Thursday, October 25, 2007

ER VETS: LIFE IN AN ANIMAL EMERGENCY ROOM

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jackson, Donna. 2005. ER VETS: LIFE IN AN ANIMAL EMERGENCY ROOM.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618436634.

PLOT SUMMARY
Interested in pets or vets? This book has it all! From the black-eyed dog looking directly at the reader on the front cover through the front and back flaps and end covers which are filled with copies of real thank-you notes from owners, ending with snapshots on the back cover of many different kinds of pets, this publication is full of interesting text, tidbits, research, history, and pictures. Most of all, the text is comprised of stories. Stories of real pets and their owners and the real tragedies that they have experienced. The author has filled the pages with bright pictures, precise information, and a clear line of organization from the opening saga of an emergency, followed by a calm presentation of facts. The orderliness continues with a historical account of the field of veterinary medicine which is followed by true reports of different animals with varying issues, problems and illnesses, even addressing the death of a pet.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
There are no stereotypes located in this report! All kinds of animals are represented as pets. This is not the ordinary cat and dog shop! The author grabs the audience at the beginning with gripping details of an emergency and then settles the reader down to learn about the basics of emergency care for animals as well as a look into the history of the field. The layout is logical, maybe a bit busy at times, but always informative. All pictures possess detailed captions, allowing a child to view only from this angle, should s/he choose. Text contains sub headings which makes it easier for the reader to find specific information. The text is also designed and presented on blocks of light color against a white page or on blocks of white against a light color page. In spite of this design, the photographs take front and center attention, giving a super view of the animals and the people who help them. The organization includes the veterinarina’s oath, table of contents, presentation of a pet first-aid kit, a probing for more section with other publications and we sites, as well as definitions of critical terms, source notes and a bibliography!





REVIEW
Horn Book (January/February, 2006)
“A bright, colorful design and "aww"-inspiring photographs of pets in various stages of care enhance this exploration of the workings of a veterinary emergency room. Profiles of the doctors, vet techs (i.e., nurses), and grief counselors alternate with case studies of stricken animals, a history of veterinary medicine, and commonsense tips on such topics as preventative care and how to gauge a pet's health. Jackson's lively narrative incorporates interviews with ER staff members at Colorado State University's veterinary teaching hospital, whose concern and affection for their charges emerge clearly on the page. The case studies of the animals themselves, mostly happy (but, realistically, not always), serve both to provide direction for the text and to keep the focus where it belongs: on the pets and the owners who love them. Short chapters keep the pace moving; sidebars offer tidbits of hard information on such topics as decoding ER lingo and reading animal vital signs. The end result is that there's plenty for just about every kind of reader, from those who crave stories to the most committed just-the-facts-ma'am nonfiction fan. A listing of further resources, both print and web, a glossary, source notes, and an index round out the back matter.”
School Library Journal (January 1, 2006)
“Gr 5-8-With plentiful, excellent-quality photographs, this highly visual book offers a behind-the-scenes look at an emergency animal hospital in Colorado. Well-researched and well-written, ER Vets is an engaging book on a hot topic.”

CONNECTIONS
This book is so well-organized and so packed with information that it could be utilized with almost any age reader. For a child to be able to enjoy this book on their own, they would need to be reading well on a 4th grade level or above.

This book would be a good choice to “preview” with the picture captions for a group of children.

Children love animal books and this one has all sorts of animals included! This would be especially good for study of jobs and occupations. The work of the people presented is very accurately documented.

This would also serve as a good piece of information for a child and/or family who may be have a pet with illness or injury. A real-life portrayal of a pet’s death is narrated as well.

This is an excellent example of a piece of non-fiction work that does not need to read from cover to cover in order to garner information from it.

THE MOON

PLOT SUMMARY

Obviously early in the career of Seymour Simon, this older edition sports black and white pictures of the Earth’s moon with accompanying black and/or white text on opposing background. The presentation is simple and straightforward, with factual text presented in a justified center placement. The scientific details are interspersed with smaller, simpler facts, or points of interest, that would appeal to an elementary aged child.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
As noted in the School Library Journal review, it is time to replace this text!
At the time, this edition would have been fantastic! With the age of digital photography and newer publishing techniques and ideas, this book appears dated. The text does follow a sequence of general to more specific. Yet, the text does not vary in style, giving no energy to draw in a reader. The reading would be improved with smaller segments of information and possibly captions for the pictures, instead of the comments embedded in the text. The design of this edition is too monotonous to spark interest for a long period of time and lacks the references, notes or a bibliography for additional questions or research.

