INFORMATIONAL BOOK REVIEWS
PARROTS OVER PUERTO RICO
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Roth, Susan L and Cindy Trumbore. PARROTS OVER PUERTO RICO. Ill. by Susan L. Roth. New York, NY: Lee & Low Books, 2013. ISBN 9781620140048
SUMMARY
PARROTS OVER PUERTO RICO is a unique presentation on the history of the Puerto Rican parrots. The chronological history of the parrots and of Puerto Rico is communicated below the bright collage artwork of Roth. At one time, thousands of parrots flew over the island. Through time, human settlement, and natural disasters, the numbers have significantly dropped. Through the efforts of the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program, the numbers have slowly grown, and the parrots have begun to fly through the forests of Puerto Rico again.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
On initial reading, the vertical presentation seemed awkward and difficult to understand. However, after reading through the book, the reader can feel the impressive habitat these birds must survive in. The height of the pages reinforces the height of the trees and the complex nature of their environment. The artwork in the book is very impressive and adds to the beauty of this survival story. Roth uses bright blues and greens, and embeds the story of the birds and the island through the collages.
The author provides an abundance of facts throughout the text. The afterword of the book is a noteworthy addition to the book, and provides further information for the reader. The authors include photographs with captions, and a wealth of information on the parrots and the recovery program. An additional instructional bonus is the timeline that highlights the history of the birds and of the island. The reader is also provided with a lengthy list of resources that can be used for research in the classroom and library!
The writing style creates a sense of hope and need for survival. The facts are presented, and occasionally the author asks questions that could certainly be studied further. The chronological order helps the reader understand the story of the birds and of the concurrent history of the island. Additionally, as many Spanish words are presented, the author provides pronunciation guides for the reader who may need this assistance.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books of 2013
Booklist 2013 Top 10 Books for Youth, Science & Health
SLJs Best Books of 2013, Nonfiction
Booklist Editor’s Choice: Books for Youth, 2013, Nonfiction
2014 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book
OTHER BOOKS FROM ROTH:
2014 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner
ALA 2014 Notable Children’s Books
Booklist Top 10 Books for Youth 2014, Sustainability
2014 Américas Award Winner
VOYA’s 2013 Nonfiction Honor List
Excerpt from BOOKLIST- "...Roth’s stunning artwork—fluttery, textural collages of fabric and paper with a three-dimensional quality—complement the high-interest narrative and are arranged vertically across dual pages to make the most of the tall trees and the related human actions taking place below. A triumphant reminder of the inescapable connection between people’s actions and the animals in the wild. " Grades 2-5. --Erin Anderson, CONNECTIONS
Starred Review from KIRKUS- "An ambitious project: The text on each vibrant, double-page collage, arranged vertically, intersperses the near-extinction and slow comeback of the Puerto Rican parrot with over 2,000 years of human history. . . . The onomatopoeic derivation of the parrots’ Taíno name, iguaca, is developed nicely in its repeated use as the parrots’ call. By turns poetic and scientific, the text offers a wealth of information. Every paper-and-fabric collage is frame-worthy, from depictions of waterfalls and rain forest to sailing ships, hazards and, of course, parrots. From the commanding cover illustration to the playful image on the back, simply spectacular."
VOYA’s 2013 Nonfiction Honor List
Excerpt from BOOKLIST- "...Roth’s stunning artwork—fluttery, textural collages of fabric and paper with a three-dimensional quality—complement the high-interest narrative and are arranged vertically across dual pages to make the most of the tall trees and the related human actions taking place below. A triumphant reminder of the inescapable connection between people’s actions and the animals in the wild. " Grades 2-5. --Erin Anderson, CONNECTIONS
Starred Review from KIRKUS- "An ambitious project: The text on each vibrant, double-page collage, arranged vertically, intersperses the near-extinction and slow comeback of the Puerto Rican parrot with over 2,000 years of human history. . . . The onomatopoeic derivation of the parrots’ Taíno name, iguaca, is developed nicely in its repeated use as the parrots’ call. By turns poetic and scientific, the text offers a wealth of information. Every paper-and-fabric collage is frame-worthy, from depictions of waterfalls and rain forest to sailing ships, hazards and, of course, parrots. From the commanding cover illustration to the playful image on the back, simply spectacular."
CONNECTIONS
- Take students to the computer lab to research the Puerto Rican Parrot. Have them collect pictures, facts, and videos to present in an online poster. They will use a a Web 2.0 presentation tool, such as Prezi or Slideshare.
- Invite the Texas Wildlife Rangers to present their trunk show of animals for your area.
- Organize a field trip to your local zoo or wetland to observe different kinds of birds. Have students differentiate between the different kinds of birds. Discuss the roles of the birds and their relationship to the the local environment.
