Mirror Mirror by Marilyn Singer

Summary:

     

            Mirror Mirror is an enchanting book of poetry that showcases the two sides to every story. By using reversible poems, Singer can show the reader that although our favorite fairy tale characters made it to a "happily ever after," it cold have had an alternative ending. 

Visual Element and Evaluative Criteria: Composition and Theme

           Mirror Mirror is an example of perfect composition because of the balance of each illustration. There is an obvious separation to signify the reverso poems, but the inclusion of color and lines add to the final product. In addition to the composition, the fact that it revolves around classic tales helps to cover theme in multiple works. We see the theme that "there are two sides to every story" through the reversal of the poems. Had the poems not been reversed, the themes would be limited to each individual tale represented.  

Classroom Integration:

 

I have 8th graders, so I wanted to challenge them to create a reverso poem during our themed lesson for Do The Write Thing. They had to first begin with a poem titled "To This Day;" they continued with how they are (how have they changed if at all, what makes them unique, what makes them them?) "To This Day." When they finished, they needed to try it in reverso style, and make adjustments to make both poems flow successfully. 

 Singer, M., & Masse, J. (2010). Mirror mirror: A book of reverso poems. New York, N.Y.: Dutton Children's Books.  

Olivia by Ian Falconer

Summary:

   Olivia the energetic pig wanted to enjoy her day doing her most favorite things. The only thing in her way is the dreaded daily nap that has to happen...maybe. Only Mom can help ease her sleeping tensions by reading multiple children's stories. Olivia can finally fall asleep and dream.

Visual Element:

    Despite going through the minimalist route, Falconer has been able to create an imaginative world for Olivia using texture to enhance the setting. By using texture, Olivia's sandcastle shows depth and immense size; her favorite image in the art museum seems to pop right out of the book! Through his subtle choices, Falconer has given the reader just the right amount of visual appeal to enjoy.  
Evaluative Criteria:
    Falconer's illustrations have made Olivia enjoyable because they command attention. By choosing to keep his pages clean, colorless, and simple, the readers can enjoy and appreciate the beauty of the images he did choose to include. 

Falconer, I. (2000) Olivia. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach by Carmen Agra Deedy and Illustrated by Michael Austin

Summary:
       Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha was looking for a potential husband! How did she spot the unsuitable suitors? With her Cuban Abuelita's Coffee Test of course! All she had to do was spill some coffee on the shoes of the potential grooms to see their reaction. After multiple failures, including some eligible bachelors, Martina found an acceptable husband in an unlikely candidate. Congratulations to the joyous newlyweds. 
Visual Element of Art:
      In Martina the Beautiful Cockroach, we are introduced to many beautiful colors to accentuate the different suitors introduced. For example, when we are introduced to the first suitor, Don Gallo, the colors are bright and vivid to show the beginning of the day as well as showcase his immense presence. By the end of the day though, the colors soften as we are introduced to Martina's soon-to-be husband Perez.  We can conclude that color is used for two purposes in this book from beginning to end: 1) the "bigger" the presence, the stronger the color and 2) to show elapsing of time. 

     Evaluative Criteria:

      Deedy and Austin intertwined words and images to help bring out the cultural aspect of the folktale. By using both English and Spanish, Deedy was able to help translate the original meaning of the folktale without compromising the origin. Austin brought these images to life by incorporating the streets of Havana as well as objects mentioned such as the peineta and mantilla. This gives the readers a taste of cultural traditions and language that might not be experienced first-hand. Coming from a Hispanic background, I can see the significance of the peineta and mantilla because they are objects that my grandmother used to use, so seeing them in this story reminds me of traditional customs that aren't widely practiced anymore. 

How I used it in my class:

    I teach 8th grade ELAR and we are currently working on the elements of plot. My librarian and I created centers around plot and students had about 20-25 minutes for each. Center 1- students were given a children's book to read and create a plot diagram for them, this is where Martina came in. 

Center 2- students were given a baggie with a list of objects (Martina included objects like the mantilla and peineta so you could include these if you like) and needed to create their own short story following the elements of plot. 

Center 3- students had to create an alternate ending, following the plot diagram, for a short story they read. What happens AFTER "happily ever after?"

Deedy, C., & Austin, M. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach: A Cuban folktale. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree. 

