Book Description

Quezada creates stunning pots in the traditional style of the Casas Grandes people, including using human hair to make brushes and cow dung to feed the fire. This real-life story is written in the form of "The House That Jack Built," and relays how Juan’s pioneering work has changed a poor village into a prosperous community of world-class artists. Illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner David Diaz. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

My kid is obsessed with this book
The absorbing subject matter of this book, presented through catchy rhymes and alliteration and strong, colorful illustrations, has completely captured the imagination of my four-year-old. For three days now, he's been "Juan" almost exclusively, following ants to a vein of "the very best clay, all squishy and white," pretending to make vessels for every conceivable purpose, and peppering me with questions about Mexico, pottery-making, and Juan himself. I've had to draw the line at cutting my hair for paintbrushes and gathering the "dried cow manure" left by the neighborhood dogs. "The Pot That Juan Built" appeals to pre-schoolers' burgeoning interest in rhyme and other aspects of language; making things out of simple materials; and the world around them generally. I give it my highest recommendation!

Excellent, Beautiful Book!
I'm appalled at the lack of love for this book! I am a teacher of a 3rd grade classroom in California where my children are learing about how humans use the world around them to create their life and build their culture. This book is a perfect tie-in to this concept. The illustrations are beautiful and I found the rhymes to be intelligent and descriptive. Two thumbs up from me, and 48 thumbs up from my class!!

A Modern Classic
This is a beautiful book, in illustration and in content. It is the true story of Juan Quezada, a potter, and a celebratory tale of the village of Mata Ortiz, Mexico. Quezada's discovery of ancient pottery methods transformed Mata Ortiz from an impoverished village into a prosperous community of world-renowned artists. The story is cleverly told in the form of "The House That Jack Built". It is sing-song-y in it's rhythm and children will be enraptured by the story Ms. Andrews-Goebel has written and the beautifully vibrant illustrations of Caldecott Award winning illustrator, David Diaz. A more complete story of the famous pottery is told on the facing pages, providing intricate details of a fascinating process. A photo-illustrated afterward follows Quezada through the process of creating a pot, from the digging of the clay to the completed product. This book is a great addition to any child's multicultural library and informs us of one of the great contemporary and nationally recognized Mexican artists. DELIGHTFUL!!!

not a good seller
The pictures are very nice. But as other reviewers have said, the structure and layout is fatally flawed and the writing style more appealing to adults who grew up knowing "The House that Jack Built". I'm finding it's not a popular seller. As a bookstore owner, I'm also finding that the publishing industry is more and more out of touch with consumer demand. That even goes for many of these smaller companies. Lee & Low, I admire your multicultural aim, but shake up your editorial dept. please! Many of your books are too similar, the writing trite and stilted. Do more humor, go deeper, be more original in style and content!

not impressed, kids were bored
The art is not as stunning as in some other recent titles, but certain design elements are unique and make for an interesting composition. I encountered resistance when reading this story to my kindergarten class. They lost interest when I reached the historical information on the right side of the book. It was an interesting idea to incorporate the true facts of Juan's life, but I think the structure and layout of the story suffers from this dense presentation of facts. As for the poetry, I would have been more impressed by an original voice and rhythm uniquely suited to its Mexican subject and setting, and not borrowed from a Classic nursery rhyme. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (11)

Wilma Unlimited
Wilma Rudolph was never expected to live past her first birthday, but she did. That wouldn't be the only thing she would have to overcome in her challenging life. Wilma was always a sickly child growing up. Her brothers and sisters would get sick, but she would get it twice as bad. By the time Wilma was five, her family found out that she had polio. The doctors had her wear a special steel brace, and told her that she would never walk again. Growing up she would watch children playing basketball, and wished she could some day play as well. One day she decided she was going to learn to walk without her brace. So, she did just that. Her and her mother worked and worked at strengthening her leg. Finally she was able to play with the other children. She helped lead her high school basketball team to the state championship, in which they lost. She caught the eye of the Tennessee State track coach. He couldn't believe how fast she was. Wilma ended up being the first person in her family to attend and finish college. Later on, Wilma went on to win an astonishing three gold metals in the Summer Olympics of 1960. I found this book to be very rewarding. I think it would help kids that have a lot of tough challenges in life. It would also help inspire anyone that would happen to read it. I had always heard of Wilma Rudolph when I was growing up, but I never knew how inpirational her life really was, until now!

