Bees, Snails & Peacock Tails by Betsy Franco

Final Blog
Bees, Snails & Peacock Tails By Betsy Franco Illustrated By Steve Jenkins

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division

ISBN 13: 978-1-4169-0386-0

ISBN 10: 1-4169-0386-0

          Bees, Snails & Peacock Tails by Betsy Franco is a poetry book about different animals and their individual stories.  Each animal has their own rhyme, which tells a fact or two about the animal’s habits.  The animals mentioned within the story include: bees, moths, spiders, peacocks, migrating birds, ants, mice, snakes, sea stars, puffer fish and snails.  The story is filled with fun rhymes and a steady rhythm throughout the story without losing interest or creating a dull repetition.

          The book is a great visual aide to use in the classroom.  It teaches students facts about each type of animal that exists all around us.  These are not exotic or foreign animals such as kangaroos, pandas or leopards. It also includes animals who are both nocturnal and who aren’t.  The animal’s chosen for this book was a smart choice by the author. From the tiny ants to spiders to mice to birds to snakes, it reminds me of the food chain in a way.  The book mainly teaches science with hints of math, the author points out how the bees make hexagons with their nests.  “Study a beehive and you will see the mathematical genius of the bee.  The hexagons you’ll find inside fit side by side by side by side.  This math is passed mysteriously from worker bee to worker bee!” (Franco) 

          The author makes learning fun and innovating with the subtle hints of what each animal’s characteristics are.  One analogy that is mentioned is a moth’s attraction to a flame (or light).       

          The illustrations throughout are fun and create a lot of depth.  The materials used are very unique; in a way it has a touch of childlike creativity.  The pictures are clear and distinct and some materials are used on other animals, which brings a strong sense of continuity throughout.  The materials used clearly indicate a clear likeness of what the actual animal looks like in real life.  Also by keeping the illustrations real and not drawn like a cartoon makes the book more realistic and makes a strong distinguished, polished look to the overall story.

          The author uses creative ways to impact the stanza are the use of the words.  Not only the words are cleverly written, the author placed certain emphasis on the fact or words so that the reader can be more engaged while reading the book.  The letters go around the shell not only to grab the reader’s attention, but it’s also in the direction of the shell’s shape.  The shell starts with large spaced spirals where the entrance to the shell is but then becomes smaller as the rings become closer to the back end of the shell.  We can see the words “ The beautiful spirals on topshell snails” in large print and the rest of the sentence “are miniature castles with tiny details.” (Franco) in small print.  In addition to this particular animal I loved the use of newspaper to resemble dirt and/or sand to make the ground look like the ground has pebbles in it.  Also the green felt looking paper was placed as seaweed surrounding the shell.  It gives the illustration more impact and at times you may not notice the additional background images that create a quality whole picture.  I think it makes the story more authentic to also show where or how you would find the animal in nature and in its habitat.  It makes the story more realistic.  In addition to this, the puffer fish has a similar layout and is depicted in its normal form and puffed up form.  I love the detailing on the fish, it looks like it has scales and is amusing to look at.

Here is an example of the how Franco uses language, font, and detailed illustrations to
emphasize how bees communicate with each other. 

          Another illustration that I found interesting is the first and last pages show a day scene and night scene respectively. The animals during the day include the snake, spider, ant, bee, snail and one migrating bird.  Each is out and about but in it’s own habitat.  Within the nocturnal illustration, the snake is hiding in a tree, the spider has made a web, the moth is flying and there are more migrating birds flying about.  These changes between the same scenes are significant and further tell the reader more about the animal and it’s habits. It’s an interesting way to show a subtle addition to the facts throughout the book.  We see the snake is out during the day but in a hole in a tree at night and all we see are his eyes.  The buzzing bee flying about in the air now replaced with a moth.

          After the story is finished, more facts are given about each animal in addition to what was mentioned in the story stanzas.  I think it adds a nice finishing touch to enhance the science knowledge of the story that was stated for each animal.  

          The whole story teaches children about all types of animals; insects, flightless birds, migrating birds, mice, reptiles, every kind of animal is mentioned within the story.  The rhymes are clever and use language thoughtfully.  The materials for the vivid illustrations and font usage and placement give the book amazing subtle touches that make it stand out from the rest.  This book should always be read when teaching about animals in the classroom.


