Moses Goes To A Concert
by Isaac Millman

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Millman, Isaac. 1998. MOSES GOES TO A CONCERT. New York: Frances Foster Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374350698.

B. SUMMARY
Moses, a young boy who is deaf, attends a concert with his class and teacher. He meets a professional percussionist, plays on her instruments and decides that is what he wants to be when he grows up.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
MOSES GOES TO A CONCERT is one of several books by author Isaac Millman that addresses the issue of deafness in children. Moses and his class attend a concert and are able to experience feeling the music by holding balloons in their laps. This book does a great job of demonstrating that deaf children can do anything that hearing kids can do, perhaps just a little differently. This concert is not just for children who deaf, "Children from all over the city are coming to the concert."

The entire story is a cultural marker in and of itself. Moses and his friends look and act like typical elementary school kids, going on a school fieldtrip, riding the bus, enjoying the music and being excited about meeting a musician. This musician happens to be a percussionist who plays in her socks. She, too, is deaf. American Sign Language is displayed throughout the book, with the entire alphabet at the end, for readers to enjoy and learn.

The watercolor cartooned illustrations will capture the attention of and delight most any child in the suggested age range of 4-8 years. This book would be a nice addition to any collection, whether a deaf child is in the school or class or not - all children would benefit from this story and the other Moses books by the same author.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus Reviews: “The power of Millman's book comes from the simple fact that he levels the playing field; of course deaf children go to concerts, but conveying how they enjoy music removes yet one more barrier between those who can hear and those who cannot. Moses also appears in inset boxes, signing comments aimed at readers and encouraging them to attempt signs. A few spreads are given over entirely to signed conversations, with effectively diagrammed hand movements and facial expressions. The final page illustrates the signed letters of the alphabet.”

Publishers Weekly: “An introductory note explains how to interpret the sign-language diagrams, which are integrated throughout the clear and colorful illustrations. Fiction and instruction make beautiful music together on these cheerful pages.”

School Library Journal: “Cheerful watercolor illustrations show the multiethnic children enjoying themselves at the concert, while smaller cartoon strips feature Moses' additional comments in sign language. A page displaying the manual alphabet and a conversation in sign language in which Moses tells his parents about his day enhance the upbeat story.”

E. CONNECTIONS

Other books by Isaac Millman:

Moses Goes to the Circus, ISBN 0374350647

Moses Goes to School, ISBN 0374350698

Moses Sees A Play, ISBN 0374350663

The House You Pass On The Way

by Jacqueline Woodson

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Woodson, Jacqueline. 1997. THE HOUSE YOU PASS ON THE WAY. Delacorte Press: New York. ISBN 0385321899

B. SUMMARY

Born to a white mother and a black father, 14-year old Staggerlee deals with her blossoming sexual identity while also coming to grips with being the only bi-racial family in their small southern town of Sweet Gum. Staggerlee, born Evangeline Ian Canan, lives with her family in the former home of her famous grandparents. Staggerlee feels isolated and yet seems to enjoy herself. At one point, she kisses another young girl and likes it. When her cousin Trout comes for a summer visit, Staggerlee think she has found a soulmate. Staggerlee shares her kissing experience with Trout and they deal with their own mutual attraction and family race issues. Summer comes to an end as does Trouts visit. She promises to write Staggerlee. Finally, months later, Stagger recieves a letter from Trout who shares that she has fallen in love with a guy. Staggerlee starts high school with a renewed sense of who she is, comfortable in her own skin, in her family and herself.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This young adult novel, while only 114 pages long, hits a lot of different issues, including race, gender and family issues. THE HOUSE YOU PASS ON THE WAY will resonate with readers as many will recognize themselves in the storyline. Staggerlee is a strong female character experiencing what everyone goes through at some point, wondering who she is, where did she come from and where she fits in this world.

The cultural marker of gender identity and sexual awareness is gently explored when Staggerlee kisses a girl, Hazel, from her class and her attraction to Trout. This is as far as the author takes, it however. The issue of race is delved into as Staggerlee tries to figure out if she's black or white. “Her father had married a white woman. … The only mixed race family in Sweet Gum, maybe in all of Calmuth County.” When people asked her how it felt to be black and white; she shrugged and answered 'fine'”. Staggerlee also deals with a family that is content, to a certain extent, being isolated from neighbors and even her extended family.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Publisher's Weekly: "The daughter of an interracial couple, 14-year-old Staggerlee is already an outsider when she wonders if she is gay, too. This a "poignant tale of self-discovery" and praised Woodson's "graceful, poetic" prose." Starred review.

School Library Journal: "This richly layered novel will be appreciated for its affecting look at the anxious wonderings of presexual teens, its portrait of a complex interracial family, and its snapshot of the emotionally wrenching but inarticulate adolescent search for self. It's notable both for its quality and for the out-of-the-way places it goes."

E. CONNECTIONS

Visit Jacqueline Woodson online:

www.jacquelinewoodson.com

Other books by Jacqueline Woodson:

Woodson, Jacqueline. BEHIND YOU. ISBN 0142403907

Woodson, Jacqueline. FEATHERS. ISBN 0142411988

THINGS NOT SEEN

by Andrew Clements

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Clements, Andrew. 2002. THINGS NOT SEEN. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 0399236260.

B. SUMMARY

15-year old Bobby Phillips is a typical teenager. Well, typical until he wakes up one February morning and can't see himself in the mirror - and it's not because he's blind - he's invisible. Bobby's life is suddenly turned upside-down while he tries to live as normally as possible being invisible. His parents and those of his new-found friend, Alicia, try to solve the mystery of his condition. Alicia happens to be blind so Bobby being invisible isn't an issue for her. Bobby and Alice, working together, figure out and solve Bobby's problem as their friendship deepens.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This novel, from award-winning writer Andrew Clements, is the kind of book that grabs the reader and keeps them coming back for more. THINGS NOT SEEN, set in Chicago, is an engaging young adult novel that borders on science fiction. Written in first-person perspective, the story is told by 15-year old Bobby. This character, like so many others from Clements, is written with a refreshing honesty and teenage voice. Besides feeling isolated and disenfranchised, Bobby struggles with being "invisible" to the popular kids at school, "I don't know. You said you were pretty popular before. The popular kids at my school don't even know I'm alive," he shares with Alicia, his new-found friend. Alicia puts a different spin on the story as she is blind from an accident two years earlier.

