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The vibrant colors of
Patricia Polacco's artwork brighten the winter months. Her family background, Eastern European and Jewish on one side, Irish and Christian on the other side, give her two rich cultures to explore.
The Trees of the Dancing Goats. Trisha loves Hanukkah and she loves the brightly colored animals her grandfather carves as gifts during the season. Trisha also loves her neighborhood and sharing her neighbors' traditions. When she visits her neighbors, she finds that many of them are sick with scarlet fever. There would be no Christmas for them. Then Grampa comes up with a wonderful idea.
Uncle Vova's Tree. Polacco visits her Eastern European background to tell a story about her Uncle Vova and his fantastic Christmas tree.
Christmas Tapestry. When a pastor's new church in Detroit is damaged by rain, his son helps him find a beautiful tapestry to hang on the wall for Christmas Eve services. The tapestry has a secret that leads to a real holiday miracle.
Welcome Comfort. Foster child, Welcome Comfort, finds it hard to believe in Christmas. But his new friend, Mr. Hamp, the school custodian, gives Welcome a wonderful surprise.
An Orange for Frankie. A young boy worries that his father won't return from a trip with the Christmas oranges. Remember Christmas oranges? My orange was always a bulge in the toe of my stocking, but Frankie's orange nestles with others on the mantelpiece. This is another story from Polacco's family.
The Graves Family
By Patricia Polacco
Patricia Polacco has written beautifully in her picture books about what it means to be an “outsider.”
Many of her books were based, it seems, on her hometown of Union City, Michigan.
And “The Graves Family” is no exception as there appears to be a real “Graves” house in Union City, and Ms. Polacco invites “visitors from all over the country to a Haunted House there every fall.”
The cover flap of “The Graves Family” truncates the message of her book quite nicely when it suggests, “Don’t fear differences…celebrate them,” coupled with a quote tucked away that states:
“Those who march to a different
drum are in a magnificent band indeed!
And Ms. Polacco very nicely intersperses this message into her lively tale of the Graves family who move into “the creaky old house on the hill.” They don’t quite fit into the neighborhood. In fact they move in under cover of night. The Graves are, well, a mite different to say the least; some might even venture to offer the opinion, creepy different.
And so might young neighbors Seth and Sara Miller have said, had they not taken the time to get to know and befriend Hieronymus Graves, son of Dr. Doug and Shalleaux Graves, scientist/inventor and gourmet cook, respectively.
Hieronymus, plus four carrot topped siblings named Billicent, Cintilla, Congolia and Tondileo are new to the neighborhood and getting the leery once-over from the locals who are loathe to get acquainted. Great name choice for the kids, by the way.
The Miller kids easily nickname Hieronymus, Ronnie, and both find, through a series of adventures, that the Graves are quite the likable lot – and oddly interesting, too.
But, they are anything but run of the mill, as Dr. Doug Graves counts entomology or the study of insects as one of his hobbies, and spiders in particular.
And, as it turns out that very characteristic of “far from the everyday” turns to the Graves family’s advantage as it helps snatch triumph from the jaws of disaster with the arrival of the famous Christopher Joel.
Sent from the magazine, Ladies Lovely Home Companion, he also just happens to have “the most popular television show on home decorating.”
And the snooty matrons of the Union City Auxiliary Ladies Garden Club fairly salivate at the odd chance their house might be picked for his Fall Home Show.
Whatever could stand in the way? Young picture book readers can probably sense a plethora of potential pitfalls a page away. And they’d be right!
Will the Graves family ever win town acceptance, or dare they even hope, approval? Will their house make the grade in the contest, or will disaster ensue?
Patricia Polacco’s “The Graves Family” proves not only a fine and festive hauntingly lively Halloween read, but skillfully makes the point that it’s great to have flavors in life; be it food…or people.
And so much the better if they happen to be served at a Graves’ dinner table filled with:
Great New Zealand Land Vipers with
Capers and Clotted Cream
Boiled Blistered Variegated Turnip
Root
Pureed Lampfish Fins with Bees’
Knees and Guppy Fillets
Life, and dinner at the Graves house may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is uniquely their own and most certainly worth a try, which is Ms. Polacco’s very convincing, and hilariously hidden point.
