kiddieliter

The traditional occupation of shrimping as practiced by the Vietnamese is the inspiration for this story which features an immigrant and his American-born son.  The father tells his son about his own father whom he left behind when he came to America during the Vietnam War.   He expresses his desire to return to his homeland to see him.  The scenic illustrations portray the past as the father reminisces, and the present as the father instills in his son the values of his people and teaches him his occupation as his father had taught him on the South China Sea in Vietnam. 

As he is later drifting off to sleep, the son imagines that he, his father, and grandfather (whom he has never seen) are all together in his father’s boat out on the lonely sea.

This book, which is of the contemporary realistic fiction genre because the father (like many other immigrants) has made America his home, also fits in the multicultural literature genre because it presents some of the values and traditions of the Vietnamese people.

From her pioneer days on the prairie to her golden years with her husband, Almanzo, and their daughter, Rose, Laura Ingalls Wilder has become a friend to all who have read about her adventures. This behind-the-scenes account chronicles the real events in Laura’s life that inspired her to write her stories and also describes her life after the last Little House book ends.

Sequoyah wanted to create a writing system for the Cherokee Indians and turn his people into a nation of readers and writers. Sequoyah knew no English and had no idea how to capture speech on paper. But slowly, he worked out a system that surprised the Cherokee Nation.

This is an uplifting biography about 2008 President Elect Barck Obama. It tells of his everlasting Hope and his vision to bring people together. It is an easy read for children and it also conveys to children that you don’t have to be like everyone else. Barack Obama always knew that he was different which shows children that it’s okay.

This is a book that gives fact about Groundhog day.  It talks about what Groundhog Day and how it originated.  It is a chapter book that goes in depth about the holiday.  This book explains that Groundhog day is a tradition rather than a national hoiday.

Brian P. Cleary tells a commical story that brings adjectives to life. With silly pictures and funny descriptions, children are sure to understand what and adjective is once they read this book. Throughout the book, the adjectives are in bold, colorful writing so that they are easy to recognize. Cleary also gives examples of how to use adjectives in his writing. Not only is this a great book for children, but it’s an awesome way to introduce adjectives.

Allen Say, the author, reminisces on his granfather’s journey in America and Japan and tells how he himself grew up and adapted to both worlds.

Keisha learns about her historical family background of sweet grass basket weaving, and wants to continue the tradition. They find baskets that her great-grandfather made and one her grandmother made when she started basket weaving. Keisha brother wants to know if it is just for women because he really wants to basket weave as well.

“A Chair For My Mother”, is a picture book about a family who loses everything in a fireand have to make sacrifices to get back on their feet.  The family consist of a grandmother, mother, and a daugther.  Several neighbors helped out by replacing some of the things the family lost but something just wasn’t right.   They all decide to save all their money and put it in a jar.  When they had saved enough money, the family went out and bought a chair because comfortable one they had was damaged in the house fire.  With this chair the family felt as if all worries were gone away. 

Karen Hesse tells the story of Tessie, a little girl anxiously awaiting a storm on a hot summer day. As the storm approaches, she gathers her friends together in their bathing suits so that they can go out and enjoy the wonderful rain. This is a excellent story that portrays a positive image of friendship and mother-daughter relationships in an urban setting. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful and it’s a great read.