January 23, 2018
Module 1: Introduction to Youth Literature
It’s a Book by Lane Smith
Book Summary:
The first pages of It's a Book introduces the reader to the three characters in this story; a mouse, a jackass and a monkey. The donkey and monkey disagree over what a book can do. The characters’ dialogue is identified by different colors: blue for the jackass and red for the monkey. One character represents a 21st-century tech user and constantly brags about all the things his computer can do that a book cannot. However, curiosity kills the cat and he grabs the book from the Jackass to see what the big deal is. The two-page wordless spread shows Jackass reading for over four and a half hours, and is totally engrossed in this "stolen" book. When Monkey finally asks for his book back. Jackass refuses, so the owner says, “I’m going to the library”. The mouse delivers the final punch line that will leave readers gasping over the bawdy but funny ending.
APA Reference of Book:
Smith, L. (2010). It's a book. New York: Roaring Book Press.
Impressions:
In It’s a Book, older kids would get a kick out of the ending when donkey tells monkey that he will charge the book when he is done, and mouse says “You don’t have to Jackass, it’s a book”, while younger elementary readers woul be shocked at the use of foul language. The character's dry sense of humor will make the reader laugh out loud and saying a “bad word” out loud would give great street cred to the librarian. This book is a testament to what is happening in the world today. As a librarian, I find it sad and it makes me wonder, is this where 21st-century learners are headed? Will students keep reading books or always rely on the technology that is in the palm of their hands? Or is it a ray of hope, since in the end, the book wins out over technology. The job of the librarian is a crucial one: one that must change and evolve with current trends but keep the traditional ways alive too.
Professional Review:
Grades 1-3 Smith throws down his gauntlet in the ongoing debate over digital versus print in this spare offering. A donkey (jackass) with a laptop and a monkey with a hardcover book discuss the merits of their preferred formats. “How do you scroll down?” the donkey asks. “Do you blog with it?” “Can you make the characters fight?” To each question, the monkey offers an answer that riffs on this small, square picture book ’s title. At one point, the monkey shoves a page into his companion’s hands, showing a story about a pirate. “Too many words,” the donkey responds, and he quickly transcribes the story as “LJS: rrr! K? lol! / JIM: :( ! :).” Unimpressed, the monkey continues to build his case until his big-eared mate converts to print so enthusiastically that he vows to keep reading. Although it is adults, not children, who will best appreciate the subject and satire here, the basic drama created by the characters’ arguments may help this find an audience among kids, especially tech-savvy ones.
Medlar, A. (2010). It's a book. Booklist, 66.
Library Uses:
The book, It’s a Book, should be read by the librarian at the beginning of the year to reinforce the importance of reading and to remind children that, while it's not technology, you can still be transported to other worlds. I would create a bulletin board where students would fill out sticky notes listing their favorite books, which other students would be able to get ideas for other books to read and see what their fellow classmates are reading.
Readalikes:
Goodnight iPad: a Parody for the next generation by Ann Droyd A story that shows the family saying goodnight to their electronic gadgets each night. It shows the readers that you don't need to rely on technology all the time.
hello! hello! by Matthew Cordell A story about a girl who tries to connect with her family, who is always using technology. Another way to show kids its not all about technology and the importance of human connection.
Reading Makes You Feel Good by Todd Parr Shows the reader the ways that reading makes you feel good and why it's important to read books.
Module 1: Introduction to Youth Literature
It’s a Book by Lane Smith
Book Summary:
The first pages of It's a Book introduces the reader to the three characters in this story; a mouse, a jackass and a monkey. The donkey and monkey disagree over what a book can do. The characters’ dialogue is identified by different colors: blue for the jackass and red for the monkey. One character represents a 21st-century tech user and constantly brags about all the things his computer can do that a book cannot. However, curiosity kills the cat and he grabs the book from the Jackass to see what the big deal is. The two-page wordless spread shows Jackass reading for over four and a half hours, and is totally engrossed in this "stolen" book. When Monkey finally asks for his book back. Jackass refuses, so the owner says, “I’m going to the library”. The mouse delivers the final punch line that will leave readers gasping over the bawdy but funny ending.
APA Reference of Book:
Smith, L. (2010). It's a book. New York: Roaring Book Press.
Impressions:
In It’s a Book, older kids would get a kick out of the ending when donkey tells monkey that he will charge the book when he is done, and mouse says “You don’t have to Jackass, it’s a book”, while younger elementary readers woul be shocked at the use of foul language. The character's dry sense of humor will make the reader laugh out loud and saying a “bad word” out loud would give great street cred to the librarian. This book is a testament to what is happening in the world today. As a librarian, I find it sad and it makes me wonder, is this where 21st-century learners are headed? Will students keep reading books or always rely on the technology that is in the palm of their hands? Or is it a ray of hope, since in the end, the book wins out over technology. The job of the librarian is a crucial one: one that must change and evolve with current trends but keep the traditional ways alive too.
Professional Review:
Grades 1-3 Smith throws down his gauntlet in the ongoing debate over digital versus print in this spare offering. A donkey (jackass) with a laptop and a monkey with a hardcover book discuss the merits of their preferred formats. “How do you scroll down?” the donkey asks. “Do you blog with it?” “Can you make the characters fight?” To each question, the monkey offers an answer that riffs on this small, square picture book ’s title. At one point, the monkey shoves a page into his companion’s hands, showing a story about a pirate. “Too many words,” the donkey responds, and he quickly transcribes the story as “LJS: rrr! K? lol! / JIM: :( ! :).” Unimpressed, the monkey continues to build his case until his big-eared mate converts to print so enthusiastically that he vows to keep reading. Although it is adults, not children, who will best appreciate the subject and satire here, the basic drama created by the characters’ arguments may help this find an audience among kids, especially tech-savvy ones.
Medlar, A. (2010). It's a book. Booklist, 66.
Library Uses:
The book, It’s a Book, should be read by the librarian at the beginning of the year to reinforce the importance of reading and to remind children that, while it's not technology, you can still be transported to other worlds. I would create a bulletin board where students would fill out sticky notes listing their favorite books, which other students would be able to get ideas for other books to read and see what their fellow classmates are reading.
Readalikes:
Goodnight iPad: a Parody for the next generation by Ann Droyd A story that shows the family saying goodnight to their electronic gadgets each night. It shows the readers that you don't need to rely on technology all the time.
hello! hello! by Matthew Cordell A story about a girl who tries to connect with her family, who is always using technology. Another way to show kids its not all about technology and the importance of human connection.
Reading Makes You Feel Good by Todd Parr Shows the reader the ways that reading makes you feel good and why it's important to read books.
No comments:
New comments are not allowed.