Reading

I just finished reading some of the picture books again for class and I think it's very obvious why the books would be appealing to children. The pictures really make the book what it is. I thouroughly enjoyed watching the pictures of the book that had no words in it. It still told a story really well, but I thought that there were many reasons why it's also important to have words in a book too. Each type has its own benefits and downfalls, but I think I would rather read a picture book even with just a few words. The ones without words are a little too ambiguous for my taste. I think that these journal entries are very important to our outside reading and yet I still managed an F because I didn't do entries over spring BREAK. Which is supposed to be a break from school. Great. I actually worked hard to try to bring up my entry grades in this class. I think that the books that we read hold a really great importance in our class and I think that the key to these entries is the fact that everyone can choose the books they want to read. It shouldn't matter so much what type of literature you read as long as you are experiencing the culture.

Downsiders

I'm just starting a book called the Downsiders by Neal Shusterman. I'm excited to read it as it seems to be a change of pace from the rest of the books I've read. I'm not exactly sure what it's going to be about but there is somewhat of a description on the back of the book.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Downsiders I found the link online to get to reviews and other critiques of this book to see what I was getting myself into. I think that this book will be a very unique experience into the realm of fantasy. I picked this book at the bookstore because it had more of a serious tone than the last few books I had been reading. There also seems to be a bit of drama involved in the story which is always interesting to me. Hopefully the next journal entry I make will be the one that critiques Downsiders and I very much so hope that I enjoy this novel. It is one of a stack that seem to be waiting for me to read them.

The Virginity Club

Earlier today I finished one of three books I picked out at the Hastings in College Station. It's called The Virginity Club, by Kate Brian, also the author of The Princess & the Pauper. When I bought this book I checked to see what age group that this book was intended for and found that it was directed at pre-teens. I found the moral issues in the book to be very pertinent to what many kids go through at a high school or even a junior high age. It gives not only the pretty side of the things, but also the reality. Which in a small school can be very harsh. People have the tendency to gossip, but if you hold your morals and values high then you can overcome anything anyone says. It also deals with issues showing that no teenager is perfect. Even Mandy, who appears as the rich, Miss All-American, has to deal with her father being put into prison for tax fraud. Debbie deals with rumors of her kissing encounters being played up with far more done than actually happened. Eva deals with an unbearable shyness that is holding her from the guy she daydreams about, and Kai deals with an unreasonable attempt to shut out her past and learn to trust her friends. Overall, this book deals with a lot of coming of age issues that young adults may go through in their adolescence. Parents cannot always teach the lessons that can be learned by sharing someone elses stories. I really enjoyed reading this book and I couldn't put it down. Maybe if I could have, I would have studied for my Geology test a bit more. I would recommend this book to read to any young adult, but would caution young readers due to thematic elements.

What My Mother Doesn't Know

Just two days ago I read the book What My Mother Doesn't Know, by Sonya Sones. I REALLY enjoyed reading this book. It was one of the first books in a long time that I had gone to buy and picked out myself just from browsing at the bookstore. I figured that this journal should be like any other journal and is worthy of my experience with the children's literature as well as the actual literature I read for the entries. This book was a story about 3 girls that are best friends and all somehow go through their own personal boy problems. The main character, Sophie, falls in love with the nerdiest boy in school over Christmas Break and can't bear to tell her friends and the rest of the school who her mystery boy is. But when school finally starts up again she has to make a choice: be with the boy who makes her happier than anyone else, or live up to some imaginary social standard. She ends up going to sit with her guy, Murphy at lunch and the books ends there. I couldn't believe it was over just like that!!! I wanted the story to keep going and tell about everything that they go through. This entire book was also written in a free verse poetic form. Almost every page was titled and followed by a new poem. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to many adolescents.

The Hobbit

I am really enjoying reading The Hobbit right now. I have almost finished the book and I really think that the discussion in class is very rellevant. I think that it was interesting to read this book right now since I have yet to read the Lord of the Rings books. I like the changes that Bilbo goes through throughout the journey. The list of the changes of the "hero" that we went through in class has many different ways to interpret his journey. My professor gave many differents points of her views about his journey but made sure to point out to everyone else that these different stages can occur at different places depending on one's personal standpoint. I think that when I finish this book I will hopefully continue to hear the literal points about the book and will be able to share the knowledge I've developed from this particular sections of class when I begin to teach.

Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone

Just this evening I've finished reading the first Harry Potter book. I was going to post a journal entry yesterday but I really wanted my next entry to be over the Sorcerer's Stone and I just couldn't finish it last night. I must admit that the book was significantly better than the movies. I really enjoyed reading it even though I felt like it was very long. I did feel like a ton of the details and sidestories from the book were left out in the movie. Stories that you would not even know about if you didn't pick up the literature. One of my favorite parts of the book is when he meets Ron and Hermione. I love the fact that nine out of ten people do not know how to say her name. It was interesting how they portrayed how easily stereotypes can be misleading. When the children though that professor Snape was the villian just because of his characteristics and activities when in reality he is on their side. I feel rather accomplished after reading this book and I hope I will have enough time to fit in the next book, although my upcoming schedule is busy. I would like to think that by the time my children are reading, these books will still be popular, although I'm sure they will be for decades, if not centuries.

Homecoming

I've just recently read Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt. As I as looking to find a children's book to read for thi class I was really coming up rather empty-handed. I realize that there are millions to choose from but I just really wanted something of content and that I would be interested in. As I began to think it over I realized that I loved to read the entire time I was growing up and why not try and remember some of the books I enjoyed and find them to reread. I started with this one because it was my absolute favorite when I was growing up. I cannot even begin to count how many times I read it as a child. Now, though, as I read it so many years later, I began to see why so many children's books appeal to adults also. I realized that many of the topics that interested me as a child still interest me today, although my perspective is radically different. With the knowledge I've acquired over the years scenes such as the mother leaving the children in the mall parking lot affect me quite differently. Overall, I still love this book, and I think reading it was a good start to what will come to not only alter my perspective of some books I knew as a child, but to discover many works of literature I seem to have forgotten about.

Resources On The Web For Everyone

I just thought now would be a good time to look online and see about the resources that can be provided for those interested in children's literature, whether they be parents, teachers, or children themselves.

http://www.carolhurst.com/newsletters/newsletters.html

Carol Hurst provides and online periodical email newsletter concerning children's literature. It gives resources on the internet, features the newest books while some older ones are also revisited. They also occasionally cover some topics in depth.

http://www.lil-fingers.com/

This is a site provided for children of a toddler age to access in order to be involved in a safe setting where they can learn about literature and other fundamentals in an entertaining way.

http://killdevilhill.com/z/ychildrend/nantucket.html

This is a discussion board for adults to talk about classical children's books, and discuss the issues they hold in them. This site is not meant for children, but for adults looking for an intellectually qualifying conversation.

http://www.audreywood.com/mac_site/clubhouse/clubhouse_page/clubhouse.htm

This is a site where an award-winning author and six illustrators discuss how children's book are created and provide an environment for children to explore the background of what they so commonly read before bedtime.


I hope that I've provided just a brief overview of all of the types of resources that are available on the Internet to a variety of people. The web has given children's literature a new way to reach children's and adults likewise and these sites just show a few of MANY ways that you can involve yourself in that society.

The Princess and the Goblin

I decided to reread the beginning of the Princess and the Goblin and I thought that going through all of it the second time really changes your perspective. This is especially obvious when you reread all of the descriptions of the Grandmother. You really learn to recognize the spiritual correlations even more so. The fact that Irene cannot even find her way back to Grandmother when she thinks she most wants to. Just when she thinks she is prevailing she only finds a new staircase leading her back down into the kitchen. There are so many rules about princesses that come into play, it seems very amusing and one of the quirks that might make the book exciting and interesting for children. It isinteresting how Irene proposes a kiss for Curdie in return for his service even though she is only 8 years old. It is even more obvious how self centered her nurse is as you continue reading.

Revelation.

