Review: The Right Word

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bryant, Jen. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus. Michigan: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2014.  ISBN 978-0-08028-5385-1

2.     PLOT SUMMARY
Peter was a shy, reserved young boy who found the power of words early in life. At the young age of eight, he started his own book of lists. It began with something as simple as words he had learned in his Latin lessons, and quickly developed into the curiosity of finding the perfect word for those everyday interactions. It was just something Peter did during his journey through many relocations, growing into a man, becoming a doctor, a husband and a father.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Wow! The perfect marriage of story and illustration can be found in this picture book biography, The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus. The illustrations are just as important to the story as the text that tells this factual and fascinating account of Peter Roget's life. There are words everywhere, in different fonts, sizes and colors that many times matched the theme of the list it was a part of. The unique placement lends itself to be described as an "organizational chaos" of words and lists placed throughout the pages and 2-page spreads that draws the reader's attention and keeps them from wanting to turn the page, just to make sure they did not miss a single word.

The illustrations are vibrant, colorful and bold and just screams creativity. More specifically, it shows readers how the human brain thinks, with movement and transition in thoughts that can constantly be build upon. In addition, the words with the illustrations show not only facts, but emotions, personality and interests that make up the Roget as a person.

At the conclusion of the story, the author provides readers with a List of Principal Events, a timeline that shows the main events in Peter Roget's life, as well as how those dates align with important events in history. Furthermore, the author shares a personal note about her interest in writing the book and finding out about the real, historical details of Roget's life, followed by a personal note from the illustrator about the imagery within her collages and her need to use lists from Roget's notebooks and his first edition Thesaurus fro 1852.

Last, but certainly not least, Bryant has a page listing all of the selected bibliography and sources used in her research, along with a section titles 'For Further Reading' for those who enjoyed her book. This picture book biography is a must read!

4.     REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From Hornbook: "Apt language and ingenious imagery. . . . both decorous and warm.”

From Booklist: “In brilliant pages teeming with enthusiasm for language and learning, Bryant and Sweet joyfully celebrate curiosity, the love of knowledge, and the power of words.”

From School Library Journal: "Expertly researched and well written, Bryant’s narrative not only details the creation of the thesaurus; it also conveys a sense of Roget the man. . . . An excellent illustrated biography."

From Kirkus Review: "Bryant's prose is bright and well-tuned for young readers. . . . Sweet tops herself -- again! -- visually reflecting Roget's wide range as a thinker and product of the Enlightenment. Injecting her watercolor palette with shots of teal, scarlet and fuchsia, Sweet embeds vintage bits (ledger paper, type drawers, botanical illustrations and more), creating a teeming, contemplative, playfully celebratory opus. In a word: marvelous!"

Caldecott Honor Book

Texas Bluebonnet Master List for 2015-2016

Eureka! Honor Award 2014

CLSC Young Readers Selection for 2015

5.     CONNECTIONS

Gather other books from The Best 2014 Women-Illustrated Picture Books:

•                      Castillo, Lauren. Nana in the City. ISBN-10 0544104439

•                     Daly, Cathleen. Emily's Blue Period. ISBN-10 1596434694

Gather other Jen Bryant books to read such as:

•                    A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin. ISBN-10  0375867120

•                    A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams. ISBN-10 0802853021

•                    The Trial. ISBN-10 0440419867

Lesson Ideas:

- Vocabulary Journals- encourage students to keep a journal of vocabulary words they find interesting throughout the book, so they are able to research meaning and reuse the words later.
- Introduce synonyms as a way to add voice to a story
- Create a pictorial map using a biography or autobiography by other sources.

Review: What To Do About Alice?

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kerley, Barbara. What To Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! New York: Scholastic Press, 2008.  ISBN-13: 978-0-439-92231-9

2.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS
What To Do About Alice is a comedic, picture book biography about the  exciting life of Theodore Roosevelt's oldest daughter, Alice. The tale tells about Alice's adventures, discoveries and mischief as she grows up and eventually fills the role of the president's daughter. Her fun and carefree demeanor definitely made her more personable to those watching from the outside, though her father called her unruly behavior a "running riot." Alice called it as "eating up the world", because all she ever wanted was to be herself and learn as much as she could about things that interested her. This book serves as a great inspirational piece of literature that could help young girls see how it is acceptable to not always fit into the "mold" society has created of a "proper" woman, and that it is quite alright to follow your dreams and be yourself.

The extensive and beautiful illustrations by Fotheringham help children not only engage in the details of the biography itself, but also allows them to immerse themselves in the era in which the story takes place. The illustrations are authentic to the time, which is particularly present in the wardrobe, the horse-drawn carriage ride, and even in the way Alice styles her hair. The biography being organized  and told as a picture book, makes it more kid friendly, allowing it to reach a bigger audience, while maintaining its biographical status.

The Author's Note at the end of the book is a purposeful, and much appreciated addition that gives readers a bit more insight into Alice's world, as well as a bit more information on her involvement in politics later in life. In addition, the author provided citations of where the quotes in the book were drawn from, showing readers how factual and authentic the biography is, despite the picture book 'only' feel.

The humorous tone in Kerley's voice as he tells Alice's tale is refreshing and marries  Fotheringham's illustrations flawlesly. Readers will be left wanting more when they see  Alice carrying a huge spoon, walking away from Mount Rushmore, and think "what will Alice do next?"

3.     REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From Booklist: “Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was....The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art.”

From School Library Journal: "Kerley's text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics, as the girl greets White House visitors accompanied by her pet snake, refuses to let leg braces cramp her style, dives fully clothed into a ship's swimming pool, and also earns her place in history as one of her father's trusted advisers."

From Kirkus Review: "Kerley's precise text presents readers with a devilishly smart, strong-willed girl who was determined to live life on her own terms—and largely succeeded"

2001 Sibert Honor

2009 Irma Black Award Nominee

4.     CONNECTIONS

Gather other Picture Books About Outstanding Women:

•                     Coles, Robert. The Story of Ruby Bridges. ISBN-10 0439472261

•                     Winter, Jonah. Frida. ISBN-10 0590203207

Gather other Barbara Kerley books to read such as:

•                    Those Rebels, John and Tom. ISBN-10  0545222680

•                    A Home for Mr. Emerson. ISBN-10 0545350883

•                    The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy). ISBN-10 0545125081

Lesson Ideas:

- Personal narrative: what kinds of things would you personally do to "eat up the world?"
- National symbols - read book as an introduction to the White House. Have students discuss what they believe it would be like to live there.
- Use the story as a comparison between the 1900's and the 21st century's way of dressing.