YOUTH LIT. REVIEWS

(This blog site was originally created for a Texas Woman's University graduate course assignment.)

Book Review For THIS IS NOT MY HAT

Book Review For:

 

Klassen, Jon. 2012. THIS IS NOT MY HAT. Ill. by Jon Klassen. Somerville: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763655990

            A small fish informs readers that he stole a hat from a big fish and, basically, that he’s going to get away with it. Through subtle hints in the illustrations, readers learn that the big fish is on to the little fish and is following him despite what the small fish is saying. Tension is created by the image of a crab pointing out to the big fish where the little fish went. The climax reaches its peak when readers see the big fish’s tail fin going into the tall plants where the little fish is hiding. Will the little fish be able to hide from the big fish? Will he really get away with this crime?

            THIS IS NOT MY HAT takes place in deep, dark waters, and as the reader reads to the right, the fish swim along in the same direction. The untraditional, mostly black pages of the book capture the readers’ attention as trailing bubbles and swaying grasses help to indicate movement and a gentle pace to the story. The elongated rectangle shape of the book and pages adds to this horizontal movement effect.

            Jon Klassen’s illustrations reveal more to the reader than the words. In fact, it is with great amusement that readers discover that the little fish is only saying what he wants to believe and not what is actually happening. For instance, despite the little fish saying that the big fish won’t notice his hat is gone, readers see the direction and shape of the big fish’s eyes and know that he does indeed notice the absence of his hat and that he isn’t too happy about it. The size difference between the two fish escalates the tension and establishes the possibility of danger for the little fish. After the reader sees the big fish’s tail fin going into the tall plants where the little fish is hiding and the climax is reached, the next two pages reveal nothing but the tall plants, leaving the readers to wonder what is happening and lengthening the suspense. These crucial details do not go unnoticed, such as the presence or absence of the hat on the big fish’s head.

            THIS IS NOT MY HAT contains the universal truth that it’s dangerous for someone to pick on someone else bigger than him/herself, and the theme is cleverly conveyed. If a person steals something, they are likely to get caught.

            After sharing this artwork/story, which has won the Caldecott Medal in 2013 and has become the 2013 New York Times Bestseller, with young children, I might ask them to write about what happened in the tall grasses that we couldn’t see, and the moral implications of stealing could be discussed. I might also ask them to create an additional scene to the ending or to construct a new hat for the little fish.

Book Review For DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!

Book Review For:

 

Willems, Mo. 2003. DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!. Ill. by Mo Willems.
            New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN078681988X

            This funny picture book starts off with a bus driver giving readers parting instructions not to let the pigeon drive the bus. The pigeon then repeatedly tries to convince readers to abandon those instructions and let him drive, and there’s no telling what this pigeon will do next to get his way! Will he find a way to actually drive the bus? Will he convince readers to let him? Read it to find out!

            Mo Willems has expertly created a picture book that practically begs to be read out loud to young children who like to say “no”. The two characters are quite believable, with the bus driver being an authority figurehead and the pigeon acting like a persistent, determined child. The style of the driver’s uniform and the bus is a 1950’s style, and the passage of time is broken into three sections: before the driver leaves, when he is gone, and when he returns. Willem also uses multiple scenes, each on its own square, on two pages to indicate a more rapid passage of time. (This is when the pigeon is getting wound up and directing various ploys at the reader to let him drive.)

 

            The simple illustrations contribute to the casualness, the safe atmosphere, and keeping the focus on the driver, the bus, and the pigeon. By placing multiple scenes on one page, Willems increases the story’s pace and brings readers to the climax that is portrayed by bigger, messier drawings of the pigeon throwing a tantrum with feathers flying. The exhibition of the pigeon having a tantrum in public is a cultural marker, as is the American 1950’s style of the driver’s clothes and bus.

 

            The text in this book is almost like it was written in pencil, also giving the story a casual mood that lets readers feel comfortable with responding verbally, and the way that Willems’s characters talk directly to the readers is unique, also inviting active participation. Through this banter, children inadvertently pick up on the theme, which is not to let someone talk you into doing something you know isn’t right.

            DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! is a 2004 Caldecott Honor book and a New York Times Bestseller. Additionally, a School Library Journal review claimed that “the genius of this book is that the very young will actually recognize themselves in it” (Ratterrree, 132). Furthermore, adults and children ages three and up get a big smile on their faces while listening to this entertaining story.

 

            Caution: children may want to read other books with Mo Willems’s pigeon like THE PIGEON FINDS A HOT DOG!, DON’T LET THE PIGEON STAY UP LATE!, THE PIGEON WANTS A PUPPY!, and THE PIGEON HAS FEELINGS, TOO!. Enjoy!

 

REFERENCES

Ratterree, Dona. 2003. "Review of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL 114 (49.5): 132.

Book Review For SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE

Book Review Of:

Steig, William. 1969. SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE. Ill. by William Steig. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc. ISBN 067166154X

            The main character in this classic story is a donkey named Sylvester. While out walking he comes across a magical red pebble that grants wishes. Unexpectedly, a lion comes along, making Sylvester panic and make an unfortunate wish. Sylvester is then caught in a pickle and is separated from his parents for some time. Will they be reunited again, or are they destined to remain lost to each other forever? Through Sylvester’s adventures, children can understand the underlying themes that one must be careful what they wish for and that to be with one’s loving family is the best and only gift one truly needs.

            In SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE, William Steig has artfully crafted a delightful story. The family is a traditional, devoted family as one can see illustrated on the first page. The father is present, contentedly reading the newspaper, the mother is cleaning the house, and Sylvester is studying his rock collection. Steig’s personal style of storytelling is indicated partly by the flow of multiple sentences on a page, which the reader follows in a steady pace. A change of pace and (therefore) emphasis are created by the existence of only one or two sentences on a page.

            The setting is mostly outdoors in a rural area, with some scenes of cozy homes and buildings. The passing of time is portrayed through illustrations of the passing seasonal weather, by the daytime, and by a night scene filled with stars and shadows.

            The bold watercolor illustrations compliment the story skillfully, as is evident in the sun’s rays shooting outward when the characters are happy and the contrast between the parents’ sad expressions and the usually delightful spring weather and picnic activity. Culture is revealed through the characters’ conservative, American, 1960-ish attire.

 

            Some adult readers may take offense to the mother working around the house while the father sits idly or to the policemen who are pigs; however, when one considers the time period that this book is written, these things might be overlooked. Either way, these issues are over the heads of the young age group this book was intended for.

            Professional praise for this picture book is astounding. Steig won the Caldecott Medal for SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE in 1970, and in describing Steig, the New York Times Book Review claimed that “everything he does is magic” (Book Verdict).

            After sharing this story with children, I would suggest using it to practice finding contextual clues to discover what types of feelings the various characters exhibit and segueing into another book called: WISH: WISHING TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD by Roseanne Thong.

 

REFERENCES

 

"Book Verdict: Expert Reviews of Print & Media." Bookverdict.com., last modified April 1, 2010, accessed September 9, 2013, http://bookverdict.com/details.xqy?uri=Product-261698.xml.