Review of GREEN EGGS AND HAM

Seuss, Dr. 1960. GREEN EGGS AND HAM. New York: Random House. ISBN 0-394-80016-8

Summary
In this classic Dr. Seuss tale, a nameless naysayer is coaxed into trying something new. Sam, an omnipresent character, attempts to serve him green eggs and ham in varying venues and with different companions. Throughout the story, the object of Sam’s persistence insists he does not like green eggs and ham. Finally, the character relents and discovers that he does like green eggs and ham after all. Seuss’ one-of-a-kind use of rhyme, meter, and illustration have made this story of the value of open-mindedness a timeless classic. Highly recommended for 4 year olds with long attention spans through 9 year old readers.

Analysis
While many of Dr. Seuss’ masterpieces rely on nonsensical words and unpredictable phrases, Green Eggs and Ham takes advantage of predictable text to encourage and facilitate early readers’ success. The predictability stems not only from the flawless rhyme, but also from repetitive phrases. Few authors are able to employ predictability to this extent without compromising story quality. However, Dr. Seuss succeeds in spinning a tale in which the reader can hardly wait to find out the conclusion all the while using rhyme and repetition.

As with all well-constructed picture books, Green Eggs and Ham would not be a complete tale without the illustrations. The first three pages of the story are illustrations of a curious fellow riding Seussian beasts back and forth. It is not until page 4 that text becomes prevalent with the main character exploding, “That Sam-I-am! That Sam-I-am! I do not like that Sam-I-am!” Thus, the tone is set for the entire story. The perfect coupling of text with pictures also helps developing readers. Not sure what that word is? It starts with an “h” and that’s a picture of a house. And that word? Well it rhymes with house, starts with “m” and that’s a picture of a…mouse! This story is an emergent reader’s dream come true—and it’s a fun tale to boot!


Connections
Other books by Dr. Seuss:
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Horton Hears a Who
The Lorax

Review of LOS GATOS BLACK ON HALLOWEEN

Montes, Marisa. Yuyi Morales. (Ill.) 2007. LOS GATOS BLACK ON HALLOWEEN. New York: Henry Holt and Co. ISBN 0-8050-7429-5

Summary
Los Gatos Black on Halloween is a mingling of Mexican and US cultures through language, customs, and illustrations. In the course of this story, the reader meets a variety of ghoulish characters as they make their way to a late night soiree. (Three guesses which night it is!) This picture book poem intersperses Spanish terms throughout without impairing non-Spanish speakers’ understanding or enjoyment. Author Marisa Montes uses colorful adjectives and verbs which describe elements of both Halloween and the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead—Spanish translation: Día de los Muertos. Further evidence of this cultural coupling are the award-winning illustrations. Some are reminiscent of Día de los Muertos images portraying well-dressed skeletons with large, black eyes. Others include jack-o-lanterns and a glowing haunted house. This book, which is an odd combination of both whimsy and eeriness, is highly recommended for ages 4-9.

Analysis
Montes and illustrator, Yuyi Morales, collaborated to create a story which reflects both US as well as Mexican cultures. Through the use of interlingualism (code-switching), Montes introduces Spanish vocabulary within a predominantly English text. The mixture of the cultures goes beyond the mixing of languages. While the title of the story clearly states its topic as Halloween, the story includes hints of the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos. This allusion is heightened through illustrations of skeletons wearing traditional Mexican dresses and sarapes.

As a poem picture book, this piece excels in its symbiotic relationship between text and illustrations. The text is rhyming and light. The lines wave across the pages adding to the playfulness of the poem. This is in contrast to the illustrations which use muted colors, sharp teeth and glowing eyes. Though phrases such as ‘shriek their pains’ and ‘loan loon mocks’ allude to the eeriness, it is the combination of illustrations and text which shapes the reader’s mood. For readers who love creepy pictures, this book, with its sing-song cadence, is an entertaining read any time of year.

Connections
Other books by Montes:
Juan Bobo Goes to Work
A Circle of Time

Other bilingual poem picture books:
Delicious Hullabaloo=Pachanga Deliciosa by Pat Mora
Iguanas in the Snow y Otros Poems de Invierno=Iguanas en la Nieve and Other Winter Poems by Francisco X. Alarcon

Review of LIBRARY LION

Knudsen, Michelle. Kevin Hawkes. (Ill.) 2006. LIBRARY LION. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0-7636-2262-1

“One day, a lion came to the library.” So begins this tale of a creature who just can’t get enough of the library. Though he initially has trouble with the rules, Lion quickly becomes a model library patron as well as a favorite of the children who attend story hour. When the librarian has an accident, Lion must decide which is more important, following the rules or helping a friend.

This picture book is brought to life through understated illustrations. Hawkes uses acrylics and pencil to create a familiar and comfortable library environment. Additionally, illustrations of the characters give a life to the story not appreciated through the text alone. The progression of Lion’s acceptance in the library can be seen in the changing expressions of patrons’ faces. The story plainly states the situation, but it is the illustrations which lend depth to the emotion the characters feel. The author uses no fancy literary techniques to boost her story—no alliteration, nor rhyming, nor onomatopoeia. The text is divided into manageable chunks, thus facilitating read-alouds and forays into independent reading for children. Knudsen has created a simple, heartfelt story with realistic characters—the docile, envelope-licking lion not withstanding. Library Lion is highly recommended for ages 4-9.


Connections
Other books by Knudsen:
The Case of Vampire Vivian
A Slimy Story

Other picture books about the library:
Stella Louella and the Runaway Book by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Tomás and the Library Lady by Pat Mora
The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy