Who would be scared “when the Elephant walks”? Through the pages of this story by Keiko Kasza, children barely taller than a table may discover that this enormous creature starts a chain of reactions while simply strolling. Every wild animal runs in fear followed unintentionally by a bigger one. But…who would be scared when the little Mouse scurries?
The huge Elephant of the story walks carelessly when he comes across the busy Bear, who is collecting honey. As soon as the big Bear glimpses the Elephant, he runs away. In his escape he surprises the relaxed Crocodile, who gets scared too and swims for his life. And the chain goes on till the little mouse scurries in terror. Surprisingly, children find that the Elephant gets scared and dashes when he bumps into the smallest animal in the story.
Undoubtedly, colourful and expressive pictures are the core of the tale. The skilful writer and illustrator succeeds in narrating movement through the use of images. In order to achieve this, she builds repetitive sequences in which every animal is scared, runs and scares another one. The transitions are produced smoothly by devoting a whole page to each feeling and reaction. This treatment of the space becomes meaningful since pictures are carefully distributed to convey the impression that the characters are running one after the other.
In addition, Kasza plays with the size of the animals to create a message of vulnerability beyond appearance. At the end of the story, little children realize that no matter how tall and strong you are, anyone could get scared. Even the biggest may be frightened of the smallest.
“When the Elephant walks” presents funny and sweet characters to deal effectively with the idea of fear. It shows that being afraid is a natural feeling. After all, who would not be scared when the little Mouse scurries?
Mojico, Ana and Trenti, Andrea
Jun 28, 2013
Review: Are you my mother?
Colourful and tender, the book “Are you my mother?” is a short but lovely story which faces children to different emotions preparing them for their future life experiences. This book by P. D. Eastman tells the story of a little bird that comes out from an egg while his mother is looking for food. Through the entire story, the author shows the reader that hope and disappointment take part in our every day’s life. Children will love this story with several animals, means of transport and bright colours. Parents will find a different way to teach their children to achieve goals in life, no matter what difficulties they come across.
The story starts when the little bird jumps out from a nest and gets lost. In order to find his mother, he meets different animals and means of transport asking all of them “Are you my mother?” In each encounter, he faces hope and disappointment when he thinks that he has found his mother, but as he never gives up, he finally achieves his goal.
Full of feelings and wonderful drawings, this simple story catches little reader’s attention and emotions. Highly recommended.
del Valle, Lucía and Panzita, Mariela
The story starts when the little bird jumps out from a nest and gets lost. In order to find his mother, he meets different animals and means of transport asking all of them “Are you my mother?” In each encounter, he faces hope and disappointment when he thinks that he has found his mother, but as he never gives up, he finally achieves his goal.
Full of feelings and wonderful drawings, this simple story catches little reader’s attention and emotions. Highly recommended.
del Valle, Lucía and Panzita, Mariela
Two Greedy Bears (review)
“Two Greedy Bears” by Mirra Ginsburg is a children´s book which tells the story of two furry bears in their way to search the world. While they do so, greed will make a huge impact on their friendship. And the appearance of a mischievous fox causes them the greatest difficulties of all.The tale is amusing and educative and as the reader turns the pages anxiety about what would happen next is inevitable.
The story begins with the two furry bears going out to search the world. Subsequently, they come across first a brook and then a big cheese. When they start quarreling about who has had more and who has had less water from the brook, the only thing they get are terrible stomach aches. After that, the desire for more food and drink starts to have a harmful effect on them. As soon as they find the big cheese, the fox comes up from the bushes and takes advantage of their ambition. She will show them the worst side of greed by playing an ingenious trick.
The tale is excellent with episodes which are both humorous and entertaining and retains the reader´s interest throughout. Regarding the writing style, it can be said that it goes straight to the point because all the sentences have been carefully selected to achieve the difficult aim of catching the attention of kids. And as a result, the plot is easily understandable by such hard audience as kids are.
“Two Greedy Bears” is well worth reading, if your kids enjoy children literature. It can teach them about fair play or lack of it in friendship and also the fact that sharing is the most powerful value when it comes to friendship. It also provides a welcome break from all the coursebooks and homework children have at school,they will certainly thank you. For all these reason, it is highly recommended.
