Review: Down, Down, Down by Steve Jenkins

Down, Down, Down: Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jenkins, Steve. 2009. Down, Down, Down: Journey to the Bottom of the Sea. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 9780618966363

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Down, Down, Down: Journey to the Bottom of the Sea is an informational  book that provides a general explanation of different parts of the ocean, starting at the top with the surface and continuing deeper all the way to the deepest part of the ocean, the Marianas Trench. Each section of the ocean is given its own two page spread in the book, with paragraphs describing the environment and the animals that can be found there. Also located in each ocean section is a measurement line from the surface to the deepest spot in the ocean. A red dot on the line indicates how deep the current section is along with the average temperature of the environment. The majority of each two page section is made of vibrant illustrations, with the descriptive paragraph placed out of the way. Down, Down, Down ends with additional information about animals in the book, a depth timeline showing how far various humans, vessels and explorers have gone, and a bibliography of sources.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Steve Jenkins does an excellent job of showing his readers how large and mysterious the ocean is and how little of it has been explored by humans. Each section has a heading, giving readers a hint about the following descriptive paragraphs. The book is arranged in ocean depth order, getting consecutively deeper into the ocean page after page. The text, while not terribly advanced, would not be easy for young children. However, elementary aged children interested in ocean life would benefit from reading Down, Down, Down. Jenkins provides an extensive bibliography of resources for the creation of his book, as well as a wealth of additional facts and figures about ocean life. After reading Down, Down, Down, most children will be inspired to learn more about the ocean, and what creatures dwell in the deepest areas.

Jenkins’ illustrations are spectacularly detailed and incredibly realistic especially considering they are created by cutting or tearing construction paper into a collage. Each item is carefully labeled in every illustration, from the largest shark to the tiniest plankton. Jenkins knows how to create a sense of atmosphere, making the backgrounds darker as you go deeper into the ocean. In the final pages of the book, the previous illustrations are revisited on a smaller scale with additional facts.


4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

ALA Notable Book 2010

Cybils Nonfiction Picture Book Finalist 2010

New York Times Notable Children’s Books 2009

Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee 2010-2011

Positive review in School Library Journal: “The bold views tend to emphasize the weirdness of these little-known species, but the repeated message that humans have much to explore and learn in the deeper ocean is intriguing and inviting.”

Positive review in Kirkus: “Once again, Jenkins provides an almost irresistible entry into our natural world for the youngest readers.”

Positive review in Booklist: “In this plunge into the deep, Jenkins displays his usual keen awareness of what is fascinating about biology and imparts it without sensationalism—the facts speak for themselves.”

5. CONNECTIONS
* Down, Down, Down would be perfect to use with a classroom unit of study on oceans or ocean dwellers.

* A small sampling of other books by Steve Jenkins:

             Actual Size. ISBN 9780547512914

            Just a Second. ISBN  9780618708963

            What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? ISBN 9780618256280  

            Living Color. ISBN 9780547576824

Review: What to do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley

What To do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kerley, Barbara. 2008. What To Do About Alice? Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439922319

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Alice Roosevelt, the oldest daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, is the subject of this lighthearted biography. Beginning when she was a child riding on her father’s shoulders to breakfast and continuing through young adulthood and marriage, Alice led an exuberant and lively existence. Kerley includes author’s notes and a brief paragraph of quote references on the end pages.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Barbara Kerley is an award winning and highly respected author of biographical books for a young audience. She manages to paint a picture with her text of Alice Roosevelt as a fun-loving and inquisitive child who is loved by her father, Theodore, despite her shenanigans. The book is organized in chronological order, highlighting the most important experiences and events in Alice’s life. Kerley emphasizes the way Alice enjoyed living by “Eating up the world" through specific experiences such as foreign travel and learning about new cultures. The writing is not difficult to read and would be appropriate for children of any age. In her Author’s Note she adds additional information about Alice Roosevelt not included in the biography itself, along with references to maintain accuracy and credibility. Kerley backs up the quotations in her biography with specific sources, proving they are authentic and contain documentable dialogue.

Edwin Fotheringham has created vibrant and charming illustrations that appear old-fashioned, to fit the time period in which Alice Roosevelt grew up. The illustrations are so historically accurate that they could be confused with photos, if it were not for the cartoonish style. Although they look hand drawn, they were created using digital media. There is a constant sense of movement on the page, whether Alice is falling down the stairs, riding a bicycle, or sliding down the White House stairs. Each page is vibrantly colored with all space used by pictures or text.


