Book Review - The Twelve Bots of Christmas

Author/Illustrator: Nathan Hale
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Children (October 1, 2010)
Reading Level: 4 to 8 years old
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:
Take one robotic Santa, nine cyber-reindeer pulling his techno-sleigh, and twelve days of Christmas circuitry and wizardry—and this incredible holiday offering is guaranteed to add up to every gear-head's delight!
This unique spin on the familiar song just begs to be read aloud, as it retains the cadence and lyricism of the original. With two turbo doves and three wrench hens leading the way, young readers will be thrilled to join Robo-Santa on his annual round of gift giving. Nathan Hale has created a special delivery for all robot fans.

If you are a fan of The Twelve Days of Christmas and like collecting various versions of the same book, then Nathan Hale's The Twelve Bots of Christmas would be a fun addition to a collection.  The verse follows the traditional song with substitutions such as "Two Turbo-Doves" for "Two Turtle Doves" or "Four Calling Borgs" vs. "Four Calling Birds" which allows for children to sing the song as you would its traditional counterpart. 

The brilliant part of this book for me was the illustrations.  The book opens with Robo-Santa in a space-ship like sled led by eight mechanical reindeer.  Rather than a partridge in a pear tree though there is a"cartridge in a gear tree".  The realistic eyes of the "wrench hens" are designed from screws and the neck/head/beak of the "geese-o-matics" truly conjure up images of geese.  I admire the work and illustrations of Hale.  He uses bright colors, and sharp images that make the imaginative pictures pop on the page.  Readers will pick up new things with each perusal through the book.  And I have feeling that if I was more of a sci-fi fan that there may be some nods to the work of other famous robots.

If there is a robot fan in your life, then this would make a great gift.   

Book Review - My Brother Charlie

In this series of book reviews celebrating National Inclusive Schools Week, today I am focusing on a story that looks at the subject from a sibling's perspective.  

Author: Holly Robinson Peete, Ryan Elizabeth Peete
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Publisher: Scholastic (March 1, 2010)
Reading Level: 4 to 8 years old
Source:  Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Description from GoodReads:
Callie is very proud of her brother Charlie. He’s good at so many things  --  swimming, playing the piano, running fast. And Charlie has a special way with animals, especially their dog, Harriett.

But sometimes Charlie gets very quiet.

His words get locked inside him, and he seems far away.

Then, when Callie and Charlie start to play, Charlie is back to laughing, holding hands, having fun.
Charlie is like any other boy – and he has autism.

In this story, told from a sister’s point of view, we meet a family whose oldest son teaches them important lessons about togetherness, hope, tolerance, and love.   

Holly Robinson Peete, bestselling author, actress, and national autism spokesperson, has paired with her daughter, Ryan, to co-author this uplifting book based on their own personal experiences with Holly’s son and Ryan’s brother, RJ, who has autism.

I had a chance to hear Holly Robinson Peete speak about My Brother Charlie at the SCIBA dinner this past February.  She was so honest and straight-forward and compassionate about the topic of autism and what it was like being a parent of a child with autism.  Also, it was interesting to hear her speak about her daughter's experiences.  


When I finally had a chance to read the story, I was pleased to see that the book reflected that same honest, straight-forward compassion.  Additionally, I loved that it was from a sibling perspective.  In My Brother Charlie, Callie is the twin to Charlie who has autism.  Her voice rings true and when I hit the page that talks about how Charlie doesn't let anything stop him when he wants something - even if it is dangerous, I found myself shaking my head in full understanding.  But when Callie says that sometimes Charlie can ruin a playdate, I wanted to clap and give Callie (Ryan) a hug.  


There needs to be more books and more honest portrayals of what it is like for a sibling of a child with autism.  Sometimes I think they are the forgotten ones in the whole journey called "autism".  This book provides a parent or a teacher a chance to talk in a raw and real manner with a child about both the joys and the pitfalls of being a sibling of a child with special needs.  Over the years, as a teacher of children with autism, I have watched the impact the world of autism has had on the child(ren) without autism in a family.  It is more than time to celebrate the way it can shape siblings into warm, caring, and understanding people.  


