The Boy in the Garden

Introduce your child(ren) to the Japanese folktale, The Grateful Crane, using a unique story!

Say, Allen.
The Boy in the Garden.
October 2010.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

A little boy visiting a neighbor's house and garden suddenly becomes lost between the world of reality and dream, visiting the setting of a story his mother had once told him about The Grateful Crane.

This story is wonderful because it encourages the use of childrens' imagination and exploration! The book is definitely for older elementary children however, as the plot is at times confusing. However, for those with the ability to process the difference between reality and imagination, it's definitely appropriate!



If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Allen Say's Birthday

Allen Say, Asian American author, was born James Allen Koichi Moriwaki Seii, in Yokohama, Japan on August 28, 1937, to a Japanese American mother and a Korean father. His first children's book, The Boy of the Three-Year Nap, was published in 1972. Since then, he has authored nearly a dozen more books! I hope you enjoy these historical-fiction picture books as much as I do!

Say, Allen.
Home of the Brave.
2002.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

In dreamlike sequences, a man symbolically confronts the trauma of his family’s incarceration in the Japanese internment camps during World War II. This infamous event is made emotionally clear through his meeting a group of children all with strange name tags pinned to their coats. The man feels the helplessness of the children. Finally, desperately he releases the name tags like birds into the air to find their way home with the hope for a time when Americans will be seen as one people—not judged, mistrusted, or segregated because of their individual heritage.

I know this book is supposed to be symbolic of the feelings of the children incarcerated during World War II, but aside from that, I just wasn't able to make a connection... if any of you have read and are familiar with this book, please share your thoughts with me... reason with me! Help me to understand - I think it has the potential of being a quality piece of literature to share with children, but I need help in making sense of it myself before being able to successfully share it with children.

Say, Allen.
Erika-San.
2009.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

In her grandmother’s house there is one Japanese print of a small house with lighted windows. Even as a small girl, Erika loved that picture. It will pull her through childhood, across vast oceans and modern cities, then into towns—older, quieter places—she has only ever dreamed about. But Erika cannot truly know what she will find there, among the rocky seacoasts, the rice paddies, the circle of mountains, and the class of children. For Erika-san, can Japan be all that she has imagined?

Allen Say is really starting to grow on me as an author. At first, I didn't really understand his work, but now, I'm slowly discovering the deeper meaning to be found within each book. This particular piece does a wonderful job sharing different aspects of the Japanese culture - in particular, the quieter Japan, opposite of the busy Tokyo. While I'm not sure that young children will understand the message conveyed here - there is great satisfaction to be found if you pursue your dreams, as it is conveyed by means of a "love story" of sorts. I think girls will be most apt to enjoy this particular Say work, but that's not say that boys won't find it equally interesting, especially if they're interested in learning about Japan.

Say, Allen.
Kamishibai Man.
2005.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Guided Reading Level: N

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

The Kamishibai man used to ride his bicycle into town where he would tell stories to the children and sell them candy, but gradually, fewer and fewer children came running at the sound of his clappers. They were all watching their new televisions instead. Finally, only one boy remained, and he had no money for candy. Years later, the Kamishibai man and his wife made another batch of candy, and he pedaled into town to tell one more story—his own. When he comes out of the reverie of his memories, he looks around to see he is surrounded by familiar faces—the children he used to entertain have returned, all grown up and more eager than ever to listen to his delightful tales.

Now this is one Allen Say story that I would certainly want to add to my bookshelf! Not only does the story depict old-Japan vs. new-Japan, it shares with children a bit of their culture that should never have been forgotten - the Kamishibai, or picture storytelling. I could almost picture myself using this with say a 4th or 5th grade classroom - presenting each children with a different picture and assigning them to write a story about the picture. Using the writing process - drafting, editing, publishing, I would then create the wooden box theater that holds the picture and ask each child to be the Kamishibai Boy or Girl and share their story with the class. I think this would make for a really neat writing activity!

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.

Last of the May Reviews

So, I'm a day late (and a dollar short!), but here's yesterday's review!

I've got 5 titles remaining from May that I want to get reviewed, so that's what I've got for you today!

Urban, Linda. Mouse Was Mad. May 4, 2009. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

A little mouse is mad!

Hopping mad.

However, being hopping mad doesn't result in much satisfaction for mouse, as when Hare tries to teach him how to hop, he winds up in a mud puddle. This makes mouse even madder...

Stomping mad.

