Talking With Artists Volume 3 by Pat Cummings

This book contains interviews with thirteen successful illustrators. What’s nice about this book is that the same questions are asked of each illustrator, so the reader has an easy time of comparing and contrasting the illustrator’s style, method, and medium. Each interview includes a drawing or painting from their childhood, as well as a picture of their pet or of themselves. Also included in each interview is one of their illustrations from one of their books. Through these simple literary elements, the reader learns where these artists work, what inspires them, and how they got their break in the business.

This book is appropriate for 4th grade readers on up to high school. Pat Cummings let’s the artists tell their story in the “My Story” section in first person, which gives the reader a personal glimpse into their lives. Also, this book used white borders on each page, which makes the text-laden pages easier to read as well as effectively using text wrapped around pictures mimicking the style of a good picture book. Perhaps the most exciting feature of this book is the Secret Techniques section where each featured artists shares a design secret that is appropriate for any level artist.

My favorite part of these interviews was the artists answer to, “How did you get to do your first book?” Several of the artists’ first big break came when they were least expecting it, or after failing several times. I love their stories of perseverance! I was a little jealous of the fact that most of the male artists seem to be very helpful with getting their children to and from school, as my husband works over an hour away, so he’s not able to help take of pick up the kids from school. I also was impressed with how many of the artists credited their getting started to their parents’ support. Peter Catalanotto mentioned that his parents let him and his brothers and sisters paint on a wall in the basement, and when the wall filled up, his parents would paint the wall white and they would fill it up again!

Key Words:
transparent, illustration board, editorial cartoons, scratcher, collage, portfolio, gouache, preparatory sketch, freelancer,

For You are a Kenyan Child by Kelly Cunnane Illustrated by Ana Juan

In this delightfully illustrated book, we see a typical day in Kenya through a child’s eyes. We follow him through his chores and meals, and watch him as he plays and snacks on an unusual item. Children of all races will relate to the trouble he finds himself in, and realize that children all over the world share many common traits.

I found it comforting to realize that it wasn’t only my kids who don’t always listen to their parents! I also felt a lucky that my children don’t have to be in charge of something as important as minding a herd of cows, which is the food and milk source for this family. I also can’t imagine my children running barefoot all day. I keep thinking about how dirty their feet would get, and how they might step on something and cut their feet.

The illustrator uses the eyes in this book to tell a story. The eyes of the African people as well as the eyes of the cows are more almond shaped then American people. Ana Juan’s use of this artistic design adds a bit of mischievousness to the characters. Also, the end papers and jackets flaps of the book are illustrated with the cows from the story, and this also adds whimsy and color to the book. The font end papers are brown cows with their eyes open, and on the front flap there is a single brown cow with his eyes shut, and the back end paper had several white cows with their eyes shut and the back flap has a single white cow with its eyes open. It’s a clever way to emphasize the importance of the cows to the Kenyan people, but also the cows serve as the most evident way that all children are alike: children don’t always do what their parent tell them to do! Also, worth mentioning is Ana Juan use of paint splatters to depict motion and energy.

Key Words: Hodi (Anybody home?), Karibou (Welcome!), chepati (chay-PAH-tee), kabisa (kah-BEE-sah), maziwa lala (mah-ZEE-wah la-la), mzee (mmm-ZAY), rungu (RUN-goo), sasa (SAH-sah), eucalyptus,maize, porridge, charcoal

Move Over Rover! By Karen Beaumont Illustrated by Jane Dyer

The dog in this book is illustrated so well, it looks real! Just staring at the cover of this book was almost enough to make me head to the pound and find a dog like him to adopt! This picture book tells the story of what happens in a backyard when a thunderstorm hits, and the only dry place is Rover’s dog house. One by one the animals in the backyard say, “Move Over Rover!” and nudge poor Rover into the corner of his dog house. Six animals crowd into Rover’s dog house until the skunk decides she’s had enough and finds a way to clear all the animals out!

As is critical in all picture books, the illustrations play an important role in this story. Jane Dyer hides all of the animals on the first two page spread of the book, and these weren’t noticeable to me until I went back through the book and analyzed each page. Some of the animals are more obviously placed, but some are very subtly hidden in the picture. Dyer makes expert use of dark hues and colors which make the rainstorm so realistic that one might find themselves reaching out to touch Rover to see if he really is wet! Be sure and pay attention to the sides of the dog house as all animals crowd in, as that tells the story as well as the text does. The author’s use of rhyme throughout the book gives the text a nice sing song rhythm that begs to be read out loud. The rhythm of the text will definitely make the reader smile. This book is appropriate for K-adults.

I love the expressions of the animals’ faces in this book. I love how the cat is eyeing Rover sleeping peacefully in his doghouse, and the cat is trying to decide if he trusts the dog or not. When the blue jay is eyeing the cat in the doghouse, he also has to make the same decision, “That’s my natural predator in there…should I go in or not?” And obviously, there’s no carnage in this picture book, but I was charmed by how there were several natural predators sharing a dry spot peacefully.

Key Words:
Romp, squirrel, squeeze, whiff, sopping

kira-kira, by Cynthia Kadohata

This is a story of a Japanese family trying to make a living in America. Katie, Lynn, and Sam are the three children of parents who work very hard to provide for their children. When their dreams of owning and operating their own Japanese grocery store fall flat, they pack up and move with the children’s often comical uncle and head to Atlanta. Both parents work two jobs to save for the house of their dreams, and those dreams are quickly dashed when their oldest daughter falls ill. Bills have to be paid, the mortgage company won’t wait, and the parents almost work themselves to death to keep the sky blue house they have bought to help heal their daughter Lynn. In the end, it is Lynn herself who heals the family.