Alejandro Tachile and Julio Servin
The story begins with the two furry bears going out to search the world. Subsequently, they come across first a brook and then a big cheese. When they start quarreling about who has had more and who has had less water from the brook, the only thing they get are terrible stomach aches. After that, the desire for more food and drink starts to have a harmful effect on them. As soon as they find the big cheese, the fox comes up from the bushes and takes advantage of their ambition. She will show them the worst side of greed by playing an ingenious trick.
The tale is excellent with episodes which are both humorous and entertaining and retains the reader´s interest throughout. Regarding the writing style, it can be said that it goes straight to the point because all the sentences have been carefully selected to achieve the difficult aim of catching the attention of kids. And as a result, the plot is easily understandable by such hard audience as kids are.
“Two Greedy Bears” is well worth reading, if your kids enjoy children literature. It can teach them about fair play or lack of it in friendship and also the fact that sharing is the most powerful value when it comes to friendship. It also provides a welcome break from all the coursebooks and homework children have at school,they will certainly thank you. For all these reason, it is highly recommended.
Alejandro Tachile and Julio Servin
“The Doorbell Rang” by Pat Hutchins (review)
“The Doorbell Rang” by Pat Hutchins is a wonderful and engaging story that has different purposes: It could be used to teach mathematical operations, the importance of sharing, or it could be simply used for the purpose of entertaining. Apart from that, it could be used to teach English. The story is about a mother who makes cookies for her children. Every time the doorbell rings, new children come into the house and are invited to have some cookies. The kids make the division to know how many cookies they can eat. The problem comes when there’s one cookie for each kid and the doorbell rings again.
The purpose of sharing can be seen when the children share the cookies without complaining. What’s more, they receive the new guests happily. So, this book is a great learning experience for children that teaches them not to be selfish and to share their things with others. Furthermore, this story is didactic because it can be used as a visual resource to show students how division actually works. So children will practice math skills when reading this book. As regards English, this story could be read to children that have a background knowledge of the language because sentences are simple and most of them are repeated, such us “the doorbell rang” and “no one makes cookies like Grandma”. These characteristics will make this story more understandable for little kids.
This is a catching book for children because of the colourful pictures it contains. Furthermore, they help children to follow and understand the plot because they express the written set of the story.
“The doorbell rang” is a story that children should read because they will not dislike it. It is enjoyable, funny and didactic. It is one of the best stories for children in the world. They will love the plot and will enjoy it. They won’t regret reading it. Apart from that, this book is a great tool for English and Math teachers as well.
Barros Paola and Gulin Rocío
The purpose of sharing can be seen when the children share the cookies without complaining. What’s more, they receive the new guests happily. So, this book is a great learning experience for children that teaches them not to be selfish and to share their things with others. Furthermore, this story is didactic because it can be used as a visual resource to show students how division actually works. So children will practice math skills when reading this book. As regards English, this story could be read to children that have a background knowledge of the language because sentences are simple and most of them are repeated, such us “the doorbell rang” and “no one makes cookies like Grandma”. These characteristics will make this story more understandable for little kids.
This is a catching book for children because of the colourful pictures it contains. Furthermore, they help children to follow and understand the plot because they express the written set of the story.
“The doorbell rang” is a story that children should read because they will not dislike it. It is enjoyable, funny and didactic. It is one of the best stories for children in the world. They will love the plot and will enjoy it. They won’t regret reading it. Apart from that, this book is a great tool for English and Math teachers as well.
Barros Paola and Gulin Rocío
ONE GORILLA (review)
One Gorilla by Astuko Morozumi is an engaging counting book for little kids full of captivating images of animals in different environments.
The book starts with only one beloved gorilla and as you turn the pages more animals appear progressively, two butterflies, three parakeets, four squirrels, five pandas, six rabbits, seven frogs, eight fish, nine birds and ten cats. At the end you will fin a list with all the animals and their corresponding number.
This book is an excellent tool for kids who are learning to count and at the same time they can learn animals, habitats, colours and even prepositions.
Children are supposed to find the animals and they love challenges! They will want to read it again and again!
