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READING STYLE GUIDE

"Not This Little Girl"

3/31/2016

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Little Red by Bethan Woollvin

How many versions of Little Red Riding Hood are in existence?
I suspect that there are more than I will ever be able to determine.
If that is true, what's so special about this particular version?
Let me count some of the ways that make Woolvin's interpretation a standout.
  • ​The cover
​Isn't this a most brilliant way to introduce a well-known story? Just by examining the cover readers know that it features a very familiar character. The text superimposed on the oversized red hood gives it away. It is worth noting that the image makes the word "hood" superfluous.
But really, it's the eyes that demand attention. She is NOT looking at the reader. She is looking toward the book's interior. One might ask: What is she looking at? Why has she focused all of her attention on what is within the pages of the book?
  • ​The design
The use of color is important. Ample white space and various shades of black and gray are punctuated by the standout red of our heroine. Obviously, red is going to be the main character and deserves our attention.
The lines are bold and the images are equally striking. The wolf dominates the space on any page in which he appears, often spanning the spread. He is a force to be reckoned with.
We learn of his schemes through an interesting visual device: we see the workings of his mind in the form of images inside his head, rather than a thought bubble. Captivating!
  • The eyes
Little Red's eyes are one of the distinguishing visual features. Note that only on the end papers do we see a small version of her looking directly at the reader. Most of the time, Little Red's eyes shift to one side, and she peers at what seems to be awaiting her.
However, during her dialog with the wolf, the eyes change from a sideways glance and she looks up. This expression speaks volumes as to what she is actually thinking as she and the wolf exchange a series of questions and answers. It's not simply a verbal exchange. Her face reveals how she actually perceives his responses.
  • The unexpected
Because this is a familiar tale and because the author uses many of the well-known tropes, the ending may come as a surprise and a fairly violent one at that. Careful story pacing builds to the story's climax. When rereading, readers find that Woollvin plants clues throughout the book which point to the story's conclusion. Discovering these textual and visual clues enhance anticipation for the unexpected outcome.
  • The text
Three phrases are repeated throughout the pages and all play a critical part in the story:
"made a plan", "unlucky for", and "but not this little girl". Youngsters will enjoy chanting aloud these phrases, especially "but not this little girl". This increases reader involvement and enhances the story experience.
Lucky for young readers everywhere, this book is no ordinary retelling. The author's approach is fresh, witty, and wildly entertaining. She obviously made a plan.
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A Different Sort of Book

3/25/2016

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Choose Your Days by Paula S Wallace

Have you ever found yourself searching up and down the huge display of greeting cards, seeking for just the right card? Sometimes an event and the intended recipient are so unique, that there is no pre-printed card to accurately express the message you wish to convey.
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I recently discovered a solution for this dilemma:
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Choose Your Days by Paula S. Wallace.
This is an enchanting picture book with absolutely delightful illustrations.
The message is appropriate for children. But the book may resonate more deeply with adults who have weathered the passage of time.
It would be an excellent gift for someone dealing with a personal crisis, surviving a loss, or starting a new chapter in life.
Meet Corky, who on the day of her birth is presented with calendars for all of her days.
The days come and go. Corky grows. The calendar pages diminish. Eventually only a precious few of her allotted days remain in the balance. She decides to  make her remaining days "sunny" by filling them with those things that bring her joy.
With warm and touching illustrations, Wallace brings the close of Corky's life to a satisfying and heartwarming conclusion.
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I picture myself sending copies to individuals for whom there is no greeting card on earth that distills the moment in quite the way that this book does. I'm stocking up on gift copies right now.
When a greeting card is not enough/not quite right, this charming little book will be the perfect expression.


BONUS
Paula S Wallace is one talented artist.
I was fascinated to learn that she originally created a series of paintings of an individual she named Corky. After she had 35 Corky paintings, the story became clear to her. It was through art that Corky's life revealed itself.
Ah! The power of images.
Check out :
Paula Wallace Fine Art website
http://paulawallacefineart.com/index.html
Paula Wallace Fine Art Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/paulawallacefineart/?fref=nf
​


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Of Apple Tarts & Hope

3/24/2016

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Warning
It is impossible to read this book and not find yourself craving an apple tart.


