Day of Tears by Julius Lester

Day of Tears is a 'novel in dialogue' that describes and details the experiences of Emma, a young slave girl who is owned by Master Pierce Butler. Her master gets into some trouble with a gambling debt and decides to have the largest slave auction in the States in order to pay it. Families are ripped apart, some slaves run away, and everything is changed. Emma takes care of her master's daughters and has been promised that she will never be sold, but on a whim on the last day of the auction, the master sells her to a woman from Kentucky. She moves, but soon marries and runs away to freedom.

Day of Tears was an interesting read. It was compelling, moving, and downright sad at some points. Emma's strength, however, gave the book a mood of constant hope. Julius Lester's writing style is amazing, and the format of the book was interesting as well. Perspectives shift frequently throughout the book as different characters take on narrating through dialogue. This was my first Julius Lester book, however as other historical books around that time period go, this book was unique. It won the Corretta Scott King Award recently, as well.  I'd never read a book that was so raw and still aimed at children. It had a few disturbing scenes, and didn't gloss over the horror of slavery, but I would still recommend it for students who are ready for the content and reading difficulty.
I learned alot form this book. The content was real, made an impact, and the writing style was just what children need to read as they become familiar with the structures of literature. The world of children's literature is lucky to have authors like Julius Lester.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt- made into a feature film in 2002

Tuck Everlasting is the fantastic story of a young girl in the 19th century who gets involved with a family that all share a very unique trait- they are immortal. Winnie Foster has grown up in a very affluent, strict family, and one day becomes overwhelmed and goes for a walk in the woods. She meets Jesse Tuck, who ultimately introduces her to the Tuck family. He becomes fascinated with her, and  they fall in love. Soon their immortality is revealed to Winnie, and as intrigued as she is, the cons of living forever soon become apparent. The Tucks have traveled the world over since they drank from the magical spring in the woods a century ago, and have never been able to settle in one place, lest the townsfolk become suspicious of their perpetual youth. The Tuck boys also never age, and though they cannot be injured or killed, will never become the old men they were intended to be. The Tucks have to move out of town and be on their ever-nomadic way, and Jesse and Winnie are devastated, as they have since fallen deeply in love. Jesse bottles the magical water from the spring and gives it to Winnie, imploring that when she reaches his age, to make the choice to drink the water and then find him. Decades later, Jesse returns to the Winnie's hometown to find the wood demolished and the spring concreted over. He searches for Winnie everywhere, but eventually finds her gravestone in the town cemetery.

The movie adaptation of this book was one of few that I remember staying actually fairly true to the plot of the the novel. I was pleased with the portrayal of Winnie (thought her family's role and her rebellion were slightly more dramatized) and Jesse was of course a bit more Hollywood-deamboat-esque than the novel version of his character.

I loved this book as a child and consider it a classic of children's literature. I was charmed and thrilled by the Tucks' immortality, and moved by Winnie's decision to live out her natural life. As a child it seemed a fantastic adventure, and reading it again as an adult I appreciate it even more for the argument it makes for the value of mortality and living life fully and richly. I don't think I've ever read anything else by this author, but do consider this book to be a treasure in the world of children's literature. It is an enthralling classic and students are still reading it with open mouthed delight today. I learned alot form this book- it managed to make a case against immortality while allowing you to fall in love with the Tuck family and relate to young Winnie. It was a novel that gave the reader alot to think about,even after reading it several times.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak- made into a feature film in 2009

Where the Wild Things Are is a ten sentence picture book about a little boy named Max who was too wild and sent to bed without supper. While incarcerated in his room, he dreams up a magical land where other Wild Things live. He becomes their King, and they have a great time for a while, but eventually, Max becomes lonely and misses living in a place where people love him. So he sails home from his imaginary island and wakes up to his dinner, still hot, sitting in his room.

