Where The Wild Things Are

This was so much more interesting than actually reading the book....it has sound effects and everything!

End of the Semester!!

This has been my favorite class this semester! I didn't realize there was so much to learn about children's literature! Now when I read children's literature or any kind of literature for that matter, I read it in a whole new light. I have learned critical reading skills and feel as if there is so much more to the story when I do so. Also, most of the books that we've read are ones that I have already and I learned so much more about them by taking this class. There have also been books that I have not read but have always wanted to. Come to think of it, I don't know why I never did, I just didn't. I have enjoyed this class immensely! I just hope other English classes are as much fun!

The Bad Beginning

• By Daniel Handler AKA Lemony Snicket
  
• The last name Baudelaire is a reference to Charles Baudelaire, a French poet. An excerpt from his poem "Le Voyage", from Les Fleurs du Mal, appears in The End.
• Mr. Poe's surname, Poe, and the names of his children, Edgar and Albert, are obvious allusions to Edgar Allan Poe.
• Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire share their names with Claus and Sunny von Bülow, who were involved in a famous court case of the 1980s; the district attorney who defended Claus was named Violet.
• Violet Baudelaire is also possibly a reference to a famous crime; she shares her given name with Violet Sharpe, a suspect of the Lindbergh kidnapping.
• Beatrice is likely a reference to Beatrice Portinari, the unrequited love of Dante Alighieri.

from: wikipedia

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

As I mentioned in my previous entry, Seuss's works are very entertaining for children and allow the readers to use their imaginations. The Cat in the Hat is not any different. When reading this book it is clearly a story back in a different time. First of all, the two young characters are left home alone. It would not be considered wise nor safe to do these things this day in age. They also let a stranger come into their home who also encourages the children to do things they know isn't quite good behavior.
Often times children have powerful emotional urges that they sometimes suppress and at other times do not. These urges are strongly represented in the characters Thing 1 and Thing 2. They demonstrate people's nature of wanting to break away from everyday social restrictions and just be free.
The fish serves as the conscience while all of the mischief is about. It constantly reminds the children that their behavior isn't quite right and their mother would not approve.
In the end, after the house is clean and all of the mischief is done with, the children debate on whether to tell their mother of their adventure. Seuss leaves this open for the readers to think about and determine for themselves what the right thing is to do. This allows us to think about the value in good behavior, obedience and honesty.

Anne of Green Gables

Written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, this piece of fiction is for readers of all ages, but in recent decades has been considered a children's book. Montgomery found her inspiration for the book in a newspaper article describing a couple that were mistakenly sent an orphan girl instead of a boy, yet decided to keep her. Montgomery also drew upon her own childhood experiences in rural Prince Edward Island. One thing that I was not aware of about this book is that it was actually one of many in a series about the main character Anne.

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (clip)

funny poetry

I can relate to the following poem because I am an aunt of two nieces and three nephews. I read it and thought it was too cute!


Dear Aunt Francis:

Thank you for the finger paints.
I like your gift so much!
I’ve painted everything in sight.
I’ve got the artist’s touch.

I’ve painted murals on the walls,
I’ve painted my dog, Rover,
Mom’s exercycle, Dad’s new shoes.
I’ve still got paint left over.

And here’s good news, Aunt Francis.
Mom says that I can stay
at your house any time I want
and finger-paint all day!

See you real soon,

Your loving nephew,

Vincent