A Ball for Daisy

Bibliography

Raschka, Christopher. A ball for Daisy. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011. ISBN 9780375958618

Summary

The characters, setting, and plot are all revealed through the illustrations in this wordless Caldecott Medal winning picture book. The fun-loving white dog enjoys his red ball at home and at the park - until the other dog comes along, gets the ball, and bites it too hard bursting the source of fun. The illustrations brilliantly convey the sadness of the dog until the next visit to the park. The other dog and its owner appear with a new blue ball. All play together and leave having more than they had at first. Now they have not only the ball to play with, but also a friend.  

Critical Analysis

The simple drawings are warm and inviting to capture the heart of the "reader" of the illustrations. The use of the red and blue ball on neutral colored drawings helps children to follow the main idea and create the story. The dog's moods which are clearly conveyed through the drawings, may be moods which the children themselves can identify with. The dog sleeps with the ball, plays with it, and is saddened after it is broken. The resolution conveys a message that may help a child feel comforted when something goes wrong.

Review Excerpts

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

School Library Journal, Starred, Best Book of the Year - "Raschka's genius lies in capturing the essence of situations that are deeply felt by children."

Horn Book Magazine, Starred - "Noteworthy for both its artistry and its child appeal."

Caldecott Medal Winner

Connections

Use book for language learners (English or foreign language) to tell a story.

Use the book for Language Experience Approach (LEA.)

Students may create a play or tape for the book.

Students collaborate to make and share their own wordless books using magazines and/or colors. 

See other illustratons by Raschka at website for National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, Abilene, TX http://nccil.org/experience/artists/raschkac/ and in books such as The Hello, Goodbye Window, Yo! Yes? and Charlie Parker Played Be Bop.

May use the "You Tube" video with an older art class as Raschka talks through the process of making books.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x5GYm-jHHM  or  http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=uQhhFjk-nEw&feature=endscreen

 Tomás and the Library Lady

Bibliography

Mora, Pat, and Raúl Colón. Tomás and the library lady. Ill by Raúl Colón. New York: Knopf :, 1997.

Summary
Spanish speaking Tomás is in Iowa with his family of migrant workers when he discovers the library and the librarian. He is offered not only a place for cool relief, but a love for books which correlates with the love for storytelling from his abuelito (grandfather). When Tomás and his family plan to leave and return to Texas, the librarian gives Tomás a book  to go with the other gift she has already given him - the love of books and reading. This is a true story about the man who became the Chancellor at the University of California at Riverside and it is an authentic experience of second language learners.

Critical Analysis  
The characters are realistic and true to the culture of the Hispanic migrant workers. The richness of the family love and encouragement is portrayed in a positive manner to encourage Hispanic children. Spanish speaking children will enjoy the simple words in their mother tongue which are translated to English in a realistic dialogue. Tomás is sad to leave the Iowa library and librarian, but the resolution leaves the reader happy. The gold, orange, and brown earth tone colors  in the illustrations of Raúl Colón contribute to the feeling of warmth and love as the illustrations allow children to connect with the story.

This story is so realistic that when this Iowa writer read the book to her husband who was an Hispanic child field worker, he thought she was making it up. Besides other realistic occurrences of the book, his life had been also greatly affected by a librarian. True to culture? Yes, and a perfect book for a library and a home.

Review Excerpts

Kirkus Aug 1, 1997

Connections 

Celebrate Dia de los ninos/los libros and read Book Fiesta; ISBN 0061288772

Enjoy a Mexican meal and mariachi music.

Immerse class in classroom atmosphere of unknown language being spoken.

Set up Cultural display of items from Mexico.

Have English language learner adult speak to the class.

Read other books by Pat Mora including:

A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Ines; ISBN 0375806431

Abuelos; ISBN 1554981018

A Birthday Basket for TIa; ISBN 0689813287
Book illustrated by Raul Colon - Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops; ISBN 144245735X

1997 Americas Award for Children and Young Adult Literature Commended Title

1997 Notable Books for Children, Smithsonian

1998 Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award

1998 Teachers' Choices Award from IRA

1999-2000 Texas Bluebonnet Master List Title

Blog for Future Module:

Eyes of the Emperor


Bibliography

Salisbury, Graham. Eyes of the emperor. New York: Wendy Lamb Books, 2005. ISBN 0307523152

Summary 

Eddie Okubo is a United States Japanese American who was born in Hawaii. At age 16, he lies about his age and joins the military. Then Pearl Harbor is bombed and he and his Japanese friends begin a long journey of being in the United States Army, but distrusted because of their race. They spend time in an internment camp in Wisconsin before being sent to Cat Island, Mississippi to be the bait for dogs which are being trained to hunt down enemy Japanese by their scent. 

Critical Analysis

Review Excerpts

Connections

Study history of Hawaii including the immigrants who came to the islands and the interactions with native Hawaiians. Create a presentation about Hawaii becoming a state.

Study and discuss internment of Japanese Americans. Read other books and articles on the subject. 

Study the Japanese-american military groups including 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most awarded company in U.s. military history. What were their roles? 

Study the Cat Islands and surrounding Mississippi areas and what happened to them after Hurricane Katrina. 

Debate animal cruelty considering animals being used for science, medicine, or as in this book, military.

Awards: 

2005 Best Books of the Year, Kirkus Reviews
2005 Parent’s Choice Silver Honor Award
2006 Notable Social Studies, Trade Books for Young People
2006-2007 Texas Tayshas High School Reading List
2006 ALA Best Books for Young Adults
2006 ALA Notable Book
2006 New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age
2006 Capitol Choices, Noteworthy Books for Children 
2006 PEN USA Literary Award (finalist) 
Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction Books for Youth 2005-2006