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.
