Culture
1 Reviews
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fox, M. 1988. Koala Lou. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. Lofts. New York, NY:
Voyager
Books. ISBN 9780152000769
PLOT
SUMMARY
This story is about a koala named Koala Lou and the
love her mother has for her. All that changes when she is pushed off to the
side and her mother tends to her newest siblings. Koala Lou does not feel her
mother loves her any longer, but is determined to win back her mother’s love.
She feels if she competes and wins in an up and coming athletic event, she can
prove she is worthy of her mothers’ love and attention once again.
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
Illustrator Pamela Lofts does a phenomena depicting
the variety of animals that are native to Australia. Showcasing native animals
such as the emu, a platypus, and kookaburra gives the opportunity for children
all over the world to learn about animals that can be found in Australia. With
that being said, one of the main cultural markers that stood out was Fox’s
choice of using a koala as the main character of the story (seeing as the Koala
is a native animal of Australia).
Fox gives the
readers a glimpse of Australian dialect with the line, “How’re ya goin’,
blossom?
The light, playful, colors of the illustrations caught
my attention as I was reading the story. The illustrations help set the mood of
the story. The theme of the story is relevant to children.
The repetitive line “Koala Lou, I DO love you!”
throughout the story gives the reader the impression that there shouldn’t be
any doubts that Koala Lou’s mother does not lover her, unfortunately Koala Lou
does not see it that way.
This is a great story on how both parent and child
should not take the power of love for granted. Parents should communicate
whenever possible their importance to them and for children to understand they
are loved by their parents no matter what.
REVIEW
EXCERPTS
Horn Book Guide (February, 1990) In a gentle tale set in the Australian bush,
Koala Lou wants to win the Bush Olympics. A good choice for story hour,
bedtime, or reading aloud. Review, p. 757.
Kirkus Reviews (1989) As a baby, cuddly Koala Lou is everyone's
favorite, especially her mother's; but as more little koalas join the family,
her mother forgets to say, "Koala Lou, I DO love you!" So--hoping for
attention--Koala Lou trains mightily for the Bush Olympics, only to come in
second. Surprisingly, this disappointment makes her wish come true; her mother
is there to comfort her with the treasured words and a big hug. This satisfying
reworking of a familiar and ever-important theme is appealingly
illustrated--bright colors, soft-edged sculptural forms, precise detail, dozens
of expressive animals. Another winning import from one of Australia's favorite
authors.
CONNECTIONS
No matter how young or old, we all require someone’s
love and attention.
Similar reads are as follows:
Larkin, Susan Goodnight
Little One. ISBN 9781926444444
Hepworth, Amelia. I
Love You to the Moon and Back. ISBN 1589255518
Paul, Ann W. If
Animals Kissed Goodnight. ISBN 9780374300210
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mourlevat, J. (2006). The
pull of the ocean. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. ISBN
9780385736664
PLOT
SUMMARY
The Pull of the Ocean is about Yann Doutreleau, a 10
year old who is mute and is identified with dwarfism, makes it his mission to
ensure he and his brothers are safe from their father’s abusive behavior. He
convinces his brothers their lives are in danger and they need to flee before
it is too late. The story unfolds as characters in the story recollect their
encounter of the siblings while on the run.
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
One major cultural marker that was clearly stated on
the first page of the story (part one) was a quote from the French fairy tale, Tom Thumb by Charles Perrault. The Pull of
the Ocean is a modern version of Perrault’s fairy tale.
French author Kean-Claude Mourlevat sets the perfect setting
as the brothers set out on the west French country side in search for the ocean,
which promises them the solace. The readers get the sense that characters are French
with their names (Michele Moulin, Remy Doutreleau, Agathe Merle), their clothing
worn throughout the story also depicts representation of authenticity.
Mourlevat’s choice to have a child with a disability
be the “leader” of the journey speaks volumes. The author has given the opportunity
for this individual to be the main character of the story and the ability to
show his ideas and reasoning is just the same as any other individual. I see it
has he gave him a voice and people listened to him.
The unbreakable bond the brothers possess through their
journey is like no other. It reminds us the importance of siblings no matter
the age.
REVIEW
EXCERPTS
The Batchelder Award
-School Library Journal
(January 1, 2007) "A
well-crafted mystery awaits anyone reading this fabled jigsaw puzzle . . . a
memorable novel that readers will find engaging and intellectually
satisfying."