An inspiring story of the woman who surprised the world.
This is a wonderful true story of one woman's accomplishments. Wilma Rudolph was a bouncy child who ran everywhere as soon as she could walk. When she contracted polio and scarlet fever at the same time, the doctor said she would never walk again. But Wilma had a mother who rode the bus with her 50 miles each way twice a week, to the nearest hospital that would treat black patients. She had 21 brothers and sisters to help her exercise and practice until she could walk, first with a brace, then (finally) all on her own. Wilma had watched the other children play for years, and she wanted to play basketball as soon as she could. Wilma's long legs, strength, and determination helped her to lead her high school basketball team to the state championships, where she caught the attention of a track and field coach who offered her a college scholarship. In 1960, Wilma made the US Olympic track and field team. She wasn't expected to win any events, but it was an honor for her just to compete. And then Wilma amazed everyone. She won her first gold medal when she flew past everyone in the 100 meter race -- and then won another in the 200 -- and then she won another gold when she anchored the 4 by 100 meter relay. Wilma Rudolph did what no one else had done before, and she earned the richly deserved title of fastest woman in the world. Her story is proof that strength can overcome almost any disadvantages

Running just as fast as she can
Inspirational stories fill hundreds of picture books every year. Most are simply awful. They either tell tales that are loose plots barely supported by facts or they paste together a slapdash concoction of truth and fiction with as little thought as possible. The truly beautiful bio-picture books out there are as rare as hummingbirds in autumn. So it was with great joy that I located "Wilma Unlimited" and found it to be not only inspirational but also a darned good read. Written by Kathleen Krull (the woman who could make long dead musicians fascinating in "Lives of the Musicians" and bring Cesar Chavez to life in the recent "Harvesting Hope") and illustrated by David Diaz the book is the best possible way to introduce kids to one of the world's greatest athletes.

Born in 1940 to a family of twenty-one people (nineteen siblings, no less), Wilma Rudolph was initially a sickly child. Though she was energetic enough, she often caught every disease imaginable. At the age of five, Wilma's left leg twisted inward and it was clear that she'd come down with polio. Still, Wilma was a determined child and she consistently exercised her unruly leg to get stronger. After continual practice, she was finally able to walk free of the leg brace that had weighed her down. At twelve the brace was put away for good and Wilma started participating in sports. She led her high school basketball team to the finals, catching the eye of a college coach. Before you knew it, Wilma was recruited into the Tennessee State University's track-and-field team on a full ride scholarship. In 1960 she competed in the Olympic Games in Rome. The book sets this part up beautifully. Wilma arrived with a twisted ankle into a place filled with television cameras (the first time they ever filmed the Olympics), the place "shimmering heat", and her competition consisting of runners who had run faster races than she ever had. Then Wilma proceeds to win one... two... three gold medals! The last medal is especially dramatic, hinging on the moment when Wilma drops her baton and STILL beats the other runners in the 400-meter relay. The last double page spread in this book shows Wilma standing, "tall and still, like a queen", earning the last of her three medals. It's a truly proud moment for all who have the privilege to experience it once again in picture book form.

Krull has a way with words. I'm not saying that Wilma Rudolph's life is dull. Far from it. But in the hands of a lesser author this story could easily have been bogged down in all the wrong moments. This author knows which moments should be given full glory. The moment when Wilma removes her brace and walks proudly into church will banish from your mind that similar pseudo-inspirational moment in "Forrest Gump". Wilma's struggle at the Olympics through pain and skepticism puts the reader through the same strains. You yearn for this woman to beat them and beat 'em she does. Then, best of all, come the illustrations of David Diaz. This is my first Diaz experience, though I suspect that I'll read many more of his books as the days go on. Diaz has accompanied his illustrations in this tale with sepia toned photographs. The book's endpapers display the outlines of footprints in the dirt. The title page is an evocative view of ivy climbing a raw wooden fence. Behind his colorful illustrations, each background photograph refers to the corresponding scene obliquely. When Wilma and her mother take the bus to the hospital, the photograph is a close-up of a wheel. When she packs away her leg brace, it's shredded packing paper. A great relief it is indeed that the colored illustrations are worthy of their sepia compatriots. Though these pictures may appear blunt at first, they are filled with the most delicate of designs. I loved watching the character of Wilma as she aged. As she grows in confidence, her posture improves and back stiffens until, by the last shot, she is standing taller than all the women around her. Than all the women in the world.

"Wilma Unlimited" should be known to everyone living in American today. This is inspirational without being either annoying or faux-patriotic. It's an actual honest-to-goodness amazing story. The book is beautiful and its story is worthy of its packaging. I challenge you to read it and not shake your head at least once in amazement. It's just that good.

such a fantastic book!
i am a reading specialist in Washington, DC and chose this book b/c i love David Diaz and because, like wilma, my children have many obstacles in their lives. i simply can not finish this book without nearly crying in front of my class. i've read it so many times, but the suspenseful writing and triumphant ending never get tiring. it is a truly wonderful story and wonderfully told and illustrated by this duo.

An inspirational story
This is a biography about Wilma Rudolph. Wilma was not expected to live past the age of five. Wilma was always sick growing up. Her brothers and sisters would get sick, but she would get it twice as bad. By the time Wilma was five, her family found out that she had polio. The doctors had her wear a special steel brace, and told her that she would never walk again. Growing up she would watch children playing basketball, and wished she could some day play as well. One day Wilma was determined to walk without her brace and she walked into church with everyone watching her. Finally she was able to play with the other children. She helped lead her high school basketball team to the state championship, in which they lost. She caught the eye of the Tennessee State track coach. Later on, Wilma went on to win three gold metals in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
I really enjoyed this book because of the inspiration in the story. I think that a child reading this book would get a lot out of it. The illustrations for this book are very unique and beautiful. They flow very well with the story and really help to bring the emotion out in the book.
This is a perfect example of a book where the author is telling the reader that they can do anything they out their minds to. It is a book that I am sure will inspire many children and help them to believe in themselves. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (25)

