Nonfiction Book Review: Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. 2009. Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and. ISBN 9780618966363

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This book provides a perspective of earth’s relation to the vast oceans of our planet.  It takes readers from the ocean surface into the deep abyss of the ocean floor in the Marianas Trench.  The book is a compilation of informative insights, studying an array of wildlife in their watery habitat.  This stunning informational text provides details such as depths in feet and meters, temperatures in Celsius and Fahrenheit, and the names of various creatures that inhabit the sea.  From the albatross to giant tube worms, the colorful and dynamic artwork of Steve Jenkins is captivating.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The artwork in the book makes for an intriguing design as it appears to be fashioned from differing textures and colorations of cut and torn paper. Many of the shapes are repeated such as the flying fish, krill, mackerel and compass jellyfish.  Especially captivating are the illustrations of deep sea creatures.  Jenkins creates a stunning contrast using light and dark colors capturing the true essence of the creatures from the deep, little explored world beneath the sea. 

Each page contains interesting captions to pique the interest of readers such as; Battle of the Giants, Ooze and Glowing in the Dark.  All plants and animals are clearly labeled with a common name and side texts introduce interesting facts and characteristics of marine life.

The book also is well organized containing additional diagrams in the back of the book.  These detailed diagrams depict comparisons to the human body and relationships to other animal and plant sea life making it ideal for researching marine life. This area of the book is very similar to Jenkins’s Actual Size book.  It is a book that will interest young readers of all ages.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee 2010

School Library Journal: “… the repeated message that humans have much to explore and learn in the deeper ocean is intriguing and inviting.”

Booklist: “…a most welcome introduction to the sometimes-surprising world of marine biology.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* This would make a good complement to Sneed B. Collard's The Deep-Sea Floor (Charlesbridge, 2003) ISBN 9781570914034
*Use this parts of this book as an expository reading example
*Read this book to introduce animal paper art creations
*Introduce students to marine life studies by reading this book
*Have students make their own paper animal creations using cut or torn paper

Nonfiction and Biography Book Review: Drawing From Memory by Allen Say

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Say, Allen. 2011. Drawing from Memory. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780545176866

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The autobiography of Allen Say begins in his home of Yokohama, Japan where he was born in 1937.  His love for comic books began at a young age as he read these to the other neighborhood children.  Allen’s father was displeased with his love of art.  So Allen kept his drawings a secret.

The story takes the boy from his home during the war.  Allen continues to exhibit talent as an artist to his teachers who enter his works in contests.  He also has a wonderful memory which helps him to get into school. It is at school that Allen’s life changes when he reads a story about a boy a few years older than himself, who loves to draw and follows his dream to become a cartoonist by finding a “sensei” or “teacher”.

Next, Allen finds the cartoonist, Noro Shinpei, to work under and thus begins a journey where he becomes a great cartoonist himself in “the great land of freedom.”

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Allen Say captures the essence of having a passion for something, like drawing, can inspire in children.  The illustrations are expressive even though they are drawn as cartoons which make this book an excellent choice for children who are reluctant to read.  The photos in the book add a realistic quality.  The cover art is a depiction of how Allen felt when he got his very own room at school.   He describes his joyous experience when he writes: “I floated around the room all afternoon.”  He illustrates his happiness so vividly you can see that he is overcome with elation.

The most impressive aspect of the book is the progression the reader sees in Allen’s style of drawing.  The artist goes from pencil sketches, to using various brush strokes for cartooning, to elaborate realistic sketches of famous sculptures of Brutus and David. The drawing progression even compares Allen’s paint set to being much better than that of Van Gogh.  Next to the statement is a miniature picture in the colorful style of a Van Gogh painting. 

The organization of the book adds to the visual effect of the story.  For example, the story Allen reads in the newspaper about Tokida stands out by having the artwork in black and white cartoons instead of color.  This is in contrast to the other drawings of Allan’s life which have color added.

