Kakapo Rescue: Saving the world's strangest parrot

1.  Bibliography

Montgomery, Sy. 2010. Kakapo Rescue: Saving the world’s strangest parrot. Ill. by Nic Bishop. New York, NY. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.  

2.  Plot Summary

This non-fiction story is about a parrot called the kakapo that is fighting extinction.  A bird that was once common all over New Zealand became endangered when the first settlers of New Zealand, Maori, and their dogs were predators of the kakapo.  There are less than 100 kakapo parrots left on earth and they all live in New Zealand on Codfish Island.  Much of the story is dedicated to New Zealand’s National Kakapo Recovery Team that is working to prevent extinction this beautiful, loving bird that is unable to fly.  These volunteers work hard days and sleepless nights in a variety of ways to fight the devastating threat that the world’s strangest parrot is facing.  

Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop are describing the ten day trip in which they lived amongst the parrots and volunteers in New Zealand.  Their text and photographic exploration of this world is combined into 74 pages of information about the kakapo, the recovery team, and New Zealand.   

3.  Critical Analysis

The story of the kakapo and its struggle to survive is moving and interesting.  Montgomery and Bishop are creating awareness for endangered animal species that may otherwise be overlooked, especially by children in the recommended age range for this book.  Any reader will be touched by the amount of time and effort the volunteers and recovery team spend to protect this species.  Aside from the social responsibility that children are introduced to, the wealth of knowledge that the book contains far exceeded my expectations.  The conflict of the birds against the wild barely scraps the surface of what Montgomery offers.  Photos and information about New Zealand, the volunteers and their work and the personalized story of multiple birds are truly the heart of the book.  

Although the story is heartfelt and informative, the book would certainly hold the attention of an older child much longer than a third grade child.  Many of the 74 pages are filled with words and could likely cause a child much younger than 11 years old to loose interest quickly.  The author and illustrator fight the overload of information gallantly by creating a photo essay which personalizes the story and creates appropriateness for a wide range of ages.  That being said, this book is a great non-fiction book that could provide endless information for a book report or study of animals.  Fortunately, the enthusiasm and conversational style text are very beneficial when reading such a heavy story.  

Bishop has taken photographs that could not be paired better with Montgomery’s story.  The photos are real, breathtaking and create a vision for children of what the strange parrot looks like from infancy to adulthood.  Readers will understand the beauty of New Zealand and the kakapo through each page.  Also, the snapshots of volunteers truly show the joy that have in working with these birds and complement the information so well. There is not a better way to illustrate such a story and the photographs truly bring the entire book together.  These photographs coupled with the brilliant organization of each page create a photo essay informational book that is brilliant and breathtaking.  

4.  Award & Review Excerpts

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Winner

American Library Association Notable Books for Children Award Winner

    Nominated for Young Hoosier Book Award 

”Montgomery and Bishop were granted 10 days in which to accompany members of the team (many volunteering their time and efforts) as they radio-tracked the birds night and day in their forest habitat, weighed chicks, watched nesting behavior through hidden cameras, and plowed through gale-force winds and torrential rain to monitor the well-being of their charges. 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.”  -- School Library Journal Review 

“Young readers will be fascinated by the incredible measures that the passionate workers follow to help the new birds hatch, and many will share the team's heartbreak when some chicks die. Bishop's photos of the creatures and their habitat are stunning; an awe-inspiring, closing image of the world's eighty-seventh known Kakapo emerging from its shell captures the miracle of birth, for any species.” -- Booklist Starred Review

5.  Connections

• Before reading the story, ask students if they have ever heard of a kakapo?  What about a parrot?  Invite them to draw how they would imagine a kakapo would look.  
• Invite children (6th and 7th grade) to read this story independently.  Assign chapters and discuss each one on a scheduled day. 
• Ask students what part of that chapter they remember specifically and review those parts to discuss as a group.  
• Look at all of the photos in each chapter and discuss what the photo means or is to the students.  

              - Ask children that would like to write a letter thanking the volunteers and New Zealand’s National Kakapo Recovery Team.  Send this letter with any donations that adults or parents would like to lend to the organization.  

             -Create a chart on the wall with the number of kakapo currently living in the world (see   the regularly updated web page for this information www.kakaporecovery.org.nz.) and update this monthly.  This creates continued awareness for children to remember the story of the kakapo.  

Down, Down, Down: a journey to the bottom of the sea

1.  Bibliography
Jenkins, Steve. 2009. Down, Down, Down: a journey to the bottom of the sea. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 9780618966363.

