Rick Riordan Webcast

Follow this link to view author Rick Riordan's webcast live on May 1, 2012 at 10:00am. from California.  He will be talking about his latest book and answering questions from the live audience!
http://www.egyptianmuseum.org/

Book Trailer Links for 5420

These are fun book trailers that were created for SLIS 5420.  I hope you love them as much as I do.  They are kid tested and approved!

Shark vs. Train
Barton, C. (2010). Shark vs. train. New York, NY: Little Brown.

http://animoto.com/play/gFS64Kb2QZXao9kAcQT95A


The Eraserheads
Banks, K. (2010). The eraserheads. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus

        and Giroux.
          
http://animoto.com/play/pcKHrQAk013OwG24fo0OCA

Song and Dance Man
Ackerman, K. (1988). Song and dance man. New York, NY:

         Knopf.
http://animoto.com/play/Gt0jpLrqovUPtcrcO34OAQ

Module 15: Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman by Dav Pilkey

Summary: Two school-aged boys named George and Harold get in trouble for using what they call  their "imagination."  What they did was to use their imagination to create a comic book about a "really mean" teacher named Ms. Ribble.  The problem is, Ms. Ribble is actually their teacher and she sees the comic book. After spending time in detention, Ms. Ribble is surprisingly happy to see them.  She has a surprise for them.  They are not happy with the news. As the story progresses, Ms. Ribble becomes the wicked Wedgie Woman...going around and giving wedgies.  I can't give away the ending. So find out the ending of the story when you check out this crafty book at your local library. You are sure to love it!

Citation: Pilkey, D. (2001). Captain Underpants and the wrath of the
        
        wicked Wedgie Woman. New York, NY: Scholastic.


My Impression:  This book is very similar in nature to the first four books from Pilkey.  Boys and girls of many ages are sure to enjoy the crazy adventure of Captain Underpants once again as he meets with the Wicked Wedgie Woman. The pictures help move the story along in Pilkey fashion.  One thing I enjoy most about Pilkey's books is the titles for each chapter.  I think the creative names for the titles make you want to read on to find out how the chapter unfolds.  This is a great option for reluctant readers to find enjoyment within the pages of a book.

Reviews:

Kirkus Review 

"Trying to salvage failing grades, George and Harold use their handy 3-D Hypno Ring on termagant teacher Ms. Ribble-and succeed only in creating a supervillain with a medusa-like 'do and a yen to conquer the world with wedgie power. Using a pair of robot sidekicks and plenty of spray starch, she even overcomes Captain Underpants. Is it curtains (or rather, wedgies) for all of us? Can the redoubtable fourth graders rescue the Waistband Warrior (a.k.a. Principal Krupp) and find a way to save the day? Well, duh. Not, of course, without an epic battle waged in low-budget Flip-O-Rama, plus no fewer than three homemade comics, including an "Origin of Captain Underpants" in which we learn that his home planet of Underpantyworld was destroyed by the . . . wait for it . . . "Starch Ship Enterprize." As in the previous four episodes, neither the pace nor the funky humor ("Diapers and toilets and poop . . . oh my!") lets up for a moment. Pilkey is still having entirely too much fun with this popular series, which continues to careen along with nary a whiff of staleness. (Fiction. 8-10)"

Kirkus. (2001, July 15). [Review of the book Captain Underpants and the 

        
        wrath of the wicked Wedgie Woman, by D. Pilkey]. Retrieved from

         http://www.kirkusreviews.com/

School Library Journal

"Gr 2-5-Fans need not worry. Pilkey's imagination shows no sign of flagging here. When George and Harold's evil teacher announces her departure, she forces the class to write "Happy Retirement" cards for her. Instead, the two boys create a comic book in which they turn Ms. Ribble into the titular "Wicked Wedgie Woman." She sees the book, tells them that they are not allowed to use their imagination in school, and sends them posthaste to the principal. The two friends seize the opportunity to get him to sign a blank card to which they add his protestations of love for Ms. Ribble. Hilarious wedding high jinks ensue (but no marriage). To prevent the villainous woman from retaliating, the protagonists hypnotize her with their 3-D Hypno-Ring. Their plan backfires and a cosmic battle follows, complete with the familiar Flip-O-Rama feature. Among the highlights of this book is an alliterative post-wedding food fight in which, for example, the "creamy candied carrots clobbered the kindergarteners." There is a great deal of laugh-out-loud humor that will appeal to a wide audience. "Captain Underpants" is still one of the best series to get reluctant readers reading."

