Lincoln: A Photobiography

Lincoln: A Photobiography
By: Russell Freedman
Copyright: 1989
Pages: 160
Reading Level: 9-12

" ...'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.' Lincoln took this declaration personally. It meant that every poor man's son deserved the opportunities for advancement he had enjoyed.He felt that the Declaration of Independence expressed the highest political truths in history, and that blacks and whites alike were entitled to the rights it spelled out."

Lincoln A Photobiography, is an exceptional look into Lincolns life. This book gives and accurate, and fair portrayal of Lincolns life. A picture is worth a thousand words, and these with in the book make it a very detailed story. The book covers many aspects of his life. His life growing up, how he got involved in politics and law, his ideals, the war, and his time in the white house. I really enjoyed this book because it not only gave you an insight into the things he accomplished in his time. But more about who the man was, and shares quotes from newspapers of the time. I also love how tall Lincoln was, being a tall person myself."A tall spider of a boy" I always feel a certain connection with other tall folks (pg.10).
I also really admire how self taught, and dedicated Lincoln was. Having a love for learning is not something you can fake, Lincoln was dedicated to everything he did. From Law, to the War, to his politics. Lincoln also had a firm belief that slavery was not okay, and he stood by it. I really admire this, for often politicians try to do the popular thing and please everyone. Lincoln had firm beliefs. This book also talks about how Lincoln never disciplined his children, which is a different side of the president people never saw. But I think this is so key to this Photo biography. These things show he is human, and makes him relate able.

Recommended to: This is book for older children, as some images are graphic, and the reading level is higher. But so informative about our great President.
Problems: like I just mentioned some graphics show the war accurately, and war is never an easy thing to view.
My Reaction: I love photography, and seeing how much it has developed through this book was really neat. I also really enjoyed learning so much about Lincolns life. I recently watched an Oprah special where the Michelle Obama took Oprah on a tour of the white house. It was very staged but even just seeing he has giant dogs made him feel more human. Reading an entire book made me have even more respect for Lincoln and all that he did.

Hip-Hop Dancing

Hip-Hop Dancing
By: Joan Freese
Copyright: 2008
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 8-12

"This Dance (Breaking) was bore here, right in the south Bronx, and how many other dances have been created over the past 25 years that have survived this long? It's a true American Art form."- Richie Colon "Crazy Legs"

Hip Hop Dancing is an informational book about, yes you guessed it Hip Hop Dancing. This book had a lot more information than what I thought a dancing book for children could have. First it goes over the history of the dance, where it was created and what has changed. It then talks about how international it has become, in our videos, and television shows. The book talks about warming up first, and dressing the part. Finally it talks about the current styles of Hip- Hop today. Including popping, locking, and breaking. Which is now often called breakdancing, but still breaking by most breakers. It also has information on how to do some moves yourself, and places to get more instruction. What I really liked about this informational book, that is different than most. Is it has quotations through out it from real hip-hop dancers. Talking about why they love it, and how it began.

Recommended to: Anyone who loves dance.
Problems: It does use some generals, like when describing how hip-hop dancers dress. But in such a small and simple book. You have to use generals to get the basic information out there.
My Reaction: I was pleasantly surprised, I don't believe you can truly experience dance through a book. But I like that this one encourages children to try out the moves for themselves. And stresses that the key to Hip-hop is putting your own flare on the moves.

Ben's Trumpet

Ben's Trumpet
Written & Illustrated by: Rachel Isadora
Copyright: 1979
Pages: 40
Reading Level: 4-8

"But most of all Ben thinks the trumpeter is the cat's meow."

Ben's Trumpet is a simple story with a powerful effect, because of the illustrations. Rachel Isadora's story is completely in black and white. But the details are amazing. I'm not sure what style it is, but I believe its a scratch or dot drawings sometimes.
I think she uses several styles in her illustrations.
The story is of a young boy who plays his trumpet every night outside the Zig Zag Jazz Club. He loves this club and visits everyday after school. He admirers all the members of the band but especially the trumpeter. Ben plays for his whole family, and one day he was sitting on the steps playing away and the trumpeter says to him " I like your horn." Ben smiles as he walks away. One night he is "blasting away at his trumpet" and some kids see him and ask him what he is doing. After he tells them they laugh and say "Man, you're crazy! You got no trumpet!" Ben puts his hands back into his pockets and walks slowly home. That night during their break the band comes walking out of the club, the trumpeter see's Ben and asks where his trumpet has gone. "I don't have one," Ben says. So he brings Ben back to the club so he can try his out.

Recommended to: Older children, I don't think young children would be able to appreciate the illustrations.
Problems: The book shows his baby brother nude.
My Reaction: This is an awesome book. Not only do you want to go to the Zig Zag Jazz Club after, but you want to take a stab at your very own invisible trumpet. And if I haven't said it enough, the illustrations are amazing. Cover is my favorite because it shows Ben and in his shadow it shows the trumpeter.