4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee 2009-2010

Sibert Honor Book

ALA Notable Book

Irma Black Award Honor Book

Starred review in Booklist: “Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was.”

Starred review in Kirkus: “Theodore Roosevelt’s irrepressible oldest child receives an appropriately vivacious appreciation in this superb picture book. It’s a gleeful celebration of a fully, unapologetically led life.”

Starred review in School Library Journal: “This book provides a fascinating glimpse into both a bygone era and one of its more interesting denizens as well as a surefire antidote for any child who thinks that historical figures are boring.”

5. CONNECTIONS
* Use What To Do About Alice? when studying presidents or the children of presidents.

* Other books by Barbara Kerley:

            The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy). ISBN 9780545125086

            Those Rebels, John and Tom. ISBN 9780545222686

            Walt Whitman: Words for America. ISBN 9780439357913

* Other books about Alice Roosevelt:

            Kimmelman, Leslie. Mind Your Manners, Alice Roosevelt! ISBN 9781561454921

            Felsenthal, Carol. Princess Alice: The Life and Times of Alice Roosevelt

                        Longworth. ISBN 9780312302221

Review: Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sweet, Melissa. 2011. Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 9780547199450

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Balloons Over Broadway is a charming biography of Tony Sarg, the man responsible for the creation of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. When Tony was young, he was interested in how toys moved so he created marionettes. When he was a young adult in London, he began creating puppets and when he moved to New York City, he caught the eye of R.H. Macy. Macy was the owner of Macy’s Department Store, and he wanted Tony to create puppets for the store’s holiday window display. These became so popular that when Macy created a holiday parade for his employees, Tony was given the task of making puppet balloons. Eventually, Tony created a way for the balloons to rise high into the air and be articulated from below, allowing to be seen by everyone in the crowd.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Melissa Sweet has given her audience a wonderful peek into a part of history that is not well known. How many people watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, never knowing how it started or who created the floats rising high over street level? The book is organized in chronological order from Sarg’s childhood to the balloons he created for Macy. Sweet includes an author’s note at the end of the book with more detail on Sarg’s life and work with Macy. She also provides an extensive bibliography with her sources for further reading and to insure her readers of the accuracy of Tony Sarg’s story. Although Sweet's writing voice is simple and direct, the text is not oversimplified or babyish.

The illustrations, also by Melissa Sweet, bring a childlike sweetness to Tony Sarg’s story. According to her Author’s Note, Sweet created all the puppets photographed for various pages, as well as basing some of them on Sarg’s toys. Other illustrations are watercolors, collages with mixed-media and fabrics. Sweet uses real photos and newspaper clippings in addition to other artistic mediums. Every picture appears brimming with happiness and joy for Sarg’s life. Sweet’s enthusiasm for her topic comes through in her work, and her illustrations are sure to charm any reader.

While reading Balloons Over Broadway, I was disappointed to reach the end and wished the book wasn’t so short. I was interested to learn more about Tony Sarg’s life, and I think it is a great compliment to an author when the reader wants to know more. Children and adults will enjoy the lovely illustrations and clear and concise text.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Orbis Pictus Award 2012

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award 2012

Bank Street College of Education Flora Stieglitz Straus Award

Starred review in School Library Journal: “Sweet tells this slice of American history well, conveying both Sarg's enthusiasm and joy in his work as well as the drama and excitement of the parade.”

Starred review in Kirkus: “Sweet’s charming mixed-media layouts form a playful bridge between her creative process and Sarg’s. This clever marriage of information and illustration soars high.”

Starred review in Booklist: “What she has done is make a joyous piece of nonfiction that informs and delights in equal parts.”

5. CONNECTIONS
* Houghton Mifflin has created an activity packet for Balloons Over Broadway. It is located at http://www.hmhbooks.com/kids/resources/BalloonsOverBroadway_ActivityKit.pdf

* Use Tony Sarg’s story as a way to teach problem solving techniques. For example, he had to devise a way to create “upside down” marionettes that could be seen by the crowds in the parade.

* Other books illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Melissa Sweet:

Potter, Alicia. Mrs. Harkness and the Panda. ISBN 9780375844485

Bryant, Jen. A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams. ISBN

            9780802853028

Davies, Jacqueline. The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audobon. ISBN

            0618243437