"Quinn and Penny Investigate How to Research" by Thomas Kingsley Troupe, Illustrated by Sole Otero

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: Quinn and Penny Investigate How to Research

Author: Thomas Kingsley Troupe

Illustrator: Sole Otero

Year of Publication: 2011

Publisher City: Mankato

Publisher: Picture Window Books

ISBN: 9781404862906

Author Website: http://www.thomaskingsleytroupe.com/

Illustrator Website: http://www.wilkinsonstudios.com/mainPageFrameset.cfm?peopID=123&lookingfor=portfolio

Media Used for Artwork: Computer Generated

Copyright 2010/2011

Annotation

Quinn and his trusty pen, Penny, want to become detectives.  After being given an assignment to write a research paper by Ms. Readwell the duo work together solve the mystery of the Loch Ness monster.

Personal Reaction

Since research papers are very important during the school curriculum it is essential to teach students how to conduct the research.  As soon as children are old enough papers become a major factor in their grades.  This book is a wonderful tool to teach the different steps needed to complete a research paper.  Not only do readers learn the different steps needed to successfully conduct research for a school assignment, they are given an example through Quinn and Penny’s research about the Nessie.  Practical information is provided and doesn’t talk down to the reader so that the facts are easily taught. Also, as a librarian I am so glad that this book promotes using a library to conduct research for a school assignment.  

                The Sherlock Holmes attire Quinn wears helps set the mood to the feeling that a mystery is being solved.  The illustrations help to make the story fun, instead of tedious like directions for assignments.  Penny the Pen is really a great addition to the cast of characters.  Personifying the tool that students use in school is great since is reinforces the essential nature of research in school.

Curriculum: Grade 6- English: To teach the steps in conducting a research paper, teachers and librarians can use this book to reinforce the steps needed to be successful.  This book can be used as friendly reminders during the process and also a way to introduce the steps.  After reading about Quinn and Penny’s case, students can then conduct their own research and write a paper of their results.  It would be interesting if teachers can even use the key question used in the book.

"The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)" by Barbara Kerley, Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)

Author: Barbara Kerley

Illustrator: Edwin Fotheringham

Year of Publication: 2010

Publisher City: New York

Publisher: Scholastic Press

ISBN: 9780545125086

Author Website: http://www.barbarakerley.com/Site/Welcome.html

Illustrator Website: http://www.edfotheringham.com/

Media Used for Artwork: Computer Generated

Copyright 2010/2011

My Top 10 Favorite Picturebooks for Older Readers

Awards

·         Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books, 2010

·         School Library Journal Best Books, 2010

·         Washington Post Best of 2010: Books for Young Readers

·         California Reading Association’s Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Books Gold Award

·         CYBILS Nonfiction Picture Book Award, 2010

Annotation

This book teaches how anyone can write a biography by providing the steps taken for Mark Twain’s biographer, his daughter Susy.  Readers also get a chance to read actual excerpts from Susy’s biography, spelling errors and all.

Personal Reaction

                This is a very creative how-to-write book that any writer will appreciate.  The fact that Kerley actually took excerpts from Susy’s biography of her father is wonderful.  She worked with the words written by Susy, while adding how Susy came to write the biography.  The book teaches by example, with the aid of illustrations and humorous text.  The small journal entries that are placed throughout the book are adorable.  After learning a lesson a reader can see an example of how this writing this work.

                The illustrations are amusing, continuing with the humor of the text.  The caricatures of Mark Twain show his eccentric nature through the endearing eyes of his daughter.  Take for example him throwing his shirts out the window because they needed buttons sewn on them.  An interesting addition is the swirls used throughout the text that symbolize the written word.  For example, when Susy’s parents find her biography swirls pour out of the book, symbolizing all the work she put into it.

Curriculum: Grade 10-English: Since students will be reading novels by Mark Twain in this grade, Kerley’s book will be a good introduction to the author and his family life.  In addition to learning about Twain, teachers can have students write a biography about him, using the recommendations Kerley wrote at the end of the book.  The students can even use material from his autobiography, which also has excerpts from Susy’s biography.

"Fabulous! A Portrait of Andy Warhol" by Bonnie Christensen

Image Courtesy of: http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/media/full/jpg/2011/07/17/fabulous-book.jpg

Bibliographic Citation

Title: Fabulous! A Portrait of Andy Warhol

Author/Illustrator: Bonnie Christensen

Year of Publication: 2011

Publisher City: New York

Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books

ISBN: 9780805087536

Author/Illustrator Website: http://bonniechristensen.com/

Media Used for Artwork: Collaged Photography, Oil Paint, Oil Pastel

Copyright 2010/2011

Awards

·         School Library Journal Starred Review

Annotation

Andy Warhol is known for his paintings the Campbell’s Soup Cans, but many do not know much about his life.  This picture biography tells the story of the mysterious artist who became the Prince of Pop Art.