I succumbed. Soon after I commenced reading, I found numerous references to apple tarts. Subsequently I scurried to the local market for a pound of sweet butter and a generous handful of crisp apples. I followed the recipe from Ina Garten aka The Barefoot Contessa for French Apple Tart. Slowly my kitchen filled with the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked pastry. Here is the finished product. The verdict: It tasted divine.

NOW
​After savoring this delicate dessert I was ready to return to the magic of The Apple Tart of Hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald.
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"A particular smell surrounded me, the one you get when butter and sugar and spices have been mingled into a single thing and cooked in the oven. And as the pastry melted in our mouths, other things seemed to melt too, like misgivings and doubts and the things that had made us grumpy and withdrawn."

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"We're all capable of really beautiful things but really nasty things as well - that's what makes us interesting."  
​                                                             Markus Zusak as quoted by Alison Morris
I found this quote from an interview with author Markus Zusak, which brilliantly sums up the Fitzgerald's poignant story of guilt, loss, bullying, friendship, and the powerful impact of simple acts which can range from vicious cruelty to gentle kindness.
The story is set in contemporary Ireland and told in alternating voices of fourteen year old Oscar and Meg, his neighbor, schoolmate, and friend. This is a fascinating study of human beings, some who resort to acts of genuine beauty as well as individuals who are truly nasty. I agree with Zusak. The  contrast between the two makes interesting reading.

Surviving Despair

  • ""And so, everyone came to accept the unacceptable. Oscar wasn't coming back."
  • "Once a letter's been read, you can't unread it."
  • "I acted as if I wasn't destroyed or defeated. I pretended that I didn't care."
  • "Pictures of your mum are not the same as your mum."
  • "Peace built on lies is no peace at all."

Discovering Hope 

  • I could hear something nobody else could hear, and I saw something nobody else could see."
  • "Panic might feel like a bad thing, but in actual fact, it contains thousands of little splinters of hope."
  • "Hope is never destructive. Hope is the thing that keeps you going."
  • "Nothing is as you think it is. Lots of things are not what they appear to be. Sometimes things look a certain way, but perhaps they are not."
  • "Dad says kindness is magic. It looks gentle and mild on the outside, he says, but it has hidden powers."
"It's the apple tart of hope. After you've taken a bite, the whole world will look almost completely different. Things will start to change and by the time you've had a whole slice you'll realize that everything is going to be okay."
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Illustration Workshop for Teens

3/19/2016

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Evan Turk offered an Illustrator Workshop at the February 2016 Teen Bookfest By the Bay in Corpus Christi, Texas. Attendees could opt to participate in this session, which ran for an extended block of time.
Because of the participatory nature of the session, enrollment was limited to 30 teens per session. Not surprisingly these illustration workshop sessions filled up quickly.
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Turk is the recipient of the 2015 Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Award for his illustrations for the Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus picture book Grandfather Gandhi.
He used his work for this book to help teach some basic principals of color, design, and theme.
Students particularly commented on the use of fiber and the essential concept of spinning thread into fabric. They were able to identify this symbol when it appeared throughout the pages.

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Turk discussed his upcoming picture book, The Storyteller. He shared some of his research into the geography and culture of Morocco. He also presented beautiful images of native Moroccoan design. Water plays an important part in the story. Students identified the blue hues, symbolic of water. They also noted the use of complimentary color to highlight the importance that water plays in the story.
They were captived by the images and eager to participate in group discussion.
Turk concluded the workshop by allowing students time to practice some of the techniques which he introduded. After students created several pages of textures and patterns, they were given the opportunity to use the their own work to create a page for a well-known fairy tale. Several of the participants chose to share their illustrations with him. Evan posted some of the student's work online. 
What a thrill for a teen to have an award-winning illustrator share your design with the online community.
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Stealth Reading

3/11/2016

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Magic of Story for Middle Grade Students

Storytime for young readers is a given. It is easy to bring youngsters along, reading aloud and sharing the pleasure of reading.
Sadly, for some readers the joy of reading appears to taper off in middle school.
How can the magic of story and books be shared with middle school students?