Smoky Night- Chilren facing rioting and prejudice
From her home in Pasadena, California, Eve Bunting was close enough to Los Angeles for the riots of the early 90's to have had a big impact on her everyday life during that time. As an author of children's literature who was always thinking of new story lines, she began wondering about the effects the riots had on children in the Los Angeles area and other areas where rioting was taking place. This is the premise of her book Smoky Night. In the story, a young boy and his mother witness a riot on the streets outside their home. Later that evening, their building catches fire, and they go to a shelter until the fire can be extinguished and the building repaired. Through their experience, they learn the importance of getting along with others regardless of their race or background. Bunting does a wonderful job of portraying the craziness and futility of the riots from a child's perspective. The illustrations by David Diaz are also important in furthering the theme of overcoming the adversity of the riots, along with racism, through togetherness. Smoky Night begins with just the narrator and his mother, exhibiting their isolation in the middle of the dangerous riots. The mother in the story becomes the interpreter of the riots for the young boy. He seems to understand how the rioters are feeling, he says, "They look angry. But they look happy, too," but he does not understand why they are smashing and stealing things. His mother explains that they are so angry that they don't care what's right or wrong anymore. The pictures that illustrate the scenes of the rioting streets are wonderful. Collages of such things as glass to represent the broken windows, the soles of shoes to represent the robbing of the shoe store, and several different types of cereal to represent the robbing of Mrs. Kim's market create the illustrations. A painted scene of the action that is being described at the time also accompanies each of these backgrounds. During the riots, the colors and images are brightly colored, and many different things cover each page. The colors as well as the sparse, carefully selected words create the sense of panic and confusion that everyone, especially the children must have been feeling at the time. The brightest illustration is the one depicting the reds and yellows of the apartment fire along with matches and the fleeing occupants of the building. On the same page appears a lot of dialogue to represent the confusion of the fire in the middle of the night. Most of this consists of quick questions, many concerning the boy's lost cat. Later in the story, Bunting uses this cat which always fights with a neighbor's cat as a metaphor for the people who also work against their neighbors. The reader finds out about the cats' feud and the prejudice of the people when the boy says, "Mr. Kim's cat and my cat fight all the time, and Mrs. Kim yells at Jasmine in words I don't understand." As the people flee from the burning building their sense of urgency is obvious from the repeated use of exclamation points on the page. After the residents of the apartment escape from the fire, the text seems to move more slowly and the pictures show thick, soup-like smoke covering everything. Not until the residents of the apartment reach a shelter and a kind fireman brings both the boy's and Mrs. Kim's cats to them do the illustrations brighten up once again. In the story the cats are important because, like the people, the cats do not get along at first. However, when they are caught in the riots and the fire, they find the need to be with one another and, in the end, the fireman finds them together. The people involved in the story go through the same changes, and they also find that they have never taken the time to get to know each other. A story like Smoky Night can be helpful for any person who is struggling through adversity or thinking that others may be too different from themselves to be worth befriending.

A new view of urban violence
Bunting takes a bold step by bringing the LA riots to life through the eyes of a child. Though not the ideal bed time story, Smoky night is worth being read. It conveys the message of the effects of urban violence on a child but also tells a beautiful tale of coming together. Daniel and his cat stare out their apartment window at the streets below as people loot the stores. He can not understand why this is happening, how people can look angry and happy at the same time. As Daniel and his mother sleep, a fire breaks out in their building. In the confusion their cat is lost as well as the cat of Mrs. Kim, a Korean shop owner where Daniel's mother never goes. Perhaps a tad cornybut effective is Bunting's use of the two cats coming together to find comfort and security in a time of crisis. The illustrations of David Diaz fill the pages with bright neon colors. His use of multi media to create unique chaotic pictures, complimentary to the story being told.

A 3 1/2 year old critic
My daughter spotted this book at the library and said "look its a badge book." We are reading Caldecott Honor books to earn a badge from the library. I thought the content was a little advanced for a 3 year old, but she said "mommy this is an interesting book." She wants to read it again tonight before we return it to the library. I am ordering a paperback copy for at home and for future reads. I think she will understand the content and meaning more as she gets older. I am certain she doesn't know what riots are but she liked the tie-in with the 2 fueding cats becoming friends in the end and sharing a bowl of milk at the shelter where their families have been relocated during the riots.

Avoid, this book creates negative stereotypes.
Must aggree with other negative posts. Although the author has good intentions, this book is too complex for kindergarteners who may sadly create negative stereotypes of Blacks based on the depictions in the book.
However, this book may be appropriate for childeren who have encountered urban riots and other street violence.