          This was a fun project, I have never done anything like this.  It has allowed me to be creative and think about the quality of children's books and children's books authors.  Thank you both for assigning the blogs, I know I will use this information in my classroom. 

Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds

Blog Post 4
Book: Back of the Bus By Aaron Reynolds Illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Publisher: Philomel Books a division of Penguin Young Readers Group

ISBN: 978-0-399-25091-0

            Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds is a powerful story about Rosa Parks’ famous bus ride.  The story is narrated through a little boy’s viewpoint who is sitting in the back of the bus.  The story starts off on December 1, 1944 in Montgomery, Alabama.  A mother and child are coming home from work and school on the same bus as Mrs. Parks.  The little boy’s mother is tired from working all day and the child is playing with his marble.  The little boy accidentally rolls the marble down the grove in center aisle of the bus; luckily Mrs. Parks catches it and rolls it back to him the same way since she is sitting in the front.  The boy knows that she’s not supposed to sit up there; she belongs in the back with us.  The boy knows that the bus is supposed to be divided but isn’t sure why.  His mother warns him not to play with the marble any more because the bus is getting crowded.  Suddenly, the bus comes to a complete stop and a commotion starts up front.  His mother tells him to put the marble away deep in his pocket so that he doesn’t lose it.  The little boy cannot tell what is happening in the front of the bus but he eventually sees Mrs. Parks being asked by the bus driver to move so that a white man can take her seat.  Her constant refusal to move forces the driver to call the police.  She is subsequently arrested.  During this time the little boy is confused and wonders why she won’t move and why the policeman “clicks them metal things on her hands, quick and loud like the screen door slammin’.”  Once the bus returns to service, his mother is upset and proud as she watches Mrs. Parks being taken away in handcuffs and is happy that the incident will be forgotten by tomorrow.  The little boy takes his marble out from the safety of his pocket and looks at it; instead of holding it tightly in his hand he holds it up to the light.  Looking at the sunset through the marble, the marble looks “like it’s smilin’, I think.  Cuz it ain’t gotta hide no more.” 

            This is a great book because it’s being told from a child’s point of view.  Since the boy isn’t sure why certain events are happening, it leaves a bit of mystery especially if the class has not learned about the civil rights era.  The lack of knowledge or clarity leaves the reader to fill in the blanks with facts and not assumptions or opinions. 

            The marble is a clever yet subtle analogy that plays along side with the plot.  While reading the story, I was very unsure as to how the marble fit in with the rest of the story and it’s relevance.  But by the end it was clear to me as why the marble was the main focus throughout the plot.  It wasn’t the marble itself that was important but the child’s interactions with the marble is significant.  At first we see him playing with it freely, admiring it and describing it “…my marble, all shining bright like a big ol’ tiger’s eye,”.  As the story progresses and Mrs. Parks starts to cause controversy, the boy, like many similar events throughout history, were shut out and if he didn’t hide his marble it would be lost forever.  In other words, the marble represented African Americans during this time.  They were ‘put away’, not to be seen by anyone.  This also applies the segregation to other public places like the bus, restaurants, rest rooms and schools.  African Americans were forced to comply with these rules/laws.  The little boy couldn’t take his marble out in fear it would be lost and could only be taken out when it was safe or after a drastic event happened. Once Mrs. Parks left the bus, the boy didn’t hold his marble tight in his hand, instead he held it up proudly now that the danger was over and there was nothing to fear. After something distressing happens, only then freedom can be gained hence, the marble was able to come out of his pocket.

One aspect that I liked throughout the story was the language.  The author stuck to a southern accent or drawl.  It made you feel like the child was talking to you and you could clearly hear his voice as he describe the events that were occurring.  The story stayed true to its roots and time period. 

            This book has a powerful message yet sent through a small object, the marble.  The message can be applied to other situations, not just from a civil rights viewpoint.  The innocence of the boy is another key role within the story line.  His lack of knowledge and innocence keeps the reader engaged.  Even though the reader and/or audience may know the whole or true story about what is occurring.  I think it tells Rosa Parks story in a new light and makes the topic easier and less ‘scary’ to talk about.  It also makes you wonder about the children who are living during this period.  What they think about segregation, are they even aware of what is happening and how will it affect them?  Children being divided and judged based on their skin color is their norm and they don’t even know about the racial dilemma directed towards them.  It’s disheartening to see a young boy witness a negative yet heroic action.  He may not realize it now but later on in life this event may have a greater impact on him both positively and negatively.