Wadham, T. (2001, October 1). [Review of the book [Review of the book
        
        Captain Underpants and the wrath of the wicked Wedgie Woman, 

         by D. Pilkey]. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com

Uses within the Library:


1. Super Hero Day: Have students create their own super hero that loves books.  Students will name their super hero, create a life-size super hero and create a biography about their super hero. Hang the super heroes and bios around the library.

2. Super Hero Dress Up: Students will dress up as their favorite super hero to support the school library.  All students who dressed up will participate in a parade around campus.  Students will carry various, brightly colored signs with library slogans.  Examples of slogans are, "Read a Good Book Today", "Come check out the library", "New Books Arriving Daily", "What good book have you read lately?"

Book Cover: Book cover courtesy of Mansfield Public Library. Retrieved
from http://www.mansfield-tx.gov/departments/library/

Module 14: A Curious Collection of Cats: Concrete Poems by Betsy Franco

Summary: This thirty-two poem collection of concrete poetry provides an opportunity for cat lovers to read poetry shaped as their favorite cat or cat body part.  Franco uses things such as a cat's tail to shape the poems within the book.  Wertz does a magical job making these poems jump from the pages.  The illustrations appear to show the movements of the cats in the story.  One poem per page allows readers to focus fully on the page they are reading.

Citation:


Franco, Betsy. (2009). A curious collection of cats: Concrete poems.


        New York, NY: Tricycle Press.

My Impression:  This is a creative book of poetry that cat-lovers are sure to enjoy.  The concrete poems feature cats and cat parts that show creative genius on the part of Franco.  Wertz will entertain readers with wonderfully colorful illustrations that show-off the poems within the book.  Readers who are not "crazy" about poetry may change their mind after reading this book.  One favorite poem is the "Princess" poem that uses arrows to show how the cat Princess paces around.  Children will enjoy trying to follow the path of the arrows.


Professional Reviews:


Kirkus Review

"Franco's witty but uneven collection of concrete poems celebrating feline antics is accompanied by striking illustrations done in pencil and finished in monoprint and Photoshop. Atop rich, textured backgrounds, cats--each one bursting with personality--stretch, fight, perch, leap, rest and pounce. Each image is saturated in bright, often fluorescent colors, incorporating the text within them. One poem, for example, called "Prickles vs. the Golden Retriever," is printed on the spiked-up fur of a cat's back. It reads: "Prickle's [sic] fur / is sticking out / His back is arched. / His teeth are bared. / The dog he caught / in our backyard / is whimpering / and very scared." An orange cat, with angry, puffed-up tail, arched back and bared teeth, occupies a quarter of the page, towering over the dog, who has flattened himself to the ground; readers see only his head, with a single tear coming from his eye, and a stretched-out paw. Capturing the spirit of each verse, Wertz turns a collection of otherwise unremarkable visual poems into a true treat for the eyes. (Picture book/poetry. 6-10)."

Kirkus Reviews. (2009, March 15). [Review of the book A curious

       collection of cats: Concrete poems, by B. Franco]

       Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com

School Library Journal

"Gr 3-6-Franco understands the nuanced world of the fluffy, fractious, and faithful feline friend. Thirty-two unusual, concrete poems, one per page with a single exception, are matched by Wertz's monoprints. The words move in several directions and sometimes inhabit multiple objects. The poems are so embedded within the illustrations that it is hard to imagine them without the artwork; they are virtually inseparable. In a print of a cat licking its neck, its exceptionally long tongue is created out of words. Readers following the poem will find they are forced to turn the book to the side, and may crane their own necks, experiencing an odd identification with the activity of the cat. The poem "Princess" uses arrows as part of the illustrated content to keep readers on the language path as "Princess paces down and up" awaiting her supper. At times, the path isn't obvious, but youngsters delight in solving puzzles, and these are merely little challenges that prove fun to master. In "Hot Daze," a red devilish arrow points to the poem's beginning. Among the various subjects are fat cats, shy cats, a kitty who "sips from toilet bowl," and a polydactyl cat with "poofy fur" and "prissy looks." Cat lovers will recognize their felines stretching, purring, and napping. This collection would pair nicely with Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat (HarperCollins, 2008)." 

