Tag Archives: Animals

Not Afraid of Dogs

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IMG_5979Title: Not Afraid of Dogs

Author: Susanna Pitzer

 Illustrator: Larry Day

Publisher: Walker Publisher Company, Inc. 2006

Number of pages: 32 Pages

Tags: Animals, Family, Fiction, K-1, Stephanie Prentice

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Analysis

In this story, Daniel explains that he is a very brave boy and is not afraid of many things such as spiders and thunderstorms. He even claims that he is not afraid of dogs, rather he just simply does not like them. When he realizes that his family has to watch their aunt’s dog, he goes to extreme measures to avoid interacting with the dog. After he finds the dog is scared of thunderstorms in the middle of the night, Daniel comforts the dog and realizes that he is not afraid of dogs after all.

Daniel’s compassion for helping others allows him to overcome his fear of dogs. The story line allows children to see that being afraid of things, IMG_5980such as dogs, is normal and even common. The images, a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ Golden Kite Award for Illustrations winner, capture the emotions a child might have while facing their fears for the first time. For example, the cover picture shows Daniel climbing up a lamp post in the city when a group of dogs walk past him. Taking a first glance, the reader can easily tell the child is nervous and unfamiliar with dogs. The boy is usually placed on the opposite side of the dog, most of the time looking back to make sure he was safe from the dog. This is an accurate depiction of many other children who are afraid of or unsure of many animals. The text placement is not important in the story, however the author’s decision to emphasize Bandit’s howls in a different text size and alignment allows the reader to imagine the sound in their mind.

Overall, the pictures and text work together to tell the story. This book is a great way to show children that fears are rational and common. Daniel’s courage in overcoming his fear can encourage others to overcome their own fears. Daniel’s interaction with Bandit can prove helpful in showing children how to interact with unfamiliar dogs as well. In addition, it shows the common dynamic in the relationship between siblings when Daniel’s sister is often seen taunting Daniel about his fear of dogs. The story line allows many children who have siblings and a fear of dogs or animals to relate to the story.

The Three Pigs

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Author/Illustrator: David Wiesner

Publisher and Year: Clarion Books, 2001

Number of Pages: 38

Genre: Fantasy/Fiction

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Analysis: “The Three Pigs” is a book where Wiesner puts a weird but interesting twist on the typical “The Three Little Pigs” story by not only allowing the pigs to stand strong, but to move on into a whole different story. From there, they escape the big bad wolf along with a new friend. This book could function as a door into the imaginative world of the three pigs. An old tale that many of us grew up on now has a huge twist on it, opening up our eyes to the many possibilities. In the typical beginning of the story, the wolf has all of the power. Then, the pigs become powerful and essentially “create their own ending” to the story. The images align with my understanding of culture by allowing the pigs to go in and out of reality. They are also allowed to dip into another story and experience something from that and (literally) take something from it.

Perceptually, the words in this book sometimes contradict the images, but it works. The words are typical “The Three Little Pigs,” and dialog is used often.

Structurally, the pigs “come out” of story and “go into” another. They look realistic when they’re not in their story, and the pictures are framed when their classic story is being told. The pigs move in the right direction into the new story.

Similar to the original story, “The Three Pigs” shows us that bullies never prevail.

 

Elmer

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IMG_9616 [405973]

Author/Illustrator: David McKee

Publisher and Year: McGraw-Hill, 1968

Number of Pages: 30

Genre: Fable/Fiction

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Analysis: Elmer the elephant is beautifully different, but he doesn’t see it that way. He goes through some extreme measures to be “normal” until he realizes that it’s good to be different. This book can work as a mirror for children who feel that they are different in some way. Often times in society, being outside of the “norm” is frowned upon, and it shouldn’t be. People should feel comfortable with their differences because those are what make them unique. The jungle life is prevalent in this book, and even the non-elephants accept Elmer for who he is. Rarely did the animals express a face of disgust for Elmer’s appearance. As long as he plays his part in society, he is okay in their eyes.

Perceptually, this book has very plain text, and it clearly explains pictures and stays off to the side.

Structurally, Elmer walks to the right until he is like the rest of the elephants, which is when he feels normal. All of the animals appear to be the same size as Elmer, even though elephants are clearly bigger than pigs. There appears to be many bright colors at the end when Elmer feels free.

