Module #2--Classic Children's Picturebooks- Freight Train

Freight Train by Don Crews

Book Summary:
This Caldecott Honor book is easy to read with bright colors; perfect for very young toddlers.  It depicts the movement of the train brilliantly by blending the rainbow colored cars.

APA Reference
Crews, D. (1978). Freight train. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

My Impressions:
I have used this wonderful book with my own children.  They thoroughly enjoyed the colors and blending movement which Crews creates.  It was short enough to read over and over again; keeping up with their short attention spans.  Brevity enabled quick memorization, reinforcing their reading enjoyment. 

Professional Review: 
Besides mentioning the artwork that inspires motion and easy text, Wellhousen provides parent talking tips, description of the book, price themes, awards, and age appropriate, language and violence/scariness ratings.  This review gives Freight Train four of five stars for an overall review.

Wellhousen, K. (n.d.). [Review of the book Freight train, by D. Crews]. Common Sense Media. Retrieved from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/.

Library Uses: 
This beginning book can be used by a parent or other adult for a one-on-one reading to a child or children.  It is a delightful way to introduce tots into the world of reading.  Many youngsters are fascinated with trains, and the colorful cars capture their attention.  The short story can be read many times over to reinforce memory skills and encourage learning colors.

Module #1—Intro to Children's Lit-Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies

Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies

by Carolyn Crimi

• Book Summary: Henry, the son of the “bad” pirate Captain, Barnacle Black Ear, was snubbed for his reading, as he would rather read the looted books than perform pirate duties.  When a storm wrecked their ship and the pirates were marooned on a deserted island, Henry saves the day by assisting the pirates in survival techniques.  They live happily ever after visiting the nearby Easter Island Library in their newly-constructed palm-frond boat.

• APA Reference:  Crimi, C., &; Manders, J. (2005). Henry & the buccaneer bunnies. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.

• My Impressions: I enjoyed this book as it helps put a fun light on reading for young and impressionable readers.  Even though it is listed in the reading list as “Books adults like that are not necessarily good books,” I find the illustrations and animal associations helpful to drawing youngsters into the significance of what the author wishes to impart—learning from what is read can be fun all at once.  The above reviewer rates the plot as “weak”, but this book is meant for K-2 students and I feel it’s at a good level for their understanding.

• Professional Review: Lisa S. Schindler of Bethpage Public Library, NY finished her  School Library Journal book review by stating, “Although the plot is weak, the illustrations are fresh and comical, and send a clear message about the importance of reading.”

Schindler, L. (2005, November 1). December 2005 holiday book reviews. [Review of the book, Henry & the buccaneer bunnies, by C. Crimi]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com/.

• Library Uses:  I wish I could have used this book for my summer reading program years ago, when I had a pirate/treasure theme, (I think it was “Treasure Your Library.)  I gave books/treasure away at the end to each participant—the kids loved it!  I would have compared this pirate treasure to Henry’s rich treasure he got from reading.

I would like to use this blog for my UNT SLIS 5420 Literature for Youth class this semester (spring 2012). I am very excited to be able to maintain this blog and use it to post for class-work purposes again!!