2.  Plot Summary

This journey to the bottom of the sea is created by a well-known and respected author in the field of nonfiction books for children.  Jenkins provides a story of facts about the creatures you will find from right above the sea all the way to the deepest spot in the ocean.  The book starts out just above the surface and Jenkins discusses a variety of things including sights, sounds, and animals as you dive deeper into the ocean.  Throughout you will find a variety of animals and tidbits of information about their survival.  The last pages are more in-depth descriptions of each animal that is mentioned on each page.   

3.  Critical Analysis

Jenkins creates a credible and informative story that would be appropriate for children in kindergarten and up.  The author’s reputation in children’s nonfiction creates a feeling or comfort with the accuracy in the story and his bibliography instills even more confidence in the information.  The organization of the book is creative and logical.  Jenkins begins just above the surface and explores further and further down with each subtitled page. Along the right side of the page, readers can follow the level of depth in the sea they are exploring.  The end of the book is supported with detailed descriptions of each animal including a comparison of the size of the creature and the human body.  

The design and organization of this book is logical and inviting.  Readers are introduced to creatures of the sea but are not overwhelmed with information on each page.  The animal illustrations are unique yet accurate and some are even described based upon their relationship to the depth and darkness of the ocean.  The white text is easy to read and compliments the dark blues and black backgrounds.  The text is not only appropriately colored but the writing, placement and vocabulary is exactly what I would expect out of this type of book.  Jenkins does not hold back with factual information but maintains vocabulary appropriate for the recommended age group for the book.  Children will be drawn into the collage illustrations and depth measurements along the right side of the page.  All of the bright and accurate images pop on the page just as they would if you could see this deep in the ocean.  

4.  Award & Review Excerpts

American Library Association Notable Books for Children Award Winner

“Sophisticated cut- and torn-paper collage-work fit the alien qualities of the subjects well; it's equally at home capturing the tiered needlepoints of lizardfish teeth as it is delivering an impressive and illuminating display of bioluminescence.”  -- Booklist Review

“Usually three or four animals-whales, fish, worms, and more-are featured. Sometimes colorful or luminescent and often toothy, they are both familiar and strange. In some views, the animals are relative in size, but in others, those that are actually quite different in scale appear to be similar.” -- School Library Journal Review

“A must for any geography or natural history collection, this will be a great preparation for an aquarium visit or any discussion of ecology. More than that, however, it manages to convey the fact that most of our world is very, very different from what we experience, and that there may be nothing so strange and wonderful as our own planetary home.” -- The Bulletin Starred Review

5.  Connections

• Invite students to read this story before a trip to the aquarium or discussion about the deep sea and it’s creatures.  
• Other books by Steve Jenkins:

• Jenkins, Steve. Actual Size. 2004. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618375945
• Jenkins, Steve. Wiggling Worms at Work. HarperCollins. ISBN 006028448X
• Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. Move!. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 061864637X

• Related books about the sea:

• Berger, Melvin. Dive! a book of deep sea creatures. 2000. Scholastic. ISBN 0439087473
• Jenkins, Steve. Into the A, B, Sea: an ocean alphabet. 2000. Scholastic Press.   ISBN 0439096960
• Neubecker, Robert. Wow! Ocean! 2011. Disney/Hyperion Books. ISBN 9781423131137
• Phillips, Gary R. and Jennifer Kramer. Ocean Hide and Seek. 2009. Sylvan Dell. ISBN 9781934359914

Bees, Snails and Peacock Tails

1.  Bibliography
Franco, Betsy. 2008. Bees, Snails and Peacock Tails. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. New York: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. ISBN 9781416903864

 2.  Plot Summary
Betsy Franco creates a poem that engages the reader into considering shapes and patterns in nature.  First, Franco introduces the theme of the poem so readers are engaged and prepared for what is to come throughout the book.  She starts with bees and describes patterns on multiple animals and insects eventually ending with topshell snails.  The poem includes nature on land, in the air and in the sea.  

3.  Critical Analysis
The rhyming and cadence of this poem are extremely age appropriate and beneficial to the reader.  A child (or adult!) may not even recognize all that they have learned while they bounce through the shapes and patterns that Franco presents.  The words move around the pages while drawing attention to the geometry of nature.  Not only is the placement of the words important, the specific diction is spot on for this book.  The readers can stay engaged and learn information about the animal world without being daunted by difficult or overwhelming words.  The descriptions on each page are factual and teach readers more about nature.  