The plot of the movie version of this book had to be extrapolated, A LOT. Turning a ten sentence book into a feature length film is no easy task, and upon viewing it, I was confused to say the least. Virtually the only thing that remained of the plot I'd read a thousand times over was an angry little boy named Max, a fictional world, and some vaguely recognizable monsters. Beyond that, the movie also included some very complicated drama between the monsters, a new boyfriend for Max's mom, a huge, cylinder shaped home built from twigs and mud for all the monsters, throwing of dirt clods for fun, some owls that the monsters all seem to hate and same very scary scenes where the monsters threaten to tear one another limb from limb.
This book was written well before my time, but it has been a beloved classic for decades. I think I really fell in love with it when a little boy in the daycare I worked in during college fell in love with it. He wanted to read it every single day before his nap, and as I was learning that I loved working with kids, I rediscovered this book. I don't know that I've ever read anything else by Maurice Sendack, but this book definitely has stood the test of time for a reason. It is deceptively simple compared to other children's books, sentimental, but not overwhelmingly so, an captures the imagination of children in a way that is neither cliched or obnoxious.

Moon Over Star by Dianna Hutts Aston (Correta Scott King Honor, 2009)

Moon over Star is a book about a little girl named Mae who lives in a town called Star. The whole town, and the neighborhood children especially, are waiting and watching and praying for the astronauts who are about to land on the moon. Mae's grandfather is tired, and doesn't want to watch the moon landing, but she understands. Mae daydreams that one day she'll go to the moon, and when she tells her otherwise unenthusiastic grandfather, he is proud of her.

Moon Over Star is an endearing, hopeful little book, with fantastic illustrations by Jerry Pinkney. In only a few short pages, the reader gets a sense of a small dusty town in the midst of summer, of the people who are waiting anxiously for the spectacular moon landing, and of course, of Mae, who has big hopes and dreams.
I loved this little picture book, and unfortunately, I've not read any others by the same author. The format was different from most other picture books- nearly poetic in spacing on each page. Also, Mae was lovable without being cloying, and the respect that she had for her Grandfather's age and wisdom was the epitome of charming.

It's hard to say what I learned form this book. Big things come in small packages, perhaps? Even the simplest things can have a huge impact on a reader? Regardless, this book is a keeper.

The Dragon's Child: A Story of Angel Island - Laurence Yep

The Dragon's Child is based on actual conversations that the author had with his father and on research done on his own family's immigration through Angel Island. The boy in the story, Gim, has always suspected that he will have to leave China with his father. Gim barely knows anything about his father, and must accompany him on his return to America. Gim is profoundly sorry to have to leave his homeland, and even more concerned about how he will relate to his father. Gim doesn't use his right hand rather than his left as he is told he should, and when he gets nervous he sports a condemning stutter. More than anything he is terrified of having to endure the rigorous physical examination at Angel Island.

I liked this book for Gim's strong voice throughout. Even though I wasn't particularly keen on reading another book about people immigrating to America (it seems to me that my childhood education was nearly saturated with these through some fluke), Gim is a likeable and realistic boy whose emotions are easy to relate to despite his foreign situation. The real joy of this book is seeing how Gim and his father learn to relate to one another, and the eventual relief at the end when Gim and his father make it through Angel Island to their new home. I haven't read anything else by Laurence Yep, but as it compares to other books centering around the same topic, this book is unique for its integration of Chinese culture, the real emotions that it invokes throughout the story, and the discovery of a connection between father and son. Many of the books I read growing up were a touch contrived and the integration of historical facts always seemed somewhat forced. Laurence Yep does a fantastic job of keeping these issues at bay and weaving together a cohesive, enjoyable story,

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou - Books that address diversity

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a book that would only be suitable for older, more advanced students due to some questionable content. However, this is a true life memoir of Maya Angelou that describes in great and beautiful detail the hazards of growing up black and female in society a few decades ago. This is a book that takes my breath away every time I read it. Maya Angelou was bounced around the country as she was growing up, from the rural south to the heart of urban Chicago, and was raped by her mother's boyfriend along the way. Her tale of her trials and triumphs is a must read for upper level students, and was reserved for middle school when I read it due to the controversial content. I loved this book when I read it in school, and I bought it while it was in college, along with Maya Angelou's other memoirs. Angelou writes beautifully through all of them, and her prose is moving and poignant. I don't know what I learned from this book. It was a fascinating study of trauma in a young girl's life, and while I couldn't relate to all of it, there's no little girl out there who can't relate to most of the feelings Angelou writes about.