I was walking in a Barnes and Noble today and I think my experience is worth of a journal entry. I had just walked past the children's literature section to go find my friend that I had come with. I stopped though to pick up a quick book to read and possible use for a journal entry later. I hadn't found one yet, as I was just casually looking. A small child came up to me and asked me to read him the cover of the picture book he was holding. I read it to him and then he told me that he wanted to buy it and that he had already read it three times. I realized that if children are given the options, literature can become not only an exciting part of their life, but a loving part. I realized most children aren't ever even given the opportunity to browse through a section of books, or look at the pictures. I feel like when you're teaching you have to realize that the literature that you expose to chidren in your classroom may be the only thing they read.

Children's Literature Article

http://www.sdkrashen.com/articles/childrens_lit/all.html

Children's literature has come through some very difficult times over the years, and there are many varying topics come up in this article. As they mention a couple of times, I also feel that hopefully the positive forces of children's literature are strong enough to eventually put that resource out to more and more children. As I began to read this article I realized that it was written in 2004. I knowthat since then, many organizations have been created and many donations of money and time have been given to provide children with the option to pursue a literary intellect. I feel very strongly that chidren need to have an adult in their lives to show them the importance that literature can have on not only their lives, but their future. Children's literature can be more than just fun, it can be a lifesaver.

Holes

I read the book Holes for the second time recently and really enjoyed it. I've seen the movie numerous times and found that it is one of the better remakes of books, although I enjoyed the book quite a bit more. While I was reading this book, I tried to relate what the main character was going through to the message that a child might pick up from the novel. I decided that many children would be very satisfied after reading this book, because in the end, the children are given a home, and a new life to live after for the most part being unjustly imprisoned. This is one of those books where in the end good conquers evil, and fills hearts with hope and joy. As corny as that sounds, many children and adults love to finish novels that leave them with a sense of fulfillment. I finished this book with the thought that I would probably still think of Shia Leboeuf every time I think of Holes, but with a better understanding of the positive literary aspects from this novel.

Children's Literature

I was thinking about this class before I wrote my blog today and wanted to take a second to think about some of the stereotypes I had about it. I thought this class was either going to be filled with tones of analytical sessions as opposed to discussions, and therefore unenjoyable; or that it was going to be comprised solely of written papers analyzing the material, with endless classes covering black and white subject matter. Overall, the only reason that I was looking forward to this class was because I enjoy reading very, very much. I'd like to think that my stereotypes of the class were wrong, almost entirely. I enjoy the discussions and thoughts provoked from them. I like all of the different facts and points brought up through the "lecture."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children's_literature
At this site you can find a very basic definition for children's literature. I noticed that they take note of the fact that children's literature is enjoyed by people of all ages, including myself. I turn 19 next month but I have no shame in admitting I enjoy a good chapter book here and there. I like all sorts of fictional books, and a few nonfiction and am enjoying the class time much more than I thought I would.

Wacky Wednesday

I'd like to think as I read this book, that I would find its content immature, not interesting, and possible boring; however, as all educated people know, children's books may be just as delightful for adults if given a chance. This book starts off with one wacky thing in the picture, and ends with twenty. As the young boy discovers that his whole town has gone 'wacky' children are able to pick out the items in the illustrations that seem just a bit off the wall. I looked online to find some classroom activites that may go along with this book because I am an education major. As I browsed the ideas and articles I came across many activities that prove just how important children's literature is to kids. It can become a source of escape, or a way to simply have fun and laugh when a stressful week has young children troubled. I would like to think that this book may become a part of my teaching career after I graduate. I also would like to say that this journal is a great chance to explore all of the opportunies for different types of learning and development through children's literature.

Oh, The Places You'll Go!

As I sat down to read tonight,
I came upon a marvelous sight.
A book so commonplace to me,
I'd seen it one, two times, or three.
I'd never read this book I saw,
but I knew it was given with grace and awe.
I saw it a hundred times at graduation,
and I read it tonight, with grand adoration.
This book told me of all the far places I might go,
and of all I might accomplish, and all I would sow.
It told me sometimes, that life would be dim,
but the remedy for that, is a high held chin.
It told me that I had better be ready for tall, tall mountains,
and that not everything in life is of a gold fountain.
I think of all my parents have done for me- and look back on my memories-
and I know if they could, they would write such a book for me.
One never might guess that a children's book would hold,
not only a fortune for life, but rhyming wisdom of gold.

