ABUELOS

1.  Bibliography

Mora, Pat. 2008. Abuelos. Ill. By Amelia Lau Carling. Toronto Berkeley, CA: Groundwood Books. ISBN 9780888997166

2.  Plot Summary

Pat Mora is a charming storyteller in the book Abuelos about a young girl and her brother who learn about the tradition of the Abuelos, or mountain men, who come down from the high top on a winter night to see if all of the children are being good.  Young Amelia is frightened about the idea of the men coming to check on her, but her father tells her there will be a party with lots of food the day the Abuelos come.  Amelia’s brother Ray has a good time making light of the whole situation, but Amelia is on her best behavior so as not to displease the old men from the mountains.  On the night the Abuelos come, Amelia is in for a big surprise. 

3.  Critical Analysis

Abuelos is a fascinating picture book by Pat Mora that weaves mystery and suspense with a story of family and community tradition.  The plot is intriguing and draws in young readers as well as those who are more mature.  Children are sure to be on the edge of their seats as they await the arrival of the Abuelos, and it is possible that very young children may experience a little anxiety at the spooky mystery behind the mountain men before they finally come down to check on the children.  In the end, the mystery is revealed and all possible misgivings about the Abuelos are resolved.

The detailed watercolor illustrations in the book provide a wonderful backdrop for the story and infuse the story with a lot of emotion.  There are pages of warm tones where themes of family togetherness, harmony, and community prevail.  Cool blue tones pervade the illustrations about the Abuelos, and in the mountains, hints of creepy looking faces peer from the cliff sides.  Before Amelia recognizes one of the Abuelos as someone familiar, the artistry is dark in blues and blacks; but on the next page when she realizes the mountain man’s identity, warm yellows and oranges are mixed into the picture providing a sharp sense of relief. 

I love the family and community traditions that are present in this book.  The sense of unity and security in the family unit are a refreshing element alongside the suspense, and children will surely enjoy learning about this old New Mexico tradition. 

4.  Review Excerpt

“Perfect for those who want a gently scary story embedded in a fascinating and little-known “bogeyman” tradition from Hispanic New Mexico.”– Kirkus Review 

5.  Connections (Ideas from http://www.patmora.com/ideas.htm#abuelos)

• "Create scary abuelos masks using white paper bags, crayons or paints or paper mache.
• Read the Author's Note in the back of the book. Pat Mora mentions a cultural tradition similar to los abuelos which is practiced in Japan. Find out if there are similar traditions in other countries."

GOODNIGHT MOON

1.  Bibliography

Brown, Margaret. 2005. Goodnight Moon. Ill. By Clement Hurd. New York, NY: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc. ISBN 9780060775858

2.  Plot Summary

Goodnight Moon is a classic picture book in which a bunny goes through his bedtime ritual of saying goodnight to many things in his room.  In a bright green room, bunny begins his whispers of “goodnight” to his room and many things in it. There are fun items like a bright red balloon floating near the ceiling, practical items like a brush and comb, the peaceful presence of the old bunny knitting in a rocking chair while she hushes the child, and of course, the rising moon. As the bunny says “goodnight” the room slowly darkens and bunny gets tucked into the covers and the reader can imagine bunny’s whisper grow a little quieter with each “goodnight.”  Bunny is alone, but he seems blissfully unaware.

3.  Critical Analysis

In Goodnight Moon, author Margaret Brown takes both bunny and the reader through a wonderful time of quieting down at the end of the day.  Though it is not filled with plot or suspense, it is an enjoyable classic bedtime story to calm children and ready them for the happy place of sleep and dreams.  As children often have difficulty with bedtime, bunny’s ease with the transition can offer comfort and routine to them. 

Clement Hurd’s illustrations play a very important role in the storytelling.  As a bedtime book, the pictures begin bright and cheery, but as each page is turned, there is a visual reminder that bunny must go to sleep. The picture alternates from the entire room on a double page spread, to close up black and white pictures of the items bunny is bidding goodnight, allowing the reader to notice small things, like the mouse or the telephone, in the bedroom that may have been missed otherwise.  As the room slowly darkens, the moon and stars brighten and take over the sky, and in the muted colors of the room, one can appreciate the glowing fire under the mantel as well as the illuminated toy house, comforting nightlights for bunny. Bunny’s final thoughts are “Goodnight stars” and “Goodnight air,” giving a sense to the reader that his thoughts are drifting from the conscious to a dreamlike sort of state.

