LSSL 5360 book review #1- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

Book Review #1- Module 1- Last Stop on Market Street

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Peña, M. D., Robinson, C., & Thomann, R. (2015). Last Stop on Market Street.

New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA).

2.  PLOT SUMMARY
Last Stop on Market Street is a touching book that shares with us a look at the intimate guidance only a grandparent can provide. CJ and his grandma ride the bus every Sunday after church, and on this ride, CJ seems to notice all the things around him that he doesn’t have. Like many of us feel from time to time, CJ is envious of the people around him- why does he have to wait in the rain for the bus, while others have a warm car to keep them dry? Why do the boys on the bus get an ipod, if he doesn’t? How come it’s always so dirty at their bus stop? In each situation, his loving and admirable grandma points out the beauty in every situation and reminds him to be grateful for the simple pleasures life has to offer.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The most moving thing I took from this book is that in every instant, in every situation, outside of the material things that we can get so wrapped up in, there is beauty to behold in those God-given moments.  Matt de la Peña dives right into this story, and we, the readers, are unsure of where he is taking us at first. I love that, in the end, Nana and CJ land at a soup-kitchen helping those who have even less than them. Through her journey, Nana teaches us all that if we embrace each moment with kindness, generosity of spirit, and a grateful heart, it can truly change our outlook on life.

The illustrations in this book are vibrant and really draw the reader into the story, providing a nice visual for each situation that Nana and CJ encounter. I particularly loved when CJ closed his eyes and listened to the music, and the illustrations suddenly changed to a blissful, whimsical scene. It provided the reader with a thorough understanding of how he was feeling in that moment, in stark contrast to the envy he felt moments before. I really enjoyed the bright colors and saturated pages, leaving little blank space. I thought it really fit the mood of the writing and complimented the cultural aspects of the story well.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
*Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal

*A 2016 Caldecott Honor Book

*A 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book

*A #1 New York Times Bestseller

*A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2015

*A Wall Street Journal Best Children's Book of 2015

“Like still waters, de la Peña and Robinson’s story runs deep. It finds beauty in unexpected places, explores the difference between what’s fleeting and what lasts, acknowledges inequality, and testifies to the love shared by an African-American boy and his grandmother.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“That material poverty need not mean spiritual or imaginative poverty becomes beautifully clear in the quietly moving in the pages of Last Stop on Market Street.”–The Wall Street Journal

5. CONNECTIONS

*a great book for crossing cultural barriers- everyone can relate on some level
*would be a great book for Thanksgiving season- teaching us to be thankful
*use this book as an intro, then have kids write a paper on most influential person in their lives. (Nana was obviously very influential in CJ’s life)
*similar book to consider:
 Bridges, Shirin Yim. (2002). Ruby's wish. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

LSSL 5360 Book Review #2- I Really Like Slop by Mo Williems

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, Mo. (2015) I Really Like Slop. New York, NY. Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN: 9781484722626

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

I Really Like Slop is a hilarious children’s book featuring two characters, a piggie and an

elephant. Piggie makes a bowl of slop, and Gerald, the elephant, can’t ignore how

YUCKY this slop is- green ugly color, mushy texture, and even flies drawn to the foul

smell of Piggie’s bowl of slop. Yet, these two unlikely friends have a sweet and unique

friendship, and Gerald can’t help but try the slop, just once, because he likes his friend

Piggie so much.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

I Really Like Slop is very clearly a book about friendship and the sacrifices we make for the people we love- even if it means regretfully trying a taste of slop! For young readers, this book tells a tale of many meanings- friendship, as mentioned, but also of trying new things and being friends with people who are different from us. In a world where young kids are often asked to try things they may be unsure of, I think this book is a positive influence for them as they can reflect on Gerald and his selfless attitude towards his dear friend Piggie. They will likely connect to Gerald as a picky eater, but admire his courageous spirit. Mo Willems’ illustrations absolutely MAKE this book what it is- the words are few and far between, and you can nearly catch the entire tale simply by looking at the pictures and ignoring the text. This aspect makes it a great read for young minds still learning to read, as the pictures are stimulating enough to help you comprehend the story.

 4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“Willems exploits his audience’s familiarity with the beloved characters to deliver a humorous update of Green Eggs and Ham, combining it with a message about not just friendship and trying new things, but cross-cultural understanding.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Drawn with deceptively simple lines and embedded in stories that find depth in utterly commonplace childhood experiences, they are the rare imaginary creatures that have seemed indelible from their first appearances.” –The NY Times

“Young readers will respond lovingly and laughingly to Willems’ much-loved characters because they are so like children themselves. His cartoon illustrations are simple but humorous and full of facial expressions vivid enough to make readers believe that they, too, can smell Piggie’s slop.” –J.B. Petty, Booklist Review

5. CONNECTIONS

There are 25 books in the “Elephant & Piggie” series- all of which are appropriate for engaging the same lessons of friendship, cultural differences, humor, and of course, intriguing illustrations. A few notable books from the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems:

Willems, M. (2007). Today I will fly! New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

(ranked #2 on Time Magazine’s Top 10 Children’s Books of the Year in 2007)

Willems, M. (2009). Elephants cannot dance! New York: Hyperion Books for Children. (ranked #5 on Time Magazine’s Top 10 Children’s Books of the Year in 2009).