Fox in Socks

OH MY GOODNESS. I just finished reading Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss. I was baffled. After I read it silently the first time, I had to read it out loud 3 times to my roommate just to get it right. We laughed quite a few times over the ridiculous rhymes and riddles. I can see how this book would be very entertaining for children of all ages, with the exception of those that might be struggling to read, as this may make the task seem ever more arduous. As much as I loved reading this book, I honestly don't think I would ever be able to explain to my child what a "muddle puddle tweetle poodle beetle noodle bottle paddle battle" was. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will attach the crossword that I am working on soon.

Phantasmagorical

More than just a vocabulary word, phantasmagorical is a word used to describe a fairy tale in this article: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/ae/articles/0210crackernuts0210.html I looked up other articles about this play and it seems as though this tale is one way to shove fairy tales into the modern world. The plot seems unrealistic as part of the imaginary world and needs a rooted bound to be able to stifle all complaints of not making sense. Therefore this tale takes a few steps forward into what doesn't make nearly as much sense without the mystical drama and realms of magic that are slowly drawn in to give a faraway sense to the viewer.

Fairy Tale Song/Video

I took the time to look at a few things related to fairy tales on the internet. I actually came across a video of a song on YouTube that I thought was very interesting. I would recommend going to watch it simply for the incorporation and the humorous twist of the fairy tales. I noticed while I was watching the video that the woman singing the song has some similar characteristics to a few of the young 'maidens' we've seen in our stories for class. She says "I don't want the next best thing." She seems very assertive as though she 'knows' the ending of her story. The link to the video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cGQoPmefyA . I would recommend watching it and I think it would be a neat video to show in class as it only lasts a bit over 3 minutes.

I'd rather be clumsy than dumb.

As I read this fine story about Ella
and I think of her funny wit
I reminisce on her ratty umbrella,
and I think her stepmom a twit.

She has a prince falling all over her,
she was graceful, not as much,
has to punish herself from this curse,
when all she desires is his touch.

She doesn't have the time of day,
but she can speak Kyrrian,
she can't teach you how to curtsy,
but she can teach you of Ayorthaian.

She may not be like Hattie or Olive,
she may not be polished at sight,
but as far as my opinion goes,
she's a radiant, shining light.

Ella Enchanted ch16-End

I just finished reading the second half of Ella Enchanted. I have to admit I honestly didn't see many of the signs of the telltale Cinderella story until the second half of the book. I really found these chapters to be enjoyable to read and as the story progressed I found myself wrapped up in the charm of Prince Char as he began to woo Ella. Along with the typical romance story where the Prince loves Ella for who she is, mystical creatures and faraway lands come into play as she travels all over. I must admit that I couldn't stop reading this half of the book and looked forward more to reading the next chapter than to simply finishing the book for discussion.

Short Stories

I just finished reading just a few of the short stories out of the book "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales." I only read two of the stories but I thought they were worthy of a blog entry. As I read and finished the stories fairly quickly, it came to my attention that as a children's book progresses there is not always need for a long, intricate story to captivate a child's attention. Although these stories are very short, it is very easy to see why they could become a bedtime favorite, especially because the lenth of the stories give way for a child to come to know the tale almost by memory. I remember that some of the stories I enjoyed most were often tales that were short and wittily unforgettable.

Ella Enchanted ch 1-15

I recently read chapters 1-15 of Ella Enchanted. When I set out reading the book, I guess I should have realized from the title, but I wasn't aware that the book was actually a fairy tale. I thought it was just more of a children's book. I really enjoyed reading this though and was suprised by the intellectual capabilities given to Ella in the story. After one unfortunate event occurs, she learns her lesson and appears as a versatile character. She finds quirky ways to get around her spell and make things difficult for those ordering her around. She offers a look at a grieving child with a fairly absent father, and therefore offers a rolemodel of a little girl that perseveres. This may be one reason that the book could be so popular in schools, as many children have to deal with divorce, which can sometimes feel like one parent is gone for a very long time. I loved the fairy tale part of the book, obvious and magically present through the elves, giants, ogres, and mystic languages that Ella wishes to learn. I loved reading the first half of the book and look forward to the second.

