Nelson, Kadir. 2005. HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS. Illustrated by the author. New York, NY: Viking Penguin. ISBN 0-8037-2850-6.
Plot Summary:
This picture book is a visual representation of the spiritual. There is more than one version of the song; the version used in this book focuses on the rain, the moon, the stars, the clouds, the oceans, the seas, and ends with you and me and everybody. The illustrations reinforce the lyrics and range from a child’s simple picture to realistic depictions of activities such as fishing and swimming to more dreamlike images of the sunrise and the earth and moon. The emphasis on family unity is juxtaposed with world unity quite seamlessly, and taken as a whole, the book is an uplifting and inspiring vision of an idealized global community.
Critical Analysis:
There is not a typical plot, no dialogue, and no named characters. The settings are significant as they show interaction between parents and children in varied venues. The role of the male in the family is emphasized as the father/father figure is seen with the children at a beach, fishing, working on a crossword puzzle, etc. The author chose to use San Francisco as the representative city. This is significant because of the known diversity and tolerance of that city. The theme of family unity and ultimately world unity is woven throughout the book. The concept that God is watching over the children and their families and that they are “in his hands” is a very comforting idea for a child, especially in this highly mobile society where the nuclear family is no longer the norm for many children.
The illustrations effectively represent the lyrics and are drawn from varied perspectives. One especially beautiful image is of a father and son looking up at the moon in awe. The way the artist oriented the two, with the artist’s perspective looking up at the father and son from a lower point, serves to create an almost three dimensional image; the reader can almost feel the immensity and power of the universe from this one illustration. The cultural markers are distinctive. The illustrator shows his pride for his African American culture by exaggerating the features in some of the pictures and including elements such as hairstyles, skin color, and facial expressions that convey a sense of racial pride to the reader. It is important for children to see positive images of their own culture, race, or ethnicity and it is equally important for children of other races and ethnicities to see this positive portrayal of black culture and family structure. Finally, Nelson’s use of a rainbow on the page which states “He’s got everybody, everywhere in his hands” sends a symbolic yet clear message of tolerance and appreciation for diversity.
Review Excerpts:
School Library Review: “Nelson's vibrant signature illustrations rendered in pencil, oil, and watercolor breathe new meaning and life into this favorite Sunday school spiritual in which families, communities, and forces of nature are celebrated with lively images and inspiring scenes.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “The popular spiritual finds new life as a picture book celebrating diversity and community.”
Kirkus Reviews: “…a springboard to celebrate family togetherness…Moving, reverent, spiritual indeed.”
Connections:
Other books illustrated and/or coauthored by Kadir Nelson: Ellington Was Not a Street (winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration, 2005), Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Henry’s Freedom Box
Any of Mr. Nelson’s books would make a great display for Black History Month.
If money is available, the library can purchase an original piece of art by Kadir Nelson and have it framed and displayed (prices from $250+) The Collection Shop, www.thecollectionshop.com
Involving Families: This book lends itself to this strategy and would be an excellent book to use with a family reading program involving parents, grandparents, siblings, and extended family. “Connecting parents and kids via picture books is a natural activity for promoting…early literacy development” (Vardell, 68).
Geography Skills: This book lends itself to teaching and reinforcing geography skills. The librarian could use a large world map. Using pushpins, the children could identify oceans, rivers, mountains, San Francisco (the city used in the book), continents, etc.
Once the story has been read, the children can sing the song. To make it even more fun, the students could be given (or make) percussion instruments and play along. If a musician (guitar player, keyboard player) were available, it would become an even richer and memorable aural experience.
Follow Up: This book could be paired with a related poem. Here is an example by Frederick St. Pierre:
God's Dawn
The morning is awake, bright and blue,
New light from the heavens shines for you,
Birds, Bees, Clouds and Trees, yes fresh
morning dew,
All nature works to wake for you
Open your eyes and look out far,
Catch last night’s fleeting star,
Behold God's new day upon your eyes,
Save the thought my child,
Start to rise,
Let your happiness reflect your soul,
Live and learn, a young child's goal
2002. Under a Quicksilver Moon. International Library of Poetry. ISBN-0-7951-5065-2.
Showing posts with label picture book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label picture book. Show all posts
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Book Review: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback
Taback, Simms. 1999. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT. Illustrated by the author. New York, NY: The Penguin Group. ISBN 0-670-87855-3.
Plot Summary: This book tells the story of Joseph and his overcoat. When the overcoat becomes worn, Joseph does not throw it away but finds new and innovative ways to use it to make new things. As the overcoat becomes worn, it is made into a jacket, a vest, a scarf, a necktie, a handkerchief, and finally a button. With each new incarnation of the original overcoat, Joseph has many experiences including dancing at his nephew’s wedding, singing in a men’s chorus, visiting his sister in the city, drinking hot tea with lemon, and finally writing a story about the overcoat’s metamorphosis. This book is based on a Yiddish folk song that the author heard as a child. In the song, once there was nothing left of the overcoat, a song was created. Taback creatively modified the original story by substituting a book for the song. The messages conveyed include finding value in something old and worn, sharing rich experiences with family and friends, and finding continuity in loss by remembering something in a creative way.
Critical Analysis: Taback takes a simple Yiddish folk song and creates an engaging and colorful picture book. Joseph is the main character but there are supporting characters such as his nephew, his sister, his friends and extended family. In addition, pets and animals play a role in the story by their presence in the colorful illustrations. The simple plot is made more engaging by this being an engineered book, whereby the author incorporates die-cut pages to heighten the reader’s anticipation of what will come next. Although the story transcends the setting, the author uses the various settings to impart cultural authenticity, with an emphasis on his Jewish heritage. The rich illustrations are done in a simple yet colorful folk style and are an adventure unto themselves as the reader can spend time on each page exploring the exquisite details included by the author: newspaper headlines (Fiddler on Roof falls off roof), pictures of famous people with Jewish heritage (Freud, Sholom Aleichem), snippets of wisdom (Better to have an ugly patch than a beautiful hole), and even the words and music to the original folk song.
