It's So Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families by Robie H. Harris and Illustrated by Michael Emberley. This is a book about the human body. The detailed graphics and comic book style make it easy to explain small story lines about the human body. Each chapter is a plethora of information about the birds and the bees. The graphic on the difference between male and female bodies is insightful and eduactional. Chapter 4 depicts the aging process from infancy to becoming elderly.It is so easy to use as a lesson if children have questions about their bodies or the bodies of the opposite sex or even the body of the mommy or the daddy.
Impression about the book:
The book is so well written.It is easy for a child to comprehend what is going to happen to their bodies as they get older.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
I liked this book so much; it is now part of my daughter’s repertoire of books.The graphics and the explanations are so elementary that it almost makes it a school lesson rather than a suppression of the book due to its content.
Suggestions for library use:
Librarians can use this book when a patron is inquiring about sexuality and changes in their body for young children.
Heather Has Two Mommiesby Lesléa Newman illustrated by Diana Souza's is a book about a little girl, Heather, who has two mommies. Jane, Heather’s biological mother, and Kate, her mother’s lesbian partner celebrate nontraditional families. The book describes the process of how the family acquired Heather. The teacher, Molly, encourages the children in her class to draw their family.Soon everyone is sharing and discussing the different types of families.
Impression about the book:
Heather Has Two Mommies was to forward for the typical young readers. I was shocked to read the graphic details of artificial insemination. For a young child, this book seems inappropriate.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
Heather Has Two Mommies is fine up until the part where Mommy Kate’s special doctor puts sperm in her vagina.I do like the used of proper names for the body parts to explain the process, but I am not comfortable with explaining the process to a small child.I liked the way the teacher (Molly) made every child feel special. The pictures were not very appealing, yet the message was too forward for me.
Suggestions for library use:
Librarians can use this book when a patron is inquiring about homosexuality for young children.
And Tango Makes Threeby Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson is a book about two “gay” penguins raise a baby penguin and become a family. And Tango Makes Three explains how both male penguins loved each other and became a family of two.Soon, all the other penguins were laying eggs and they too wanted an egg. They used a rock as an egg but nothing ever hatched. Penguins can only take care of one egg at a time and one female penguin actually laid two. To save the other egg, the zoo keeper replaced the rock with a real egg.Eventually, the egg hatched! They became parents of a baby girl penguin. She joins their family, and Tango Makes Three is born.
Impression about the book:
This book is a non-threatening way was to explain homosexuality to children. I was impressed by how the story unfolded without forcing the subject of homosexuality.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
I enjoyed this lovely book. More so when I discovered that this is actually a true story. This book is recommended for those seeking an inventive way to talk about homosexuality.
Suggestions for library use:
Librarians can use this book when a patron is inquiring about homosexuality for young children.
Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth by Barbara Park is a book that lacks self control. Junie B. gets in trouble for interrupting the teacher. She continually blurts out what she is thinking causing her to get into more trouble.She also threatened to hurt a fellow classmate that he does not like and the teacher has a conference with her.Consequently, she punishes Junie B. and puts her in time out.
Impression about the book:
Students what are acquiring a new language will be confused at the expression Junie B. Jones makes.The sentences the little girl says are inaccurate and her language is filled with the words like stupid, dumb bunny and hate.The story line is funny but because of the inappropriate use of language.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
This book is not recommended to emergent reader due to the inaccuracies in the grammar.These funny readers can help students who have mastered the English language. I do not recommend are these readers for those who are learning to read.
Suggestions for library use:
Although Junie B Jones’s books are quite funny, they can be used as a read aloud rather than a recommendation to an emergent reader.This series is good for children K-6 or upper elementary students.
Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business by Barbara Park is a book about the new present for Junie B. The present ends up being her baby brother. Junie B. is livid and cannot stand her baby brother.When grandma comes to visit, she class the little baby “a cute little monkey.”Junie B get the idea to tell her class that her mother gave birth to a real live monkey.Eager to see the monkey Junie B.’s friends shower her with gift exchanges in order to see the “little monkey.” Finally, the Junie B.’s parents visit the school.There the students see the real monkey for what he is, a beautiful baby! Because of all the attention and accolades, Junie B. is finally proud to have a little brother.
Impression about the book:
Students what are acquiring a new language will be confused at the expression Junie B. Jones makes.The sentences the little girl says are inaccurate and her language is filled with the words like stupid and hate.The story line is funny but because of the inappropriate use of language.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
This book is not recommended to emergent reader due to the inaccuracies in the grammar.These funny readers can help students who have mastered the English language. I do not recommend are these readers for those who are learning to read.
