Showing posts with label Good Reads and Feeds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good Reads and Feeds. Show all posts

Monday, June 16, 2014

"plain & fancy: american women and their needlework, 1700-1850"

Plain & Fancy cover art.
Plain & Fancy: American Women and Their Needlework, 1700-1850 by Susan Burrows Swan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

       This comprehensive survey of American needlework written by Susan Burrows Swan is a very entertaining read for those of you who love to learn about Early American art history. Although some of her writing is weak in the area of understanding how religious history influenced the kinds of topics that women pursued, her overall coverage of the genre is certainly appropriate within the arena of textile methods and women's social history.
       I acquired the book from a library discard shelf and as usual, it was a valuable teaching resource that should never have been classified as "discard material." These kinds of books are needed for research and education of our young people. Ms. Swan writes in a style that teens can read easily and with some degree of patience. Because of this, her work is a valuable treasure for teachers who integrate both literacy and art.
       This being said, however, it is obvious that she writes about religious topics from a disposition of one who does not have any true connection with those who practice religion, an unfortunate circumstance often plaguing those authors who have written about the history of art in our museums for the past fifty years. It is difficult to write about religion from an agnostic or atheistic point of view. It's like writing a book about war without ever having had to live through one, if you know what I mean.
       Art history is a difficult subject to write about if one does not share deeper connections with the artists that go beyond the surface study of an object or museum collection. So much of what inspires religious topics in art comes from deeply rooted belief and this belief should be explored with the same depth of study that one gives to the art object itself. For what is art if it does not reflect life? Where does it's true value come from? Art is not merely object, it is also reflection of human experience.

The needlework collections are from the Winterthur Museum, Delaware.

View all my reviews

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

the elements of pop-ups

      “With this book you will be able to touch, see, and study each of the elements of pop-ups as they are designed to work. You will be able to see exactly how each score folds and how each glue point is to be glued. You will be able to work and view each mechanic. Don’t be afraid to take these pop-ups apart. Just promise to put them back together!”

      I want to teach my students about the mechanics of pop-ups but, I don’t want them to destroy the lovely samples that I have in my collection. I purchased the copy from a local Barnes & Nobel in order to prevent this type of curious destruction. I think it will help along with a selection of youtube videos.

      By David A Carter and James Diaz, Copyright 1999 by Little Simon, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division

Related Articles Published by Simon & Schuster:

 Some of the world's best examples of pop-up books have 
gone on display to the public at the National Library of Scotland.

the moving alphabet book

      “Learning the alphabet can be fascinating…fun…and easy. Turn the wheel and a new image appears in the cut-out window. Turn it again and again until you have seen four different pictures in all. Each letter is surrounded by marvelous drawings of animals and objects that start with the letter. Find and identify nearly 250 images in Tony King’s delightful illustrations and colorful photographs. And if you are stumped, a complete list of all the images can be found on the last two pages of the book.”
      Alphabet books make wonderful assignments in advanced design courses. Not only do these kinds of projects stretch the imagination but alphabet projects also make impressive additions to any young designer’s portfolio. Above is a book I will use to show students before assigning the project.

By Tony King, copyrighted in 1982 Published by General Publishing Company

Visit The Alphabet 100 Ways

Related Articles:

the fantastic book of board games


      “There’s never been a book quite like this! It has fourteen especially created board games you can play, by a galaxy of today’s best illustrators. From Suzanna Gretz’s inimitable teddybears’ first game of droughts to Angela Barrett’s elegant version of ludo, this book has games for every member of the family.”
      I purchased this book at a St. Louis book fair this year; I thought it would inspire my students. I plan to write a lesson plan based upon game development and this book supplies wonderful examples of “how” a variety of illustrators with multiple viewpoints might interpret such a challenge.

