David Wiesner’s art was one of the first things that inspired me to start noting the illustrators’ names as I read picture books. It sounds so obvious that we should, because in many books the illustrations are equal or more important to the appeal of the books. A few names have stood out along the way, but I have now started searching for books by illustrator. It is a new concept to me, and it has been a surprisingly delightful adventure. I’m finding that I’m getting a greater variety of stories as a result. While many of the books have a similar look, the stories reflect the authors’ interests, and the pictures reflect the authors’ content. I am also finding books listed that I know and love, but did not know the author’s name.

J K Rowling is making an appearance in court this week in a case against Steve Vander Ark of the website HP Lexicon. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t feel this is something to post about, but I think it is a bad move on her part, and it will have a far-reaching impact on all websites and blogs discussing literature, as well as others. If Warner Brothers and JKR win the lawsuit, it will trash the fair use practices.

When I first heard about the situation, I thought that they had a fair case, but that it wasn’t really necessary. I believe Warner Brothers has the biggest beef with him, but since they also are making money off something they didn’t create (the Harry Potter name) it seems a bit ridiculous. The book Vander Ark wants to publish will not really impact sales of JKR’s encyclopedia and amounts to literary analysis, basically. Literary analysis is not illegal and should be encouraged since it usually increases sales not detracts from them. His website has in fact encouraged intelligent discussion, increasing the buzz about the series, and therefore, arguably, increasing sales. I thought before that he had a large number of quotes that he was using, but have since heard that is not so. The case is about his using names without permission, in other words branding, which is a huge can of worms that doesn’t need to be opened within the literary field. How can you do any literary analysis without using names?

Also, JKR has approved his website and met him personally. I do believe Vander Ark should have discussed the matter before signing a book deal, but it seems to me she could also have settled the matter out of court.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the Harry Potter books and movies. It doesn’t matter to me that she is making tons of money as is Warner Brothers. The publicity also doesn’t bother me, because mostly her interaction with her fans has been positive. But I think copyright claims are out of control and often petty. I think this reflects badly on her, and she may lose fans over it. I also think she was convinced by someone to go along with it, and I think she has the clout to say no and should have.

Well, I’ve had some problems with this post this month. The book I thought I wanted to use was not in at the library, and then I found I’ve picked it before and forgot. LOL.

So, my selection this month is one that I rediscovered while working on the Selznick post. Walt Whitman: Words for America by Barbara Kerley is so impressive I believe it deserves special attention. The most memorable part to me is not what everyone else focuses. It is much more personal.

REVIEW

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I recently found this old book at the library while volunteering.  I think it is a great resource for introducing children to art and drawing. I plan to do some projects with my 3rd grader when I find time to cut out circles. We will probably also try some of the extra suggestions in the book. Maybe paint with different textures before cutting. I think it will be fun, maybe this summer.

REVIEW

In my study of Brian Selznick’s illustrations, I came across four exciting books for young readers. Two were written by Selznick himself, The Houdini Box and The Boy of a Thousand Faces. Although very much boy books, I believe they will appeal to most kids. The Wingwalker by Rosemary Wells also has boy leanings because of the subject matter, but only the girliest of girls won’t be interested. Riding Freedom will on the surface appeal more to girls, but the adventures Charley has are every bit as exciting for boys. All four are adventurous in spirit, so great for boys. All four are high interest, and I wanted specifically to add them to my transitional list, because they are intended for the 3rd-5th grade level. All have illustrations in the story and are short novels.

50+ Transitional Books List

In the first book of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan tells a tale of Greek mythological characters roaming the modern U.S.-starting in New York City and traveling to Los Angeles. Imagine your ADHD being the result of your demigod status, unbeknownst to you! One crazy event after another happens as Percy meets more characters-especially once he learns who he is and accepts his quest.

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Brian Selznick has become one of my favorite illustrators. I first noticed his art when reading Andrew Clements’s books. Frindle and Lunch Money caught my attention, but then the others were too much like them. I read Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride and When Marian Sang (and Walt Whitman: Words for America-briefly) without realizing it was Selznick’s illustrations. I did notice The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins was his, but I also did not know about his short novels or his work in a few other young novels. Then, reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret was one of a few moments that inspired me to start a series of posts concentrating on the phenomenal art of illustrators. What a nice surprise to discover two books I had greatly enjoyed were his work. Read the rest of this entry »

I have finished The Audacity of Hope and have found it to be just as inspiring as Obama’s speeches. It is such a rare thing for a politician to honestly address the public about concerns that we all share-Democrats, Republicans, Independents, doubters, and even politicians. Too often all we are given to judge them by is a sound byte and accusing commercials.

I do not recall in my lifetime that there has been a President that everyone considered his/her President. It certainly has been a while since there wasn’t tremendous anger by at least a third of the people. To me this is a travesty. I want to believe in my country and President, but that would require one who is working to improve all of our lives-not just the wealthy and corporations. It also would require one that listens to opposing views and meets the issue head on, instead of dismissing the arguments outright or sidestepping the difficulties. Obama in his book and his speeches has shown that he is capable of doing these things. Isn’t it time we have a President who we all can be proud of?

For an example of his ability to address difficult issues, here is a speech that he gave this past week in response to outrage about statements his minister made. He did not run from the issue, as many would. He faced it candidly and satisfactorily in a way I have never heard a politician address race.

REVIEW OF BOOK

Paintings by Rob Gonsalves.
Atheneum Books for Young Readers: NY, 2003. The paintings are the attraction of this collection of Rob Gonsalves’s paintings. There is no story. Instead, Thomson invites viewers to share the awe and wonder of imagining through Gonsalves’s highly creative work. Each of his Escher inspired creations has its own story to explore-the farmer lulling his sunflowers to sleep with music, the cityscape cut from a curtain, a planetarium created through curtain cuttings, the ladies of the lake appearing as a reflection, the monks of the magical mixture of clouds, moonlight and windows, and more.related-M. C. Escher, fine art in children’s books, artists, patterns and images created by nature, tessellations, point of view, imagination
RL=all ages, read aloud to PreK-K

Where in the Wild? by David M. Schwartz and Yael Schy. photos by Dwight Kuhn.
Tricycle Press/Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA, 2007.

This book has three layers blending together: the awesome photos exhibiting camouflage in a fun and interactive manner, the descriptive poems that act as clues to the creatures hidden, and the biological information given for each.

The spectacular photos can be enjoyed by all ages. The poems work perfectly with their respective pictures. I also like that the habitats are used for the borders and poem titles. The text is informative, yet not strictly factual. It is a pleasure to read.

related-ladybugs, coyote, tree frogs, fawns, weasels, moths, killdeer, shorebirds, crab spiders, flounder, green snakes, red-spotted newts, camouflage, animals
RL=3rd-5th, read aloud to 1st & 2nd

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