Suggestions for library use:
Although Junie B Jones’s books are quite funny, they can be used as a read aloud rather than a recommendation to an emergent reader.This series is good for children K-6 or upper elementary students.
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park is the first book in the series. Junie B Jones is just about old enough to go to school She seems excited until she finds out that she must ride the “Stupid Smelly Bus.” She pleads with her mother to not let her ride the bus but fails. While on the bus, she soon sees that her nightmares about the bus are true! Junie B. decides to hide in the school so she won’t have to ride the bus finally she is found and all is well.
Impression about the book:
Students what are acquiring a new language will be confused at the expression Junie B. Jones makes.The sentences she says are inaccurate and her language is filled with the words like stupid and hate.The story line is funny but because of the inappropriate use of language.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
This book is not recommended to emergent reader due to the inaccuracies in the grammar.These funny readers can help students who have mastered the English language. I do not recommend are these readers for those who are learning to read.
Suggestions for library use:
Although Junie B Jones’s books are quite funny, they can be used as a read aloud rather than a recommendation to an emergent reader.This series is good for children K-6 or upper elementary students.
American Girls: Meet Addy: An American Girl by Connie Porteris set during the Civil War. Addy is upset because her father and brother have been sold to a new owner.This leaves Addy and her mother alone.Addy escapes with her mother from her plantation home soon after her brother and father are sold leaving their baby sister Esther behind. Addy discovers that her journey is nothing like she had envisioned. Addy and her mother arrive at a safe house and are later transported by abolitionists to a ship. This ship will take them to Philadelphia and finally to freedom. She discovers that freedom is not what she had dreamed up in her mind.
Impression about the book:
This series is good for children 9-12 or upper elementary to middle school students.It allows for children to read about issues that occurred in the past such as what slaves endured when they escaped towards freedom. These books are easy reads and can help build fluency.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
This is a good book to read.I recommend this book as an insight to the life of African Americans during the Civil War.
Suggestions for library use:
These multicultural readers can help students who are learning about the historic events that occurred in America during the 1800’s. Also it can be a good read during Black History Month.
American Girls: The Silent Stranger: A Kaya Mystery by Janet Shaw is about the mysterious woman who is found in the snow.The tribe is preparing for the winter when a woman is spotted in the village. The woman is badly burned and does not speak. Kaya attempts to help the woman but she cannot communicate. The only one the woman seems to trust is Kaya’s dog which she befriends. Kaya worries that she might take her beloved dog, Talto. One day Kaya follows the woman to where her accident occurs. It is then that she realizes that the woman must be on her was.Kaya gives her the beloved dog. Kaya grows up by learning that helping take care for others less fortunate is rewarding.
Impression about the book:
This series is good for children 9-12 or upper elementary to middle school students.It allows for children to read about issues like selflessness and giving. These books are easy reads and can help build fluency.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
This book shows selfless acts of giving and empathy towards those who suffer.
Suggestions for library use:
These multicultural readers can help students who are learning about the historic events that occurred in America when Native Americans clamed the land.
American Girls; Changes for Josefina: A Winter Story by Valerie Tripp and Susan McAliley, illustrated by Jean-Paul Tibbles is the sixth story in the series. Josefina Montoya celebrate El Dia de los Reyes on January 6th. They prepare beautiful festivities for their friends and family. The day after the glorious celebration Tia Dolores, Josefina’s aunt announces that she will leave the family.Tia Dolores is in love with Josefina’s father but cannot tell the family out of respect for Josefina’s mother. Josefina tries to convince her aunt Dolores to stay with the family by remembering the life of Josefina’s mother with no success.This makes Tia Dolores feel worse for her feelings Papa. Josefina in a desperate attempt to keep Tia Dolores in the family encourages Papa to speak with Tia Dolores. Papa speaks to Tia Dolores asking her to marry him. Josefina now has to accept her Tia Dolores as her mother. Which she gladly does accept her as her new mother.
Impression about the book:
This series is good for children 9-12 or upper elementary to middle school students.This is a good story for readers inquiring the lives of the Hispanic community. It gives insight as to the extended family members in their household. It allows for children to read about issues that are important like the acceptance of a new mother. These books are easy reads and can help build fluency.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
This is a good book to read.I recommend this book as an insight to the life of Hispanic Americans in the 1800’s.