Unfortunately I will have to solicite my child's kindergarten library to remove the book or at least place a warning indicating the book contains complex social issues.

a story about a horror that happened in our time
Smoky Night portrays a mother and son family in urban Los Angeles who are forced to leave their apartment because of a fire while the riots are in full swing. The background of each full-page spread consists of various photographed media, while the left side contains the text and the right side the impressionistic illustrations. The paintings contain exceptionally heavy lines to lend a sense of surrealism to a horrifying experience and also give a sense of seriousness within the brightly colored illustrations. This story shows an experience that elementary children nowadays won't remember, but may still be vivid in their parent's memory, and reminds the reader that adversity does not have racial boundaries. ... Read more

Book Description

Christmas is coming and Carlos and his family are going home-driving south across the border to Mexico. But Mexico doesn't seem like home to Carlos, even though he and his sisters were born there. Can home be a place you don't really remember?

At first, La Perla doesn't seem very different from the other villages they pass through. But then Carlos is swept into the festivities by Grandfather, Aunt Ana, and the whole village. Finally, Carlos begins to understand Mama and Papa's love for the place they left behind, and realizes that home can be anywhere, because it stays in the hearts of the people who love you.

Eve Bunting and David Diaz-the Caldecott Medal-winning team behind Smoky Night- collaborated once again to create a dazzling picture book that glows with holiday joy and the spirit of Mexico.

Reviews (4)

Eve Bunting and David Diaz do it again!
Eve Bunting takes her readers on journey with a Mexican family going home for Christmas. The text she uses is elegantly written. Through the feelings expressed by Carlos and his family you get a real sense of the Mexican culture and the importance of family. David Diaz's illustrations lead you into the journey with Carlos and his family. With the use of collaged background and inset illustrations the pages come alive. The text of Bunting and the illustrations of Diaz give you the sense of being there. This is a book that a child of any age would enjoy.

Excellent book!
This book is very touching...it sensitively portrays the sacrafices Mexican immigrants have to make to move to America for their children to have a better life. Very well done themes of parental love, long car trips, the sadness of leaving one's home country, sibling realtionships, husband and wife being romantic (tasteful and age-appropriate), and a child's growing understanding of the complexities of life. Buy and read it to every child (and adult) you know.

Good story/GREAT illustrations
This story is well told, with a nice pace and sense of language. Diaz is up to his usual standards, creating a colorful world that you just want to hop right into. Judge this book by its cover - it's beautiful!

beutiful story and Illustration
The story will keep the attention of any child with the vivid illustrations of Diaz's technique ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

A great book to use in the classroom when teaching poetry.
This book was a fantastic support when teaching 5th graders to move beyond "recipe" poetry.The ode structure helps them find the poetry in their day to day experiences.They thoroughly enjoyed listening to GarySoto's odes, and were eager to write their own.

A great book to use in the classroom when teaching poetry.
This book was a fantastic support when teaching 5th graders to move beyond "recipe" poetry.The ode structure helps them find the poetry in their day to day experiences.They thoroughly enjoyed listening to GarySoto's odes, and were eager to write their own. ... Read more

Book Description

"The sea, the sea, the sea. It rolled and rolled and called to me. Come in, it said, come in."

Thirteen-year-old Sophie hears the sea calling, promising adventure and a chance for discovery as she sets sail for England with her three uncles and two cousins. Sophie's cousin Cody isn't sure he has the strength to prove himself to the crew and to his father. Through Sophie's and Cody's travel logs, we hear stories of the past and the daily challenges of surviving at sea as The Wanderer sails toward its destination -- and its passengers search for their places in the world.

Reviews (122)

Sharon Creech's Best
This was the first of Sharon Creech's books that I read but I read many more of her books afterwards and they are great.
Sophie has a secret that not even she really understands. She wants to go on a boat trip with her 3 uncles and 2 guy cousins across the ocean to see her grandpa, Bompie. On the trip, they are all asked to teach one thing to everyone else. Sophie teaches Bompie's stories. She says Bompie told them to her but everyone knows she has never met Bompie. (He wrote her lots of letters, though.) Cody, one of Sophie's cousins, teaches juggling but everyone already thinks he is a complete goof and can never be serious. He is determined to prove everyone wrong and to be serious. Brian, Sophie's other cousin, needs to loosen up. He's a know-it-all.
This is a very adventurous book packed with secrets, mysteries, challenges, and memorable characters. Plus it's all told through Sophie's journal and Cody's summer journal.
If you read this book, I promise you won't be let down.

The Wanderer a review by Emma
Do you like sailing adventures and risky challenges? Then you should read the book The Wanderer by Sharon Creech. The protagonist, Sophia, her two cousins, Brian and Cody, and her three Uncles, Mo, Stu, and Dock, set sail on a dangerous adventure to see their Grandfather, Bompie. From Connecticut to Ireland, problems on the boat are numerous.
One of my favorite events is when Sophia sees a wave that is a little different than the others. As she gazes out into the ocean she notices an odd looking wave, it was not ebony like the others but white. It was covered in foam and grew bigger every moment. She shouted a warning toward Cody; he turned around saw the wave, crouched, and braced himself. She saw it hit him like a million bricks, and then Sophia took a deep breath and tried to hold as hard as she could to hold it.
Another one of my favorite events is when Uncle Mo (Cody's dad), teaches them radio code. They learned the whole alphabet. This is half of it, A= Alpha, B= Bravo, C= Charlie, D= Delta, E= Echo, and F= Foxtrot. They all called each other by their radio names; Sophia's would be Sierra- Oscar- Papa- Hotel- India- Alpha.
If you want to learn more about what happens to Sophia, or if you want to learn more radio code then ladies and gentlemen, I encourage you to read the book The Wanderer. There are many other exciting events in this story.

