Book Review: WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL
1. Bibliography
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York. Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children.
ISBN 9780786808328
2. Plot Summary
In this award-winning book, Kadir Nelson writes and illustrates the story and history of Negro League baseball. It is written using an “everyman” player as the narrator. Readers are taken on a journey beginning in the 1920s, when Negro League Baseball was organized, until the league ended in the 1940s when Jackie Robinson was accepted into the major leagues. Throughout the book we learn about numerous gifted athletes and determined owners, the hardships they had to overcome, and the successes they achieved. The story pays tribute to the men and women whose hard work and dedication helped black players make it into the big leagues.
3. Critical Analysis
This book is written and illustrated so beautifully that even if you are not a baseball fan, you will likely become a fan of the human triumph embodied by the players. Each chapter of the book is cleverly labeled as a different inning, just like in a baseball game. Kadir Nelson takes his time in painting a vivid picture for readers so they may understand the history of Negro League Baseball and begin to understand what was occurring in the nation as Negro League Baseball was taking place. By writing each chapter from baseball players’ perspectives and personal experiences, it makes the entire story much more meaningful rather than if one was just reading the same facts out of a history book.
Kadir Nelson does a fabulous job of illustrating many of the famous athletes and owners with his colorful oil paintings throughout the book. The size of the pages of the book and the detail he incorporates into each picture may make one feel like they are looking at a photograph rather than a painting. The detailed illustrations, such as the faces of the characters, help readers empathize with the players, making the story much more significant to those reading it.
4. Awards won:
2009 Coretta Scott King Illustrator honor book
2009 winner of the Sibert Medal
Review Excerpt(s)
Booklist Review- “The stories and artwork are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers, who were much more than also-rans and deserve a more prominent place on baseball's history shelves.” -Chipman, Ian Copyright 2008 Booklist
School library Journal Review- “It is an engaging tribute that should resonate with a wide audience and delight baseball fans of all ages.-Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
5. Connections
This would be a wonderful book to share to upper grade level school aged children as a preview to the story of Jackie Robinson or as they celebrate Black History Month.
One can gather other books about the Negro Leagues.
Brashler, William. THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. ISBN. 0395671698
Or one may want to do a study and find books that focus on individual famous players of the Negro Leagues.
Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Illustrated by Ransome, E. James. SATCHEL PAIGE. ISBN 0689856814
Citations for Reviews:
Dallas Independent School District Online Public Access Catalog. http://www2.youseemore.com/dallasisd/Default.asp?
Book Review: TALKING WITH ARTISTS
1. Bibliography
Cummings, Pat. 1999. TALKING WITH ARTISTS. New York. Clarion Books.
ISBN 0395891329
2. Plot Summary
In Pat Cummings’ third volume of Talking with Artists, she interviews thirteen well-known children’s book illustrators. All of the interviews begin with the artist’s individual story and a series of questions. The questions range from “where did you get your ideas from?” to “do you have any children or pets?” In addition, each artist’s mini biography features an illustration they drew when they were children, alongside an illustration from one of their contemporary books.
3. Critical Analysis
Each artist that Pat Cummings interviews is interesting to learn about because they are all different from one another. She chose to focus on both men and women who came from different backgrounds and cultures and whose art is all very unique. However, what is similar about them is that in each of their life stories they all remembered something in their childhood that triggered their love of illustrating. All of their experiences were different, but after hearing them, one realizes how important it is to expose children to as many different experiences and opportunities as able when they are young. In addition, almost all of the artists are now residing in New York as they live out their dream of being a book illustrator.
All of the artists’ illustrations differ in that all are using various materials when they illustrate. Some may use watercolors, while others choose to use crayon and pencil. No matter what material they decided to use, none of the pieces look alike. All of their work is created based off of things that they have seen and experiences they have had so each of their creations is one of a kind and distinguishes who they are as artists.
Awards:
The Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
4. Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal Review-“All of the profiles open with personal essays titled "My Story" revealing some biographical details but focusing on childhood dreams and ambitions, training, sources of inspiration, and feelings about their career choices.”-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal.
5. Connections
When educators share knowledge like this about the author or illustrator of a book to children, the book becomes more meaningful to them.
Invite children to find other books where the same artists illustrated the book. Challenge them to see how many they can find.
Citations for Reviews:
Dallas Independent School District Online Public Access Catalog. http://www2.youseemore.com/dallasisd/Default.asp?
Book Review: THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW
1. Bibliography
Juster, Norton. 2005. THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW. New York. Hyperion Books for Children.
ISBN 0786809140
2. Plot Summary
This very short read by Norton Juster tells about a child’s fun experiences when she goes to her grandparents’ house. A special window in her grandparent’s kitchen fascinates her, and she calls it “The Hello, Goodbye Window.” She loves this window because many fond memories take place by the window, whether it be playing games with her grandparents or looking up at the stars with her grandma. Throughout the rest of the story the character describes other memorable activities that she does when she visits her grandparents.
3. Critical Analysis
Norton Juster’s writing is simple and the plot is one that small children and adults can relate to. All children love to visit their grandparents and adults have fond memories of visiting their grandparents when they were children. The author most likely used his own memories as a child knowing that children everywhere would have similar stories.
Chris Raschka’s illustrations are perfect for this book because it looks as though the child who is telling the story drew or painted them. The illustrations really complement the story because this is similar to how many children’s first drawings look. Much of his illustrations look like scribbles or smudges, but he adds character to certain objects on the page by outlining them with dark pencil. This helps the reader to see more of the character’s features such as their eyes, nose, and hair. The darker lines also force the reader’s eye to study each page and observe what other objects are highlighted.
4. Awards won:
2006 Caldecott Medal
2006 ALA Notable Children’s Book
Review Excerpt(s)
Publisher Weekly Reviews- “Juster departs from the over-the-top punning of his earlier works to create a gently humorous account of a family's conversations and games, all centered on the special window.”
“Raschka warms the pages with glowing yellow, emerald, sapphire and golden brown, and he pictures the garden and trees in emphatic midsummer greens.”
(Apr.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal Review-“The artwork is at once lively and energetic, without crowding the story or the words on the page; the simple lines and squiggles of color suggest a child's own drawings, but this is the art of a masterful hand. Perfect for lap-sharing, this book will find favor with children and adults alike”.
-Angela J. Reynolds, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, Hillsboro, OR Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
5. Connections
After reading this story to children, encourage them to write about their own special memories of when they go to visit a grandparent or a relative.
Citations for Reviews:
Dallas Independent School District Online Public Access Catalog. http://www2.youseemore.com/dallasisd/Default.asp?
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