Picturebook Literacy Analysis

Due: Week 5, 9-22-16

Submit file & URL (both) to Assignments due 9/22
Define/describe Picturebooks: These are books that have illustrations and
texts that convey meaning to the reader. In the case of these books the
illustrations are as important as the text.
List the following genes with a Picturebook format and provide two
examples of books (book title, author, and year published) that you have
read and analyzed according to the "Evaluation Picturebooks Guidelines"
listed in chapter three of Huck's text, p. 82 for each:
1) Fiction/Fantasy Picturebooks: This type of literature comes from the
imagination of the author and reader.
- Hey, Al by Arthour Yorinks/ Richard Egielski (1999)
- The Princess Knight By Cornelia Funke (2004)
2) Multicultural Picturebooks: Literature that is meant to expose
children to diverse characters, cultures, histories, and concepts
through fiction and non-fiction.
- Tia Isa Wants a Car by Medina (2011)
- Four feet two Sandals by Mohammed Khadra (2007)
3) Contemporary Realistic Fiction Picturebooks: Imaginative writing that
accurately reflects life as it was lived in the past or could be lived
today.
- A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee (2008)
-Mollys Family by Nancy Garden (2004)
4) Nonfiction/Informational Picturebooks: Books that contain facts.
- Lizards by Nic Bishop (2010)
Write detailed paragraphs in blank template for your responses
below.
Picture books allow children to learn about cultural awareness as well as
social awareness. This can be done by breaking these ideas down into
understandable words and illustrations. The ideas behind the picture books
can be further explained by a teacher if it is read in class. There are many
ways that a picture book can grab a childs attention and start them on the
path to become a critical reader. Picture books may have different types of
art that may catch the eye. The way certain books alternate the size and
font of the text may interest others. Some may like the way the book flows
or has certain patterns in the writing. All these help to strike up an interest
and keep a student reaching for more books.
Analyze one Picturebook using the following guidelines and
criteria (this is a different book than listed above):

First, select a quality piece of literature that is a picturebook.

Criteria for Selecting Quality Piece of Literature: Select a quality piece of
literature from books listed in Huck's book, books introduced in
class, books that won a book award, books written by a reputable author
introduced in class, or on any other book lists approved in this course. Also,
reference goodreads.com and pinterest.com to locate books by reputable
authors of picturebooks or to search award-winning books (e.g., Caldecott
or Newberry winners). If you are not certain you have a quality piece of
literature, contact your instructor. Selecting a book that is not quality
literature will affect your grade for this assignment.
Name of book, author (include first and last name of author), and year
published:
Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (2000)
Name genre using a picturebook format: Fantasy/Fiction Picture Book
Age range book is intended: 4+
Brief description or synopsis of book: On the night before Christmas a boy
that has doubts that Santa Claus is real takes a journey to the North Pole
on the Polar Express. On his journey he travels through different areas and
meets new people. When they finally arrive to the North Pole the child is
chosen to be gifted with the first gift of Christmas. He decided that he
wants a bell from Santas sleigh for its magical sound. When he arrives
back home he discovers that the bell is missing and is sad. He then
discovers it under the tree. He end up being able to hear its beautiful
sound for many years because of his belief.
Book awards received, if any: Caldecott Medal in 1986
Discuss how the books features could engage readers to promote
literacy growth
(write a detailed paragraph): This book would be good to use in a unit
close to winter break along with books that include other holidays that
students celebrate around the world during this time. The story would be
gripping to students in how the illustrations take up the pages and allows
them to explore the world within the book. The lesson that could be based
off this could be what traditions do students, within the classroom, do over
their winter break. Students in younger grades could be allowed to wear
pajamas when they read this book like the characters do in the story. This
would allow them to immerse themselves into the story better. A teacher
could ask what kind of lands that the book is traveling through, student
could create a diorama of what they see in the book. This allows student
express what they see from the book or show what their favorite part was.
Appealing format: (write a detailed paragraph): This book would be

