Module 10 - Draw Me a Star

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Book Summary

A young artist is asked to draw a star, so he does. Then the artist is asked by the star to draw a sun. The sun asks for a tree. This pattern continues with each new picture asking for another until a beautiful garden scene is put together, complete with a rainbow. The rainbow asks for a dark night, which eventually leads to a beautiul star in the sky.

Written by Eric Carle

APA Reference of Book

Carle, E. (1992). Draw me a star. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Impressions

Just like Eric Carle's other works, the images are the first thing that readers notice. The tissue paper collage images are hypnotic. The simple shapes are a sharp contrast to the depth and complexity of the tones and patterns. Like the simple shapes, the word choices are also simple. This combines with the sentence structures make this a very readable book for emerging readers. The predictability of the text also adds to the readability. Other than one page, this is a sweet simple story. Those that challenge this book focus on one page of this children's picture book. When the tree asks the artist to draw him a man and a woman, he draws them with no clothes and fairly anatomically correct. As a parent this can be viewed as a problem if the book was not previewed before reading it to your children or if they read it away from you. 

Professional Review

K-Gr 4-- A young boy is told (readers are not sure by whom) to ``Draw me a star.'' The star then requests that the boy draw it a sun; the sun asks for a ``lovely tree,'' and throughout his life the boy/man/artist continues to create images that fill the world with beauty. The moon bids the now-elderly artist to draw another star, and as the story ends, the artist travels ``across the night sky'' hand-in-hand with the star. This book will appeal to readers of all ages; its stunning illustrations, spare text, and simple story line make it a good choice for story hour; but older children will also find it uplifting and meaningful. Especially pleasing is a diagram within the story, accompanied by rhyming instructions on how to draw a star: ``Down/ over/ left/ and right/ draw/ a star/ oh so/ bright.'' An inspired book in every sense of the word.

Larkin, E. (1992). Draw me a star. School Library Journal, 38(10), 80.

Library Uses

In this book Eric Carle draws beautiful stars. He also breaks down the process into eight easy steps to follow. This could be used as a springboard to talk about how complex things, such as the research process, can be broken down into smaller steps to make it manageable. 

Module 10 - Heather has Two Mommies

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Book Summary

Heather is a young girl with two arms, two legs, two hands and two mamas. She is excited to start her new school and meet all her new friends. When asked what her daddy does, it occurs to Heather that she may be the only one there without a daddy. Her teacher changes the focus by having everyone draw their families. Then she tells that all that matters is that the people in their family love each other.

Written by Newman, Lesléa
Original Illustrated by Diana Souza

APA Reference of Book

Newman, L. (1989). Heather has two mommies. Boston, MA.: Alyson Wonderland,

Impressions

This is a sweet book about the importance of love in a family. Newman delicately approaches the often taboo subject, especially in 1989 when the book was published. She maintains a loving tone throughout the book. The watercolor pictures add to the soft gentle message that is presented. The book does not go in depth into the emotions surrounding same sex families, but it touches on the insecurities that children may have in Heather's situation. Although this book is often thought to be controversial, it shares only positive messages. 

Professional Review

PreS-Gr 2— This is a new edition of the now classic picture book, first published in 1989. The story opens with descriptions of Heather playing with toys in the tall grass behind her house. The child has two of many things including arms, legs, feet, and elbows. “Heather has two pets: a ginger-colored cat named Gingersnap and a big black dog named Midnight. Heather also has two mommies: Mama Jane and Mama Kate.” As Heather enters school for the first time she observes that many of the students in her classroom have unique families. To illustrate, Ms. Molly asks the children to draw pictures of their families. Each drawing displays the differences found within each household, yet as Heather’s teacher comments, “The most important thing about a family is that all the people in it love each other.” The author’s text is simple yet powerful in its ability to move readers of all ages. Cornell’s fluid watercolor and gouache illustrations breathe life into this delightful story. Each page is artfully and distinctly rendered to be a visual depiction of the beauty and joy of diversity. VERDICT Readers will be warmed by this glimpse into Heather’s family, whether revisiting the text or experiencing it for the first time.

Moore, C. (2015). Heather has two mommies. School Library Journal, 61(2), 74.

Library Uses

This could be used as part of a banned books display. Other books that would go with this are And Tango Makes Three. It can also be used as a resource for any children with non traditional households. 

Module 9 - Take Me Out of the Bathtub

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Book Summary

Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs puts a new spin on classic children's songs. "I've Been Cleaning Up My Bedroom" parodies "I've Been Working on the Railroad." Fourteen children's song are given a zany rewrite from Katz and Catrow.

Written by Alan Katz
Illustrated by David Catrow

APA Reference of Book

Katz, A. (2001). Take me out of the bathtub and other silly dilly songs. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Impressions

This is an enjoyable book for preschool through elementary school. Young students will enjoy reading poetry to the tune of songs that they know well. Parents may struggle with some of the songs if they are not very familiar with the original tunes. The word choices are creative and will make readers laugh. The hilarious and ultra colorful pictures add to the silliness of the poems. The watercolor, colored pencil and ink illustrations fill each double page spread with varying depth and complexity. Overall a great book. The version containing the audio CD will help many enjoy the book to its fullest.  

Professional Review

Gr 3-5 --This hilarious collection goes straight to the heart of playground humor. What made "On Top of Spaghetti" such an integral part of popular culture is what makes these selections so equally successful. Well-known songs like "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean," and "I've Been Working on the Railroad" become-with a wink, a poke, and nod--"Take Me Out of the Bathtub," "The Yogurt Flies Straight from My Brother," and "I've Been Cleaning Up My Bedroom." Some of these transformations are so clever that kids will want to burst into song immediately. Imagine your next patron singing, "Oh give me a break/'Cause I made a mistake/And my library book's overdue" to the tune of "Home on the Range." The watercolor illustrations are equally entertaining, with exaggerated features and situations giving them a cartoon look. "Go Go Go to Bed" depicts an exhausted mom slumped in a chair with toys and a child literally bouncing off the ceiling above her. There's something here to tickle most funny bones.

Marino, J. (2001). Take me out of the bathtub and other silly dilly songs. School Library Journal, 47(4), 132.

Library Uses

It could be used with older students to create their own silly dilly versions of the songs or a song that they like. Students love watching song parodies on YouTube and they will enjoy creating some of their own.