Pfeifer, T. (2009, April 1). [Review of the book A curious collection of cats: 

  

        Concrete poems, by B. Franco]. Retrieved from http://

  

        www.schoollibraryjournal.com

Uses within the Library:


1. Read to the Principal: Students make prior arrangements to go to the principal's office to read selected poems for the day.  Repeat the process until all thirty-two poems have been read and all students in the class have had a turn to participate.

2. Story Web: Have students sit in a circle with a giant ball of yarn that any kitty cat is sure to love.  Have students hold an end of the yarn to begin the web.  The first student tosses the ball of yarn to a child across from them as they tell the class their favorite concrete poem from the book.  Each student after that will hold on to the yarn and toss across the circle.  The process is continued until all students have had a turn and a web is created.  Make sure to take a picture!

Book Cover: Book cover provided courtesy of the Mansfield Public Library.
Retrieved from http://www.mansfield-tx.gov/departments/library/

Module 13: The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan

Summary: A shy eleven year-old boy named Jack Clark lives in Kansas in the year 1937.  His family's farm is faced with disaster during the Dust Bowl that has allowed the drought to creep into their lives.  As the drought threatens their farm, Jack is faced with meeting a character that is lurking in the barn.  Jack soon learns that the character is the "Rain."  Jack, who is used to not being of much use around the farm will be the hero of the story.  It will take determination and muster suspense for Jack to save the day.  Readers can learn a lot about history as they remain in suspense about Jack's next moves throughout the story.

Citation:


Phelan, M. (2009). The storm in the barn. New York, NY: Candlewick.

My Impression:  This graphic novel is very engaging.  It provides creative and entertaining pictures with few words.  The pictures do an excellent job telling the story.  Readers will enjoy the air of suspense that follows throughout the story.  Phelan provides notes about the history of the Dust Bowl to give readers more insight into the happenings within the story.  The history from Phelan also allows readers to have empathy for what the farmers at the time faced.

Professional Reviews:


Booklist starred

"Grades 5-8. Ten-year-old Jack and his family suffer the hardships of Dust Bowl America, while a secret in the barn may alter their fortunes forever in this superb graphic-novel evocation of childhood’s yearning and triumphs. Phelan (illustrator of the Higher Power of Lucky, 2006) turns every panel of this little masterpiece into a spare and melancholy window into another era, capturing an unmistakable sense of time and place—as found in James Sturm’s Satchel Paige (2007)—even as he takes full, masterful advantage of the medium’s strengths by using fantasy elements to enrich the deep, genuine emotional content, much as Shaun Tan did in The Arrival (2008). All the more impressive is how he balances fleet pacing (thanks to low word density) with a thoughtful, contemplative homage to storytelling and storytellers, which, in the tradition of the greatest tall tales, presents an empowering message that all a child needs to change the world is courage and ingenuity. Great for a wide range of readers, this will work particularly well as a gentle introduction for those new to graphic novels or as an elegant argument on the format’s behalf against dubious naysayers. A single warning: there is a restrained depiction of a rabbit slaughter, which could upset more sensitive readers."

Booklist. (2009, August 1). [Review of the book The storm in the barn, by M. 

        Phelan]. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com

Horn Book 

"Illustrator Phelan's graphic novel debut brings 1937 Kansas, wracked by drought and hardship, to life, adding a supernatural twist that fits well with the extremities of the Dust Bowl. Populated with Phelan's trademark loose-lined, sparely sketched, emotive characters, this is the story of eleven-year-old Jack, who hasn't seen rain since he was seven. Exploring an abandoned barn, Jack encounters a mysterious, threatening figure with a face of rain and a bag that flashes lightning. The minimalist approach to text complements the measured, masterful panel pacing; whole spreads are wordless, forcing the reader to slow down and follow the visual details of the action. Phelan's use of color is simply stunning; his palette of sepias, dusty browns, and charcoal grays perfectly evokes the desolate landscapes of the Dust Bowl and makes the occasional pop of color -- memories of green fields, stylized depictions of folktales, the angry blood-red of a "rabbit drive" -- that much more striking. The emotional landscape is equally well developed: an older sister who suffers from "dust pneumonia" and reads Ozma of Oz aloud, between coughing fits, to her younger siblings; a father who too easily dismisses his son, who never had an opportunity to prove himself on the farm, as useless. The potent subtext informs both Jack's climactic showdown with the rain figure and the book's tender, triumphant resolution."