One summer I was asked to work with a group of middle grade students who were struggling to achieve a passing grade in Language Arts. Because it was apparent that the traditional teaching tactics were less effective and because it was summer, I decided to try some alternative techniques.
Among other class experiences, I concluded each day with a read aloud.
​Here's what I did: 
Read aloud one chapter from an exciting adventure book. Each student had his/her own paperback copy of the book and was welcome to either listen as I read or follow along with the text. After a few days, I stopped reading the final paragraph. Students were given a few minutes to read the final paragraph to learn how the chapter concludes.
In the succeeding days, I continued this practice, gradually decreasing the amount of text I read aloud. However I always began reading each chapter aloud.
A few important tips:
  • Select a story with lots of entertainment value, i.e. action, adventure, humor, mystery.
  • Look for books with relatively short chapters, fairly large font, and an ample amount of "white space" on the page.
  • Make sure that the author uses a "cliff-hanger" conclusion for many of the chapters.
  • Find books that promote discussion and engagement among students.  If students want to talk about what they read, it naturally engenders higher interest among all students who want to know more of what "everyone is talking about".
  • Obtain a paperback copy for each student.
  • Select the first book in a series. This gives students a natural launch to continue reading after finishing the book.
  • Always provide reading support by reading aloud a part of each chapter. If students want to read ahead, that is fine. But continue to offer this support for students who need encouragement to continue reading. The amount of text you read aloud each day is determined by the student interest/need not by a preset number of pages.

The Story Thieves by James Riley

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I recently read Story Thieves and Story Thieves: The Stolen Chapters by James Riley, a fast-paced wild adventure series with a slightly sardonic voice.
These books immediately struck me as an excellent series for a middle grade read aloud experience.
Young readers will want to snatch up a gobstopper and join in the adventure.
​​
Readers can look forward to:

  • A totally new way to time travel
The premise of living and traveling between everyday life and the world within the pages of a book is captivating. Owen first learns of this when he watches the chocolate stained fingers of classmate Bethany emerge from the pages of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
  • The possibility of a fantastic new world(s)
"I knew that there was something like this out there, because if there wasn't, then life is just dental floss and vegetables and word problems."
  • Magic: What happens when "good" magic goes horribly wrong?
"You want to learn magic and become amazing and do impossible things, yeah? Of course you do. Everyone does."
  • ​Messing with minds: Memory is lost, found, and lost again
"Why did he have to remember in pieces? Why couldn't his whole memory just pop back into place at once?"
  • Craziness: Hopping in and out of books, including becoming a cartoon character 
"Bethany couldn't help smiling at Owen slowly pulling his body away from the table, grunting as the arm tied to the table began stretching. 'Everyone has their own idea of fun.'"
  • Identity crisis: Exactly who is real? Who is a clone? Who are the good guys?
"You assume that real is something anyone would want to be."
  • What to worry about in a crisis
" 'And you,' he said, pointing at Owen, 'shall wait with Dr. Verity beyond time and space until I return. You won't need to eat or drink, as your body won't actually exist as anything beyond a possibility until you come back out.'
'That's all well and good, but what about bathroom breaks?!' Owen shouted."
  • Danger Defined
"There are cameras every five feet surrounding the courtyard, as well as inside the school. The gate is ten feet tall and electrified. The walls are eleven feet tall, just to be different, and topped with barbed wire, which is also electrified. But that's the easy stuff."
  • Life vs. Life Choices 
"You're too good a person to keep...well..."
"Breaking the law?" Moira said. "I'm trying, Dad. I really am. I know it doesn't look like it --"
"You just robbed four banks--"

This series is crazy good.
Extremely crazy. Exceptionally good. 

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Joyous News!  Delilah Dirk is Back

3/8/2016

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Delilah Dirk and the King's Schilling by Tony Cliff

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Delilah Dirk, that daring, globe-trotting adventurer extraordinaire, is back! If you have not read the premier issue, Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant, stop and rectify that immediately. You won't be sorry.

​After meeting the irrepressible Delilah and Selim, readers are ready to follow this latest turn of events, when the duo find themselves traveling to England.
Delilah has a score to settle and this time it is very personal.
She returns to her home and family to right a wrong. The dual nature of her life as a proper British lady and as the world-traveling swordswoman becomes evident. Cover art cleverly hints at the resulting intrigue.

Selim sees a new side of his comrade-in-arms which tests the strength of their friendship.
The characters, action, and art are stunning.
This work is a cinematic masterpiece!