The collage illustrations by Steve Jenkins compliment the imagery that is created by Franco’s words.  Jenkins adds life to the motif of the poem through vivid artwork with bright colors and textures.  Nature comes alive through this art and allows the reader to be engaged in the consistent cadence.  Each animal, insect or sea creature is focused on and large enough for details - namely patterns and shapes to be shown.  For example, the ants are so large that a cookie in the illustration is comparable in size (larger than a fist).  

4.  Review Excerpt(s) and Awards
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY- **Starred Review**  “Whether addressing hexagonal beehive cells or a snail's spiral shell, brisk rhymes draw attention to nature's math, as in this description of moth wings' symmetry: Notice the colors/ and stunning 'eyes,'/ perfectly matched/ on either side.”

BOOKLIST - **Starred Review** “Verses tuck neatly into each subject's double-page spread or cleverly echo its shape, mimicking the spiral lines of a snail's shell or the rounded exterior of a puffer fish, and an appending section explains the scientific facts behind each poem.”

Nominated for Kentucky Bluegrass Book Award

5. Connections

• Provide children with paper and glue sticks and suggest that they create their own shapes in nature.  
• Other poems for children about nature:
• Red Sings from Treetops, Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow by Joyce Sidman

One of those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies

1.  Bibliography
Sones, Sonya.  2004.  One of those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689858208

2.  Plot Summary

Ruby Milliken is struck with depression when her mother dies.  Her closest family member, Aunt Duffy, cannot keep Ruby with her and she is forced to move away from her boyfriend and best friend Lizzie in Massachusetts to California with her famous father.  Ruby thought that she understood everything about her father, Whip Logan, based on his lack of presence and what she learned in watching his blockbuster films.  After Ruby spends more time with Whip, she progressively dislikes him less.  Max, Whip’s assistant, grows very close with Ruby and helps her handle hardships and influences her to grow closer with her father.  As time goes on, Ruby learns more about why her father was not around for 15 years and finally feels comfortable with her father and life in California.  

 3.  Critical Analysis

A story of teenage angst that anyone would enjoy, Ruby Milliken tells her tale in verse and personal letters.  Young adult readers that are having a difficult time picking up a book would likely benefit from giving this book a try.  Most lines have one to five words making the story a quick read.  Sonya Sones uses these short lines to create a cadence in verse that flows smoothly and her diction reflects that of a teenage girl very accurately.  Ruby’s melodramatic descriptions and words display her emotions well with so few words.  The benefits of this novel go beyond entertainment, there are so many real-life problems that are addressed in this novel which could have great impact on the reader.  There are moments appropriate for laughing or crying and although Ruby is depressed about her situation she seems to make light of all of her problems.  

Sones uses bolded titles at the top of the first page of each verse that have strong meaning to the plot.  She also uses left alignment for all of the lines during the story unless they have significant affect.  This draws the attention of the reader to the words and emphasis that the author intended.  She uses word placement and font formatting to have an impact on the way that the story is interpreted.  For example, Ruby and Whip are in the middle of an earthquake and the lines are shifted around the page to emphasize the chaos of her feelings during the natural disaster.   Also, when the story is being told through letters the font changes to something more juvenile.  Sones did a fantastic job with font formatting and depicting Ruby’s story.  

4.  Review Excerpt(s) and Awards

Award Nominations: Grand Canyon Reader Award, Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award, SCASL Book Award, Garden State Teen Book Award.

Award Winner: ALA Best Book for Young Adults,  ALA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, Iowa Teen Award.

VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES - “Ruby's grieving for her mother is heartbreaking, but also humorous and never overwrought. Without being preachy, Sones addresses stereotyping, variations of friendship, betrayal by loved ones, and parent-child relationships.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - “Sones gives the audience clear signals of what Ruby can't allow herself to take in. Readers will accept some melodrama because, even with a few contrivances, Ruby's voice conveys genuine emotions.”

5. Connections

• Invite readers to read What my mother doesn’t know and What my girlfriend doesn’t know by Sonya Sones -- these stories share some similar free verse which readers may enjoy.
• Ask middle school readers to discuss their thoughts on the verse novel after reading it independently.  
• present questions such as: 
• Did you like this novel?
• Can you relate to any of Ruby’s feelings?
• What do you think the author wanted you to get from reading this novel?

Red Sings from Treetops

1.  Bibliography
Sidman, Joyce. 2009. Red Sings from Treetops.  Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 9780547014944.

