Week 8: Graphic Story Book

The Magic Rabbit by Annette LeBlanc Cate

Genre: Graphic picture book

When I selected the list of books I wanted to write on for this blog, The Magic Rabbit was not one of them. That is because I didn't know this book existed until yesterday. As I was browsing through the reduced-price kid's section at Cole's (a favorite pass time of mine) I spotted this book. What caught my attention was the word rabbit in the title. As a bunny-mom (yes, you read that right!) I collect all things rabbit, including books. As this book was only $4.99 I immediately bought it without even looking through the pages. As soon as I reached my car I sat inside and read the book. I must have looked absolutely ridiculous as I sat in the driver's seat reading a children's book and laughing hysterically. Because by the end of this book I was in stitches.

First of all, the plot is touching and sweet. It's about a magician, Ray, and his business partner, Bunny. They are best friends and do everything together (including washing dishes). Every Saturday they perform a magic show. Unfortunately, one Saturday Bunny becomes lost in the big city and must navigate his way home to Ray. Eventually he finds a trail of popcorn (Bunny's favorite treat) which leads him back to his friend. The story is cute but what makes this book stand out are the illustrations. They are simply phenomenal. The text was hand-lettered by the author-illustrator in pen and ink and watercolor, and they are DETAILED!! From end page to end page Cate captures every last detail of Ray and Bunny's life which is what makes this book a winner. There are three main aspects to Cate's illustrations which make this book so successful (in my opinion): attention to detail (as mentioned above), use of black and white, and her ability to capture the subtle nuances of a rabbit.

1. The author-illustrator really puts a significant amount of effort into depicting Ray and Bunny's life together in the big city. Their apartment is what you would expect of a bachelor and his pet rabbit: it's tiny, cluttered, and messy but has a comforting and homey feel. Dying houseplants and mis-matched chairs epitomize the bachelor life. You need to devote a lot of time to reading this book. Although the story is short there are so many subtle details that it could really take hours to digest them entirely. For instance, if you look carefully at the drawing of Ray's bedroom you can deduce that he has most likely done a lot of travelling although this is not mentioned in the story. There are posters of foreign countries, a globe on a shelf, and ornaments which look to be different cultures. Another example is when Ray and Bunny are washing dishes. In the kitchen there is a calendar on the wall with pictures of bunnies. Obviously Ray has an affinity for these animals. You can learn so much about his personality by simply examining the illustrations.

2. The entire book is done in black and white with the exception of a few hints of yellow. It is strategically placed as the bright spots in Ray and Bunny's life: on the front end page, it is the light coming from their bedroom window, the stars falling from Ray's wand when he and Bunny are preforming, and the stars which help Bunny find his way home. Cate's choice to draw 99% of the illustrations in black and white suits her style of drawing. The illustrations look like sketches from The New York Times which highlights the big city life central to the story.

3. The final aspect of Cate's illustrations which makes her picture book so successful is her portrayal of Bunny. For anyone who has a rabbit and appreciates the very subtle but significant characteristics which make them unique will acknowledge the great job Cate does at capturing Bunny's personality. Rabbit's are endearing, stubborn, clever and amazing little creatures (see below for my inspiration). Bunny is all of these things. Cate illustrates rabbits' affectionate side as Bunny cuddles with Ray while watching T.V., their fear of other animals as he runs from a dog, their curiosity as he plays with a squirrel in the park, and their love and loyalty for their owners as Bunny searches desperately for Ray. The facial expressions of Bunny and Ray as they find each other are one of the best parts of the story and definitely the funniest. Cate ends the book on a humorous note and I had to include the scene in which Ray and Bunny are reunited. (This is what provoked my laughter.) Sometimes no words are needed:

Although it's hard to see the facial expressions with such small pictures, I think one can understand the hilariousness of the situation. There are several pages such as this where Cate lets the illustrations tell the story as with all graphic picture books. The wordless drawings seem to be the most effective and it forces the reader to closely examine the illustrations.

This is definitely a Top 10 Book in my opinion. It has all the elements of a wonderful graphic picture book: an interesting plot, likable characters, and fantastic illustrations.

