Review: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Taback, Simms. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. New York: Penguin Group, 1999. ISBN 0-670-87855-3

2.     PLOT SUMMARY
Joseph proves himself to be very resourceful and creative as his worn overcoat takes many different shapes throughout the story, ending with a simple button, which he looses. He then "makes something out of nothing" by writing a book about it.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book, wonderfully illustrated using watercolor, gouache, pencil, ink and collage, tells the story of Joseph, who wore a coat for a long time until something happened to it. As readers follow the  "Joseph had....it was old and worn. So he made a ..... out of it" pattern of this tale, they are able to go along on Joseph's journey of creating something new out of something old. With every flip of the page, readers see the cutout that transforms the old coat into a vest, the old vest into a scarf, and so on, as he interacts with his animals, family and community. Once Joseph looses the very last bit of what is left of his overcoat, a button, he decided that he would make something out of nothing, and write a book about it.

As Taback mentions in the back of the book, he adapted  this tale from a childhood favorite Yiddish folk song called "I Had a Little Overcoat". Not only does Taback provide this connection for readers, along with the song, but he also shows the Jewish cultural background of his character through his illustrations. Throughout the book, we  interestingly see real pictures in frames and books, as well as newspapers and letters written in Yiddish, and a menorah on a table in his home, just to name a few. Taback uses the colors, style of the characters' clothing, scenery/setting and small details throughout the book (details that could possibly be missed on the first read, as reader are intrigued with the cutouts), to introduce the reader to Joseph's culture.

4.     REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2000 Caldecott Medal

From Publishers Weekly: “With its effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor, this is tailor-made for reading aloud.”

From School Library Journal: “Taback adapted this tale from a Yiddish folk song and the music and English lyrics are appended. The rhythm and repetition make it a perfect storytime read-aloud.”

From Booklist: "This newly illustrated version of a book Taback first published in 1977 is a true example of accomplished bookmaking--from the typography and the endpapers to the bar code, set in what appears to be a patch of fabric. Taback's mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity. Their colors are festive yet controlled, and they are filled with homey clutter, interesting characters, and a million details to bring children back again and again."

5.     CONNECTIONS

Gather other folktale books to read such as:

•                      Stevens, Janet. Tops & Bottoms. ISBN 0152928510

•                      Muth, John J. Zen Shorts. ISBN 0439339111

Gather other Simms Taback books to read such as:

•                      There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. ISBN 0670869392

•                      This Is The House That Jack Built. ISBN 0142402001

•                      Postcards from Camp. ISBN 0399239731

Use as an introduction to an art piece on how to make many items out of one thing

Use with a unit on problem solving

Review: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, Mo. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2003.  ISBN 0-7868-1988-X

2.     PLOT SUMMARY

When a bus driver takes a break, he asks readers not to let the pigeon drive the bus. Despite all the pigeon's begging and pleading through sweet, silly and angry emotions, pigeon does not get to drive the bus.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this fun and highly interactive story, readers get to answer the pigeon's begging and pleading to drive the bus. The bus driver's only instructions to readers was to watch things while he was gone and "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!". Readers do just that as they have the opportunity to interact with the pigeon throughout the story by answering back. Pigeon uses his charms, being polite and sharing why he thinks he should be able to drive the bus to convince readers, and even goes as far as pretending to be driving to show that his skills. After coming up with every excuse and being denied, the pigeon finally loses it and throws a tantrum by yelling at readers "LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!" The drive returns, and the pigeon couldn't be more disappointed, until an 18-wheeler passes by and his dreams quickly change.

This blue and entertaining pigeon is drawn with simple, childlike lines. Despite its simplicity, the pigeon is very likable and easy to interact with. It is amazing how Mo Willems is able to capture every emotion that pigeon feels throughout the book by just changing a few details. Readers see movement, happiness, disappointment, sneakiness, anger and a full, blown out tantrum  when the pigeon jumps, yells, and throws himself on the ground. The range of emotions in his illustrations is relatable to readers with its likeness to what many children experience when they want something they are not allowed to have.

4.     REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From School Library Journal: “In a plain palette, with childishly elemental line drawings, Willems has captured the essence of unreasonableness in the very young.”

From Booklist: “Preschoolers will howl over the pigeon's dramatics, even as they recognize that he wheedles, blows up, and yearns to be powerful just like they do.”

From The New York Times: "For a child, it's a delirious formula: all of a sudden, you're in charge of a bus... Well executed and so smartly layered."

2009 Indies Choice Picture Book Hall of Fame Title
2004 Caldecott Honor BookNew York Times BestsellerPublishers Weekly Bestseller
ALA Notable BookBooklist Editor’s ChoiceThe Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon BookSchool Library Journal Best BookNick Jr. Magazine Best BookKirkus Reviews Editor’s Choice
National Council for Teachers of English Notable Book
Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended
Amazon.com Best BookMiami Herald Best BookChild Magazine Best Book
Book Sense 76 selection
Borders Original Voices (June 03)
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book
Bank Street College of Education Best Book
Children’s Book of the Month Club Selection
Children’s Literature Assembly Notable Book

5.     CONNECTIONS

Gather other Mo Willems Pigeon books to read such as:

•                      Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! ISBN 0786837462

•                     Don't Let the Pigeon Finish This Activity Book!. ISBN 1423133102

Gather other Mo Willems books to read such as:

•                      Waiting Is Not Easy. ISBN 978-1423199571

•                      Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. ISBN 9780786818709