Please pass those Indonesian Snarling Knishes au Gratin, if you please, and I’ll have seconds on the Octopus Knuckles from Tibet, thank you very much.
This is a picture book young readers will devour.
And if you’re smart, please remember to feed Phoebe, the family Venus flytrap first. She adores Beetle Leg Jell-O with Fly Carcass!
*******************************************************
And here’s the perfect soundtrack to get you in the mood for a Haunted House!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBFNEAT_HIQ&app=desktop
Mrs. Katz and Tush
By Patricia Polacco
Sacrifice, suffering – and a gradual, hard won ascendance are part of the dual Jewish and African American histories.
Is it possible to blend these two cultural stories into a simply wonderful Passover story?
You bet. If your name is Patricia Polacco and you’ve had some hard won hurdles of your own as a child growing up, then overcoming hardship is a part of the literary picture book history of your own life – and a modeled resilience in the face of them.
Usually, there are some older characters in some of Ms. Polacco’s picture books that share their life experiences, and a generational wisdom gained from their own trials, with a member of the younger generation as beneficiary. I think of it as “modeling IN the world what you want to SEE in the world.”
The sharing of generational life experience in her stories is never preachy or boring. It peaks the readers interest as it only serves to draw the two generations closer as one learns from, and informs the other – as it should be.
So it is here, with Mrs. Katz, a lonely and lovable Jewish widow, and her friendship with the young African American, Larnel. She is in need of a friend and companionship. He provides her with both, beginning with a small cat that needs a home.
A bargain is struck..she will take the cat she names Tush, if Larnel will sign on as co- caretaker with her. Done.
And what proceeds from that, is a life long lesson in, well, LIFE. She shares with Larnel her life in Poland, her Jewish heritage, her love for her deceased hubby, Myron, and the history of the seder feast that precedes Passover.
It’s very interesting in some of Ms. Polacco’s books that families are not necessarily born of biological connections, but come about as a result of shared time and caring. I call them “families of the heart.”
Tush the cat may be the impetus for their initial connection, but she only provides the bridge for two people of different generations AND cultures to see what they share, and everything builds from there.
I think young readers will love Mrs. Katz, her homey goodness, sprinkled liberally with small Jewish words of endearment such as bubeleh, (term of endearment for a female) and bubee (grandmother), plus Jewish vocabulary such as chuppa, kugel, kaddish, shalom, and matzoh.
From finding a home for a small, homeless cat named Tush, Larnel and Mrs. Katz share a wonderful friendship that grows to eventually include both his family and later Larnel’s own children. It’s funny that not just a feline named Tush is looking for a home and companionship. Humans have just as great a need here, too.
But first, Mrs. Katz and Larnel find themselves sharing a series of events that include Tush’s disappearance, rescue and a seder table. They find in each other what every one of us is looking for – acceptance and love. And something more emerges here.
I think “Mrs. Katz and Tush” may bridge religious lines of demarcation for young readers too. And I’ll tell you why I believe it to be so, with one very minute, but telling piece of evidence.
In the secondhand copy I am holding, there is an inscription that reads, “Merry Christmas to Dom and Nick from Matt and Jake.” Wonderful!
By: Liz,
on 10/7/2014
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Mr. Wayne’s Masterpiece
By Patricia Polacco
School is back in session at the same time that one of my favorite picture book authors, Ms. Patricia Polacco, offers her newest picture book and it is reason to celebrate on so many levels.Artistically and narratively, her books are a joy to read. They draw you in immediately and hold you till the end.
Her books speak to children’s vulnerabilities, uncertainties, fears and doubts in a variety of situations. Bullying, disabilities that can hamper learning, shyness, and family problems are but a few of the issues some of her picture books address. I love that she never attempts to sugar coat or gloss over the very real emotions and feelings that children may encounter in any or all of the situations that may come their way. YET, there is always SOMEONE in her picture books that helps the child overcome those feelings and, in the end, conquer what have seemingly been roadblocks to learning AND growth. I am also very gratified to see that in many of her books, that person happens to be a male OR female teacher!
