From: Megan Schliesman <Schliesman>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 10:49:39 -0600

Chris Behnke mentioned the fabulous art in Van Allsburg's books, and this makes me think of the ways in which picture books for older readers can be incorporated in a variety of curriculum areas. Is anyone using picture books for older readers/with older readers as a way to encourage writing? Looking at the sophisticated art of some picture books for older readers in the context of an art class in middle or high school?

It seems that Louise Erdrich's Grandmother's Pigeon, a delightful and moving fantasy, would be wonderful to use with upper elementary grades in a discussion of endangered and extinct species, and additionally raises many questions about the ethics of science and research vs. doing what is morally right by allowing something its freedom.

Or how about Maira Kalman's "book about jobs" (per the flap copy), Chicken Soup Boots--in a unit on careers? How about Maira Kalman's books in general as picture books for older readers?

What are your ideas and experiences?

Megan Schliesman Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education UW-Madison schliesman at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu
Received on Tue 18 Nov 1997 10:49:39 AM CST