            The illustrations were well drawn and realistic throughout the story.  The picture to text illustrations matched perfectly.  You could almost look at the pictures and follow the story without any words.  Each illustration paints an important part of history.  One illustration that was done well was of the entire bus.  It depicts the segregation not only through text but from a visual stance too.  The picture shows the front of the bus with all of the white passengers sitting comfortably with Rosa Parks among them.  And the back of the bus where all of the blacks were cramped together with a few being forced to stand up due to lack of seating.

I apologize I couldn't scan the entire picture like I wanted to but I still wanted to show the illustrators detail and accuracy of the pictures.

           Lastly, there is a grain or chalky look on all of the illustrations.  I think it’s a cool effect to the story; it gives it a soft, worn textured look but still holds great detail in every picture.  The illustrator knows how to highlight and accent the main characters and make the background characters subdued still detailed.

Overall, this book is well put together and addresses many tough issues we face today.  This is a powerful tool to send a vital message when used in the classroom.  I’d recommend it to any teacher.  It is by far my favorite book that I have blogged about.            

           

The Indian Cinderella Retold By Cyrus MacMillian

Blog Post 3
Book: The Indian Cinderella

Retold by Cyrus MacMillian

Publisher: The Bodley Head
ISBN: 0 684 81353 X

            This story is from a childhood book of mine The Children’s Book of Virtures by William J. Bennet.  I loved reading the stories and poems and learning about the differences between right and wrong, honesty and lying.  This story was a favorite of mine.

The Indian Cinderella is a folk tale from Canada.  The story is about an Indian named Strong Wind.  He is granted the power of invisibility from their god Glooskap.  Many of the maidens in the village wanted to marry him because the mighty deeds he did for Glooskap and he would marry the first maiden “who could see him as he came home at night.”  Many maidens tried to see him but no one succeeded.  So Strong Wind and his sister wanted to test the truthfulness of the maiden he would marry.  Every night Strong Wind would walk home from his daily deeds and his sister would be waiting with a maiden who wished to marry him.  He would make himself invisible and walk towards his sister and the maiden who wished to marry him. His sister asked several questions to each maiden if she saw him, if she said yes then she was lying.  This happened with all of the maidens wishing to marry Strong Wind.  The chief of the village had three daughters, the two eldest were jealous of the youngest, their mother died long ago.  “They clothed her in rags that she might be ugly; and they cut off her long black hair; and they burned her face with coals from the fire that she might be scarred and disfigured.”  One day, the two eldest sisters went with Strong Winds sister in an attempt to see him while he came home.  The two lied about seeing him and went home disappointed.  The next day the youngest sister tried her luck at seeing Strong Wind.  When she was asked if she could see Strong Wind she said no.  Since she spoke the truth Strong Wind became visible and made her his bride, with this her hair grew long and her scars were gone.  Because of their cruelty, Strong Wind turned the two eldest sisters into Aspen trees.     

My favorite aspect of this story in relation to the classical Cinderella is the setting and how the ‘prince’ is trying to find his princess.  The setting of the story is very unique; it’s located in an Indian village instead of a castle. These two environments are very similar yet so different.  They both play the same part as the grounds for the plot however; the differences make the stories unique.  For example, coal is mentioned in both versions of the story.  In modern day Cinderella, she sleeps by the fireplace and is covered in soot every morning, hence her name.  In the Indian Cinderella, her sisters burn her face with coal from a fire pit to make her unattractive. These subtleties create a connection to each other.

I liked the fact that there was a head father figure in this story instead of a mean stepmother.  It created a different unsaid tone within the story because there is one less female character within the family.  Usually in Cinderella, the stepmother treats Cinderella badly, but to see only the sisters do it in this version makes you wonder why they are so unkind to her.  In both versions, I think there is an untold story as to why the family members are so malicious to Cinderella.

            In the modern day version of Cinderella, Cinderella looses her glass slipper at the ball; the prince finds it and starts to search high and low for the owner.  In the Indian Cinderella, truthfulness takes the place of the slipper.  I think it shows that Strong Wind wants an honest maiden not a superficial one.  He wants someone who loves him for him not for his powers.  It shows what is important to a person and that lying never gets you anywhere. 

