Graphic Novel Text Book Blog #3

Title: Pigling

Author and Illustrator: Dan Jolley and Anne Timmons

Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group

Publication Date: 2009

ISBN Number: 978-1580138253

Amanda’s Rating: 5/5

Brief Summary: Pigling is a Cinderella story that is a Korean version of the tale.  The story matches the classic Cinderella story except that the friendly forest creatures help the main character, Pear Blossom.

Evaluation Statement: Pigling is a graphic novel with wonderful illustrations.  The author did specific research to remain culturally accurate.  The story will easily keep a child wondering if Pear Blossom will get a happy ending.  The illustrations and words are balanced well.  Certain words may be difficult for a younger child to read and there are a few Korean words included.  However, the author includes a glossary and pronunciation guide at the back of the book to help with the difficult words.  Further reading and websites are included for children or teachers that want to read more about different Cinderellas.  Also, the book is separated into chapters which may add to a reader’s confidence that they can read a chapter book.  

Graphic Novel Text Book Blog #2

Title: The Little Prince Book 2- The Planet of the Firebird

Author and Illustrator: Julien Magnat

Publisher: Graphic Universe

Publication Date: 2012

ISBN Number: 978-0822594239

Amanda’s Rating: 4.7/5

Brief Summary: The Little Prince and his fox companion travel to different planets in this series.  Book #2 is an adventure on the Planet of the Firebird where the team must work to figure out why the firebird is destroying the planet.  They soon find out that not everyone is telling the truth.

Evaluation Statement: This graphic novel has great illustrations and a well thought out plot.  The plot had me wondering what the end would bring.  A child’s interest would definitely be kept by this book.  I would say this graphic novel is of a high quality and would be loved by children who read it.  The amount of text on the page is not overwhelming.  The words and illustrations balance each other nicely.  

Graphic Novel Text Book Blog #1

Title: DC Super Friends: Hungry for Power

Author and Illustrator: Sholly Fisch and Dario Brizuela

Publisher: DC Comics

Publication Date: 2012

ISBN Number: 978-1434245410

Amanda’s Rating: 3/5

Brief Summary: In this adventure of the Justice League, the superheroes face off against a robot who has powers just like theirs.  They must work together to defeat this new foe.

Evaluation Statement:  This book is very colorful but its quality reminds me of grocery store books.  The actual story is very short but the book includes puzzles and character bios.  One good surprise was inclusion of a glossary for some tougher words.  This would be a good beginner graphic novel but a child should be reading other, higher quality ones as well.

Poetry Text Book Blog #3

Title: Be Glad Your Nose is On Your Face

Author and Illustrator: Jack Prelutsky

Website:  https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/be-glad-your-nose-your-face

Amanda’s Rating: 4.9/5

Brief Summary: This poem discusses the gratitude the reader should have for their nose being where it is located.  It comically lists different places a nose could be and what problems that would cause.

Evaluation Statement:  I found this poem very funny.  I could see this poem being a favorite for a child because of its humor and silliness.  The poem’s rhythm and rhyming make it fun to read and would be a great poem to read in school to get children interested in poetry.  

Poetry Text Book Blog #2

Title: Two Little Kittens

Author and Illustrator: Anonymous

Website: http://www.storyit.com/Classics/JustPoems/twokittens.htm

Amanda’s Rating: 4/5

Brief Summary: Two Little Kittens is a cute, short poem about two kittens that fight during a thunderstorm.  After becoming tired, they realize it’s better to sleep than fight. 

Evaluation Statement: This poem is a nice little story about two fighting kittens who learn that fighting is that fun.  With simple rhymes and imagery, this poem would keep a child’s interest.    

Poetry Text Book Blog #1

Title: Sick

Author and Illustrator: Shel Silverstein

Website: https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/sick

Amanda’s Rating: 4.7/5

Brief Summary: In this poem, a child finds funny excuses for missing school that involve being sick.  However, once the child realizes that it’s Saturday, they are suddenly well enough to go outside and play.

Evaluation Statement:  This poem is super fun and made me laugh out loud a few times.  It includes rhyming and different illnesses that exist.  I feel that a lot of children can relate to wanting to stay home from school occasionally.  

Historical Text Book Blog #3

Title: Show Way

Author and Illustrator: Jacqueline Woodson and Hudson Talbott

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: 2005

ISBN Number: 978-0399237492

Amanda’s Rating: 4.5/5

Brief Summary: This picture book revolves around the family history of the author from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement to the present day.  It follows the women in the family as they learned to make quilts to leave messages for those escaping slavery.  As generations pass the women are not forced to only communicate through oral storytelling and quilts but through reading and writing. 

Evaluation Statement: This is a creative story about overcoming obstacles and the importance of family.  Each mother cared for her daughter very much and instilled in her love, hope, and quilt making.  The mothers fought for a better future for the next generation.  The images are wonderful as quilts are woven onto each page.  With the writing style and word placement there were moments where it is easy to become confused as to which generation the author is talking about.  It is an inspiring tale that would be a great tool in teaching about American history and the people that lived through it.