M. Donlevy's Teacher Book Blog

Sunday, February 19, 2006

My Top Ten Books- Picture Book 2


The antihero- it’s a theme that has been explored throughout the history of literature, and I think the theme is an attractive one to many young readers. I believe no other author/illustrator explores this theme as well as Janell Cannon. In previous works Cannon gave us two noteworthy protagonists in Stellaluna and Verdi. Who would have thought a bat and a snake could generate so much sympathy and love? In her 2000 book Crickwing (Harcourt Inc) Cannon takes the idea of an antihero to the extreme with choosing a cockroach as her hero.
I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, but Crickwing teaches readers a valuable lesson in how to treat all creatures big and small with the respect they deserve.

Other picture books that almost made the cut for “My Top 10 Books List”- Graeme Base’s The Water Hole and Chris Van Allsburg’s Zathura.

Links of interest
http://friend.ly.net/users/jorban/biographies/cannonjanell/

http://www.teachingk-8.com/archives/author_interview/janell_cannon_mysteries_of_the_misunderstood_by_katherine_pierpont_senior_editor.html

http://readingtokids.org/Books/BookView.php?pag=1&bookID=00000472

posted by M. Donlevy @ 2:10 PM  

6 Comments:

  • At 5:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hi Michael!
    Sounds like a great book! I will need to check out the rest of Janell Cannon's books. I've read Stellaluna but that's it. I haven't seen any of my kids with Verdi or Crickwing from the library. I've been working on my Top Ten this weekend too. As you had mentioned in a previous message you were sick. I'm sick and it hasn't been fun especially on a long weekend. Go figure! Enjoy the rest of your long weekend! Barbara Miller

     

  • At 8:32 PM, Blogger Gabriela said…

    Michael: I love Jannel Cannon books! Stellauna is my son’s favorite. I am glad you called my attention to this one. I personally despise cockroaches. I can tolerate very much anything, except cockroaches and rats. I will definitely read this book. If one person can make me change mi mind about cockroaches will be Jannel Cannon.

     

  • At 9:31 PM, Blogger Jim said…

    I've got a cool one - do you know the Larue books by Mark Teague ? I think they're a lot of fun, like the Olivia books.

     

  • At 9:13 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I'm not sure I could fall in love with a book about a cockroach, but I do know many young readers that would love the book simply because it is about a gross bug. :)

    - Courtney

     

  • At 9:48 AM, Blogger Jim said…

    How about William Joyce ? His art work is magnificent.

     

  • At 9:11 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Michael,

    I have read Stellaluna more times than I can count to my two younger children. For that reason alone, I will find a copy of Crickwing!

    I'm no animal lover--yet, I give any author credit who can arouse my sympathy by portraying "icky" creatures as endearing.

    Thank you for the recommendation.

    Julie Horrocks

     

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