If you read “The Art of Miss Chew”, “Thank you, Mr. Falker”, “Bully” and the above, “Mr. Wayne’s Masterpiece”, Ms. Polacco has mirrored a life changing instance ( in many cases, it may well have been her own), in a child’s life that has paved the way for a more confident, emotionally healthy future adult. More often that not, it was because of the direct and caring words and actions of a teacher that recognIzed a need that had yet to be addressed in a child – and met. They meet it NOT by providing a way out, but by ACCOMPANYING the child THROUGH IT with words of encouragement and sincere belief in the child’s abilities when the child does not possess that courage and belief in themselves as yet. That is one of the reasons why teachers DO effect eternity in that their words echo throughout a child’s life.
Meet Trisha who has a very hard time with public speaking. She halts and hesitates through the reading of book reports to be read aloud in class. Trisha is smart, but lacks confidence in her own abilities. Do you know a Trisha? I have met many in my time in the classroom and it is so heartening to see them blossom through a word, a gesture, or a special note of praise. Sometimes, in a very busy day in a classroom, those are the moments that stand out.
For that is just what Trisha needs, and she gets it from the collaborative efforts of two teachers named Mr. Tranchina and the drama coach, Mr. Wayne, who has just composed a play for a school production.
Mr. Tranchina is the facilitator here in that he recognizes Trisha’s talents as a writer and connects her with the drama teacher. Mr. Wayne, in turn immediately notices her reticence to be front and center, yet sees her talent can be cultivated and nursed “behind the scenes.” Her facility also lies in the arts and painting! Remind you of anyone, yet? It should, to Polacco fans.
The winter play called “Musette in the Garden Snow” involves a girl, her friends and a mysterious garden, and as Trisha half listens backstage, she finds herself mouthing EVERYONE’S LINES, INCLUDING MUSETTE’S!!!
Circumstances find Trisha facing a daunting opportunity to take over the role of Musette with a mixture of trepidation and terror oddly mixed with a talent that will not be denied!
Children may find themselves identifying wholeheartedly with Trisha as she faces her fears and finds herself onstage and in command, and “on fire” as she fully embraces the energy of the performing arts.
I asked my actress daughter to explain to me what it feels like onstage. “Mom, she said, “It’s this energy that you give out to the audience and they pass it back to you. And when it”s working perfectly, it’s an exhilaration akin to hitting the “sweet spot” on a tennis racket.” It’s a volley that just continues throughout the play and it’s a feeling like no other.”
Trisha, thanks to those two teachers – AND a supportive mom, gets her moment to feel it too!
They say in life it’s the things you DON”T do that you regret the most, and in “Mr. Wayne’s Masterpiece”, his creative effort is not merely his play, but the newly confident Trisha, herself.
I count myself so fortunate to have had at least TWO such teachers in MY life! Each time I tell a story to a group of children, I can see their faces in the children’s eyes!!
Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
Let me start by saying I am an unmitigated Polacco fan, and among the many books she has written, this may just be my favorite.
It packs a wallop if picture books can, amidst their recent much-heralded demise, continue to do such a thing. This one definitely does.
As a new school year is in the offing, most of us, if we search our memories, can recall with perfect clarity a teacher who had a life changing effect on our life, both academic and otherwise. These are often defining moments as we look back. Sometimes it was not that dramatic – perhaps a random word of encouragement, some extra time spent or an affirmation at a time when we needed it most.
I had two such remarkable people who stretched me and made me want to excel. One was my 6th grade teacher and the other taught English in my sophomore year in high school. They showed me the possibilities of what could be, not what was. They were most probably the reason I became a teacher. One of them is still in my life as a friend and mentor, meeting her again after many years. The other, I bumped into quite randomly in Sag Harbor as I was entering a restaurant several years ago. I got the chance to say “thank you” to my version of Mr. Falker and it felt great!
This is the true story of one of Ms. Polacco’s childhood school experiences, dense with the richness of the truth of so many things. It starts, as do most things, with a family, its traditions, and the importance it places on certain things and in that placement, the passing on of an inherent value to its children.
