Book Review: We Are Water Protectors
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lindstrom, Carole. 2020. We Are Water Protectors.
Ill. by Michaela Goade. Roaring Brook Press. ISBN 978-1250203557.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
A young Indigenous girl learns from her Nokomis
(grandmother) that water is the source of all life, from the womb to the rivers
that sustain the earth. She recalls the warnings of her ancestors about a black
snake that would come to destroy the land. The black snake has now come to
threaten the water, and she must find her courage to join her people in
resisting it. With voices raised and drums and songs, they stand together for
the protection of water and earth. The story in today’s world presents classic themes
about environmental responsibility and Indigenous resilience.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In his work, Lindstrom uses poetic and lyrical writing which
mimics Indigenous storytelling, speaking through simple words to express deep
meaning. The story supports Indigenous people’s sacred relationship with water
while stressing that protecting natural resources matters both to Indigenous
communities and people worldwide. The black snake functions as pollution and
environmental destruction symbolism which specifically points to actual threats
faced by Indigenous lands and water from oil pipelines. Through her
illustrations, Michaela Goade supports the text with stunning watercolor
pictures which cascade across each page to create a waterlike movement. Throughout
the artwork, color choices stand out significantly because they depict both the
natural elements and blue and green water alongside the black snake’s dark
shades. The book shows a battle between destructive forces and hopeful elements.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT
- "This
book will both educate and inspire youth." —School Library
Journal
- "In
this tribute to Native resilience, Indigenous author-and-illustrator team
Lindstrom and Goade invite readers to stand up for environmental justice.
An inspiring call to action for all who care about our interconnected
planet." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
- "Goade’s
watercolor illustrations fill the spreads with streaming ribbons of water,
cosmic backdrops, and lush natural landscapes.... Lindstrom’s spare,
poetic text flows with the “river’s rhythm." Written in response to
the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, famously protested by the
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe―and others―these pages carry grief, but it is
overshadowed by hope in what is an unapologetic call to action."
—Booklist, starred review
5. CONNECTIONS
- Other
books by Carole Lindstrom:
o
The Gift of the Great Buffalo (Preorder,
Kindle Edition)
o
My Powerful Hair: A Picture Book
o
Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior
·
Classroom Activities:
o
Create watercolor paintings inspired by the
book’s themes.
o
Write a pledge about ways to protect water and
the environment.
Book Review: Tomás and the Library Lady
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mora, Pat. 2020. Tomás and the Library Lady. Ill. by
Raúl Colón. Knopf Books for Young Readers. ASIN: B08D8K73ZX.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Tomás, a migrant worker's child, travels from Texas to Iowa
for seasonal work in cornfields. He enjoys his Papa Grande’s stories but can
recite them word for word. He develops a new interest in storytelling and goes
to the library where friendly librarians greet him with water and books. Tomás
becomes completely absorbed in stories, dinosaurs, tigers and deserts dominate
his imagination. When his family must leave at the book's end, the librarian presents
him with his own book which seals his passion for reading.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The characters are realistic, Tomás is a keen learner, Papa
Grande is a wise storyteller, and the librarian is a kind mentor. The setting
contrasts the challenging work in the cornfields with the inviting world of the
library, and the books are shown as a way to experience new things. The underlying
message is that books give power and motivation to Tomás to dream about a
future that is different from migrant work. Spanish used throughout the text by
Mora creates authenticity and Colón’s detailed, earth-toned illustrations
create a comfortable atmosphere in the story. The images of color especially
the one where Tomás is squeezed against the library window are also symbolic of
the theme of craving for knowledge. The migrant families’ culture, depicted as
traveling together and laboring in the fields, gives the story depth, and
transforms it into a powerful celebration of literacy and mentoring.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
- "A
charming, true story about the encounter between the boy who would become
chancellor at the University of California at Riverside and a librarian in
Iowa." —Kirkus Reviews
- "Mora’s
story is based on a true incident in the life of the famous writer Tomás
Rivera, the son of migrant workers who became an education leader and
university president." —Booklist
- "The
earthy, sun-warmed colors, textured with swirling lines, add life to this
biographical fragment and help portray Tomás’s reading adventures in
appealing ways." —School Library Journal
5. CONNECTIONS
- Other
books by Pat Mora:
- Gracias/Thanks
(English and Spanish Edition)
- Dona
Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart
- A
Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas
- Book
Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day (Bilingual Spanish-English)
- A
Birthday Basket for Tía
- Classroom
Activities:
- Discuss
the experiences of migrant families and how books provide comfort.