“Elmer” teaches that people should accept who they are because it is not the outside that matters.

The Great Paper Caper

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IMG_9622 [405979]Author/Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers

Publisher and Year: Philomel Books, 2008

Number of Pages: 40

Genre: Fantasy/Fable

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Analysis: “The Great Paper Caper” is about an aspiring bear who dreams of winning a paper airplane competition finds himself in a pickle when he is exposed for cutting down a lot of trees. After he explains why he cut down the trees, the town takes interest in his ideas. This book works as a window into an imaginary world that most would otherwise never experience. Close to all of the power seems to be distributed throughout the jungle, as all of the animals come to the conclusion that someone must be held responsible for the missing trees. The jungle in this book seems somewhat like real life (with an interrogation process and “cops”) so some of the power also lies in their hands. Because the bear was interfering with the daily routines of the jungle (and ultimately the world), he was disliked and considered an enemy by the majority. The bear was ostracized because of his different ideas, which is typically how society deems what is normal and what is not.

Perceptually, this book has very little words and the words are spaced out, so the main focus was on the pictures. The bear never actually speaks in the book, we are only told what he is saying.

Structurally, this story is told with pictures and thought bubbles. The bear continuously walks to the right and appears lower on the page when he is confronted by everyone, but then appears on the top of the page when everyone applauds him for having such a great idea, perhaps to show a change in status.

Hey, Little Ant

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IMG_9611 [405969]Authors: Phillip and Hannah Hoose

Illustrator: Debbie Tilley

Publisher and Year: Tricycle Press, 1998

Number of Pages: 22

Genre: Fantasy/Poetry
IMG_9613 [405970]Analysis:“Hey, Little Ant” is a story about a child that contemplates whether or not he should spare an ant’s life. After putting himself in the ant’s shoes, the boy sees that maybe he shouldn’t squish the bug after all. This text could primarily work as a window. It is common in America to carelessly step on small bugs, such as ants. This book could give us a glimpse of the bug’s perspective. This book also allows children to step out of the egocentric world that they live in, where everything is “I view it this way, so that’s how it must be.” In the story, the power somewhat shifts from the big and mighty kid to the ant, who ultimately could’ve convinced the boy not to step on him. When the ant tells the kid to imagine that he was the ant and the ant the kid, the boy starts to feel for the ant.

Perceptually, the emphasis on the boy’s size compared to the ant really shows how superior we, as humans, feel to bugs and nature. This book is a very rhythmic book so that younger students can read it easier. Specific words bolded for emphasis, and bright colors are used as attention grabbers and positivity. The book also ends with a cliffhanger: Does the boy squish the ant?

Structurally, the child is enormous compared to the ant. The ant is always pictured very small, meaning he is weak. On the other hand, the child is very large, meaning he is the strong character. At one point, the ant and child switch sizes—perhaps a power swap.

Ideologically, this book teaches readers that empathy and kindness are great traits to have.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

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Title: A Sick Day for Amos McGee

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Author: Philip C. Stead

Illustrator: Erin E. Stead

Publisher and Year: Roaring Brook Press, 2010

Number of Pages: 30

Tags: Award Book, Natalie Fletcher, Animals, Fiction, Friendship, Picture Book, K-1

Genre: Fiction

Analysis: A Sick Day for Amos McGee is a book about a zookeeper names Amos McGee who visits the zoo every day. However, one morning Amos wakes up sick and is not able to visit his friends at the zoo. The animals decide to go visit Amos McGee at his house instead. This book also is a Caldecott winner.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee could act as a window for a child learning about how to be a true friend and care for their friends even when friends are not able to reciprocate. This book could also act as a door for a child or person challenging them to act on their friendships. This book could encourage people to reach out to an old friend, check up on a current friend or make a new friend. Similarly, this picture book could function as a mirror too, for friends who are experiencing friendship in a similar way that Amos and the animals experience their friendship.

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Perceptually, the front cover has a bright pop of color, even though Amos and the animals are all in dull colors. Initially the book feels excited to read because of the bright yellow, but once looking closer to the images, the dull colors create a feeling of sadness and mystery. The colors throughout the book create a feeling for the reader throughout the book. The text is easy to read and helps the story flow from page to page.