Readers will witness the ritual of the Polacco family and her grandfather, as he has done for generations, pouring honey on the cover of a small book and offering the youngest a taste of honey with the query, “What is that taste?” “Sweet” is the reply. Then the entire family joins in with one voice, “Yes, and so is knowledge, but knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you have to chase it through the pages of a book.” Trisha longs to pursue the tradition through learning to read.
Her story concretely and painfully details the power of words to hurt and to heal, the ability of a teacher to change one life at a time, simply by caring enough to probe deeper into the reason for a certain child’s struggles with academics, and the devastating effects of bullying.
For all that, it is a supremely uplifting and honest book, chronicling the difficulty faced by one child and her struggles in learning to read. The raw truth of this book as Ms. Polacco details her struggles with deciphering letters and their accompanying sounds, is juxtaposed against the caring Mr. Falker and his charismatic ability to change one child’s gradual mistaken belief that they are not smart because their learning curve is different. They have what is termed a learning disability – they process information differently.
Trisha’s drawing talent and ability become evident and are a soothing comfort in her struggle to adjust from a comforting farm life with which she is familiar, and her new life as the family moves to California. Her reading struggles intensify, accompanied by the unrelenting taunts of a classmate.
Soon, Trisha herself begins to believe the truth of the taunts – she is different, she believes and as she sees it, dumb. That difference, she mistakenly perceives is her fault and the reason for her inability to succeed and fit in. Enter Mr. Falker!
Fifth grade will be life changing. His elegant clothing and insistence on civility are only his outward hallmarks.
He gradually sees through the loneliness and fear brought on by Trisha’s inability to make sense of the squiggles on the blackboard. Promising her everything will change, he assures her that it has only been through her cunning, smartness and yes, bravery, that she has eluded and fooled many teachers in her ability to keep up.
Mr. Falker and a reading teacher meet with Trisha nearly every day and the world opens to her. It finally all begins to make sense!
She clutches a jar of honey and a book in triumph as she remembers the tradition of her family. Open sesame! The promise of the family tradition is met and kept.
Fast-forward thirty years and Trisha’s reconnection is tender as she meets again the life changing Mr. Falker or Felker, his real name. He asks her what she does for a living and thanking him, she brightly replies, “ I make books for children”.
You can’t write better than this, even in fiction.
Thanks to all the Mr. Falkers of this and every school year that have affected eternity in their ripple effect and sometimes never get to see the difference in the lives they’ve touched. This book is for you and those you’ve changed forever, whether you ever come face to face with it or not! You are the real heroes of this book, along with the students whose lives you’ve saved in the simple deciphering of the human heart.
I had the wonderful opportunity to listen to the amazing author/illustrator
PATRICIA POLACCO on Monday evening. She discussed a few of her books--in particular
THE KEEPING QUILT and
THE BLESSING CUP. Both of these heartwarming stories are based on her own true family stories.
Ms. Polacco said that she came from a family of "amazing storytellers." Every evening her grandmother would share a story, embellishing them more and more as the years went by. "Of course it's a true story," her grandmother would say when asked. "But it may not have happened."
The author went on to explain that "the truth is the journey one takes through the story." She also shared her feelings on her illustrations. "Art is like breathing," she said. "I can't imagine life without it."
I encourage you to share the journey through one or many of Patricia Polacco's endearing picture book stories. You'll be so glad that you did.
This is the second in a series of three posts that include craft tables you can download for use during your conferences or strategy lessons. If you missed last week’s post, which talked… Read More →
Patricia Polacco has long been one of my favorite children’s authors. I’ve led author studies of her works with my former students in both reading and writing workshop. I have used books like… Read More →
#53 Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco (1998)
33 points
Could never read it to the kids without getting teary eyed. Great story about what a difference a teacher can make in a child’s life. – Cheryl Phillips
This is such a powerful books to read to young kids. All of the kids benefit from hearing this semi autobiographical story, but especially the struggling readers. – Alexandra Eichel
I think it’s fair to say that this book was a big surprise. Not that people voted on it, of course. People voted on it on the last poll, but its numbers were far too low to get on the final count. So to see it make it, and at the more than respectable #53 . . . well, it just does the heart good.
