Book Trailers (Assignment A)

Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

Cinderella Skeleton

Module 3: Smoky Night and The House in the Night

Smoky Night

Book Summary

This book is a Caldecott winner and is the story of a riot in the streets as told by a young boy. It starts with the boy in his house watching what is happening in the streets through a window. He is watching people breaking into various buildings and businesses and stealing the items. He asks his mother what is happening and she tries to explain it to him. The young boy is woken by his mom in the middle of the night because their apartment building has been set on fire. He escapes with his mom and several other people in the building. His main concern is for his cat, who is nowhere to be found. His neighbor, who is Asian (the boy and his mother are African American) also is missing her cat. Both cats, who never got along before, were found together under the stairs holding hands. They have become friends. The boy and his mother use this as a way to become friends with the neighbor as well, overlooking the fact that they are different.

Citation 

Bunting, E. (1998). Smoky night. New York, NY: Harcourt, Inc. 

My Impressions

I loved this book. I loved how it took something tragic that has happened at various points in history and turned it into a positive life lesson. I also loved the illustrations in this book, and being a Caldecott winner, the illustrations are extremely important. I was reading this book and looking at these illustrations and was amazed that what I was reading was used as the background on the page. For example, when the grocery store was being raided, the story discusses how there is cereal and rice everywhere. The photo background to that page was a picture of real cereal. The illustrator used both painting and photography in a way to make the story come alive and remain a story at the same time.

Review Excerpts

Bock, L. (2003). Smoky Night (Book). School Library Journal, 49(2), 95.

“Mama has never shopped there because the Kims are not “our kind”. Nevertheless, missing cats pull the two families together, sowing the seeds of acceptance and friendship. Complex collage backgrounds magnify the drama of the story.”

Driscoll, S. (1999, 09). Smoky night. Book Links, 9, 17-18.

“After fire forces the family from its apartment into a shelter, the opportunity arises for Daniel and his mother to befriend their Korean neighborhood grocer. This 1995 Caldecott Medal winner is an excellent choice for sparking lively discussion.”

Suggestions for Use in a Library

I would suggest using this as a springboard to a living history day, perhaps. This is based on the LA Riots. While I am not in LA, there are people living everywhere who have experienced rioting, violence, racism, etc. This would be a great book to use to discuss these things that happen to people and we could bring in people of various ages from the community to discuss what they have been through. It is a way to connect the students to history and the books they are reading. We could even have students talk about their experience. It will allow discussions that may lead into bullying, trying to stop bullying and discrimination, and accepting people for who they are. 



The House in the Night

Book Summary

This book is also a Caldecott winner. It is a very simple story perfect for young or beginning readers. The brilliance of this book lies in the illustrations. The illustrations are created using lines, cross hatches, hash marks, etc. It uses these lines to create the illusion of texture and shading. It is also primarily black and white with small pops of color. The story is simple, but the illustrations complex.

Citation 

Swanson, S. M. (2008). The house in the night. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

My Impressions

This book amazed me. I read the story and didn’t care too much for it, due to its simplicity. The illustrations, however, drew me in and brought that simple story to life. What isn’t said in detailed sentences and words is shown in the detailed pictures. I find something new hiding in each picture every time I look at it. The illustrator used a complicated and difficult technique to bring  this story to life and I was impressed. Many people will view this as simple and boring, but it is brilliant and amazing. I will definitely be revisiting this book and its wonderful illustrations.

Review Excerpts

Beierle, M. (2010). The house in the night. Language Arts, 87(5), 401-401,404.

“The black-and-white double-page scratchboard illustrations, sprinkled with gold accents to draw the readers’ attention, convey a sense of tranquility and safety. The book has elements reminiscent of many lullabies, nursery rhymes, and bedtime stories that have been passed down from generation to generation.”

Damron, J. (2008). The House in the Night. School Library Journal, 54(4), 123.

“This picture book will make a strong impression on listeners making their first acquaintance with literature. It is a masterpiece that has all the hallmarks of a classic that will be loved for generations to come.”

Cooper, I. (2008). The house in the night. The Booklist, 104(16), 46.

“The art is spectacular.” … “The use of gold is especially effective, coloring the stars and a knowing moon, all surrounded with black-and-white halos. A beautiful piece of bookmaking that will delight both parents and children.”

Suggestions for the Library

I would use this as a way for very young children to use their imagination and creativity. I would host a storytelling time for the children. Each child would take a picture from the book and use it to create a story based on what they see. I would then have the children tell their story from start to finish with each child picking up where the last left off. This book, with its very simple story and detailed pictures is perfect for students to tell their own version of what is happening.