Board Games Included in The Book Are:
  1. Root The Loot by illustrator Jez Alborough (view video Creating the Ducks Books)
  2. Ludo Park by illustrator Angela Barrett (visit The Night Fairy)
  3. The Amazing J. Slingsby Grebe Gold Medal for Utter Brilliance Game by illustrators Quentin Blake and John Yeoman (video Collaborations in the 70s)
  4. Pigs In The Pantry by illustrator Tony Blundell (Read his biography)
  5. Lost In The Wood by illustrator Catherine Brighton (more children’s books)
  6. Heavens Above! by illustrator Peter Cross (interviewed by Alan Hewitt)
  7. Picnic or Teddybear’s Draught by author Susanna Gretz and illustrator Alison Sage
  8. Cheese by illustrator Satoshi Kitamura (read his biography)
  9. The Phone Game by illustrator Shoo Rayner (visit his brilliant website)
  10. Bumbledon by illustrator Tony Ross (Interview with Tony Ross)
  11. Don’t Do That by illustrators Ralph Steadman and Helen Wire
  12. Alice in Wondergame by illustrator John Talbot (his professional resume)
  13. The Game of Goose by illustrator Fulvio Testa
  14. What-A-Mess In The Bone Race by illustrator Joseph Wright (view his professional cartoonist portfolio)
Articles About Board Games:
Lithograph Examples of Board Games:
Free Printable Board Games:
Board Game Collectors:
Related Articles: 



"Board game designers need a place to try out their prototypes. Some invite people to their homes for "closed" sessions, but I like to have a place that is open to the public. It encourages participation by other gamers and budding game designers. Several years ago, I was happy to meet Michael at his newly-opened gaming cafe in Berlin, the Spielwiese, and it has been the perfect place for our Berlin group of game designers to meet every since. The concept of the gaming cafe and Ludothek (you can buy and/or rent games there as well as play them in the cafe) is also very original and a popular attraction in Berlin's hip Friedrichshain district, attracting an international crowd. And now, it's become the testing grounds from dozens of published board games from Berlin designers, as well as a destination for visiting game designers and hobbyists from around the world." Jeffrey Allers

Sunday, August 18, 2013

villains serve an important purpose in children's literature

       Sometimes teachers may avoid reading books with villainous characters in them because they are afraid of offending parents or choosing an inappropriate topic for a particular age group. These are important considerations when one's audience is a bit young.  But, when a child reaches a more mature age, it is a mistake to avoid the portrayal of villains in their literature selections. Students need to feel a sense of self empowerment when fighting an enemy. They need to be taught that with outside help from their family and community leaders, they can fight injustice and should not be afraid to do so. 
      Children should also be made aware of their own tendencies to act a villainous part towards others, so that they may learn what is proper conduct and what behaviors are unacceptable. They must be taught the difference between correct conduct and incorrect conduct. Villains inside of story books provide for the "safe" observation of normally "unsafe" circumstances. Books with villains afford parents and teachers the opportunity to teach right from wrong without putting children in actual realistic danger. Religious leaders, the government, community educators, police officers etc... are candid about who we are, where we come from and how we should behave. Below I've listed a collection of books that I've used with my own children to teach them "how" to discern evil from good and also to teach them to laugh at villains so that they can choose not to be afraid of what can be changed. 
  • "Sukey and the Mermaid" by Robert D. San Souci, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney - Within the context of a fairy tale, a little girl finds courage to defeat an abusive home environment. She also discovers that she has friends who will help her defeat the villains in her environment.
  • "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything" by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd - a wonderful book to read at Halloween time to very small children. This story teaches children to manipulate "scary things" (not evil, but scary) for a productive purpose on a very simplistic level.
  • "Piggie Pie!" by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Howard Fine - One of my favorite books ever to read aloud. This story is about just "how" creative pigs can get when threatened by a silly, old witch.
  • "Judy and the Volcano" by Wayne Harris - A story about how an enemy can be transformed. Judy wants to be everyone's hero, but, first she must learn how to be a friend to the girl she envies, Madeleine Corsy.
  • "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig" by Eugene Trivizas and Helen Oxenbury - Consider what you may look like to your enemies.
  • "A Flower for Ambrose" by Anna and Edward Standon - When I was small, my father brought this book back to me after taking a short trip to Chicago. It is about an elephant named Ambrose who struggles to preserve a beautiful flower but he fails. (death is the villain of this story) Ambrose's many tears serve to water a dying plant and not long afterward the entire desert blooms because Ambrose has watered it with his very own tears. Little did I know as a child that this would be a story I would relive over and over throughout my entire life. But, my earthly and heavenly fathers knew it very well. The book is probably out of print. You will need to contact a book dealer to find it. (Delacorte Press, New York, 1964)

Monday, September 12, 2011

what are your favorite christmas stories to read aloud?