Personal Reaction

                Christensen does a wonderful job of breaking Warhol’s life into different categories and briefly writing about each major event so readers gain a better understanding of the artist.  By breaking up the biography in this way, readers are able to get brief snippets into Warhol’s life.  It is almost broken up like a chapter book, using a format older readers will be use to.

This picture book is a good way to introduce readers to biographies, allowing them to understand the format before they read larger ones.  This book will interest readers who are aware of his work, but may not necessarily know who Warhol is.  What better way to gain an understanding of art movements then to read about those who did the work.

The amount of work Christensen did for her illustrations is amazing.  In an interview for a blog entitled “SevenImpossible Things for Breakfast,” she discusses how she transferred photography onto canvas then colored it with oil pastels and oil painting.  The pictures are amazing to see the process she went through.  Working with the pop images works well with the Pop Art that Warhol created.  Christensen worked hard to capture the spirit of Warhol’s artwork.

"Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, A Civil War Hero," by Marissa Moss, Illustrated by John Hendrix

Image Courtesy of: http://www.abramsbooks.com/uploadedImages/Books/9780810997356.jpg

Bibliographic Citation

Title: Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, A Civil War Hero

Author: Marissa Moss

Illustrator: John Hendrix

Year of Publication: 2011

Publisher City: New York

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9780810997356

Author Website: http://www.marissamoss.com/

Illustrator Website: http://johnhendrix.com/portfolio/

Media Used for Artwork: Pen, Ink, Acrylic Wash

Copyright 2010/2011

Awards

·         Junior Library Guild Selection, 2010

·         Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Annotation

During the Civil War, Sarah Edmonds dressed as a man and went by the name Frank Thompson.  She became a hero by fighting in many famous battles, nursing many wounded soldiers, and becoming a spy for the North.

Personal Reaction

                It is always interesting to find stories about lesser known historic figures, especially when they have amazing tales.  Sarah Edmonds is one of these figures.  Though she may not be found in a textbook through this picture book by Moss, older readers are able to learn about her heroic acts during the Civil War.  Moss did a great job of providing an overview of her life in the army.  It was nice to see at the end the resources used by the author and illustrator to write the book.  This list of resources can be used by readers who wish to conduct more research about Edmonds.

                The caricature illustrations give the story a graphic novel feeling.   It both provides realism to the characters.  For example, seeing Edmonds freckles made her stand out from the rest.  The illustrations also provided many details on the battlefield scenes.  They show the violence of the different battlefields by showing flames, explosions, and even the injuries of the soldiers.  There are moments were the text becomes part of the illustrations, putting emphasis on the words, which lends itself to the graphic novel style. 

Curriculum: Grade 8- History: This book can be used to teach students about the role of women during the Civil War.  The extent that Edmonds went to fight for the North should be admired.  After reading this book, as a project students can do further research of Edmonds, beginning with the books listed at the end of the book.  Or this book can be used as inspiration for students to find information on other historic figures that aren’t found in textbooks.

"Just Being Audrey" by Margaret Cardillo, Illustrated by Julia Denos

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: Just Being Audrey

Author: Margaret Cardillo

Illustrator: Julia Denos

Year of Publication: 2011

Publisher City: New York

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

ISBN: 9780061852831

Author Website: http://margaretcardillo.com/

Illustrator Website: http://juliadenos.com/

Media Used for Artwork: Watercolor

Copyright 2010/2011

My Top 10 Favorite Picturebooks for Older Readers

Annotation

This is a short biography about the life of the famous actress, Audrey Hepburn.  The focus is on her life outside of film, like her work with UNICEF.  It also shows how her great kindness made her happy and successful.

Personal Reaction

                This is a celebrity biography, but it doesn’t focus on drunken nights or skimpy clothing.  It focuses on the kindness of Audrey Hepburn, and her just being herself.  For older readers who are interested in the lives of famous people I would recommend this to read because it focuses on the work she did outside of film.  Learning about Hepburn’s childhood during World War II where she struggled for food and later her work with UNICEF to make sure no child starves is far more inspiring than hearing about Lindsey Lohan’s latest shenanigans. 

Cardillo constantly reemphasizes how Hepburn was always just herself and because of this she was happy and successful.  Hopefully this will be inspiration for readers who may feel they need to change because they are considered different.  If someone as iconic as Audrey Hepburn can be happy just by being herself, then anyone can.

                Denos watercolor illustrations are gorgeous.  It is amazing how she was able to capture the spirit of Hepburn through her artwork.  The beauty and elegance of Hepburn is translated through the paintings.  There is a simplistic elegance for each painting, just like Hepburn’s style.  One of best illustrations is a spread of the different films Hepburn was in.  They range from the iconic wedding dress from “Sabrina” to the simply black dress from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”