Where The Giant Sleeps

Where The Giant Sleeps
By: Mem Fox
Pictures by: Vladimir Radunsky
Copyright: 2007
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8

"But here the elves are wide awake-
sewing with all their might,"

This is my second book by Mem Fox, and has such a different feel for it, because of the illustrations. This book is one you just have to pick up and look at yourself. The Illustrations are dreamy. I can't even describe them accurately. But I love this style. The books cover is of a little town that is in the shape of a Giant, Trees for hair, houses for eyes, and haystacks for buttons. This book is written like a little boys dreams, and at the end shows all the things in his room. Including his very own copy of the book. My very favorite pages are the last two. They say "But here the elves are wide awake- sewing with all their might," (and it shows a picture of little elves with giant needle and thread, trying to sew close the sky- over the moon) "to make a quilt of moon and stars to wrap you in...tonight." This page shows the boy fast asleep wrapped in his very own moon and stars blanket.

Recommended to: Bedtime story, the story is short and sweet. But it has beautiful illustrations that I could look at forever. Fun one to read to a child.
Problems: I couldn't find any, this book has Ogres and gremlins, which might scare little children, but they are illustrated so friendly I highly doubt it.
My Reaction: This is such a beautiful book. The Illustrations really just absorb you into the pages. This is a must have in my home.

Mi diario de aqui hasta alla

My Diary from Here to There: Mi diario de aqui hasta alla
Story/ Cuento: Amanda Irma Perez
Illustrations/Illustraciones: Maya Christina Gonzalez
Copyright: 2002
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 9-12

"Never forget who you are and where you are from. Keep your language and culture alive in your diary and in your heart."
"Que nunca se te olvide quien eres y de donde vienes. manten siempre vivo en tu corazon y en tu diario tu lenguaje y tu cultura"

This book is a true immigration story of Amanda Irma Perez. She and her family immigrated to the United States after her dad found a job here, and got there green cards. The book is wrote in Diary entries, and has both Spanish and English translations. This allows not only people who speak both languages to enjoy the story but learn words from both English and Spanish. The Illustrations in this book are beautiful, done by Maya Christina Gonzalez. Her use of color is brilliant.
The Journey Amanda and her family take is a rough one, but she seems to be the only one affected as she is surrounded by her brothers. Who seem excited to move to America. She is the only one who is scared. They first move to their Grandmothers house, then through several Aunt's home because no one can handle her five brothers. There father eventually gets the Green cards, and they travel to America to meet her father. They hold hand the entire way. And finally reach her father missing a shoe and a hat. Amanda misses Mexico, but learns she can be strong and finds she can still express her culture no matter where she is.

Recommended to: Both Spanish and English reader, I think both can learn a great deal from this book.
Problems: This book shows the difficulty in Immigrating.
My Reaction: I really enjoyed this. In high school I took Spanish, however I remember VERY little. So it was fun reading the Spanish and picking out words I remember, and looking to the English for the words I didn't. This book does an excellent job illuminating the worries someone might face when moving. Especially to a different country.

Cinder Edn

Cinder Edna
By: Ellen Jackson
Illustrated by: Kevin O'Malley
Copyright: 1994
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8

"Oh. Well can you name sixteen different kinds of tuna casserole?"
"Of course," she said, and she begun to name them. She rattled off fifteen different kinds , including tuna casserole with pickled pigs feet, and then she stopped. What was that last one anyways?
"Only fifteen," said Rupert, turning to go.
"Well, maybe I can't name sixteen kinds of tuna casserole," said Edna. "But I do know a great joke about a kangaroo from Kalamazoo."
Rupert stopped in his tracks.
"My Love!" he said. He gave her a kiss. "Will you marry me?"

I'm still surprised every time I read a new Cinderella story. I also love them more and more each time. The silly twist, and the meaningful messages people add to the classic fairy tale is just splendid. This version, Cinder Edna is especially funny and cleaver. The story is about two girls, Cinderella and her neighbor Cinder Edna. They both have horrid stepmother, and stepsister that make them work all day. However at night Cinderella sits by the fire, and Cinder Edna learns new jokes, and casserole recipes, and cleans bird cages for a little money on the side. A Royal ball is announced and both Cinder Ella and Edna get there sisters ready, and when Cinder Ella is finished she sits by the fire and cries. Cinder Edna had used her money saved up for a dress, so she put it on along with her loafers and was ready to dance. Cinder Ella's Godmother luckily was passing by and transformed her into a beautiful gown, and gave her glass slippers. But then she cried how will I get there, fairy Godmother, disappointed that her Goddaughter could not even figure a way to the ball, she transformed a pumpkin and mice into a horse and carriage. Cinder Edna took the bus. They both arrived and everyone though Cinder Ella was a princess, and the prince asked her to dance. Cinder Edna arrived and as his royal obligation, the prince went to greet Cinder Edna, she found him extremely boring. Just then his brother swoops in and says we recycle here. The Prince tells Cinder Edna to just ignore him, however she hands him her cup and they begin to dance. They find out that they have everything in common, and both know the best jokes. The Clock strikes 12, and they both escape to there rides in time. The Princes run after then but end up running into each other on the steps. The Prince distraught for he has lost his only love. His brother replies " Well, didn't you get her name?" asked Rupert impatiently. "The one I love is named Edna." They both end up finding there Cinders, the Prince by trying to fit feet into the glass slipper he found, and his brother by going to the house where Edna's live. They both marry, and you can "guess who lived happily ever after."

