Module 4: Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Clearly

Citation:
Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York, NY: Harper Trophy.

Summary:
Leigh Botts starts off as a second grader who writes Mr. Henshaw, whom is the author of his favorite book, “Way to Amuse a Dog”. He continues to ask question and write letter to Mr. Henshaw. Mr. Henshaw responds a couple of times. After a while Leigh decides to keep a journal and still writes, using Mr. Henshaw as the person he is writing to. Through his letters the audience is told that his parents are divorcing, there is someone stealing part of his lunch and he is a bit of a loner. His Dad is a trucker and has a hard time keeping his promises to call. In the end of the story Leigh is a 6^th grader who finds his way with friends by making a lunch bag alarm. He also comes to terms with his parents divorce when his dad comes by to drop off his dog.

My Opinion:
I truly enjoyed this book. This story is so easy to read and the writing style is fun. I feel that struggling reader would be more likely to give this chapter a shot because of the letters format. The story is very sweet and Leigh is charming. I really enjoyed how he was able to show his emotions. I would recommend this to any reader.

Reviews:

Babbit, N. (1983, October 23). [Review of the book Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Clearly]. The New York Times. Retrieved by http://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/23/books/children-s-books-229920.html?ref=bookreviews

New York Times

DEAR MR. HENSHAW By Beverly Cleary. Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. 134 pp. New York: William Morrow & Co. $8.50. (Ages 8 to 11) By NATALIE BABBITT Beverly Cleary has written many very good books over the years. This one is the best. It is a first-rate, poignant story in the form of letters and a diary - a new construction for a Cleary book - and there is so much in it, all presented so simply, that it's hard to find a way to do it justice. Mrs. Cleary knows the voices of children. Dialogue has always been one of the strongest parts of her work. And here, where all is dialogue, that strength can shine alone and be doubly impressive. The story line has several threads, woven neatly together. There are first of all Leigh Botts's letters to a children's author, Boyd Henshaw, letters that soon, at Henshaw's suggestion (but we don't see his replies - we only hear about them), become a diary. There is the problem, and its solution, of how to deal with a lunch box thief. There is the difficulty of making friends in a new school. And through all of this there is the pain of Leigh's parents' divorce and his longing for his father's presence or, failing that, a letter, a phone call, some indication of love returned. What makes ''Dear Mr. Henshaw'' so special is Leigh's candid acceptance of all that happens to him. He hasn't the least idea how brave he is. One letter to Henshaw ends this way: ''I don't think Dad is that much interested in me. He didn't phone when he said he would. I hope your (new) book wins a million awards.'' Leigh is a normal boy with a life full of things to occupy his attention. If his parents' divorce is giving him pain, it has not made a monomaniac of him - he can still care about Henshaw's books. A P.S. to a later letter says, ''I bought a copy of (your book) 'Ways to Amuse a Dog' at a garage sale. I hope you don't mind.'' That's wonderful. It clangs with reality. The story closes as it should. There will be no reunion between Leigh's parents; he has come to understand that and accept it. Wisely, Mrs. Cleary does not fix things so that the lunch box thief is caught; she does not arrange a meeting between Leigh and Henshaw; and she never allows Leigh's writing to slide a millimeter away from the natural humor and unconscious pathos that make it work so honestly. What a lovely, well-crafted, three-dimensional work this is. And how reassuring to Mrs. Cleary's fellow writers to see that a 27th book can be so fresh and strong. Lots of adjectives here; she deserves them all. Paul O. Zelinsky's drawings, and his jacket illustration, are unpretentious and effective. DAPHNE'S BOOK By Mary Downing Hahn. 177 pp. New York: Clarion Books. $10.95. (Ages 9 to 13) By BARBARA CUTLER HELFGOTT There are two things you don't need when you are 12 and treading water: To have a best friend who's growing away from you and a teacher who thinks you're ''a sensitive person.'' Jessica has both. Tracy, her friend since kindergarten, has taken to sharing eye shadow and secrets with two of the seventh grade's leading airheads, while her English teacher has seen fit to pair Jessica off with ''Daffy'' Daphne, the class pariah, who hasn't said a word to anyone since the day she arrived. Mr. O'Brien has entered the class in the county ''Write- a-Book'' contest and is convinced that a story by Jessica, illustrated by Daphne, would stand a good chance of winning. But how, Jessica wonders, will she manage to collaborate with someone so withdrawn? As they work on their book and their fragile new friendship, Jessica learns the reason for Daphne's reticence: Her parents have died and she and her small sister are living with a grandparent too senile to care for them. Fearful of what will happen if even this semblance of a family is disbanded, she swears Jessica to silence - a vow that must be broken if Daphne and her sister are to survive. Though at one point in ''Daphne's Book'' Jessica's mother cautions her against tacking happy endings onto any sad stories she might write, Mary Downing Hahn has provided one that is happy, if a bit pat: The girls do win the contest, and some second cousins are found to give Daphne and her sister a home. But this isn't a book in which endings signify. Its vitality derives from a convincing respect for hopeful beginnings and hard choices - two conditions for growth, no matter what your age. THE NIGHTGOWN OF THE SULLEN MOON By Nancy Willard. Illustrated by David McPhail. Unpaged. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. $11.95. (Ages 4 to 7)

