My favorite source of children’s books, Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database, is finally up and running. So now I have a regular conduit to what’s going on in the field of children’s literature. And grist for my reviewing mill. Which means now I can blog on reviews again.
In this world of incivility, I thought I’d start with books on good behaviors. Just to remind us what to teach our children, and perhaps learn from what we’re teaching them.
My mother used to quote poetry to us as a way of teaching morals lessons. I never remember the whole poems, but one line that has stuck with me oh these many years is of a lowly sailor complaining about how harsh his captain was. “…all I ask is a little cee vil i tee!” (That’s civility for those of you who don’t speak “Maury.”)
The first book mentioned here is a brief introduction into how we all need to work together to make our world stay on course.
I Am a Good Citizen: Character Education
Jenny Fretland VanVoorst
Part of the Scholastic Blastoff Readers series, this photography-filled book shows in simple detail how and why to be a good citizen. As a good citizen do you pick up your dog’s poop or do you let somebody else worry about? Do you help take care of your community? Does a good citizen follow the rules and take care of other people’s property? Do you color in a library book, for instance? Do you obey the school crossing guard? The children depicted in the photos run the gamut of race and ethnicity, which is grand to see. The pictures are very good and the children are good actors, but they seem a bit old for kindergarten and first graders. In some spots, the language seems a bit sophisticated for kindergarten and first grade students, especially since there is no pronunciation guide included. The simple, illustrated glossary at the back of the book is good, as is the small bibliography.
BIBLIO: 2019, Bellwether Media/Children’s Press/Scholastic Library Publishing/Scholastic, Ages 5 to 6, $26.00.
REVIEWER: Sarah Maury Swan
FORMAT: Non-fiction
ISBN: 978-0-531-13419-1
ISBN: 0-531-13419-9
In my opinion, the next book builds on the theme of being a good citizen since it deals with honesty.
I Am Honest: Character Education
Jenny Fretland VanVoorst
Part of the Scholastic Blastoff Readers series, this photography-filled book shows in simple detail how and why to be honest. The opening photo spread shows the feet and calves of a small child behind the remains of a shattered ceramic bowl on the floor. Does she fess up to her mistake or does she blame the cat? Is the boy in the next spread being honest when he gets the answers from his fellow student’s paper? Another picture shows two boys with their arms around each other’s shoulders. The message being if you’re honest you’ll be more likeable. The book has photos set side by side asking the reader to choose the correct behavior. The children depicted in the photos run the gamut of race and ethnicity, which is grand to see. The pictures are very good and the children are good actors, but they seem a bit old for kindergarten and first graders. There is a simple, illustrated glossary at the back of the book, as well as a small bibliography.
BIBLIO: 2019, Bellwether Media/Children’s Press/Scholastic Library Publishing/Scholastic, Ages 5 to 6, $26.00.
REVIEWER: Sarah Maury Swan
FORMAT: Non-fiction
ISBN: 978-0-531-13421-4
ISBN: 0-531-13421-0
Lastly, a book on being responsible, for if we aren’t responsible human beings how will we continue to keep societies functioning? Of course, having said this, my brain is telling to do the breakfast dishes after emptying to dishwasher.
I Am Responsible: Character Education
Jenny Fretland VanVoorst
Part of the Scholastic Blastoff Readers series, this photography-filled book shows in simple detail how and why to be a good citizen. Is it responsible to be home when you said you would? Or is it alright to stay out later? Do you feed the dog when it’s your turn? Do you help with household chores? Should you do your work whether you want to or not? The children depicted in the photos run the gamut of race and ethnicity, which is grand to see. Doing the responsible thing means brushing your teeth when you should. When you’re done you can do what you want to do. There are a couple of photos giving the reader a chance to pick what’s the correct thing to do. The pictures are very good and the children are good actors, but they seem a bit old for kindergarten and first graders. In some spots, the language seems a bit sophisticated for kindergarten and first grade students, especially since the is no pronunciation guide included. There is a simple, illustrated glossary at the back of the book, as well as a small bibliography.
BIBLIO: 2019, Bellwether Media/Children’s Press/Scholastic Library Publishing/Scholastic, Ages 5 to 6, $26.00.
REVIEWER: Sarah Maury Swan
FORMAT: Non-fiction
ISBN: 978-0-531-13419-1
ISBN: 0-531-13419-9
And a little self-promotion announcement. If you happen to be in the New Bern, NC, area on Saturday, May 25th please stop by 323 B Creative art studio to visit with me as I read from my work in progress, tentatively titled “Earthquakes.” The story is a “noirish cozy” mystery set in 1942 Hollywood, California, and has murders and spying going on, along with a bit of teen romance blossoming. The studio is at the back of Bella’s Café on Middle Street in downtown New Bern. I’ll be there from 11a.m. to 2p.m. Another benefit of coming would be seeing what three very talented artist friends of mine, Donna Slade, Vicki Vitale, and Martha Williams, are up to in their new space.
All right, all right, I’m doing the dishes next, so stop nagging. Thanks for reading my blog.
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