 Question: What are your favorite Christmas stories to read aloud?

Answer: We recommend the following selections of Christmas Books for parents to read aloud to their children during the holidays. Some of these are suitable for public school classrooms and some are more suitable for the home or parochial schools.

  • "The Birthday of a King" by Bob Hartman Michael McGuire
  • "A Taxi Dog Christmas" by Debra and Sal Barracca, Illustrated by Alan Ayers - "Maxi and Jim the taxi driver gladly interrupt their Christmas celebration to lend Santa a hand." publisher
  • "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Barbara Shook Hazen Adapted from story by Robert L. May, Illustrated by Richard Scarry. "Here is a delightful version of the tale of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer--the little reindeer so well known in song and story." publisher
  • "One Wintry Night" by Ruth Bell Graham, Illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson. "Ruth Bell Graham retells the Christmas story in a contemporary setting, beginning with creation and closing with Christ's resurrection." publisher
  • "All Is Well" by Frank E. Peretti - Poverty stricken and low on hope. A divorced mother and her daughter prop up their sagging spirits and keep the flames of faith alive by clinging to a phrase heard on a previous Christmas, "All is well."" publisher
  • "Frosty the Snowman" Adapted from the song of the same name, retold by Annie North Bedford, illustrated by Corinne Malvern. "Frosty the Snow Man was born in 1950 as the subject of a phonograph record, and soon after appeared in many different forms. He has been in numerous Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Parades. Unlike other snow men, he is at home even in the warmest parts of the United States." publisher
  • "This is the Star" by Joyce Dunbar and Illustrated by Gary Blythe.
  • "Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree" by Robert Barry.
  • "Christmas at Long Pond" by William T. George, paintings by Lindsay Barrett George. - "Father and son observe the plant and animal life around Long Pond before finding just the right Christmas tree." publisher
  • "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Ted Rand (our favorite version)
  • "The Nightmare Before Christmas" by Tim Burton - "When the king of Halloween decides he wants a new holiday, Christmas will never be the same." publisher
  • "The First Noel", Illustrated by Jody Wheeler - "Illustrated version of the well-known carol in which an angel appears to poor shepherds to announce the birth of Christ.
  • "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" by Hans Christian Anderson and Illustrated by Fred Marcellino - (our favorite illustrated version)
  • "The Advent Book" by Jack and Kathy Stockman - A MUST Have for Christian parents celebrating the true gift of Christmas with their small children this Christmas. (Crossway Books a division of Good News Publishers.)
  • "Santa's Book of Names" by David McPhail - A young boy who has trouble reading helps Santa with his yearly rounds and receives a special Christmas present.
  • "Winnie The Pooh's Stories For Christmas" by Bruce Talkington, Illustrated by John Kurtz
  • "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg
  • "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss 
     

Thursday, December 23, 2010

my favorite poetry collections for children


"Children's poetry is poetry written for or appropriate for children. The category includes folk poetry (for example, Mother Goose rhymes); poetry written intentionally for young people (e.g. Shel Silverstein); poetry written originally for adults, but appropriate for young people (Ogden Nash); and poems taken from prose works (Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling).''
      My youngest child was and still is very fond of poetry. I read poetry to her for countless hours all throughout her childhood. I've listed below just a few of her favorite books of poems from our personal library. All of these collections are classics and would be perfect additions to any child's book shelf.
  • "Under The Sun And The Moon" and other poems by Margaret Wise Brown is illustrated by a exceptional illustrator, Tom Leonard - "a collection of previously unpublished poems, including "Apple Trees," "From a Hornet's Nest," and "I Dreamed of a Horse." publisher
  • "Sleep, Baby, Sleep, Lullabies And Night Poems" selected classic poems for illustration by Michael Hague
  • "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson, Illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen
  • "Falling Up" by Shel Silverstein
  • "Marigold Garden" by Kate Greenway
  • "Walking the Bridge of Your Nose" poems selected by Michael Rosen, Illustrated by Chloe Cheese - "A collection of limericks and other humerous poems, arranged in such categories as "Mouth Manglers," "Silly Patter," and "Tombstone Tomfoolery." publisher
  • "The Real Mother Goose" fist published in 1916, ours is illustrated by Blanche Fisher Wright
Here are a few selections that are based on one poem only:
  • "Squeeze A Sneeze'' by Bill Morrison
  • "Teddy Bear Teddy Bear" illustrated by Michael Hague
  • "I Can't Said The Ant" by Polly Cameron
 