Students with a love of art will appreciate this book with its varied collection of art mediums and the compelling true story of a boy in search of living out his dreams.  I wanted to continue to investigate the life of Allen in the United States as the book seems to end abruptly.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book Guide: “ Throughout the volume, content is reinforced through canny artistic choices and harmonious design.”

School Library Journal: “The somewhat abrupt ending…may leave readers wishing for a more extended epilogue or sequel, but that is simply because his story is so engaging. Readers of all ages will be inspired.”

Publisher’s Weekly:  “Say's account is complex, poignant, and unfailingly honest. Say's fans—and those who also feel the pull of the artist's life—will be captivated.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*The graphic novel format of this book makes it a great choice for ELL students and reluctant readers.
*A great resource for cartoon art form studies
*Use this book for an autobiography example
*This book will make a wonderful addition to studies about famous artists
*The book can be used as an avenue for cultural studies about Japan
*Have students create their own autobiography scrapbook for a writing lesson

Nonfiction Book Review: Balloons Over Broadway: A True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Mellissa Sweet

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sweet, Mellissa. 2011. Balloons Over Broadway: A True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 9780547199450

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The book begins with Tony Sarg a small boy interested in all things that moved.  His love for puppets started at the age of six when he often would take marionettes apart to see how they worked.  Tony even came up with a clever idea to feed the chickens by pulling on a string from his bedroom which was connected to the chicken coop door.  His father was so amazed, Tony was never asked to do a chore again.

As Tony grows up, his love for puppets grows too.  He moves to London where his marionettes make him famous. Later, Tony immigrates to New York where he finds work at Macy’s.  He is asked to design a “puppet parade” for the store and becomes an immediate sensation with his “Wondertown” window creations.

The store decides to put on a larger parade in honor of their many immigrant employees.  He plans the first ever Thanksgiving Day parade in 1927 which consisted of horse-drawn floats, costumes and animals from the Central Park Zoo.

Since the parade was such a success, it became a Thanksgiving Day tradition.  The animals scared children with their roars, so Macy’s had Tony develop animal balloons instead.  The first puppets were held up with sticks.  These were cumbersome and did not move much. So, Tony decided to add helium and strong rope to the air puppets much like the ones we see today.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Melissa Sweet’s imaginative design, creative exhibits her creativity. She includes homemade toys and artwork making a wonderful biographical picture book.  The book’s style takes on a scrapbook nuance as there are fabric clipping, buttons, newspaper clippings and small sketches dispersed throughout the book.  Children of all ages will love the colorful and joyful renditions of the puppets and balloons Sarg creates. What child would not love this wonderful story about puppets, balloons, parades, and toys! 

The book is organized with author’s notes, quotes, photos and annotations about the life of Tony Sarg.  Actual details such as Jim Henson serving as Sarg’s apprentice, creating marionettes for the movie The Sound of Music and his collaboration with Walt Disney add interest and clarity for anyone who reads this outstanding true life story.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2012 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner

Horn Book Guide:” Sweet's whimsical mixed-media collages, embellished with little dolls she made herself out of odds and ends, reinforce the theme that, for Sarg, work was play.”

School Library Journal: “Sweet tells this slice of American history well, conveying both Sarg's enthusiasm and joy.... This one should float off the shelves.”

Publisher’s Weekly: “Sweet captures it all in what is truly a story for all ages.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Read this book in conjunction with books about Jim Henson for a lesson in puppeteers.
*Conduct a puppet show based on the life of Tony Sarg.
*Integrate this story into lessons about puppet making, puppet shows, Pinocchio
*Books about other famous puppeteers and puppets:

Krull, Kathleen. Jim Henson: The Guy Who Played with Puppets ISBN 9780375857218
Small, Charlie. The Amazing Adventures of Charlie Small ISBN 9780385751391
Love, D Anne. Puppeteer’s Apprentice ISBN 9780689844256
Cooper, Susan. Magician’s Boy ISBN 978089876226
Colldi, Carlo. The Adventures of Pinocchio ISBN 9781568461908