Monday, February 10, 2025

Module 1 - Picture Book Reviews -5360

 

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.

 

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