Sea Clocks: The Story of Longitude

***So after a long absence during which I traveled to Ukraine and England, got a job as a 2nd Grade Teacher/Middle School Social Studies teacher (message me if you're really curious) I am back, and will attempt to get back on the wagon as far as posting book reviews on a regular basis.***




Sea Clocks: The Story of Longitude. Written by Louise Borden, Illustrated by Erik Blegvad


Before the days of Sea Clocks, captains of ships had no way of knowing where they were on the course of their voyages. They could figure out their position north or south of the equator (their latitude) by studying the position of the Sun or the North Star.  But when it came to how far east or west they were from their home port, all they could do was guess based on how long they had been at sea....which sometimes led to problems like getting lost at sea.  Many scientists worked on this problem of how to find the Longitude.  The crown offered a reward of 20,000 pounds to whoever could find the answer.  One man spent his entire life working towards that goal. This is his story.

I like several things about this book.  First, it is told in a story format, but it is 100% based on historical facts.  I love books that relate history in a way that is accessible and intriguing, utilizing the STORY in history.  Secondly, while the writers mainly tell the story of John Harrison and his lifelong work, in order to give us a more holistic perspective, they also tell about other historical figures and scientists and how their discoveries and contributions ultimately impacted Harrison's success.  Third, Borden emphasizes the character traits that led to Harrison's eventual success: curiosity, problem-solving, patience, and perseverance.  In a society where information and knowledge are so immediately available, these character traits are almost foreign concepts.  If an answer is not immediately within our reach we tend to lose interest.  As a society, we are not comfortable with the process of "trial and error" whether in school, business, or our personal lives.  Yet these are the reasons we have the knowledge and information (and the methods for obtaining them) that are available to us today.

This book is a great one for making connections across History and for stimulating discussions on how the discoveries of one person impacted another person's discoveries. What I love about History is that it helps us makes sense of the present. Take the message of this book one step further and discuss how Harrison's discoveries impact today's world.

The Baronet's Song by George MacDonald (edited by Michael Phillips)

"Wee Sir Gibbie" as he is known by the locals, is the mute son of an impoverished Baronet who is unable to care for his son, and barely able to buy the ale that is slowly killing him. So, Gibbie cares for his father and finds food for himself, never complaining, never resenting. He is happy wherever he can be useful and bring happiness to others. When his father dies, Gibbie is cared for by a local innkeeper for a while, until he flees the city in fear after witnessing a murder of a dear friend. After weeks of traveling, he finds himself in the hill country where he makes friends with a shepherd boy and his family, and the daughter of an uncaring Laird. His new friends adopt him, teach him to read and write, and about a God who loves and cares for everyone. No one but God and Gibbie know his true identity until one day when someone from Gibbie's past comes looking for him.

This book was written in the 1800s, translated from Old Scottish in the early 80s, and was written mainly for adults. But I would definitely read this to a mature ten year old who is accustomed to reading and being read different genres and styles of literature. George MacDonald is indeed a master storyteller. His stories are written as if he was speaking directly to the reader. You can imagine sitting at his feet, near a fireplace on a rainy day, listening to him tell this story. His beliefs about God and True Christianity are unmasked as he develops his characters through blessing, tragedy, and everyday experiences.

This book, as with all of George MacDonald's books that I have read so far, contains lessons about forgiveness, loving your enemies as you learn to see them the way God sees them, and loving your neighbor as yourself. It also contains slightly more subtle lessons on parent-child relationships and the fact that hatred and love cannot be contained in one area of your life but will define your entire character.

There is some heavy material in this book, which is why I would recommend you read it WITH your ten year old so that you can discuss things like violence. There are cruel people in this book that do cruel things. It is nothing like the graphic stuff you will read in today's books or see in today's movies, nor does not dominate the book. However, it is an important aspect of the story because one of the ways Gibbie's character is revealed is in the way that he responds to those people with love and forgiveness instead of retaliation. That said, it may not be for every ten year old. You will need to decide as a parent whether your child is ready for it at this time or if he or she should wait. If you're not sure, read it first by yourself or with your spouse and then decide. You will most assuredly enjoy the experience of reading this beautiful story of a boy who loved everybody.