OTHER BOOKS FROM ROTH:
- HANDS AROUND THE LIBRARY: PROTECTING EGYPT'S TREASURED BOOKS. ISBN 978-0803737471
- THE MANGROVE TREE: PLANTING TREES TO FEED FAMILIES. ISBN 9781600604591
- GREAT BIG GUINEA PIGS. ISBN 1582347247
ANIMALS IN FLIGHT
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. ANIMALS IN FLIGHT. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin, 2001. ISBN 9780618548828
SUMMARY
ANIMALS IN FLIGHT begins with questions for the reader to ponder. How do animals fly? When did they start flying? Jenkins presents a brief chronological history on animal flight, beginning with factual information on insects. He provides us with some of the benefits of having wings, and the different kinds of flight that flying animals can accomplish. Insects, bats, and gliders are defined for the reader, as well as facts on different sizes of flying animals.
ANIMALS IN FLIGHT begins with questions for the reader to ponder. How do animals fly? When did they start flying? Jenkins presents a brief chronological history on animal flight, beginning with factual information on insects. He provides us with some of the benefits of having wings, and the different kinds of flight that flying animals can accomplish. Insects, bats, and gliders are defined for the reader, as well as facts on different sizes of flying animals.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
There is an incredible amount of information presented on every page of this book. While the main text is printed in larger font and remains at the top of the pages, other facts and pictures of animals are offered simultaneously in an italicized and smaller format.
The illustrations are a watercolor collage media, and add a distinct "Jenkins" feel to the book. In combination with the text, the features of the wings are highlighted by the illustrations. The delicacy of the different kinds of wings are captured in the illustrations. Jenkins blends art and science together in perfect unison.
At the end of the book, Jenkins provides a picture glossary of the winged animals and insects he features in the book. The entry for each animal presents facts about the animal, and is an excellent resource for the curious reader who is looking for more information.
There is an incredible amount of information presented on every page of this book. While the main text is printed in larger font and remains at the top of the pages, other facts and pictures of animals are offered simultaneously in an italicized and smaller format.
The illustrations are a watercolor collage media, and add a distinct "Jenkins" feel to the book. In combination with the text, the features of the wings are highlighted by the illustrations. The delicacy of the different kinds of wings are captured in the illustrations. Jenkins blends art and science together in perfect unison.
At the end of the book, Jenkins provides a picture glossary of the winged animals and insects he features in the book. The entry for each animal presents facts about the animal, and is an excellent resource for the curious reader who is looking for more information.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
2002 Orbis Pictus Award Recommended
Books List for Outstanding Nonfiction
Best Book of the Year, Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education
The Society of Illustrators Original Art 2002 Show
BOOKLIST, ALA- "An attractive, informative choice for sharing with kids almost ready to read on their own."
BOOKLINKS- "Jenkins and Page combine two high-interest topics in a format that works at several levels."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL- "Jenkin's trademark illustrations, watercolor cut-paper collage, are perfect for this exploration of wings. From the striped, transparent wings of the ancient dragonfly to the crushed, leathery wings of the vampire bat, each illustration captures the uniqueness of the appendage it portrays."
CONNECTIONS
OTHER WORKS FROM STEVE JENKINS
2002 Orbis Pictus Award Recommended
Books List for Outstanding Nonfiction
Best Book of the Year, Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education
The Society of Illustrators Original Art 2002 Show
BOOKLIST, ALA- "An attractive, informative choice for sharing with kids almost ready to read on their own."
BOOKLINKS- "Jenkins and Page combine two high-interest topics in a format that works at several levels."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL- "Jenkin's trademark illustrations, watercolor cut-paper collage, are perfect for this exploration of wings. From the striped, transparent wings of the ancient dragonfly to the crushed, leathery wings of the vampire bat, each illustration captures the uniqueness of the appendage it portrays."
CONNECTIONS
- Students will chose two different animals presented in the book. They will use a double bubble thinking map to compare and contrast the different characteristics of each animal.
- Math connection-have students use long pieces of butcher paper to measure the wingspan of the bald eagle and the wing span of the albatross. Students will convert the measurements from feet to inches.
OTHER WORKS FROM STEVE JENKINS
- BIGGEST, SMALLEST, FASTEST. ISBN 9780395861363
- LOOKING DOWN. ISBN 9780618310982
- HOTTEST, COLDEST, HIGHEST, DEEPEST. ISBN 9780618494880
THE HOUSE BABA BUILT
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Young, Ed. THE HOUSE BABA BUILT. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company, 2011.
ISBN 978-0316076289
Young, Ed. THE HOUSE BABA BUILT. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company, 2011.
