"The Arrival" by Shuan Tan

"The Arrival" 

by Shuan Tan

128 pages /  Print / Fantasy

Summary: In an imaginary world, a man must leave his wife and daughter behind to create a better life for them. Through illustrations only, Shuan Tan tells us an inspiring story of immigration and a man's love for his family. We follow the man's struggle of not knowing his new country's language, and finding a place to live and sleep. After some time, the wife and daughter and reunited with the man in the new country and build a new life together instead of isolation.

Evaluation: A beautiful story of immigration that captures the emotions of arriving in a new place with no knowledge of the language, culture or people. Shuan Tan uses an imaginary world, with imaginary text for the man to read, which makes the reader feel alien just as much as the protagonist in the story. The illustrations allow us to look into the mind and backstories of the characters in the story to help the reader realize that everyone in the imaginary land is an immigrant too. This book is a great way to introduce a unit on immigration. The artwork is captivating, Tan uses different dark shades to signal to the reader different passages of time and perspectives. We are to believe that every immigrant has left their country to escape some dark force, or make their life better. The book reads like a filmstrip, which makes for a very interactive reading experience.

Appeal Terms: adventure, graphic novel, historical, science fiction, engrossing, dark, hopeful, mystical, melodramatic, episodic, plot centered, resolved ending, family centered, life like, vivid, multiple point of view, imaginary, introspective

"Smart About Sharks" by Owen Davey

"Smart About Sharks" 

by Owen Davey

40 pages /  Print / Non-Fiction

Summary: This informational book has everything "Sharks"! Come explore how sharks live their lives in the oceans and seas. There is much to learn about sharks, inside and out. Where do they live? What do they eat? Do other fish prey on sharks? Which shark can jump the highest? After reading this book, you will be "smart about sharks".

Evaluation: A great resource for young readers to get their fill on this favorite ocean animal. Owen Davey's illustrations are gentle and detailed, making this book readable for all ages. He uses language that a young middle schooler would use ("The Great White Shark is the rock star of the ocean.", "Something to sink your teeth into") and describes scientific terms in easy words. The table of contents and index in the book make it easy to navigate and find specific information on sharks. The color scheme used is very nice too look at, like a well designed website. The illustrations play with the words and information blurbs throughout the book, making it fun to read and explore.


Appeal Terms: animal, engrossing, engaging, fact-filled, realistic

"Harold and the Purple Crayon" by Crockett Johnson

"Harold and the Purple Crayon" 

by Crockett Johnson

64 pages /  Print / Fantasy

Summary: Harold explores a world as he draws it with his purple crayon. He draws himself into different situations; climbing mountains, sailing the see, and sharing a picnic with animals. When it is time for bed, Harold draws him back back home with the help of the moon.

Evaluation: What a great book that captures the imagination of a young child. The illustrations are simple but important to the plot of the story. Johnson's use of line on each page makes your eye follow the shapes and movement of Harold's journey. The line from the purple crayon moves the story along and leaves you excited with the next magical thing to happen. The visual clues left on each page makes you guess what will happen next. This is a great story to read as a class and guess where Harold will go off to next!

Appeal Terms: adventure, easy, humorous, magical, gentle, well developed

"Press Here" by Herve Tullet

"Press Here" 

by Herve Tullet

56 pages /  Print / Humorous 

Summary: "Press here. Now press here. Shake the book." "Press here" by Herve Tullet allows you to press different color dots on the page and watch them transform into something else on the next page. Dots multiply and change shape, doing all sorts of magical things.

Evaluation: This book invites the reader to interact and engage with the pages in the book. Through the 56 pages, I found myself smiling the entire time. This book is very original and will win over any reader that picks it up. Warning: if you are easily embarrassed, the do not read the book in public. It will have you clapping, shaking the book, and laughing hysterically. The colors used are very simple, just four primary colors. By keeping the colors and design simple, the author can focus more on the fun aspects of the book. This is a book that is better read alone so you can interact with it directly.

Appeal Terms: realistic, humorous, deliberate, easy, interactive, quirky

"A Log's Life" by Wendy Pfeffer, Illustrated by Robin Brickman

"A Log's Life" 

by Wendy Pfeffer, Illustrated by Robin Brickman

32 pages /  Print / Realistic

Summary: "A Log's Life" brings us through the amazing life cycle of tree as it falls, decomposes and gives life to a new tree. Many animals and insects depend on a tree in each stage of its life. The book reads like a story, but it is very educational. Realistic illustrations add to the value of this fascinating book.

Evaluation: This book is an excellent tool for understanding and appreciating nature's greatest gift, trees. A teacher could use this book in a science class to introduce a unit on earth science. The illustrations and text are very meditative, making you feel like you are walking through a shady forest. The message of this book with surely make readers appreciate trees and how many creatures interact with it. The message of rebirth (of the tree) is beautiful and could be used as a metaphor for human life.

Appeal Terms: animal, realistic, engrossing, easy, engaging, event oriented, fact-filled, life like

"Animalia" by Graeme Base

"Animalia" 

by Graeme Base

32 pages /  Print / Fantasy

Summary: This book is an illustrated alternative alphabet filled with animals doing human things. This book is an adventure to read, with each letter representing a different animal. Also on each page are things that start with that letter. With so many detailed pictures and hidden treasures to find on each page, this book could take longer to read than a chapter book.

Evaluation: This book, like other books I've reviewed on this blog, is a work of art. This book is like your wildest and most strange dream. Because it is an alphabet book, students can learn about letter sounds (phonics) and alliteration (crimson cats,  hairy hippos, etc.). The tongue twisters on each page are fun to read. The book contains one inappropriate sentence that parents should look at before reading it to their child, ("Kid Kookaburra and Kelly Kangaroo kidnap Kitty Koala") showing animals in criminal clothing. This book can be read many times, and you would probably discover something new each time.

Appeal Terms: animal, leisurely, humorous, magical, gentle, quirky

"The Book That Eats People" by John Perry ( Illustrated by Mark Fearing)

"The Book That Eats People" 

by John Perry ( Illustrated by Mark Fearing)

38 pages /  Print / Humorous

Summary: This is simply the book that eats people! This book can smell the food on your hands if you don't wash them. That makes the book hungry. It hides in the library, sometimes disguising itself by putting on a different book's jacket. It will even eat other books in the library! The book kept eating other children until it was locked away in jail. It couldn't be kept in jail for long, so it was sent to the zoo. It would not eat junk food that they sold at the zoo, it only wanted to eat people. Never read this book after eating something delicious, it will smell the food and get hungry. Don't read this book alone! It is the book that eats people!

Evaluation: I really enjoy a book that breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to its readers. The page design in this book is very creative. There is a lot of collage work, and designs borrowed from comic books ( cells, and columns). Some illustrations are made to look like the book was taped together and ripped apart by the monster book. Some pages look like the inside of a stomach of a book that just ate a collection of science textbooks. Creepy. An unexpected monster, a book, is a perfect character to use in a library during Halloween. Students and librarians are the main characters in this book, so they both can find a connection in this book when reading it.

Appeal Terms: science fiction, humorous, fast, foreboding, edgy, magical, creepy, spooky, character centered, quirky