The mixed media illustrations by Shane W. Evans are engaging and I loved the facial expressions - particularly the eyes of the characters.  Evans captured the spirit of the book.  


At the end of the book, there is a page with recommendations and suggestions for understanding individuals with autism.  I was particularly in awww of the ideas and thoughts presented by Ryan.  She is certainly one awesome and amazing young person.  Her suggestions about an Autism 101 class for her classmates was spectacular.  


Thank you Holly, and Ryan for finding a way to share about your life with RJ through the relationship of Callie and Charlie.  I am proud to be able to feature this book as part of our Inclusive Schools Week activities.  Continue to share your story so that others may be touched as well.

Book Review - Stand Straight, Ella Kate

 

In this series of book reviews celebrating National Inclusive Schools Week, I am focusing on a story about a slightly different kind of special needs. 

 

Author: Kate Klise
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Children (April 29, 2010)
Reading Level: 3rd to 5th grade
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:

Ella Kate Ewing was born in 1872. She started out small, but she just kept on growing. Soon she was too tall for her desk at school, too tall for her bed at home, too tall to fit anywhere. Ella Kate was a real-life giant, but she refused to hide herself away. Instead, she used her unusual height to achieve her equally large dreams.
The masterful Klise sisters deliver a touching and inspiring true story about a strong-minded girl who finally embraced her differences. It’s the perfect book for every child who has ever felt like an outsider.

Familiar to me for their creative and humorous 43 Old Cemetary Road Series, the talented Klise sisters take on the true story of Ella Kate Ewing.   Imagine living in the late 1800's in Missouri and exhibiting amazing growth?  In Stand Straight, Ella Kate, Klise tells Ewing's story with matter of care and just the right balance of humor.  Ewing began her accelerated growth at age 7 and by the time she was 17 she stood 8 feet tall.  Throughout her childhood, Ella Kate was teased by those around her.  Unable to find clothes that fit properly or to even place her legs under a desk, Ewing coped by attempting to slouch.  Her supportive parents would remind her to "stand straight".  At 17 years of age, Ella Kate was offered a job in the Museum of Chicago.  Despite her parents' concern and her own insecurity about her height, Ella Kate accepted the job.  Her time with the museum taught her that she could use her height to her advantage.  Not only did she become an exceptional business woman which allowed her to help care for her parents, but she was also able to build a home that was designed to fit her.  When she accepts a position in the circus as "The tallest lady on earth", her life veers into an adventure with  experiences that were not typically available to women during that time period.

There were quite a number of things that I really enjoyed about this book.  There is a timelessness to this story that will make it appeal to readers of various ages.  Young children will appreciate the book from the perspective of hearing a well developed story.  Older children can learn from the book how to appreciate individual differences and to face diversity.  Ewing was able to turn what might have been seen as a negative into a chance to live her life financially comfortable but to also travel the world.  Sarah Klise's illustations add an extra dimension and perspective to the book.  And at the conclusion of the book there is information about Ewing's medical condition (gigantism) and a photo of the real Ella Kate. 

It was interesting to see how the author and illustrator work together to provide a wonderful story with illustrations that truly enhance the reader's understanding.  A solid addition to any classroom collection of books on celebrating/recognizing differences.

As part of this week's series, I am giving readers a chance to win one of three books.  Please check out the details here.

Book Review - The Junkyard Wonders

As part of this week's focus on positive portrayals of children with special needs in literature, I am taking a minute to discuss author/illustrator, Patricia Polacco's newest book - The Junkyard Wonders.

