Nikki Giovanni's, Rosa:Book review

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Giovanni, Nikki. 2005. Rosa. Ill. By Bryan Collier. New York, New York. Henry Holt and Company: ISBN 978-0-329-45475-3

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

In this picture book, author Nikki Giovanni writes about the courage, humanity, and inner strength that Rosa Parks portrayed, that made her a Civil Rights icon. Rosa, an African-American woman’s incredible story that began by an act of refusal, she refused to give up her seat, she stood up against racism and discrimination; that catapulted her to become a powerful symbol of hope for African-Americans. In her story, Giovanni provides some personal information about Rosa Parks, her marriage, occupation, and sound state of mind, these insights help develop the story in a fascinating manner. The author references another important and fundamental Civil Rights Leader, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and mentions the case of Emmett Till, as well as, the nonviolent protests that were done during that time, all of which were a crucial part to develop and input historical context that aided the development of plot in this book.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Giovanni’s writing is eloquent and liberating, it speaks candidly about the social and racial injustices, and discrimination that African-Americans endured in America: she states, “The integrity, the dignity, the quiet strength of Rosa Parks turned her no into a YES for change.” This movable book is a great piece that can be an introductory liaison to teach about racism and the Civil Rights Movement.

The paintings done by illustrator Bryan Collier beautifully captured and radiated the story’s central message and helped tell the story of a great woman who stood up against racism. Collier uses a mostly yellow or dark hue of watercolors and a collage technique to bring his paintings to life. Throughout his paintings, the dark and opaque colors not only show contrast, but depict the scorching weather, Montgomery is known for its heat. Collier purposely used yellow hues to help set the tone of the setting of the story. The illustrator makes a note that he was particular on “Mrs. Parks looks as if light is emanating from her,” in the paintings you can see that very clearly, there seems to be a bright light that highlights Rosa Parks, not only metaphorically, but literally. The color scheme throughout the book shares a uniformity, the colors are in the darker side of the spectrum, shades of yellow, brown, maroons and black tones encompass the characters in the pictures. Yet, when Rosa Parks is in the painting, the light around her face serves as a highlight and draws the reader’s eyes to her, her figure is a commanding presence throughout the book.

This movable book will be a great book to share with students, in the middle of the book there are two flaps which when opened, show a panoramic view of the nonviolent protesters marching in the rain, marching against civil oppression. This book can become an integral part of a lesson when teaching about the time-period, racism, or the Civil Rights Movement in America, and can be displayed in a book showcase during Black History Month.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Honor

Starred Review in THC REVIEWS: “Rosa is a lovely rendering of Rosa Parks’ courageous act in a picture book format that is accessible to younger readers.

Starred Review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Giovanni (The Sun is So Quiet) and Collier (Uptown) offer a moving interpretation of Rosa Park’s momentous refusal to give up her bus seat. The author brings this heroine to life…Collier’s watercolor and collage art presents a fitting graphic accompaniment to the poetic text.”

5. CONNECTIONS

If you feel comfortable leading a discussion about racism, discrimination, or social injustice this book is a great tool and provides reading material that can be relatable to children of all ages.

Other books illustrated by Bryan Collier, that deal with the same theme are, I, Too, Am America, City Shapes, and Uptown.

Supplementary books for children about the Civil Rights Movement:

Rappaport, Doreen. Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ISBN 978-1423106350

Hughes, Langston. I, Too, Am America. ISBN 978-1442420083

Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are: Book review

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sendak, Maurice.1963. Where the Wild Things Are. By Maurice Sendak. Library of Congress. ISBN 0060254939

 2. PLOT SUMMARY In this very wild and eccentric picture book, author-artist, Maurice Sendak, writes an account of a young boy who is reprimanded by his mother for being such a wild child. The boy’s mother sends Max to his room without his supper; the boy is displeased with his mother. While in his room, he is processing his feelings of resentment towards his mother for being punished. He lets his imagination loose and his room turns into a jungle, and he goes on an adventure into the wild, in which he encounters beasts and wild things that he later becomes king to. But, he realizes that there is no substitute to a love of your family. He starts missing his mother in particular, and alludes to longing to be with those who love him. So in the end, he no longer is resentful, just relieved to be back in his room, where his hot supper awaits, in the house where his beloved family lives in.

 3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Sendak’s writing is playfully smooth, the word choice is precise and effective which provides an enjoyable read. His writing lets you connect to the mindset of the child who is reprimanded by his mother, the reader is able to make a personal connection at a basic level, which is childhood antics. The word choice conveys a playfulness in reference to the time that elapses as the story develops “…in and out of weeks and almost over a year to where the wild things are.” The artwork that was illustrated by Sendak himself is wonderfully done and creates a detailed, eerie and even spooky setting. Sendak’s illustrations, are very well done and the shading and graininess makes it pop out because the engravings were from the original artwork and were redone in 1988. The colors that are used throughout all the pictures are on the darker and melancholic side of the color scale, however the colors work well and do show contrast and helps reflect the mood that the author is trying to convey. The pictures in are textured, with a combination of shadiness, precise line technique which provides an emphasis on details and delivers a uniformity throughout the whole book. This book is a fairly easy book that will help facilitate a discussion with children in regards to parental love and behavioral problems. Share with children to help them understand and cope with a similar experience, when they are reprimanded for misbehaving. The story will allow them to make a personal connection and will be able to identify themselves in it.

 4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S) The Caldecott Medal- 1964 Caldecott Medal winner for the Most Distinguished Picture Book of the year. Starred Review in THE NEW YORK TIMES “A profoundly engaging fantasy that ought to become a classic.” Starred Review in COMMON SENSE MEDIA “Parents need to know that Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are is a classic of children’s literature. Although Max misbehaves, the message is one of parental love. This subtle masterpiece of story, writing, and art will have kids asking for repeated readings. Colorful language and a world of imagination make this wild adventure a fun learning experience.”

 5. CONNECTIONS If you feel comfortable leading a discussion on parental love and dealing with a child’s misbehavior, this book is a simple way to do that, because it’s underlying message is parental love and family as the core and foundation of a child’s life. There are other books that were written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, in fact this book was the first book of the trilogy. There are other books that were written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, in fact this book was the first book of the trilogy. The other books that are part of Sendak”s trilogy included In the Night Kitchen. ISBN 978-0060-254896. Outside over There ISBN 0-06-443185-1.