Module 1 Book Reviews

Module 1 Book Reviews: Picture Books

Are You My Mother?

Bibliographic Data

Eastman, P. D. (1960). Are You My Mother?. Ill. by P.D. Eastman. New York, NY: Random House.

ISBN 0-394-80018-4. ISBN 0-394-90018-9.

Summary

Mother Bird senses her egg is about to hatch, so she sets out on a quest to find sustenance for her soon-to-emerge youngling.  In her absence, Baby Bird hatches early and finds himself all alone in their nest, wondering who his mother could be.  Curiosity gets the better of him, and he soon lands himself far from home.  Follow along in this classic, heartwarming tale by P.D. Eastman as Baby Bird desperately searches for his mother.     

Critical Analysis

Classified as a beginner book, Are You My Mother? is the perfect story to share with a first-grade student or younger.  Though they may not yet be able to read the words themselves, its use of repetitive, beginners’ language make this book reader-friendly and easy to navigate for even the youngest of readers.  Despite the fact it does not follow a rhyming scheme, it fits the criteria of a predictable picture book by following a distinct, easy-to-navigate pattern. 

Mr. Eastman’s illustrations wonderfully complement the text, making it easier for young readers to comprehend the words on the pages.  The characters are sure to engage students with their playful, cartoonish depictions.  Their personalities shine through!  However, the muted color palette of browns, yellows, and reds may deter students from making this their first-choice item.  Overall, readers will still gravitate towards Are You My Mother? as they have for over fifty years.   

While I personally enjoyed Are You My Mother? overall, I did find it lacking visual interest.  The browns, yellows, and reds complement one another, but I prefer brightly-colored illustrations with exquisite detail rather than a muted color palette.  I believe many students would share the same sentiment regarding the illustrations, as the pictures are what draw a reader in to a picture book.  An additional minor criticism would be in regard to the lack of variety in its vocabulary.  Yes, Are You My Mother? is a beginner book, but it is extremely limited in its word choice. 

Awards and Review Excerpts

“This must-have classic about a baby bird in search of his mother is the perfect for every day!”---School Library Journal, (starred review)

Connections

Is Your Momma a Llama? by Deborah Guarino is the perfect companion to Are You My Mother?.  Both stories fit the criteria for beginner and predictable picture books with their reader-friendly diction and repetitive patterns.  Each book also follows a newborn creature around as they search for their mother.  Unlike Are You My Mother?, Is Your Momma a Llama? uses a rhyming scheme, making it approachable for all levels of readers, even students in Pre-Kindergarten who cannot yet read to themselves. 

I recommend reading both books in a Kindergarten up to Fourth Grade classroom as a means to teach comparison and analysis.  Working either in a small group, whole group, or on their own, students could use a Venn Diagram or other graphic organizer to compare Are You My Mother? to Is Your Momma a Llama?, listing their commonalities and differences.  Then, students could analyze which of the two stories is the better book overall, justifying their opinions with specifics regarding certain criteria, such as the illustrations, rhyming versus non-rhyming story structure, word choice, etc.        

Finding Winnie

Bibliographic Data

Mattick, Lindsay (2015). Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear. Ill. by Sophie Blackall. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

ISBN 978-0-316-32490-8

Summary

This heartwarming tale tells the true origin story of the infamous cartoon bear we all know and love, Winnie-the-Pooh.  The story is told through the voice of a mother, Lindsay, telling her young son, Cole, a bedtime story.  We learn how Lindsay’s great-grandfather, Harry Coleburn, saved a young, orphaned bear from a trapper at a train station while on his way to war.  Harry adopts Winnie, as he affectionately names her, and takes her to camp with him.  Winnie quickly shows that she is no ordinary bear and becomes the beloved mascot of Harry’s entire military unit.  Sadly, Harry realizes that a war field is no place for a bear, so he takes her to the London Zoo to stay and live her life in peace.  Soon after, a young boy named Christopher Robin Milne befriends Winnie at the zoo and names his stuffed teddy bear after her (Winnie-the-Pooh).  The rest, as they say, is history!      