When he still doesn't feel better about being mad, Bear tries to teach him how to stomp. Again, Mouse's quest in unsuccessful, as he isn't able to shake the trees and rumble the earth. Again, Mouse winds up in a mud puddle. Now Mouse was really, really mad. Screaming mad. Bobcat, being kind enough, has offered to help Mouse be screaming mad, but he's just not loud enough and loses his balance! Winding up in yet another mud puddle, Mouse is really, really, really mad!

Rolling-around-on-the-ground-mad.

So, hedgehog offers to show him how to make his body into the perfect sphere. When Mouse attempts show just how rolling-around-on-the-ground mad he really is, he winds up in the muckiest mud puddle yet. Now, he's

Standing-still mad.
Mouse did not hop. He did not stomp.
He did not scream or roll on the ground.
He stood very, very still.

All of the animals that tried to help him are impressed by how he's able to stand so still, so quietly! They're so impressed and inspired, they they even attempt to be standing-still mad! However, they don't have any more luck with being standing-still mad than Mouse had being hopping mad, stomping mad, or rolling-around-on-the-ground mad. Mouse is no longer mad, as he has now discovered his own way to deal with his emotions that works just for him!

This book is perfect to show children that there are various ways to deal with feelings and emotions... they all need to find their own way to handle their feelings and express their emotions - a way that works just for them and produces the results they need to successfully handle and get through what they're feeling!

I created a companion worksheet to use with this book! It's a matching and writing activity. Children are asked to match the animal from the story to it's method of dealing with anger. When finished with that, students are asked to choose which why they think would be most effective in dealing with anger and why. The worksheet, a word document, can be downloaded by clicking here.

Say, Allen. Tea with Milk. May 4, 2009. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

This a really sweet story - reminds me of a love story, only written for children... however, it's a sweet "love" story, in which Allen Say ultimately shares with readers the main event leading up to his birth - his parents first meeting, their dating and then their marriage. There is also a great deal of Japanese culture added in to the story as we see how his mother deals with being introduced to Japan after having been born and raised in San Francisco.

This story would be best used when teaching children about other cultures and how they differ from our own... very educational! Used along side Allen Say's other works, this would make for a great addition to a unit on life in Japan or life as a Japanese-American!

Lester, Helen.
Tacky Goes to Camp.
May 4, 2009.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Tacky heads off to summer camp at Camp Whoppihaha, even though it didn't quite look like summer in Nice Icy Land! Once at camp, they partake in a whole variety of fun activities - rock climbing, synchronized swimming, archery, arts and crafts, and canoe riding. At night, around the campfire, Tacky and his friends sing the camp song, eat s'mores... even scary stories! Tacky's scary story was called "BEWARE THE BEAR" but it proves to be not so scary... that is, until much later when when there suddenly comes a

THUD...THUD...THUD...THUD... and a Great Growly voice

Now, all the penguins really must BEWARE the bear! However, you'll have to share the book with the children to find how how the penguins get out the mess they're in!

I think that children will really love this book, especially if they have read any of the other "Tacky" books, all of which are listed below! If you're looking for an activity to go along with the book, perhaps children could do a writers notebook entry creating their own scary story!

Other Tacky Books:

• Tacky the Penguin, Book and CD
• Tacky in Trouble
• Three Cheers for Tacky
• Tacky and the Winter Games
• Tacky and the Emperor
• Tackylocks and the Three Bears
• Tacky the Penguin Doll
• El Pinguino Taky (Spanish Edition)

Ling, Nancy Tupper.
My Sister, Alicia May.
May 1, 2009.
Pleasant St. Press

This book is great for a whole slew of reasons! Rachel shares with readers her little sister, Alicia May. Alicia May is representative of the more than 400,000 people with Down Syndrome living within the United States. Throughout the story we see Alicia May as a regular child - taking walks to get the mail, enjoying horses and dogs, visiting the zoo... Rachel even expresses that she gets annoyed with her sister just like "normal" siblings.

When the goal for children with Down Syndrome is mainstreaming the children into society, this book would be the perfect example to show that while children with Down Syndrome may, at times, have special needs, they're no more special than the rest of us! It would also be a great pick for siblings and peers of children with Down Syndrome to show all the things that these children are capable of!

Williams, Vera B.
A Chair for Always.
May 12, 2009
HarperCollins.

Rosa, her mother and her grandmother return in this sequel to A Chair for My Mother and it's no less disappointing! If you haven't read A Chair for My Mother, Rosa introduced her readers to a coin jar where she and her mother pooled their change to save up for a new chair after all of their old furniture burned in a house fire. They worked along side each other at the diner where her mother worked and all of their change went into the jar.

