Author Archives: oruff

Rechenka’s Eggs

Title: Rechenka’s Eggs

Author: Patricia Polacco

Illustrator: Patricia Polacco

Publisher and Year: Philomel Books, 1988

Number of pages: 30

Tags/Themes: Animals, Picture Book, Emotion, Russian, K-1, 2-3, Diversity, Fine Arts, Olivia Ruff

Genre: Fiction

Descriptive Annotation: The book is about an old woman who paints eggs for a festival every year. During the winter she feeds the caribou, and once a wounded goose found her house. She tended to the goose, and once it broke all of the eggs she had painted for the upcoming festivals. The goose then began to lay painted eggs. She laid enough eggs for the woman to take to the festival, and then the goose had to leave with her flock. She left behind an egg with a baby goose in it that would stay with the woman forever.

Classroom Application: This book does not tell any lesson, but it uses aspects from a country that does not get much air time in children’s literature: Russia. The book uses Russian words, but it does not require any previous knowledge to understand it. This book could be used in an art class to introduce the Russian tradition of painting eggs. It could be used in a different classroom to show aspects of Russian culture in the classroom.

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Analysis: There are a few Russian words in the book, and it puts an emphasis on the culture. The illustrations use aspects of Russian traditions such as the designs on the eggs or the patterns of the fabric used throughout the novel. The buildings are real buildings in Russia as well. Quotations: “Babushka lived alone in a dacha, a little house in the country, but she was known far and wide for the fine eggs that she lovingly painted” (1) and “She crossed the bridge over the Moskva River and soon she could see the onion domes of Old Moskva” (18).

The Upside Down Boy

Title: The Upside Down Boy

Author: Juan Felipe Herrera

Illustrator: Elizabeth Gomez

Publisher and Year: Children’s Book Press, 2000

Number of pages: 30

Tags/Themes: Spanish, Language, Listening, Family, Agriculture, Picture Book, Emotion, 2-3, 4-5, Diversity, Bilingual, Olivia Ruff

Genre: Memoir and Bilingual

Descriptive Annotation: This is a memoir by the author, Juan Felipe Herrera of the time when his family moved into the city and he started school. He was unsure about the ways of school, but he found comfort in music through singing. He proudly displays his talents to his family at home, and he grows in confidence with the support of the teacher and his family. The story is told in both English and Spanish.  The language used is somewhat flowery, similar to language used in poetry.

Classroom Application: This book would be good to use in an ELL or ESL classroom. It is helpful to have the second language in the book. The language used in somewhat advanced, and students who know both English and Spanish would enjoy this book more. This book is a memoir, so this could be incorporated into an English lesson on memoirs as well.

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Analysis: This book is a memoir, so this would be another opportunity for students to learn about a different literary form. The language in the book is beautiful and poetic, making it different from other children’s stories. The book challenges students to think about the aspects of a change in lifestyle for Spanish speaking students as they become accustomed to schools where English is mainly spoken. Quotations: “That year we were living in the mountains by Lake Wolfer, a glassy world full of sky colors” (2) and “If I learn the English words will my voice reach the ceiling, weave through it like grape vines?” (9).

Different Abilities

Title: Different Abilities

Author: Rebecca Pettiford

Illustrator: No illustrator, several photo credits

Publisher and Year: Bullfrog Books, 2018

Number of pages: 24

Tags/Themes: Disabilities, Picture Book, K-1, Diversity, Olivia Ruff

Genre: Educational

Descriptive Annotation: This book is all about children with special needs. The images are all photographs of children with special needs. There is an index in the front and back of the book, and there is a photo glossary in the back of the book as well. There is a page with a few images of sign language. The book shows children through a positive lens. Students do not need to have very advanced word knowledge in order to read this book.

Classroom Application: This book would be great to introduce students to the idea of disabilities. The book is written in a way that shows that students with disabilities are not that much different than students without disabilities, so it would be a good book for an early level social justice unit because it puts the focus on leveling the playing field for all students, showing that they are all not that much different from one another.

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Analysis: This book is a good way to challenge students to think in a more positive way about students with disabilities. They would be shown that students with special needs are not that different from them. This would not fall under any specific content area but it would be an important learning experience for students in terms of teaching for social justice. Quotations: “Tony plays the violin. He practices every day. Someday he may be famous!” (8) and “Luke can talk without speaking. How? He uses his hands” (12-13).