The book Goodnight Moon can be observed on bunny’s nightstand, lending to the thought that perhaps bunny did not create the ritual himself, but learned it from his favorite bedtime story.  Bedtime stories are beloved by both children and adults, and this classic picture book is a favorite with good cause.  Its rhythmic writing and illustrations are reminiscent of the rhythm of being rocked to sleep.  Children may outgrow their mother’s lap, but will enjoy this book for a lifetime.

Surprisingly, this was my first time to read Goodnight Moon, however, I was familiar with the book through references friends had made to the book, quoting its famous words.  I am very glad I finally read it, but sad I missed out on the experience as a child. 

4.  Review Excerpt

"In a soft sing-song, here is a bunny saying goodnight room, goodnight moon, goodnight to all the familiar objects in the softly lighted room. Then- as the room darkens, in successive pictures, the goodnight ceremony moves forward."--Kirkus Review

"...Rhythmic, gently lulling words combined with warm and equally lulling pictures make this beloved classic 'an ideal bedtime book'." -- The Christian Science Monitor 

5.  Connections

*Lead a children’s discussion on children’s favorite bedtime routines and other rituals.  Encourage bedtime reading as a predictable routine.   

*Also by Margaret Brown, A Child’s Goodnight Book, a Caldecott Honor book. 

*Gather other books illustrated by Clement Hurd, focusing on his numerous collaborations with his wife Edith Thacher.

GRANDPA GREEN

1.  Bibliography

Smith, Lane. 2011. Grandpa Green. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press. ISBN 9781596436077

2.  Plot Summary

Lane Smith’s heartwarming picture book is the story of Grandpa Green, a man who has lived a very full and seemingly satisfying life, but has begun to get fuzzy on some of the details.  His great grandson tells his tale about being born before modern technology, growing up on a farm, and planning to study horticulture after high school.  Life altered his course, and he went to war instead.  He married after it was over and had children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  In his old age, as Grandpa Green’s memory may be fading, his garden holds the story of his past in its beautiful sculpted shrubbery.    

3.  Critical Analysis

Lane Smith tells Grandpa Green’s story with simple language that young children can easily follow, yet even mature readers are sure to be enticed to eagerly turn each page. Special details of his life are shared in a poignant way left this reader feeling quite nostalgic. The slightly melancholic turn of his memory loss is quickly followed by the spectacular final reveal of Grandpa Green in the midst of his breathtaking horticultural handiwork, so that readers feel uplifted and contented at the conclusion. 

The illustrations in the book weave a beautiful tapestry that perfectly complements the writing, and readers will not want to flip these pages quickly.  Each detailed work of art incorporates the clean lines of trees and branches alongside blossoming plants shaped into the pictures that tell the story.  True to the title, green permeates each whimsical illustration of the sculpted shrubbery of Grandpa Green’s garden, while other colors remain muted, save for some artfully scattered pops of red detail throughout the book.  Children are sure to find humor in the shrubbery sculpted like an unfortunate boy with chicken pox and wonder at the plants shaped into exploding cannon surrounded green parachuting soldiers.   

Readers will be delighted to take their time with this book, poring over the pictures as they relive Grandpa Green’s life story.  The book encourages readers to think of the future as it fuels a desire to live life fully, and to always remember to stop and smell the roses.

4.  Review Excerpts

Caldecott Honor Book Award

Starred review in School Library Journal:  “Visually intriguing and emotionally resonant, this is a book to pore over and talk about.  With each subsequent reading, it offers new layers of meaning and visual connections.”

Kirkus Reviews:  “Though this book has lots of adult appeal, it will also be a wonderful bridge to exploring family history with the very young.”

5.  Connections

*This book can be a launching pad for class discussion about family, memories, and the legacy of grandparents. It could also be used as a beginning of horticulture study.  That new vocabulary word will hold meaning after children experience Grandpa Green. 

*Gather other books by Lane Smith such as It’s a Book and Abe Lincoln’s Dream to compare and contrast style, story, and illustrations.

*Other books about gardens and gardening:

Millard, Glenda.  Isabella’s Garden.  Ill. By Rebecca Cool. ISBN 9780763660161

Krauss, Ruth. The Carrot Seed. Ill. By Crockett Johnson. ISBN 9780060233501