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When Marian Sang
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From: Linnea Hendrickson <lhendr>
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2002 10:14:40 -0700
I wrote of my experiences reading When Marian Sang to various groups of children, ranging from 3rd to 5th grade, to the child_lit listserve a few weeks ago. I had read the reviewers' comments lamenting the fact that the D.A.R. was not mentioned in the text, but I felt the book worked perfectly as a read aloud just as it was -- too often there seems to be a discord in nonfiction picture books betweeen a large format made for reading aloud and too much detail to hold the attention even of older children. For example, almost none of my children had ever heard of Marian Anderson -- a few said they recognized her name. I was happy I didn't have to also introduce them to the D.A.R. in order for them to understand the book. There is plenty of substance in the book as it is,
both in the details of names and places, and most of all in the powerful story of Anderson's triumph in the face of discrimination.
For those who want more information, the author's note provides a wealth of detail, including background information on the D.A.R. I especially appreciated the discography that included a recording containing all but one of the songs quoted in the book.
As I wrote on child_lit, I introduced the book by playing a brief passage of Anderson singing, talked a bit about who Anderson was and the range of her voice, and then read the book. I am blessed with a library assistant with a beautiful voice who knows all but 1 or 2 songs in the book, and the reading was truly a special experience when I paused so she could sing the songs (wherever she was in the room, in the midst of other tasks) at the appropriate places. The children were entranced. And they also joined in singing, "My country 'tis of Thee."
As for me, I had to steel myself to read without crying, and didn't always succeed, since the significance and resonance of various poignant passages continued to catch me unaware.
As you can probably tell, I truly love this book, and Selznick's illustrations and the framing as a concert performance felt just right.
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2002 10:14:40 -0700
I wrote of my experiences reading When Marian Sang to various groups of children, ranging from 3rd to 5th grade, to the child_lit listserve a few weeks ago. I had read the reviewers' comments lamenting the fact that the D.A.R. was not mentioned in the text, but I felt the book worked perfectly as a read aloud just as it was -- too often there seems to be a discord in nonfiction picture books betweeen a large format made for reading aloud and too much detail to hold the attention even of older children. For example, almost none of my children had ever heard of Marian Anderson -- a few said they recognized her name. I was happy I didn't have to also introduce them to the D.A.R. in order for them to understand the book. There is plenty of substance in the book as it is,
both in the details of names and places, and most of all in the powerful story of Anderson's triumph in the face of discrimination.
For those who want more information, the author's note provides a wealth of detail, including background information on the D.A.R. I especially appreciated the discography that included a recording containing all but one of the songs quoted in the book.
As I wrote on child_lit, I introduced the book by playing a brief passage of Anderson singing, talked a bit about who Anderson was and the range of her voice, and then read the book. I am blessed with a library assistant with a beautiful voice who knows all but 1 or 2 songs in the book, and the reading was truly a special experience when I paused so she could sing the songs (wherever she was in the room, in the midst of other tasks) at the appropriate places. The children were entranced. And they also joined in singing, "My country 'tis of Thee."
As for me, I had to steel myself to read without crying, and didn't always succeed, since the significance and resonance of various poignant passages continued to catch me unaware.
As you can probably tell, I truly love this book, and Selznick's illustrations and the framing as a concert performance felt just right.
-- Linnea Linnea Hendrickson Albuquerque, NM Lhendr at unm.edu http://www.unm.edu/~lhendrReceived on Sat 14 Dec 2002 11:14:40 AM CST
