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International Literature #3-Miki's First Errand by Yoriko Tsutsui



This book was originally published in Japan, but was translated and published by RIC Publications in 2006.  The story is about Miki, a five year old girl whose mother asks her to go to the corner market to buy some milk.  It would be appropriate for 3-6 year olds of any ethnic origin.  Even though the illustrations prove that the child is obviously Asian, the story would be familiar to children from many locations around the world. The style of writing in this short book is just right to keep a young child or young reader's attention. 

International Literature #2-Nicholas by Rene Goscinny



This book was originally published in France in 1959 and later published in 2011 by Phaidon Press in English.  This is the first book in the Nicholas series.  In this volume, there are nineteen different stories concerning Nicholas and his friends, whom live in an all boys boarding school somewhere in France. Throughout the book, he and his friends get in trouble in a variety of ways.  I enjoyed and connected particularly with the story of how he and his friends annoyed and punished their substitute teacher. 

This book is not what I would call politically correct due to the antics of Nicholas and his friends; however, it would definitely keep the reluctant reader engaged from cover to cover.

International Literature #1- Mo's Mischief by Yang Hongying



The Mo's Mischief series was written by Yang Hongying, a very popular children's writer in China.  She has sold over nineteen million books since the year 2000.  Books from this series are some of her most popular titles.  They were first published in China and later published by HarperCollins in New York.

The most sold title in the series is Pesky Monkeys.   In Pesky Monkeys, Mo travels to his grandparents' home in the countryside.  Mo enjoys rollerskating, playing with dogs, and seeing many rare animals while on his visit. 

The book details plenty of adventures that will peak kids' interest.  The chapters are short and include tons of pranks in the content that kids will find very funny.  Even though this series doesn't seem very educational, it may appeal to boys that are reluctant to read. 

Diversity Literature #2-Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata



Oh, now this one is a tear-jerker.  Kira-Kira is a Newbery Medal Winner, and I can definitely see why.  The story takes place in the 1950s when Katie and the rest of her Japanese-American family move from Iowa to Georgia when Katie is just in kindergarten. Her parents work in terrible conditions and endure impossible hours in a poultry plant and hatchery.  Even so, they somehow manage to create a loving, stable home for their three children: Lynn, Katie, and Sammy. Katie’s trust in, and admiration for her older sister Lynn never falters, even when her sisterly advice doesn’t seem to make sense. Lynn teaches Katie to see how everyday things are kira-kira (glittering, sparkling in Japanese). The two girls dream of buying a house for the family someday and even save $100 in candy money.  Lynn develops lymphoma, but Katie tries her best to see Lynn's kira-kira outlook on life as Lynn's condition gets worse.

This book should be in every library media center collection because of its honest portrayal of life for a family of different cultural background.  The narrator (Katie) has such an honest, transparent voice that allows the reader to become greatly involved in the characters and the plot.

Another one of my favorite reads for this class!

Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine (Diversity Picture Book)



I keep saying this alot to myself, but I think this is my favorite book that I have read so far for this class.  Henry's Freedom Box is a Caldecott Honor book   It is a true story about a slave named Henry Brown.  As a child, Henry was taken from his family to a new slave owner to work in a tobacco factory.  He grew up, met his wife, and had children.  His wife and children were sold at a slave auction.  With the help of two friends, one being a white doctor who did not agree with slavery, he mailed himself in a box to Philadelphia where he could be free.  He traveled 350 miles in 27 hours from Richmond, Virginia to Philadelphia in that box.  He never saw his family again.

This book should definitely be in every school library collection.  It is such a touching story about innovative way that a slave become free.  It is a true story, so this book could help bring any unit on the Underground Railroad to life.     

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Book/Movie Comparison #3)



I was inspired to do this comparison by my son.  He absolutely loves the movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, so I thought it would be interesting to see how these two are related.  They couldn't be more different. 

Judi Barrett's picture book begins in the kitchen where a grandfather is making breakfast for his grandchildren.  He is flipping the pancakes when one accidentally lands on his grandson’s head.  The grandfather uses that accident in a bedtime story about a town called Chewandswallow where it rains food.  Something goes wrong and too much food begins falling.  It becomes so unbearable that the citizens of the town end up having to leave and start a new life elsewhere.  The story ends when the grandfather finishes the story and tucks the kids into bed. 

The movie is an extreme elaboration of what happened in the bedtime story in the book.  A boy named Flint, who is known in the town Chewandswallow for his wacky inventions, invents a machine that turns water into food later causing food to fall from the sky.  The townspeople are temporarily pleased with his invention, but the food becomes to large and falls too often causing utter chaos and obesity in the town. 

I enjoyed both the book and movie separately, but they have very little in common.