Fantasy Text Book Blog #3

Title: The Boy Who Painted Dragons

Author and Illustrator: Demi

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Book

Publication Date: 2007

ISBN Number: 978-1416924692

Amanda’s Rating: 3.8/5

Brief Summary: The Boy Who Painted Dragons is about a young boy named Ping, who was scared of the heavenly dragon in the sky, but painted them over every surface he could find.  Ping lied to those around him and said he wasn’t scared of dragons.  When the dragons realized this, they sent him on a journey to meet different dragons and wanted him learn pearls of wisdom from them.  Finally his fear of dragons disappeared and he painted them out of joy. 

Evaluation Statement: This book includes beautiful illustrations of dragons that have shiny metallic elements to them.  These images may excite or frighten small children depending on their previous experiences.  This would be a great book for a teacher to use when discussing other cultures.  Children may not know all the words but they will be excited to see all the different dragons.

Fantasy Text Book Blog #2

Title: Once Upon a Dragon

Author and Illustrator: Jean E. Pendziwol and Martine Gourbault

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Publication Date: 2006

ISBN Number: 978-1553377221

Amanda’s Rating: 5/5

Brief Summary: Once Upon a Dragon is a rhyming tale of a boy and his dragon friend as they land inside of dragon’s story book.  The pair wander through the chapters of famous fairytales like Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and Goldilocks.  The boy makes sure to remind his dragon friend about the dangers that can come of strangers until they can finally escape the book.

Evaluation Statement: Once Upon a Dragon is a cute book that promotes stranger danger in clever ways.  The book is fun to read with its colorful pictures and rhyming story.  As the characters walk through the book each chapter is a different fairytale that children are familiar with.  When the friends meet the strangers from the stories, Dragon is tempted to talk to them or believe what they say and the boy keeps reminding him that strangers can be unsafe and to be careful.  The book is must for teachers and parents who want to teach children about stranger danger.  Children will love this fun book.  

Fantasy Text Book Blog #1

Title: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Author and Illustrator: William Steig

Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks

Publication Date: 1969

ISBN Number: 978-1442435605

Amanda’s Rating: 4/5

Brief Summary: One day, Sylvester the donkey found a magic pebble and when scared by a hungry lion, he wished he was a rock.  Because he could no longer hold the pebble, he could not switch himself back and all his friends and family worried where he was.  Luckily, a year later, his parents went on a picnic and placed the pebble back on him and he wished himself back to being a donkey.

Evaluation Statement: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a cute animal fantasy story that teaches children that having a family and being together can be more magical than a wish granting pebble.  Some of the words used are a higher level of vocabulary so a younger child may need help reading this book.  A child’s interest is easily kept by the suspense of the fate of Sylvester.  

Realistic Text Book Blog #3

Title: The Butterfly

Author and Illustrator: Patricia Polacco

Publisher: Philomel Books

Publication Date: 2000

ISBN Number: 978-0142413067

Amanda’s Rating: 4.5/5

Brief Summary: The Butterfly is a story that tells the difficult tale of a little girl in France during the Nazi occupation.  As she tries to come to terms with everything that is going on around her, Monique finds out that her mother is a member of the resistance and that her new friends living in the basement are in danger.  After helping them escape, Monique worries about the safety of her friends, but is comforted by a swarm of butterflies that not only shows her that beauty is still in the world but also that her friend Sevrine must have sent them to let Monique know she’s safe. 

Evaluation Statement: The Butterfly handles the difficult topics of Nazis and the Holocaust very delicately.  The reader’s interest is kept throughout as they need to find out if the family gets caught by the Nazis.  Some readers may find difficulty reading the few French words during the story.  Butterflies are symbols of beauty and peace in such a horrible time.  When the swarm of butterflies comes to Monique at the end, it was such a meaningful moment that it brought tears to my eyes.  Because of the topic, a parent or teacher should read this with a child unless it is appropriate for them to read by themselves.  Every child should read this book at some point because of how well, for children, it tells an important part of history.

Realistic Text Book Blog #2

Title: Clara and Davie

Author and Illustrator: Patricia Polacco

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: 2014

ISBN Number: 978-0545354776

Amanda’s Rating: 4/5

Brief Summary:  Clara and Davie is the true story of a young Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross.  Growing up, Clara had a speech impediment but her super close relationship with her brother Davie helped her to thrive at what her true passion: caring for others.  As different family members and friends got hurt, Clara was the first to help take care of them.

