Lynn's Review of December

David Diaz and Eve Bunting pair up again as illustrator and author in the picture book, December. This is the story of a boy and his mother who are homeless and living in a cardboard box. It is Christmas Eve, and they once again go to sleep under the old calendar picture of a Christmas angel hanging on their "wall." Little do they know that they have much more than the old woman with a faded rose who comes knocking on their box that night to find a warm place to sleep. After inviting her in to spend the night, their luck begins to change and the family is left wondering. Was the old woman their very own Christmas angel?

Diaz's rich illustrations once again pull in the reader with color and definition. The bold acrylic colors provide a feast for the eyes. His use of black defines each feather of December's wings on the cover of the book. Inside pages reflect text on colorful collage backgrounds in geometric patterns with Diaz's signature paintings on the facing pages. His paintings are almost completely full page with close ups of the characters highlighting the angles of their faces and strengthening the overall storyline for beginning readers. Young and old will appreciate the message of hope and the beauty found on every page.

Lynn's Review of Smoky Night

The illustrations could stand alone to tell the story of the L.A. riots in Smoky Night by Eve Bunting. In this story, a boy with his mom and cat, watch the devastation of the riots on their neighborhood and learn first-hand the importance of getting along with others. David Diaz's collage style highlights the acrylic paintings focused on each page. Diaz layers multiple elements that create a 3-dimensional effect, bringing the story to life for readers. The bold colors of the paintings capture young children's attention. A variety of materials are used to invite the reader in. The authentic items and collage texture support the storyline and conveys a sense of reality to the reader. Cardboard and bubblewrap are used to support the beginning of the story as looters steal boxed electronics.

The title reflects the presence of the fire with a progression of color in the background and the big black bold lettering that represents the intensity of the smoke. Diaz paints on top of his collage. I noticed the use of the color red when people are stealing. Diaz uses real elements such as caution labels, shoe soles, cereal, plastic bags, and wire coathangers. Red and yellow collage paper is cut like fire flames with matches interspersed on the page giving a sense of emergency to the story. The climax of the story is illustrated with contrasting colors: dark red, yellow, white, and black showing the power of the fire. I thought it very telling that Diaz chose the use of gray as the fire diminishes to ashes in the collage on the following page. Colors get lighter toward the end as the story resolves and the characters find peace.

I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation of this story and the thoughtful process as the illustrations pull in the reader and in the end, convey a real message of peace.

Lynn's Review of A Maze Me

This is a collection of poems by Naomi Shihab Nye that is especially relatable to middle school girls. As the title suggests, Nye's voice seems to challenge others to see what it's like to be a girl transitioning from childhood into adulthood. The journey is complex and confusing, much like a maze. It is also rewarding and simply, well....amazing. Nye recalls her own transitional years in Texas as she writes about "Visiting My Old Kindergarten Teacher" on the last day of school and recalling her own "self-portraits with hats" that these students are now taking home. Likewise, she writes about day to day concerns for a teenage girl like what it is like "In the School Cafeteria." As you search for your friends to sit and eat lunch with, "your face makes me feel like a lighthouse beaming across waves." Nye's advice to young girls permeates in poems such as "Feeling Wise." She says, "It is not so hard to feel wise. Just think of something dumb you could say, then don't say it." Nye's poetry is simple and accessible to readers. Middle school girls will gravitate to her perspective, as it is true and honest.

Nye's poetry is relatable even to a thirty-something like me. One thing I've found as I grow older is that I have more and more to reflect upon in my life. One of my favorite poems in this book was "Baby-sitting Should Not be Called...sitting." I could relate to her thoughts of irony of the word as she chases, bends, amuses, and everything else except for sitting. Having babysitting jobs growing up, I can attest to the fact that it is not as easy as perceived. I got quite the workout babysitting younger children, and it taught me to appreciate those who teach and care for young children. This challenge led me to the profession that I have today working with early childhood students and educators.

In "Abandoned Post Office, Big Bend," I am reminded of the changes that technology has brought and the effects that follow. Nye writes, "Forty years ago this postal window far far far from any city closed for good," just like the post office in my community did just last year. As a teenage girl, I remember writing letters to soldiers oversees in the Gulf War. For this generation of teenage girls, skype, email, and texting, are all available. The need for communication is still the same, but the method has definitely changed.