- Have
students illustrate a scene from a book that transported them to a new
world.
Book Review: Go, Dog. Go!
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Eastman, P. D. 2010. Go, Dog. Go! Random House Books
for Young Readers. ASIN: B00480OHVG.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this classic beginner book, a group of dogs of all sizes,
colors and playfulness are shown to move around throughout the day. From the
time they are at work, or at play, or even driving cars, or simply resting,
they are always on the move. Over the course of a full day and night, all the
dogs make their way to the same place: to a huge dog party at the top of a
tree. With simple text and lively illustrations this book introduces young
readers to movement, colors, opposites and everyday routines.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Go, Dog. Go! has many characters, all of whom are
dogs and can be distinguished as big, colorful, and active. They do things that
are like those that humans do, such as driving, working, playing and even
sleeping so that children can get an idea of how things work. The story is told
with very few words which are easily understandable and exactly what a beginner
reader needs, focusing on repetition and rhythm to support the learning of
basic vocabulary.
Short, simple sentences in Eastman’s books are humorous and helpful
in early literacy development, and his use of them is excellent. The use of
pictures in the text is highly effective and young readers can use the pictures
to help them decode the words. The bright and funny situations in the whole
story make the images more entertaining, for example, the final dog party is
quite amusing.
Go, Dog. Go!
can be easy and fun to read. The book presents basic subjects like colors,
sizes, directions, and daily activities in a very entertaining way. It is a
very lighthearted book which makes sure that young readers can understand and
learn from it while the use of repetition is excellent for building confidence
in early reading.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
- "The
canine cartoons make an elementary text funny and coherent and still one
of the best around." —School Library Journal
5. CONNECTIONS
- Other
Beginner Books by P. D. Eastman:
·
Are You My Mother?
·
The Best Nest
·
A Fish Out of Water
- Classroom
Activities:
- Have
children act out different scenes from the book, mimicking the various
activities the dogs engage in.
- Use
the book to teach concepts such as opposites, colors, and movement
through interactive games.
- Create
an art project where students draw their own dogs and describe what they
are doing.
Book Review: The Duckling Gets a Cookie?!
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Willems, Mo. 2012. The Duckling Gets a Cookie?!
Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN-13: 978-1423151289.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this humorous picture book, The Duckling asks for a cookie
and gets one! Pigeon’s anger rises when he hears this because he has spent so
much time asking for things and not receiving them. Pigeon delivers an
enthusiastic speech about all the things he has asked for with no results: a
puppy and a hot dog party. Pigeon reaches his peak frustration right before The
Duckling decides to offer him the cookie.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book features
fun and relatable characters. Readers who know The Pigeon series will have no
difficulty connecting with it. Pigeon’s extreme emotions such as frustration
and disbelief appear through short dramatic sentences and illustrations that display
his emotional range. The Duckling maintains his calm and polite behavior while
teaching children that kindness and good manners bring better results. Willems uses his minimalist illustration
style with bold lines and large eyes to bring both humor and emotional depth to
the story. Minimal background highlights character movements and their
behavioral interactions. With simple speech bubbles, young readers can easily
follow the story while the cartoonish facial expressions create comedic
effects. Through its humorous
storytelling, the book delivers the meaningful message that politeness and
sharing lead to positive consequences in life.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
- "Fans
will delight at another outing, and the protagonist’s indelible
pigeonality will welcome newcomers to the club." —Booklist
- "A
pleasure to see Willems at the top of his game, and The Pigeon suitably
humbled." —Kirkus Reviews
- "The
Pigeon may not get the Duckling's message about manners and unselfishness,
but young listeners will. And when they demand this book again, they just
might ask politely." —Horn Book
5. CONNECTIONS
- Other
books by Mo Willems:
- Don’t
Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
- The
Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
- Knuffle
Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
- An
Elephant & Piggie Biggie!
- Classroom
Activities:
- Discuss
polite vs. impolite ways to ask for things and role-play different
scenarios.
- Have
students create their own “Pigeon story” using speech bubbles and
expressive illustrations.
- Compare
The Duckling Gets a Cookie?! with other Pigeon books to
explore recurring themes and character traits.
No comments:
Post a Comment