tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90423682712681979872024-03-08T07:27:24.501-08:00literary wanderings...Book and media reviews geared for children and whole families. The Arts and Bay Area Children's Entertainment.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-14966191904565943582012-02-24T11:52:00.000-08:002012-02-24T11:52:57.891-08:00Earth: Our Planet in Space, by Seymour SimonExcellent arial photographs of the planets and our earth's geography. This non-fictional picture book puts the planets and our earth's surfaces into proper perspective in relation to each other. It also gives readers straightforward and interesting explanations of the facts governing what we see in the photos. It's a good launchpad for further scientific reading. Great to read to a younger audience (ages 5-8), too. Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-11839255150136001532012-02-24T11:19:00.001-08:002012-02-24T11:58:35.825-08:00Casey Back at Bat, by Dan GutmanA fun "second chance" story that references by inference the well-known poem "Casey at the Bat: a Ballad of the Republic Sung in the year 1888" first published in 1888 in the San Francisco Examiner. Baseball star Casey's team, Mudville, lost, when he let his ego dictate his critical opportunity at bat, then failed at his last and only attempt to hit the ball.<br />
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This colorful picture book in poetic form chronicles the journey of a high-flying baseball hit by that hard-luck batter, Casey, taking the fans' hopes, dreams, and imagination to the limitless skies of the world, only to come back down to reality, literally, when the ball returns to the park, landing in the hands of a player's glove. Sometimes, there is no skirting past failure, and disappointment is an unchangeable part of the folklore for this character. Doesn't mean it wasn't fun along the way, though!<br />
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Bright illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher capture the imaginations of youngsters aged 4-9. Astute listeners who've been filled in on the history of the original poem won't take long to hone in on the newspaper clippings that appear as background for characters' outfits. Clever ruse to keep them carefully looking at each page, though the settings and situations are humorous and appealing all on their own. Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-85081507950439000802012-02-24T11:13:00.001-08:002012-02-24T12:01:14.593-08:00Goodnight iPad, by Ann Droyd<span id="freeTextreview279333876">Can I give this six stars? I'm partial to satire and parody, and this is terrific! "Goodnight iPad" follows the cadence, rhyme, and illustrated scene sequencing of the original "Goodnight Moon", by Margaret Wise Brown, closely. However, it makes serious fun of our growing addictions to bright, noisy, digital media, and the inherent adult frustration with digital media at bedtime. Look closely at the pictures for lots of fun, cultural references. I wish I knew who really wrote this book - obviously not someone named "Ann Droyd"! This book will hit a home run with parents of school-aged kids today. My kids, aged 5 and 11, thought it was hilarious! A tome for our time!</span>Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-62885486471154309992011-02-28T16:09:00.002-08:002012-02-24T12:03:14.528-08:00When You Reach Me, by Rebecca SteadRebecca Stead's Newbery Medal-winning "When You Reach Me" is a very smart and unique urban novel...a tale that departs in a most dramatic way from it's inspiration: "A Wrinkle in Time", by Madeleine L'Engle. Set in the late 1970's, as opposed to L'Engle's early 1960's, it's a period piece that manages to capture the essence of what it is that makes the "good" in human nature timeless. Recommended for readers aged 9-13.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-21692837179769418732011-02-28T15:53:00.002-08:002012-02-24T12:06:00.885-08:00The Dreamer, by Pam Munoz RyanMunoz Ryan's autobiographical novel "The Dreamer" is remarkable in a magical way - an essay of contemplation and presence, of both the present and the reflective journey of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Christened Neftali, the child Neruda is a collector of objects and simultaeously a collector of identities - physically weak but mindfully strong, he is an abused son, steadfast brother, awe-inspired nephew, hopeful romantic, and idealistic writer. Stuttering, his childhood traumas first intimidate, then strengthen him, and Ryan's poetic prose gracefully portrays the child blossomming into a man who follows his convictions and passions, taking him away from his family, into a new identity and newfound happiness. <br />