Cinderella

To look at the regional differences between stories of Cinderella provide an in-depth look at the cultural and moral aspects of fairy tales written (or collected) so many years ago. My favorite of the tales was Donkeyskin. As the girl asked for the dresses so diligently, believing they would save her from a paternal love so awkwardly declared, she often reminded me of the typical fairy tale. 3 requests made and 3 dresses given to her promptly. When she begins living in the hut in a far away town it seemed unlikely that somone would not have seen her prior to the prince, given that it was said she tried on these 3 dresses every single Sunday. I loved the stories and the fact that the father comes to realize the error of his ways in many of them and the original, diligent paternal love is restored. I enjoyed reading these stories far more than many of the others, because as the Cinderella tale progress there are far more opportunities to vary from the traditional storyline known throughout the United States.

Little Red Riding Hood

I was astonished to reread a childhood story and find such a deeper meaning in many parts of the story. The cartoon we watched in class really opened up my eyes to the more seductive and possibly more startling side of Little Red Riding Hood that often doesn't come up in conversation. The many variations of this story were only more proof that the story isn't told for its content but valued much more for its morals and understanding. The versions of the story that portray Little Red as an innocent virgin are so different from those giving her an independent and self-actualized characterization. As in Ronald Dahl's version of Little Red, she not only realizes the wolf is playing grandmother, but she shoots him with a pistol from her knickers. This Red Riding Hood is showing society an entranceway to the new world that has begun to encompass them so quickly.

OUTSIDE READING LIST

Book 1: Fox in Socks
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book? Yes
Posting Date and/or Number: 2/12/08

Book 2: Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book? Yes
Posting date and/or Number: 2/19/08

Book 3: Wacky Wednesday
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book: Very Much So!
Posting date and/or Number: 2/27/08

Book 4: Holes
Author: Louis Sachar
Picture book: No.
Posting date and/or Number: 3/4/08

Book 5: Homecoming
Author: Cynthia Voigt
Picture Book: No.
Posting date and/or Number : 3/28/08

Book 6: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Picture Book: No
Posting date and/or Number : 4/2/08

Book 7: What My Mother Doesn't Know
Author: Sonya Sones
Picture Book: No.
Posting date and/or Number : 4/9/08

Book 8: The Virginity Club
Author: Kate Brian
Picture Book: No.
Posting date and/or Number:4/11/08

Book 9: Downsiders
Author: Neal Shusterman
Picture book: No.
Posting date and/or Number: 4/14/08

Book 10:
Author:
Picture book:
Posting date and/or Number:

Where The Wild Things Are

I've just read the book "Where The Wild Things Are," by Maurice Sendak. I just wanted to start off my post by noticing how intricately the illustrations are drawn. I enjoyed reading this book and I can see why it is an award-winning piece. As I read, I began to see where the underlying issue was as I saw a young child stray to a land far away from the misunderstanding of his parents; a land filled with things wilder than he. Just as a child would like to assume candy for every meal would be amazing, consequences would follow as the child became sick and needed nourishment. In the story, Max goes to a place where he believes he can behave the way he wants to without fear of punishment. Unfortunately, as with most childhood dreams, the moment comes to pass as Max realizes he is not only hungry, but missed his family. Although Max portrays the story over the time period of more than a year, the entire event is miscontrued through childhood exaggeration and it becomes obvious at the end of the book that in reality the events take place in a matter of hours. Max comes to realize that even though his parents punish him, they love him very much and there really is "no place like home." I couldn't help but put in that cliche when I read that he missed the people that cared about him most. In a way, this book could easily be a message to children thinking of running away, or also just a resource for parents who want their children to understand the reason they are punished and that there will still be a "meal" waiting when they come around.

First Post!

Okay I actually made it work! :]