This entire story is a cultural marker but doesn't come across as a sad story about an invisible boy and a blind girl. It is an engaging story about two teenagers who discover that, despite their problems, they actually see each other for who they truly are and a beautiful friendship develops and deepens. Alicia's blindness, while a disability that she is learning to live with, gives the reader a perspective not usually seen in young adult novels. There are moments when this secondary character demonstrates anger, sadness, happiness, etc. that plays off of Bobby and his condition. The friendship the develops between the two is realistic and sweet but not sappy.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus Reviews:"A readable, thought-provoking tour de force, alive with stimulating ideas, hard choices, and young people discovering bright possibilities ahead."

School Library Journal: "Clements's story is full of life; it's poignant, funny, scary, and seemingly all too possible. The author successfully blends reality with fantasy in a tale that keeps his audience in suspense until the very end."

E. CONNECTIONS

Visit Andrew Clements' website at:

www.andrewclements.com

The Dragon's Gate

by Laurence Yep

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yep, Laurence. 1993. DRAGON’S GATE. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0060229713.

B. PLOT SUMMARY

Leaving his homeland of China, a young boy is sent to America to work with his father and uncle on the transcontinental railroad. Otter finds himself the victim of discrimination, harsh work, hunger and being treated as if he were enslaved. He is disillusioned by both America and his uncle. However, enduring the hardships that he encountered only served to strengthen and mature Otter for his life ahead.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Critically-acclaimed author Laurence Yep does a great job capturing the harshness of the transcontinental railroad construction many Chinese laborers endured during the 1800's across the Sierra Nevada. He starts the novel with a preface to set the scene historically and finishes it with an afterword with notes for the reader.

There are many cultural markers in Dragon's Gate. The first marker is the title - Dragon's Gate. In China the dragon plays a vital role in both the culture, folklore, and even in religion. The language is not written with an accent but the phrasing does lend itself to the rhythm of the Chinese language. There are references throughout to beliefs of the Chinese workers, for example, "'Demons' was the word that ignorant and superstitious people use for westerners. My English instructor had made a point that is was the wrong term, because in English is was equated with evil creatures called demons, while in the T'ang language it referred more generally to creatures who were ghosts or spirits." There are also many names that are cultural markers such as Otter, Shrimp, Lion Rock, and Foxfire.

As this is a novel, there are not any illustrations except for the front cover. However, the cover does display a boy in traditional clothing for the 1800's, especially his hat and jacket. The image of the boy depicts his hair, eyes and skin complexion as that of one of Chinese descent.

DRAGON'S GATE is fast-paced and gives a good historical look at an often-overlooked time and event in our nation's history. So often people think of discrimination and only think of African-Americans - this story demonstrates it happens to all cultures but is sometimes not as well-known. It is not overly dramatic or melancholy - as it could become - but rather a good depiction of one boy's experiences in a historical setting. DRAGON'S GATE is geared for ages 10 and up and would be a good choice for 5th grade and higher.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Publishers Weekly: "This 1994 Newbery Honor Book, a prequel to Dragonwings, tells of 14-year-old Otter's 1865 emigration from China and subsequent travails in California."

School Library Journal: “Yep uses the lively storytelling techniques of his "Dragon" fantasy-adventure novels to re-create a stirring historical event-here, the construction of the transcontinental railroad.”

E. CONNECTIONS

Visit these sites to learn more about Laurence Yep and his publications:

http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/HarperChildrens/Kids/AuthorsAndIllustrators/ContributorDetail.aspx?CId=12929

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmr/mtai/yep.html

Hear an interview with Laurence Yep:

http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/yep

Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds:

The Sammy Lee Story

by Paula Yoo

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yoo, Paula. 2005. SIXTEEN YEARS IN SIXTEEN SECONDS. Ill. by Dom Lee. New York: Lee & Low Books. ISBN 1-58430-247-X

B. PLOT SUMMARY

Sammy Lee has a goal for himself: win an Olympic gold medal. His father has another goal in mind for Sammy: become a doctor. This picture book tells Sammy's story, how he overcame the discrimination he faced, and how he accomplishes his goals.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Told in simple, yet direct language, Paula Yoo and Dom Lee have created a fantastic book. Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds is the story of Sammy Lee, a Korean-American who overcame racial discrimination to achieve two major goals: becoming a doctor and winning an Olympic gold medal in diving. Perhaps the most noticeable cultural marker is the story of the discrimination Sammy Lee endured. The public swimming pool where he practiced was only open one day a week to "nonwhites" - a common policy in the United States in the 1930's and 1940's. Throughout the story there is also the underlying theme of Sammy's determination to prove that anyone can achieve their dream if they just want it bad enough and work hard enough.

The text does not really lend itself to any cultural markers but some of the illustrations do in regard to the characters skin-tone, facial features and hair.

This a rather enjoyable book both when read independently or as a read-aloud. I shared this book aloud with a group of 4th graders, some of whom are Asian-American and an insightful discussion sprang up. The illustrations are beautiful and lend themselves to the feeling of being from the past with the sepia tones that are used by the illustrator in his work. The story has a good message, one that is still needed today: "In American, you can achieve anything if you set your hear to it."

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Horn Book: “With their textured effect, Dom Lee’s scratchboard illustrations (using beeswax, acrylic, oil paint, and colored pencil) convey immediacy—one can feel the prickliness of the sand or the heat of the California sun—while the brown and gold colors and sepia tones make it clear that these are past events. Yoo smoothly incorporates the historical context through Sammy’s reactions to pervasive racism. She creates a picture of a person who succeeded through determined hard work—not a larger than-life hero, but an ordinary person of great achievement.”