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Recommended for sixth grade through early high school; students of poetry would find it especially interesting, too.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-288184265193773162011-02-28T15:52:00.001-08:002012-02-24T12:04:21.180-08:00The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie: A Doll's History and Her Impact on Us, by Tanya Lee StoneWonderful introduction and first few chapters - I loved hearing about Mattel founder Ruth Handler's story! Ruth Handler was amazingly ambitious, especially for her day (she was born in 1916). She married an artist who loved to design everything under the sun, it seems. They were the perfect team - she the all-around perfectionist: new and trendy ideas gal, marketer, salesperson, and practical follow through person (through manufacturing, etc.); he the artist and design guy who could conceptualize a product and make something appealing for it's target audience, whether that was furniture, jewelry, or toys. Ruth and Elliott Handler met as teenagers, and founded their business in their early days of marriage (circa 1939) by finding artistic and useful ways of incorporting the newly-invented product Plexiglass. They had two children, Barbara (1941) and Ken (1944). By building on the new American prosperity and creating demand for toys marketed to children, they had built Mattel into a very successful toy company by 1955, when Ruth took a $500,000 gamble on being the sole toy company advertising sponsor for the new Mickey Mouse Club t.v. show. A Barbie-like doll was long her dream, wanting to make a 3-D version of fashion paper dolls (infinitely more durable) played with by older girls and early teenagers. She made that dream her reality by debuting Barbie, Teenage Fashion Model, in 1959. The rest is history. <br />
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The book documents Barbie's many phases and changes, which was interesting to see. Many people of all ages were interviewed in making this book, and their opinion of the doll seems reflective of what they projected on it - feminist longings and independence were just as prevelant as views in the negative. I'm sure this is exactly why Barbie is such a hot topic of conversation no matter who you talk to, and what year it is!Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-11568230414854009652011-02-28T15:48:00.000-08:002011-03-01T14:27:56.672-08:00The Night Fairy, by Laura Amy SchlitzSaying Flory the Fairy is adventurous is an understatment. Injured, losing her wings, and finding herself even more utterly alone than she was after her parental abandonment (apparently normal for fairies), she enters survival mode. She is quick-thinking and seeks shelter, clothing, and food. With spells and a dagger she fights off a squirrel, spider, racoon and praying mantis. Flory starts out so fiercely independent it prevents her from caring for others' feelings and needs, although she eventually begins to sense what true friendship entails. Throughout most of the book, she seeks companionship as she needs help - not because she wants friendship. Therein lies the interesting character development - she really exhibits the traits you'd expect in a male warrior character, an Indiana Jones type if you will: someone who carries a weapon, is resourceful, adventurous, self-serving, cunning, and not looking for attachments to tie her down. Someone who grows to love her new home so much she'd not seek to settle down with her own kind when given the opportunity (by the bat, at the end of the novel). A character who is also very much a wild female attracted to colorful and fast, handsome hummingbirds - attracted to their speed and flashiness even though they don't even notice her. Hmmmm, maybe I'm reading too much into this. Maybe I really enjoyed the beautiful prose and the illustrations, but saw that, for me, there was dischord between what the beautiful, delicately drawn artwork told me (pixies, sweetness and light, and old-fashioned softness) and what the text instinctively and subconsciously told me (this is a modern-day girl growing into an independent young woman who knows how to fight to survive). However, that IS the beauty of this book: it is a modern-day fairy tale, and will appeal to those adventurous modern girls of today. Perhaps yesterday's fairy tales appealed to the other type of girl, the "sweetness and light" and acquiescent young maiden. "The Night Fairy" was not written for those girls - it was written for today's delicate AND fiercely strong girls. <br />