How My Parents Learned to Eat- Books that address Diversity

How My Parents Learned to Eat is a quaint little book that tells the story of a little girl's parents, way back before they were married. An American sailor and a Japanese schoolgirl fell in love, but they were both ashamed that they could not eat one another's food. The sailor did not know how to use chopsticks, and the schoolgirl didn't know how to use a knife and fork. So as they dated, they never ate a meal together, each being careful not to bring attention to their perceived handicaps. After a time, the sailor learned that his ship was going to set sail for the States. He was terrified that he would lose the girl he fell in love with, but he also reasoned that it would be unfair of him to ask for her hand if he could not eat the food she ate. "It is hard to be happy when you're hungry," he thought. So, in secret, he went to a Japanese restaurant and asked the waiter there to teach him to eat with chopsticks. It was a long night, but he finally learned. The next day, he asked the schoolgirl to dinner. She accepted, but quickly panicked. She was afraid that they would go to a Western restaurant, and she would be mortified at not knowing how to use all the foreign utensils. She went to her uncle, who had lived in England for a time. He took her to a Western restaurant, and taught her how to use a knife, spoon and fork. She was frustrated, but eventually, she learned. When the sailor picked her up that night, he noticed she wasn't wearing her kimono. "Aren't we going to a Japanese restaurant?" he wanted to know. She corrected him quickly, saying that of course she could eat Western food. So they made a deal, they would eat Western food tonight, and Japanese the next. Eventually the pair discover their partner's secret was their own, and get married. And that, says the little girl on the last page, is why they sometimes use chopsticks and sometimes they use knives and forks in their home. I loved this little story. It was more a love story about acceptance of other people and their cultures than a story about the little girl who narrates the story. This book teaches children that even if something someone does is strange or new to you, they might be having the very same feelings, and that acceptance and learning about one another is the very best way to go.

This book was a great one compared to other books about combing cultures. It wasn't contrived, it wasn't trite, and it wasn't cliched, it was just a very realistic, naturally flowing story about two people accepting one another's differences and being better for it.

I learned from this book that literature that addresses diversity doesn't have to be agonizingly contrived. I also thought that this sounded like a very real story, and would not be surprised if it were one based on a true story. It is one of the better books dealing with diversity that I have read, for its strong message layered beautifully with an engaging story.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine- Made into a Feature Film in 2004

Ella Enchanted is a fantastic book about a girl with a bizarre blessing- at birth she was blessed by a fairy to always be obedient. And it worked- Ella obeys EVERYONE when she is given a direct order. It makes life rather hard for her, and even more so when her mother dies and her absentee father comes home. He has plans to make them wealthy, involving marrying a mean ugly woman with, you guessed it, two horrible step-daughters. Ella is sent to a finishing school with the two of them, and when the uglier and slightly smarter of the two discover her secret, she has no choice but to run away. Ella decides to both escape her tormentors and find her arrogant and misguided fairy godmother in hopes that she will lift her curse.

This book was an absolute favorite of mine, and I was very excited when I heard it was being made into a movie. My hopes were a bit dashed upon viewing, however, as smart, clever Ella was transformed into a political activist for Ogre rights (a group of whom try to eat her in the book) and ends up singing an anthem by Queen when she finds her fairy godmother. On the whole I was a bit miffed they'd changed the storyline, but still enjoyed the movie. I also loved Fairest, which had the same setting as Ella Enchanted.

Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes- Newbery Honor Medal (2004)

Olive's Ocean is a strange, haunting book. It revolves around Martha, who barely knew Olive, who was killed in a car accident while riding her bicycle. Olive was a plain girl with no friends, and Martha is baffled when Olive's mother appears on her doorstep with a note from Olive. Olive cites Martha as the nicest girl she knows. Martha is continually haunted by Olive's death, and discovers from her writings that Olive wanted to be a writer, the same thing that Martha has been secretly wishing to do with her life. Martha's family goes in vacation to Godbee, where her grandparents live. Here Martha has her first brush with romance and kisses a local boy, but is betrayed when she discovers that a kiss was the result of a bet. Martha is confused, but then the perpetrator's brother gives her hope for his gender before she leaves Godbee. On the way home, Martha is still thinking of Olive, and decides to continue Olive's dream of becoming a writer. She finally confesses her desire to her father, who is also writing a novel and whom Martha doesn't want to think she is copying. To her relief, her father is supportive. I really enjoyed this book, and thought that it was a very interesting book on the topic of children dealing with death.  It was a harder level than say, A Taste of Blackberries, which whose theme was  also children dealing with a death of a friend. This book was alot lengthier, and I thought, dealt more with Martha figuring out herself and how she was perceived, rather than grief over a close friend, which Martha was not.

I'd never read a book that dealt with a child working through the death of someone not close to them. Olive was just a girl in Martha's class; they weren't friends, or even true acquaintances. However, Martha learned about herself by pondering the strange links that she and Olive shared. It was a really interesting read from which I learned alot.

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron- 2007 Newbery Medal

The Higher Power of Lucky is a unique ans quirky volume of fiction for young readers. Lucky is a girl living in a small town whose mother died a couple of years ago. Her father, who never really wanted children, decides to bring his ex-wife, from France to take care of Lucky, though Lucky doubts she even wants to be there at all. Lucky herself is a fun, lovable, sometimes questionable character who loves Charles Darwin and calls her dog the HMS Beagle. She overhears some of the rhetoric from her small town's 12-step meetings and starts looking for her higher power, and when she perceives three 'signs' that Brigette is going to leave her on her own, Lucky decides to run away.
I thought this book was very quirky and loved Lucky's energy. This book was really moving and a quick read, and I do recommend it.However, this book sparked some controversy over the use of the word 'scrotum' several times, which earned it bans from school libraries and teacher's collections across the country.

I've never read anything else by this author, but this book compares very well to some other classics in the young adult genre. Lucky has a slightly strange upbringing, and her friends are just as eccentric as she is, which makes for much more intriguing reading than say, Babysitter's Club books, with squeaky clean, nearly unbeleivable characters with run-of-the-mill problems which are meant to be relatable, but teeter on boring and a little silly.

I learned from the Higher Power of Lucky that simply because it's a children's story doesn't mean it has to be boring or run-of-the-mill. The Higher Power of Lucky is a really interesting, engaging story with a fresh, new take on dealing with a difficult upbringing and a confusing, unsure future.

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni- Caldecott Honor Book (2006)

Rosa is a wonderful book that introduces Rosa Parks to the reader and takes him through her mental processes, her mindset, and through the fateful day on which she was arrested and sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. This narrative not only talks about Civil Rights and Mrs. Parks role in the movement, but also humanizes Mrs. Parks ad makes her into a quiet, strong hero that readers can only respect, rather than a dusty photograph of an unknown historical figure.

I really liked this book for its format. It begins as any other story, with a hardworking and relatable main character who's having a nice day and wants to make dinner for her husband. Rather than beginning, as many books pertaining to Mrs. Parks do, with lots of technical backstory and unfamiliar historical context, students are eased into the Parks narrative in the format of a beautiful and well written picture book. After Mrs. Parks is arrested, the book continues, and demonstrates the impact that her simple, dignified act had on an entire nation, and how she inspired others working for civil rights. On the other hand, I felt that the language used in this book is probably suited for higher elementary or even middle grades students, many of whom feel they are past picture books. This is my only criticism of the work.
As I mentioned before, this book is a pleasant change from overly-historical and harshly worded books that I have seen on Rosa Parks in the past. The reader becomes familiar with Mrs. Parks, gets a feel for her personality and integrity and then watches as an injust system takes hold of her and other people in her position. This simple picture book is empowering rather than dull and dusty.