2.  Plot Summary

Red Sings from Treetops is a story about the seasons told through colors.  We flow whimsically through the seasons and their colors following a crowned figure and a crowned white dog.  Sidman begins with Spring describing the sounds, scents, smells and feelings of reds, greens, yellows and more colors.  She continues on with Summer, Fall and Winter.  Each season is described from a variety of points in the day including morning, afternoon and evening.  This story is illustrated with animals and scenes that one may see in each of the seasons.  With every sight, smell, sound and feeling that Sidman describes, Zagarenski compliments with beautiful mixed media artwork.  

3.  Critical Analysis

The words that are colors described in a season are emphasized by the font being written in that color.  The best part about this poem is that color metaphors that may not typically be considered common in each season are emphasized.  For example, Sidman describes Spring in “White / can be quiet, too: / delicate petals filled with light / smell / white”.  Sidman did not stick to the basic colors one would mention in a season but used deep and thoughtful descriptions such as the color of pink cheeks and the smell of white petals.  The beginning of each season is emphasized with a heading titled in capital letters of the name of the season.  This starts each season definitely so that the reader follows where they are in the poem.  The placement of each word is important and reflects the importance of the word itself - some words have right alignment, some have left alignment and some are justified.  This word placement changes the rhythm of the poem and the way the reader interprets it.  

The illustrations are beautiful and unique.  In a setting that is very exciting and detailed, the colors of emphasis in each section of the poem stand out on every page.  Eccentric artwork and illustrations are on every page.  The crowned figure always wears an outfit with abstract and different designs.  Sometimes, the figure and the dog are even traveling on wheels.  There are hidden letters, numbers and words on each page.  For example, the page for Spring describing green has the crowned figure standing on a large wheel that has the word “circle” written repeatedly around the rim.  This book could be read and re-read to find details in the artwork that may be missed during the first read.  

4.  Review Excerpt(s) and Awards

Nominated for a Caldecott Medal

Won Minnesota Book Award

Won American Library Association Notable Books for Children Award

BOOKLIST - *Starred Review* “Throughout, the mixed-media illustrations, including collage and paintings on wood, provide much to look at. And as the title implies, the colors that surprise on every page do sing.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - “Some of Zagarenski's mixed-media paintings are full of light and others are darker and slightly haunting, but the rich colors come to life on the page. The words and pictures depend upon one another and blend well to conjure up quirky, magical imagery.”

5.  Connections

• While reading Red Sings from Treetops aloud, invite the listeners to find examples of the colors of the seasons on each page.  
• Read one of Joyce Sidman’s poetry books every week including Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow, Eureka!, and The World According to Dog.
• Go outside during each season and find the colors in sight, smell, touch and feeling in real life.  Discuss your findings as a group.

The Ugly Duckling

1. Bibliography

Pinkey, Jerry. 1999. The Ugly Duckling. New York, NY: Morrow Junior Books.  ISBN 9780688159337.

         2.  Plot Summary

A mother duck hatches 6 eggs near a beautiful pond near a farmhouse.  The last duck to hatch is an awkward bird that does not physically look the same as the other ducklings.  The oversized “ugly” duckling was born into a world of drama and frustration.  He is bullied by other ducks -- even his siblings and kicked by the girl who feeds them.  After he no longer feels at home on the farm, the ugly duckling flees.  He encounters more drama as he runs from hunters and a hunting dog and becomes restless after living with a family that took him in.  The duck must survive a harsh winter alone after longing to fly south with an elegant flock of swans.  Finally, the duckling encounters the flock of swans again and when he joins them in the water he sees his reflection.  He realizes that he IS a beautiful swan - in fact the book ends with children saying he is the best swan.  

          3.  Critical Analysis

The Ugly Duckling is a beautiful story adapted by Pinkey from Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story about a lonesome and depressed animal who looses confidence and all allies in the world. Soon this creature transforms into a strong, confident, and beautiful creature.  

The beautiful watercolor illustrations are realistic and detailed. The setting and scenes make one feel that you are truly in the wild experiencing the seasons with the ugly duckling.  The reader can truly see the changes of the bird on each two-page spread because of the details in the artwork.

Although the story is a classic, the experiences of the character development for the ugly duckling are a bit disconcerting.  Many scenes, such as the the hens and other ducks attacking the ugly duckling, the gun shooting at a flock of geese and the bird being frozen into a pond, are dramatic and could be a little scary for a child.  It is understandable that Pinkey left these types of details in his story so that readers can truly see the stress that was put on The Ugly Duckling.  His triumphs would not be nearly as emotional and influential without the troublesome details.  That being said, I think it could be frightening for some children to read or hear such a story.   