•                      Leonardo, the Terrible Monster. ISBN 0786852941

Lesson ideas:
Use to introduce how to use bold, uppercase letters for "yelling" in a piece
Use to introduce speck bubbles in writing
Other amazing lesson ideas are available on this Teacher Guide

Review: Make Way for Ducklings

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

McCloskey, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings. New York: The Viking Press, 1941. ISBN 0-670-45149-5

2.     PLOT SUMMARY

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard were looking for a safe place to live and raise their little ducklings. No place seemed quite good enough to hatch ducklings, until they found a quiet island on Charles River, not too far from the Public Garden. After the ducklings hatch, Mrs. Mallard taught them to swim, dive , walk in a line and keep a safe distance from things on with wheels. When she's satisfied, she takes them on an adventure through the streets of Boston, past shops and onlookers, to make their way to the Public Garden where they will live.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This sweet story is very relatable, to kids and adults alike. It walks readers through the journey of two ducks, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, as they search for the perfect place to hatch and raise they precious ducklings in the city of Boston. With their safety in mind, Mrs. Mallard turns down the first few places and the couple continues their search, which leads them to a quiet, little island where she hatches her eggs. Once hatched, Mrs. Mallard teaches her little ducklings everything they need to survive, before heading on their adventures through the streets of Boston. Though the adventure was off to a bit of a rocky start, thanks to the help of the policeman the couple befriended, Michael, Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings make it safely to their forever home at the Public Garden.

Robert McCloskey's pencil illustrations and shading techniques allows readers to focus on the beautiful details of the characters and scenery in the book, making the story feel warm and inviting to readers. The expressions and body language of the characters complement the story beautifully as the reader turns each page in anticipation of what will happen to the Mallard family.

4.     REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

1942 CALDECOTT MEDAL

2009 Indies Choice Book Award for Picture Book Hall of Fame

TIME 100 Best Children's Book of All Time (#12)

From Children's Literature: “The quaint story of  the mallard family's search for the perfect place to hatch ducklings. ... For more than fifty years kids have been entertained by this warm and wonderful story.”

From Horn Book: “Robert McCloskey's unusual and stunning pictures have long been a delight for their fun as well as their spirit of place.”

From The New York Times: "one of the merriest picture books ever."

5.     CONNECTIONS

Gather other picture books on ducks to read such as:

•                      Tafuri, Nancy. Have you seen my duckling? ISBN 0688148999

•                      Anastas, Margaret. A Hug for You. ISBN 0439868661

Gather other Robert McCloskey books to read such as:

•                      Blueberries for Sal. ISBN 978-0140501698

•                      One Morning in Maine. ISBN 0140501746

•                      Time of Wonder. ISBN 0140502015

Use as a discussion peace on how to problem solve - what other solutions could students come up with for where to hatch the eggs? Or the safest way to make it to Mr. Mallard?

Use with a beginning of the year unit on family

Review: A Ball for Daisy

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Raschka, Chris. A Ball for Daisy. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011.  ISBN 978-0-375-85861-1

2.     PLOT SUMMARY

This is the story of a playful dog named Daisy and her favorite red ball. Daisy joyfully plays with her favorite toy throughout the day and when her owner takes her to the park, the ball goes along. Unfortunately, when play time with a fellow dog ends in disaster, Daisy is devastated. She cries over her burst ball and is saddened at the loss of her favorite playtime toy. That all changes when her owner takes her to the park the next day, and a friend brings a new, blue ball along. Not only does Daisy get to play with it, but she also gets to take it home to replace her old one, and Daisy could not be happier.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Daisy happy and playful dog who enjoys her ball more than anything. As Daisy's day progresses, readers enjoy following her adventures at the park, until the plot takes a turn and her ball is gone. Daisy's feeling of devastation at the loss of something that is so special to her is relatable to most readers, and they see the way her happy and playful personality turns to that of sadness as she weeps and holds her head down. In the end, readers are excited to find that Daisy's ball has been replaced and she is her happy, playful self once again.   

The water color illustrations are vibrant and allow for the pictures to jump out of the pages, which could not be more important in a wordless book. The illustrations are simple and easy to read,  allowing readers to follow along and understand where and what is going on with Daisy as they move through the story. Most importantly, through the use of colors, readers are able to see every emotion in Daisy's little face and body language as she goes from happiness to sadness, to joyful once again when her ball is replaced in the end.

4.     REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2012 CALDECOTT MEDAL

New York Times Bestseller

New York Times Best Illustrated Book

From School Library Journal: “Raschka's genius lies in capturing the essence of situations that are deeply felt by children.”

From Horn Book: “a story that is noteworthy for both its artistry and its child appeal.”

From Kirkus Reviews: "Rarely, perhaps never, has so steep an emotional arc been drawn with such utter, winning simplicity."

5.     CONNECTIONS

Gather other wordless Caldecott Medal books to read such as:

•                      Wiesner, David. Tuesday. ISBN 0395870828

•                      Wiesner, David. Flotsam. ISBN 0618194576

Gather other Chris Raschka books to read such as:

•                      Daisy Gets Lost. ISBN 0449817415

•                      Peter and the Wolf. ISBN 0689856520

•                      Little Black Crow. ISBN 9780689846014

Use as an interactive reading lesson when teaching students the three ways to read a book (read the words, read the pictures/page, re-tell the story).

Use with a beginning of the year unit on feeling and how to deal with emotions in earlier grades

Read This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen and Mr. Wuffles! by David Wiesner to compare and contrast similarities and differences between animals and their behavior.

•                      Klassen, Jon. This is Not My Hat. ISBN 076365596

•                      Wiesner, David. Mr. Wuffles!. ISBN 0618756612