Suggestions for library use:
These multicultural readers can help students who are learning about the historic events that occurred in America.Also, it can be a good read for those wanting to read about Hispanic Heritage in the celebratory months.
Plot Summary: Babysitter's Club 16;Jessi's Secret Language by Ann M Martin is about Jessi, whpteaches the whole neighborhoods how to speak in sign language to help Matt. Jessi, a beautiful ballerina is feeling left out because she is the only African American in her class.She joins the Baby-Sitter Club to feel a sense of purpose and there, she gets a new client, Matt, who is deaf. She learns sigh language to communicate with Matt. She also helps anyone learn the language too.Matt is feeling less of an outcast because many people are learning to sign.Jessi gets the idea to perform ballet to a group of Matt’s friends.She invites a translator to translate the storyline of the ballet as she dances. The group appreciates the Art of the ballet in their own special way.
Impression about the book:
The story is touching because it deals with racism. Instead of becoming angry, Jessi empowers herself and others by teaching them tolerance and at the same time acceptance.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
This book for young adults connects well by teaching the young adult a lesson. The topics are something the young adult might be experiencing and therefore connect with the characters from the book. The book is appealing to young adults and teaches them empathy.
Suggestions for library use:
This series is good for children 9-12 years of age.This book can help those feeling outcast by reading about Jessi’s experience. This lower level reader can help students who are acquiring the English language or reading difficulties. This book is an easy reads and can promote fluency.
Plot Summary: Babysitter's Club, 11;Kristy and the Snobs by Ana M Martinhelps deal with indifference.Kristy’s mom marries rich man and Kristy has to get used to her new neighborhood. Kristy becomes homesick. She thinks all the girls in her new neighborhood are all snobs. Kristy misses her old neighborhood and cannot seem to fit in in her new neighborhood. Thinking that she needs to keep busy, she tires to promote her babysitting in her new neighborhood.This way, she can meet new people and maybe begin to fit in. Wrong! A girl in the neighborhood, Sharon Kilbourne, feels threatened and is jealous by Kristy’s Babysitting business and begins to make Kristy’s life miserable by playing pranks on her. At the same time, Kristy’s dog, Louie, is not doing too well. Through the novel, he seems to get worse.He has a bad fall down the stairs and after repeated interventions; the family puts him to sleep. Kristy is devastated and Sharon gives a new puppy to the family.This brings the girls together and decide to work together instead of against each other.
Impression about the book:
The story is somewhat predictable. The characters lack depth. The chapter of going through the illness of a pet and having to put it to sleep was very touching. The storyline was not impressive. The theme was neighborhood rivalry.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
Young adults connect with these kinds of books because they seem to be written about their own lives. The topics are something similar to what they might be experiencing similar instances as the characters of the books. Reading this type of fiction is not always favored by adults.However, book that are appealing to young adults are serving their purpose, to get young adults to read..
Suggestions for library use:
This series is good reluctant readers or for children 9-12 years of age. The lower level reader can help students who are acquiring the English language and those who have reading difficulties.These books are easy reads and can help build fluency
Plot Summary: The Babysitters Club, 8;Boy-Crazy Stacey by Ana M Martin is a hopelessly romantic book. Stacy McGill and Mary Anne Spier are going to help babysit the Pike Family for two weeks.Every year, the family goes to the Jersey shore. At Sea City, New Jersey, Stacy and Mary Anne think that it is going to be fun in the sun when Stacy falls in love with Scott.The cutes lifeguard she has ever seen, Scott. To get Scott’s attention, Stacy hovers over Scott by bringing catering to him like bringing him things to eat and drink. Slowly, Stacy begins to neglect her babysitting duties.Mary Anne ends up doing the work for both of them. This puts a strain in their relationship. Stacey finally begins to realize the error of her way when she is heartbroken. Stacy learns that her love interest, who is much older, is seen kissing another girl. This disappoints Stacey and she soon realizes what a terrible friend and babysitter she has been. Don’t worry, Stacy finds true love with another babysitting boy and love conquers all.
Impression about the book:
The story is very predictable. The characters lack depth. The storyline is not impressive.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
I can see why young adults connect with these kinds of books. The topics are something that intrigues them because they might be experiencing similar instances as the characters of the books. If this book is appealing to young adults and it get them reading, I do not foresee a problem with reading this type of fiction.