One of My Favorite Books
I read it at school for reading for the whole class. It's one of those books that just keeps you guessing we had so many ideas and thinks about what's going to happen next. It's one of my favorite books. READ IT

The Wanderer
I just finished reading this book, I think that this was one of Creech's best. I couldn't put the book down. It was so good and upbeat, and it kept you wondering what would happen next. I am not very interested in sailing but it was still excellent. I would suggest it to any person.

Waves and the Sea
An orphan named Sophie, her two cousins, and two uncles sail on a journey and face many challenges on the way in "The Wanderer". Wanting to see her grandfather, she rides with them, not to mention she loves sailing. Across the ocean is a long way and will take a lot of time. So why not try to get better acquainted? Each of them searches deep inside and finds their talent, trying to teach or tell the others how. Sophie knows so much about boats, and everyone thinks she doesn't because she's just a little kid. Sophie couldn't ignore the sea: the calling waves, the wind in your ears. Sharon Creech's style of writing captured many people's imagination because she wrote this very vividly. It captured mine and kept me enjoying reading The Wanderer. The Wanderer won the Newberry Honor Award medal and makes you feel sad toward the end. Creech's daughter actually journeyed across the ocean and inspired this story. It is a great book for all ages. ... Read more

Book Description

Once upon a time . . .

There was a singing Cinderella?

Yes, with a voice as flavorful as licorice.

There was also a Crooked Foster Mother and two evil sisters. A Queen Mother Rhythm and a Prince of Music.

And while there's no glass slipper to leave behind at the Great Gospel Convention, there is an enchanted melody for the Prince to search for . . . and to find.

Award-winning author and poet Joyce Carol Thomas and Caldecott Medal-winning artist David Diaz have infused the classic Cinderella tale with a soulful twist.

Book Description

Fifteen-year-old Johnny Gibbs does, well in school, respects his teachers, and loves his family. Then suddenly, with a few short words, his idyllic life is shattered. He learns that the family he has loved all his life is not his own, but a foster family. And now he is being sent to live with someone else.

Shocked by the news, Johnny does the only thing he can think of: he runs. Leaving his childhood behind forever, Johnny takes to the streets where he learns about living life--the hard way.

Richard Wright, internationally acclaimed author of Black Boy and Native Son, gives us a coming-of-age story as compelling today as when it was first written, over fifty years ago.

Notable 1995 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC) ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A thought-provoking novella -- I loved it!
I read this novella for a project in college. I am doing a project on gangs for my pedagogy class (I am a future English teacher). Once I began Rite of Passage, I could not put it down. The character of Johnny is so real and believable and, unfortunately, the situation of run-aways is very real, also. I recommend Rite of Passage to all, and especially to any teacher to teach to a junior high/high school class. I saw some connections in this book to The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (which I also love). A very rewarding read!

Great story but not enough
I did not really like the book, Rite of Passage. I thought the story was too short and that the ending was not conclusive enough. All the events of the story happen in less than one day. It could have been developed a lot more. In the story, there were some things that were brought up that seemed would be important later, but as I finished the book I realized they were not mentioned again. Also, there was no real ending to the story. With some literature, this form of ending works well. It sometimes leaves the reader hanging and makes them think. But when I finished this story, instead of that feeling I had more of the feeling, "That's it?"
There were some good points to the story too. One thing was that it caught my sympathy. I felt the same emotions that the characters were feeling. I was worried for them and felt sorry for them! It also made me think about how people are less fortunate, and how other people feel. We see sad people every day, but do we really stop to think about how it would be to be them?
I would not really recommend this book to other people. I thought that it was too depressing and did not have a conclusion! Maybe the reason I did not like it was because I like being happy, but I do not know. I think this would be a great beginning and middle to an interesting book, but it needs something more.

Pretty good book
Overall I liked "Rite of passage." I thought it was a pretty good book, and would recommend it to any upper level middle school age kids. The only reason I say you should be a little older, is that younger children may not be able to understand the idea the book is trying to give. I am not saying it is a hard read because it isn't by any means. Younger children just may not get it. Other than that have fun reading Richard Wright's "Rite of passage."

Rite of Passage
Rite of Passage is a book written by Richard Wright one of the worlds greatest authors. It takes place around the 1950's.This book is about a teenager who at the age of 15 finds out that the family he has been with all his life is not his real family, because of this he becomes real angry and runs away from his home to find what happens next think that you should read the rest of the book.