Uses for the library:
I would use this book to show the students how books can be written in a different format. I would show them how this book is written using letters and how much fun that is to read. I may have them write a short story writing letters through a pretend email.

Module 4: The Cat Who Went To Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth

Citation:
Coatsworth, E. (1930). The Cat Who Went to Heaven. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbooks.

Summary:
In Japan a housekeeper tries to find food for cheap when she goes the market. One day she brings home a cat instead of food. At first the artist is angry but then once he sees the cat he changes his opinion and decides he has been lonely. The cat (named Good Fortune) helps the man to decide what to paint on his death of Buddha painting. The Buddha was a request from the Temple priest. He mediates and paints and meditates and paints with some guidance from Good Fortune. As the painting progress Good Fortune grows ill and dies and with some struggles the artist decides to add a picture of the cat to the painting which is not part of the story of Buddha. In the end the picture is hung up and the picture of the cat is gone and the priests and the town feel this is a miracle.

My Opinion:
This story while interesting shows how one can go against what they believe in and still become a successful person. This story to me is geared towards and older audience with the vocabulary and the story line. I do feel that the writing was very modern for the fact that it was written in the 1930’s. I thought the book was average.

Reviews:

Schoenherr, J. (1987, December 15). [Review of the book Owl Moon by Jane Yolen]. Booklist book review. Retrieved by http://www2.youseemore.com/dimmick/hotpicks.asp?isbn=0399214577&Author=John+Schoenherr&Title=Owl+Moon

New York Times

Spires, E. (2002, April, 21), [Review of the book The Cat Who Went To Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth]. New York Times Book Review. Retrieved by http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/21/books/children-s-books-501972.html?ref=bookreviews There have always been for me a small handful of children's books that if taken to heart can be quietly life-changing. ''The Cat Who Went to Heaven,'' by Elizabeth Coatsworth, a gentle story of compassion and mercy, is one; ''The Marzipan Pig,'' by Russell Hoban, a bittersweet love story infused with irrepressible joie de vivre, is another. Now, happily, along comes ''The Three Questions,'' by Jon J. Muth, to add to my list. Nance, D. (2009, July). [ Review of the book The Cat Who Went To Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth]. Goodreads. Retrieved by http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200362.The_Cat_Who_Went_to_Heaven#other_reviews This story was a lovely little folk tale that reminded me of all the best of the Newbery books. A young man has been commissioned by the temple to paint a picture of Buddha as he blesses the animals. He slowly adds animals, telling the tale and the strength of each. Then the artist comes to the cat, an animal which had, by tradition, rejected the Buddha and thus was excluded from heaven. But it is the artist's cat that has inspired him in his work and the artist knows it is the cat's greatest wi...moreThis story was a lovely little folk tale that reminded me of all the best of the Newbery books. A young man has been commissioned by the temple to paint a picture of Buddha as he blesses the animals. He slowly adds animals, telling the tale and the strength of each. Then the artist comes to the cat, an animal which had, by tradition, rejected the Buddha and thus was excluded from heaven. But it is the artist's cat that has inspired him in his work and the artist knows it is the cat's greatest wish to be included in the painting. At last, the artist makes the difficult decision to include the cat in the painting. The ending is surprising and lovely.

Uses for the library:
I would use this book to discuss introduce what a Newbery award is and how it is chosen. I would explain the students how this book was written so long ago and read from passages to try to get them intrigued.

Module 3: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Citation:
Yolen, J. (1987). Owl Moon. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Summary:
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, is a story about a father and daughter who go searching for owls late one night. In story which is told from the little girl’s perspective, the young girl has been told by older sibling that he needs to be quiet and patient. As they walk through the snowy forest, the details in the illustrations show beautiful and descriptive scenes. The girl and father wait patiently until they finally see an owl. The girl is very excited and it almost seems as though it is a rite of passage for her. They both head home together.

My Opinion:
This story to me is a charming story because it involves a father and daughter. Most stories I have read don’t involve a father and daughter. The story line is fun and the wording is descriptive and makes you feel as though you are reading something that a friend wrote. The pictures themselves could tell the story without using words. I feel almost an emotional connection to this girl and therefore, I really enjoy this book.