Rowan: My Magic Rabbit

Week 7: Traditional Literature

When the Root Children Wake Up by Audrey Wood

Genre: Picture book, folktale

This beautifully illustrated picture book is based on an old German folk tale about Root Children who sleep, below ground, through the winter and wake in time for their Spring Masquerade. Wood's retelling of this timeless story of birth and rebirth could not be expressed so convincingly if it were not for Ned Bittinger's haunting illustrations. His stunning traditional paintings with hints of fantastical elements do not disappoint.

The story line is simple and alluring. Wood uses uncomplicated language but this does not impede the captivating images she creates through the story's wording. Although the illustrations are central to this book, if I covered them and read only the written text I could still enjoy the enchanting story. This line in particular stood out to me: "Deep beneath the ground, the Root Children awaken the bugs and lead them up through tunnels lit by fireflies." This unique image conjures up pictures in my head of cozy tunnels deep underground and insects, single file, marching through them to reach the surface. For a child's wild imagination this story gives them the opportunity to explore the world of children beneath the ground. Children can relate to the Root Children and their love of dressing up in pretty clothing for a party, and their boundless energy which keeps them going day and night through the summer season.

Having looked through many picture books over the course of this semester, it seems that authors who illustrate their own texts often have the best illustrations. Obviously, this makes sense: they know their stories best and have a keen vision of they subtleties they want to express in their work. In the case of this book, however, the author and illustrator are not one in the same. Nevertheless, the paintings by Ned Bittinger seem, to me, like visions plucked from the author's mind and transferred onto paper. (It is interesting to note that upon researching Audrey Wood I discovered that she usually illustrates her own stories. Her decision to leave the Root Children illustrations to someone else indicates that she must have trusted Bittinger's work.) One of my favorite aspects of the illustrations is how Bittinger portrays Mother Earth and the four seasons. Each season has a character: Old Grandfather Winter, Aunt Spring, Cousin Summer, and Uncle Fall. Mother Earth is a beautiful young woman, not the old lady we often see depicted in literature. Bittinger's decision to paint her in this light suits the uncomplicated, blissful atmosphere of the story. Another surprise for me is Cousin Summer. This is whom I imagine as the lovely young woman, however, he is a jovial young man! With a wreath of foliage around his head and a scruffy red beard, Summer laughs and plays with the Root Children, giving this season an unexpected, modern twist.

A final point regarding the physical appearances of the characters is that the Root Children vary in ethnicity. It is not glaringly obvious as the illustrations are soft and unassuming to begin with. But as I examined them carefully I noticed African American children, Asian children, Indian children, and so on. It is a refreshing change for a tradition folk tale.

The technical aspects of the paintings also accurately reflect the mood and images in the story. The book begins with Grandfather Winter surrounded by swirling whites and blues on a barren landscape that is winter. The sweeping snow across the page suggests the endless feeling which often accompanies the season. When the Root Children emerge and it is spring soft greens, tans, blues, and yellows express the newness and rebirth of springtime. In a scene where a Root Child is pulling Aunt Spring from her bed of ferns and lilies, her golden hair flows all around her. These lines of movement make it seem as though she will rise from her bed and off the page. Soon it is summer which introduces reds emphasizing the vibrancy of summer and the Root Children's never ending masquerade. Autumn brings clear blue skies and golden leaves.

Overall I love this book. I love not only the fantastic illustrations (which are nice enough to be framed art on anyone's wall) but also the charming tale of children excited for the warm seasons of spring and summer so they can play. These Root Children could be any child. They could be a rambunctious class of grade 1 students, or the neighborhood kids who play in your yard. That is part of the beauty of this tale: it is timeless and ageless. Both children and adults will enjoy When the Root Children Wake Up.

Week 6: Biography

Anastasia's Album By Hugh Brewster

Genre: Picture book, biography

Winner of the 1996 Silver Birch and Red Cedar Awards

The mystery of Anastasia, daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, is an enthralling and curious subject. Did she really survive the slaughter of her entire family? No one truly knows for certain. This picture book by Hugh Brewster examines her life from birth to (possible) death. It includes facts about her family, her father's rule, and the state of Russia at the time. It is written in such a way that is easy for children to read without being bombarded with information. It also includes many family pictures which bring the mysterious Anastasia to life.