I like this book because it shows lots of stuff about real life. This book is also very interesting because it can also be reality; it made me feel like if I was in his place I also read it because it was written by Richard Wright.

review rite of passage
the book was a little strange but it was interesting. I would recomend it for any one that likes a short book that will keep them interested. the book has its own twist on life and it works for the author. this is the only book that i have read compleatly. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

A review from a African American parent's prospective
Maybe the thing about this books that offends me the most is that all the pictures are depicted as African Americans. I notice in the review that they said the book is geared toward young adults. I have the book in hand and it distinctly says 'An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division'. Even so, I myself find this book to be inappropriate for young minds. I personally feel that it has no place in a public library where it will be accessible to influence our youth's minds. I also don't believe that the reviews would be quite so good if all the pictures in the book were of Caucasian men. However I do realize that this is only my opinion and Carolyn Phelan is as always entitled to her opinion. I just believe as an African American parent that we as a race should block this book from our youths.
Yes the Mother Goose tales are a little gruesome, but come on now..there's a big difference between cutting off a mouse's tail and just for fun...plunge the knife and cut and run. Do we really want young impressionable minds reading this kind of (for use of a better word) crap?. Some of the poems are in keeping with the Mother Goose theme, but too many are way over the top with the violence. Take it from me, you do not want your child reading this book. It is banned in my household.

What if Mother Goose lived in the ghetto?
I first heard Eve Merriam's "The Inner City Mother Goose" in 1971, when it was part of the Oral Interpretation performed by Richard Quezada that won the New Mexico State Speech contest. Rick had a wonderful deep voice, the sort that radio DJs would die for, and he made these poems really come alive. Today people get all excited by politically correct fairy tales, but for our generation it was Merriam turning nursery rhymes on their head to reflect the realities of the urban ghetto that were a sign of the times. These are not parodies, but telling satires that take beloved nursery rhymes as their point of departure. Most of the time her starting points are perfectly clear, as with "Simple Simon, "Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick," and "If." Besides, not all of her reference points are nursery rhymes, because you will also see the echoes of Christmas carols (e.g., "Twelve Rooftops Leaping"). Other poems simply are in the general style of children's rhymes, albeit with more serious intent (but then remember, "Ring Around the Rosie" was about the Black Death).

The language of some of these poems was shocking back in 1969, but, of course, today these words would not cause a ripple on a rap album. However, what is important is that here we are decades later and do any of us doubt that the world of which this poems speak still exists? This volume contains the text of the 1982 expanded edition, with a new introduction by poet Nikki Giovanni, and ten full-color paintings by David Diaz. Final Note: You know, the "real" Mother Goose (Elizabeth Vergoose) is buried in Boston's Old Granary Burial Ground, along with the victims of the Boston Massacre, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere. Given her final resting place is amongst the patriots of the American Revolution, no, I do not believe she is spinning in her grave over Merriam's poems.

Inner City Mother Goose
I enjoyed and recommend this book because Merriam writes from the point of veiw of a person living in the situation, not of one looking down on it. She portrayed things the way they were then, and sadly, the way they are now.

Food for Thought
Dubbed a "powder keg" by LIBRARY JOURNAL when it was first published in 1969, THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE is probably Eve Merriam's most influential, provocative, and controversial book. It was the source of two musical plays, INNER CITY, which opened on Broadway in 1971, and STREET DREAMS, which opened in 1982, the same year a new edition of the book was released. A third edition, with an introduction by poet Nikki Giovanni, was published in 1996.

Like the original Mother Goose rhymes, THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE delivers social and political commentary. It is less subtle than Mother Goose rhymes, however. It will take many readers outside their own neighborhoods -- and their own comfort zones -- as it vividly depicts the brutal reality of life in contemporary urban areas: the poverty, the violence, the oppression, the filth, the corruption, the desperation. Still, readers are likely to recognize that they share many dreams with the INNER CITY characters: for love, fairness, education, a decent home, gainful employment.

Many of the rhymes echo the words and/or the rhythm of familiar Mother Goose rhymes, creating the illusion of playfulness and innocence. Often the last line of a poem takes an unexpected twist that ambushes the reader as if he or she were being mugged on a dark street.

Eve Merriam said, "I have been told that THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE was at one time the second most banned book in the country. I didn't write it for children. It was never intended to be a children's book. But it has percolated down, certainly to high school and junior high."

THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE offers much food for thought and discussion -- from the forms it mimics to the social situations it portrays. Teen and pre-teen readers might need guidance to distinguish between a lifestyle described and a lifestyle endorsed.

Inner City Mother Goose in Education
While the language of Eve Merriam's Inner City Mother Goose seems shocking at first glace, it is a very accurate depiction of the happenings in the inner city. As a future educator, I firmly believe that the words in this book can be used to reach these less fortunate children far better than the book's counterpart. Not only did Merriam's book create contoversy, but it created a bridge for those who live in that world to those who have not experienced it. The language is depictive of the society, and Diaz's illustrations and use of color illuminate the child's eye view of their world. This book is a required reading for any person who deals with children from this background in order to not only gain a better understanding of the child, but of your own world. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Anansi's Narrow Waist
This book was such a delight to read to my first grade class. They enjoyed the humorous tale of why spiders have narrow waists. The repetitive story captured and held their attention. A must read for all first graders. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Without F . . . I would be aith
What would you do if the first letter of your name would disappear? Richard Wilbur gives a comical way to view the disappearance of the alphabet. He makes his readers think about the importance of the alphabet. 'What if there were no letter A? Cows would eat HY instead of HAY' This would be an excellent book to read to elementary students. After reading this book, they could think of what other words would be or sound like with a letter missing. The illustrations by David Diaz are unique to say the least. He uses vibrant colors and illustraions to stress the importance of what Wilbur is trying to convey. This book made me think about the alphabet in a different way. It will do the same for young readers.