School Library Journal: “Yoo brings the biography to a dramatic conclusion with the 16 seconds of a three-and-a-half somersault dive. Lee's painterly illustrations give texture and depth to the full-page spreads. More than a story about discrimination and unfair treatment, this story shows one young man's determination and resolve toward accomplishing a goal in life.”

E. CONNECTIONS

Website for US Olympics Diving

www.nbcolympics.com/diving/

Encyclopedia Britannica article on Dr. Sammy Lee

www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/334601/Sammy-Lee

The Tree of Cranes

by Allen Say

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Say, Allen. 1991. TREE OF CRANES. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0-395-52024-X

B. PLOT SUMMARY

A young boy in Japan experiences his first Christmas celebration. His mother shares how she celebrated Christmas in the United States as a child, including origami cranes and a Christmas tree.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A sweet story between a mother and her son, this non-traditional Christmas story is a delight to read. The main character, a young boy, goes out to play and is soon drawn to the neighbor's carp pond. He knows he's not to go there - yet, like so many young chilren, he does. He does not enjoy the experience because "The last time I went here was a gray winter day, too cold for the fish to move around. They never came out from under the rocks, and all I caught was a bad chill." He is afraid to go home to his mother because he knows she will be angry with him for disobeying her.

He does end up returning home and assumes his mother's silence is anger. However, it is that she simply is lost in thought and preoccupied with the surprise she has for him.

From the very beginning the cultural markers jump out at the reader of this picture book by Allen Say. The pictures depict a traditional Japanese home - with sliding doors, the boy's bed on the floor and the Japanese garden. Even the bathtub is different that what we are used to seeing in the United States. The clothing is what is thought of as traditional Japanese clothing as is his skin tone and haircut, too.

Other cultural elements include the gift of the samurai kite, the origami cranes his mother creates and even the eating utensils - chopsticks! The beautiful watercolor illustrations depict a traditional Japanese home for the reader. All of the markers are woven seamlessly into the story so that they help create the setting and mood and do not in any way overpower or hinder this story of a mother sharing with her son.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Publishers Weekly: "Heedless of Mama's warnings, a Japanese boy cannot resist playing at an ice-cold pond "filled with carp of bright colors." When he comes home, he is immediately treated for a cold, with a hot bath and rice gruel. His mother's attitude chills him more than the weather, though; he cannot understand why she seems to be ignoring him. Hearing a noise in the garden, the boy spies Mama digging up the pine tree that was planted when he was born. She brings it inside and decorates it with paper cranes and candles. It is a Christmas tree, the first for the boy, and the first in many years for his mother, who tells her son she comes from "a warm place called Ca-li-for-ni-a." The story is a poignant one, illuminated with finely drawn illustrations reflecting the serenity of a Japanese home and the quiet love between mother and son. Say, who came to this country from Japan when he was a teenager, again exhibits a laudable sensitivity to Eastern and Western cultures--and to both the differences and the similarities between them."

Horn Book: "Strong horizontal lines, uncluttered scenes with a minimum of detail, and a feeling of spaciousness induced by the oversize format are the visual elements that help to create this sense of serenity. The lack of details focuses attention, too, upon the centerpiece of the story: the interplay between the two characters…While the Japanese love of order and of form are evident in the pictures — as depicted, for example, in the precise placement of the items on the tray of food the mother brings to her son — the dialogue is distinctly American."

E. CONNECTIONS

Official website for Allen Say:

http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/allensay/

The Great Ball Game

by Joseph Bruchac

ill by Susan L. Roth

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bruchac, Joseph. 1994. THE GREAT BALLGAME. Ill. by Susan L. Roth. New York: Dial Books. ISBN 0803715390.

B. PLOT SUMMARY

In this simple yet delightful story from long ago, the animals and birds are engaged in an argument about which group is "better". So they decide to play a ball game. The team who scores first is the winner. They divide into two groups - those with teeth and those who fly. But bats have both and the little bat wants to know where he fits in this plan. The animals eventually accept him and it's a good thing. In the end, it is the bat who saves the day for the animals and leads them to victory. The consequence for the birds? They must fly south for six months for the winter.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

At first glance, the reader would think this is an obvious Native American story by the title, but as the reader begins reading, there is nothing inside the story that indicates it is Native American. The illustrations are torn paper and the characters are all animals called by their animals names. The pictures really do not add anything to the telling of the story. The sentences are simple, as is the plot line, but it is easy to follow and enjoyable.

At the beginning, author Joseph Bruchac does provide information about a ball game that Native Americans did play. This is the only real solid evidence that it is a Native American tale.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Publishers Weekly: “This adaptation of a popular Native American story pits Animals against Birds in a contest to settle an all-too-human question: Who's better? And, according to Muskogee legend, this resolution explains why bats are categorized as animals and why birds fly south for the winter.”

School Library Journal: “In this traditional Muskogee story, the birds and the animals quarrel over which group is better, those with wings or those with teeth. The argument threatens to turn into all-out war, so the creatures decide to settle it by playing a ball game instead. When the game (which resembles lacrosse) starts, no one wants little, weak Bat to play on their side. But in the end it is Bat-with both teeth and wings-who wins the match for the animals. As a result the birds are banished to the south each winter. This porquoi tale is told in clean, spare sentences with the emphasis on action and character.”

E. CONNECTIONS

Visit http://www.josephbruchac.com/ for more information on the author and his publications.

Rain Is Not My Indian Name

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME. 2001. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0688173977.

B. PLOT SUMMARY

The main character, 14-year old Cassidy Rain Berghoff lives in small-town Kansas and is of both Native American and Caucasian heritage. She is a pretty typical teen in many aspects. However, in having to deal with the sudden and tragic death of her best friend/almost boyfriend, turns to her Native American ancestry. To complicate things further, Rain's mother died not too long before this story begins. Rain is explores what it means to be part Native American, what is means to grieve, what it means to live and what it means to enjoy life once again. As she moves into this phase, she takes a position as a staff photographer for the local newspaper. Her assignment: cover the events that take place at the local camp for outsiders. The camp just happens to be called Indian Camp and is owned by her Aunt Georgia.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

There are some obvious cultural markers - beginning with the title as well as references to skin color, hair color, etc. Rain recalls how her mother often refered to her "Kansas-coloring" and that she can "look out the window and get a tan." There is also mention of some events, a pow-wow that Rain and Galen attendeded in Oklahoma City and the Indian tacos they eat. However, the cultural markers are all part of the main story and not to the extreme; they don't interfere with the story, they add to the authenticity of it. Author Cynthia Leitich Smith helps create a story that is both multicultural and authentic - as she is a mixed blook Muscogee Creek Member herself.