The book is divided into five sections: Babyhood, A Life Apart, Imperial Retreats, The War Years, and Revolution. It is obvious that the author has done an extensive amount of research to remain true to history. As with any good biography he simply tells the facts and does not insert any of his own personal opinions. He paints the picture of a typical young girl. Although she dresses in fine gowns and is the daughter of a tsar, Anastasia feels like any other child. She goes to school, plays with her siblings, draws pictures, rides her bike, and enjoys making her family laugh. She is a very relatable character to any young child. In reading this biography, I gained a sense of compassion for the tsar's children trying to live their lives as normally as possible. The entire family seemed unpretentious and caring, despite the misguided actions of the tsar.

The book reads as a scrapbook. There are pictures, quotes and excerpts from letters randomly inserted on every page. The layout is not formal which is appealing to children (as it is to me). It makes me feel as though I am stepping into Anastasia's life, gaining a unique look at her world through family photographs. This also reaffirms the normal family life she lead.

As the book progresses so begins the downward spiral of her father's rule which eventually results in their exil and death. Despite the unbiased view of the author, it is difficult not to feel anguish for helpless Anastasia and her siblings. Having looked through countless photographs and read snippets of her personal letters, you feel as though you know her and her family. The epilogue which describes the execution would be somewhat disturbing for young children, especially since it shows a picture of the bullet holes in the wall where they were killed.

In the end, the mystery of Anastasia remains. This biography not only educates the reader on historical events but also entices and enthralls with the secrecy surrounding her death, encouraging us to read futher into her life and possible untimely end.

Week 5: Poetry

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost and illustrated by Susan Jeffers
Genre: Poetry



From the time I was a small child I have always loved this timeless poem by Robert Frost. So, when I discovered this beautifully illustrated hard-cover version last year I was very excited to purchase a copy. First of all the poem itself is a classic. It never fails to fill me with a sense of calmness and serenity each time I read it. The technical aspects of this poem are very well done, as with all of Robert Frost's work. The diction he has chosen takes the reader into the pages of the book, creating a mood of stillness and appreciation for the beauty and simplicity of nature. The following line exemplifies this idea: "The only other sound's the sweep of easy wind and downy flake." Each time I read this line I can almost hear and feel Frost himself as he was writing this piece.

Another element which complements Frost's use of diction is imagery. Without viewing the illustrations (although they certainly add to the poem) one can clearly picture the scene Frost is trying to paint. When he describes the woods as "lovely, dark and deep" I feel as though I can almost see and smell the enchanting forest. The power of his words creates a compelling sense of harmony within me.

In addition to Frost's masterful writing, Susan Jeffer's illustrations truly bring this poem to life. She uses a clever and effective technique throughout the book of using shades of grey to illustrate the background and filling in the human or animal elements of the poem with color. This allows the man who is recounting the poem to jump off the page in stark contrast to the nature scenes which blend into the background. I believe this was done purposefully to emphasize Frost's theme of taking the time to acknowledge the simple beauty of our environment. Futhermore, Jeffers also includes subtle animals drawn into the forest scenes which require the reader to stop and study in order to clearly see. This is another way of underscoring society's need to slow down, admire and value what we often do not see around us.


The combination of Robert Frost's elegant writing-style and Susan Jeffer's magificent illustrations produce an enduring text which is a must-have for anyone who appreciates quality literature.

Week 3 & 4: Novels

Mama's Babies by Gary Crew
Genre: Novel, historical fiction

From the very fist sentence in Mama's Babies I was hooked and devoured the book in just a few short hours. Set in rural Australia in the late 1800s, the story revolves around a young girl named Sarah and her horrific discovery regarding her “mother.” This novel by Gary Crew is extremely well-written. He chooses his words carefully using a combination of long and short sentences and is very descriptive of both characters and setting. This story begins as a depressing tale of a nine-year-old who is forced to care for her multiple siblings and deal with a demanding and abusive mother. The future seems bleak for this child and Crew develops the setting accordingly. The deserted barrenness of remote Australia is exaggerated by the placement of Sarah's house near a lonely train station far from the company of community or neighbors. This also serves as foreshadowing for the gruesome habits of Mama who keeps her family out of the potentially noticing eyes of townsfolk.

In addition to setting, another story element which Crew masterfully crafts is character. Sarah is a true heroine with which young girls aged 8-14 will generally relate. She is hardworking, loyal, loving clever and strong. All of these character traits serve her well in her fight to save her family from their cruel and lethal mother. The introduction of Will, a bright young boy who is the sole friend of Sarah's, adds intrigue to the plot as he ultimately saves Sarah and her siblings from the hands of Mama.