Suggestions for library use:
This series is good for children 9-12 years of age.These lower level readers can help students who are acquiring the English language.They are easy reads and can help build fluency.
An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Aston is a picture book about eggs. Aston explains and compares how eggs can be from quiet, to smart, to artistic to noisy! The book is an array of many different shapes, sizes and colors.It begins by explaining that eggs can be of many different shapes from round to pointy and even camouflaged. Eggs can be big and can be held in two hands or tiny as a jelly bean. Eggs can even be artistic. Aston explains the life cycle from the yolk to the albumen to the actual hatching of the egg.
Impression about the book:
The beautifully depicted eggs are so delicately represented that the reader is feasts on the different shapes, sizes and colors. This is a fantastic representation of the egg.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
This is an amazing plethora of eggs. It is an excellent picture book.
Suggestions for library use:
This book can be read as a read aloud to introduce to children the life cycle of an egg.
What if You Met a Pirate? written and illustrated by Jan Adkins vividly depicts the true representation of what it would be like to actually meet a real pirate.The story begins by denouncing the way the movies portray pirates.It sarcastically explains to the reader the ludicrous ways in which a movie pirate would have problems with his attire. Adkins details the reasons behind each piece of garment, weapon and job that a real pirate maintained.
Impression about the book:
The insight on what a real pirate is like is very entertaining.The way in which Adkins manages to educate the reader is somewhat humorous.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
This is a great book. Readers can get insightful information of what pirate life was really like.
Suggestions for library use:
This book is a great read aloud. The details in the illustration are sure to hook the reader.
Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco is about two unlikely characters that interconnect in unusual circumstances. Patricia Polacco sets this book during the Civil War. It begins in a field in Georgia when a 15 year old white soldier, Sheldon Curtis or Say, is coming in and out of consciousness is due to a wound. A passer by, An African American Union soldier, Pinkus Aylee or Pink, finds him and carries him home to his mother, Moe Moe Bay. With the care of MoeMoeBay, Say is slowly nursed back to health. While Say is healing, he discovers that Pink can read. Say confesses that he can’t. He also tells Pink that he is afraid to fight. Pink urges him to go back to the unit to help the others and the cause. Say tells Pink that he once shook the hand of President Abraham Lincoln. Pink immediately wants to touch the hand that touched the president. In the end, MoeMoeBay is killed and the boys are taken.Right before the boys are torn apart, Pink cries out to Say, “Let me touch the hand that touched Mr. Lincoln, Say, just one last time.” Pink is killed and Say survives to tell the story of a solider who saved his life.
Impression about the book:
Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco is one of my favorite picture books.The visual elements of this book exceed the qualities of a high-quality picture book.The uses of lines in Pink and Say are curved. The lines construct the wonderful images of the book. The lines direct the viewer’s eyes from the text to the enjoyment of each illustration. The two-dimensional objects representing the illustrations in Pink and Say are angular shaped, giving the human characters life on the pages. The lines construct appealing sight to the viewer, allowing the viewer to appreciate the shapes on each page. The color used in Pink and Say is considered warm. The value is light in color with a bright saturation capturing the great storyline Patricia Polacco is trying to convey. The texture in Pink and Say is depicted as smooth. The visual elements in Pink and Say well depict the author’s intention. The unification of both text and illustrations complement one another creating this great picture book. The great use of object dominance attracts certain images as a powerful symbol of the book. For example, the illustration depicting the departure at the end of the book is a great example of object dominance.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco is by far one of the most touching picture books on the shelves today. The visual elements uniquely make this picture book an instant classic. The story line is so well thought-out, that it leaves the reader with the sense of hope for the true optimist in the world. The words, “Let me touch the hand that touched Mr. Lincoln, Say, just one last time,” will forever be the most impactful image etched in the minds of the readers.
