"The Name Jar" by Yangsook Choi

 "The Name Jar" by Yangsook Choi is a multi-cultural picture book that follows the story of Unhei who moved to America from Korea. She worries that her new classmates won't be able to pronounce her name so she takes suggestions on an American name to try. During this experience, she recognizes the value in her culture and identity. This book explores themes such as accepting oneself, cultural pride, and identity, The illustrations in this book are soft and appear to be done in watercolor. They flow with the story and tie into the action on each page. The subtlety of the artwork keeps focus on the story but adds a soft and beautiful backdrop for what is taking place. 

For use in the classroom, the teacher and students can read this book and discuss the significance of diversity and their names. Students would research the origins of their names and create a "name poster" based on their research and anything that makes them who they are. This activity is perfect for teaching inclusion and cultural respect. 

"Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña

"Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña is a children's picture book that follows the story of CJ, a young boy traveling through the city with his grandmother. He questions the differences between the richer and poorer areas of the city throughout the book, but his grandmother teaches him to see beauty in everything. This book explores themes like diversity, community, and finding beauty in the small things. The illustrations of this book are bold and vibrant with simple but expressive shapes. Christian Robinson uses a combination of clean lines and playful textures to create a dynamic world that feels both contemporary and timeless. The use of flat color blocks and geometric patterns gives the images an almost collage-like feel, blending realism with the abstract. I think these illustrations add to the richness of themes presented within the book and demonstrate the overall message of finding beauty in everything. 

For use in a classroom, this book could be paired with a community walk and drawing exercise. Students would first discuss the themes of the book and then walk through the community or school and draw on paper the things that they find beautiful about what they see. They can also write a description of what they see and their reasoning behind the drawing. This activity teaches them to view things from a different perspective and engages multi-sensory activity which is crucial for development. 

Nonfiction in children's literature, "The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy

"The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy is a nonfiction children's book that focuses on the Great Fire that took place in Chicago in 1871 that destroyed much of the city. The book includes how the fire started, accounts of rebuilding, saving lives, and the overall struggle that the city faced during this time. "The Great Fire" explores themes of determination, resilience, and historical accounts of actual events. The illustrations in this book are historical pieces created following the fire, giving insight into the size of the fire and range of destruction that followed. This assists in understanding the depth of the chaos that ensued. 

For classroom use, students would break off into groups to research how Chicago was rebuilt after the fire. Each group would focus on a different rebuilding tactic including architecture, business, and socially. They can create a poster or presentation to be given in front of the class to further explore the efforts made in 1871 to rebuild after damage. 

Works Cited

BeechBeech, Linda, et al. The Great Fire by Jim Murphy. New York, Ny, Scholastic Teaching Resources, 2003.

Nonfiction in children's literature, "The Journey that Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey" by Louise Borden

 "The Journey that Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey" by Louise Borden is a nonfiction text that chronicles the journey of Margret and H.A. Rey and their escape from Nazi-occupies Paris. The story explains how the two fled their country with the manuscript for "Curious George" that would go on to become the well-known franchise that it is today. "The Journey that Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey" emphasizes the struggles faced by Jewish individuals during WWII, and the determination it took to overcome the circumstances they faced. This is an excellent example of nonfiction for children as it focuses on the true story of Margret and H.A. Rey and their escape during WWII and explores themes such as determination, perseverance, and real events of WWII. The illustrations in this text reflect that of the "Curious George" franchise and are very simple in nature with pops of color that assist in carrying the story along. 

To use this book in a classroom setting with children ages 8-10, students can write historical letters that reflect real challenges, situations, and events of the chosen time period. This would assist them in reflecting on real past events and gain a deeper understanding of the hardships faced by people of the time period. 

Works Cited

B        Borden, Louise. The Journey That Saved Curious George. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 26 Sept. 2005.

Realistic historical fiction in children's literature, "A Boy Called Dickens" by Deborah Hopkinson

 "A Boy Called Dickens" by Deborah Hopkinson is an example of realistic historical fiction in children's literature. The story follows a fictional narrative based on real events of Charles Dickens' life, a real author and person who existed. The book tells the story of Dickens' upbringing in poverty in Victorian England and explores themes of dedication and adversity. "A Boy Called Dickens" demonstrates how Charles Dickens' love of stories and writing helped him overcome his circumstances. The illustrations in this book seem to be done in watercolor, the colors sometimes muted to assist in setting the tone of hardship and poverty that Dickens faced. They also have an element of whimsy, showing that his imagination and determination brightened what he was going through and ultimately helped him overcome his situation, and help the narrative flow. 

For ages 8-10, students can research Victorian England social classes and create a hierarchy exploring living conditions of the rich versus the poor. This would help them understand social classes and how they pertain to the storyline and real world. 

Works Cited

          Hopkinson, Deborah, and John Hendrix. A Boy Called Dickens. New York, Schwartz & Wade Books, 2012.

Historical fiction in children's literature: "The Journey" by Francesca Sanna

 "The Journey" by Francesca Sanna is a historical fiction text that follows the journey of a family as they escape their warring country in search of safety. As told by a young child, the family faces many hardships from hunger to loss but persevere in spite of it. This story explores historical themes such as immigration displacement, family and perseverance, touching on the harrowing reality that many immigrants have faced throughout history. This story fits within the historical fiction genre as it does not focus on one specific time period or event but emphasizes the harsh reality of immigration and isolation and hope that can spring from it as has happened over many generations. The illustrations in this book are bold and created with sharp lines and highly contrasting colors. This emphasizes and complements the storyline of hardship through the journey but ultimately casts a light on the hope at the end of the journey. 

For students age 8-10, this book can be used as an exploration of historical immigration. Students can research different immigration events and create a presentation based on their research, helping them learn about immigration and displacement that can come from it. 

Works Cited

Sanna                        Sanna, Francesca. The Journey. London ; New York, Flying Eye Books, 2016.

Folklore in children's literature, "The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses" by Paul Goble

 "The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses" by Paul Goble is an example of children's folklore based on Native American Sioux legends. The story follows the tale of a young girl who feels deeply connected to wild horses, eventually becoming one herself. She lives peacefully among them and develops a strong spiritual bond with them before returning to her village where she is revered for her understanding and connection with the natural world. This story explores themes of interconnectedness between humans and nature and self-discovery. The illustrations in this book are vibrant and reminiscent of traditional Native American artwork. The color in the illustrations is bold and bright and emphasize the narrative through imagery. "The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses" is an excellent example of folklore as it delves into Native American legend and folklore passed down through generations and teaches children the importance of following their heart and finding what is important to them. 

In using this text in a classroom setting for students age 8-10, students would research another example of Native American legend. They would create an oral or visual presentation that retells the tale with focus on major themes, origins, and resolution. This would help them understand how to analyze text and how to relate to different genres. 

Works Cited

GobleGoble, Paul. The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses. Los Angeles: Library Reproduction Services, 1978.