Despite the tone of this novel having an unpromising beginning, as the plot progresses the feeling of oppression turns to one of hopefulness. In the scene where Will shows up at Sarah's door with his mother, a social worker, and a police officer the book suddenly takes on a promising energy. Although the children's misery is finally coming to an end, Crew does not produce a trite finish. At the trail where Sarah testifies against Mama for the murder of countless children in her care, our heroine is at odds with herself. Despite holding a strong hate for the mother who caused her such hardship, she still feels a loyalty towards the woman who gave her a home for nine years. Crew's characters are not black and white. Sarah's fidelity towards Mama parallels a more likely reaction if the character was based on reality.

Having been sufficiently intrigued by this novel I was compelled to do some research. To my surprise I discovered that this story is based on truth. Crew took the lives of three women convicted of purchasing babies and then murdering them and created one character: Mama. This novel for me was not only an enthralling read but also taught me about a slice of history I did not know existed. In my opinion, the little-known events that are documented in this book bring light to a subject that should be familiar and not forgotten within the pages of the past.

Evidently, this is a difficult subject to broach in a novel meant for children, however Crew does so in a way that is both appropriate and realistic. Mama's Babies is a book I will add to my growing collection and cherish as a favorite.

Homeless BirdBy Gloria Whelan

Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction

Although Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan is a National Book Award Winner, I found myself to be unsatisfied when I turned the last page. For the purpose of this journal I will focus on setting, characters and plot and I will admit that the first of these elements is constructed quite well. This story takes place in modern-day India, first in a rural village and later in a large city. It follows the struggles on young Koly who has been forced into an arranged marriage at the age of 13. Whelan describes the settings in this novel so well that I truly felt as though I was there. It provided me with vivid images of rural and urban India and helped to validate the storyline and characters. For example, when Whelan first describes the city of Varanasi she is intricate in her details: "In this city of fifteen thousand shrines, each shrine was more splendid than the next, but he was pointing to the great mosque of Aurangzeb, where the city's Muslims worshiped. Its eight towers were like lanterns suspended from the sky." As a reader, I appreciated the details the author has woven into the story as I have never visited India and probably never will. She also does this in such a way that one is not burdened with excessive information and becomes bored.

In addition to the setting, Whelan crafts the well-developed main character, Koly. The readers get to experience the difficult Indian life as a woman first-hand and I think Koly is a true representation of this lifestyle. The entire novel is told from her point of view. This is helpful on one hand as we get to live through her struggles, however it is only Koly's character than has any real development. The additional characters seem stereotypical of many stories: the disapproving mother-in-law, the sometimes caring but often dismissive father-in-law, and the male romantic interest who ultimately sweeps Koly off her feet and saves her from a life of misery. I'm not implying that these people are a detriment to the story, however it would be interesting to see their further development. That being said I understand that this is a novel meant for children and this somewhat limits the length of the book and amount of detail Whelan can include.

My main concern with this novel is the plot. First of all the book develops very slowly and although I personally did not lose interest I did find myself noticing the gradual plot development. It is not until around the 100th page of this 182 page book that real conflict begins. Up until this point, Whelan is simply describing Koly's difficult life with her in-laws. Although this provides the reader with an intimate look into the life of a young woman, the amount of description can be cumbersome and monotonous at times. My second point of contention is with Koly's life choices. She has gone from a timid, uneducated, powerless wife to an independent, learned, and working woman. It is difficult not to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment for Koly who has beaten to odds and removed herself from the typical oppressed life of a young Indian girl. However, this sense of satisfaction for Koly is somewhat deflated when she is asked to marry Raji, her love interest. This means she will have to give up her job and independence in the city and move to the country with him. At first she is hesitant but her apprehension quickly turns to duty towards the man she loves: "At first it was exciting to have a room of our own , but I soon tired of it...my last doubts about the marriage flew from me like a flock of birds starting up from a field to be lost in the distance." Whelan too quickly gives Koly a life of independence then snatches it away. The life she has tried so hard to avoid ends up being the life she chooses for herself. And although Raji is a loving husband, I felt as though Koly was cheated out of something. Try as I might I could not come away from this book without a sense of uneasiness. Is this the message Whelan is trying to convey to her readers? That marriage and duty to family trump self-reliance and liberation? I am not entirely convinced that this is an appropriate theme to relay to young, impressionable readers.