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Bryce Loski has been avoiding Julie Baker since the day he moved across the street from her in second grade. Julie has had a crush on Bryce since the day he moved across the street in second grade. By the time they are in Junior High, their relationship...or lack thereof...is pretty much routine. Then in eighth grade things begin to change. Bryce begins to see that there is more to Julie than meets the eye...Julie begins to think that in Bryce there's less. They've flipped. But will they be able to meet in the middle?

This is certainly a book for readers in their early to mid teens, but I would encourage parents to read it with them as well for a couple of reasons. First, this book is about teenagers re-examining the way they've always thought and acted and deciding what kind of person they want to be. Reading their different perspectives on the same events allows the reader to sympathize with Bryce and Julie as they experience growing pains, acknowledge their mistakes, and try to learn from them. Reading this book together with your teen or preteen is a fantastic way to stimulate a discussion on character and points of view.

Secondly, Bryce learns throughout this book that his father is not the ideal role-model he should follow. There are some uncomfortable scenes in this book that reveal his father's character, climaxing in a brief scene of violence that ultimately shows him to be a coward and a bully who looks down on others in order to build himself up. This story definitely encourages adults to examine their own thoughts and behaviors and consider how they are influencing their children.

"A painting is more than the sum of its parts." Julie's dad tells her.

This is a difficult concept for me, as an adult, to remember. What is it that really attracts you to this person/movie/book/music artist/church/fill in the blank. It is it just the outward appearance? Are they more, less than, or equal to the sum of their parts? These are important questions to ask if we want our lives to be full of meaningful relationships and quality experiences.



Activities/Discussion points:
*Take an excerpt from any book where a situation or an event is described from one character's point of view. Re-write that scene from another character's perspective.
*Discuss:
-Who is someone you admire? Why do you admire them? Does your admiration of them help you to be a better person?
-Who is someone you don't particularly like? What do you know about them that makes you not like them? Do you think there is a reason for them being the way they are? Would knowing that change the way you acted towards them?

P.S.
**Side note**I would also highly recommend the movie, which I actually enjoyed more than the book because of the oldies music. Though the book was written in the early 2000s, it translates well into the 1960s. The writers and actors did an excellent job and it is very true to the book!**End Side note**

The Ballad of Valentine by Alison Jackson, Illustrated by Tricia Tusa

(Warning: Cheesy Valentine's Day Entry!)

"Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my darling Valentine. I have written forty letters, but you've never read a line!"

Such is the unfortunate song of a poor lad who is desperately trying to get a Valentine to his sweetheart who lives across the canyon. He tries snail mail, homing pigeons, smoke signals, Morse code, and other methods of delivering his message, and each time something happens to interfere with the delivery. Meanwhile, Valentine herself is busy with her own plans.

This book is dear to my heart (pun intended) because my husband bought it for me last year for Valentine's day.
I would definitely categorize this book as a Romantic Comedy of Errors for all ages. It's funny, it's sweet, and adults can appreciate it as well (if not more) than children.

Even if you have not taken as drastic measures as the poor chap in this book, you can probably feel some kind of empathy for him if you've ever tried to plan somethings nice for a loved one, and it hasn't turned out exactly the way you planned. The first Valentine's day my husband and I were dating I made him a huge Valentine and left it outside the door of his class so he'd see it when he got out....and he took another door and didn't see it. So then I took it to his next class and he saw me carrying it and ran to give me a hug and the element of surprise was gone. And of course he showed me up anyway with his Valentine to me. *Sigh* Oh well. It's still better than the guy in this book who tries and tries and tries and tries and TRIES to even deliver the Valentine and is unsuccessful. But the message I get from this book, is that it really doesn't matter how elaborate or fancy your expressions of love are, as long as the message gets through.

Yes, it is a cheesy message, but it is nonetheless true.

Sometimes the simplest things speak volumes. Yes, goofy and outlandish expressions of love are always fun, and if you can do them without taking the joy out of it then by all means, have fun with it! As long as the foremost thought in your mind is "What can I do that will tell _______I love them?" (Just remember if you make yourself frustrated and angry in the process, the person in question may not necessarily pick up on the love-vibe!)

