I read this book before reading Bridge to Terabithia and again after I finished Katherine Paterson's work. I must say that I think Wesley and Leslie would be great friends. Both characters are misfits. Leslie has no TV. Wesley doesn't like pizza. Beyond that they are both some how at ease with their lack of belonging. They both simply choose to create their own worlds. Of course in their worlds they are the rulers. Both children also end up with friends because of their eccentricity not in spite of it. With a daughter poised on the edge of adolescence, these are both essential stories to share with her. I hope to have many discussions about the virtues of individuality versus conformity.
Picturebooks have long been a favorite of mine. Their versatility, variety, beauty, and convenience make them appealing both as a teacher and a parent. This one ranks among books I will share often with the children in my life. Starting with the cover, end papers and title page the author and illustrator do an amazing job of pulling you into the story. Questions about the plot of the story were immediate when she saw the cover. "What kind of flower is that? Is he wearing a dress?" The end papers increased the curiosity. "That looks like hieroglyphics." Then the title page. "Hey, we learned about totem poles in school." Before we even started reading she was hooked.
The style of the book is inviting as well. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The complex nature of each page leaves you staring at the picture for a moment after you have read the words. There is something interesting to see in every illustration that might be missed if you rush through to the end. The font looks almost like a child's handwriting. This too invites young readers and connects them somehow to the story.
All this said I think that the thing I like most about this story is that, with the exception of the "magical" plant it is essentially realist fiction. Children have wonderful imaginations and summers can be long and boring with nothing to keep you occupied. Who knows, maybe this summer we may establish The United Kingdom of S.E.A.D. right in our own backyard. All are welcome to visit.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Weslandia Written by: Paul Fleischman Illustrated by: Kevin Hawkes
I read this book before reading Bridge to Terabithia and again after I finished Katherine Paterson's work. I must say that I think Wesley and Leslie would be great friends. Both characters are misfits. Leslie has no TV. Wesley doesn't like pizza. Beyond that they are both some how at ease with their lack of belonging. They both simply choose to create their own worlds. Of course in their worlds they are the rulers. Both children also end up with friends because of their eccentricity not in spite of it. With a daughter poised on the edge of adolescence, these are both essential stories to share with her. I hope to have many discussions about the virtues of individuality versus conformity.
Picturebooks have long been a favorite of mine. Their versatility, variety, beauty, and convenience make them appealing both as a teacher and a parent. This one ranks among books I will share often with the children in my life. Starting with the cover, end papers and title page the author and illustrator do an amazing job of pulling you into the story. Questions about the plot of the story were immediate when she saw the cover. "What kind of flower is that? Is he wearing a dress?" The end papers increased the curiosity. "That looks like hieroglyphics." Then the title page. "Hey, we learned about totem poles in school." Before we even started reading she was hooked.
The style of the book is inviting as well. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The complex nature of each page leaves you staring at the picture for a moment after you have read the words. There is something interesting to see in every illustration that might be missed if you rush through to the end. The font looks almost like a child's handwriting. This too invites young readers and connects them somehow to the story.
All this said I think that the thing I like most about this story is that, with the exception of the "magical" plant it is essentially realist fiction. Children have wonderful imaginations and summers can be long and boring with nothing to keep you occupied. Who knows, maybe this summer we may establish The United Kingdom of S.E.A.D. right in our own backyard. All are welcome to visit.
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3 comments:
I really loved how you connected this story to Bridge. I haven't read Westlandia, but the cover alone makes me want to. I am really drawn to the books you comment on because you relate them to your own children. I was never really "hooked" on a book when I was going through those awkward stages of adolescence, nor was I really given anything to make me feel like I was not alone in these strange feelings. I often reflect on how I felt during these times and I think I always felt that I was an outsider (I still feel like that sometimes, but when we get older we realize that people like us for who we are, crazy or not). I really wish I was read stories like this before I hit those awkward years. Maybe then I wouldn't have felt so alone and I might have developed a place that was my own where I was the leader! I think I should keep a notebook and write down these books to keep in mind a long time from now when I have children of my own.
I also enjoyed the connections you made between Westlandia and Bridge to Terabithia. I have not read Westlandia yet (it has not yet come in at the library I used), but I am now very interested in reading the book. For some reason, I am reminded of Stewart Little when I see the cover of this book. I enjoy reading books about misfits that overcome obstacles. You said this was a story you wanted to share this story with your daughter who is on the edge of adolescence. I teach middle school, do you think this is an appropriate story to have them analyze and discuss? I will have a better opinion when I get to read the book, but I'd like to know your opinion.
Amber-
I do think that this would be a good middle school book. The main character is a little younger, maybe fifth grade, but there are many discussions that could stem from this book that would be great for the middle school age range.Besides individuality versus conformity discussions could center around bullies, the importance of studying, etc... Thanks for your comment.
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