LC and JP Public Library Blog

Bibliography: Jenkins, Steve. Biggest, Strongest, Fastest . Orlando, FL: Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers, 1997. ISBN: 978-0395697016 Plot Summary: Steve Jenkins provides factual information with detailed illustrations of animals that are the strongest, fastest, and tallest of all animals. Critical Analysis: Do you know which animals are the biggest, strongest, fastest or tallest of all? Steve Jenkins knows! He introduces "record holders" of all animals. He uses 20 point Century Old Style font to tell you which animal holds a specific record using a simple sentence. This single sentence makes it easy for young readers to read and comprehend. He uses about a 12 point font for sidebar facts about each animal. You will see the pattern of picture, single sentence, sidebar facts, and a subtle comparison to humans in a small unmentioned illustration for each animal. Each animal has 2 full color pages dedicated to it, except for the whale. The whale un...

Bibliography: Tonatiuh, Duncan.  Funny Bones: Posada and his Day of the Dead Calaveras.  Lebanon, IN: Harry N Abrams Inc, 2015. ISBN 978-1419716478 Plot Summary: A little know Mexican artist (Jose Guadalupe Posada) discovered he loved printing. He started working at a printing shop for Don Trinidad Pedrosa where he found his love of lithography. He learned engraving for different types of products. After work, he helped by drawing cartoons for a local newspaper poking fun at politicians. This began his cartoon making career. He moved away to Leon because he upset politicians in the area. He opened up his own business and taught lithography at a local school in Leon. A flood destroyed his print shop forcing him to relocate to Mexico City. He opened another print shop where he started printing his infamous "broadsides" (intriguing stories with an illustration on a sheet of paper). Jose Guadalupe Posada printed "literary calaveras" which were short poems wi...

Bibliography: Kerley, Barbara. What To Do About Alice? Jefferson City, MO: Scholastic Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0439922319 Plot Summary: President Theodore had a daughter named Alice who truly kept him on his toes. She was not like other girls. She was adventurous and intelligent. She just wanted to have fun. Many people loved her vivacious character. Other people did not like that she was not very lady like. Critical Analysis: Author Barbara Kerley and Illustrator Edwin Fotheringham brought Alice Roosevelt Longworth to life with this incredibly written and illustrated picture book biography. The opening statement reels the reader in with, "Theodore Roosevelt had a small problem." Barbara Kerley goes on to explain the wonderful and difficult things Theodore Roosevelt had done, but he could not control his daughter. The digital illustrations present colorful images of a carefree and adventurous girl from the time she was a toddler to adulthood. The illustrations ela...