Now, since this is a book for kids here are some activity suggestions:
*Discuss the style of poetry in this book and have the kids use this to write their own verse to or version of the song and give it as a Valentine to their parents, grandparents, or siblings.
*Have the kids make an original list of crazy ways to deliver a Valentine, have each child pick one to illustrate, and make a comic book or a mural for the classroom.
*If you're a stay-at-home mom or dad, brainstorm with your kids crazy (but do-able) ways to surprise your spouse with a Valentine when he gets home. When I was little, my mom printed out several sheets of coloring pages that made up a Valentine's message. My siblings and I colored them and then pasted them on the door so it would be the first thing my dad saw when he got home. You could also do this for Grandma, Grandpa, or Aunt Ruth.
*Social Studies connection: Read about the original Valentine!
http://sunniebunniezz.com/holiday/valenday.htm

I would recommend this as an annual read for anybody that can appreciate the comic and the sweet. :-)

The Cookie Tree by Jay Williams, Illustrated by Blake Hampton

"The Village of Owlgate was quiet and tidy, and nothing surprising ever happened there." So when an extraordinary tree with silver bark, golden leaves, and cookies growing on its branches, inexplicably appears in the middle of the square, the villagers are at a loss with what to do with it. Some don't believe it exists. Some think it's a sign of impending doom. Some just can't figure out what its for. The children, however, believe that it is a gift to the city from a kind magician.

I read this book my junior year of college when I was taking my Children's Literature course. We had to read and rate at least ten books a week and so I was grabbing books off the shelf right and left without even looking at them. When I found this one I was absolutely enchanted. The character descriptions are brief but they give a complete picture of the villagers' personalities.

The underlying theme of recognizing and accepting supernatural blessings is a powerful one. The older I get the more I catch myself over analyzing things to the point where I cannot see the blessings right in front of me. I get caught up in my own ideas of how the world works, and what is to be expected out of life, and unconsciously begin to think that I have control over the way the world works.

The villagers ask, "What is [this tree] for? Everything has to be FOR something!" This seems like a silly question, and yet have you never asked yourself "Why me? Why now? What could I have possibly done to deserve this job/person/opportunity/blessing?" We jump through hoops trying to figure out a cause and effect for things that shouldn't happen according to our limited understanding of what is "possible".

What is a blessing? A gift, a praise? Perhaps. Here's where my faith comes into play: I believe that it can also be a reminder. A reminder that we are not in control. In spite of our efforts to come up with a rhyme and a reason for everything, God still has some surprises up his sleeves that are quite beyond our understanding.

Children's Literature? Yes, but there are messages for adults as well. At the same time we plant seeds of profound thinking in these little minds that will come back to them later in life when they are old enough to understand them on a deeper level.

My second graders picked up on the profound themes in this book without my saying a word.  As I read this book to them they offered theories about WHY the tree appeared in the center of the town and what it was for:

"I think the kids were bored because nothing exciting happened in their town, so the magician sent the tree for THEM."

"God gave them the tree."

Activities:
*This is a great book to teach descriptive language and personification.
Examples: "The leaves whispered...", "....leaves that twinkled in the sun." Have the kids design their own magical tree or plant and come up with a descriptive sentence.
*Scriptural parallels: Matthew 19:26, Job 36:26, Proverbs 3:5

Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss

Thidwick the moose spends his days with the herd at Lake Winna-Bango, happily munching on moose-moss. One day he meets a Bingle Bug who asks him if he could hitch a ride on his antlers for a little while. Thidwick hospitably obliges, pleased to use his antlers to make the bug comfortable. The bug, however, invites a spider, and a bird who then brings his wife and his uncle, who invites squirrels, and pretty soon the whole forest is living in poor Thidwick's antlers. Does Thidwick ask his "guests" to leave when his herd scorns him? When they keep him from migrating? When they drill holes in his antlers and pluck out his hairs? No! For he is a Big-Hearted Moose, and "a Host above all must be nice to his guests". However, this becomes a problem when winter hits and the hunters come. How can Thidwick play host to his guests while running for his life? You'll find out in the mildly comical, and yet poetically just ending.

Dr. Seuss books, while fun to read, often have an underlying moral or theme that runs through the story. The theme that comes out in my mind as I read this book is "Boundaries". Thidwick is indeed, a big-hearted moose. In spite of the personal discomfort he experiences from his demanding guests and the ridicule he receives from his herd, he continues to be hospitable, and tries to stay positive. These are difficult character traits to learn: Staying positive when the situation is less than ideal, and continuing to treat others with kindness and respect, ESPECIALLY when they are treating you with neither. These character traits are so valuable, and so hard to obtain, and so little practiced that I hesitate to even talk about boundaries for fear that will be the only thing taken from this review. However, I have seen too many people taken advantage of because of their big-hearted natures that I feel like it is an important topic to discuss.

