From the 2003 OCIRA Fall Conference: Weaving Our Own Tapestry of Books

Ohio Reading Teacher, Fall 2003-Spring 2004 by Hendershot, Judith

The 2003 OCIRA Fall Conference was all about books - the newest and the best in children's literature, and it was all about how to weave many genres into the fabric of our teaching to enrich students' learning. Superb presentations delivered by educators, authors and storytellers with a passion for literature shaped a remarkable experience for all who were fortunate enough to attend the annual literacy event. For those who were unable to join us, this column offers a vicarious experience.

Featured author Gary Paulsen shared personal life stories, from which he has drawn to write his many adventure novels like Hatchet, especially favored by adolescents. After the book was published Paulsen declared that he would write no more "Brian" books. But then came Brian's Winter, another Brian adventure and after it, Brian's Return. And just released is Brian's Hunt in which our hero Brian Robeson returns to the Canadian wilderness where he finds a mysteriously injured dog, some Cree Indians and a startling challenge. In a note at the book's end, Paulsen reminds his readers that his unusual background enables him to colorfully detail these gritty stories. Will Brian's Hunt be the last of the sequels? There is a suspiciously nagging question posed at book's end - a question that surely must be answered.

Storyteller/author Coleen Salley spun tales from Cajun Louisiana and demonstrated an energetic delivery of story. Salley has authored her own amusing interpretation of a book titled Epossumondas, a Southern folktale about a muddleheaded possum who lacks critical thinking skills. She had the Saturday luncheon audience literally rolling in the aisles with a lively rendition of this amusing cumulative story - a fine read aloud choice for early childhood classrooms.

Ohio author/illustrator Denise Fleming, though not a scheduled speaker, stopped by the conference bookstore to autograph her most recent title, Buster. The book drew praise for its rich colors, varied textures, and cleverly crafted chapters. In it she introduces readers to Buster the dog whose pampered life falls apart when his owner brings home a fluffy white cat. Fleming uses repetitive language and the bold illustrations that appeal to her young audience.

Rick Sowash, storyteller of the Heartland, entertained us with tales about amazing Ohio animals- some funny, some sad - from his latest publication Critters, Flitters and Spitters. Sowash has included stories about creatures from the Ice Age and the Civil War era - all of them entertaining.

The following annotations are a sampling of new literature recommended by our conference presenters.

Picture Books

Marian Anderson emerged as an incredible singing talent in the 1940s at a time when African American artists were largely ignored. In When Marian Sang, Pam Munoz Ryan has written a simple biographical text about Marian's life that ends with her triumphant recital on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Brian Selznick's sepia-toned paintings convey the emotion of Anderson's dream to be heard by an entire American audience. Munoz Ryan includes lyrics from gospel tunes that add authenticity to this drama. This book, recognized by the Coretta Scott King Award committee, will be valued for its artwork and multicultural content, and it integrates easily into history themes and music.

Ashley Bryant's Beautiful Blackbird is a Zambian tale in which he incorporates rhythm and rhyme as readers and listeners learn of the search for the most beautiful bird of all. Elements of sound-alliterative chants and metered cadence, "Beak to beak, peck, peck, peck, /Spread your wings, stretch your neck," will appeal to emergent readers. Bryant has just been awarded a Coretta Scott King recognition for this book.

G is for Goat by Patricia Polacco attracted the attention of early childhood attendees for its alphabetic awareness and concept development features. Polacco continues to draw on her childhood experiences to write, this time about goats, like the ones she once raised on her Michigan family farm. Her now familiar pencil-and-water-color pictures show charming details and uphold the clever rhyming text presented in alphabet format. Look carefully at the dust jacket art where Polacco has pictured herself back home with her beloved goats.

Prolific author Jane Yolen seized the opportunity to mark the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers first flight at Kitty Hawk with a charming story titled, My Brothers' Flying Machine: Wilbur, Orville and Me narrated by Katherine Wright. Written in vertically arranged lyrical prose, the story reveals the complexity of this historical achievement, and the well-researched paintings by Jim Burke give quiet dignity to the endeavor. Katharine's story subtly reveals her importance to her brothers' success without overstating it - her help in the bike shop and care of the family home. By the book's end, the reader comes to wonder why it is only now that we have learned about this third Wright.

Peter Sis' The Tree of Life, explores the life of Charles Darwin and contains dense text suitable for gifted readers that is accompanied by brilliantly designed illustrations. Readers get to know Darwin as a schoolboy and medical student before learning details that led to his contributions to science. Sis, well- known for his use of space, incorporates charts, maps, and Darwin's own words and creates a text that defies a quick read and offers one that must be examined, discussed, and pondered. This book is an excellent science resource and at levels.