Reviews:

Schoenherr, J. (1987, December 15). [Review of the book Owl Moon by Jane Yolen]. Booklist book review. Retrieved by http://www2.youseemore.com/dimmick/hotpicks.asp?isbn=0399214577&Author=John+Schoenherr&Title=Owl+Moon

Booklist

Ages 2-7. An exquisite mood piece, Owl Moon is a poetic story of a winter-wrapped little girl and her father's owling adventure. The elusive magic and gentle shivery excitement that accompany the twosome are felt by the reader. The late-night walks are steeped in family tradition, no words are exchanged, but the companionship of the elusive quest speaks volumes. ``When you go owling / you don't need words / or warm / or anything but hope. That's what Pa says.'' The integrity of Yolen's pleasure in writing about her subject is evident, and Schoenherr, also an owling enthusiast, captures the stark blue-black majesty of the nighttime forest in his powerful and evocative watercolor illustrations. Excellent for one-on-one or read-aloud groups. PW. Owls Fiction / Fathers and daughters Fiction [CIP] 87-2300 Engberg, G. (1987, November 13). [Review of the book Owl Moon by Jane Yolen]. Publishers Weekly review. Retrieved by http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2548/merge_shared/details/RecordDetails.asp?item_uid=65069277&viewItemIndex=0&navPage=1&FullText=&BipAlertQueryString=&BipAlertDisplayQText A girl and her father go owling on a moonlit winter night near the farm where they live. Bundled tight in wool clothes, they trudge through snow ``whiter than the milk in a cereal bowl''; here and there, hidden in ink-blue shadows, a fox, raccoon, fieldmouse and deer watch them pass. An air of expectancy builds as Pa imitates the Great Horned Owl's call once without answer, then again. From out of the darkness ``an echo/ came threading its way/ through the trees.'' Schoenherr's watercolor washes depict a New England few readers see: the bold stare of a nocturnal owl, a bird's-eye view of a farmhouse. In harmony with the art, the melodious text brings to life an unusual countryside adventure. Ages 2-6. (November) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Uses for the library:
I would use this book to discuss how stories can be told from different points of view. I may have the students rewrite the story from the owl’s point of view or the father’s point of view. I would also introduce other picture books told from different perspectives.

Module 3: Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Citation:
Henkes, K. (2004). Kitten’s First Full Moon. United States: Greenwillow Books.

Summary:
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes, is the story of a kitten who is hungry and mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk. The kitten desperately tries everything it can to reach the bowl of milk in the sky. After climbing a tree the kitten sees the reflection of the moon in a pond and decides to go into the pond to get milk. After realizing and tiring of trying to reach the milk, it heads home to find a bowl of milk on the porch.

My Opinion:
I really enjoyed this sweet and simple story about a kitten who thinks the moon is a bowl of milk. I love the black and white illustrations and the storyline that seems to flow seamlessly. I feel that younger children can relate well to this story because a child’s world is all about their needs and wants.

Reviews:

Engberg, G. (2004, February 15). [Review of the book Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes]. Booklist book review. Retreived from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2548/merge_shared/details/RecordDetails.asp?item_uid=54283686&viewItemIndex=0&navPage=1&FullText=&BipAlertQueryString=&BipAlertDisplayQText=

Review from Booklist

Pres. Henkes creates another winner in this simple, charming story about a naive little kitten who mistakes a round, shining moon for a bowl of milk. Kitten laps at the sky's creamy circle, but she is surprised when she tastes bugs instead of milk. Then she chases the milk-bowl moon through the garden and field to the pond, where she climbs a tree, discovers another milk bowl shining in the water, and dives in after it. Finally, wet and sad and tired and hungry, she returns home to find, at last, a true bowl of milk, out of the sky and on the porch, waiting for her. Henkes' text, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's work in the elemental words, rhythms, and appealing sounds, tells a warm, humorous story that's beautifully extended in his shimmering, gray-toned artwork. Working in bold black lines and the silvery palette of moonlight, he creates a lovable, expressive character in the determined kitten, and his dramatic contrasts of light and dark capture the excitement of a nighttime adventure. Wise preschoolers may chuckle at the kitten's folly, but they'll also recognize the mysterious power of moonlight to transform the familiar world of daytime into something altogether new.

Uses for the library:
This book would be a great book for introducing what the Caldecott awards are given out for. I would discuss the how the pictures could tell the story without even having words to illustrate the book. I would also do a quick group activity with first and second grade where the students would work in a group to write out what happened first, second and last.