Let me be clear: by boundaries, I do NOT mean a lack of generosity. But rather a generosity that knows where the line is between giving and enabling. Helping someone who is in genuine need, and even sacrificing personal time and resources for them is a noble thing. Sacrificing for people who don't appreciate you is an even nobler thing. However, when you cease to be able to take care of yourself, or your family, and the people you are sacrificing for HAVE other resources that they could be using, it is time to point them in that direction. The idea of helping them in the first place should be just that. HELPING them get to a place where they can take care of themselves, function on their own, get back on their feet, etc. That means there needs to be progress and effort on their part. If there is not, then you are no longer helping them. You are enabling them to take advantage of you and be lazy.

I am not talking about sick family members, or those who truly are not ABLE to take care of themselves. I am talking about those who can and don't.

Now, if I were reading this to young children I would focus on the contrasts between Thidwick's character and the character of the animals. Questions for discussion would include:
*What words would you use to describe Thidwick?
*What words would you use to describe the animals?
*How did the animals treat Thidwick?
*How did Thidwick treated the animals?
*Do you think Thidwick should have asked the animals to leave earlier in the story? Do you think there was a nice way to do this?
*What do you think about Thidwick's friends?
*How should we treat others that need our help?
*How should we treat people who are helping us?

This is a great book to use to discuss character traits and citizenship! It would also be a fun book to read if you were doing a school unit on Moose as it does reference actual facts about Moose habits. This book could be used to find rhyming words or to discuss rhyming style.

I would recommend this book to Elementary teachers, especially in the Kindergarten through Second grades, and anyone who wants to read a fun book to their kids.

Introduction

I realize that the above is not the most creative of titles, but bear with me, I am new at this.

So who am I anyway and what am I doing creating a blog about Children's Literature?

In answer to the first question, I am a twenty-three year old recent college graduate living in Dallas with my Insurance Underwriter husband and trying to find a teaching job. Contrary to popular belief, you will NOT always be able to get a job if you are a teacher...especially not in a recession. Yet I digress.

In answer to the second question, one of the biggest attractions of teaching/education for me is Children's Literature. I have ALWAYS loved good stories, both reading them, and having them read to me. Some of my fondest memories are of my parents reading to me books such as Ramona the Pest (which my mother started reading to me, and when she put it down to fix dinner, I continued reading on my own), The Chronicles of Narnia, The Boxcar Children, Missionary Stories for Children, Carry on Mr. Bowditch, The Witch of Blackbird Pond.....and yes I COULD go on forever.

And so, at the urging of my husband, I have decided to create a blog dedicated to the reviewing, discussing, discovering, and re-discovering of beloved Children's books.

So, what will you find in this blog?

1. Reviews on my favorite books, and other books as I discover them, or am introduced to them. My goal is to have at LEAST one a week.
2. Because I am of the Elementary Education persuasion, I will occasionally include activities for you to do with your children or students, or nieces, or nephews, or grandchildren, or any other kind of child you may have occasion to read to.
3. I may occasionally throw in some background information on the authors of these books
4. SOMEDAY, I would like to upload videos as I have occasion to visit places that are settings in a book that I have reviewed, the birthplaces of authors, or anything else that may be relevant to this blog. I don't know how often this will happen, or if it will happen any time in the near future, but I am enchanted by the idea of getting to visit such places and would love to look for opportunities to do so. :-)

Let's see is there anything else we should cover in this introductory post? Oh yes.

When I say, "Children's Literature" this include but is not limited to:
*Young Adult Literature
*Historical Fiction
*Fantasy
*Realistic Fiction
*Occasionally non-fiction
*Newbery Award Winners
*Caldecott Award Winners
*Non-award winners :-)
*Books with pictures
*Books without pictures ("Well some people use their imagination!" -- Belle, Beauty and the Beast)
*Books that inspire imagination
*Books that teach moral lessons that children can appreciate
*Books that build a children's understanding of their world
*Books with deep characters that experience character development
I am by no means a professional reviewer, so I hope you will bear with me as my writing improves.

Stay tuned!

Jessica