Nonetheless this was an interesting read. I felt I learned quite a lot about Indian culture and the oppression of women which still exists today. For the reasons explained above this is not a book I would include on my top 10 list. I believe that there are better books out there which do not emphasize fairy-tale endings as a means to happiness.

A Brief Comparison of the Two Novels: Mama's Babies & Homeless Bird

Similarities:

- Revolve around the struggle of a young girl to escape her horrible home environment

- Based on true events or plausible situations

- Deplorable mother or mother-in-law

- Male friend who helps the girls deal with their situations

- Well-developed main characters

- Well-developed settings

Differences:

- Different time periods

- Different countries

- Homeless Bird takes much longer to get to the crux of the conflict

- Mama's Babies highlights a theme of perseverance and strength and while Homeless Bird appears to do so the novel ends with the main character choosing traditional marriage over independence

My pick is definitely Mama's Babies by Gary Crew. It has all the characteristics of a good quality children's novel while teaching about a piece of history that is little-known.

Weeks 1&2: Picture Books

The Sparrow's Song by Ian Wallace

Genre: Picture book

This simple yet touching story was written by Canadian author, Ian Wallace. Set in Niagara Falls, Canada, The Sparrow's Song centers around a brother and sister who nurse a motherless baby bird to independence. The story deals with themes of innocence and fragility of life. The book is very well written. Wallace writes simply but his words are laced with the characters' emotions. His lyrical writing style flows off the page and into the readers' hearts. This humble account of the kindness of two children will resonate with young students, particularly since it deals with animals which most children love. In addition, Wallace takes us through the personal growth of the brother who initially kills the bird's mother with a slingshot. Having cared for the bird with his sister, he throws the weapon away at the end of the story. Many children will relate to this situation and appreciate the gentleness which the brother demonstrates towards the helpless bird.

The layout of this book is formal. There is consistent format of black text with white background on the left-hand page with a corresponding illustration on the right. Similarly on the cover the title text is centered at the top of the page using a traditional font. The formality suits the book and the traditional nature of the characters and setting (the early 1900s).

The illustrations in this book tell the story well depicting the beautiful Niagara falls region. Students will probably enjoy the drawings which primarily use soothing blues and greens; they suit the overall feeling of the story. Wallace uses curved lines in scenes of incredible Niagara falls to indicate the rushing movement of the water. He also does so when Katie and her brother release the sparrow into the air. The curved lines of the trees, rocks, and waterfall seem to push the bird higher into the air as he flies toward his newfound freedom. Wallace also created the illustrations himself. Overall, The Sparrow's Song will not appear on my top 10 list, however it is worth noting as a potential piece to include in a primary classroom.

Grandma and the Pirates by Phoebe Gilman

Genre: Picture book

Grandma and the Pirates by American-born author Phoebe Gilman (now living in Canada) centers around a grandmother and her granddaughter who are kidnapped by pirates. This charming tale of a resourceful little girl, Melissa, and her experience with three savage pirates will excite young children. This book was given to me at the age of three and quickly became a favorite. Although it deals with pirates and kidnapping it is not in the least bit frightening and is quite funny at heart. Gilman uses great descriptive language which allows the book to be read in an enthusiasic manner. She even includes a poem about all the food the pirates steal from Grandma. (As a child, I loved this part so much I had memorized the entire poem.) It is easy to find a hero in young Melissa as she quickly adapts to way of life on the pirate ship, tricking the nasty pirates and eventually outwitting them entirely. As I did as a child kids will root for Melissa and Grandma, admiring their clever success at stealing their ship and leaving the pirates stranded on a island all alone. Gilman writes the characters in such a way that it is not hard to invest in them, despite the story being a short picture book. The illustrations (done by Gilman as well) support the story and enhance the reading experience. From the front cover to the very last page the pictures are detailed and quite beautiful. Light blues and greens accompany Grandma and Melissa, while the pages describing the pirates and their plundering are mostly browns and stormy blues. Gilman also captures the facial expressions of each character perfectly which adds to the written text. Overall, Grandma and the Pirates is a great story for young children pre-school to grade 1. I would recommend it to parents and teachers; I have even given it to children as gifts.