Book Reviews | BottomlessBookBag

El Barrio and the Inspiration to Become an Artist

Picture books, as a form of publication, are usually written for young readers, even nonreaders. But, there are many “picture books” with higher vocabulary and abstract ideas that would need an adult to explain to a young child. Grandma’s Gift, written and illustrated by Eric Velasquez is one such picture book. Assigned to the genre biography/memoir, the story is the realistic event described by a young boy whose family lives in Spanish Harlem, New York City. Sometimes referred to as El Barrio, this culturally rich community is Spanish speaking and African American in heritage. Receiving the Pura Belpre Award, some would call the story a memoir written by young Velasquez.

The story is set during the Christmas holidays. Young Eric will stay with his grandmother while his parents are working. “Grandma” is a perfect example of a loving, wise grandparent. She and her grandson remind me of Latino children I tutor. Their English language is excellent but often must interpret conversations for their parents and others in the immediate family. You learn to love young Eric as you read of his devotion and kindness toward his grandmother.

Much of the book is devoted to a happy holiday tradition in the preparation of delicious Puerto Rico Pasteles. Searching online, I discovered recipes are lengthy and complicated. The chef must not be shy or uninformed about ingredients as there are many steps for cooking these delicious Christmas dishes. Image from http://www.cityneighborhoods.nyc/spanish-harlem-el-barrio

Along with cooking, Grandma and young Velasquez make a visit to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. The author provides a rich description of emotions for both Grandma and himself as they shyly wander the hallways of the massive building in the heart of the city. To her great surprise his grandmother sees one painting by the famous artist Diego Velazquez. It is a portrait of his slave/assistant Juan de Pareja. You may be puzzled by the term slave in the story but the painting was completed in the mid 17^th century. Diego Velazquez was so fond and appreciative of his young assistant; he took action to release him from slavery. Juan continued to work on his artistry and painting eventually becoming a famous artist independent of Velazquez.

Our author of Grandmas’ Gift was so impressed with artist Juan’s story that he was inspired to also become a professional artist. He clearly is successful because the book contains his original paintings of a boy and his grandmother. Each page is filled with beautifully realistic scenes, people, and life-like actions within the story. Facial expressions almost appear like photographs. Bright colors are slightly muted as they would be in a community like El Barrio, New York City.

Portrait from http://www.fineartofamerica.com

The story is a Latino Christmas event covered with love of family, close-community relationships, and much needed inspiration for young children of color in today’s world.

A Mouse and a Princess, Love Conquers All

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Book Buddy Writer

*The Tale of Despereaux* by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering. Candlewick Publications.

Animal fantasy is often based on a silly story with impossible conversations between one animal and another or between an animal and a human. What makes these special are the lessons learned in the story. Older animal stories are usually in the fable genre. Through events in the story the reader learns predictable rules that will lead to good outcomes. The moral of the story helps us to live our best lives. For this review, I am thinking of a wonderful story in a make-believe kingdom with impossible dialog between animals and people. In the The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, the storyline will keep the reader enthralled from beginning to end. The protagonist is about 2 inches in height weighing 2 ounces. The female in need of rescue is a lovely human princess with a not-so-smart servant girl. The antagonists are about as ugly a lot as you can imagine. In a word, they are a bunch of rats—not figuratively but for real. The vocabulary is rich, but words are just the right levels for elementary school readers. It is an interesting mix of appealing descriptions for an adult with the simplicity needed for a younger reader. Lessons learned follow the same pattern, simple ideas needed for a happy life filled with contentment but learned, only through the complexities of a heart that is truly alive. Forgiveness is essential. Perseverance and courage are humorously lived out in the lives of mice and humans who come together for one of the greatest stories in the world of children’s literature. The hero and heroine learn some very important lessons based on the Christian tradition of forgiveness, brotherly love, kindness, self-sacrifice, and perseverance. The Tale of Despereaux will lead you through tunnels of doom leading to the joy that can only be learned by a tiny mouse in love with a human princess!

Create a maze with circles and loops leading from the banquet room in the castle, through the tunnels and leading back again to the royal supper table.

The Tale of Despereaux is written in a way that fantasy comes to life. The narrow tunnels in the dungeon, the glitter of the palace, the sad, poor servant girl, all come to life through DiCamillo’s rich narrative. It is a perfect read aloud for the elementary classroom. Here are some activities that could be used with listeners or readers.

Using chart paper, have children to dictate a new story using a different animals. For example, kitten and mountain lions, or butterflies and crows. How would the story change?

Start a discussion on Mia, the servant girl. Why does the reader feel sorry for the girl? What makes her character tragic?

Despereaux was a true hero. Do you have someone in your life that is a hero or heroine? How are they like Despereaux?

Create a wordsearch using words that describe all the characters in the story. Here are some starter words: patient, kind, mean, hungry, selfish, brave, etc. Your puzzle should have about 20 words.

This wonderful book is writtten by Kate DiCamillo. Like most creative and talented people she is a free spirit. How else would a write be able to produce works of beauty, energy, and authenticity. Hear Hear Kate’s Interview here (Teachingbooks.net)

In the Beginning..

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Book Buddy Writer

Read about how I began working with children and books. It all began in a preschool daycare. I was asked to substitute for the music teacher. “I can’t read music or play an instrument”, I told the headmaster. “You can play a phonograph can’t you!”, he replied. So began the long road back to college and graduate school and the even longer travels through academics and the university life.

Read how it all began at my personal blog https://bottomlessbookbag.blogspot.com/

Always Begin at the Beginning~its the best place of course.

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Book Buddy Writer

Children learn to write books by coloring their first pictures. They love to tell you about their picture. I met this little girl in a barrio in Nicaragua.

Where books began for me (Dr. Carol Brown)

My first experience with children and books was in a day-care preschool. I was called in as a substitute teacher. “Sure”, I said. I had been looking for a chance to work part time in a school. “You’ll be taking the music class”, said the headmaster. That put my excitement on hold. I had no musical training what-so-ever. “Well, you can play the phonograph can’t you?” he said. This was during the days of record players, small transistor radios, and big box TV. It seemed as though my musical talent with the record player was enhanced by my love and enthusiasm for children. At the end of the day, I decided everyone needed a fun and cheerful book about music. It turned out to be the hit tune of the day. From then on, I knew books and children would be an important part of my life.