Now, Rosa returns and this time, they're awaiting and enjoying the arrival of yet another family member - another person to cuddle in the chair with and share memories. Rosa wants to be sure that cousin Benji will experience the chair just as she has growing up. When grandma suggests reupholstering the chair and then mother suggests saving up for a brand new chair, Rosa makes is know that she doesn't want the chair reupholstered or replaced, as it "holds" all of those memories.

If used in the right manner, children will take a lot from this story - it's not an object that makes the memories, but rather the person who holds the memories in their heart that's most important!

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.

National Bike Month

Those of you who suffer from them, know how much a sinus headache is capable of taking away from a perfectly productive day... I went to bed with it last night (hence the reason for not having the post ready ahead of time) and woke up with an even worse one this morning. Most of the day was spent avoiding bright light (it only intensified the headache) and the computer, as I tend to strain my eyes and make the headache worse.

So, I apologize for not having much for you in the way of a post for earlier today, but I have managed to pull it together for late tonight... and since it is just a National Bike Month you still have lots of time left to enjoy these books!

Mollol, Tololwa M.
My Rows and Piles of Coins.
1999.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Guided Reading Level: P

This book would make a perfect fit in a classroom where the emphasis is on multicultural education. Not only does the story depict another culture (Tanzania), it does so in a way that is likely to appeal to children and allow them to see how children across the world (no matter their culture) really do, for the most part, lead similar lifestyles... I think it's a wonderful book and well worth the read!

Saruni, a young Tanzanian boy, sets off to the market with his mother every Saturday, and sometimes on Wednesdays as well. For his help, his mother gives him five ten-cent coins, and allows him to go buy himself something (its an allowance of sorts, much like today's children receive). Saruni has different plans for his money - saving it in his secret money box so that he can buy a red and blue bicycle that he's spotted at market. He wants the bicycle so that he can help his mother carry more of her goods to the market, in hopes that she will be able to sell more. When his mother and father learn of Saruni's attention, they "sell" him his father's old bicycle and then give him back all of the money from Saruni's secret money box. However, now that he's got a bike, he realizes that he wants a cart to pull behind the bike and starts socking his hard-earned money away for that!

The story shows children the pay-off of hard-work and determination, and this is a valuable lesson to be had!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• My Rows and Piles of Coins Free Unit Study
• Literature Connection: Investing
• Money and Shopping Lapbooks
  

Best, Cari.
Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen.
2006.
Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Guided Reading Level: P

During times when money is tough and summer is nearing, this is definitely a book that families should share with children. Perhaps, it could even be turned into a summer-long project for kids (it has the potential to keep kids busy and keep Mom and Dad's pockets happy)!

The story follows Sally Jean from age one, when she's sharing a bike with her mother, through age 8, when she outgrows her own bike and so desperately wants a new one. However, money is scarce in the family... Dad needs new glasses and Mom is still trying to figure out how to pay the dentist bill. A new bike for Sally Jean is the last thing the family can afford. Disappointed, but not brought down, Sally Jean sets to work to find her own way to raise money for the new bike. However, as the story progresses, Sally Jean must settle, realizing she can't buy a new bike. Instead, Sally Jean asks the neighbors to recycle. In doing so, she's able to collect enough spare parts to put together a bike of her own - one that she's more proud of than she would be if she had just bought the bike because she realizes how much hard work and effort went into her bike.

If the kids are lacking a bike this summer, why not encourage them to try and build a bike of their own (with guidance of course) rather than just rushing out to the store to pick up a brand new one?

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• The Monarch Award: Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen

Say, Allen.
The Bicycle Man.
1989.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Guided Reading Level: O

This book is definitely worth of a spot on the book shelves. Not only does it provide insight into Allen Say's own childhood, it also provides readers with a great deal of information about Japanese history - the feelings that Japanese expressed when occupied by American troops - the Japanese holiday Taiiku no hi (Sports Day) - and some brief geographical information about Japan during that time period.

In a small village in American-occupied Japan at the end of WWII, two American soldiers provide a group of school children with a few bicycle tricks as a culmination of the school's sports day activities. The children were at first hesitant of the American troops, but quickly realize they were there on good terms, as the bicycle tricks do their part in providing entertainment.

This book serves many purposes and I am definitely recommending it to you!

Lesson Plans/Guided Reading Levels:

• The Bicycle Man Literacy Lesson
• Japan Thematic Unit
• Reading Rainbow Teacher's Guide: The Bicycle Man

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.