have so much depth. They transform There is a lesson in this book and a powerful message. For me, the key point is that in the end, the love the tree had for the boy was proved by his return- older, wiser, and more appreciative. When reading this as a mother I feel that the tree is every mother, and that the sadness felt by the tree is the sadness every mother feels when her child grows up and grows apart. I truly believe that it is every mother's hope that their child will return someday, wanting nothing more than to to sit together in silence and to be happy. Anyone who has ever loved someone enough to let them go will understand the painful choice highlighted in The Giving Tree.

Amazing Grace

 

Title: Amazing Grace
Author:Mary Hoffman
Illustrated By: Caroline Binch
Published By: Dial Books for Young Readers


Amazing Grace is a book is about an extremely imaginative, creative and energetic little Black girl called Grace who is told by her classmates that because she is Black and a girl, she cannot play the role of Peter Pan in her schools production. After going and talking with her very wise grandmother, she goes back to school and wins the lead role in the play – putting on a performance that her classmates all agree is absolutely brilliant. 
This story manages to tackle the issues of self belief, following our dreams and not letting other people’s beliefs and ideas stand in our way in an enjoyable and inspirational manner. The beautifully drawn illustrations really bring the story to life, and allow readers of all ages to engage with the story on an even deeper level. I would definitely use this book in my classroom I feel that this way would  allow them to engage with the subject matter on a wider range of levels. This could also provide a great opportunity to initiate conversations about the ways in which we treat each other  with respect. Everyone has hopes and dreams they want to fulfill and no one should take that away from them.

LOVE THAT DOG (NOVEL)

Title: LOVE THAT DOG
Author: Sharon Creech
Published By: Harper Collins 

Jack doesn’t care much for poetry, writing it or reading it. With a little bit of inspiration of his
teacher, though, he begins to write poems of his own  he writes about a mysterious blue car,
about a lovable dog. Slowly, he realizes that his brain isn’t “empty” and that he can write
poems. After meeting one of his favorite writers, Walter Dean Meyers, Jack writes a
special poem about a painful experience in his life, the death of his dog. By the end of the
book, Jack realizes that writing and reading poetry is not only pleasurable, but that
writing can be a way of dealing with painful memories. Instead of trying to forget those
difficult experiences, he can make something creative out of them.


I have to be honest I really didn't get this until we went over it in class. So I went back and reread this book and this is what I noticed the second time around.I noticed that there are many ways a poet can paint a picture in a reader’s mind with words. They include similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, and more.
Similes, metaphors, and onomatopoeic language: “blue car…speeding by like a comet in the sky” (p. 8)
“dogs…bark, bark barking” (p. 26) (“Bark” is an onomatopoeic word, a word that sounds similar to the action that it describes.)

More onomatopoeic words:
“whisp, meow, swish” (p. 32) “Sometimes when you are trying to think about something it keeps popping back into your head…until your brain feels like a squished pea.” (p. 64)about the spell check inside the computer:“It is like a miracle…a little helper brain” (p. 67)
About Walter Dean Myers’ voice: “low and deep and friendly and warm like it was reaching out and
wrapping us all up in a big squeeze” 
About Myers’ laugh: “like it was coming from way deep down and bubbling up and rolling and tumbling
out into the air” (p. 83) and last but not least “love that dog —like a bird loves to fly” page 86.

Tar Beach

 

Title: Tar Beach
Author: Faith Ringgold
Published By: Crown Publishers

While I was reading this book, I really enjoyed it. I honestly love the artistic and detailed pictures the illustrator chose for this book. I think this book is mainly about a girl who uses her imagination to step away from her tragedies for a while. I believe that that technique should be used by other children, it's a good method to use. You accept that life isn't going so well, yet you don't let that affect you and be optimistic about it, instead. She first begins by lifting herself and flying on top of George Washington Bridge where she grasped the moment and saw her mommy, daddy, and her baby brother all together. This little girl shows the struggles that her family go through, especially how her dad cannot work in the Union, yet she dreams positively and has a dream of her father to become the owner of the Union. Towards the end of the book she has her baby brother flying with her, which I thought to be a great ending because she encouraged her baby brother to know how to handle bad things in life, and live the moment. This is especially true today in this society, we are unemployed and things are not getting better things seem to be getting worse. We have children in our school system that live in motels or even worse are homeless, children that go to bed hungry and don't have clean clothes. This might encourage those children that are struggling with these issues and educate some of the more fortunate students. 

Who Has What?

 

Title: Who Has What?
Author: Robie H. Harris
Illustrated By: Nadine Bernard Westcott
Published By: Candlewick Press


This book really just answers one question - Who has what? And it does that very well.
This is an excellent primer for young children just starting to ask questions about their bodies. However, I feel that it is inappropriate for school or any other setting that the parents aren't there. I personally feel that parents need to take care of this education. As a teacher I would not use this book, however, it is a tasteful, scientifically accurate book for preschoolers about the similarities and differences between girls' and boys' bodies. I appreciate the diversity and acceptance shown through the illustrations, too. A must have for parents.

Walter The Farting Dog

 

Title: Walter the Farting Dog
Author: William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray
Illustrated by: Audrey Colman
Published by: Frog.Ltd


I laughed when I first saw this book because my dog has the worst gas (farts) in the world. They will run you out of the room. Also he likes to sleep at the bottom of our bed until we go to sleep and then he gets into bed with his butt facing my way and his head at the end of the bed. Then he starts, and oh my! You wake up to this awful smell, but I love him anyway and wouldn't trade him for the world.
The pictures are wonderful, although they are printed flat on the page, they look they are floating right off the page, and it's so much fun to notice all the details. This one of the best picture book it has lots of small details that I didn't notice the first time through, but the more I read it  the more I started noticing the picture on the wall, the curtain blowing in Walter's wind and the expressions on the characters' faces. 
I might use this in the class but I would have to think long and hard. I might would even read it to my colleagues to see what they would think first. I definitely  will have it to read to my grand children if I ever have any.

and tango makes three

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Title: and tango makes three

Author: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

Illustrated by: Henry Cole

Published by: Simon& Schuster Books for Young Readers

The watercolors in the pictures are simply amazing they give great detail to the animals as they actually are. Also the angles of the illustrations give the illusion that someone is looking from above.  

The story is simple and talks about different types of families in the beginning. From there it goes into Roy and Silo (the penguins) meeting and falling in penguin love. As time goes on, they watch their penguin friends pairing off and laying eggs. They are unable to lay eggs, so they find a rock and take turns sitting on it in hopes that it will hatch. Eventually, their caretaker, Mr. Gramzay finds them an egg to care for. It hatches and Tango is born (named because it takes two to Tango). Tango, Roy, and Silo go on to live happily ever after.

Honestly, I really enjoyed this book... We live in a world with all types of families: two parents, one parent, grandparents, two moms, two dads, aunts, uncles, etc. This is just the way it is in the world we live in. Whether or not we agree is not for us to say. I will not judge a book by its cover nor will I judge a person for the choices they have made. It makes me sad that we aren't able to be more open-minded about homosexuality and the different kinds of families that exist in today's world. I however do not think that I would use this in my classroom. I would have it as a reference if requested by a parent. Parents need to feel comfortable talking to you and asking for educational tools to teach their children.