LSSL 5360 Book Review #4- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Book Review #4- Module 1- Goodnight Moon

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brown, Margaret Wise, & Hurd, Clement. (1947). Goodnight Moon. New York, NY: Harper & Row, Inc. ISBN: 9780694003617

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Goodnight Moon is a classic bedtime story of a bunny who says goodnight to everything in the room before drifting off to sleep. From the pictures on the wall, to the comb and the brush, the bunny’s bedtime routine involves every object in the room.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS

It is such an interesting thing to look back on some of my favorite books as a child, and now as an adult, I can’t help but laugh at their simplicity. As a child, I remember thinking the illustrations of the room in Goodnight Moon looked so cozy and warm. The primary colors in the book make it simple for young eyes and minds to interpret. We follow the beautiful pictures illustrating everything in the room, and then systematically say goodnight, ending with “goodnight noises everywhere,” alluding to the bunny falling asleep.

I think this book perfectly parallels to a child’s night time routine, lending itself well to parents who want to help their little one’s fall asleep. The rise and fall of this story is simple but comforting for a young child, as often repetition is. The main character, the bunny, also reflects the age of the intended reader.  Goodnight Moon is relatable for young kids; we see human-like qualities in the bunny, an older female bunny watching over him, and everyday items that we all would likely find in our rooms- pictures, combs, brushes, clocks, and socks.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

-Ranked #48 on 100 bestselling children’s book of all time based on recent statistics from Publishers Weekly (2000)

-Ranked #4 among the "Top 100 Picture Books" in a survey published by School Library Journal in 2012

-Sold over 14 million copies, making it one of the best-selling picture books of all time

- A description of the plot (such as it is) courtesy of The Christian Science Monitor: “A little rabbit bids goodnight to each familiar thing in his moonlit room. Rhythmic, gently lulling words combined with warm and equally lulling pictures make this beloved classic an ideal bedtime book.” (Excerpt from School Library Journal)

5. CONNECTIONS*A hypnotic bedtime story that has also been converted to a board book, perfect for the littlest of readers
*Relatable books also among the 100 bestselling children’s books of all time, among others:
Potter, Beatrix. (1902). The Tale of Peter Rabbit. England. Frederick Warne & Co.Seuss, Dr. (1960). Green Eggs and Ham. Random House. New York, NY : Beginner Books.

LSSL 5360 Book Review #3- Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

BOOK REVIEW #3- MODULE #1

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Eastman, P. D. (1960). Are You My Mother? New York, NY: Random House, Inc.
ISBN: 0679890475
-Starred review in CHILDREN’S BOOKS AND REVIEWS: “the picture book’s portrayal of a delightful warm connection between mother and baby bird gently affirms a young reader’s most valuable and primary relationship.”

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Are You My Mother? is a sweet, short story of an innocent baby bird who takes his first adventure into the world, inspired by a quest to find his mother. Once he hatches from his egg, he springs from the safe confines of his nest to the ground below to go find his mother. The encounters that follow are humorous, entertaining, and delightfully innocent as he asks several animals and objects if they are his mother. The end finds mother bird and baby bird in a sweet reunion back at the nest where the story began.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

P.D. Eastman connects a childlike innocence with the child in all of us as this baby bird teaches us courage and makes us all want to follow along as he bravely searches for his mother in a world he has never known. One of the sweetest and most appealing aspects of this book to its audience of young readers is simply that it’s humorous: “How could I be your mother?” said the cow. “I am a cow.”

Eastman also leaves the young reader wondering when and how the bird will find his mother, which keeps us guessing and following along. As a child, I can certainly see how the large Snort machine would be a little scary, and the author keeps us anxious as the sweet baby bird approaches it, determined to find his mother.

Lastly, while the drawings are not particularly detailed or elaborate, I think they lend themselves perfectly to the appropriate age group as their young eyes learn to interpret sizes, shapes, and colors. The simple lines and expressive facial drawings are easy to read and great for young developing minds, while also sending a clear message that matches the story.

Are You My Mother? is a perfect book to share with our youngest readers and a classic that will continue to be shared for generations to come because of its simplicity, innocence, bravery, and sweet ending.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

-Penguin Random House- Scholastic Parent & Child 100 Greatest Books for Kids- winner 2012

-Penguin Random House- TimeOutNewYorkKids.com 50 Best Books for Kids- winner 2012

5. CONNECTIONS-Perfect for young children learning to read; predictable book encourages the kids to join in with reading the “pattern” of “Are you my mother?” repetition

-light hearted humor will bring in a young audience of readers; simple pictures tell a story

-P.D. Eastman was a protégé of Dr. Seuss

-Similar books, also by Eastman, that are relatable to this audience are:

Eastman, P.D. (1961) Go, Dog. Go! New York, NY: Beginner Books. ISBN: 9780394900209

Eastman, P. D. (1968). The best nest. New York, NY: Beginner Books. ISBN: 9780394017235