REVIEW
Note: This review was based on the original 1984 edition. While there were no published reviews on the older book, the comments posted reflect the reviewer’s opinion of the new edition with some comparison to the original book.


Booklist (October 15, 2003 (Vol. 100, No. 4))
Gr. 2-4. This revised edition of The Moon (1984) features many new photographs and color reproductions.


Horn Book starred (Fall 2004)
These new editions include fresh images and minor editing of the original texts; what hasn't changed is Simon's gently authoritative signature voice.


School Library Journal (January 1, 2004)
Gr 2-5-It's time to take your 1984 copy of Simon's The Moon off your shelf and replace it with this shiny new edition. This scientific trek to the moon brought to life by NASA photography has been carried into the 21st century through advancements in imaging technology. Although the first edition's black-and-white photographs taken from space and on the Moon were impressive for their time, the digitally remastered color photographs in this update are incredible.

CONNECTIONS
This book would best be served in conjunction with books about the Earth and the sun. I have seen the book being used by classrooms as part of an integrated study unit on the solar system.

Similar books could be used as follow up for children who had enjoyed THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS, LOST IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM by Joanna Cole.

LIFE ON EARTH: THE STORY OF EVOLUTION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. 2002. LIFE ON EARTH: THE STORY OF EVOLUTION. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618164766.


PLOT SUMMARY
In this large picture book format, Jenkins informs a young audience about the story of evolution. The torn paper illustrations provide vivid color against a white background. Beginning with a double page spread followed by another page and half of plants and animals, the reader is drawn into the wonder of how many different plants and animals have lived on Earth. The bold-faced print highlights subheadings, followed by just enough descriptive text to pique interest. The history of life on Earth is detailed, using pictures and smaller print. Darwin and his theory of evolution are introduced with descriptions of natural selection, variation, mutation, and extinction in clear and concise language. All throughout, a smaller print gives more detail and example. In closing, the Earth’s history is paralleled to a 24-hour day, followed by a key to the animals depicted in the text as well as suggestions for further reading and a bibliography.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jenkins has captured a subject that is much debated, yet, rarely published, in a manner in which all readers can find answers and information. The published reviews for this book varied in the age of the intended audience. This is due to the fact that young and old can find significance in this work. The text is easy to understand without feeling juvenile and is coupled with a strong chronological order. The organization of information is sequential, leading from the discussion of the first life on earth to the development of species. Even the topics grow from simple to more complex with history line of life to theory of evolution with its accompanying discussion of survival of the fittest. This particular concept is easily understood through the depiction of a mother frog laying eggs.
The illustrations are bright, attractive and eye-catching, yet, not drawn to scale in any fashion. The author has effectively presented a controversial topic is a manner that gives information and allows readers to draw their own opinions. Although the presentation and style appears simple and straightforward, the topic can be deepened at any point throughout the book. This could be through additional conversations and/or further reading.


REVIEWS
Kirkus Review (October 1, 2002)
“Because evolution is sometimes not taught in all schools, few good texts exist on it for this age. Factual and fascinating, this one belongs in every library. (Nonfiction. 7-12)”

School Library Journal (December 1, 2002)
“Gr 3-6- Larger and more eye-catching than Joanna Cole's Evolution (Crowell, 1987; o.p.), and far simpler than Stephen Webster's The Kingfisher Book of Evolution (Kingfisher, 2000), Life on Earth is a polished exposition of a difficult, often controversial scientific concept. Substantial, despite its picture-book appearance.”

CONNECTIONS
This book is an excellent way to introduce the concept of evolution to anyone, regardless of age.
I believe the title, “Life on Earth,” grabs the reader first and then the subtitle “The Story of Evolution,” draws an interesting prickle! I believe this book serves both sides of the belief system, in that the author states “No one knows when or where life began. Perhaps…” Interestingly enough, the organization and presentation of the appearance of life does parallel biblical order! What a wonderful way to evoke thought!

This work is also a great venture for those children engulfed in the study of dinosaurs. It has information leading into the appearance and disappearance of this species. Again, another great point of questioning.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Poetry Review #3

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Florian, Douglas. 1999. LAUGH-ETERIA. Florida: Harcourt Brace & Company.


ISBN: 0152020845.