Lynn's Review of Honeybee

This collection of poetry is authored by Naomi Shihab Nye. It illustrates the relation of everyday life to that of a honeybee throughout the book. She introduces the book by explaining her extensive studying of honeybees and continues the analogy as her words parallel how the honeybee and human survive, work, dance, communicate, and cooperate in their own worlds. Her voice is very powerful throughout, as is evident in "The Cost." She illustrates our sad state of education as she speaks candidly of school librarians and counselors being fired (in San Antonio) for lack of funding.

Her opinion of war is also ever present in her poetry. She gives the perspective as an American and of Middle Eastern descent as well as the influences and consequences that there are for both. She criticizes our society as peacemakers preparing our students with "everything you need to know...then place a gun in your hands." As strong as her opinion is, I still believe that there are things that are worth fighting for. It seems so simple when she voices her opinion in her writing, and I wish it could be as simple as talking it over. However, it reminds me that it takes two sides to compromise.

I love that Naomi Shihab Nye writes about Texas. One of my favorite references was her description of subdivisions as "big mistakes slapped up outside towns" (from Driving to Abilene in the Pouring Rain). As a Texan, I feel lucky to live in the wide open spaces and enjoy nature and animals out in the country.

A favorite quote of mine this week comes directly from this poetry collection. Naomi says, "If someone gives you trouble, remember your best self" (from Our Best Selves). What great advice to pass on to others!

Lynn's Review of Salting the Ocean

My cat died -


And I cried.





That's about the extent of my talent for writing poetry. I could have definitely used the guidance of Naomi Shihab Nye, as she describes working with hundreds of students in the writers in schools project for the past 25 years. The result of her teachings and influence have produced the poetry illustrated in Salting the Ocean. The poems are thoughtfully selected and the inspiration of this award-winning writer is evident as she describes poetry as the "one true word" and "the spark that links us." In each individual poem, the reader has the sense that Naomi Shihab Nye has influenced students' poetry writing as "making a map of the days you live." This collection captures the perspectives of these young writers and allows for the reader to reflect into one's own life experiences. The simple language and pattern, along with Naomi Shihab Nye's motivational words in the introduction and afterword, make poetry writing accessible and is an encouragement for everyone to write poetry.


A couple of the poems really hit home for me, like Monday Mornings. I'm sure I'm not the only one that can relate to the line "On Monday mornings I feel like a miserable mouse, more miserable than a monkey on Monday mornings." One of my favorites, Cabbage, compares the unfolding of cabbage leaves to humans as they open up to the world. This poem seemed very appropriate to introduce the book as an example to open up the reader's mind to the perspectives of what younger generations have to say. But the one that evoked the most emotion in me was the poem, What Happened to my Cat? I asked the same question a week ago as my cat did not show up by the doorstep as usual. I feel the sadness in her words, "I miss his sweet face/ I miss stroking his soft fur/ he was like a cloud in the sky, and like a cloud in the sky, he has floated away." I miss my cat too.

Jan Paris BookFest 2011

I am assisting with the Jan Paris BookFest in San Antonio on November 5th for one of my final graduate courses at Sam Houston State University. Last year it was in Corpus Christi, and I absolutely loved it! I had the opportunity to meet authors, get author autographs and pictures, and attend some really interesting sessions. Not to mention it turned out to be a great excuse for a nice weekend getaway for my husband and I. It was time well-spent, and I am looking forward to this year's bookfest even more. The books I will be blogging about in the days to come will be those of the featured authors and illustrator at this year's bookfest. Here is more information, including the website, if you are interested... :)

Play ball!

Okay, so my sister and I had this blog idea since the beginning of summer, and set it up then. We naturally do things together, and bring our very different personalities into the mix, and we like to think that our personalities complement each other in whatever we do. We learn a lot from each other, and it's our hope that we can pass on something of value to others, or at least to get you thinking.
I am the dreamer (and list-maker), but she is much more on the ball, and I am just now beginning to post. Granted, I have often "dreamt" about what I would post...but now it's time to get to it. Perhaps a few assignment deadlines have helped to spur me on. Whatever the case, I hope you enjoy our perspectives in teaching and learning.
So here I am at the end of summer...and getting ready to play ball!