The description from the publisher reads, “In this autobiographical story, Little Trisha, overjoyed at the thought of learning how to read struggles when she finds that all the letters and numbers get jumbled up. Her classmates make matters worse by calling her dummy. Finally, in fifth grade, she is lucky enough to have a teacher who recognizes Trisha’s incredible artistic ability — and understands her problem, and takes the time to lead her to the magic of reading. Although dyslexia is never mentioned in the book, this story will provide great reassurance to children who struggle to overcome learning disabilities.”
As you may already know, the book is autobiographical for the most part. On her website Ms. Polacco addresses this saying, “I REMEMBER FEELING DUMB, THAT TERRIBLE FEELING ABOUT MYSELF WAS COMPOUNDED BY BEING TEASED BY A BULLY. THAT BOY CHANGED MY LIFE AND MADE ME FEEL SO UNSAFE AND SO SAD THAT I DIDN’T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL ANYMORE. MR. FALKER, MY HERO, MY TEACHER, NOT ONLY STOPPED THIS BOY FROM TEASING ME, BUT HE ALSO NOTICED THAT I WASN’T READING WELL AND GOT A READING SPECIALIST TO HELP.”
It is undoubtedly the best-known (and probably best period) picture book featuring a dyslexic child we’ve ever seen. All the more reason to check out this lesson plan called Digging Deeper: Developing Comprehension Using Thank You, Mr. Falker.”
It has some sequels, so to speak, of its own. Using the same characters and themes, Ms. Polacco returns time and again to her own youth for inspiration. In 2010 she published The Junkyard Wonders in which Tricia finds her tribe. This year we’re seeing the publication of The Art of Miss Chew where Tricia is able to connect with an art teacher as well.
PW said of Thank You, Mr. Falker, “Polacco’s tale is all the more heartfelt because of its personal nature. Young readers struggling with learning difficulties will identify with Trisha’s situation and find reassurance in her success. Polacco’s gouache-an
By:
Bianca Schulze,
on 5/7/2012
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By:
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By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 2, 2012
Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.
THE HOT SPOTS: THE TRENDS
Giveaway: Win the New iPad
Award-Winning Illustrator Marla Frazee & the Best Interview Ever
Author Interview: Gary Paulsen
How Picture Books Play a Role in a Child’s Development
Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online
THE NEW RELEASES
The most coveted books that release this month:
The Art of Miss Chew
by Patricia Polacco
(Ages 5-8)
The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict
by Trenton Lee Stewart
(Ages 10-13)
Goddess Girls #8: Medusa the Mean
by Joan Holub and Suzanne Willams
(Ages 8-12)
Grave Mercy: His Fair Assassin (His Fair Assassin Trilogy #1)
by Robin LaFevers
(Ages 14-17)
The False Prince (Ascendance Trilogy)
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
(Ages 10-14)
THE BEST SELLERS
T
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By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 29, 2011
During the holiday season it’s a great joy to share family traditions and spend time together. Every year, I look forward to reading these beloved books below to my daughter.
By Rumer Godden; illustrated by Barbara Cooney
Rumer Godden begins The Story of Holly & Ivy with the sweetest line, “This is a story about wishing.” When an orphan named Ivy and a dreamy doll named Holly see each other through a toy shop window, magic happens. In this classic Christmas tale, Holly and Ivy both find a sense of belonging in their new home and to each other. Wishes come true in part thanks to Barbara Cooney’s tender illustrations of the festive village and toys. Godden captures the precious beauty of a brave girl unwilling to give up on her dream. (Ages 5-10)
By Aliki
My daughter and I love returning to Christmas Tree Memories by Aliki each December just like the family’s tradition in the book of sitting by their tree with cookies and a roaring fire to recount each story behind their homemade ornaments. Aliki imbues such gentleness to each character, whether it’s Papouli or the children, the love this family feels for each other comes across with her every detail. (Ages 4-8)
By Iza Trapani
Jingle Bells (as told and illustrated by Iza Trapani) is a rollicking fun songbook filled with holiday customs and traditions from around the world. Children will enjoy learning about bearded little gnomes in Sweden, lantern parades in the Philippines, breaking the piñata in Mexico, and presents found in their shoes in Italy. (Ages 4-8)
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This is amazing good news. Great news, in fact. I’m happy and proud to say that my book, Bystander, is included on the ballot for the 2012 New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award.