PLOT SUMMARY
Florian has published another collection of over 100 silly humorous poems designed especially for young children. The topics range from school lunches, to monsters, ogres and dinosaurs. The sparse illustrations are done in brush and ink. The collection does not appear to have an order of presentation but does include a title index at the back of the book. The collection does sport a few concrete poems, give shape and form to the imagery evoked by the text. None of the individual pieces is more than one page long; another strong selling point for the younger readers interest abilities.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The short forms are evidenced by the likes of WILD WALK: “I took my little brother for/A walk into the wild./We met an alligator there-/Now I’m an only child.” The 4-lined verse contains rhyme and distinctive use of rhythm. This collection is bland and does not invite the interest of many people. There is no universality unless it is to hope that all young elementary children will love to hear the silly, nonsense rhymes.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus Review (1999)
Florian’s seventh collection of verse is also his most uneven; though the flair for clever rhyme that consistently lights up his other books, beginning with Monster Motel (1993), occasionally shows itself—“Hello, my name is Dracula/My clothing is all blackula./I drive a Cadillacula./I am a maniacula”—too many of the entries are routine limericks, putdowns, character portraits, rhymed lists that fall flat on the ear, or quick quips: “It’s hard to be anonymous/When you’re a hippopotamus.” Florian’s language and simple, thick-lined cartoons illustrations are equally ingenuous, and he sticks to tried-and-true subjects, from dinosaurs to school lunch, but the well of inspiration seems dry; revisit his hilarious Bing Bang Boing (1994) instead.

School Library Journal (June 1999)
Gr 2-6This clever collection of light verse, illustrated with childlike brush-and-ink drawings, is sure to draw fans of Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, and other purveyors of nonsense. Favorite topics of humorous poetry monsters, dinosaurs, disgusting foods and overeating, animals, school, and strange people all inhabit this volume. Most of the brief poems contain a wry twist, a terrible pun, an interesting bit of wordplay, or a small allusion that enriches their meanings.

CONNECTIONS
· I shared this book with my own children, who found the selections repetitious and quite boring.
· I do not see evidence of literary merit; just pure entertainment for young children who are a bit sill at times.
· After reading the SPINNING THROUGH THE UNIVERSE and SHOE MAGIC for this assignment, I was sorely disappointed to have selected this collection for review.

Poetry Review 2 - Spinning through the Universe

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frost, Helen. 2004. SPINNING THROUGH THE UNIVERSE. New York:

Frances Foster Books. ISBN: 03743711598.

PLOT SUMMARY
Helen Frost joins different forms of poetry with the unique voice from each student in Ms. William’s 5th grade class. The book is divided into 2 sections; Explorers and Elm Trees with each section introduced by a piece of writing by Ms. Williams, the janitor, Mr. Carlson, appears at the end of the first section and Ms. Williams closes the story at the end of section two by revealing to us that she is expecting twins. The first section introduces us to the distinctive personality of each student while the second section reveals to us that the children are growing up and addressing the demons they face, such as the death of a father, finding a shelter, having a biracial baby sister, success in math, a breast cancer surviving mother, and an abusive father.
At the end of the book, Frost includes extraordinarily detailed notes on each of the forms used, it’s definition as well as the particular poem in which the form occurs.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The relatively small book is an easy, quick read, yet, on second glance, much deeper than originally imagined. To the untrained eye, the forms presented are subtly present.
The poems, including the brief Haiku, are bursting with emotion, experiences and imagery. The rhythm can seem sporadic at times, but is better understood after reading the ending of the book. The authenticity of voice and timelessness are continually present, giving the aspired “distilled” look at the souls, thoughts and experiences of these children. This book would appeal to an older elementary and middle/high school audience, due to the complexity of form and the visual imagery needed for a better understand of the student’s lives.







REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus starred (March 1, 2004)