As a novel, there are not any illustrations and therefore, no cultural markers of that type, only in the text. It is surprising that there is no Native American language anywhere in the story since this is about a teen coming to grips with her heritage and who she is.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Publishers Weekly: "Multiple plot lines and nonlinear storytelling may make it difficult to enter Smith's (Jingle Dancer) complex novel, but the warmth and texture of the writing eventually serve as ample reward for readers. Some of Smith's devices such as opening each chapter with a snippet from Rain's journal add depth and clarify Rain's relationships for readers, although other elements (the detailing of song lyrics playing in the background, for instance) seem stilted. Even so, readers will feel the affection of Rain's loose-knit family and admire the way that they, like the author with the audience, allow Rain to draw her own conclusions about who she is and what her heritage means to her."

School Library Journal: "There is a surprising amount of humor in this tender novel. It is one of the best portrayals around of kids whose heritage is mixed but still very important in their lives. It's Rain's story and she cannot be reduced to simple labels. A wonderful novel of a present-day teen and her "patchwork tribe."

E. CONNECTIONS

Another publication by Cynthia Leitich Smith:

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2000. JINGLE DANCER. Ill. Wright, Cornelius Van and Hu, Ying-Hwa. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 068816241X.

You can also visit Ms. Smith at www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/CLS/cyn_books/rain/rainisnotmyindianname.html

Crossing Bok Chitto

A Choctaw Tale of Friendship

by Tim Tingle

illustrations by Jeanne Rorex Bridges

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Tingle, Tim. CROSSING BOK CHITTO A CHOCTAW TALE OF FRIENDSHIP. ill. Jeanne Rorex Bridges. 2006. El Paso, Texas: Cinco Puntos Press. ISBN 0938317776

B. PLOT SUMMARY

Set in the 1800's in Mississippi, Crossing Bok Chitto is the story of two young friends, one a Choctaw and the other an African American slave. The river Bok Chitto separated the land between the Choctaw Native Americans and the plantation/slave owners. A young Choctaw girl, Martha Tom, is sent to pick blackberries for a wedding ceremony. She doesn't find any on her side so she does what she's not supposed to and crosses the river. She hears preaching and voices and investigates. However, she loses her way from the river and needs the assistance of Little Mo to return to her side of the river. Thus begins a long-time friendship. When they are older, Martha Tom returns the kindness by helping Little Mo's family cross Bok Chitto to safety and freedom.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Filled with multicultural markers, author Tim Tingle hits a homerun in his attempt at writing an authentic, truly multicultural book. From the very first page, the reader knows who the story is about and that it believable. The main character, Martha Tom, is told by her mother, "...the sun has been up for two hours," - looking to nature for the time. As the story progresses, Martha Tom is lost in the woods and hears hundreds of slaves in a secret gathering singing "We are bound for the Promised Land!" At another point, Martha Tom and her friend Little Mo, hear the sounds of the wedding song being chanted by Martha Tom's people,

"Way, hey ya he ya Way, hey ya hey ya

You a hey you ay You a hey you ay

A hey ya a hey ya! A hey ya a hey ya!"

This song is still chanted by the Choctaw in Mississippi and Oklahoma even today. As the men chant the song, the women, dressed in all white, would stomp and dance to the rhythm.

Illustrator Bridges does a great job with her pictures of both the landscape and the characters. The Choctaw are depicted as having medium brown-colored skin with dark eyes and straight, dark hair. The Native Americans has high cheekbones and very chiseled, strong chins and faces.They also wear shoes that look similar to mocassins. The African Americans are depicted with very dark skin, curlydark hair and typical clothing for that time period. The slave owners are shown as white with various hair colorings, typical but better made period clothing as well as guns, dogs and a large home.

After the story there is a three-page section with two articles about the modern Choctaw and Choctaw Storytelling. These articles are insightful and informative.

The illustrations by award-winning artist (and Cherokee descendant) Jeanne Rorex Bridges do just as fabulous a job in creating a setting and mood with her pictures as Tingle does with his words.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal: "Dramatic, quiet, and warming, this is a story of friendship across cultures .... Tingle is a performing storyteller, and his text has the rhythm and grace of that oral tradition. It will be easily and effectively read aloud. The paintings are dark and solemn, and the artist has done a wonderful job of depicting all of the characters as individuals, with many of them looking out of the page right at readers. The layout is well designed for groups as the images are large and easily seen from a distance. There is a note on modern Choctaw culture, and one on the development of this particular work. This is a lovely story, beautifully illustrated..."

Booklist: In a picture book that highlights rarely discussed intersections between Native Americans in the South and African Americans in bondage, a noted Choctaw storyteller and Cherokee artist join forces with stirring results."

E. CONNECTIONS

This story is perfect as a read aloud and as the children listen, let them draw what they hear and imagine.

Readers can also visit http://www.choctawstoryteller.com/ for more information on the author, Choctaw and storytelling.

Too Many Tamales

by Gary Soto

illustrated by Ed Martinez

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Soto, Gary. 1993. TOO MANY TAMALES. Ill. Ed Martinez. ISBN 0399221468.


B. SUMMARY
Wanting to be "grown-up", Maria slips her mother's wedding on her thumb as she helps her mother prepare tamales for the Christmas celebration. It's not until much later, after all the extended family has arrived, that Maria realizes she lost the ring in the masa. In an attempt to right the wrong she committed, Maria enlists the help of her cousins and they begin eating all 24 tamales only to realize the ring isn't there. Maria goes to confess to her mother and sees the ring on her mom's hand. She then shares that all the tamales have been eaten, the family laughs and goes to the kitchen to prepare another batch of tamales.


