Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot

Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot
text by Sy Montgomery
photographs by Nic Bishop

2011 Robert F. Sibert Award Book

tween


  

Kakapo Rescue introduces readers to the kakapo (KAR-ka-po), the world's strangest parrot.  This endangered species cannot fly and is also the world's heaviest parrot.  This unique species is on the brink of extinction with only 91 alive today.  All surviving kakapo have been relocated to a remote island, Codfish Island, in southern New Zealand.  Volunteers study the birds and assist with their nutrition, breeding, and general well being.  Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop were given the unique opportunity to visit Codfish Island and see the kakapo for themselves.  The photographs captured during their 10 day excursion are incredible and tell the story of the volunteers' commitment and the kakapo's fight for survival.

 I created a Voki presentation to help tell the kakapo story.

 

Olivia Goes to Venice

Olivia Goes to Venice
written and illustrated by Ian Falconer

New York Times Bestseller

Elementary

Olivia Goes to Venice is another delightful tale from Ian Falconer.  Olivia travels to Venice with her family and experiences many of the main tourist attractions.  Her favorite attraction is the gelato!

I found myself drawn to the unique illustrations.  Olivia and her family are simply drawn, primarily using the colors black, red, and white.  The attractions of Venice are detailed paintings that are so realistic they could almost be mistaken for photographs.  The combination is a unique experience.

Stolen

Stolen
by Lucy Christopher

2011 Printz Award

Teen

Stolen is a gripping YA novel that takes place primarily in the Sandy Desert of Australia.  Ty, a handsome young man with a troubled background, has a dream to live a self sufficient lifestyle in the remote desert of Australia with Gemma.  Unfortunately, Gemma knows nothing about this plan.  In fact, she doesn't even know Ty.

I felt the author did a tremendous job of capturing my attention with this book.  I found it difficult to put it down.  The book is actually a letter Gemma has written to Ty telling how she felt about everything that took place between them.  By writing the novel from Gemma's point of view, the author helped me understand and empathize with the confusion Gemma had about her feelings for Ty and what happened to her.  

I created a book trailer for Stolen using Animoto.  Check it out.

Grandma's Gift

Grandma's Gift
written and illustrated by Eric Velasquez

2011 Pura Belpre Illustrator Award Book

Elementary

Eric is excited to be spending his Christmas vacation with his Grandmother in El Barrio.  He knows they will be busy getting ready for the holidays.  Along with Christmas preparations, Eric's teacher has given him an assignment to write a report on a famous painting by Diego Velazquez.  Traveling to the museum to view the painting is an exciting adventure, but not as exciting as what Eric discovers when he locates the painting.  The experience gives Eric's grandmother an idea for a perfect Christmas gift for Eric.

This book honors the special relationship between a grandparent and a grandchild.  It also celebrates the Puerto Rican culture by introducing a Spanish speaking family of African descent.  Spanish is introduced as Eric translates for his grandmother throughout the story.  The illustrations are realistic and help the reader visualize the story.  The end pages of the book look like a gift with a large bow, quite fitting for the book.

To learn more about Eric Velasquez, you can visit his Web site from the following link:

http://www.ericvelasquez.com/

Interrupting Chicken

Interrupting Chicken
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein

2011 Caldecott Honor Book

Elementary

It's bedtime and the little red chicken insists on a bedtime story.  Papa agrees to read a story, but becomes frustrated when the little red chicken keeps interrupting the stories.  The little red chicken has heard the stories before and feels compelled to tell the characters what is about to happen.  Finally, the little red chicken reads a story for Papa.  Is anyone ready for sleep yet?

This book received the Caldecott honor award for its illustrations.  There are three distinct styles of illustrations throughout the book.  When Papa is reading, the illustrations primarily consist of bold, vibrant colors which completely fill the page.  When chicken interrupts the story, the illustrations show the storybook in muted colors and little red chicken jumping into the story with her bold, vivid colors.  And finally, when it is little red chicken's turn to tell the story, the illustrations resemble a child's illustrations.  Each of the styles work well together to create this charming tale.

Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night

Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night
by Joyce Sidman
illustrated by Rick Allen

2011 Newbery Honor Book

Tween

This Newbery Honor book is a collection of twelve beautifully crafted poems about what occurs during the nighttime.  Each poem has a unique style and uses various approaches to convey the beauty of nighttime.  Rick Allen's illustrations are created with a unique process of relief printing.  The illustrations were actually printed in layers using sheets of linoleum and then hand colored with gouache.  The results are stunning.  A glossary and facts about each poem are included for those readers who are eager to learn the science behind poetry. 

                       Wordle - Created by Eileen Corbett  http://www.wordle.net/

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin
written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

2011 Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Book

Elementary

Charlie and his cousin (primo), Carlitos, exchange letters and learn about each others' lives.  Although Charlie lives in America and Carlitos lives in Mexico, they discover that their lives are similar in many ways. 

Students reading this book will relate to the activities that Charlie and Carlitos discuss in their letters.  They will also appreciate the engaging illustrations.  Tonatiuh emphasizes some part of each illustration with a unique textured appearance.  Pages that illustrate Carlitos' letters also include labels of Spanish words.  This will be a learning experience for English speakers and will help define these new words.  For those who need further explanation, there is a glossary in the back of the book.