“Appropriate, original imagery and understated, natural voices make these poems sensitive and insightful. Since the students sometimes sound older than fifth-graders, the collection will appeal to readers and teachers in middle school and high school. The notes on how the form in each poem works are of particular value to teachers eager to guide students in their own poetry writing.”
Publishers Weekly (April 5, 2004)
“In this collection of brief, deceptively casual poetic monologues, Frost (Keesha's House) brings to life the voices and spirit of a fifth-grade classroom as she spotlights each member of room 214. Themes such as the disappearance of Jon's bike ("Without my bike, my legs are empty. It/ has tricks you have to know to ride it right") and newcomer Shawna's struggle to fit in are replayed from different viewpoints, allowing readers a glimpse of characters' internal conflicts and relationships. Cast slightly apart from her classmates is artistic Naomi, whose haikus about nature ("What's that squirrel doing?/ Naomi, pay attention!/ Nose twitch-tail swish-gone...") provide effective transitions between subjects and moods. Like Naomi, Mrs. Williams, the teacher, remains on the sidelines, wistfully observing her students. While jealousies, rifts and misunderstandings among classmates abound, the fifth-graders' ability to unite is poignantly conveyed after one student's father is killed. In a detailed afterword, Frost explains the exact poetic forms used in each entry (in Part I, anything from sestina to rondelet, in Part II, an acrostic whose "armature" is a phrase uttered by the same speaker in Part I). Readers may be surprised at the complexity of rules governing the writing, so naturally does the author seem to capture the poetic essence of the children's voices-and she makes it look like so much fun that readers may want to try out some of the forms themselves.”

CONNECTIONS
Great read for teachers, especially in lower socio-economic populations, to help provide empathy and possibly change perspectives without judging behavior so immediately.
I found this book enlightening because it cause me to see “behavioral/discipline problems” with a different lens
I learned so much more about the depth of the characters after reading reviews from others.
I feel empowered to strive to understand my students even better.

Poetry Review 1 - Shoe Magic

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Grimes, Nikki. 2000. SHOE MAGIC. Ill. By Terry Widener. New York:

Orchard Books. ISBN 0531302865.


PLOT SUMMARY
Grimes has put together a diverse sample of shoes in which the characters in the different poems use as the promise of different careers, sports and recreational activities. The imagination supplied in this work is magnified by the acrylic paintings provided by Terry Widener. The bright happy full page illustrations give a foot-perspective of each person with the different shoes. The voice changes with different poems from first to third person, giving a more personal feeling to the text. The evidence of strong persona can be distinguished as in RUNNING SHOES where a red-headed boy dreams of running in the Olymics. The poem tells us that the boy believes the first step would be owning a pair of fancy running shoes. But, alas, “But my poor pockets/Are only lined with lint./ I could take the hint,/up my dreaming./But words from Daddy/Once whispered in secret/Send my doubts/Into hasty retreat::/”It’s not the shoes/That do the runnin’./It’s the feet.”/

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book would have appeal to an elementary audience, K-4th grade. The universality of this collection of shoe linked to dream poems shines through as the dreams of becoming are usually on the minds of children. This gives meaning to the text based on a young child’s experiences. The illustrations are divided between full single pages of painting with the poem on the opposite page set against a stark white background and double spread full color pages wit hthe poem typed directly onto the painting. This latter presentation makes a stronger statement and appeal to the audience.

The sense imagery invoke sight through delightful illustrations, depicting slightly enlarged shoes with prominent placement in the picture as well as through the text, as in BRANDI’S BABY SHOES “Why Mom keeps/My bronze baby shoes/Buffed and brilliant/On the mantel/Is a mystery.” The sense of touch is summoned in SOFT SOLES “You bathe fevered foreheads/Give needles with care” and WHEN DEVIN AND DINA GO HIKING “We’ll dine on berries,/Sip morning dew.” Provides the sense of taste.
The language is fairly straightforward with very little figurative examples, which, would also appeal to audiences of children.



REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus Review (September 15, 2000)
“The sunny tone is matched in Widener's acrylics with round-headed, rubber-limbed children of all ethnicities wearing oversized footgear, exuberantly dancing, skiing, skating, swimming, or (it's not all about choosing a career) playing. Dreamers and doers both will find inspiration here. “

School Library Journal (October 2000)
“Using their footwear as points of departure, Grimes presents a cycle of poems about kids' everyday lives and dreams for the future. …"Slippers" offers a fitting benediction at the end of a child's busy day: "Rest your soles./Spread your toes./Curl, breathe deep./There now, Dreamer,/Hush-/Sleep."
“Widener's exuberant acrylic paintings capture the joys and hopes expressed in each of the poems. A multicultural cast of boys and girls engage in sports activities, perform onstage, and enjoy the outdoors. This collection clearly celebrates its child readers.”


CONNECTIONS
Could serve as a great springboard for boosting self-esteem, discussing dreams and aspirations.
Appeal would reach a very young audience, yet possibly disinterest from 5th grade and up because their understanding “what I want to be when I grow up” is much more realistic.
Great diversity tool with boys and girls and different ethnic backgrounds represented in many different roles.