Rosario García
The book starts with only one beloved gorilla and as you turn the pages more animals appear progressively, two butterflies, three parakeets, four squirrels, five pandas, six rabbits, seven frogs, eight fish, nine birds and ten cats. At the end you will fin a list with all the animals and their corresponding number.
This book is an excellent tool for kids who are learning to count and at the same time they can learn animals, habitats, colours and even prepositions.
Children are supposed to find the animals and they love challenges! They will want to read it again and again!
Rosario García
Grandma Rabbitty´s visit (review)
By Barry Smith
Dorling Kindersley Limited
Funny and exciting, Grandma Rabbitty´s visit is a children´s story that shows little rabbits waiting for their grandmother. As usual, Barry Smith brings us a story full of colours, lovable characters and a family caring environment. His latest tale will attract the audience´s attention up to the end. The author of this book is a well known writer in the field. Barry Smith is the favourite choice for every parent who wants to introduce really young learners to literature. His books are always a success between the kindergarten children and the teachers of that level.
Smith uses a group of resources that make learning entertaining. Some of the effective means used are bright colours, which are the kid´s main draw, and then he uses the sounds of different means of transport that are clearly differentiated by using letters in bold and the repetition of them calls the attention of the characters and of the audience. Finally there are some animals representing diverse professions and transparent words are used for the children to understand.
The unexpected ending, makes the perfect closure for this enjoyable book. Grandma Rabbitty ´s visit is a great addition to the family´s bookcase.
Maria Sabrina Vergara and Carolina Perez Cibez
Dorling Kindersley Limited
Funny and exciting, Grandma Rabbitty´s visit is a children´s story that shows little rabbits waiting for their grandmother. As usual, Barry Smith brings us a story full of colours, lovable characters and a family caring environment. His latest tale will attract the audience´s attention up to the end. The author of this book is a well known writer in the field. Barry Smith is the favourite choice for every parent who wants to introduce really young learners to literature. His books are always a success between the kindergarten children and the teachers of that level.
Smith uses a group of resources that make learning entertaining. Some of the effective means used are bright colours, which are the kid´s main draw, and then he uses the sounds of different means of transport that are clearly differentiated by using letters in bold and the repetition of them calls the attention of the characters and of the audience. Finally there are some animals representing diverse professions and transparent words are used for the children to understand.
The unexpected ending, makes the perfect closure for this enjoyable book. Grandma Rabbitty ´s visit is a great addition to the family´s bookcase.
Maria Sabrina Vergara and Carolina Perez Cibez
The Doorbell Rang (review)
by Laprovitta, Anahí and Garay, Lucía
Pat Hutchins, the famous English illustrator and writer of children's literature, delight us with a simple and joyful book “The Doorbell Rang". Hutchins’ story begins with Sam and Victoria enjoying teatime at home when the doorbell rings.
The children are about to eat a dozen of cookies made by their mother, those are as good as their grandma’s, when suddenly the doorbell rings. As the story goes on, every time the doorbell rings friends drop by and the cookies must be shared. Sam and Victoria have to deal with the unexpected guests that are invited to enjoy the meal with them. “The Doorbell Rang" is a funny story, easy to read. Dialogues are simple and accompanied with colourful illustrations. Readers are involved in the story through familiar situations like sharing a meal with friends. The writer’s solution to the main conflict, the arrival of unexpected guests and their lack of cookies, is intelligently solved in an unpredicted way.
We recommend this book to be read by first readers or to be read to children either to enjoy a nice story about sharing or to teach values like friendship.
Pat Hutchins, the famous English illustrator and writer of children's literature, delight us with a simple and joyful book “The Doorbell Rang". Hutchins’ story begins with Sam and Victoria enjoying teatime at home when the doorbell rings.
The children are about to eat a dozen of cookies made by their mother, those are as good as their grandma’s, when suddenly the doorbell rings. As the story goes on, every time the doorbell rings friends drop by and the cookies must be shared. Sam and Victoria have to deal with the unexpected guests that are invited to enjoy the meal with them. “The Doorbell Rang" is a funny story, easy to read. Dialogues are simple and accompanied with colourful illustrations. Readers are involved in the story through familiar situations like sharing a meal with friends. The writer’s solution to the main conflict, the arrival of unexpected guests and their lack of cookies, is intelligently solved in an unpredicted way.