Last Letter

     Hello once again fellow Bookwormers!! I've been out for a while, but a little probing from my cousin the 'Odd Mom Out' (p.s. you should totally check her out at vturn7.blogspot.com) brought me back to my writing. I needed a little inspiration, so I turned to different sources and came upon an app called 365 topics. In choosing a random topic I was being brought back CONSTANTLY to one question/topic. It states: "What would you write in a letter to be read, after your death, by your best friend?" I know this is a very morbid topic considering it makes you think about death, but I thought I might as well give it a shot. I mean it came up randomly at least 5 times (no exaggeration), so someone obviously wants me to write this letter. I think the reason I'm choosing to write it now is based on the same ideas that are always presented after someone dies: "Tell people you love them before it's too late," "Why send flowers when a person dies when you can send them while they are alive to appreciate them," and "Why change something after it cannot be fixed?" I've been to enough funerals to know that those who cry the loudest are the ones who did not get their closure before the person died, so I'm "sending" my letter to the world NOW so that people know that I love them and can appreciate (hopefully) what I have to say. I invite you to do the same, it might not be easy, but it doesn't hurt to share your feelings while there is still time to make a difference in a person's life, including your own...

June 6, 2012

Dear friends (old and new),

Here are some things I want you to know about me. This is who I am, and will continue to be, and I wanted to share it with you now in case I didn't share them before:

1. I'm sorry I didn't take more risks. They became regrets that I had to live with.
2. I wish I could have said "I love you" to my grandparents more than I did. They knew, but the words would have sounded different coming from me.
3. I wish I could have enjoyed myself more in high school; it went by too fast.
4. I wish people wouldn't think of me as "saintly;" the label is hard to carry, and I don't want to live up to that expecation because I am human and have a right to make mistakes.
5. I should have listened to the compliments given to me instead of the bad things. They were more sincere than I first thought they were.
6. I'm glad that I learned who my true friends were, even after years of "friendship," because I would have lost a lot more if I had never found out.
7. I still haven't learned what true forgiveness is, despite popular belief, I hold grudges silently. I need to learn to let go before my heart turns bitter.
8. I love to laugh, so share a joke every now and then to make my day :)
9. I don't mind listening, but I would like to be given the chance to share too.
10. I always read the last paragraph of a book first; no reason in particular except that I want to know if it is going to have a happy/sad ending.
11. I have a BIG heart, but DON'T take advantage of it.
12. I love hanging out with my family. It is with them that I am most happy.
13. I like to make people's day, but I like to be remembered too because just like everyone else, I have bad days too.
14. I love making people laugh, especially my parents and brothers, even if I look like a dork doing it. And last but not least:
15. I want to make a difference in the world. I don't know if I have yet or not, but I do hope I can touch at least another life and make this world a better place for future generations. I want my kids to grow up in a world better than what it is now because it is really messed up.

These things, new to you or not, are who I am. Once something is written, you can't take it back, and that thought scares me and comforts me at the same time. I hope you see me for who I am and not who you think or wish I was. There is only one me, and I've got only one shot in this life to do it right, so I'm not going to hide behind the stereotypes or the dreams of other people. I hope you don't either because there is only one of you too. Care to share who you are? I hope you do.


Sincerely,

Karina

Comic on Leadership

     This is my first ever comic creation. I made it through toondoo.com, and I must say it was a fun way to discuss a topic that I found important. It is based on the topic of leadership and what qualities a leader should have in order to be considered well rounded. 

In the Classroom:

     The way I would use this in my classroom would be to introduce the theme of 'Leadership' to my students. This would be a good hook as well as a good starting point for journaling. I would ask my students to write if they agree or disagree with Big Sister as to her characteristics of what a "good leader" had, and if they can list a few of their own ideas as to what leaders need to do to be considered "successful." This would also be an ideal time to show them that reading is not only text, but can be pictures as well. Once they see that reading isn't limited to novels, I hope they will see that comics and graphic novels are also options available to them. Here is my comic on 'Leadership:' 

These characteristics of a leader are not limited to children (even though they are my main characters), but also apply to adults. We must remember that if we want our children to be good leaders we have to set an example, so go forth and impart new wisdom on a child today! What characteristics do you believe a good leader needs?