Structurally, Amos and the animals are proportional throughout the novel demonstrating that the status or power of each character is equal. Prior to Amos’ illness, Amos takes care of the animals and entertains them, but once Amos falls sick, the animals step up and make Amos feel better or entertain him. The animals and Amos both have equal power to help the other, demonstrating their equivalent status throughout the book. With a lack of a frame, the audience feels part of the action that is occurring in the pictures. The images throughout the book mirror the text that is written, further expressing the text in a different manner. At times, the images can also add some clarity or details for readers while they read through the book. Amos2

The overarching message throughout the entire book is the importance of loyalty and friendship. This book shows these messages in a way that is entertaining for young children. Children can see loyalty through Amos’ action of visiting the zoo everyday to see his animal friends. They can also learn a lesson from Amos and the animals about friendship, because Amos does not just visit his friends, he also plays and interacts with them. Likewise, the animals visit Amos, take care of him and entertain him. Simple actions go a long way and can be demonstrated throughout this book.

Trouble with Trolls

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Title: Trouble with Trolls

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Author: Jan Brett

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Publisher and Year: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1992

Number of Pages: 30

Genre: Fantasy

Analysis: In Trouble with Trolls, a young girl Treva and her dog, Tuffi, like to go on hikes up the mountain and then to ski down the mountain. Whenever they go up the mountain they encounter trolls that try and take her dog. Each time Treva runs into a different troll, she uses manipulation in order to save her dog from the trolls.

This book can function as a window for an audience who does not know about mountains, hiking or dogs. This book gives an insight into what life is like in the mountains. However, another function could be a mirror because people who live near or in mountains and are used to hiking or other problems that may arise while hiking may see themselves throughout the book.

Perceptually, the words are easy to read and the length is just right per page. The images seem to stop or create their own framing around the words. Since this pattern within the text repeats itself, at first the images mirror the meaning of the text but as the pattern continues some of the images begin to add meaning to the text.

Structurally, each image is detailed and framed. The frame around each image is detailed as well. However, on some of the pages the images seem to be coming out of the frame. For example, the underground cave for the trolls comes out of the frame and allows the audience to feel part of the sneaky action with the trolls, while the framed pictures only allow the audience to see a glimpse into Treva’s world. The partially framed and unframed structure creates two different experiences, depending on what is first seen while looking at each page. The images that crawl out of the frame blend in which can go unnoticed while first reading the book. After re-reading the book, the reader picks up on the detail of the underground cave outside of the frame creating a more involved feeling with the book a second or third time reading it.

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Ideologically, this book teaches a negative message and a positive lesson. First off, Treva is intelligent and creative. She uses problem solving skills and techniques that can be applicable and interesting for young children to read about. Students could learn how to use their creativity and problem solving skills to fix a situation. However, Treva’s intelligence and creativity is sneaky and she is manipulative of the trolls. Although teachers strive to teach problem solving skills to students, problem-solving skills should not be sneaky.

Papa Gave Me a Stick

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Title: Papa Gave Me a Stick

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Author: Janice Levy

Illustrator/Photographer: Simone Shin

Publisher and Year: Star Bright Books and 2015

Number of pages: 28 pgs

Tags: Olivia Simkins, Fiction, 2-3, Culture, Picture Book, Fantasy, Animals, Adventure

Genre: Fiction

Analysis:

Antonio is a little boy who dreams of having a guitar. Throughout this story he meets animals and people who help him achieve owning his very own guitar. This story could act as a window for the audience. I feel that this story will not be one where the audience who read it will want to do exactly what Antonio did. This story will open up a window for everyone to view how Antonio handled the items he received and how they might have handled it differently. It also acts as a window into the Spanish culture. This book does an excellent job of incorporating the Spanish culture and language. Throughout the book it talks about mariachi bands and the different words/phrases in Spanish. As the readers read along, the text explains the words in English then tells the audience what the word for it is in Spanish. To go along with these words, it has a Glossary and the different instruments that are in a mariachi band. The illustrations do an excellent job of depicting the culture. This story also shows the little boy moving towards the right of the page as the story goes on. I believe that this shows that as the boy receives each item, he is moving forward, or closer to receiving the guitar that he has always wanting. However, this book bring up the ideological thinking that, the little boy was ungrateful of the gift he received from his father and by him not appreciating the different gifts that he was given long the way, it helped him get what he wanted.

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