Cows find an old typewriter and begin making demands of Farmer Brown. Fourteen two-page spreads. Subtle humor, as is evidenced in other picture books by Cronin. Illustrations are by Betsy Lewis.
4 Cronin, Doreen. Diary of a Worm. Joanna Cotler Books (Harper Collins), 2003.
Using a diary format, Cronin shows that a young worm--just like a young child--can have good days and bad days. Great illustrations by Harry Bliss (New Yorker cartoonist), good allusion, very creative use of a very simple idea.
4Cronin, Doreen. Giggle, Giggle, Quack. New York: Simon & Schuster (2002).
By changing Farmer Brown's instructions, Duck helps the farm animals have a great time during the farmer's vacation. Simple, yet great, concept. Humor is inherent. Duck's role is inferred--which is kind of neat. Illustrations are by Betsy Lewis.
4 Otto, Whitney. How To Make An American Quilt. New York: Ballantine Books, 1991.
The story of eight women and how their lives intertwine. The story is told by the granddaughter of one of the characters, though she isn't very obvious in the novel. It's my understanding that she is a primary character in the movie of the same name. The structure of the book very much mimics a quilt with each woman's story able to stand alone (vignette), but pieced together with the other stories, it creates a greater, more beautiful pattern. Was difficult to get through early on (slow start, sometimes hard to keep track of the two sisters Hy and Gladie Joe). I had to read it in short spurts for some reason, where other books I am able to stay with for hours on end.
"Women were witness to Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Find some quality silk and cotton in red, white, and blue. Cut white stars in the evening as you sit on your summer porch. Applique the letters that spell out your name, your country, your grief. Stitch across the quilt a flag held in the beak of a dove. Ponder the fact that you could not vote for the man but will defy any male citizen who will not allow you your measure of sorrow at the president's sudden death. Say something in cloth about the Union lasting, preserved. Listen to the men expound their personal satisfaction in the glory of the vote. Listen to them express surprise that you too, would like to vote and be heard. They might say, This is not your concern, and conclude that perhaps you are too idle at home and should consider having another child.
Save your opinions for your quilt. Put your heart and voice into it. Cast your ballot; express your feelings regarding industrialization, emancipation, women's suffrage, your love of family."
How To Make An American Quilt by Whitney Otto
4 Powers, Tina Naughton. The Land of Imagination. Tucson: Imagination Publications, 2005.
Looks to be a self-published book. Picture book format but with more text than an average picture book. Story line: Queen is placed under an evil spell and can only speak in contractions (don't, can't, won't). Maid with a dream to be an actress receives magic dragon dust that eliminates the spell and no longer are there limitations in the land of possibilities. Nice message. Illustrations by Pamela S. Ross.
No comments:
Post a Comment