Carlos and the Cornfield

Title: Carlos and the Cornfield

Author: Jan Romero Stevens

Illustrator: Jeanne Arnold

Publisher and Year: Northland Publishing, 1995

Number of pages: 30

Tags/Themes: Spanish, Language, Listening, Family, Agriculture, Picture Book, Emotion, 2-3, 4-5, Diversity, Bilingual, Olivia Ruff

Genre: Fiction and Bilingual

Descriptive Annotation: This book has the story written in both English and Spanish. The story is about a little boy who helps his dad plant corn. He does not listen to the instructions his father gave him, and he hastily buys a new pocket knife. After a few weeks, he notices that the corn is not growing properly in the last few rows, so he goes out and buys corn seed and replants the rows with the money from his resold pocketknife. He ends up planting the wrong type of corn and his dad gives him the pocket knife. The story uses some Spanish within the dialogue, and the people have Spanish names.

Classroom Application: This book would be good to use in an ELL or ESL classroom. It is helpful to have the second language in the book. This shows Spanish culture, and it introduces students to Spanish. The students would learn the importance of fully listening to directions as well.

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Analysis: Due to the fact that the book is bilingual, it offers a unique opportunity for students to become interested in learning another language. The book uses several important cultural things such as the importance of corn. Students could become interested in corn because of this book, and a fun addition to the book is that the last page has a recipe for cornmeal pancakes. Quotations: “Mijo, my son, I have a big job for you. Now that the ground is ready, I want you to plant the seed” (6) and “Carlos could hardly believe his good fortune. With five dollars he would have enough money to buy the red pocketknife in Senor Lopez’s store” (10).

I Know the World’s Worst Secret

Title: I Know the World’s Worst Secret

Author: Doris Sanford

Illustrator: Graci Evans

Publisher and Year: Multnomah Press, 1987

Number of pages: 28

Tags/Themes: Alcoholism, Picture Book, Emotion, K-5, Family, Olivia Ruff

Genre: Fiction

Descriptive Annotation: The book follows the story of a young girl from her perspective. The child’s mother is an alcoholic, and her family makes excuses for the mother. The little girl assumes many of the roles an adult would have such as cleaning, cooking, and taking care of siblings. The child talks to her “friend” which is a clown doll. The drawings are soft and look as though they were drawn with colored pencils. The advice from the doll is italicized, and there is a list of helpful tips at the back of the book to help children with alcoholic adults in their lives.

Classroom Application: This book would go well in a classroom to talk about difficulties that other children deal with. Children would be able to reflect on new situations that may be very different than their own. This would help students become more understanding of situations that their peers might be involved in.

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Analysis: The language may be more advanced for early readers, but it is a good book to be read to students who are younger if they cannot read it themselves. Students may be inclined to ask questions regarding alcoholism, and it would be a great way to get students thinking about warning signs and be more aware about issues that alcohol can cause. It is helpful that the story is told from the perspective of a child, as it makes it easier for children to relate to. Quotations: “My mommy drinks Scotch. She gulps Scotch. She drinks a lot of it before she gets drunk” (4) and “Last night Daddy hit Mommy and called her a ‘drunk.’ Mommy kicked Daddy. Laura and I ran next door” (18).

We Belong Together

Title: We Belong Together

Author: Todd Parr

Illustrator: Todd Parr

Publisher and Year: Hachette Book Group USA, 2007

Number of pages: 29

Tags/Themes: Picture Book, K-1, Family, Olivia Ruff

Genre: Fiction

Descriptive Annotation: This book is about adoption. The book is very basic, and there are no consistent characters. The book gives the different reasons for why a child would be adopted, and it is read as though a parent would be explaining why they adopted the child. The book follows the form of “We belong together because…X.” It is consistent throughout making it an easy read for a child. The colors are bright and cheery, and the characters are bubbly drawings. The last page is a short note from the author.

Classroom Application: This story would be good to use in an elementary classroom when talking about the different ways that families are formed. Children are rarely asked to think about the different ways families come together, and this would be a good book to use to introduce children to the idea of adoption.

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Analysis: This book could provide the foundation for conversations about adoption. This would provide the opportunity for students to ask questions and gain a better understanding for the different ways other children live or what their families look like. This book is helpful for students who have been adopted for them to be understood by their peers to some extent. Quotes: “We belong together because… you needed someone to read to you and we had stories to share” (21-22) and “We belong together because… you needed a home and I had one to share” (1-2).

The Right Touch

Title: The Right Touch

Author: Sandy Kleven

Illustrator: Jody Bergsma

Publisher and Year: Illumination Arts Publishing Company, 1998

Number of pages: 32

Tags/Themes: Emotion, Family, Picture Book, Award Book, K-5, Olivia Ruff

Genre: Educational

Descriptive Annotation: This book follows a little boy and his mother talking before bed. The mother decides to tell her son about inappropriate touching. She gives an example of a little girl who went over into her neighbor’s house and was assaulted. There is a note for parents and teachers in the front of the book with steps to what to do if a child comes to the adult saying that they had been inappropriately touched. This note also explains the importance of the book for various reasons including the fact that children are not always aware of the dangers of familiar people taking advantage of them.