Although there is no dialogue, the repeated phrase, “Joseph had a little…” and “so he made a _______ out of it” keeps the reader intrigued and provides a structure that allows this to be an excellent read-aloud book, allowing for children to follow the story and make predictions. The theme fits well into today’s society, reminding us that everything has value, even an old and worn out overcoat. It would seem to be an even timelier story in light of the new focus on recycling and thrift. It is truly a timeless story whose time has come again.
Review Excerpts: This book won the Caldecott Medal and the New York Times Best Illustrated book of 1997.
Publisher’s Weekly: “With its effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor, this is tailor-made for reading aloud. Children of all ages will joyfully swallow this book whole.”
School Library Journal: “A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit.”
Bookreporter.com: “Cheery, mixed-texture paintings and a folk-art style make this a particularly snappy story.”
Connections:
Another book by Simms Taback: There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly
Predicting: the die-cut pages are ideal to encourage young readers to predict what will be made next from the overcoat; they can also suggest alternatives, for example a hat, a quilt.
Building visual literacy: Page through the book showing children the illustrations. Take time to explore the images before reading the story. Have the children try to tell the story from the visuals alone.
Interactive Read Aloud: The phrase “Joseph had a little” is ideal for this strategy. Decide ahead of time that the audience will say out loud “Joseph had a little ____________” and the reader will pick it up from there.
Lead a discussion about recycling and thrift. Have the children give examples of something “old” in their home that can be made into something new. The librarian might have examples to start the discussion, such as an old cowboy boot that becomes a decorative planter for dried flowers or an old book that is turned into a scrapbook or photo album. This would also be an excellent opportunity for a craft activity based on the story.
Find other books about the Jewish Heritage (The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate by Janice Cohn. Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth) or recycling (The Dumpster Diver by Janet S. Wong. Illustrated by David Roberts).
Plot Summary: This book tells the story of Joseph and his overcoat. When the overcoat becomes worn, Joseph does not throw it away but finds new and innovative ways to use it to make new things. As the overcoat becomes worn, it is made into a jacket, a vest, a scarf, a necktie, a handkerchief, and finally a button. With each new incarnation of the original overcoat, Joseph has many experiences including dancing at his nephew’s wedding, singing in a men’s chorus, visiting his sister in the city, drinking hot tea with lemon, and finally writing a story about the overcoat’s metamorphosis. This book is based on a Yiddish folk song that the author heard as a child. In the song, once there was nothing left of the overcoat, a song was created. Taback creatively modified the original story by substituting a book for the song. The messages conveyed include finding value in something old and worn, sharing rich experiences with family and friends, and finding continuity in loss by remembering something in a creative way.
Critical Analysis: Taback takes a simple Yiddish folk song and creates an engaging and colorful picture book. Joseph is the main character but there are supporting characters such as his nephew, his sister, his friends and extended family. In addition, pets and animals play a role in the story by their presence in the colorful illustrations. The simple plot is made more engaging by this being an engineered book, whereby the author incorporates die-cut pages to heighten the reader’s anticipation of what will come next. Although the story transcends the setting, the author uses the various settings to impart cultural authenticity, with an emphasis on his Jewish heritage. The rich illustrations are done in a simple yet colorful folk style and are an adventure unto themselves as the reader can spend time on each page exploring the exquisite details included by the author: newspaper headlines (Fiddler on Roof falls off roof), pictures of famous people with Jewish heritage (Freud, Sholom Aleichem), snippets of wisdom (Better to have an ugly patch than a beautiful hole), and even the words and music to the original folk song.
Although there is no dialogue, the repeated phrase, “Joseph had a little…” and “so he made a _______ out of it” keeps the reader intrigued and provides a structure that allows this to be an excellent read-aloud book, allowing for children to follow the story and make predictions. The theme fits well into today’s society, reminding us that everything has value, even an old and worn out overcoat. It would seem to be an even timelier story in light of the new focus on recycling and thrift. It is truly a timeless story whose time has come again.
Review Excerpts: This book won the Caldecott Medal and the New York Times Best Illustrated book of 1997.
Publisher’s Weekly: “With its effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor, this is tailor-made for reading aloud. Children of all ages will joyfully swallow this book whole.”
School Library Journal: “A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit.”
Bookreporter.com: “Cheery, mixed-texture paintings and a folk-art style make this a particularly snappy story.”
Connections:
Another book by Simms Taback: There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly
Predicting: the die-cut pages are ideal to encourage young readers to predict what will be made next from the overcoat; they can also suggest alternatives, for example a hat, a quilt.
Building visual literacy: Page through the book showing children the illustrations. Take time to explore the images before reading the story. Have the children try to tell the story from the visuals alone.
Interactive Read Aloud: The phrase “Joseph had a little” is ideal for this strategy. Decide ahead of time that the audience will say out loud “Joseph had a little ____________” and the reader will pick it up from there.
Lead a discussion about recycling and thrift. Have the children give examples of something “old” in their home that can be made into something new. The librarian might have examples to start the discussion, such as an old cowboy boot that becomes a decorative planter for dried flowers or an old book that is turned into a scrapbook or photo album. This would also be an excellent opportunity for a craft activity based on the story.
Find other books about the Jewish Heritage (The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate by Janice Cohn. Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth) or recycling (The Dumpster Diver by Janet S. Wong. Illustrated by David Roberts).
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