Evaluation Statement: This story is very inspirational to all who read it.  A person can overcome obstacles to excel at what they love to do.  As a nursing student, I found the story of a young Clara Barton, who later became a nurse, very interesting.  For children who have difficult obstacles to overcome, they can read this story and realize that it is possible to do what you love to do.  The amount of words on the pages would require a parent or teacher to help, unless the child is more fluent in reading.  Overall, it is a wonderful story for children.

Realistic Text Book Blog #1

Title: What If…?

Author and Illustrator: Anthony Browne

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: 2013

ISBN Number: 978-0763674199

Amanda’s Rating: 4/5

Brief Summary: What If…? is a story about a little boy named Joe who is scared about going to a friend’s party.  As Joe and his mom walk down the street to find his friend’s house, Joe asks a lot of question about bad things that could happen at the party.  His mom tries to comfort him as she drops him off and is relieved to pick him up later after he had a great time.

Evaluation Statement:  This is a cute story that any child who has been scared about new things can relate to.  The amount of words on the page is not overwhelming and looking into the different, crazy houses in the neighborhood will keep a child interested.  Parents reading with their child can relate to the worried feelings of Joe’s mom.  While Joe is worried about his friend's party the characters and setting are draw in the color blue which may indicate Joe's sadness for having to leave his mom.  Once the party is over, the characters are no longer blue and the friendly colors of yellow and brown are dominant.  Children can be comforted knowing that other kids sometimes feel scared too and that scary, new situations can turn out alright.  

Traditional Text Book Blog #3

Title: Eagle Boy: A Pacific Northwest Tale

Author and Illustrator: Richard Lee Vaughan and Lee Christiansen

Publisher: Sasquatch Books

Publication Date: 2000

ISBN Number: 978-1570615924

Amanda’s Rating: 4.5/5

Brief Summary: Eagle Boy is the tale of a boy named Eagle Boy who is shunned by others for giving his fish to eagles.  When the village moves away in search of food, they abandon him.  Eagles help him by bringing him food so he does not starve and Eagle Boy saves his village by forgiving them and giving them food.

Evaluation Statement: Eagle Boy is a wonderful tale for children to read.  It includes beautiful and colorful illustrations.  The story promotes generosity, kindness to animals, and forgiveness while keeping children interested and entertained.  

Traditional Text Book Blog #2

Title: Hansel and Gretel

Author and Illustrator: Cynthia Rylant and Jen Corace

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Publication Date: 2008

ISBN Number: 978-1423111863

Amanda’s Rating: 4/5

Brief Summary: Hansel and Gretel is the story of two siblings that live in the woods with their father and step-mother who wants to get rid of them.  She takes them into the woods to leave them stranded but Hansel leaves a trail of pebbles and they return.  Their stepmother tries again but this time Hansel leaves breadcrumbs which are eaten by animals.  Lost and scared, they find a house made out of yummy food and get trapped by the witch that lives there.  They must use their intelligence to escape. 

Evaluation Statement: Hensel and Gretel is a fairytale that all children should read.  It promotes using intelligence and problem solving.  The entertaining story will keep a child wondering how the characters will handle each new obstacle.  The book has a good balance of words and illustrations.  

Traditional Text Book Blog #1

Title: Love and Roast Chicken: A Trickster Tale from the Andes Mountains

Author and Illustrator: Barbara Knutson

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books, Inc.

Publication Date: 2004

ISBN Number: 978-1575056579

Amanda’s Rating: 3.5/5

Brief Summary: Love and Roast Chicken is a tale about a clever guinea pig, named Cuy, who tricks his way out of trouble.  The fox and farmer become quite  upset at the guinea pig.  Cuy even convinces the  fox to want to marry the farmer’s daughter.

Evaluation Statement: Love and Roast Chicken is a short tale of a cunning guinea pig that children will find funny.  The story from the Andes Mountains contains some Spanish words which may be difficult for young readers who are unfamiliar with the language.  In the book, Cuy lies and tricks others so parents and teachers should cautiously consider that a child may think tricking people and lying are acceptable after reading this book.  The illustrations are cute and there are an appropriate amount of words on each page.