Classroom Application: This story would be a good story to read to children whether it is read in the homes of children or during a lesson on bullying or abuse. We often teach children to beware of strangers, but children are rarely told about the biggest child-predators: people that they might already know of. This book is a good, appropriate way to tell children about the different ways to be aware of situations where sexual abuse could happen.

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Analysis: This book helps foster a safe space for children to talk about abuse and become aware of some of the dangers. This would open up a door for already abused children to speak up. The illustrations are welcoming and warm, and there is one page with drawings of a boy and a girl so that the adult can explain the differences in whichever way they want to. Quotes: “Lots of kids say they get warning feelings when things are not safe” (21) and “Kisses and cuddles I like a lot, but when I say no, please touch me not” (30).

 

My Name is Celia

Title: My Name is Celia

Author: Monica Brown

Illustrator: Rafael López

Publisher and Year: Northland Publishing, 2004

Number of pages: 26

Tags/Themes: Culture, Diversity, Award Book, Non-fiction, Picture Book, K-1, Olivia Ruff

Genre: Non-fiction

Descriptive Annotation: This book is about the life of Celia Cruz, a salsa musician from Cuba. She left Cuba and pursued music in America. Her music reminds her of home, and the entire story is in both English and Spanish. The illustrations are bright and cheery with Spanish influence.

Classroom Application: This story would be great for an ELL or ESL class for young kids because it has both English and Spanish in it. The story covers the real life story of Celia Cruz, and this could be a positive book for students who are immigrants. This also could be good for students in a Spanish class in high school since it has both languages.

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Analysis: This story is about an immigrant from Cuba, and this would be useful for students who are immigrants themselves as well as students who are not immigrants. The book shows the power of music through nostalgia, so it could foster some conversations about immigrants as well as music. Children could discuss an aspect of their lives that they would see as their “sugar,” something that represents their culture or their family. Quotes: “In the evenings, I would help my mother put the younger children to sleep by singing them soothing, sweet lullabies” (6) and “From that point on, when I walked out on stage I would simply say, ‘SUGAR!’ And they would know exactly what I meant-home and love and lots of kisses” (18).

 

 

 

 

Henry’s Freedom Box

Title: Henry’s Freedom Box

Author: Ellen Levine

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Publisher and Year: Scholastic Press, 2007

Number of pages: 38

Tags/Themes: Culture, Diversity, Award Book, Non-fiction, Picture Book, 2-3 , Olivia Ruff

Genre: Historical Non-fiction

Descriptive Annotation: This book is about Henry, a child born into slavery, who escaped slavery as an adult by being shipped in a crate to Pennsylvania. There is an author’s note in the back with a description of the Underground Railroad. The illustrations are exquisite; the images capture the attention of the reader and draw on the sad aspects (slavery) of the plot.

Classroom Application: This book would be a great addition to a civil rights unit. It sheds light on the Underground Railroad and the different ways people were mistreated. It is a true story, so the students would be learning from a real life example. I would use this as an example for the ways in which slaves escaped slavery.

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Analysis: The story covers a unique example of an escaped slave through the Underground Railroad. The illustrations are heart-wrenching and shows how desperate people were to escape slavery. The fact that Henry was torn away from his family also gives the story a very sad tone. Quotes: “If you made a mistake, the boss would beat you” (9) and “Henry Brown wasn’t sure how old he was. Henry was a slave. And slaves weren’t allowed to know their birthdays” (1).

Anansi the Spider

Title: Anansi the Spider

Author: Gerald McDermott

Illustrator: Gerald McDermott

Publisher and Year: Landmark Production, Incorporated, 1972

Number of pages: 36

Tags/Themes: Culture, Diversity, Animals, Fiction, Picture Book, K-5, Olivia Ruff

Genre: Fiction

Descriptive Annotation: This picture book is based on the story of one of the travels of Anansi, a trickster from Ghana folklore. The children of Anansi help save Anansi from being killed, and then he must decide which child to give the moon to, so he puts it in the sky until he decides which child deserves it. In essence, it is the story of how the moon came to be. The illustrations are bright and patterned. There is an author’s note with information about Ghana folklore.

Classroom Application: The book would help students learn about different cultures and learn about the folklore of tribes in Africa. This could be used in a social studies classroom or an English classroom. This novel could be a great introduction to African culture for younger children, but it could also be used as an example when looking into literature about other cultures.

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Analysis: This picture book would be great for younger students in K-1 to introduce other cultures in the classroom. For older students (2-3 grade) the book would be a good addition to a unit on African culture or folklore. The story provides opportunities for younger students to question what child would Anansi give the moon to, different moral questions of that sort. Quotes: “Then Game Skinner helped father Anansi. He split open Fish” (16) and “First son was called See Trouble. He had the gift of seeing trouble a long way off” (3).