Book Talk- October 12th
The Artist and Me- (2016)
Written by: Shane Peacock
Illustrations Done by: Sophie Casson
Focus Age group: K-3
Shane Peacock is a Canadian biographer, journalist and screenwriter born in
Cobourg, Ontario. He is also the creator of the award winning The Boy Sherlock
Holmes series, which is a very widely known series. Something I found very
interesting and that intrigued me when I read about Shane Peacock was that, The
Artist and Me was Shanes very first picture book he wrote.
Alongside Sophie Casson, also a Canadian illustrator who was born in Montreal
Quebec. She has been recognized for her amazing works on many regards and finds
her inspiration from a Japanese art form called Ukioy-e which means Japanese
woodblock printing. She also finds influences from graffiti as well. Her art is very
much represented in this book as each page is filled with beautiful artwork front to
back with exuberant colors and shapes that form to make the most wonderful
pictures to fit the text. The pastel style illustrations are very rich oil paintings that
are reflective of Van Goghs artwork, which reproduces in the story line.
This book is about a child who is a bully that taunts an older man who is
impoverished, and is an eccentric artist. This relationship mirrors Vincent van Gogh
and his challenges as a child growing up loving to paint and being teased for being
different. The plot entails that one must seek past what is on the outside and believe
in the person you are looking at from what they truly are in the inside. The boy,
hiding his fascination with the artwork in this book taunts the painter and follows
others in teasing the old man and in the end he realizes the old man shows true
meaning to the world through creative aspects. The young boy later, as a grown old
man, sees one of the old mans priceless paintings in an art gallery and looks back on
how terrible he was to the old man. He realizes that being a bully was hurtful and
not worthwhile. He regrets being a bully, because the old man was just trying to
show the world his talents, because he truly loved what he was good at, not because
he wanted to be well liked or rich, but instead he was being made fun of for being
different.
There is even one part in the book that shows a spread of the old man in his room,
alone, in a small wooden bed surrounded by blue and yellow walls, which is an echo
of one of the most famous works, Bedroom in Arles, for those who would know the
Vincent Van Gogh reference.
Mentioned by the Horn Book Magazine, a reputable source said the plot is really
about the battle between authenticity and conformity, or integrity and capitulation,
which is so much a part of growing up and realizing that you should not and cannot
take things for granted, as one day you will learn the true meaning of something you
thought so little of.
Mentioned by Kirkus Reviews, A low key, yet powerful picture book evocation of
the final days of an eccentric artist who was both a victim of his own demons and
the target of village bullies.
Mentioned by School Library Journal, this singular perspective on a troubling issue
observed through a lens of art history delivered the message of individuality and
tolerance.
I love this book because it has such a great message that can truly be displayed to
anyone at ay age. Specifically targeting K-3, the lesson of being a bully and not
seeing past others differences can be shown through the text and illustrations in this
book and I believe this message is one of most important messages at this age.
Connecting this book to the curriculum for English Language Arts K-3, the Artist
and Me fits into
GLO- Discover and Explore 1.1- Grade 3, Express ideas and develop understanding
GLO- Respect Others and Strengthen Community 5.1- Grade 3,appreciate diversity.
The goal of language arts is to communicate the message of how language is a
unmistakable mark of personal identity and is essential for forming interpersonal
relationships, extending experiences, reflecting on thought and action and
contributing to the society.
Wonder- (2013)
Written by: R.J Palacio
Age Focus Group- Grade 4-7
R.J Palacio is an American graphic designer from New York City. She is a book Jacket
designer and writer who wrote Wonder. RJ did not design the cover of this
particular book, but did find inspiration to write this book after 20 years of
designing for other people after seeing a boy outside of an ice cream store that
struck her interest to putting what she saw onto paper. Wonder is R.Js first novel.
Wonder is a novel about a 10-year-old boy, August Hullman who is homeschooled
and about to enter into a public school. Auggie as they call the boy, has a deformed
face. He has had over 27 operations and is still considered to have a mushed-up
face. He has an oversized nose; he lacks ears, eyebrows, eyelashes, cheekbones and
has off set ears. Despite his physical differences, Aggie is a very intelligent boy and
after many years of homeschooling decides it is time to go to public school, Beecher
Prep Middle School. This story is told in a compelling, but comedic way obviously as
the story unfolds about Aggies struggles of being made fun of for his differences and
triumphing his hardships on his way to becoming accepted as a regular kid. This
book has very short chapters that create a focus on each incident throughout the
storyline that last a page or two are to the point of how Aggie is feeling about his
new experiences. This book sure titles what love, support really are and the effects
judging people on their appearance has on the individual is extraordinary just like
August Hullman is. After being in middle school for quite some time, he begins to
like school and appreciate his differences and use them to his advantage to stand
out in a positive way. His teachers and parents instill love and kindness, which aid in
his overarching idea of fitting in and becoming a regular kid.
This book displays the message of love and support triumphs all, without it, one
cannot feel nor appreciate themselves and cannot grow out of their insecurities.
Mentioned by New York Times Review Palacio carves a wise a refreshing path,
suggesting that while even a kid like august has to be et free to experience the
struggles of life, the right type of closeness between parents and children is a
transformative force for good.
Mentioned by Horn Book Magazine This novel is a heartbreaker, and one that for
many readers may redefine bravery in the face of adversity.
I love this book because it entails such a powerful message that relates to real life
issues that happen everyday. The books message can relate to every reader that
experiences the text, and can dial in an emotion to everyone in a different way. I love
the format of the book, short and quick chapters that are to the point and focused
directly on the title of the chapter, and nothing out of left field.
On the first page, My name is August by the way. I wont describe what I look like.
Whatever youre thinking, its probably worse (Pg. 1, last paragraph). The
description of August, is prescribed in one sentence and does not need to be
elaborated. The tone is set on the very first page leading into the following chapter.
On page 48, Auggie is attending middle school. The chapter Choose Love describes
Augusts first day in Language Arts after meeting his homeroom teacher. As his
teacher Mr. Browne is describing how he will have a monthly precept, and this
month being when given the choice between being right or being kind, choose
kindness Auggie wrote down the precept and thought to himself, and realized hew
as going to like school, no matter what. No matter the situation, kindness was going
to occur and trump other feelings of not fitting in. One teacher was able to change
his perception of attention public school, and I find that completely inspiring.
The book Wonder fits into the English Language Arts curriculum through the GLO
1 and 2 specifically. I chose these two general learning outcomes because in a book
talk or a book study for grade 4-7, there are so many directions students can take
this book and learn from all of its messages. Students can listen, speak, read, write,
view and represent this text, while exploring their thoughts on the manner of the
feelings and experiences of August Hullman and the obstacles he faces as am
ordinary boy with extraordinary circumstances.