Excellent:for its humor, poetic quality, illustrations.
I highly recommend this book. The lines are easy to remember, and are very quotable. They provide an introduction to poetry and to the play with language. They introduce vocabulary with humor. The illustrations are quite extraordinary, the print of high quality. ... Read more

Book Description

Dirk McDonald's life was almost perfect. He lived with this grandmother, Fifi, in a beautiful gingerbread cottage in Hollywood. He had the beach, and his surfboard, and Fifi's red-and-white 1955 Pontiac convertible.

But Dirk wasn't happy. Inside, he was harboring a deep, dark secret. And he was afraid that if he admitted it to anyone - even Fifi - he would never be accepted again.

Then one night, Dirk's magic lamp came to life. Suddenly, all the stories from Dirk's past came flowing out of it. On that night, his life changed forever. At last, Dirk learned who he really was, and that any love that is love is right.

Reviews (13)

Poetic, realistic, and true.
This is the fifth book of the 'Weetzie Bat' stories by Ms. Block. It is really a prequel to the first book, and tells the story of Weetzie's best friend, Dirk. He knows he is 'different' (why is that so feared?) because he likes boys, and he doesn't want to be afraid. He wants to be strong and find someone who is strong, too. But he is unsure of himself. He falls in love with Pup and they are inseparable. They do daring things to show off how brave they are, but Pup is ultimately a coward and, though he loves Dirk, he cannot handle all that involves in such a hate-filled society. Dirk is alone, and his oddysey of discovery and cleansing really begins when he stands up to, and is beaten by, some swastika-wearing skinheads. In his delirium, Dirk meets his dead father, mother, and great-grandmother and they tell their stories to each other. The sharing is healing to them all. We love Dirk for his beauty and heart, and he can love who he is without fear. Duck Drake, who we have met in book one, is looking at the same sky, dreaming of meeting Dirk. This little book is a treasure. Full of poetry and light.

It was a wonderfully described, uncommon, story of struggle.
I love Baby Be Bop because it beautifully confronts a subject that most people are afraid to touch. Lia Block describes the struggle of a boy from L.A., during what is assumed to be recent times, and how he is having trouble coming to terms with his homosexuality. My favorite aspect of Lia Block's writing is her avante-garde description. I am normally a person who hates reading, but I was unable to put down Baby Be Bop, as well as the preceeding four books of the Weetzie Bat series. The entire Weetzie Bat series is outstanding but only those who can appreciate the subject matter will get a full appreciation of it.

Good plot...if only the writing were better.
The book is about a boy coming to terms with the fact that he is gay. Or rather, that he wishes the world could come to terms with this. Fair enough. But is it too much to ask that a book be grammatically correct and that syntax and diction make sense? Yes, I can understand that dealing with a "different" sexual orientation in a world that is mostly intolerant and abusive is hard, and that there are worse sins than choppy incoherent sentences. And please do both of us (you and me) a favor and do not accuse me of being homophobic, because I am not. Trust me, I am no more merciful than this with heterosexual protagonists.

There are just plain too many teenager-aimed books nowadays that have this sort of choppy, half-conscious, half-delirious, not quite stream of consciousness style (if you can call it that) of writing. It's been done so often, starting from years ago, that it is no longer shocking, surprising, dynamic, breathtaking, etc. It's just bad writing. I'll have to disagree with any of the reviews on this page that say that Block's writing is beautiful imagery or prose, etc. It's not.

There are a great many coming-of-age books that deal with people and sexuality that actually have intelligence and heart, and still manage to have good grammar and sentences that flow logically from one to the next. Read one of those instead.

Doesn't get better than this...
I love everything Francesca Lia Block has written (except maybe The Hanged Man), but this one has to be my favorite. I could read it forever. Aboslutely heartbreaking and soul-wrenching. Dirk and Duck were my favorites in the Weetzie Bat series, and this was the story I always wanted to hear, exactly the way and wanted to hear it.

Beautiful, by far one of her most touching
this is by far my favorite FLB book, i think she captures the feelings of isolation and loneliness that comes with coming out and coming to terms with homosexuality so well and in her beautiful poetic prose style. Great book to read when your going through a hard time and want to know that love and acceptance is out there. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In Feliz Navidad, singer/songwriter Jose Feliciano's beloved Christmas song comes to life with Caldecott Medal recipient David Diaz's lush, expressive illustrations. The lyrics (and picture book text) are simple, but Diaz's bold illustrations are rich and intense--families and friends gather in swirly, stylized paintings, caroling and sharing festive foods. The "Two Stories" in the subtitle are a bit hard to decipher from the pictures, but Feliciano's introduction describes both the Puerto Rican tradition of parranda (caroling and feasting), and the customs of colder climates: Christmas trees, poinsettias, hot cider, and snowmen. Feliz Navidad will undoubtedly become an annual family tradition in its own right. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (7)

A Haunting Book!
I had to read it twice to have the story really sink in. This book is very moving and quiet. A really great job from Eve Bunting and a book to be remembered.