C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In Gary Soto's delightful holiday story, TOO MANY TAMALES, the main character, Maria, is a typical little girl who wants to be all grown-up. Soto tells the story simply, without too many details to bog it down. Ed Martinez' illustrations assist in the story-telling by the expressive, and humorous, faces on the children and adults in the story. The story takes place entirely in Maria's home, filled with family for the holiday. From the illustrations, it is obvious that the family is Hispanic but that is not the focus of the story, just an added detail.

As far as cultural markers go, there are very few in this funny story. The only nod to the family being Hispanic is from the illustrations of the characters with dark hair and, obviously, the tamales. There is no mention of a different language or other customs associated with Christmas. In fact, the style of clothing and the language is decidedly American. In fact, change the choice of food and this story could easily be Italian, Middle-Eastern or even Asian.


D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus Reviews: "Soto's simple text is charmingly direct; he skips explanations, letting characters reveal themselves by what they do. Martinez's realistic, nicely composed paintings are glowing with light and life, while he reinforces the story with particularly expressive faces and gestures. This one should become a staple on the holiday menu. "

Publishers Weekly: "...Soto, noted for such fiction as Baseball in April , confers some pleasing touches--a tear on Maria's finger resembles a diamond; he allows the celebrants a Hispanic identity without making it the main focus of the text..."

School Library Journal: "A warm family story that combines glowing art with a well-written text to tell of a girl's dilemma."


E. CONNECTIONS
Other books by Gary Soto:
Soto, Gary. 2000. BASEBALL IN APRIL. New York: Harcourt Children's Books.
ISBN 0152025731
Soto, Gary. 1990. A SUMMER LIFE. New York: Laurel Leaf. ISBN 0874515238.
Soto, Gary. 2004. CHATO AND THE PARTY ANIMALS. Ill. Susan Guevara. New York: Puffin. ISBN 0142400327.

Tomas and the Library Lady

by Pat Mora

illustrated by Raul Colon

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mora, Pat. 199. TOMAS AND THE LIBRARY LADY. Ill. Raul Colon. New York: Knopf. ISBN 0679804013.

B. SUMMARY

Tomas, a 3rd generation member of a migrant worker family, travels from Texas to Iowa with his parents and grandfather following the crops for seasonal work. TOMAS AND THE LIBRARY LADY tells the story of a young boy who, at his Papa' Grande's urging, goes to a public library in Iowa where he meets "the Library Lady". With her encouragement and help, Tomas finds not just books but entire new worlds. When the seasons change and it is time to return to Texas, Tomas is sad to leave his library friend but she gives him a book to take with him. Beyond the book, the Library Lady gives Tomas a love of books and reading that will last a lifetime.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This books is based on writer Tomas Rivera's life as a small Mexican American boy in a migrant family. Author Pat Mora paints a rosy picture of migrant life - but it's not always that easy. The family is uprooted every six months to follow the crops and work to make a living. It is evident the family has little or limited money as they travel in a "rusty old car" and must go to the local dump to "look for pieces of iron to sell." Tomas and his brother Enrique even have a ball created from an old teddy that his mom has sewn for them.

Various cultural markers are evident: the most obvious is the Spanish that is interspersed throughtout the story. The Spanish phrases flow naturally into the English for the reader so it is not distracting: "Es un tiempo posado," Papa' Grande began. ""Once upon a time..." Tomas refers to his parents as Mama', Papa' and his grandfather as Papa' Grande. The boys names are traditional Hispanic names: Tomas and Enrique. Throught the entire story it is evident that family plays an important role in young Tomas' life.

Illustrator Raul Colon's drawings add to the enjoyment of this story. His use of watercolors, pencils and etching produce pictures that draw the reader in. Other cultural markers noted in the illustrations are the family's brown skin, dark hair and dark eye color whereas the librarian has light skin and hair tone. The illustrator does a good job of depicting the various places where Tomas travels in his books - lands filled with dinosaurs, cowboys and indians - a boy's dream come true.

The author provides a note at the end detailing who the real Tomas was and how this book was based upon and inspired the life of Tomas Rivera.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist: "From the immigrant slums of New York City to the fields of California, it’s an elemental American experience: the uprooted child who finds a home in the library. Mora’s story is based on a true incident in the life of the famous writer Tomas Rivera, the son of migrant workers who became an education leader and university president. Far from his home in Texas, the small boy is working with his family picking corn in Iowa."

Kirkus: "A charming, true story about the encounter between the boy who would become chancellor at the University of California at Riverside and a librarian in Iowa."

School Library Journal: "Colon's earthy, sun-warmed colors, textured with swirling lines, add life to this biographical fragment and help portray Tomas's reading adventures in appealing ways. Stack this up with Sarah Stewart and David Small's The Library (Farrar, 1995) and Suzanne Williams and Steven Kellogg's Library Lil (Dial, 1997) to demonstrate the impact librarians can have on youngsters."

E. CONNECTIONS

Other books by Pat Mora:

Mora, Pat. A BIRTHDAY BASKET FOR TIA. ISBN 0689813287

Mora, Pat. CONFETTI: POEMS PARA NINOS/POEMS FOR CHILDREN.

ISBN 9781584302704

Mora, Pat. THE BAKERY LADY/ LA SENORA DE LA PANADERIA. ISBN 978155885340

Mora, Pat. PABLO'S TREE. ISBN 0027674010.

Mora, Pat. YUM! MMMM! QUE RICOL: AMERICAS SPROUTINGS. ISBN 9781584302711

Esperanza Rising

by Pam Munoz Ryan

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2000. ESPERANZA RISING. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439120411

B. SUMMARY

With the sudden and tragic death of her father, Esperanza is forced to leave behind the fun and frivolity of her family's ranch in Mexico and begin a new life as a migrant worker in California during the Great Depression. Esperanza endures her new life reluctantly but bravely with her mother and other extended family members. When her mother falls ill, Esperanza musters the courage and strength to go on - because her life and that of her mother depends on it. Faced with adversity and challenge, Esperanze learns what is most important in life to her and how to be strong and independent.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Based on the life of author Pam Munoz Ryan's grandmother, the historical fiction work Esperanza Rising is set in depression-era 1930's California. Very respectfully and realistically, Munoz deals with racial issues such as immigration, discrimination, segregation and family.