Suggestions for library use:
Librarians could use this book as a read aloud as an insight of two young adults who are fighting in the Civil War.Also, this book can be a recommendation for those seek a serious, yet easy read. The librarian can show the pictures to have the students to captivate the wonderful storyline.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is a love story between a good looking, wealthy vampire and the all American girl.After her mother remarries Isabella Swan moves to the town of Forks, Washington to give her mother and her new husband some privacy. Back home in Arizona, Bella is the odd ball at school. At Forks, she becomes the most popular girl in school. However, her sights are on Edward Cullen, the cute vampire. Edward seems to be annoyed by the new girl but when the become lab partners in her Biology class, he start to take an interest in Bella. Bella cannot seem to stop thinking about Edward. It turns out that the scent of Bella’s blood drives him crazy and he cannot control himself so he disappears for days at a time.This affect Bella’s self-esteem until one day, Edward confesses that her scent drives him wild. Their friendship/ relationship seems to be growing every time they are together, however Edward continues to disappear. One day on a trip to the beach in near by La Push, Bella is befriended by Jacob Black.He tells her stories about werewolves and vampires. He also warns her about the Cullen’s.This intrigues Bella more to continue her relationship with Edward. Bella searches for vampires on line and discovers that the Cullen’s are vampires living among the community. Bella joins her friends on a shopping trip to Port Angels to shop for prom dresses. Bella goes off on her own and is encountered by a group of guys.They soon after the close in on her and jut then Edward Cullen comes to her rescue. Edward and Bella start a new relationship. One day, Edward takes Bella to a game out in a clearing.It is here that a group of three vampires smell Bella’s scent and challenge the Cullen’s for the girl. Bella is now being hunted down by a group of unfriendly, blood sucking vampires. Bella wanting to escape goes back to Phoenix where she once lived with her mother.She seems not to get through to her mother the whole way back to Phoenix. Laurent, the leader of the unfriendly vampires, tricked her into thinking that her mother was in danger. He sets a trap by using old home videos. Edward comes to Phoenix where Alice sees Bella in a dance studio. Edward has a confrontation and defends the woman he loves by killing Laurent and saving Bella. The Cullen’s take Bella back to Forks where she goes to the prom in a cast.
Impression about the book:
This book portrays a false notion to young adults about real life. The book entails for young adults to have a false sense of reality.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
Science Fiction is not my forte. The story was not to my liking.The unconditional love Bella and Edward carry out, the novel does not portray love realistically.As a teacher I forced myself to read all four novels. This book is recommended with reservation.
Suggestions for library use:
The librarian can read aloud an excerpt and be captivated by Meyer’s writing style.Also, the librarian can promote science fiction by suggesting the Twilight Series.
In Breaking Dawnby Stephenie Meyer, making a decision is not always easy, especially when your own life depends on it.That is was Bella Swan or should I say Bella Cullen must do in fourth and final book of the Twilight Series, Breaking Dawn.This love story between a human and a vampire finally tie the knot and live happily ever after but first…. the honeymoon. After the long awaited and dreadful wedding.Bella Swan becomes Bella Cullen.The picture perfect wedding, with no expense to be spared has the wedding of the century in the little town of Forks, Washington.With reservation, I recommend the final book. The book did promote abstinence by waiting until marriage to be intimate with a partner. As with any book that deals with adult issues, young adults will have in their minds a preconceived notion of what life is all about when it comes to marriage and sex. I give credit to the author for not including the sexy details aside from the torn up pillows, the bruising, the soreness, and the breaking of the bed. It is all left to the imagination.The book consists of three parts Part One is titled “Bella”.This part of the book gives details about the long awaited wedding, the preparations, the fabulous life Bella will living as Mrs. Edward Cullen. The book proceeds with the most romantic honeymoon off the Coast of Brazil on a private Isle named after Esme. At IsleEsme, Bella and Edward consummate the marriage and after weeks of wedded bliss, Bella starts to feel sick. Pregnancy can do that to you. The end of book one leaves a cliffhanger because Edward wants to destroy the baby and Bella asks the help of an unusual allied, Rosalie. This section of the book does promote abstinence and give the sense of hope to those who wait until the wedding night.Is this promoting teenage pregnancy?After all,Bella just graduated from high school.However, how can a vampire procreate with a human? It is not explained.
In book Two, is Jacob Black’s Perspective in the novel.Jacob wants to kill the Cullen’s because he knows that Bella has been turned into a vampire. He is determine to destroy the Cullen’s as soon as he learns they broke the treaty and have killed a human, in this case Bella. To his surprise, Jacob discovers that Bella is alive; and pregnant. This section of the book is too graphic and too gory.Bella with Rosalie’s help has convinced everybody that she is going to have her mutant baby, even if it kills her. Because Jacob must protect Bella, he breaks away from his pack and he starts his new pack, one that protects Bella. The pregnancy and then the birthing process are far too unimaginable with far too many bloody details. Bella is dying and Edward, forced to transform her, finally makes her immortal. Renesmee has been worth it. She is born alive.This part of the book leaves you wondering is Bella actually survived the sacrifice so her son, no, her daughter could live. It makes you wonder if Stephanie Meyers is advocating prolife. Because of the overly graphic birthing details in this part of the book, the book is recommended with reservation.