             The illustrations in the story are cleverly drawn and look realistic for the time period.  The pictures are drawn in detail showing mountains, trees and rivers; the clothes are elaborately drawn showing the beading and feathers.  There are rich colors to depict depth, contrast and detail for each section of the story.

            The Indian Cinderella is a strong story showing how “honestly is rewarded and dishonesty is punished.”  Many people should follow and try to live their lives by this.  

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears By Verna Aardema

Multicultural Blog Post
Book: Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears By Verna Aardema Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

Publisher: Puffin Books

ISBN: 0 14 0.54905 6

Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema is a bright, colorful book with a great story line.  The story starts with a mosquito and an iguana having a conversation; the mosquito tells the iguana that he “saw a farmer digging yams that were almost as big as I am”.  The iguana didn’t believe him so he stuck sticks in his ears so he couldn’t listen to any more nonsense from the mosquito.  The domino effects starts, the iguana is oblivious to his surroundings, the python tries to talk to the iguana, he doesn’t answer so the python slips in to a rabbit hole.  The rabbit sees the python entering his hole and runs for his life; the crow sees the rabbit running and starts to spread an alarm.  A monkey hears the crow’s cries and runs to alert the other animals.  As the monkey travels through the trees he hits a dead branch, which kills an owlet.  The Mother Owl finds her dead owlet and mourns over the loss; she doesn’t “wake the sun so that dawn could come”.  Night lingers on for days. The King Lion calls a meeting and wants to know why the sun isn’t rising.  The animals are blaming each other for the owlet’s death.  The King Lion traced the cause back to the mosquito: “So it was the mosquito who annoyed the iguana, who frightened the python, who scared the rabbit, who startled the crow, who alarmed the monkey, who killed the owlet- and now Mother Owl won’t wake the sun so that the day can come.”  The Mother Owl finally calls for the sun once she knows who is responsible for her owlet’s death.  The mosquito felt awful for what happened she asks people if everyone is still mad at her and the only answer she gets is a slap.

         I loved the illustrations in the book; they are unique, colorful, fun and engaging.  Every time you flip the page there are new animals and colors, it’s a feast for the eyes.  One thing that I noticed is the difference in the colors of the animals during the day and night.  There are subtle differences but you notice that during the day all of the animals and plants are brighter and vivid.  However, at night the colors are muted.  This shows the attention to detail, and is impeccably done. Another aspect that makes the picture more detailed is that all of the animals are outlined in white instead of black.  I think it gives the illustrations more ‘pop’, structure and stand out more.  In some pages the animals look like a tangram or puzzle pieces in a way.  The many shapes, sizes and colors, which create each animal, are distinct to that species only.  The artwork is a clever use of artistic skills.

         What is interesting in this book are the way each animal behaves is true to nature.  In the wild animals rely on each other for safety, food and shelter amongst other things.  We see the chain reaction of animal instinct and the need to protect the others from dangerous predators.  The monkey who accidentally killed the owlet was only doing his job.  It is sad that the owlet died but if there truly was a predator the outcome could have been worse. 

         This is a harmonious story line.  It seems realistic because we see different animals on every page, some are flying, walking on the land, in the water swimming, or sitting in a tree.  By placing the animals in this way make the pictures more interesting and every time you read the book you notice something new.

         Through all of the confusion, and tragedy, the King Lion steps in to make everything right and find out who is responsible for the owlets death.  The King Lion, is highly respected by the other animals and obey his every command, you can tell he has a strong demeanor and makes everyone pay attention to him.  Each animal has his or her own personality, which comes through.  The mosquito seems to brag about the yam size and the iguana couldn’t care less about her or her yam.  I think it’s funny because we see the mosquito bragging at the beginning of the story and by the end she is humble and apologetic.  Even though the mosquito didn’t have much to do with the core of the story she is still affected by the events and her persona changes.

         In addition, the story has a lot of emotion throughout.  It’s intriguing because the story becomes a mystery in finding out which animal is at fault for the owlet’s death.  At times the emotions of the animals are funny, hectic, scared, sad, confusion, thoughtful, guilt and painful all come to mind when reading this book.

         I think this is a beautiful book that has a lot going on with it; it’s not busy but gives you a lot to think about and look at.  I’d recommend reading this book in class since it covers many subject areas.