Horn Book Magazine. (2010, November 10). [Review of the book The storm 

        in the barn, by M. Phelan]. Retrieved from http://www.

        

        hbook.com

Uses within the Library:


1. Historical Stories: Have students research historical events during a timeline provided by the classroom Social Studies teacher.  Once they choose their favorite event, have them write their own graphic novel about the chosen historical event.  Allow a "Reading Day" for children to pass around their graphic novels for others to read.

2. Ten Fact Fun: Have students write down ten facts that they found in the story.  Read all facts anonymously and determine if the facts in the book were accurate or embellished.

Book Cover: Book cover provided courtesy of the Mansfield Public Library.
Retrieved from http://www.mansfield-tx.gov/departments/library/

Module 12: One Beetle Too Many by Kathryn Lasky

Summary: The story begins with the details of Charles Darwin's childhood.  Darwin grew up in a poor family, but relied on his curiosity to bring good things his way. The main focus of this biography is the five years that Darwin spent aboard the Beagle.  Darwin's adventures are portrayed within the pages of the story to bring his journey to life for young readers. Darwin finds many creative creatures throughout his journey.  The beetle appears to be his favorite.  Lasky concludes the story with Darwin's publication of The Origin of Species.


Citation:


Lasky, K. (2009). One beetle too many: The extraordinary adventures


       of Charles Darwin. New York: Candlewick.

My Impression:  Many young readers cringe when they find out they have to read a biography.  This story is one that is sure to change their negative thoughts.  Lasky uses such clever words to create a well-flowing story that will not bore young readers.  So many details about Darwin's life are packed into the pages of this story that readers will also walk away with new knowledge.  This is a must-read especially for those little scientists of the world.  Trueman adds an amazing touch to the story through beautiful illustrations that jump from the pages to enthrall readers.


Professional Reviews:


Library Media Connection 

"This new biography arrives just in time for the Bicentennial of Charles Darwin?s birth. During his lifetime, Darwin was an avid collector of specimens of various plant and insect life, especially beetles. The author gives young readers a well-rounded look at the man who collected and cataloged the animal and plant life he observed while traveling to South America and on to the Galapagos Islands in the early 1800s. The author also shows Darwin as a family man who enjoyed his brood of 10 children. This well-rounded look at Darwin is enhanced by the illustrations, which add a touch of whimsy to the pages. At times Darwin looks a bit like Henry David Thoreau, a person with whom he might have much to discuss, while in others he stares at his surroundings intently concentrating on what he sees, though the reader may not see the object. Readers can watch the scientific method in action as the author describes the thesis, synthesis, and information gathering that was done by Darwin as he struggled to make sense out of his findings. Highly Recommended."

Radloff, L. (2009, August 10). [Review of the book One beetle too many:

     
        The extraordinary adventures of Charles Darwin,by K. 

        Lasky]. Retrieved from http://www.librarymediaconnection.com/

Publishers Weekly

"Distilling tough concepts into light, conversational prose, Lasky (John Muir) gives middle-graders a just-right introduction to Charles Darwin. In colorful, cut-to-the-chase language ( "He found anatomy class disgusting, and he once rushed out of an operating room, unable to stand the sight of blood"), she highlights Darwin's insatiable curiosity, his failures at school and his voyage aboard the Beagle. The author invites readers to follow Darwin's reasoning and the questions that led up to his theory of evolution. Taking advantage of the large trim size, Trueman (Noah's Mittens) up-ends perspective with multilayered mixed-media illustrations; mostly paint, these also incorporate bits of flowers and weeds as well as string, paper and fabric. Like the text, they aim for a homely, friendly style, as when young Darwin and his brother are shown gleefully exploding things in their homemade lab. Highly accessible. Ages 7-12."

Publishers Weekly. (2008, December 15). [Review of the book One beetle too

       many: The extraordinary adventures of Charles Darwin, 

        by K. Lasky]. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com

Uses within the Library:


1. Comic Book Creations: Students will create their own comic book based on Darwin's adventures and life story.  Allow students to share their comic books with another grade to pique interest in One Beetle too Many.


2. Giant Word Search: Create a giant word search with a giant piece of vinyl or plastic tablecloth using vocabulary from the book.  Students can use a dry erase marker to circle vocabulary as they find them.