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Setting

Note the care with which Cliff sets up his story.
His use of color and light draws the eye immediately to the destination: Portugal in the 1800's.
While the village shining in light is most evident, there is an important component of the tale happening within the shadows.
The open road invites the reader to take the journey, following the winding path that leads to the town.
It's at this point that a significant detail captures one's attention: Selim leaving the horse-drawn cart and setting off on foot at a quick pace. This sets minds to wondering why he abandoned the cart, where he is headed, and why his steps are hurried?
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Action

Cliff sets up his action sequences with precision and attention to detail.
His use of angles is brilliant. Note the body angle reaching out to throw the life line to Delilah.
What gives added vitality is allowing the viewer to observe the action from more than one point of view.
It's as if he has set up multiple cameras for the scene and these shots allow readers to witness the scene from various angles.
Panel placement follows the rope from the initial fling to the life-saving destination. The size and shape of each panel also propels the action forward.


​
It is worth noting how Cliff first uses up-close tight shots to draw readers into the action and then pulls back, giving the reader a broader consideration of the action.

Note how well the sound effects are placed, making the sound an integral part of the movement.
He brings the action to a personal level with close-up faces. Readers experience more than bodies engaged in battle. They also witness the toll that battle takes on the mind and the will.
This increases both the intensity and the personal engagement of readers as they experience the struggle firsthand.
​



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Characters

Cliff introduces Selim with three distinctly different forms:
  • Narrative boxes allow Selim to introduce himself directly to the reader, breaking the fourth wall.
  • Speech balloons invite readers to be privy to his inner dialog.
  • Close up shots of the expressive face of Selim help readers come to know this character. Strong facial images reveal much of his personality.
​

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Color

Cliff's use of color is exquisite. The shade of blue alerts readers to the knowledge that much of the story takes place at night, under cover of darkness.
The muted blue shades are a perfect complement to the contrasting bright golds. Fire explodes on the page, and causes readers to rear back, in a way that mirrors Selim's reaction. 
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Drama

Cliff knows how to set up a scene for the reader, carefully arranging both the size and shading of panels to lead readers to the big reveal.

​This pacing allows the appearance of Delilah Dirk to leave readers breathless.
Her commanding presence of the page and particularly of this panel heightens the drama.
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What Happens After Dark

3/3/2016

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The Nocturnals by Tracey Hecht

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Interested in observing the habits of nocturnal animals ? This 2016 Phases of the Moon calendar lets you select optimal observation times for these creatures of the night. Thanks Fabled Films for the calendar. Great swag for someone named Moon.
I thought that I possessed a basic knowledge of animals that are active in the dark i.e. cats, bats, and owls.
Now Tracey Hecht has introduced me to some less familiar, but certainly fascinating and unusual noctural animals.
Take a look at the curious creatures of the night pictured below:
pangolins, sugar gliders, kiwis, wombats, honey badgers, and jerboas.

They look amazing!

It is mystifying! Stupefying! Absolutely flabbergastefying!"
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The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions is the inaugural title for a new series that invites readers into a world of darkness. However this is not a frightening experience. These lively animals, brimming with personality, are out to solve a mystery: Why have several of their ranks been disappearing?
The group, known as The Nocturnals, forms a "Brigade" to investigate. Their search takes them deep inside the earth. There they discover that an imposing crocodile and his cohorts are behind the abductions; that one of their own has betrayed them; and that a high-stakes underground game of hockey places the fate of The Nocturnals in peril.
The story's light, lively prose is entertaining.
I especially liked the hockey game with its playful nod to Alice in Wonderland's hedgehog croquet balls and flamingo mallets, The Nocturnals contend against the crocodiles (Nocs vs. Crocs) using a tarantula named Harry for a puck and kiwis for sticks.
The game features a nail-biter finish complete with a few unexpected twists.
A satisfying conclusion to this episode makes for engaging middle grade fantasy and adventure. And you don't have to wait until dark to discover it.

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    Barbara Moon

    I like talking about books and  interesting ideas. I like thinking about how books affect my life. Not particularly interested in giving out stars or in rating books. 

    Audio Publishers Association
    2013, - present  Audies judge 
    American Library Association Book Awards and Lists 
    ​2017 YALSA Award Nominating Committee
    2016 Excellence in Nonfiction 
    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
    2009, 2010, 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

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