The most obvious cultural marker is the title of each chapter, written in both English and Spanish. The titles, interestingly, are not about the upcoming events in the story, they are fruits from the various seasons that Esperanza experiences. For example, two of the chapters are titled Las Guayabas (guavas) and Las Ciruelas (plums). Miguel often refers to Esperanza as mi reina or my queen. Mija (a shortened form of mi hija) is a term of endearment that is used by Esperanza's mom for her. Another example is the word vaqueros, Spanish for the cowboys or ranch workers. Throughout the entire work, Spanish words are dropped in intermittently, not in a way that detracts but actually adds to the story being told.

Ryan demonstrates the prejudice that took place in the campesinos - camps - without preaching or being overly dramatic with little things such as noting that the Mexican camps did not have hot water but the workers from Oklahoma did. At one point Miguel shares with Esperanza that "Americans see us as one big, brown group who are good for only manual labor." At various times the story is infused with instances such as these that add to the authenticity of the story.

Other cultural markers noted were foods more traditional in Mexican homes such as papaya, coconut, lime, tortillas, cantaloupe, chorizo and cafe'. The construction of the little shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe alludes to the family's Catholic faith. Also references to skin color can be noted such as when the doctor comes to check on Esperanza's mother. He is "...American, light and blond," as opposed to the main characters who have a browner complexion.

At the end of the book is an extended note from the author explaining the background of the book and from where she received her inspiration.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist: "Ryan writes movingly in clear, poetic language that children will sink into, and the books offers excellent opportunities for discussion and curriculum support."

School Library Journal: "Ryan uses the experiences of her own Mexican grandmother as the basis for this compelling story of immigration and assimilation, not only to a new country but also into a different social class."

AWARDS:

2002 Pura Belpre Award Winner

2001 ALA Best Books for Young Adults

2000 Smithsonian Notable Books for Children

2000 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

E. CONNECTIONS

Other books by Pam Munoz Ryan include:

Ryan, Pam Munoz. 1999. RIDING FREEDOM. ISBN 0439087961

Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2005. BECOMING NAOMI LEON. ISBN 0439269970

Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2005. MICE AND BEANS. ISBN 0439701368

Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2007. PAINT THE WIND. ISBN 04397873622.

For those who may want more information about Ms. Ryan, visit her website at http://www.pammunozryan.com

Alvin Ailey
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
illustrated by Brian Pinkney

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY Pinkney, Andrea Davis. 1993. ALVIN AILEY. Ill. by Brian Pinkney. New York: Hyperion Paperbacks for Children. ISBN 078681077.

B. PLOT SUMMARY This historical fiction selection starts when Alvin Ailey is a young child in Navasota, Texas. The groundwork of music and dance is laid for Alvin's very bright future. The story chronicles his moving to Los Angeles, studying dance there at the Lester Horton Dance Theater School, moving to New York and eventually forming his own award winning dance company, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS The amazingly talented husband and wife team of Brian Pinkney and Andrea Davis Pinkney have combined their talents for the first time in this book for ages 5-9 years. The author's note at the beginning calls this book, "a biographical narrative history" - thus enabling it to be in several different genres.

Mrs. Pinkney begins the story with Alvin's childhood in Navasota, Texas. Her description of Alvin's church, the music and songs that are performed are all clear cultural markers. For example the song lyrics in the story are "Rocka-my-soul in the bosom of Abraham...". A soulful gospel song popular in African American churches in the middle of the 20th century. Her style of writing is one that is easy to read yet filled with a great amount of detail that adds to the story.

As far as specific cultural markers, Mr. Pinkney does use many in his scratchboard and pastel drawings. The characters, although all of the same shade of skin, are typical African American body types. They also reflect the culture with their hairstyles, clothing and dance movements. Along with the clothing and hairstyles, the various modes of transportation are all indicative of the 1950's.

The overall general environment of the book, with both the text and the illustrations, are like Alvin Ailey's life: upbeat, positive and inspirational to children of all cultures.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS Booklist: "This handsome picture-book biography pays tribute to modern dancer Alvin Ailey, who's best known for interpreting African American culture through his dancing and choreography."

Kirkus Reviews: "...this attractive introduction, based on interviews with many who knew Ailey, will leave readers hungry for more."

School Library Journal: "Brian Pinkney's marvelously detailed scratchboard drawings are tinted with pastels to show the sweep and flow of dancers caught in the act of leaping, twirling and soaring through the air....the book is both informative and inspiring and will make an excellent addition to most collections."

E. CONNECTIONS

After reading this selection, discuss with students various types of dance and dancers. Have students do one of the following: write a poem about dance and how it makes them feel; create an original dance to their favorite song; or read about another famous American dancer and write a paragraph comparing and contrasting them to share with the class.




Miracle’s Boys
by Jacqueline Woodson

A. BIOGRAPHY
Woodson, Jacqueline. 2000. MIRACLE’S BOYS. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399231137.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
Set in New York city, MIRACLE’S BOYS is the story of three brothers left to care for themselves and each other after the tragic death of their mother. The story is spun from the perspective of the youngest brother, Lafayette, who is only 13 years old. The middle brother, Charlie, is in trouble and has just recently returned from time in juvenile detention – changed from the brother who left. The oldest, Ty’ree, sacrificing his scholarship to MIT, takes charge of his younger brothers to raise them and keep the family together. All three boys feel guiltty about things in each of their lives which, in turn, influences each boy and the decisions they make. The turning point for this little family is when Charlie becomes involved in a gang he looks to his brothers for help.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Woodson’s novel, winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, is the story of three brothers trying to survive and stay together in the big city after the death of their diabetic mother. Although this is a work of fiction, the setting, plot and theme are all very realistic – as are the characters themselves. Told from the point of view of Lafayette, the reader gets a much more detailed picture of his life than his brother’s. The reader is privy to Lafayette’s thoughts and feelings about his guilt regarding his mother’s death, his feelings towards “Newcharlie” and the situations they find themselves in.

