Module 7

SLIS 5420/ Module 7 July 19-25

Books read this week:
"The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins" by Barbara Kerley
"The Road to Oz" by Kathleen Krull

"The Dinosaurs of Watherhouse Hawkins"
Summary: This is an information nonfiction book about the story of Waterhouse Hawkins the first man to mold dinosaurs and build one life-size.

My impressions: This was a really cool story. I really enjoyed reading this story and really enjoyed the illustrations. I learned something I didn't know and also by reading the authors note in the back that this is a true story.

Reviews:

School Library Journal

Gr 2-5-A picture-book presentation about the efforts of Hawkins to erect the first life-sized models of dinosaurs on both sides of the Atlantic. A Victorian artist and sculptor, he was well respected in England, and his reputation insured his being invited to construct replicas of creatures no one had ever seen and to unveil them at the newly constructed Crystal Palace. Kerley's spirited text and Selznick's dramatic paintings bring Hawkins's efforts into clear focus, including his frustrating experience in New York City when Boss Tweed set vandals loose in his workshop. Both author and illustrator provide copious notes of biographical material delineating Hawkins's works, and Selznick's trips to Philadelphia to view a rare scrapbook that is the model for this book's design and to London to see the original Crystal Palace models. Painstakingly researched, written and illustrated with careful attention to detail, this book presents the fervor and spirit of a dedicated, little-known individual whose conceptions-however erroneous by today's discoveries-astounded the minds and stirred the imaginations of scientists then involved in the actual birth of paleontology. A distinguished book in every way.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Dinosaurs-of-Waterhouse-Hawkins/Barbara-Kerley/e/9780439114943/?itm=2&USRI=the+dinosaurs+of+waterhouse+hawkins

Scholastic Inc
Mir Kamin, Feb 2009

This is a fascinating biography disguised as a beautiful book about dinosaurs. It’s easily the best book I’ve read in months.

Pros: Dinosaurs are interesting to just about everyone. Beautiful artwork that really brings the story to life. It’s like a real-life fairy tale.
Cons: Boss Tweed and his gang. Turtle soup. Dinosaurs are extinct.

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins gets three thumbs way up from our kitchen table.

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3751321

Uses: This is a good book for any dinosaur fans, young and old. It is also a good book to represent informational nonfiction.

Kerley, Barbara. ( 2001). "The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins". New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

"The Road to Oz"

Summary: This is the story of Frank Baum who wrote the Wizard of Oz. This tells of his life from when he was a young boy and loved to write stories up till he was older and finally invented a story that stuck "The Wizard of Oz".

My Impressions: I really liked this book. It is a great biography and is very colorful. Mo st of the illustrations have hints of green in them leading up to the land of Oz. The cover is fantastic all green and has the characters of the Wizard of Oz on it. I really enjoyed reading about the man behind the Wizard of Oz.

Reviews:

School Library Journal

Gr 1-4

Fans of The Wizard of Oz will find plenty of enchantment in this thoughtful, brightly illustrated narrative. From his childhood at his parents' estate, with its "rosebushes in glimmering-jewel colors," to his various careers as journalist, playwright, chicken expert, window dresser (including his creative display of hardware fashioned into a tin man), store owner, newspaper editor, and family storyteller, Krull magically interweaves the origins of Baum's characters and themes that would appear in his "modern American fairy tales." The "Oz" books were his only true success, but they did not result in a fairy-tale ending for the Baum family. With sympathy for her subject, Krull tactfully notes Baum's lack of aptitude for business affairs and his eventual declaration of bankruptcy. Hawkes's merry paintings of the author and his characters invoke the magic of Oz within the great author's real-world setting. The Road to Oz will provide students with an inspiring introduction to Baum's life.-Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Road-to-Oz/Kathleen-Krull/e/9780375832161/?itm=1&USRI=the+road+to+oz+twists%2c+turns%2c+and+triumphs.

From Booklist

Despite the enduring popularity of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, there are few titles about L. Frank Baum published for youth. Krull’s new picture-book biography, then, is particularly welcome, and it displays Krull’s usual stylistic strengths: a conversational tone, well-integrated facts, vivid anecdotes, and sly asides that encourage children to find the human qualities in a historical figure. Beginning with Baum’s pampered youth, Krull moves forward through his early adult years, when he flailed in a variety of jobs before finally writing his famous first book about Oz, which he based on bedtime stories he created for his children. Krull gives a balanced account, emphasizing Baum’s creative gifts and his talents for nurturing his family while frankly referencing his less-admirable traits, such as his prejudice against Native Americans. Hawkes’ ink-and-acrylic illustrations are uneven, with some figures appearing blurred and hurriedly rendered, but the brightly colored compositions do support the sense of Baum as a multifaceted, fascinating individual. An author’s note, sources, and a list of Baum’s works conclude this entertaining, lively portrait. Grades 2-5. --Gillian Engberg

http://www.amazon.com/Road-Oz-Twists-Turns-Triumphs/dp/0375832165

Uses: Great to use if watching the Wizard of Oz in a classroom or talking about the Wizard of Oz. Great biography book.

Krull, Kathleen. (2008). "The Road to Oz: Twists, Turns, Bumps, & Triumphs in the Life of L. Frank Baum". New York, NY: Random House.