- Publishers Weekly (January 1, 2007) "Mourlevat enchantingly
blends the harshly read and the make-believe ... [in this] effectively
haunting, fluidly translated tale."
CONNECTIONS
This title covered two different aspects. As the
saying goes, “don’t judge a book its cover. The idea is the same with judging
people based on what you only see. The other aspect is the unique bond within
siblings.
Hargrave, Kiran. The Way Past Winter. ISBN 9781452181554
K.S. Ansari, Rebecca. The In-Between. ISBN 9780062916099
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Buitrago, J. 2017. Walk
with me. Ill by Rafael Yockteng. Toronto: Groundwood Books, House
of Anansi Press. ISBN 9781554988570
PLOT
SUMMARY
Walk
with Me is
a story featuring a young girl who has created an imaginary friend, a lion! She
has called upon the lion to keep her safe and accompany her while she runs her
usual errands afterschool. She goes by the daycare and picks up her sibling,
buys groceries, and makes dinner. After the long evening of running the errands
and making dinner her mother arrives home from work. They settle in for the
night and the lion leaves and will return when needed again.
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
The pictures by Yockteng tells the story of a young
girl and the trial and tribulation she must go through as she walks home afterschool.
As soon as the story begins I notice the girl. Her hair hung loosely around her
face and the socks that have lost their elasticity. As I compare her to the
other students on the next page, I gain the sense she lives in poverty. For one
she must walk home when she gets out of school and is given the duty of picking
up her brother from day care. The house is very simple and the young girl is
the one cooking dinner. The mother finally makes an appearance as she is getting
home from work, looking tired. There are cracks throughout the walls and the
girl, baby brother and mother share one bed. The names of the stores are in Spanish
(escuela (school), tienda (store)). All of these pictures provides the readers
with an authentic representation of the setting they are conveying to the
reader.
Many readers can relate to the main character of the
story, living with a single parent. Some children must take the role of a parent
while they are working to provide for the family. In certain cultures this is
the norm. Even though the young girl is scared, she finds a way to “do whatever
it takes” to get the job done.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus: “Eye-opening inspiration in this unassuming import from Colombia.”
School Library Journal: “This gentle tale of self-fulfillment and
acceptance will be a winning addition to collections.”
Horn Book: “In a
world where so many must leave their homes to find work, it’s inspiring to see
Jimmy able to do a truly great thing, right where he wants to.”
CONNECTIONS
Children at times must grow up a little faster than
others as they carry responsibilities those of adults. It isn’t anyone’s fault,
but life goes on and it depends on how the individual will face the realities
of life. Below are a few titles similar to Walk
With Me.
Atkinson, Cale. To
The Sea. ISBN 9781484708132
Buitrago, Jairo Two
White Rabbits. ISBN 9781554987412
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Acioli, S. 2016. The
head of the saint. [ebook]. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN
9780553537949
PLOT
SUMMARY
Samauel, a fourteen year old, embarks on a journey to
honor his recently desceased mother’s four requests. He is to find his
grandmother who will tell him where his father is, so he will not live alone in
a small town named Candeia in Brazil. He makes a place for himself within a
huge statue of St. Anthony. People from all over town come and pray to St.
Anthony for specific things, such as a husband. He can hear their prayers and as
a joke, he “grants” a prayer to one the townspeople. The story continues as
Samuel is tested with his lack of faith as he uncover family secrets.
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
The setting of the story is a small town in Brazil. Roman
Catholic makes up half of the religion practiced in Brazil, so to use St.
Anthony and St. Francis is accurate representation of the religion in that region.
The names of characters (Toinha, Mafalda, Mariinha, Niceia) and religious
practices such as “customary Mass was celebrated for each of them, seven days
after their burial”, helps with the authenticity of the story and the setting.
REVIEW
EXCERPTS
Booklist: “…the
unexplained miracles, intricately entwined stories, and long-buried family
secrets would be at home in a García Márquez novel…With an offbeat approach and
beautiful, evocative language, this unusual, fablelike novel will appeal to
literary-minded teens.”
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books : “Indeed, all of humanity and no small
measure of godliness are on display in this translated Brazilian import that
evokes a sense of wonder and treats readers to a fascinating glimpse of a
setting and worldview seldom seen in Anglophone youth literature.”
CONNECTIONS
Other great titles that explore the culture of Latin
America are as follows:
Engle, Margarita. Silver People ISBN 9780544668706
Gregg, Stacy. The Island of Lost Horses ISBN 9780007580279
Moreno, Sylvia. God Jade Shadow