Book Cover: Book cover courtesy of the Mansfield Public Library.
Retrieved from http://www.mansfield-tx.gov/departments/library/

Module 11: An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Aston

Summary: A large speckled egg from a Black-necked Stilt sits quietly nestled in its home. As the story progresses many other eggs from over 60 other species are shown to compare to the Black-necked Stilt.  Tiny eggs, medium-sized eggs and huge eggs are all depicted with beautiful artwork and labels for readers to view.  The life-cycle of the eggs of several animals are shown to differentiate the wide variety of incubation times for animals.  This quiet Black-necked Stilt egg is shown again with several others of the same variety.  The author shows what happens when an egg is no longer quiet!

Citation:


Aston, D. (2006). An egg is quiet. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle.

My Impression: This book is an amazing journey into the life-cycle of the egg.  Sylvia Long provides the most amazing illustrations with ink and watercolor.  Her eggs are so life-like it is as if you are looking at them in nature.  Over 60 eggs are pictured to the correct life-size scale.  Only a few that are either too small or too large in real life are not pictured to scale.  If this is the case, they are labeled as such.  Readers can enjoy the progression from a quiet egg to a fully developed "noisy" egg at the end.  Aston consulted a multitude of experts to create this informational book which provides the credibility necessary with a book of its type.  Venture into the world of animal eggs with An Egg is Quiet, you will be glad you came.


Professional Reviews:


Publishers Weekly 

"Like the subject matter it describes, this book packages with understated elegance the substantive matter found within it. "An egg is quiet. It sits there, under its mother's feathers... on top of its father's feet... buried beneath the sand," Aston (When You Were Born) begins, as spot illustrations zero in on a hummingbird, emperor penguin and sea turtle, respectively. The narrative then launches into a kind of survey about the characteristics of eggs, which follows a simple format. In most spreads, different adjectives (colorful, shapely, textured, etc.) complete the sentence, "An egg is...." This repetitive rhythm contrasts with the visual variety of the illustrations. Long's (Sylvia Long's Mother Goose) skilled use of contrast and compositional balance prevent monotony. For example, a border that resembles a color test pattern runs down the outer edges of a spread of nearly 40 carefully placed "colorful" examples, set against a white background, which dazzle the eye. The main text appears in large, flowery cursive, while a smaller printed typeface serves as labels and brief factual captions. "An egg is clever," in fancy script, for instance, sits alongside examples of camouflage: "An egg might be speckled to resemble the rocks around it." The letters' dramatic curlicues mimic curvy grasses and vines dappled with tiny insect eggs. Long introduces breathtaking color into the final spreads, as a concluding scene "hatches from" this peacefulness, reminding readers of an egg's purpose. This attractive volume pleases on both an aesthetic and intellectual level. Ages 5-10."

Publishers Weekly. (2006, March 6). [Review of the book An egg is quiet, 

        by D.Aston]. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com

School Library Journal 

"K-Gr 2-An exceptionally handsome book on eggs, from the delicate ova of the green lacewing to the rosy roe of the Atlantic salmon to the mammoth bulk of an ostrich egg. Aston's simple, readable text celebrates their marvelous diversity, commenting on size, shape, coloration, and where they might be found. The author occasionally attributes sensibilities to eggs ("An egg is clever," for example). Still, her quiet descriptions of egg engineering and embryo development (no mention of mating) are on the mark, and are beautifully supported by Long's splendid watercolor depictions of a wide variety of eggs. (One teeny carp-Steller's jays are not spelled with an "ar," though they are stellar performers when wheedling for your lunch at a campsite!) A beautiful guide to the unexpected panoply of "the egg.""Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Manning, P. (2006, June 1). [Review of the book An egg is quiet, by D. 

        Aston]. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com

Uses within the Library:


1. "Egg-citing" Information: Provide students with colorful plastic eggs for them to decorate like eggs in the book.  Have them research the type of egg they chose and write informational facts on strips of paper to stuff inside each of their plastic eggs.  Allow those students who want to read their facts out loud to do so.

2. Kuddos by Kiddos: Have students brainstorm ideas for types of medals that could be awarded to this book.  Then allow students to create actual medals of honor for both Aston and Long.  Display the book in a special location with the medals it received.

Book Cover: Book cover courtesy of the Mansfield Public Library.
Retrieved from http://www.mansfield-tx.gov/departments/library/