Module 2-Classic Chapter Book

Howe, J. (1983). The Celery Stalks at Midnight.
New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Summary:

A cat named Chester, a dog named Harold, and a puppy named Howie star in this sequel to Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery and Howliday Inn.  The family pets to the Monroe family find Bunnicula (a rabbit) missing from its cage.  Concerned that the rabbit is a vegetarian vampire, the other animals set out to find Bunnicula to protect the Monroe family, but it may be too late.

My Impression:

This a cute book written from the perspective of the three family pets.  I had some difficulty following the storyline to begin with because I had not read one of the previous books of the series.  Howe helps make connections to past events with his references to past occurrences throughout the story.  I would like to go back and read the previous books in the series.  This is a great series for children 8-12 who are animal lovers.  They will enjoy the conversations and events the animals find themselves caught up in.

Reviews:

The Celery Stalks at Midnight

School Library Journal

Gr. 4-6

When readers hear about dead beets, killer parsnips ;and homicidal heads of lettuce lurking in the neighborhood, they won't think it's a vegetable war--they'll know that Bunnicula, the vampire(?) rabbit has returned. And, according to Chester the cat, Bunnicula's vegetable minious are dangerous, constantly looking for fresh blood to drain.  As everyone knows, a vampire can be destroyed by driving a stake through its hear, so, in order to put a stop to Chester's constant nagging and fear, unconvinced Harold goes along with Chester's idea of spearing the white vegetables with toothpicks in order to save home and family from the poser of this dastardly rabbit.  The amusing and skillful black-and-white sketches capture the animals' antics and expressions of alternating doubt, skepticism, disgust ant worry in this clever tale abounding with puns, wild chases and slapstick humor.  Bunnicula (Atheneum, 1979) fans will be delighted to rejoin cynical Chester, Howie, and dachshund puppy and canine narrator Harold, who, at the end, becomes apprehensive for even he admits he hears the thump thump thump of an artichoke heart.--Trev Jones, "School Library Journal"

Jones, T. (1983). The Celery Stalks at Midnight [Book]. School Library Journal, 30(1), 124.

Suggested Library Use:
The Celery Stalks at Midnight could be used as a books in an author study of James Howe focusing on his writing style and use of personification throughout his books.

Module 2-Classic Picture Book

Marshall, J. (1976). George and Martha: Rise and Shine.
New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Co.

Summary:
James Marshall writes another book featuring two great hippos.  Good friends are hard to find, but George and Martha show us what true friends are like.  There are five short chapters exploring friendship.

My Impression:
Every child needs to read stories about friendship and George and Martha: Rise and Shine is a great one even though they are hippos.

Reviews:
George and Martha: Rise and Shine
School Library Journal
K-3 George and Martha, friendly hippopotamuses whose daily actions culminate in minor epiphanies, return in five vignettes corresponding roughly to vaudeville sketches.  The appeal of this whimsical hippo couple who tame snakes, watch scary movies, and plan surprises increases with acquaintance: so wise, unpretentious, and filled with love is this pair that they unobtrusively instill an understanding of true companionship.  The illustrations, predominately in yellows, greens, and maroons provide a gentle homey feel.--Allene Stuart Phy, English Department, George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, Tenn.
Phy, A., Gerhardt, L. N., Pollack, P. D., Abramson, J., & Stenson, L. (1976). George and Martha Rise and Shine [Book Review]. School Library Journal, 23(2), 100.


Suggested Library Use:
Share this story during a study on friendships.  Students could share their experiences of friendships with a special friend.  Students could also make inferences as the story is read, by stopping after several pages.  Students would then use the information they already have about George and Martha and infer or predict future encounters.

SLIS 5420 Youth Literature -- Module 1 - The Runaway Bunny



Brown, M. (1972). The Runaway Bunny.
New York: Harper Collins Publishers.

Summary:
Previously published in 1942--A bunny tells his mother he is going to runaway.  His mother tells him she will come after him.  The two have a drawn out conversation about the various places  the bunny will go or the character he will turn into to runaway from his mother.  His mother always responds with how she will seek him out with matching characterizations to locate the bunny and bring him home.


My Impression:
This classic provides a sweet, gentle story that adult will enjoy reading to a young child.  It shows the love of the mother rabbit towards her young child through the reassuring words that no matter where the bunny goes she will come and find him.  This is a must read for parent to read their young child.


Reviews:
The Runaway Bunny
Children's book review by P.J. Rooks

Ages 2+ The Runaway Bunny, written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd, is a sweet story that tells the tale of a little bunny's imaginative plans to run away. He will become a hidden crocus in a garden, a rock in a mountain and a fish, among other things. For each of these plans, however, his mother has a "foiled-again" response -- she will become a gardener, a mountain climber, a fisherman, etc.



There is no plan too wild or far-reaching that this little bunny's mother will not come searching for him -- truly a story of unconditional, all-reaching, all-surviving love.
In the end, the little bunny decides he can stick it out with Mom since trying to run away would just be a waste of his time anyway, so Mom offers him a carrot and the deal is done.
Rooks, P.J. (2012). The Runaway Bunny [Book Review]. Steve Barancik's Best Children's Books. http://www.best-childrens-books.com/runaway-bunny.html

Suggested Library Use:
This book could be used with Preschool students during a storytime followed by a discussion of how our parents protect us.