In Book Three, the final stretch of the book.Bella survives! As a new born, Bella is not the uncontrollable newborn vampire that everyone is expecting. Stephanie Meyers depicted that newborn vampires were so uncontrollable that they must maintain their distance from human blood and that maybe within two years, Bella would be able to control her thirst for blood and come back to civilization.That did not happen. Bella caught on.She was the G.T. of the newborn Vampires. As prefect as she has become, she surpassed and controlled all cravings for human blood and is able to assume life as usual. After Bella returns from sucking up a lion on her first hunting trip, she is outraged that Jacob has imprinted on her new baby, Renesmee.That would explain why Jacob’s love towards Bella was so strong. After things somewhat go back to normal, problems arise as the final climax before the big finale. The rumble between theVolturi and the Cullen’s. Irina exposes the Cullen Clan thinking that they have an immortal child. Having an immortal child is forbidden, as explained in book one in Breaking Dawn, because the infants lack self-control. The Volturi are coming to destroy the child according to Alice. The Cullen’s seek allies to help protect Renesmee.They gather witnesses from all over the world to help protect the child.In the clearing,the Volturi arrive only to learn that Irina made a mistake and no crime was committed.The Volturi kill Irina for her mistake. After, the Volturi still want to kill the child just in caseshe poses a danger. Just then, Alice and Jasper comes into the scene exposing Nahuel,a half human half vampire being that is over 150 years old. He has two sisters as well. Since there was no danger, the Volturi leave sparing the child. Then they lived happily ever after.
Impression about the book:
This book portrays a false notion to young adults about real life. From getting married fresh out of high school, not furthering their education,getting pregnant while still a teenager, the pain of childbirth, wanting to die when things are too unbearable to take and protecting the child at all costs as to forging documents are all the book entails for young adults to have a false sense of reality.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:
Science Fiction is not my forte. The ending was not to my liking.How could the Volturi not know aboutNahuel and his sisters? They has all the powers in the world and had lived hundreds of years and not know that he existed?
Aside from the romance and the unconditional love Bella and Edward carry out, the novel does not portray love realistically.Bella always wins when she is upset, discouraged, or disappointed. Edwards caters to her at every whim. The too perfect notion of a relationship might hinder the true expectations of what a relationship might actually entail. As a teacher I forced myself to read all four novels. This book is recommended with reservation.
Suggestions for library use:
The librarian can read aloud an excerpt and be captivated by Meyer’s writing style.Also, the librarian can promote science fiction by suggesting the Twilight Series.
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg begins with the reason behind the illustrations. Each illustration is correlated with a title and a caption about the illustration and nothing else. The magic and mystery about The Mysteries of Harris Burdick is that the story is told through the reader, not the author.
Impression about the book
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburgis a well orchestrated picture book.The visual elements of this book surpass the qualities of a great picture book.Like all of Chris Van Allsburg books, the lines used in the illustrations are dominantly vertical. This is exemplified in the crown molding and the chair railing on the first two illustrations as well as the majority of the illustrations. The lines direct the viewer’s eyes to take pleasure in the illustration and allow the mind to wander to formulate insight of the illustration. The two-dimensional objects representing the illustrations in The Mysteries of Harris Burdick are appealing to the viewer allowing the viewer to appreciate the shapes on each page. Chris Van Allsburg uses achromatic illustrations by using dark values of hues with saturation of dullness to capture a mysterious mood as the title suggests. In The Mysteries of Harris Burdick the texture is depicted as smooth. The visual elements in The Mysteries of Harris Burdick depict the author’s intention of creating the illustrations to be left up to the viewer’s interpretation.Van Allsburg uses object dominance accurately on the pages to create the mysterious mood throughout the book.
Reviews / Reviews Excerpts
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburgcontains all the visual elements that make this picture book a must have in all classrooms and libraries.The story line is minimal, but the questions and stories the illustrations create in the viewer’s mind far exceed the limitations of the author’s intention. This book, as the title suggests, is mysterious and the illustrations are left up to the viewer’s interpretation.
Suggestions for library use:
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg can be used as story starters as inspiration for writing. This is a true example of how voice can be interpreted in various ways.
