Sisters & Brothers

Bibliography

Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. 2008. Sisters & Brothers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company ISBN 9780618375967

Plot Summary

Sisters & Brothers dives into exploring the different sibling relationships that happen in the animal kingdom. Jenkins and Page explore different forms of sibling relationships between animal siblings varying from naked mole rats to African elephants. While sharing sibling relationships, Sisters & Brothers important factual information that relate animal siblings.

  

Critical Analysis

Sisters & Brothers is an informational storybook that can be used with a wide range of audiences. The beauty of the story is how it can capture an audience ranging from young readers to middle-school readers. For young readers, Jenkins and Page include concise text as well as illustrations that capture their attention. On the other hand, Jenkins and Page incorporate longer and more detailed texts for older children to gain more insight into the different relationships. Jenkins develops a unique story that relates to readers as we create our own meaning from relationships we have with friends, family, and specifically siblings.

The illustrations on white backgrounds creates more focus towards the animals in each page.

With the use of contrast colors as well colors true to the animal being depicted, it creates unison between the text and illustrations. The accurate illustrations of the animal are scaled depending on their sizes. For instance, the African elephants take up more space within the page versus termite brothers and having a plethora on the page.

Overall, Jenkins and Page provide a unique perspective on animals with accuracy as well as readable to different levels of readers. 

Review Excerpts and Awards

From Kirkus Reviews: “Jenkins’s signature cut- and torn-paper images artfully spread across clean white pages with just a paragraph of text and label for each relationship”

From Horn Book: “Fascinating animal facts…the new focus allows deeper explorations of the growth and development stages.”

From the New York Times: “Steve Jenkins and Robin Page present intriguing lore about termite families, bat twins and giant anteater singletons, in gorgeous cut- and torn-paper collages. We enjoy the unexpected grace of beavers swimming and the bulky power of grizzly bear”

Connections

Other books by Steve Jenkins

Actual Size

What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You?

What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

The Animal Book: A Collection of the Fastest, Fiercest, Toughest, Cleverest, Shyest- and Most Surprising- Animals on Earth

Connections in the Classroom

This story can be aligned with different topics in the classroom. The topics can include a family unit on different types of familys, understanding relationships, and an animal unit.

Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot

Bibliography

Montgomery, Sy. 2010. Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot. Photos by Nic Bishop. Bostom, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 978061849170

  

Plot Summary

Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop make a visit to Codfish Island located off the coast of New Zealand. Montgomery and Bishop visit 91 Kakapo parrots that are facing the possibility of extinction. With the help of fourteen volunteers, they worked closely as scientists and researchers to restore the Kakapo parrot family. The story of the largest and unusual bird explains the perseverance the volunteers had to increase their population.

Critical Analysis

 To create a storyline for their Kakapo rescue, Montgomery shares primary information as she immerses herself into Codfish Island and becoming an expert on the parrot. Montgomery provides on-site observations as well as research that creates a storyline capturing readers into a plight that is occurring. Montgomery provides a range of information varying from the biology of the bird, the mating season, and technological tools used to assist in caring for the Kakapo parrots. Montgomery allows readers to immerse themselves into the situation, and have a first-hand look at the island and parrots.

Montgomery includes a detailed index that assists in finding terms and navigating back to the pages for specific information. Along with that, a bibliography of background information utilized in the book is provided along side the research they found while visiting Codfish Island. This enhances the accuracy and credibility of their research.

The photographs taken by Nic Bishop are colorful photographs and share images of their journey. Each photograph is vibrant and depicts the beauty of Codfish Island while sharing the urgency of saving the Kakapo parrots. Bishop includes different perspectives of the Kakapo parrot, and conveys emotion while sharing photographs of the baby chick. The photographs allow readers to see field-based science and experience the island visually as well as through text.

  

Review Excerpts and Awards

2011 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal

2011 Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children recommended

2011 ALA Notable Children’s book

From Booklist: “Montgomery’s delight in her subject is contagious, and throughout her enthusiastic text, she nimbly blends scientific and historical facts with immediate, sensory descriptions of fieldwork.”

From School Library Journal: “Excellent photos and a readable, conversational text provide an intimate look at a concerted effort to save a drastically endangered species unfamiliar to most of the world outside Down Under.”

Connections

Other books by Sy Montgomery and photographs by Nic Bishop

The Tarantula Scientist

The Snake Scientist

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea

Connections in the classroom

Explore different birds that are in danger of being extinct. Create appropriate solutions on ways we can increase their population.

Create your own informational story book utilizing photographs taken by the student, and information about an animal of their interest. Students can pair their photographs with text to create a sequential story.

The House Baba Built

Bibliography

Young, Ed. The House Baba Built: An Artist’s Childhood in China. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2011. ISBN 9780316076289

Plot Summary

The autobiographical storybook depicts the story of the author, Ed Young, and his childhood while living in China with his siblings and parents. Ed describes his life as he grows up during World War II. Due to the war being a safety concern in Shanghai, Baba (the father) makes a decision to relocate his family near an embassy. In order to do so, Baba creates a deal with a landowner in which he builds a large safe haven which will be free in return of seeking refuge for 20 years. Baba builds a courtyard, a garden, and even a pool in which his family, friends, and even strangers move in to escape war. Will Baba keep his promise to the land owner of returning the house amidst war?

  

Critical Analysis

The autobiographical storybook created by Young was established in a chronological order based on Youngs’ memory as well as small pieces of artifacts. Young and his sister, Fifi, were able to return in 1990 in which they were able to collect photographs and maps. The chronology along with providing a timeline, author’s notes, and a floor plan of his house assist in creating an accurate story of his memories while dealing with war.  Young includes a foreword which sets the stage for his story. To enhance the accuracy of the story, Young utilizes front and back pages to provide description to the maps, personal photographs, and includes an explanation of Babas’ logo.

Youngs’ multimedia illustrations consist of collages, vintage photographs, water colors, and fold outs. The illustrations develop childhood memories and each photo represents a meaning in Ed’s life ranging from family, the pool, and the courtyard. Young utilizes illustrations to appeal to young readers while exposing us to the culture and fear occurring around him. The relationship between the text and illustrations create a unique experience for the reader while delving into history, culture, and family amidst war.

Review Excerpts and Awards

2011 Booklists Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth

2012 ALA Notable Children’s Book 2012 for Older Readers

2012 Picture Book Award for APALA

From Publishers Weekly: “Young’s creation, shaped with help from author Libby Koponen, is as complex and labyrinthine as Baba’s house, with foldout pages that open to reveal drawings, photos, maps, and memories.”

From School Library Journal: “Young’s father builds a house for his growing family and for others who join them. Against the background of World War II, the author shares childhood memories of changing seasons, raising silkworms, and picnicking by the pool. This oversize book with foldout pages is illustrated with photos, drawings, and collage. Includes a time line and a diagram of the house.”

From Kirkus Reviews: “Flashes of multi-media brilliance illuminate this darkly colored, leisurely paced memoir of childhood in Shanghai."

Connections

Other books by Ed Young

Lon Po Po

The Cat from Hunger Mountain

My Mei Mei

Donkey Trouble

Connections in the classroom

·      Study the story of Ed Young in The House Baba Built. Students can create their own autobiographical storybook with a memory they have from their childhood.

·      Explore the history of World War II and the history of the countries involved.

·      Create timelines of their childhood to present time using years and key memories from each year.