I think I learned from Rosa that picture books can be more than they seem. What I assumed to be just another sterile and scary account of Rosa Parks' arrest turned out to be a beautifully illustrated and inspiring version of this civil rights story. This seemingly simple picture book is educational and historical enough to be appropriate for references, but still very readable and uplifting.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems- Caldecott Honor Book (2004)

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is a hilarious tale of a little bird who just wants to take a quick joyride.

I have a confession to make- when I saw that this book was on the list of Caldecott Winners and Honors, I was elated. I love this book. I found it hilarious, simple, and Mo Willems' website is chock full of teaching ideas and activities to go along with the story. I picked up this book in a Barnes and Noble years ago, and was reduced to tears. I love the little pigeon, as he reminded me at the time, of every child in my care at my job at a local preschool. The illustrations are simple, but perfect in every detail. The pigeon's mannerisms, expressions and turns of phrase are very much like any child you'd meet in a kindergarten classroom. I love this book because it reminds me of my years working in preschool as I went through college, and how hilarious children can be.

This book is probably the crown jewel, in my opinion of the books in Mo Willems' repertoire. It is the book that launched the Pigeon series and the reason that all the following books are so popular (Check out The Pigeon Wants a Puppy and the Pigeon Wants a Hotdog for further reading.) His Knuffle Bunny books are just as fantastic, though I don't enjoy them much personally because it's hard for me to relate to the parenting side of it. I love all of Mo Willems' books (Leonardo the Terrible Monster is another great one for the classroom), but this book was my first love.

From my first reading of this book, I was surprised at how such a simple book, with such intentionally rudimentary pictures could have such an impact on me. This is a book that children love to read because you interact with the characters and the characters are so very familiar because they are just like children. I appreciate every part of this book, and was glad to see a such a small, easy book become such a success.

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley- Caldecott Honor Book (2002)

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins ia a biographacal picture book about the career and passions of Bejamin Waterhouse Hawkins. Waterhouse was a British sculptor and artist in the 1880s, who teamed up with Richard Owen to create the first life-size models of dinosaurs known to exist at that time. Waterhouse's successes and trials are beautifully presented in this three part picture book.

I really enjoyed this book, though I'll admit that unlike so many students, I find dinosaurs a bit dry for reading. This book would be ideal for learning new vocabulary, learning about and how to write biographies, or as a literature connection during a science unit. The pictures of Waterhouse- who looks a bit like a Victorian Willy Wonka in this book- and his fantastic, huge dinosaurs would be enough for even the finickiest reader to pick up this book. I did notice that this book was quite long for a picture book, and had alot of challenging vocabulary. It would be a picture book that I imagine would be more suited to fifth or even sixth grade students, and not a book that is ideal for a read-aloud. However, if you've got some GT students in your room crazy about science, this book might be the welcome challenge they're craving too.

I mentioned earlier that I found dinosaurs to be a bit, forgive me, boring. I know that many people, and children especially, find the thought of huge lizards roaming the earth ages ago fascinating and exciting, but I never have. Perhaps growing up on the opposing side of a sibling rivalry with a brother who loved them may have something to do with it. I chose this book at the library without having planned to, however, due to it's beautiful pictures and eloquent text. I knew that even though the book might focus on dusty lizards for a bit, the story also included Waterhouse's personal triumphs and defeats, a political tussle with Boss Tweed, and some really breathtaking images. I liked this book despite a less than ideal choice of content for me.

I liked this book better than most historical biographies I've read. Even though many children's biographies are beautifully illustrated, most of them tend to be so dry that students pick them up, leaf through for a couple of seconds, see daunting paragraphs of technical, historical explanation, and set them back down. The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins was very informative and educational, but managed to straddle the line between a biography and an exciting story. The reader finds themselves rooting for Waterhouse as he gains popularity, and is equally disappointed when Boss Tweed crushes his hopes for a Paleozoic Museum in the States. This book manages to be a fun biography, of which there are so few.