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Recommended for readers 8-11. It's probably best read aloud to the younger readers.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-89431396393210165062011-01-22T11:27:00.003-08:002011-01-22T11:28:21.853-08:00"One", by Kathryn OtoshiEvery teacher, and every parent, should read this picture book to their children: a simply-told, yet powerfully complex tale about strength in numbers against bullying. Rich in metaphor, using wordplay, color and numbers, it glorifies positive action and character traits, including self-reflection, individuality, mutual admiration, affirmation, humility, and forgiveness. Recommended for children aged 2 - 12.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-59898518349807011892010-08-05T23:09:00.001-07:002010-08-05T23:09:05.241-07:00"No!", by David McPhailAnother wonderful picture book by David McPhail, "No" (2009) is short on words and long on visual story. McPhail's illustrations show us a city in western Europe during WWII, and just how strong one boy's stance against hatred and agression can be. Young picture book readers will understand one message: that standing up for yourself and saying no to bullies brings positive change. Older readers will understand its global message as well.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-23607700305040792412010-08-05T23:08:00.001-07:002010-08-05T23:08:24.742-07:00"The Report Card", by Andrew ClementsClements harks back to his recent success, "No Talking", by having school students whip up another rebellion against the teaching establishment. This one challenges the significance of grades and how they make students feel about themselves, i.e., dumb or smart, depending on the outcome. It also poses questions about the validity of rote memorization and standardized testing. The protagonist, Nora, is an extremely academically gifted child who has managed to hide her gifts until now, and she did so because she wanted to seem normal and on par with everyone else, not elevated to a position of "better and smarter" than everyone else. She finds a confidant in the school's librarian, who helps Nora see that her public challenges and her gifts are important in their philosophy, but are not the right way to address these issues. The librarian suggests that Nora focus on discovering how she can use her talents to make things better when and as she grows up. Nora also finds out that the teachers often feel frustrated with the system as she does, but she realizes that there have to be standards that work as best they can for the whole, diverse population. Once again, Clements on his education soap box - a great little book with thoughts to ponder.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-32852324636100761812010-08-05T22:49:00.001-07:002010-08-05T22:49:37.562-07:00"The Green Glass Sea", by Ellen KlagesEllen Klages' "The Green Glass Sea" captured the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, and won numerous other recommendations and honors. The meaning of the title is not revealed until the last - the fireball of the Los Alamos atomic bomb test, three weeks before Hiroshima, turned seventy-five acres of the desert into glass (a new mineral scientists called Trinitite). Klages stumbled upon the existence of the glass as mere bylines during her Los Alamos book research, and the glass "sea" serves as a final focal point for one of her two main characters, Dewey, to heal her personal emotional turmoil. That turmoil encompasses both her personal tragedy and the mixed blessings of the creation of the bomb, the atomic age - both its destruction and its awe-inspiring wonder - borne of creative, scientific minds and a furvent desire for the better good. <br />
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Alternately told in first person by two young girls, this is a novel which skillfully explains historical, philosophical dilemmas in the context of family and growing friendship. It actively encourages girls to pursue their dreams and talents in the field of science, and to open their minds to creativity. Further, it discourages negative, female teen social cliques and promotes kindness in the face of social pressures. All this, and yet not at all too heady for young readers! A good novel for all teens, especially girls, aged 11-15.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-44708190103152572372010-07-22T00:33:00.000-07:002010-07-22T00:35:36.568-07:00"When I Crossed No-Bob", by Margaret McMullan"When I Crossed No-Bob", by Margaret McMullan, is an extremely compelling read, direct and honest, historical and geographically significant. Set in Raleigh, Mississippi in 1875, it weaves together stories of many people: sympathetic white Anglos; proud Choctow Indians; poor, miscreant white folk involved in the KKK, colored folk finding their way post-emancipation. The protagonist is a poor, uneducated 12 year-old girl, Abby O'Donnell, abandoned by her parents after growing up in No-Bob, the woods adjacent to the township. She is a sensitive and bright child, wanting to do right by people, and as she falls into uncertain and even dangerous situations, she develops into a stronger person, highly resiliant and with a gentile noblility. <br />