Overall, the story was adapted and illustrated beautifully to represent the classic story while creating a modern book.  

          4.  Award & Review Excerpts

Nominated for Caldecott Medal 

Nominated for Bluegrass Award

“The gorgeous double-page spreads combine realistic light-filled scenes of farmyard and pond life with a focus on one small bird who doesn't fit in, an awkward creature who appears to disrupt the natural harmony but is really part of the wonder of connection and renewal”. -- Booklist

“The appeal of this tale is as strong today as it was 150 years ago, and Pinkney has done an admirable job of repackaging it for a new generation”.

 -- School Library Journal

         5.  Connections

• Invite students to create artwork of the beautiful swan to connect this to their own triumphs.
• Read this book in conjunction with other variants of the classic adapated by different people:

• Isadora, Rachel.  The Ugly Duckling. 2009. G.P. Putnam’s Sons: Bergenfield, NJ.
• Mitchell, Stephen.  The Ugly Duckling. 2007. Candlewick Press: Westminster, MD.     
• Angeldorff, W. The Ugly Duckling. 2006. Purple Bear Books: Jackson, TN                                                       Create comparisons based on the differences in the variantations of these adaptations.  

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

1. Bibliography

Scieszka, Jon. 1989. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. Ill. by Lane Smith.  New York, NY: Viking Penguin. ISBN 9780670827596.

            2.  Plot Summary

 In this version of “The 3 Little Pigs”, the big bad Wolf wants to make sure everyone knows his side of the story!  Alexander T. Wolf is writing from jail about how he got a bad reputation for something he did not do.  The Wolf explains that he simply needed to borrow a cup of sugar to make a cake for his granny while he had a cold.  The Wolf happened to stop by each of the pigs homes asking for a cup of sugar and had a HUGE sneeze from his cold.  After the Wolf accidentally huffs and sneezes down the first two pigs homes, he was unable to leave a dead pig in the rubble.  The police show up when the Wolf is screaming and yelling at the third wolf because he said rude things about his granny.  Because he was unable to leave the “meals” behind, when the police show up at the third pigs house to handle the situation, he looks guilty.  His argument is that it isn’t his fault the pigs built such flimsy homes!

3.  Critical Analysis

 This story is a version of “The 3 Little Pigs”  in which the big bad Wolf tells his side of the story from a first-person point of view.  In this version, the wolf is the protagonist telling a flashback of his conflicts (with a cold and the police) which lead to the demise of two of the three little pigs.  The Wolf says,  ``I don't know how this whole Big Bad Wolf thing got started, but it's all wrong''.  This is the theme of the entire story.  

The Wolf handles plenty of complications throughout the beginning of the story including not having sugar, having a cold and accidentally sneezing down homes of innocent pigs.  As the story goes on, the Wolf reveals that each situation was a coincidence.  He only ate the first and second little pigs because he accidentally “sneezed” their homes down and could not waste a meal.  After that, the third pig was just down right rude to him.  The police happened to catch him lashing out at the third pig - another coincidence.  

Although the setting is very similar to the original story of “The 3 Little Pigs” including the mediums with which the houses were created with, the main focus is the opinion of the Wolf.  This story is a satire filled with humor that will likely be understood primarily by older children.  
The illustrations in this book are unique and different than any other version of "The 3 Little Pigs".  The fact that this is told from the Wolf's point of view is made clear through the illustrations.  They are simple and crazy!  There is humor in the pictures of animals ears' sticking out of pots and the pigs rear's sticking up in the air!  

4.  Awards & Review Excerpts

Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Winner

Flicker Tale Children’s Book and ABBY Award Nominee

“In this gaily newfangled version of a classic tale, Scieszka and Smith (Flying Jake) argue in favor of the villain, transforming the story of the three little pigs into a playfully suspicious, rather arch account of innocence beleaguered.” -- Publishers Weekly

“One of life’s more important lessons is that a second view of the same events may yield a story that is entirely different from another but equally “true”. -- Kirkus Reviews

            5.  Connections

• Read The 3 Little Pigs and then this book.  Compare the story between each book and how one story can be interpreted by two different sides.   
• Play the “telephone game” where all of the students sit in a circle, start with one secret whispered in the first person’s ear, each student whispers the secret into the next person’s ear, and see what the secret is at the end of the game.  When it is completely different from the first secret, the student’s can see how different one story can vary from person to person.