I admit that I knew absolutely nothing about Waterhouse Hawkins before reading this book. The author was wonderful about explaining the complex process of building an entire dinosaur from just one bone in a way that was very easy to understand. Also, despite having spent several months in London last summer, didn't know that there was a dinosaur garden in Crystal Park! I was  very surprised to learn that, and also a bit disappointed that I didn't have an opportunity to visit when I was there. Unfortunately, my only experience with life-size models of dinosaurs remains a visit to the very budget-conscious Dinosaur World in Cave City. :)

Zen Shorts by Jon Muth- Caldecott Honor Book (2006)

Zen Shorts is a refreshing little book with a Japanese influence. In the story, three siblings, Addy, Michael and Karl notice that there is a giant panda in their backyard. His name is Stillwater, and he has come to rescue his umbrella. The three quickly make friends, and as they come to visit him, Stillwater tells each a story. Addy hears a story of a man who gives gifts to the man who was trying to rob him, Michael learns that luck can't be relied on or predicted, and and Karl hears a story of a monk who learns to lay down his troubles. Stillwater becomes a great friend to each child, and teaches them through his humor and wisdom about living peacefully.

Zen Shorts can be summed up in one word: refreshing. In a child's world of violence on TV, video game baddies and struggles, an ever changing and more complex childhood, Zen Shorts teaches kids that thinking calmly and objectively about your situation may be the key to understanding one another. I also had a soft spot for big, furry Stillwater, who acted like a grandfather figure to the children in the book. He was a role model of kindness and quietness, and managed to come off endearing rather than boring or dusty.

In my life, I do try to be a peaceful, positive person, and a role model of those characteristics. However, in a stressful situation, taking master's courses, trying to find a teaching job after graduating in December, trying to keep peace between my family members and myself as we live packed together and in one another's pockets, trying to hold down and maintain a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend as he works on his master's degree, and also maintain the personal  friendships and professional contacts I cultivated in college that have now been scattered to every corner of the county, I don't always do my best. The constant uncertainty combined with deadlines, job hunting, two other courses, and a thousand other daily stress triggers that simply come with life usually take their toll and I am not as Stillwater-esque as I'd like to be. I'm sure that's why I personally found Zen Shorts to be so appealing. Stillwater's attitude and matter-of-fact kindness are admirable and a role model even for me, at twenty two years old.

I'm not sure that I've ever read any other children's books By Jon J. Muth, nor can I remember reading any children's literature that exemplified the values of Zen culture. I did think that as a book that presented different cultural viewpoints to students, this book was relatable and likable, rather than being forgein or too 'weird' for kids. In the past when I've read books that are meant to communicate cultural messages to children, many are either too sterile or politically correct to be memorable, or too focused on making parts of a different culture relate to a vast number of cultures, which can be confusing and overwhelming and often only serves to make the new culture seem even more estranged from a child's personal way of life. Zen Shorts cultivates a feeling with the reader, of acceptance and harmony, without putting a lot of labels and definitions on the Zen perspective. Jon Muth managed to write a story that was familiar, comfortable and endearing that communicates Zen philosophy effortlessly and in a way that is easy for children to understand and internalize.