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Some of my favorite passages from the book are as follows. "People. They are like lightning sometimes. Unexpected, beautiful, and scary - mostly you can't run away from either one." "Zula is right. Us Anglos are full up with too much noise and too many words. My ears ring with all the words. Children running around, screaming in the streets, women inside whispering whispering, and the men brawling in the Harrison Hotel, singing, shouting, and making more noise. They can't sit quiet. They can't sit still. When do they think? DO they think?" [Concerning Keats' "Ode to a Grecian Urn":] "Now I think I know what that John Keats fellow means about truth. Once the truth is all laid out in front of you and everybody else and the whole world to see, truth good and bad, it IS a sight to behold, and that sight might be where beauty lies sleeping." <br />
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"...No-Bob" is also a book about love - faithful and courageous - and about developing the courage to be true to yourself, while being able to see the value of the greater good in your actions. Highly recommended for ages 10-15 and for adults, too!Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-88534996246543640532010-07-22T00:29:00.000-07:002010-07-22T11:09:51.243-07:00"Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring The Earth To Life", by Molly Bang, Peggy ChisholmAn amazingly complex tale of earth's life cycle (photosynthesis) between plants and humans/animals, told simply and powerfully for young children (early elementary). Great for booktalking because the illustrations catch the eye and the text is straightforward and dynamic. The author's substantial notes at the end of the book give more detail, providing an apology for the over-simplification of photosynthesis, while it acknowledges other ways living things extract, split and exhale periodic elements. These illustrated notes are most appropriate for much older readers (ages 9-12), making this book a good pick for both the younger and the older set.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-25152620782253159982010-07-22T00:26:00.000-07:002010-07-22T00:26:30.197-07:00"Judy Moody Predicts the Future", by Megan McDonaldJudy Moody Predicts the Future" gives us a smart, modern girl's tale immersed in the sixties and seventies culture-hype of fortune telling, Mood Rings, and Magic 8 Balls. It feels right that Judy Moody would want to see the future and be the sole bearer of its message! In her curious way, she embarks on a quest to be the all important one. However, by the end she is capable of a mature understanding about truly reading the emotional signs and clues people give. She also comes to realize that we make our own future. A terrific read for boys and girls aged 7-10.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-81962479724915079552010-07-22T00:24:00.000-07:002010-07-22T00:24:02.304-07:00"Lawn Boy", by Gary PaulsonClever way to insert an introduction to economics into an enjoyable summertime story about a boy and his grandpa's lawnmower. Lots of interesting characters...Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-15882698230035950522010-07-22T00:20:00.001-07:002010-07-22T00:20:47.128-07:00"NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children", by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman"NurtureShock" is compulsory reading for those keenly interested in the inner workings of our brain. Vast new brain research from the past decade, done with MRI scans, shows exactly how and where our brain turns on to function in relation to most things: sleep, speech, visual learning, playing video games, receiving praise, etc. The book analyzes that research, stressing how biological processing is the foremost factor we should consider when trying to understand how children behave and learn. If we better understand how our brain functions in relation to age, sex, and task, then we are in a better position to teach and mentor our children - to guide them down the right path. I especially liked the chapters on speech/language development, the inverse effects of praise and the explanation of the dopamine "reward center", the benefits of constructive arguments, and the quantitative effects of sleep deprivation. Great read for teachers and parents.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-6009442759749873542010-07-22T00:09:00.001-07:002010-07-22T00:10:22.843-07:00"Elephant's Story", by Harriett BlackfordThe simple, warm and fuzzy illustrations add to the charm of this picture book. "Elephant's Story" accomplishes two things: calms and comforts children with its emphasis on a mother's love, a family's protection and care, and shows children that an elephant herd is a close-knit family. The author's end notes teach kids about the elephant's status as an endangered species and give many facts about the three kinds of elephants. The notes (appropriate for ages 6-8) speak to a slightly older audience than the text of the book does (for pre-k through grade 1).Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-31656631722957743472010-07-22T00:08:00.000-07:002010-07-22T00:08:07.445-07:00"Sandy's Circus: A Story About Alexander Calder", by Tanya Lee StoneI love books that talk about a famous person's humble beginnings in a way that kids can understand. Most know Alexander Calder's art to be important in the 20th Century museum context, but how many know that he invented the mobile, and "stabiles" (enormous metal sculptures)? Likewise, that he rose to fame by creating and exhibiting a traveling miniature, metal 3-D circus of working, moving "children's theatre" that was appreciated by both children and adults alike? Great colorful illustrations with movement and detail - perfect for booktalking.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042368271268197987.post-64525515496723050962010-07-21T11:48:00.000-07:002010-07-21T14:11:42.444-07:00Carole King and James Taylor Troubador Reunion Concert - July 19, 2010, Oracle ArenaMonday night, Carole King and James Taylor proved that they've retained their musical charisma! We were treated to bluesy, soulful, playful, heartfelt musical energy! A once in a lifetime experience, seeing these two legendary singer/songwriters live! Their deep friendship was evident, and I really enjoyed the anecdotal banter about how or why a particular song was written, or how, while playing at the Los Angeles Troubadour Club 40 years ago, Taylor suggested that King write her own lyrics and record her own songs. Many times, as an introduction to the next piece, Taylor payed tribute to King's songwriting talent by stating, "Another one of hers". Here is a beautiful example of friendship that inspired one woman and one man to be their heartfelt, personal best - and changed the course of their professional lives and personal success. <br />
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The artists explained that they wanted to make the setting appear as like the Troubador Club, so they designed the closest seats as nightclub tables. Those premium seats raised $1.1 million dollars, split among their publicized charity, as well as Bay Area charities! There was a video screen way above the players, a sort of giant, circular lampshade shape that projected colorful graphics or videos from the past, in keeping with the theme of the songs. Occasionally, vintage photos of all the artists on stage appeared as well. That was a wonderful addition to the live experience! <br />
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Both artists poked fun at the fact it’s been a long time since their early success, stating they met back in 1903! They had several of their original studio recording group all playing together on this tour, and appreciated the fact they were together again. They opened with "Something in the Way She Moves", followed by "You're So Far Away", and the haunting narrative "Machine Gun". Old favorites like "Shower the People" and "Mexico" followed soon after. I loved Taylor's characterization of a few of their songs as "agnostic spirituals" (such as King's "Beautiful" and “Way Over Yonder”, and Taylor's "Country Road")! Taylor explained that “Sweet Baby James” was written from Boston to Carolina as he drove to meet his newborn nephew, James. He rendered "Steamroller" with comical physicality, in a light-hearted and fun manner - recreating his youthful attempts to project Muddy Waters and other blues artists' style. Of course, they played mainly from “Tapestry” and Taylor’s “Greatest Hits”, but their other selections were fantastic! For example, King did a wonderful rendition of her ‘70’s hit “Jasmine”.<br />
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Overwhelming audience enthusiasm to King's "You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman)" and "It's Too Late" showed just how deeply these songs reflect the tapestry of the human experience. King briefly told of her youthful marriage to Goffen and their early songwriting success together. Then she began speaking of 1970, when she recorded “Tapestry”, allowing the audience to feel that nothing in the middle years compared to the experience of making her own, first album. <br />
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King and Taylor sang several moving duets, including King’s songs “Up on a Roof” and “Crying in the Rain” (a hit by the Everly Brothers). They were especially tender with their (slower tempo) rendition of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow". The audience didn't want them to leave at the end of the show, and brought them back for two more songs. Applause continued, and Taylor hailed one more tune together, a sweet, friendship song, about remembering our time together, singing the song once we've left, and "staying as long as you like". At the close, the end of their tour, there were tears in King's eyes as she hugged Taylor. It was an unforgettable evening of music from two very memorable artists.Sherry Nelson Rossohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13591719806885673104noreply@blogger.com0