Informational Books- KAKAPO RESCUE by Sy Montgomery

Bibliographic Data

Kakapo Rescue : Saving the World's Strangest Parrot

by Sy Montgomery, photographs by Nic Bishop

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children ©2010
ISBN: 9780618494170

Brief Plot Summary

Kakapo rescue combines story and facts about the history of the once abundant kakapo and how it came to be so scarce. Humans brought them to endangerment and they can bring them back. The reader follows an intense, 10 day tour in New Zealand that is emotional and informative.

Critical Analysis

Kakapo Rescue is a children’s photo essay. The pages are large and glossy. Photography takes up about 50% of the book. The text is long and informative, not optimal for reading aloud cover to cover.

(Large and colorful photography)

Montgomery and Bishop build compassion for the kakapo and make the reader emotionally involved, typical of a photo essay. In this story we see many people make intense sacrifices for the birds, doing things like waiting in a campsite all night to cover a baby kakapo with a heating pad. At the conclusion of the book the reader is provided with information on how to take action, since we are so moved.

(A call to action)

Organized into named chapters this title lacks a table of contents. It reads like a story, but is sprinkled with facts. Readers can find an index at the end of the book.

(A mix of story and fact)

Accuracy is important for children’s informational books, but this title does not have citations within the text. This could be explained by Montgomery’s claim that much of the info was gathered first hand. There is a selected bibliography at the end of the book, but it appears to be intended to encourage additional reading more so than accrediting information.

(The selected bibliography)

Awards

Cybil Award, 2010 Finalist United States

Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2011 Recommended United States

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2011 Winner United States

SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science, 2011 Finalist Middle Grades Science Books United States

Review Excerpt(s)

“As usual, Montgomery's delight in her subject is contagious, and throughout her enthusiastic text, she nimbly blends scientific and historical facts with immediate, sensory descriptions of fieldwork.” -Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Apr. 15, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 16))

“Bishop's lushly beautiful photographs help readers explore the island's trees, ferns, and mosses as well as other birds and wildlife.” -Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature)

“Describing triumph and tragedy, she movingly conveys the magic of the forest and of an accidental encounter with a parrot in the wild. As always, the photographer's remarkable and clearly reproduced photographs support and enhance the text.” -Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2010 (Vol. 78, No. 7))

Connections

Numerous printables from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt:
http://www.hmhbooks.com/kids/resources.html

Sy Montgomery’s activities for Kakapo Rescue via his website:

http://symontgomery.com/?page_id=27
Read selections from this title in a storytime about birds. Read other picture books like Bird Talk by Lita Judge or Little Bird Lost by Kate Larkinson. Conclude with a birdwatching activity in which children make their own binoculars and identify birds.

Informational Books- ANIMALS UPSIDE DOWN by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

Bibliographic Data

Animals Upside Down By Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

Houghton Mifflin Book for Children ©2013

ISBN: 9780547341279

Brief Plot Summary

Animals flip upside down for many reasons. They can be defending themselves or looking for food. Jenkins and Page present short fun musings in a whimsical pop-up format. Then conclude with a two-page spread of additional animal facts.

Critical Analysis

Animals Upside Down is a concept informational book about a single topic, animals that are upside down. Books of this type are good for vocabulary and this title is no exception. Jenkins and Page introduce animals by their specific names and litter facts with higher level vocabulary.

(Ensnared and tendrils are not words you hear everyday)

Also in the style of concept books the reader will find an exploration of animal characteristics, defense mechanisms, sleep habits, food consumption, etc.

Accuracy is important in children’s informational texts; however Jenkins and Page do not cite their sources. This would be less than optimal if Jenkins was not already well known for his interest in science and his past works.

This book is loosely organized by themed page spreads. For example there is a two-page spread of animal’s defense mechanisms. It lacks a table of contents and an index. It’s so short that the reader could flip through to locate information.

(Themed pages: defense mechanisms)

Jenkins is a graphic designer. Using ripped paper he playfully displays the animal facts via pop-ups and moving tabs. The movements convey meaning and the real life actions of the featured animals.

(Pull the tab to see how this creature would move)

The background of the pictures is white making the art stand out. The text is in Arial, a simple and easy to read font. Animal names are bolded for quick identification. Each animal includes a fact comprised of a single sentence.

(Examples of facts, fonts, and arrangement)

Jenkins and Page encourage readers to wonder about these animals. Naturally as we ask more questions additional information is provided at the end.

(More facts at the end of the book)

Review Excerpt(s)

“The animals are all rendered with typically amazing accuracy from pieces of cut and torn paper.” -Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2013 (Vol. 81, No. 23))

“Families will find this the perfect choice for any child fascinated by animals and old enough to handle a hands-on book of tabs and expanded animal images.” -Midwest Book Review (Children's Bookwatch, September 2013)

Connections

Steve Jenkins official website:

http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/

Mini-documentary of Steve Jenkins in his studio:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/author_collection.cgi?id=26&a=1

After learning about how Jenkins creates his art, have students select an animal and create a piece using ripped paper and glue. Then have them find a fact of that animal and write it on their work.

Informational Books- DRAWING FROM MEMORY by Allen Say

Bibliographic Data

Drawing From Memory by Allen Say

Scholastic Press ©2011

ISBN: 9780545176866

Brief Plot Summary

Allen Say’s autobiography is a coming of age story that demonstrates independence and determination. Say learned to read early sparking a love for comic books and art. Drawing became a passion, but his father and grandmother did not approve. Due to his parent’s divorce and having to live with his grandmother, Say ran into many unique opportunities. At age 12 he moved out and attended a prestigious school. During his formative years many people mentored him. The most important mentor of them all was Noro Shinpei, an artist.

Critical Analysis

Autobiographies are bias therefore not the nest source of facts; however they are an insight to the subject’s character. This story is no exception. One aspect of Say’s style is emotional subtlety. He does not say things like, “I was angry at my father,” but “Maybe he wouldn’t think I was a sissy anymore. But I was glad I lived far away from him. He had a new family now” (p34). Following that there is a picture of him practicing and breaking wood with a kick.

(An illustration of an occurrence or Say’s emotions associated with his father?)

Another aspect of Say’s style is his amazing memory. Often his memories concern his personal philosophy of art. The reader finds it in musings and in the words of Say’s mentors.

(A memory of a lesson about art)

This book is designed similarly to a graphic novel in that it features panels (mixed with other art elements). After all this is the story of Say’s life and his passion to be an artist.

(Comic book like panels mixed with other illustration)

There are more illustrations than pictures. Some children are taught that photographs are an indicator of fact in books although the pictures in this book do not always include dates and source information.

(An exception of picture with source information)

Say claimed his pictures are from something he has seen or imagined. In this book he literally draws from memory (remember the title?). Many illustrations are labeled as such. Though it may not be based on documented fact we see the characters of Say’s life as he recalls them.

(One of Say’s teachers drawn from memory)

Awards

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal , 2012 Honor Book United States

School Library Journal's Battle of the Kids' Books, 2012 Nominee United States

Review Excerpt

“The scrapbook format features photographs, many of them dim with age; sketchbook drawings; and unordered, comic-book-style panels that float around wide swathes of text and unboxed captions, and the overall effect is sometimes disjointed.” - Ian Chipman (Booklist, Aug. 1, 2011 (Vol. 107, No. 22))

Connections

Read selections of this book in a program about autobiographies. Students can bring in a photograph, draw pictures, and write their own story.

This book contains philosophies of art. Read excerpts to start a discussion about art. Then have the children create their own drawings.

Interview with Allen Say by Scholastic

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/allen-say-interview-transcript-2