I hadn't heard any of the stories, told by Stillwater almost like parables to the children in the book. Each story had a moral, much like Aesop's fables, that the characters in the story came to realize on their own, making it easy for them to accept, rather than taking a lecture from big, cuddly Stillwater. I loved each of these stories, and was especially touched by the story of two monks, one older,  whom had carried an arrogant woman over a puddle. When the lady did not thank him, but pushed him aside haughtily and carried on her way, the monks walked for a time before the younger spoke up. '"That woman back there was very selfish and rude, but you picked her up on your back and carried her! Then she didn't even thank you!" "I set the woman down hours ago," the older monk replied. "Why are you still carrying her?"' Well! Who among us can't learn from that older monk, whose water-off-the-back philosophy, paired with kindness for kindness' sake, makes for a contented, unruffled man, secure in his own happiness. Everyone, adults particularly in this case, can learn something from Zen Shorts. The Author's Note in the back of the book says that Zen Shorts was so named for "short meditations- ideas to puzzle over- tools to hone our ability to act with intuition. They have no goal, but often challenge us to reexamine our habits, desires, concepts, and fears." This books does just that, and remains adorable and great for children.

Flotsam- David Wiesner- Caldecott Medal (2007)

    Flotsam is a beautiful and textless book, which greatly deserved its 2007 Caldecott medal. Flotsam takes the reader through an amazing, suspenseful journey without a written word. A young boy is playing on the beach, exploring shells and crabs, just like any other ordinary boy on any ordinary beach. He happens to find an old underwater camera washed up on the beach, and his curiosity about its origin and contents are amazing. The curious young boy is astounded with photos of squid and fish relaxing in a cozy living room set on the ocean floor, several fish flying above the sea in the basket of a hot-air balloon made of a giant puffer fish, humongous sea turtles with the contents of entire civilizations on their backs, mechanical schools of fish, underwater aliens and starfish bigger than whales! Lastly, our hero is confused and amazed to find a photo of a girl, holding a photo of a boy, holding a photo of another girl, and on and on. The conclusion of this breathtaking story not only explains the mysterious photographs, but really speaks to the power of imagination of children throughout generations. 

    I loved this book. I didn't realize that it was entirely a picture book until I brought it home and opened it, and if I'm honest, I was disappointed. I really love books with original and interesting plots, and I honestly thought 'Aw, man. This is just going to be pictures.' Too many books that I've seen without any text have been just 'pretty books' without much substance or thought to plot. Flotsam really surprised me with its suspenseful and clever story, as well its truly beautiful illustrations. It proved to be a very pretty book, with sharp, detailed pictures of spectacular events, but it also gave the reader something more. This would be a wonderful book to teach younger children prediction strategies while reading, since the conflict isn't resolved predictably or quickly, and each panel is so expressive.

    I suppose if anything had an impact on my perception of Flotsam, it would be the bitter cold outside right now. The beautiful images in this book told an enthralling story through pictures, but also reminded me of the beach, to be warm, to be someplace carefree in the summer without any obligations. I'm suffering through the cold winter this year, and miss spring and summer weather everyday. Page after page of bright, cheery beach weather was very refreshing to say the least.
I also loved the element of surprise and discovery that this book lent to its readers. The boy in the book is so anxious to know the secrets of the antique camera, and is richly rewarded when he discovers what it's been taking photos of. I love stories that feed your imagination (and excite kids' imaginations!), and Flotsam was just the ticket for that.


    I would rank this book among the best text-less books I've ever seen. So many like Flotsam give so much attention to its illustrations, and while some amazing images can be presented and should be presented to children through picture books, often word-less books offer little in the way of story telling. I was reminded of Chris Van Allsberg (who wrote Jumanji, The Sweetest Fig, and the Mysteries of Harris Burdick) when I read this book, because his books too have the most fantastic pictures (Two Bad Ants is also a text-less book of his with an exciting plot) and never fail to amaze the reader with twists of plot, fanciful surroundings, and gorgeous scenes. If you're a Van Allsburg fan, please pick up Flotsam- it's got the same caliber of mystery and charm without sacrificing storyline.


I think that I've mostly learned, just for myself, not to judge books so quickly by what they seem to be. I was truly let down when I discovered that Flotsam didn't have any words (from a teaching standpoint, you can only do so much with a text-less book, especially if it's just a pretty book), but as I delved into the scenes, I was caught up in the story myself. I actually found myself studying the panels for clues as to what was going to happen next. I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed the book, and I confess that if I had known it didn't have any words, I probably would have passed it by.