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Picture Books for Older Readers
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From: Karen L. Simonetti <karensue>
Date: Fri, 07 Nov 1997 14:49:07 -0600
There's been so much to say and share that I've been trying to "jump in" with something that's not already been said...but, basically I agree with everyone! From my own experience, I think ever since The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieska, illustrated by Lane Smith ( New York: Viking,1989) was published, picture books became
"cool." Adults and older readers take to these picture books like earlier generations took to comic books and the "funny papers." Which is just great! Anything to get parents and their children to touch, read and share a book ranks very high by me.
A few comments to others' notes: I do "intergenerational" storytelling and programming at a local nursing home (okay, my 92 year old grandfather resides there...although he thinks its 1963). I started out just doing oral storytelling to the residents (with varying degrees of physical and mental disabilities). Then, I brought out "ye old flannel board" (I've got a truly mean story/variant "The Princess and the Penny") and the director asked if I could do "this" with the residents and their children and grandchildren. Needless to say, I was off and running (and collecting a few pennies). If any children's librarian was to walk in on one of these 200 minute programs, they would immediately recognize the
"Story Times" format. Some of the more successful titles with these older adults (Should we now abbreviate "OA"?) are: Golem
by Wisniewski; Moon Rope by Ehlert and
Swamp Angel by Isacs (illustrated by Zelinski). Note: with the group of OAs I work with, it seems to work best if I keep to the 398.2 titles.
Another activity: "Ye old sixth grade creative writing"...I have a six week unit that entails my going into a classroom once a week and sparking the individual student's creative writing (or quenches their terror of creative writing). Once again, I bring out the picture books. I usually read one book aloud and no one (including those "elusive" 11 year old boys) objects. Each time I am amazed at the process/power of being read to (as I forgot who mentioned in an earlier post). Some of my favorite titles here are: The Sweetest Fig by Chris Van Allsburg, Moonhorse by Mary Pope Osborne
(illustrated by SM Saelig), No Plain Pets! by Marc Ian Barasch (illustrated by Henrik Drescher) and Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold. (I've also used Ten Little Rabbits by Virginia Grossman & Sylvia Long with older readers. The endnotes regarding the ten different Native American tribes are good to jump start history studies/projects.)
My only "problem" picture books for older readers is The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales (by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith). "They" all love it, but some don't recognize or feel inclined to find/listen/read the original folktale. And I somehow think they are missing something. Anyone else have this problem? Or is it a problem?
Karen
Karen L. Simonetti
email: karensue at mcs.net
phone: 312.337.7114
"...sometimes you have to be a hero just to get out of bed in the morning."
--Lloyd Alexander-
Received on Fri 07 Nov 1997 02:49:07 PM CST
Date: Fri, 07 Nov 1997 14:49:07 -0600
There's been so much to say and share that I've been trying to "jump in" with something that's not already been said...but, basically I agree with everyone! From my own experience, I think ever since The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieska, illustrated by Lane Smith ( New York: Viking,1989) was published, picture books became
"cool." Adults and older readers take to these picture books like earlier generations took to comic books and the "funny papers." Which is just great! Anything to get parents and their children to touch, read and share a book ranks very high by me.
A few comments to others' notes: I do "intergenerational" storytelling and programming at a local nursing home (okay, my 92 year old grandfather resides there...although he thinks its 1963). I started out just doing oral storytelling to the residents (with varying degrees of physical and mental disabilities). Then, I brought out "ye old flannel board" (I've got a truly mean story/variant "The Princess and the Penny") and the director asked if I could do "this" with the residents and their children and grandchildren. Needless to say, I was off and running (and collecting a few pennies). If any children's librarian was to walk in on one of these 200 minute programs, they would immediately recognize the
"Story Times" format. Some of the more successful titles with these older adults (Should we now abbreviate "OA"?) are: Golem
by Wisniewski; Moon Rope by Ehlert and
Swamp Angel by Isacs (illustrated by Zelinski). Note: with the group of OAs I work with, it seems to work best if I keep to the 398.2 titles.
Another activity: "Ye old sixth grade creative writing"...I have a six week unit that entails my going into a classroom once a week and sparking the individual student's creative writing (or quenches their terror of creative writing). Once again, I bring out the picture books. I usually read one book aloud and no one (including those "elusive" 11 year old boys) objects. Each time I am amazed at the process/power of being read to (as I forgot who mentioned in an earlier post). Some of my favorite titles here are: The Sweetest Fig by Chris Van Allsburg, Moonhorse by Mary Pope Osborne
(illustrated by SM Saelig), No Plain Pets! by Marc Ian Barasch (illustrated by Henrik Drescher) and Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold. (I've also used Ten Little Rabbits by Virginia Grossman & Sylvia Long with older readers. The endnotes regarding the ten different Native American tribes are good to jump start history studies/projects.)
My only "problem" picture books for older readers is The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales (by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith). "They" all love it, but some don't recognize or feel inclined to find/listen/read the original folktale. And I somehow think they are missing something. Anyone else have this problem? Or is it a problem?
Karen
Karen L. Simonetti
email: karensue at mcs.net
phone: 312.337.7114
"...sometimes you have to be a hero just to get out of bed in the morning."
--Lloyd Alexander-
Received on Fri 07 Nov 1997 02:49:07 PM CST
