Building a Child's Library : Inside Twenty-Five Classic Children's Stories

by Johnson, Miriam J.

• ISBN13: 9780809142293
• ISBN10: 0809142295
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-11-01
• Publisher: Paulist Pr

Summary

Anyone with the privilege of reading to young children will appreciate this useful guide and the summaries, commentaries, and talking points it provides for twenty-five modern classics of children's literature. Miriam Johnson brings her experience as a former classroom teacher, school librarian, parent, and grandparent to this book aimed at anyone who has the privilege to read to youngsters. She casts a trained eye on twenty-five distinguished children's books, providing summaries, commentaries, and suggestions for conversation starters to be used by the adults with children as a background to the books. Parents, teachers, clergy, and children can talk about faith and values "inside" the stories without long discussions carried on in a moralizing way, enhancing the enjoyment of both. The stories are grouped under these categories: Creature Connections - God's Care and Forgiveness - Justice for All - World Religions - Music This book is sure to add to the pleasure of reading children's literature and lead to many enriching encounters between adults and children.

Author Biography

Dr. Miriam J. Johnson received her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Boston College. She has been a classroom teacher, librarian, and reading resource teacher in elementary schools; a professor of children's literature on the college level; and an editor for children's resources. Retired from education, she now writes and lectures on the subject

Table of Contents

Preface	1	(4)
Creation Connections
One Flake at a Time
SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY
by Jacqueline Briggs Martin;
illustrated by Mary Azarian	5	(4)
Black Stands for Warmth
APPALACHIA: The Voices of Sleeping Birds
by Cynthia Rylant;
illustrated by Barry Moser	9	(5)
From Dust to Life
OUT OF THE DUST
by Karen Hesse	14	(4)
An Outdoor Comfort Zone
WHEN SOPHIE GETS ANGRY - REALLY, REALLY ANGRY
by Molly Bang	18	(3)
Let's Hear It For...
JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT
by Simms Taback	21	(4)
Hierarchy of Fear
CHATO'S KITCHEN
by Gary Soto;
illustrated by Susan Guevara	25	(4)
The Potters Secret
A SINGLE CHARD
by Linda Sue Park	29	(6)
God's Care and Forgiveness
The Hound of Heaven
SHILOH
by Phyllis Naylor Reynolds	35	(5)
When Roots Grew from Rocks
BUD, NOT BUDDY
by Christopher Paul Curtis	40	(5)
Always on Her Mind
WEMBERLEY WORRIED
by Kevin Henkes	45	(3)
Temporary Atheism
PREACHER'S BOY
by Katherine Paterson	48	(4)
The Cat Person
MRS. KATZAND TUSH
by Patricia Polacco	52	(5)
Justice for All
Living in a Dream World
TAR BEACH
by Faith Ringgold	57	(4)
The Power of Words and Pictures
MARTIN'S BIG WORDS
by Doreen Rappaport;
illustrated by Bryan Collier	61	(4)
Fishy Handkerchiefs
NUMBER THE STARS
by Lois Lowry	65	(5)
What's in a Name?
AMAZING GRACE
by Mary Hoffman;
illustrated by Caroline Binch	70	(4)
The House a Goat Built
BEATRICE'S GOAT
by Page McBrier;
illustrated by Lori Lohstoeter	74	(5)
World Religions
The Big Picture
SEVEN BLIND MICE
by Ed Young	79	(5)
Echoes from the Elephant
RELIGIONS EXPLAINED
by Anita Ganeri	84	(5)
A Symbol of Indian Sentiment
AND STILL THE TURTLE WATCHED
by Sheila MacGill-Callahan;
illustrated by Barry Moser	89	(3)
Christ and Karma
MOTHER TERESA: Sister to the Poor
by Patricia Reilly Giff	92	(7)
Music
"Know Thyself" - He Did
HANDEL, WHO KNEW WHAT HE LIKED
by M.T. Anderson;
illustrated by Kevin Hawkes	99	(4)
Notes in a Tree
MOLE MUSIC
by David McPhail	103	(4)
A Musical Brain Wave
BEETHOVEN LIVES UPSTAIRS
by Barbara Nichol;
illustrated by Scott Cameron	107	(4)
Telltale Steps
SING TO THE STARS
by Mary Brigid Barrett;
illustrated by Sandra Speidel	111