ISBN 978-0316076289
SUMMARY
As the wars gets closer and the world is in the midst of an economic depression, Baba begins the search for a safe place for his family. Through a deal, Baba is able to secure land where he is allowed to build a safe place near the foreign embassies in Shanghai, and where he and his family can stay safely at for twenty years. Although he does not afford his family the comforts of a luxurious home, he is able to instill a sense of safety and family in the home he has secured for them. The children create a wonderful playground within the brick and concrete home. Young tells of the times shared together, visitors, and meals they had during the time they lived in the house. Eventually, as the toils of war deepen, two other families join Baba's house, and the house remains strong through the destruction of war. As time passes, the deal Baba has made for the land is made good by the family, and they return the land to the owner. Baba's legacy of family and giving is kept in the hearts of his children.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
As the wars gets closer and the world is in the midst of an economic depression, Baba begins the search for a safe place for his family. Through a deal, Baba is able to secure land where he is allowed to build a safe place near the foreign embassies in Shanghai, and where he and his family can stay safely at for twenty years. Although he does not afford his family the comforts of a luxurious home, he is able to instill a sense of safety and family in the home he has secured for them. The children create a wonderful playground within the brick and concrete home. Young tells of the times shared together, visitors, and meals they had during the time they lived in the house. Eventually, as the toils of war deepen, two other families join Baba's house, and the house remains strong through the destruction of war. As time passes, the deal Baba has made for the land is made good by the family, and they return the land to the owner. Baba's legacy of family and giving is kept in the hearts of his children.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
A wonderful and heart touching reminder of the innocence and imagination only found through a child's eyes. Ed Young brings powerful insight into the life and childhood of children during the war through a colorful, tactile, and visual autobiography. In the powerful moments captured in the midst of a destructive time in history, he delivers art and the memoir of his childhood in Shanghai. Simultaneously, he plays homage to the craftsmanship and engineering skill of his father in the building of the home that kept them safe.
With beautiful artwork in his title page, Young sparks the interest of the reader and sets the stage for a powerful recording and presentation of the childhood he experienced living in China. Through photographs, artwork, and drawings, Young allows the reader to genuinely embrace his reality as a child, and the vision of Baba for his children. Some of the collage work contains texture that looks so real, the reader may touch the page to see if it is just paper. The mixture of collage, drawings and real photos create a unique blend of visual entertainment while reading the story of his childhood.
In his afterword, Young shares the photographs of his own children standing in front of the still standing Shanghai house. In his author's note, he shares the process of writing the book and "re-creating reality." Young provides powerful photographs of the past, an author's note, and timeline that glue the story of Young's family experience. His father's portrait sits behind the timeline, symbolizing the vision of Baba to hold his family together through the toughest of times.
*I was surprised my school library did not have this in their collection. I had to request an inter-library loan from another campus. I feel this book is a great place to start when teaching autobiographies, and my students just loved it!
REVIEW EXCERPTS
2011 Booklist Top 10 Art Books for Youth
2011 Booklist Top 10 Art Books for Youth
2011 Booklist Editors' Choice, Books for Youth, Nonfiction, Middle Readers
2011 Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books, Nonfiction
2011 SLJ Best Books, Nonfiction
2012 Booklist Top 10 Biography Books for Youth
From PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY- "In this picture book memoir by the Caldecott Medalist, which opens in 1931 (the year he was born), the stock market has crashed, and China is in turmoil. Young’s father, Baba, persuades a landowner in Shanghai to let him construct a huge brick house on his land; Baba promises to return the house after 20 years, long enough to keep his family safe until WWII ends. Young’s creation, shaped with help from author Libby Koponen, is as complex and labyrinthine as Baba’s house, with foldout pages that open to reveal drawings, photos, maps, and memories. Tender portraits of his siblings, torn-paper collages showing tiny figures at play, and old photos of stylish adults intermingle, as if they’d been found forgotten in a drawer. Young’s fans will savor stories of his East-West childhood; he and his four siblings raise silkworms, watch Westerns, train fighting crickets, and dance the conga when the war finally ends 14 years later. “Life,” Baba writes to his children, “is not rich not real unless you partake life with your fellow man”; Young set the course of his life by his father’s words. It’s history at its most personal. All ages." (Oct.)
From KIRKUS REVIEW- "Sophisticated, inventive art invites close viewings for patient readers in this unusual family story."
From KIRKUS REVIEW- "Sophisticated, inventive art invites close viewings for patient readers in this unusual family story."
CONNECTIONS
- Use the Educator's Guide provided by Ed Young at his WEBSITE. This guide provides a nice collection of questions and various activities for a teacher to choose from. This guide could very well carry over into many other areas and make for a great unit study across content areas.
- Create a multi-flow map while reading this book in order to reinforce the chronological sequence within the story.
OTHER BOOKS FROM ED YOUNG
- LON PO PO: A RED RIDING HOOD STORY FROM CHINA. ISBN 9780698113824
- SEVEN BLIND MICE. ISBN 9780698118959
- THE LOST HORSE: A CHINESE FOLKTALE. ISBN 9780152050238