Author/Illustrator: Patricia Polacco
Publisher: Philomel (July 8, 2010)
Reading Level: 3rd to 6th grade
Source: Personal Collection
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:

When young Trisha finds out her class at the new school is known as “The Junkyard,” she is devastated. She moved from her old town so she wouldn't be in a special class anymore! But then she meets her teacher, the quirky and invincible Mrs. Peterson, and her classmates, an oddly brilliant group of students each with his or her own unique talent. And it is here in The Junkyard that Trisha learns the true meaning of genius, and that this group of misfits are, in fact, wonders, all of them.
Based on a real-life event in Patricia Polacco's childhood, this ode to teachers will inspire all readers to find their inner genius.

About a month ago, I had a rare experience of seeing author/illustrator, Patricia Polacco at a Literacy Tea held in Carlsbad, California.  I didn't care that I had to drive 2 hours to get to the event.  Polacco lives in Michigan and does not fly.  Since she managed to come out by train, I could tolerate 2 hours both ways in a car.  As I listened to her speak about her life and her stories, I realized that I was experiencing a piece of literary history.  

Polacco has written many of her books from a deeply personal place and The Junkyard Wonders is no exception.  In some ways the sequel to Thank You, Mr. Falker, this books looks at Trish who has left California for Michigan to hopefully be someone different.  However, when she arrives at Room 206 and learns that the other students in the school refer to her class as the "junkyard".  Through the loving and wise, Mrs. Peterson, Trish and her classmates learn that just as a real junkyard is a place of wonderful possibilities so are they.  With the use of "tribes", Mrs. Peterson divides the class into small learning communities that must explore the junkyard and create something special.  Trish and her group settle on creating a plane.

Of course, the book wouldn't be complete without some kind of conflict.  The school bully is determined to foil the Wonders attempt to fly their plane.  Yet the children in Mrs. Peterson's class do not allow this to become an obstacle but instead pull together to do what they have said they would.  In honor of one of their classmates who has recently passed away, the students of Room 206 learn an important life lesson.

Be prepared to whip out a tissue when reading The Junkyard Wonders.  It is a tender, and moving story about what a group of children can do under the guidance and support of a loving, and wise teacher.  Every teacher new and old should read any of Polacco's tributes to teachers (Thank You, Mr. Falker; Mr. Lincoln's Way; or The Junkyard Wonders) and be reminded what is truly important in teaching.  As I think back to the children that I have instructed, I hope that I was that kind of support and tender heart when they needed. 



To celebrate this and several other wonderful books, I am hosting a give away.  One lucky reader will get a chance to win a copy of either -   Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper or The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon or The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco. 


Rules of the Giveaway
1.  All participants must be 13 or older.
2.  Contest ends on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 11:59 P.M. PST.
3.  This contest is open to international participants.
4.  Please remember to comment on the post but do not leave personal information.  Any comments including personal information will be deleted.
5. Only one entry per person.


Good luck with the contest.

Book Review - Together Forever

Author/Illustrator: Per-Henrik Gurth
Publisher: Lobster Press (October 1, 2010)
Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8 years
Source: Copy for Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:
Little Bear loves to tumble in the snow, but what if he wanders too far from Mother Bear? He learns that just like the Great Bear and Little Bear stars in the sky, they will always be together. 

 This is what I call an "awww" book.  Lovely illustrations, feel good text that conjures up a mother and child curled up together reading at bedtime.  Together Forever is certainly one of those books.  It also is a message that beautifully addresses a common fear/concern of small children - what happens if mommy and I get separated?!

In this installment of Gurth's books, Mother Bear warns Little Bear not to wander away or get lost.  When Little Bear looks worried, "Mother Bear tells him to look into the sky for Great Bear and Little Bear and wait for her to find him".  As predicted, Little Bear is distracted by snowflakes and wanders away.  He follows his mother's advice and watches the bears in the sky.  When Mother Bear finally locates her little one, a joyous reunion takes place.  

Together Forever fits nicely in any mother-child picture book collection.  It makes for a lovely gift and it is a book that will be read over and over again.