Book Corner by Sharon Levin
Well, it's the beginning of another school year and the end of my self imposed summer hiatus from writing this column. Naturally, I didn't stop reading all summer, I HAVE to read, but I did stop writing about it. I kept in the back of my mind the books I wanted to introduce to you as this school year begins. I put stacks near the computer so I could reach for a title and start typing these words o' wisdom. I looked forward to pointing out new treasures (NOT new classics, I hate that oxymoron), but, alas, 'twas not to be.
This summer, we lost three bright lights in the world of children's literature. So, instead of telling you about the new books, I'd like to introduce or reintroduce you to some REAL classics.
First, the woman who could make learning about parts of speech actually enjoyable, Ruth Heller. Ms. Heller was a tiny, energetic woman who started off designing wrapping paper for Cost Plus. Her paper was so beautiful and memorable that when I saw her speak about seven years ago, she showed us her early designs and everyone in the audience recognized her patterns and colors (even though they hadn't been around for years).
Her absolutely gorgeous Behind the Mask, A Book About Prepositions (Grosset & Dunlap, Inc. 1995) is an aural and visual delight. "Along the northern shore, bear east...beyond this green reptilian beast....past its hungry, gaping mouth...veer directly to the south, toward a place where mermaids flock upon, beside, and near a rock." The illustrations of the dragon almost escaping its pages to the beautiful, green-haired mermaids is a marvel for both children and adults.
When I was volunteering at our local elementary school, I was trying to help a little boy who was not reading very well. He and I both chafed at the readers that were available in the classroom and he struggled with the simple texts. One day I brought in Ruth Heller's How to Hide a Crocodile (Grosset & Dunlap, Inc., 1986) that had words like 'urge, submerge, strange, snout' and, with help, he stumbled through this book, eyes flashing with delight as he tried to find the hidden animals and read the flowing language. Eventually, he made it through every book in this series and left the classroom Dick and Jane-like books far behind.
Ruth Heller illustrated books about Cinderella, she showed us how four colors combine to make the beautiful illustrations in her books (and all books), she taught us that Chickens Aren't the Only Ones (that lay eggs) in the first book that she ever wrote and illustrated. Enjoy hunting for polar bears, crocodiles or butterflies, go learn about parts of speech (that were never taught so lovingly until Ms. Heller came along) and reflect upon the lovely Ruth Heller and the wonderful gifts she has left us.
A few days after Ruth Heller passed away, a wonderful, comedic light went too. Paula Danziger left us at the much too young age of 59.
Her books, such as The Cat Ate My Gymsuit (The Putnam & Grosset Group, 1974) was a central part of my junior high experience. No, I really didn't have anything in common with the main character, it was a time in my life that I could actually get away with wearing an ugly one piece gym suit and not look terrible in it (let's not even begin to imagine what one of those suits would look like on me today. STOP! I told you not to imagine! Don't worry, the blindness is temporary.) but she was still a character that I wanted to know.
Paula Danziger knew how to write children and adolescents so well, it was always a treat to spend time with one of her creations. I have not had the chance to revisit my junior high friends (which is how I think of her characters), but have greatly enjoyed getting to know her younger creation, Amber Brown. The Amber Brown series is a wonderful read for second graders and up (with an 'A is for Amber' spin off series written for K-2) with a character who is fun, funny, yet dealing with some hard issues (separated, then divorced parents, remarriage, etc.). Start your kids reading Paula Danziger now and she will be a faithful friend to them for years to come.
The most recent loss to the children's literature community was Bill Martin, Jr. Best known for his Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1983) with illustrations by Eric Carle (and its sequels Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? and the most recent, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? He was also the one who got our toes tapping as we read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Simon & Schuster, 1989 and co-written with John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert)
Listen to the Rain (Henry Holt, 1988) co-authored with his frequent collaborator, John Archambault and illustrated by James Endicott really shows Martin's absolute delight with the English language and how much he enjoyed making it sing. The tale of a rainstorm from its beginning to its end, conveyed through pace and vocabulary is the perfect example of imagery. This is a book that should be in homes and classrooms from preschool through college.
One of my favorites of his many works is Knots on a Counting Rope (Henry Holt, 1987) again co-authored with John Archambault and illustrated by the very talented Ted Rand. It takes place around a campfire as a blind Native American boy asks his grandfather to tell stories of his (the boy's) life. The relationship between these two and the beautiful tales the grandfather recounts definitely qualify this book as a classic for all ages.
So, this month, curl up with an old friend and read these books that these extraordinary people brought into our lives.
Sharon Levin can be reached at sharonlevin@mindspring.com.
Read previous months' Book Corner features from Sharon Levin:
November 2003
February 2003
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
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Added 08/18/04
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