Recommended to: Anyone who has read Cinderella. Its hilarious and you realize how silly Cinderella might have been.
Problems: None
My Reaction: I love this book, in case you couldn't already tell. The Illustrations are so unique, and awesome. The last page has Edna and Rupert laughing at a silliest joke book ever, and they have a cat crawling on top of them, Rupert's glasses are about to fly off. And they just look so happy. Loved, loved, loved this book.

Mary Smith

Mary Smith
By: Andrea U'ren
Copyright: 2003
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8



"For SHAME!" gasps Mary Smith.
"We really must work on your aim!"

Mary Smith is a picture book based on a real person. Mary Smith. She was the town "knocker-up", who is the person who wakes people up before there were alarm clocks. Most people would come to your house with a long lightweight pole which the were tap and scratch your window with. However Mary Smith had a very different way of doing it. She would shoot dried peas from a rubber tube at your window, till you woke up. So this book is hilariously illustrated book. Mary Smith seems like such a character. The story is of her going about town waking everyone up, and then she returns home to find her daughter still in bed. She cries for her to wake up, people wont trust her to wake them up, if she can't even get her own daughter to school on time. However her daughter explains that its not that she is late at all, she went to school but was sent home. Because Timothy was sleeping, so she tried to wake him up but she missed and hit the teacher instead. The mother cries "For Shame!" but then says "We really must work on your aim!" This is a fun, cute, and colorful story.

Recommended to: Everyone this is a family friendly book.
Problems: The only problem I could see, is that this might encourage children to make pea shooters of there own.
My Reaction: I just grabbed this book off the shelf because the cover is just so darn cute. This Mary Smith, is a big, and I imagine just a lovable women. And my favorite part of the book is a real picture of Mary Smith from 1927, and it looks just like the drawling. This book offers such a fun way to learn about an interesting fact in history.

A Single Shard

A Single Shard
By: Linda Sue Park
Copyright: 2001
Pages: 160
Reading Level: 9-12

"Tree-ear's eyes filled with tears. He bent to pick up another piece of laundry. Ajima meant something like "Auntie"; it was a term of great affection, reserved only for older kinswomen. Tree-ear was kin to no one, and yet Min's wife wishes for him to call her Aijima. He did not even know if he could say the word.
"Well Tree-ear?" The gentle teasing had returned to her voice. "Do you agree to my conditions?"
Tree-ear nodded. He spoke from behind the clothes that flapped on the line. "I agree," he said, then faltered. His voice fell to a whisper. "I agree- Aijima."

A Single Shard is the story of an orphan boy, Tree-ear, who lives under the bridge with his friend Crane-man. Crane-man gets his name because he only has one good leg to hobble around on. The two live under the bridge, and have to search for food to survive. Every so often Tree-ear goes to watch Min, one of the greatest potters in the town. As Tree-ear has learned the days are he works at the wheel. However this day was different. Min had gone back inside, and Tree-ear decided to take a closer look. After picking up an ornate box, Min reappears startling Tree-ear and he drops the box to the floor. Tree-ear is a very honorable person, and offers to work off his debt, as he can't pay.
Min finally agrees, and Tree-ears journey of hard work begins. Tree-ear, chops wood, gets the clay for the pots, and drains the clay. He repeats this process week after week. In the hopes that Min will one day teach him. Min's wife takes very good care of Tree-ear, and feeds him and his friend Crane-man, as well as clothes him in the cold winters. There friendship grows into a strong bond, and she eventually asks him to call her Aijima, which means something like Aunt in our culture.
One day Tree-ear hears that the Emissary is coming and is going to commission someone to create pottery for the royal family. Tree-ear knows that Min is the best in the village, but one night secretly finds out that Kang has found a new technique to create designs. Crane-man gives Tree-ear great wisdom not to tell Min till Kang reveals it to the world. So he doesn't and the Emissary decides to hire Kang, but comes to Min to ask him to try the new technique because he knows his work is much better. Min being to old to make the journey Tree-ear offers.
On Tree-ears journey he is robbed, and the vases are shattered. The title of the book comes in the play here. When Tree-ear picks up a single shard from the beautiful vases and shows it to the Emissary. With the shard and the story of how it became that way, Min is hired. Once they return Min's wife is joyful to see he has returned safely. But when he goes to Min with the wonderful news he is not as happy. For he has bad news for Tree-ear. While he was away Crane-man passes, and they find him holding the Monkey Tree-ear has made for him.
However the story has a happy end, as Min and his wife bring Tree-ear into there home. Mins wife gives him a new name, and Min teaches Tree-ear how to use the wheel.

Recommended to: Children interested in culture. Either if this is there own culture, or another.
Problems: It shows the horrible conditions that Tree-ear had to live in, and what many homeless children have to face.
My Reaction: I will admit it was very slow getting into the story, but once I was involved in Tree-ears life I couldn't put it down. Read right through it. I think this book does a wonderful job at describing the element of father to son traditions. And tying culture into such a beautiful story. It also shows the importance and love felt when you feel like you belong.