To learn more about the award, and to download a ballot or bookmark, please click here.
The voting is broken down into four categories and includes forty books. Bystander is in the “Grades 6-8/Middle School” category. Really, it’s staggering. There are ten books in this category out of literally an infinity of titles published each year. You do the math, people.
For more background stories on Bystander — that cool inside info you can only find on the interwebs! — please click here (bully memory) and here (my brother John) and here (Nixon’s dog, Checkers) and here (the tyranny of silence).
Below please find all the books on the ballot — congratulations, authors & illustrators! I’m honored to be in your company.
-
GRADES pre K-2/PRIMARY
Bubble Trouble . . . Margaret Mahy/Polly Dunbar
City Dog, Country Frog . . . Mo Willems/Jon J Muth
Clever Jack Takes the Cake . . . Candace Fleming/G. Brian Karas
Lousy Rotten Stinkin’ Grapes . . . Margie Palatini/Barry Moser
Memoirs of a Goldfish . . . Devin Scillian/Tim Bower
Otis . . . Loren LongStars Above Us . . . Geoffrey Norman/E.B. Lewis
That Cat Can’t Stay . . . Thad Krasnesky/David Parkins
Turtle, Turtle, Watch Out! . . . April Pulley Sayre/Annie Patterson
We Planted a Tree . . . Diane Muldrow/Bob Staake
-
GRADES 3-5/INTERMEDIATE
The Can Man . . . Laura E. Williams/Craig Orback L
Emily’s Fortune . . . Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Family Reminders . . .
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photo by >>>WonderMike<<< www.flickr.com
Today, in East Central Illinois, I am surrounded by snow and wind and chilly temperatures. So what’s a better Timeless Thursday book to remember today than The Mitten by Jan Brett? I remember when I was studying to be an elementary education teacher in the early 1990s, and everybody raved about Jan Brett–especially The Mitten. In one of my classes, we had to do a cross-curriculum unit on a book where we created activities in various subjects such as math, social studies, science, and reading. I did Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco, but one of my classmates did Jan Brett’s The Mitten. And I was smitten. 
One of the best things about this book is the art and the border around each page that Jan Brett has become famous for. Not only are her illustrations wonderful and something I could never imagine doing in a million years, the borders are clever and help readers predict which animals might enjoy the boy’s mitten next. For example, the text on one page is discussing how Nicki lost his mitten. The border is showing us mole tracks on one page and a mole on the next. Then the next page’s text is about the mole finding the mitten and resting inside.
This Timeless Thursday Jan Brett classic, which is 21 years old in 2010, can be used in the classroom in so many ways. Many art teachers use her border idea for art projects in elementary art lessons. Teachers use The Mitten to work on predicting or sequencing skills and read tales from other lands (this story comes from a Ukrainian tradition). Parents can share this wonderful book at bedtime, use it to develop an interest in knitting, and even to talk about responsibility with their children. I mean, how many of us have lost a mitten? I have! I should probably have mine tied to my winter coat as we speak.
The Mitten by Jan Brett is a great winter book to share with children at home or at school!
Each day leading up to Christmas, I'm going to feature a Children's book that I've really enjoyed and would make a great choice to share with your family for the holidays. It may be one I've loved for years or one I've just recently found, but all would be great additions to your Christmas story list. Hopefully you'll find something to enjoy!
"When a bad leak ruins the sacristy wall in his father's church, Jonathan Jefferson Weeks thinks his family's first Christmas Eve service in Detroit will be ruined too. Luckily, he and his father find a beautiful tapestry for sale in a secondhand shop-just the thing to cover the damaged wall and give the church a festive look!