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

beautifully illustrated fairy tales

      A fairy tale is a fictional story that may feature folkloric characters such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, giants, and talking animals, and usually enchantments, often involving a far-fetched sequence of events. In modern-day parlance, the term is also used to describe something blessed with princesses, as in "fairy tale ending" (a happy ending) or "fairy tale romance", though not all fairy tales end happily. Colloquially, a "fairy tale" or "fairy story" can also mean any far-fetched story. Fairy tales commonly attract young children since they easily understand the archetypal characters in the story. 
      In cultures where demons and witches are perceived as real, fairy tales may merge into legendary narratives, where the context is perceived by teller and hearers as having historical actuality. However, unlike legends and epics they usually do not contain more than superficial references to religion and actual places, people, and events; they take place once upon a time rather than in actual times.
      Fairy tales are found in oral folktales and in literary form. The history of the fairy tale is particularly difficult to trace, because only the literary forms can survive. Still, the evidence of literary works at least indicates that fairy tales have existed for thousands of years, although not perhaps recognized as a genre; the name "fairy tale" was first ascribed to them by Madame d'Aulnoy. Literary fairy tales are found over the centuries all over the world, and when they collected them, folklorists found fairy tales in every culture. Fairy tales, and works derived from fairy tales, are still written today.
      The older fairy tales were intended for an audience of adults as well as children, but they were associated with children as early as the writings of the précieuses; the Brothers Grimm titled their collection Children's and Household Tales, and the link with children has only grown stronger with time. 
      Folklorists have classified fairy tales in various ways. Among the most notable are the Aarne-Thompson classification system and the morphological analysis of Vladimir Propp. Other folklorists have interpreted the tales' significance, but no school has been definitively established for the meaning of the tales. Wikipedia.org

The Most Beautifully Illustrated Fairy Tale Books in My Collection:
  • "The Rainbabies" by Laura Krauss Melmed is illustrated by Jim LaMarche - "When the moon gives twelve tiny babies to a childless couple the new parents take great care of their charges and eventually receive an unexpected reward." publisher
  • "Snow White" by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm is illustrated by Charles Santore - "The beautiful princess whose lips were red as blood, skin as white as snow, and hair was black as ebony." publisher
  • "Little Red Riding Hood" as told by Della Rowland is illustrated by Michael Montgomery
  • "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen is illustrated by Mary Engelbright - "After the Snow Queen abducts her friend Kay, Gerda sets out on a perilous journey to find him." publisher
  • "Rumpelstiltskin" retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky - "A strange little man helps the miller's daughter spin straw into gold for the king on the condition that she will give him her firstborn child." publisher
  • "Goldilocks" by Dom De Luise is Illustrated by Christopher Santoro - "The well-known comedian presents his own rendition of the folktale with a slightly different twist at the end." publisher
  • "Goldilocks and The three Bears" retold and illustrated by Jan Brett
  • "Cinderella" retold and illustrated by the fantastic artist, David Delamare
  • "Rapunzel" by Paul O. Zelinsky
  • "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" as told by Marianna Mayer, Illustrated by K. Y. Craft
Big collections of old fairy tales parents can print and read aloud to their children from internet resources:
Stories about princesses with common sense, patience and intelligence too.
  • "The Practical Princess" by Jay Williams and Illustrated by Friso Henstra - This book is probably out of print. You will need a book dealer to find it for you. It is definitely worth the pursuit, the book has long been a favorite of our children.
  • "Princess Abigail And The Wonderful Hat" by Steven Kroll and Illustrated by Patience Brewster