Second Book Review

Schwartz, Amy. Bea and Mr. Jones. Orlando: Harcourt, 2006. Print.

Bea & Mr. Jones, written and illustrated by Amy Schwartz

Bea Jones and her father switch places for the day, with Bea going to work at the ad agency and her father going to kindergarten.

I remember enjoying this book as a child, so I decided to revisit it.  I found it very enjoyable as an adult and it is definitely a book I would recommend.  The idea of a child and parent switching places for the day is fun for kids to think about.  I greatly appreciated that this book did not have a “grass is greener on the other side” ending, but that Bea and her father each “[find] their proper niche in the world” (Schwartz 24). 

The illustrations are black and white, but very detailed.  They definitely are an important part of the story, as they help convey the characters’ attitudes and body language.  I especially liked the illustration of the kindergarten teacher, Miss Seymour sighing and swooning at Mr. Jones as he rescues a child from a tree. 

This book could spark discussions on future career possibilities and what each student thinks their niche in the world will be.  This book could probably best be used in the classroom with younger grades, probably 2^nd grade or younger, although students of any age would find the story humorous. 

Wiesner, David. June 29, 1999. New York: Clarion, 1992. Print.

June 29, 1999, written and illustrated by David Wiesner

Holly Evans sends vegetable seedling into the sky on May 11^th.  When giant vegetables reach Earth on June 29^th, Holly wonders how it happened.

I chose this book after seeing Tuesday by David Wiesner passed around in class.  Unlike Tuesday or Flotsam, also by David Wiesner, June 29, 1999 has text accompanying the illustrations.  The illustrations are still the major focus of the book though, and they are beautiful and imaginative. 

The story is creative and definitely reminiscent of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett.  It is very imaginative and discussions about the students’ thoughts on extraterrestrial life could accompany this book well.  They could draw pictures or write stories about what else they think the space aliens’ life is like. 

Wiesner, David. Flotsam. New York: Clarion, 2006. Print.

Flotsam, written by David Wiesner

Told only through illustrations, a boy finds an underwater camera that washes up on the beach. 

This is another book by David Wiesner that I chose to read.  I was really interested in the fact that it has no text, but the story is told only through illustrations.  I ended up loving this book; it is one that I would definitely buy for myself or classroom or to give as a gift. 

Since there is no text, students who are not reading yet for any reason would enjoy it.  I think children who are ELL would especially like this book.  It would be a great accompaniment to a science or biology lesson about the beach (although it does get a little imaginative with the activities of the fish). 

DePaola, Tomie. Stagestruck. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2005. Print.

Stagestruck, written and illustrated by Tomie DePaola

Tommy wants to play Peter Rabbit in the spring play.  Even though he gets a small role instead, he still steals the show.

I chose this book because I have always liked Tomie DePaola’s style.  His illustrations are always excellent, just as they are in this book, and they definitely contribute to the story.  Honestly, I did not really enjoy this book as much as some of Tomie DePaola’s other books.  I found that Tommy did not really feel sorry for stealing the show, even though he apologizes to his classmates and teacher.  Some kids though, who enjoy attention and being on stage could definitely relate to Tommy.

This book would be great to introduce children to acting.  This book could be read before having your students perform their own play.  They could even read Peter Rabbit and make it into a play to perform in the classroom.

Hest, Amy, and Amy Schwartz. The Purple Coat. New York: Four Winds, 1986. Print.

The Purple Coat, written by Amy Hest and illustrated by Amy Schwartz

Even though Gabrielle always gets a navy blue coat, she wants a purple coat this year.  She still needs to convince Mama, who wants to stick with tradition.

This is another great book illustrated by Amy Schwartz.  I like that it introduces the concept of going to a tailor, in this case Gabrielle’s grandfather, to buy clothes, instead of buying them ready-made at a store.  There are also other elements in this book that children may not be familiar with, such as riding subways.

I think this book would work well to start discussions on compromising with others during disagreements.  Kids could think of ways that they could compromise situations through acting out different scenarios.