This book is the recipient of The Newberry Award, and is appropriate for sixth grader readers and up. The small size of the book makes it a very manageable read, and the story is told from the viewpoint of Katie, the middle child, which also makes this book an easy read. Keep a box of tissues close by near the end of the book!

I was envious of the close ties this family had. They stopped at nothing to do anything for each other, and I don’t know a family that even closely resembles their dedication to each other. I can’t imagine needing to have my children sleep in my car in the parking lot of my workplace, so that I can keep paying my bills. I am so blessed.


Keywords: kira-kira, sweltering, onogiri, chronicled, authenticity, bristly, anemia, lymphoma, obstinate, fatigue, repertoire

My Friend Rabbit, by Eric Rohmann

Rabbit and mouse are friends, and as mouse puts it, “My friend rabbit means well. But whatever he does, wherever he goes, trouble follows.” And when the toy airplane that they are playing with gets stuck in a tree, well, that’s when the fun begins! The illustrations in the book are whimsical, and detailed. Be sure and look at the animals eyes when they realize that things might not be going as planned. Their eyes alone were enough to make me giggle out loud.

This book is the recipient of a Caldecott Award, and is Eric Rohmann’s third book to both write and illustrate. My Friend Rabbit is appropriate for beginning readers through adult readers. There are very few words on each page, and some pages have no words at all.

What I love most about this book, is that I am a “rabbit”. I am the friend that pushes the envelope, disregards what “might” go wrong, and jumps in a toy airplane to fly straight up to the sky. My very best friend is a “mouse” named Allie, and she goes along for the ride with me every time, even though we often do end up in the trees. I adore her for that, and according to her, she adores me for planning the adventures.

Other books authored by Eric Rohmann: The Cinder-Eyed Cats, Time Flies
Other books illustrated by Eric Rohmann: The Prairie Train

Key Words: idea, reach, friend

The SOS File, by Betsy Byars, Betsy Duffey, and Laurie Myers

Mr. Magro is a teacher who has devised a way for his students to practice their writing skills by submitting a story about an emergency they have had. In return for their submission to the "SOS" file, they will receive extra credit. The twelve stories that follow are both humorous and heartwarming. Mr. Magro's statement that all but one of the stories will receive extra credit keeps the reader motivated to read each and every story. This book is aimed at grades 3-5, and younger readers would enjoy having these stories read out loud to them

I love the SOS file idea, and plan to incorporate the assignment into my classroom. I plan to teacher middle schoolers, and I think their emergencies might be very entertaining. Maybe we'll publish a book of them and the book will end up on the assignment list for this class!

Key Words: vehicle,enthusiastic,opportunities,Weight Watchers,Gettysburg Address, resuscitation,disqualified,apparatus, flailing, cellophane,Benadryl, dyslexic

The Toughest Cowboy, by John Frank

Grizz Brickbottom wakes up one day at his "home on the range" and realizes his fellow cow wranglers are disgusting and no longer fit to be around. Believing a dog's company is just what the gang is in need of to return them to a more civilized manner, Grizz sets off in search of a dog. The dog he finds is a bit of a surprise to Grizz's friends, and that makes for some funny discussion, as well as a bit of a better life for all of them. Beware: this book is filled with several puns, that might lead to some out loud laughing.

The illustrations in this book are unusual, and make this book worth picking up. This is the first book illustrated by Zachary Pullen, who has illustrated for Sports Illustrated, the New York Times Book Review, and the Wall Street Journal.

This book is also a recipient of the 2006-2007 Texas Bluebonnet Award.

My favorite part of this book is reading it out loud. I had the opportunity to hear our Intermediate School librarian read it out loud, and she really got into character with her twangy cowboy accent.I have since read this book to several groups of students, and every time I read the book I grin from ear to ear as I put on my best twang!

Keywords: bedroll, reckoned, companionship, ornery, saloon, gourmet

What Presidents Are Made Of, by Hanoch Piven

This book contains unique vignettes of seventeen presidents. What makes this book unusual is how the author includes both whimsy and fact. Each president has a portrait, and a paragraph detailing a few interesting facts about the president. For example, George W. Bush was the first president to ever have owned a baseball team, and his portrait has eyebrows made out of hotdog buns, and a nose made out of a hot dog. Very clever! The choice of objects in the portrait is often a puzzle in need of solving.

This book is appropriate for all levels of readers, as kids are never too young (or too old!) to learn about our presidents. An added bonus is the chronological listing of all the presidents with their real portraits in the back of the book. This book received the Parents Choice Foundation Award.

What I love most about this book is the whimsy. I love imagining how in the world the author decided what to write about the president, and how he went about choosing the items. When I think of how many autobiographies there are about each president, I wonder how Mr. Piven managed to cull through them all and choose his trivia facts to include in the book, as well as how to choose which presidents to include!

Keywords: World War II, involuntary, Habitat for Humanity, embarassed, flaunt, Supreme Court

Introduction

Hi there!
I'm Krisanne Stewart, and this is my book blog. Please visit often, as I will be reviewing books that I have read. This blog is a requirement for my summer graduate class, and I would love your feedback!