The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

Inside/Outside

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild

Brown, Peter. 2013. MR. TIGER GOES WILD. New York: Little, Brown. ISBN 9780316200639 [Suggested Grade Levels K- 2]

REVIEW

Mr. Tiger lives in a very proper world. “Everyone was perfectly fine with the way things were. Everyone but Mr. Tiger.”  He wants to loosen up, to have some fun, to be wild.  His wild acts are too much for the city and eventually lead him to the wilderness where he can explore his wild side. He loves being himself, but is lonely. Upon return to the city, he finds that others are exploring their wild sides too. “Now Mr. Tiger felt free to be himself.  And so did everyone else.”

Peter Brown has created another unique, hilarious story. Sepia and gray tones paired with strong horizontal lines are used skillfully to portray the proper, upright life of the city; Mr. Tiger’s bold orange strikes an immediate contrast. Double page spreads halt the action perfectly when Mr. Tiger descends to four feet and when he shockingly sheds his proper clothing. The vibrant colors and irregular shapes used to create the wilderness juxtapose expertly to the gray city. Brown’s simple strokes, facial expressions, and word choice communicate feelings and reactions impeccably. The delightful tale celebrates being oneself even if that means sometimes celebrating one’s wild side.

CONNECTIONS

Mr. Tiger’s simple lines beg to be imitated by young artists. Allow children to draw him in both settings. Many important messages are woven in this simple book. Discuss these messages with readers such as the importance of being oneself and when it is acceptable to go a little wild.

RELATED BOOKS

Other books that recognize the wild side in all of us:

Sendak, Maurice. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. ISBN 9780060254926

Willems, Mo. NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED. ISBN 9781423114376

By Jill Bellomy

A Splash of Red

Bryant, Jen. 2013. A SPLASH OF RED: THE LIFE AND ART OF HORACE PIPPIN. Ill. by Melissa Sweet. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 9780375867125 [Suggested Grade Levels K-3]

REVIEW

Bryant and Sweet present the life of artist Horace Pippen, from his childhood in the late 19th century through his success as a respected artist. As a child Pippen, with his large hands, enjoyed illustrating day-to-day events in his life. As he grew older, he discovered painting and used it as a hobby outside of his jobs requiring much physical labor. While fighting in World War I, Pippen injured his arm. Upon returning home, he was unable to continue working manual labor jobs, and painting was extremely difficult. He re-taught himself how to draw and paint, eventually earning acclaim in the art world.

The mixed-media art is eye-catching and beautifully illustrates the well-told story of one man's artistic hobby-turned-career. Both Bryant and Sweet provide notes at the conclusion, and there are resources for further research (books, a film, and web sites), as well as a map of the US depicting the current locations of Pippen's work on display.

CONNECTIONS

A Splash of Red is an excellent choice for livening up a biography study, offering a refreshing alternative to the traditional focus on political figures. Additionally, children can compare and contrast different artists’ styles from the time period as well as from other time periods.

RELATED BOOKS

Other biographical books for children about artists:

Markel, Michelle. THE FANTASTIC JUNGLES OF HENRI ROUSSEAU. ISBN 9780802853646

Winter, Jonah. FRIDA. ISBN 9780590203203

Any of the titles from the Anholt’s Artists Books for Children series

By Jennifer E. Richey

The Cart That Carried Martin

Bunting, Eve. 2013. THE CART THAT CARRIED MARTIN. Ill. by Don Tate. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. ISBN 978150893879 [Suggested Grade Levels K-4]

REVIEW

Martin Luther King, Jr. preached equality.  At the core of his message was the idea that things like race, wealth, and background are not measures of a person.  This philosophy ran deep, and THE CART THAT CARRIED MARTIN brings home the message.

Rather than share this message through life events as the typical Martin Luther King, JR biography does, Bunting tells the story of King’s funeral, weaving together elements of his legacy and message. 

During preparations for the funeral parade, two men found and borrowed an unwanted old cart.  In King’s message is an embrace of the lowly, and the cart, which they painted green, held not only the man, but also the essence of his words.   Instead of majestic horses, two mules were chosen to pull his cart, as a symbol of freedom given to freed slaves.

The sorrow, pain, and resolve felt by mourners as they crowd the streets and the church fill page spreads.  The words and images share the emotion of the day.

“This humble cart that, not so long ago, carried greatness.” 

CONNECTIONS

Many books share the message and story of Martin Luther King, Jr.  For students to begin to understand the power of his words and message they should be exposed to a variety of books from a variety of perspectives.  This book is one that is able to provide a unique look at his message.  Students could also match quotes from his speeches to the message of humbleness that prevails in THE CART THAT CARRIED MARTIN.

RELATED BOOKS

Martin Luther King Jr books with a unique perspective

Martin and Mahalia: his words, her song by Andrea Davis Pinkney

My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by King, Martin Luther, III

Marching to the Mountaintop by Bausum, Ann

By Emily Bredberg

Serafina's Promise

Burg, Ann E. 2013. SERAFINA’S PROMISE. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780545535649. [Suggested Grade Levels 4-7]

REVIEW
Serafina and her family live in Haiti. Despite her family’s poverty, she wants to attend school and someday become a doctor, but her mother is pregnant again and Serafinal must help around the house. Maybe if this baby lives, she will be able to once again attend school. But life is hard. Rain washes away their home. School costs money. Her mother does not want her to go to school. After her baby brother is born, her mother decides that if she can save enough money, she can attend school. And then the earthquake comes.

Written in verse format, Burg’s supreme artistry weaves words into an exciting and realistic story of family, of hope, of poverty, and of the powerful destruction of nature. Using simple but powerful language, Burg’s word pictures are perfect:
I wish I could
jump rope and laugh
with my friends.
But I have nor brother
or sister to help with chores.
Even on Sunday
there’s no play
until all my work is done. (p. 3)

CONNECTIONS
Use this book to introduce the power on nature and natural disasters. The book can also be used to introduce Haiti. Use it as a starting place to talk about poverty. The book would also serve as a model for students to write a memoir in verse format.

RELATED BOOKS
HAITI
Benoit, Peter. THE HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE OF 2010. ISBN 9780531266250
Danticat, Edwidge. EIGHT DAYS: A STORY OF HAITI, ISBN 9780545278492

OTHER BOOKS BY ANN E. BURG
Burg, Ann E. ALL THE BROKEN PIECES. ISBN  9780545080934