But there is more to the tapestry, as they discover when an old Jewish woman who is visiting the church recognizes the lovely old cloth. It is her discovery that leads to a real miracle on this unforgettable Christmas Eve."
Patricia Polacco is awesome in all the books she's written, but I really do love this one. A great mixture of a holiday story, family relationships and history, love, and different cultures coming together. It's a bit longer than in text than a typical picture book, so older kids will probably get more out of it than your younger ones.
Not a flat-out Christmas book, but a lovely family read aloud that includes the holidays, some Christian traditions, some Jewish traditions, and fabulous miracle at the end!
Christmas Tapestry
Patricia Polacco
48 pages
Picture Book
Philomel
9780399239557
September 2002
Copy borrowed from library
To learn more or to purchase, click on the book cover above to link to Amazon. I am an Associate and will receive a tiny commission from your purchase. Thanks!
By:
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on 10/13/2009
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Today I’m participating in a mass blogging! WOW! Women On Writing has gathered a group of blogging buddies to write about family relationships. Why family relationships? We’re celebrating the release of Therese Walsh’s debut novel today. The Last Will of Moira Leahy, (Random House, October 13, 2009) is about a mysterious journey that helps a woman learn more about herself and her twin, whom she lost when they were teenagers. Visit “The Muffin” to read what Therese has to say about family relationships and view the list of all my blogging buddies. And make sure you visit Therese’s website to find out more about the author.
I chose WOW!’s “Family Relationships Mass Blogging Day” to write about one of my favorite picture book authors/illustrators, Patricia Polacco. She has written and illustrated many picture books, including some of my favorites: My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother; Thank You, Mr. Falker; and Pink and Say.
The reason I chose her for today is many of her picture books are based on true accounts of her childhood, and she does not try to mask these events behind some fictional characters. She includes herself and her family members, and the stories are touching, often bringing tears. The book I chose especially for today is Thunder Cake. If you have a child scared of storms, this is the perfect book for you. It will help you and your child share special moments as Patricia and her grandmother did when she was a child.
Short, short summary: Thunder Cake is the story of how Patricia Polacco learned to conquer her fear of storms when she was a young girl. Her grandmother senses a storm is coming, and so she convinces Patricia to go outside and gather the ingredients they need to bake thunder cake. This includes eggs, tomatoes, and milk. While the cake is baking, Grandmother recaps what young Patricia did OUTSIDE as the storm was approaching, and she convinces her granddaughter that only a brave girl could do those things. Patricia agrees. This is one of the perfect family relationship books as it shows the heartwarming love between a grandma and her granddaughter, and it can help you as a parent (or even a teacher) with a child who has a fear of storms.
So, what do I do with this book?
1. Make a thunder cake with your students or you child. (If you are doing this with a classroom, you can also turn any cooking lesson into a math lesson–studying fractions, doubling recipes, and so on.)
2. Ask students or your child to write (or make a list together) all the reasons why rain is a positive thing–why do we need rain? Why is this important? If children can see why rain is necessary and helpful, it might give them more positive feelings toward storms. When your child starts to become afraid during storms, draw pictures of the ways rain helps, create poems, or even make up a play or story with older children. This will distract them from the storm and promote positive feelings.
3. Make noise with your child or students as a storm is approaching. Can you make your own thunder? Often children just don’t like loud noises they can not control, and this is why thunder scares them. Get out some pots, pans, and wooden spoons. Have a storm concert. Chant favorite poems and play music to drown out the outside sounds.
Another super easy thing to do is just talk with your child about Patricia’s bravery and see what they think. Thanks for checking out my post today as part of WOW!’s mass blogging day!
This listener submitted review comes from Kevin Hodgson of Kevin’s Meandering Mind blog. This is Kevin’s fifth review for our show! He’ll soon need his own theme music.
This time, Kevin shares his thought about Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair by Patricia Polacco.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Send your MP3 recorded or type-written review in email to [email protected], or phone it in to our JOMB listener hotline (206-350-6487).
Need some inspiration? Give a listen to 21 previous listener submitted review episodes here.
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I LOVE this one, but I can't read it out loud - I choke up like a baby at the end, even though you know what's coming.