We recommend this book to be read by first readers or to be read to children either to enjoy a nice story about sharing or to teach values like friendship.
TWO GREEDY BEARS (review)
by Amanda Layoia y Sandra López
“Two greedy bears” is a sweet and funny story that will entertain children and will also teach them a valuable lesson for life. Ginsburg’s main goal is always to bring delight. She uses a wide variety of folk- motifs, including animals, heroes, fools and deceptions.
The two little cubs begin a journey to see the world. As they are thirsty they come to a brook to drink some water. As they are hungry they see a very big round cheese by the roadside and they want to divide it into equal parts.
The illustrations are lively and keep the reader eager to turn the lovely pages from the first one up to the last.
“They argue and they growl and they begin to fight, till a fox come by”
This quotation expresses the way in which the writer shows that the two bears are so greedy to get the cheese that each of them is left with a little part of it. The fox appears in a friendly way and she seems to help them. In fact, she will take advantage of this situation since she takes almost the whole cheese.
This is a wonderful story book. It deals with real emotions that little children have such as: ambitions, deceptions, fear and sadness. It allows children to think that having those feelings is not as good as they think. The style in which the story is written is clear and attractive. It is a Must!
“Two greedy bears” is a sweet and funny story that will entertain children and will also teach them a valuable lesson for life. Ginsburg’s main goal is always to bring delight. She uses a wide variety of folk- motifs, including animals, heroes, fools and deceptions.
The two little cubs begin a journey to see the world. As they are thirsty they come to a brook to drink some water. As they are hungry they see a very big round cheese by the roadside and they want to divide it into equal parts.
The illustrations are lively and keep the reader eager to turn the lovely pages from the first one up to the last.
“They argue and they growl and they begin to fight, till a fox come by”
This quotation expresses the way in which the writer shows that the two bears are so greedy to get the cheese that each of them is left with a little part of it. The fox appears in a friendly way and she seems to help them. In fact, she will take advantage of this situation since she takes almost the whole cheese.
This is a wonderful story book. It deals with real emotions that little children have such as: ambitions, deceptions, fear and sadness. It allows children to think that having those feelings is not as good as they think. The style in which the story is written is clear and attractive. It is a Must!
Jun 7, 2013
Forum 1: The appropriate topics for children
As
we read some meetings ago, Corbally sustains that
“children’s literature is didactic (teaches/preaches); even the best of
children’s literature is didactic.” So, if we agree products for children are supposed to ‘teach’, what do you think they should teach? Or, the other way round: what do you think they should not teach? What topics are proper or improper when children are the target?
Join the discussion!
Jun 3, 2013
The ambitious red ants
Once upon a time, there was a colony of red ants who wanted to expand their kingdom. They wished to build markets, shopping centres, houses and flats. In order to have more space for their buildings, they needed to cut grass, plants, flowers and trees. But there was a little group of black ants who didn't like this situation.
When the red ants began their reformation, a black ant climbed up to a tree and shouted to the Red Ants: "You mustn't damage the environment!". "What's the problem with that?" said little red ant. "It makes room for new people", she continued. "What about the other animals? What about foxes, rabbits, frogs, birds and the rest of our brothers? They also need space and you’re taking it away from them!", replied the black ant furiously. The red ant said nothing and started to think.
After reflecting for a while the Red Ant said: "Oh! Shame on us! We didn't realize we were affecting our brothers. I think we should stop here. We're really sorry!". An this is how Red ants learned to leave their ambitions aside and to live in peace with other species.
The End.
When the red ants began their reformation, a black ant climbed up to a tree and shouted to the Red Ants: "You mustn't damage the environment!". "What's the problem with that?" said little red ant. "It makes room for new people", she continued. "What about the other animals? What about foxes, rabbits, frogs, birds and the rest of our brothers? They also need space and you’re taking it away from them!", replied the black ant furiously. The red ant said nothing and started to think.
After reflecting for a while the Red Ant said: "Oh! Shame on us! We didn't realize we were affecting our brothers. I think we should stop here. We're really sorry!". An this is how Red ants learned to leave their ambitions aside and to live in peace with other species.
The End.
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