Angel in the Alley
December is a remarkable book -- it manages to connect homelessness to the realm of miracles and the mystery of Christmas. As a reading teacher, I've had the pleasure of meeting Eve Bunting and sharing her stories with hundreds of children. The younger set don't always understand the implications of the old lady who visits on Christmas Eve, but they are deeply touched by the generosity of a mother and child who are willing to share a cookie, a precious coat and the box over their head. The story has something of the aura of O'Henry's Gift of the Magi. December is a pleasure to read and a treasure to share.

Beautiful Picture Book for Both Kids and Adults
Eve Bunting has teamed up again with David Diaz (illustrator) to create what will surely become a holiday classic. Is the feeble old lady who visits the mother and her son who live in a cardboard box really an angel? This story conveys, in an understated yet very accessible manner, the importance of finding spiritual meaning in the most humble of human experiences. This is a wonderful message of hope and the importance of recognizing, and extending ourselves to, those in need.

A book worthy of ANY personal library
The story is to the point and sends subte messages - no preaching about the Season of Giving here. Diaz' art helps to convey the realities of living on the street without being too harsh, and his artwork of the angel is incredible. I'd say this is a must-read for parents, children, and angel lovers alike.

The best Christmas book I've ever read!
This truly is a great book to read to children during the holidays! I found it to be a great way to share the message of giving with kids. Lots of message in a small, wonderfully beautiful book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

More incredible artwork by David Diaz!
Computer generated brilliance by Mr. Diaz - another tour de force. Diaz's art brings every story to life in a unique and moving way. A must for every library. ... Read more

Book Description

"Once upon a time in a cornfield there lived a scarecrow and his scarecrow wife and their little scarecrow boy." So begins Margaret Wise Brown's long lost treasure about a little scarecrow boy and the lessons he learns from his scarecrow father every day of the world, until the time he decides to test his knowledge and himself. Published here for the first time as a picture book, The Little Scarecrow Boy is a timeless story about the things children cherish family, home, and their place in the world. Tender and funny, it celebrates the tradition of passing knowledge from one generation to the next, and the exuberance that comes with reaching one's full potential. Known for his stunning design and breathtaking craftsmanship, Caldecott medal recipient, David Diaz declares an entirely new direction with The Little Scarecrow Boy. He perfectly captures the essence of this all-but-forgotten gem of a story with a bright palette and a remarkably fresh, childlike view of the world.

... Read more

Reviews (4)

Scarecrowing literally runs in the family.
The crows end up chasing the little scarecrow novice, and as he runs away from them in lushishly illustated strawy discombobulation, he makes each face he has practiced to scare crows away. But, ironically, not one of his "scarecrow faces" does actually scare the crows away, and he is carried away by the big black birds. No, just kidding. He just ends up being saved from the untold fate with the crows by his father. This book definitely gets its "charm" from simplicity, but it works. I read it three times in a row to a three year old in the special needs class today. Nice, simple, autumn themed book-it is.

A gentle tale of the value of perseverence
This gentle tale of the value of perseverence is in the best Margaret Wise Brown tradition. Without talking down to young children, she manages to convey the importance of stick-to-itiveness and the great love a young scarecrow boy has for his father. Trying the best he can to live up to his father's work ethic and talents, the little scarecrow boy tries and tries to scare the crows away. Although he fails over and over again, he does eventually succeed and sees that not only is his father proud of him--he is proud of HIMSELF. This is a great lesson quietly told--it's not preachy or high-handed in any way.

Brown's charming tale is greatly bolstered by the color-saturated illustrations of David Diaz. These have a lovely, soft 1930s look that reminds me very much of the illustrations in the original Raggedy Ann and Andy books. I especially like the way Diaz pulls back his perspective on the last page so that you really see why the little scarecrow boy feels, happily, that all is right with the world.

great!
I just read this book to my first grade class and they loved it. It's a great book to introduce the idea of never giving up and feeling proud after a job well done.

The Faces We Make
Margaret Wise Brown has, through this book, shared with parents how to accept and assist children wanting to take risks and explore life. This is also a wonderful book to use as a way of explaining adult jobs to children. It is a way of aleviating children's fear of separating from parents when they go off to school. The author has shared her humor, creativity and I suspect her experiences. This picture book is also considered a predictable book, because there is one verse that is repeated. Enjoy this delightful lighthearted story and see if you can relate to it or to other books that you have read. ... Read more

Book Description

You would know it anyplace -- my angel's face...

When a little boy wanders away while picking blackberries, his distraught mother enlists the help of Old Crow to find him. Her description of the child is so beautifully poetic that when the crow sees a child, who is as plain as a cricket, sleeping under a bush, he nearly flies on by. But on second thought, Old Crow decides to bring the child back rather than return empty-handed. As the mother joyfully wraps the boy in her arms, Old Crow realizes that every child is beloved and unique -- especially in his mother's eyes.

Sumptuous illustrations by Caldecott winner David Diaz and a complimentary CD performed by singer/songwriter Sarah Weeks make this book a breathtaking and tender celebration of a mother's love. ... Read more