It’s Okay to Be Different (2001) by Todd Parr is a wonderful picture book for young children, starting at age 3. The book is colorful, fun, and easy to read and it showcases all of the things that make people different. The best part about the book is that it talks about these differences in a ‘no big deal’ sort of way. For example, Parr writes, “it’s okay to be missing a tooth (or two or three)”. “It’s okay to be a different color”. He uses colorful pictures to illustrate his point as well. The picture that corresponds with the different color idea is a drawing of two zebras, one that is black and white and the other one is multi-colored.
Another difference Parr writes about is “It’s okay to have wheels. It’s okay to wear glasses”. By showing that someone in a wheelchair is no different then someone who wears glasses is hopefully allowing children to grow up without any prejudgments of people who are “different”. This book shows kids that it’s okay to have differences and that everyone is different.
Parr also writes about different types of families, saying no to bad things, coming from a different place, being embarrassed, and silly things like helping squirrels collect nuts and eating macaroni in the bathtub. I think this book is a wonderful way to begin introducing young children to different types of people and families and allowing them to realize that everyone is different and that is a good thing.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Yellow Star
Yellow Star (2006) by Jennifer Roy is a chapter book for young adults told through the voice of a 4 1/2 year old girl named Syvia who lived in the Lodz Ghetto in Poland during the Holocaust. The story continues until Syvia is 10 years old when the ghetto is liberated with only 800 survivors. This book not only teaches about history, the Holocaust, and World War II, but it also is a story of survival and hope.
The best part of this book, I think, is the fact that the entire book is written in free verse. It is almost lyrical when you read it, like a song. For me, reading a book written in a style like this allowed my imagination to really take over. The flow was beautiful, even when the story was heart-breaking. The chapters of the book also mature with Syvia. As she gets older, you can tell because the writing changes with her. I believe that this book would be incredibly relatable for all children because it is written in the words of a child. Also, exposing students to this type of free verse poetry would also be beneficial.
The best part of this book, I think, is the fact that the entire book is written in free verse. It is almost lyrical when you read it, like a song. For me, reading a book written in a style like this allowed my imagination to really take over. The flow was beautiful, even when the story was heart-breaking. The chapters of the book also mature with Syvia. As she gets older, you can tell because the writing changes with her. I believe that this book would be incredibly relatable for all children because it is written in the words of a child. Also, exposing students to this type of free verse poetry would also be beneficial.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
If the World Were a Village
If the World Were a Village-A Book About the World's People is a great advanced picture book by David J. Smith with illustrations by Shelagh Armstrong. This book takes a look at our global community and breaks it down so it is easier to understand. Smith breaks the world down into one village consisting of 100 villagers. He then explores what nationalities are represented, what languages are spoken, what ages are here, and what religions, if any, are practiced Next, he explains how food, air, water, schooling, money, and electricity are unfairly distributed. He explains that if we shared all the food equally, then there would be enough for everyone. But, we don't share the food equally or the money or the housing, or the schooling and therefore, some people in the village do not have enough to eat or do not have a school to go to.
I believe this book is extremely important for children to read because learning about our world and the problems in it needs to start at a young age. Kids need to be aware of poverty. Smith says that this book is about "world-mindedness" which is an attitude, an approach to life. By allowing the whole world to be condensed into a village of 100 people, children will understand that everyone in the village is a neighbor, a friend and therefore we need to treat the people of our world with the same respect. Hopefully, it will inspire children to help out, make a difference in the world.
This book would also be a great way to talk about geography including different languages, capitals, countries' borders and so on. The illustrations are very effective as well. It uses a cartoon like picture to represent the different areas that are being covered.
I believe this book is extremely important for children to read because learning about our world and the problems in it needs to start at a young age. Kids need to be aware of poverty. Smith says that this book is about "world-mindedness" which is an attitude, an approach to life. By allowing the whole world to be condensed into a village of 100 people, children will understand that everyone in the village is a neighbor, a friend and therefore we need to treat the people of our world with the same respect. Hopefully, it will inspire children to help out, make a difference in the world.
This book would also be a great way to talk about geography including different languages, capitals, countries' borders and so on. The illustrations are very effective as well. It uses a cartoon like picture to represent the different areas that are being covered.
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