With the story taking place in New York, there are many cultural markers including means of transportation, descriptions of Central Park, gangs and violence, and the urban setting. There are also speech markers, for example, when Charlie says to his older brother, “I ain’t do nothing, T.” His speech patterns, as well as Lafayette’s are those of children raised in poverty.

Despite the problems the boys must face, they ultimately face them together, as a family should. Although it is not explicitly stated, after the boys sit on the stoop together and talk, the reader is left with the impression that everything is going to turn out just fine for them.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Children’s Literature: “There is a lot of pain in this book, but Woodson delivers it like an ode, strung together from lyrical images that reach inside readers as if to remind them that there is a beauty in grief. Miracle is dead, but she's left pictures "chiseled into" her boys and won't be forgotten because "she's too deep inside of us." And in the end when they hang on to each other, the love she's created pulls them together.”

Publisher’s Weekly: “Gang violence and urban poverty play an integral part in this novel, but what readers will remember most is the brothers' deep-rooted affection for one another. An intelligently wrought, thought-provoking story.”

School Library Journal: “The narrative is told through dialogue and Lafayette's introspections so there is not a lot of action, but readers should find this story of tough, self-sufficient young men to be powerful and engaging.”


E. CONNECTIONS
Readers of Miracle’s Boys might enjoy these other books by Jacqueline Woodson:
From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun, ISBN 0590458817
Hush, ISBN 0142406007
Locomotion, ISBN 0142401498

John Henry

by Julius Lester

illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lester, Julius. 1994. JOHN HENRY. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York.

Dial Books. ISBN 0803716060

B: PLOT SUMMARY

There are several versions of this famous African American tale about the hammer-wielding John Henry, including this Caldecott Honor version by Julius Lester. John Henry was born with amazing strength and quickly outgrew everything, including his home. He sets out for the world and is soon pitted against a steam drill. John Henry decides to race the drill to see who could dig through the mountain first. Although John Henry wins the contest,"he had hammered so hard and so fast and so long that his big heart had burst", he dies. However, this story does not end on a sad note, for the bystanders learn that "dying ain't important.... What matters is how well you do your living."

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

John Henry, written by Julius Lester and water-color illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, was given the distinction of being a Caldecott Honor Award designee in 1990. This is a retelling of an African American tale and begins with the birth of John Henry. He soon discovers his amazing strength and sets out to face the world and fulfill his destiny. Thanks to the illustrations and some of the narration, it's easy to know that the story takes place in West Virginia. Although there is no direction mention of time period, it is easily recognizable because the railroad builders were using dynamite to blast through the mountain with, creating a tunnel for the trains to go through.

Lester does a fine job of using personification to paint a picture that readers will enjoy such as when John Henry laughed "...the sun got scared." Some of the cultural markers present are the various skin tones of the people who know or watch John Henry as well as the dialect that is spoken.

The theme is one of living a good, moral life no matter what befalls you. It is very apparent, with a funeral at the White House, that John Henry, whether he be real or fictitious, was a good man.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Caldecott Honor Book, 1990

Booklist: "...this picture-book version is a tall tale and a heroic myth, a celebration of the human spirit."

Publishers Weekly: "A great American hero comes fully to life in this epic retelling filled with glorious, detailed watercolors."

School Library Journal: "It will appeal to an older audience than Ezra Jack Keats's John Henry (Knopf, 1987) and is a fine addition to any folklore collection."

E. CONNECTIONS

Teachers could us a "bubble" thinking map to find adjectives describing John Henry. Next create the same for a character below and creat a venn diagram comparing and contrasting each.

Other tall tale characters to check out:

Kellog, Steven. PAUL BUNYAN. ISBN 9780688058005

Gleeson, Brian. PECOS BILL. ISBN 9780887080814

The Pull of the Ocean
by Jean-Claude Mourlevat

A. Bibliography

Mourlevat, Jean-Claude. 2006. THE PULL OF THE OCEAN. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. ISBN 0385733488

B. PLOT SUMMARY

Translated from the French novel L'enfant Ocean, The Pull of the Ocean is loosely based on Tom Thumb by Charles Perrault. Discovering that his parents plan on doing all of the boys great harm, Yann, the youngest and a midget, leads his brothers to where he thinks they will be safe - the ocean. The story is told by various characters in the story (21 total), including the brothers, a truck driver, and a writer. Each person they encounter shares their perspective of the boys' adventure.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The setting for this work is a small village in France. As the boys are led across the French countryside by Yann, it is obvious by the names of the places they travel that they are in France: Perigueux, Limoges and Bordeaux. Each of these are on the way to the ocean. Other cultural markers noted are the boys lack of a traditional French shirt, LaCoste, indicating that they are in poverty as well as seeking shelter in a soccer stadium. Soccer is a huge sport in Europe and it certainly makes sense that the boys would see this as a safe place to hide.

This book is hard to pin down for placing in a particular genre but the Best of the Best Committee at PSLA has placed it in realistic fiction.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Publisher's Weekly: "Mourlevat enchantingly blends the harshly read and the make-believe ... [in this] effectively haunting, fluidly translated tale."

School Library Journal: "A well-crafted mystery awaits anyone reading this fabled jigsaw puzzle . . . a memorable novel that readers will find engaging and intellectually satisfying."

E. CONNECTIONS

1. As a class, discuss how one might go about getting to the beach from their current homes. What would be a viable means of transportation? How might they survive? Where would they go once they arrived?

2. Using a large map, locate France and determine how long it would truly take Yann to reach America. Discuss how immigration happened across U.S. history, including Ellis Island on the east coast and San Francisco on the west coast.