Critical Analysis

The format this picture storybook is presented in, a mother telling her son a bedtime story, is one any parent can identify with, which makes this tale not only relatable but one people of any age, not just children, can enjoy.  The illustrations are absolutely stunning!  Each and every emotion is clearly conveyed through the expressions on the characters’ faces.  The scenery and landscapes are so detailed, you feel like you are traveling with Harry as he is off to war.  The interaction and unique relationship between Harry and Winnie add an emotional depth that most picture books don’t have.  When Harry has to say goodbye and leave Winnie behind, it really tugs at your heartstrings.  I truly enjoyed learning the origin of one of my favorite characters and how the infamous Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin duo came to be.  This book is a great example of families passing down their history through oral recollection since the author is Harry’s great-granddaughter.      

Awards and Review Excerpts

Awards: Caldecott Winner

"The sum total is as captivating as it is informative, transforming a personal family story into something universally resonant."―Horn Book, starred review

"A perfect melding of beautiful art with soulful, imaginative writing, this lovely story, penned by Colebourn's great-great granddaughter, is ideal for sharing aloud or poring over individually."―School Library Journal, starred review

Connections

Finding Winnie would be a great book to use to introduce fiction versus nonfiction.  Students could share what they know about Disney’s version of Winnie-the-Pooh and compare that to the true story inside these pages.  You could even have them research the true stories behind other fictional characters.

Imagine

Bibliographic Data

Colon, Raul (2018). Imagine. Ill. by Raul Colon. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

ISBN 978-1-4814-6273-0

Summary

This wordless picture book follows a young boy as he skateboards around New York City and shows the reader many wonderful components of the rich, unique culture in New York. 

Critical Analysis

I enjoyed this wordless picture book.  The illustrations had exquisite detail and told an intricate tale even thought there were no words to accompany the illustrations.  It is a wonderful story that highlights the culture of New York City and literally demonstrates how art can come to life when you use your imagination.

Awards and Review Excerpts

“Colon’s latest again challenges readers to discover inspiration through ingenious means…beautifully euphoric.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A delightful wordless tribute to the arts with a magical touch.” —Booklist (starred review)

Connections

You could share this book and Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg and have students compare them, then write the accompanying story to go with the pictures as a creative writing activity.

Lost in the Library

Bibliographic Data

Funk, Josh (2018). Lost in the Library. Ill. by Stevie Lewis. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

ISBN 978-1-250-15501-6

Summary

Fortitude and Patience are the stone lion guardians of the New York Public Library.  One night, they come to life and Patience goes missing.  Fortitude goes on a quest in the library, desperately searching to find his lost companion and friend.  He searches high-and-low until, finally, he discovers his friend reading in one of the many rooms of the library.  They are reunited again.    

Critical Analysis

Students will love this whimsical tale, especially the brightly-colored illustrations.  The visually-engaging pictures are incredibly detailed.  I would categorize this story as a concept picture book, as it is teaching a lesson about the character traits patience and fortitude.  Fortitude, the lion, must incorporate these traits as he searches for his friend.  Personally, I enjoyed this story, especially because there was greater depth to it.  Though its illustrations and kid-friendly characters are fun to see, it has a deeper meaning.   

Awards and Review Excerpts

“Patience, one of the New York Public Library lions, is missing and Fortitude, the other lion, searches the building from top to bottom seeking him, great read for all"- Kirkus, starred review

“With a natural, if almost too consistent read-aloud rhythm and accurate is an ode to books, friendship”--Publishers Weekly, starred review

Connections

A great follow-up companion story to this would be A Night at the Museum by Milan Trenc, as it is another tale about inanimate objects coming to life.  Students could compare the two and share which they liked best. It would also be great to teach students about patience.