Culture 1: Reviews

 

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