The Breadwinner

by Deborah Ellis

A. Ellis, Deborah. 2001. THE BREADWINNER. Berkeley, CA: Publisher's Group West. ISBN 0-88899-416-8

B. PLOT SUMMARY

This realistic fiction work is set in the war-torn city of Kabul, Afghanistan in current times. Parvana, an 11-year old girl, is the protagonist in this story of life under the oppressive rule of the Taliban. Her father, weak with illness, is suddenly imprisoned for having "foreign ideas". The family has to face trying to live in a country where females are not allowed to be outside the family home without a male escort and traditional Burqa covering. Desperate for money and food for her family, Parvana disguises herself as a young boy in order to go to the marketplace and work. With this transition, Parvana is able to take care of her family and in essence, becomes "the breadwinner" for her family.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (WITH CULTURAL MARKERS)

Parvana's story is one of so many young girls in any war-torn country, Afghanistan in this case. She represents women and girls around the world in their desperate attempt to survive both the ravages of war as well as oppression from a male-dominated belief system and culture. Parvana's story, even though a work of fiction, gives the reader a terrific glimpse of what life is like under the rule of the Taliban. With the setting and the culture come many new vocabulary words for the reader (a glossary is located at the end of the book) such as burqa, karachi, nan, and toshak. Parvana's mother was a writer and her father a history teacher pre-Taliban. It is in his telling stories to his children that the reader learns of the rich history of Afghanistan and its people. Another noted cultural marker are the names of the characters: Parvana, Maryam, Ali, etc. These are definitely middle-eastern as are some of the other daily habits such as sitting on around a plastic cloth on the floor to eat instead of a table and chairs. The tradition of females wearing their hair long, never cutting it, is a tradition that is forced to be broken in order for Parvana and her family to survive.

Deborah Ellis, the author, interviewed many young girls and women who had to endure Afghan refugee camps and the cruelties of the Taliban. It is this experience that allows her to write with great authenticity and realistically tell the story of these brave people who remain full of optimism and hope for a better future in Afghanistan. Althought initially this story appears to be heart-breaking, in the end, Parvana endures and triumphs - beating the system that works so hard to keep her down.

D. EXCERPT REVIEWS

Booklist: "The Breadwinner is a potent portrait of life in contemporary Afghanistan, showing that powerful heroines can survive even in the most oppressive conditions."

Publisher's Weekly: "The topical issues introduced, coupled with this strong heroine, will make this novel of interest to many conscientious teens."

School Library Journal: "The Breadwinner features a brave heroin in troubled times and offers a sense of hope."

E. CONNECTIONS

1. Have students work in pairs to complete this pre-reading webquest to become familiar with life in Afghanistan and associated vocabulary. http://www.literacynet.org/cortez/index.htm

(A rubric and teacher's notes are included.)

2. Write a journal entry in the voice of Parvana's mother, father or other character in the book.

3. Students will create a Venn diagram comparing their life with Parvana's and discuss as a class.

F. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

I read this book with great interest because I have a brother-in-law currently on active duty in the U.S. Army just outside of Kabul. He has sent home photos of the surrounding countryside and some of the people. It was easy to picture a young girl going to such extreme measures just to take care of her family under the rule of the Taliban. After reading this book, I have a much different view of how life is over there. Without getting political, I just don't understand how anyone can oppose a war where we are trying to restore the way of life, traditions and culture of people like Parvana and her family.

Koala Lou

by Mem Fox

A. Fox, Mem. 1988. KOALA LOU. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. New York: Harcourt Brace & Co. ISBN 0-15-200502-1.

B. PLOT SUMMARY

Beloved Australian author Mem Fox let's the reader see inside the head of a young koala and share the little koala's anxieties of not feeling as loved by her mother as she once did. Koala Lou enjoyed being a single child and all the love and attention that came with it. However, Koala Lou soon had siblings with which she had to share her mother's time and attention. She decides to enter the Bush Olympics in hopes of winning a gold medal. She just knew if she were best at something, she would once again here her mom say, "Koala Lou, I DO love you!" Unfortunately, in spite of all her training, Koala Lou comes in second place. However, when she finally arrives at home that evening, her mother throws her arms around Koala Lou and lovingly reassures her with, "Koala Lou, I DO love you!" but not for her abilities or what she does but for just being Koala Lou.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

The love and unmistakable bond between a mother and child is beautifully captured in this sweet story by Australian Mem Fox. Koala Lou, the young koala and main character in this story set in the Australian bush, makes the mistake that so many children make: my mom will love me more if I'm the best at something. As the plot continues, Koala Lou faces her percieved loss of her mother's love the best way she knows how - to do something the best. This is a common fear and the same resulting actions that so many children go through at some point in their life either as a child or as an adult.

Although the setting is clearly in Australia the only other cultural markers found are the various animals Koala Lou encounters including other koalas, kookaburras, emus, and bush babies. Each of these animals, along with the others in the story, are all indigenous to Australia. The colorful illustrations, by artist Pamela Lofts, therefore are important cultural markers.

This picture book is great for all ages, even adults. Fox gives readers a strong reminder that a mother's love is not conditional - it is undeniably unconditional and there's nothing better than that.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

The Horn Book Magazine: "A first-rate choice for bedtime, story hour, or reading aloud."

School Library Journal: "Koala Lou is appealing and truly believable ....Fox brings out the best in her characters, and also conveys an important message about competition."

Publisher's Weekly: "A perfect example of why the Australian writer has become one of today's top authors of children's books."

E. CONNECTIONS

1. Other books by Mem Fox:

• Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
• Night Noises
• Guess What?
• Possum Magic

2. Visit the Mem Fox website, http://www.memfox.net/ to find out the story behind the stories and to hear the author read aloud several selections.

F. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

I read this delightful book for the first time a few weeks ago. I was familiar with Wildfrid Gordon but that was the only Fox book I'd ever read. After reading it for myself a couple of times I shared it with my 5-year old daughter, Caitlin, at bedtime. It was a lot of fun reading it and looking at the various animals with her. I was not sure if she would "get" the message but it came through loud and clear. Her comment was, "So that's like with me and soccer. Even when I don't get a goal you and Daddy still love me and think I did good, right?" Out of the mouths of babes...