appealing to children of all age as a read aloud or if they are reading to

themselves. The font is on the small side and it does not vary in size or
font. The texts size is small so the author does take liberties to right long
paragraphs to help describe everything that goes into the pictures. The
main cover of this book helps to foreshadow what is to happen in the book.
Page layout: (write a detailed paragraph)
The illustrations in this book take up most of the pages whereas the text is
in small print on the side. The illustrations are almost a 2-page spread but
it leaves a sliver of blank area for the text. I believe due to the illustrations
taking up most of the space it cause it to be the main focus. Since the text
is on the smaller side the pages dont seem to be crowded. The
illustrations do well to use different colors to convey the mood of what the
story is telling. For example when the children are drinking hot chocolate in
one of the cars of the train the colors are very bright and warm. The use of
these bright and warm colors help to give the feeling of the happiness that
is happening on the page.
Content: (write detailed paragraph); The content or the story is
appropriate for children of any age. The vocabulary that is in this book
however may be at a 3rd or 4th grade reading level. The setting of this book
mostly takes place on the train The Polar Express, but the eventually it
travels up the North Pole, Santas workshop. Throughout the book one is
traveling through the snowy wilderness on the train. The main characters
of this book are Santa, the Conductor, and the child who got on the train.
The child is well developed and you can see his struggles with his belief.
The others are not as developed but somehow leave an air of mystery.
There is a great deal of figurative language used in the book. The way that
this book is written produces such a large amount of imagery that one
would not even need the illustrations. An example of such imagery would
be, We climbed mountains so high that it seemed as if we would scrape
the moon.
Describe characters: (write a detailed paragraph) The characters
within this book are the Conductor, the child, and Santa Claus. The child is
the main character in this book since he is the most developed and is also
the narrator of the story. The story shows the childs struggle with his belief
in Santa and his growth as it went on. The Conductor and Santa Claus did
not seem to be full characters. The Conductors role in this story was to
introduce the child to the Polar Express and allowed him to get on. This had
started the boys journey. Whereas Santa Claus role was to be proof to the
child that he does indeed exist.
Illustrations/Style: (write a detained paragraph for
illustrations/style & color) The illustrations within The Polar Express add
to the story because of the changing background. This helps to show the

students that the train is actually traveling to the North Pole. The scenery
flows so nicely from the when the child is picked up in front of his house,
through the wintery forest and mountain, and finally to the North Pole. The
Illustrations take up most of the page and allows for the readers to have a
lot to look at. The illustrations in this book are very detailed paintings that
will have readers noticing different things each time they read it. A teacher
could ask a student after reading this book if they went on a train ride what
would they see outside of their windows. What would be the season or
where would they be traveling to? Questions such as these would help to
fuel the imagination of the students.
Color: The colors in this book vary on what the illustration is. When the
picture is of the outside the colors are somewhat cool towns and use a lot
of white. This is to show the cold snow and that it is night in most of the
colors. Inside the train it is mostly warm and bright colors to show that the
children were happy and having fun. When it comes to Santas big scene
he is in his classic red and white colors as to make him easier to recognize.
Describe how you would you use this book in a classroom to
promote literacy learning? (Write a detailed paragraph) I would use
this book in a unit to introduce the students to different holidays that are
celebrated during this time. The book Polar Express and books that include
different holidays would be a part of this unit. Like the read aloud that I had
linked I would like to have my students come to school in nice pajamas and
like to do an interactive read aloud. I would like to have this done closer to
when the student are getting off for winter break. I myself would dress up
as the conductor and use a big book to read from. This would be like a
celebration before break so I would also have hot chocolate like the
children had in the story. After the read aloud I would open up questions to
how the students felt about the story. I would also ask them; What is
something that they have had problems in believing in? Although I would
steer them away from religion. Then once questions are done I would have
them create a diorama of their favorite scene from the book. I would ask in
advance that the students bring in shoe boxes for this project. When
everyone is done they would share their diorama and explain why the
scene they chose was their favorite.

Include picture of book cover

Hyperlink https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS1bjFVtCOE Read Aloud
Rate book on a scale of 0 to 5: Rate book according to the criteria listed
above. Justify your rating by discussing: (Write a detailed paragraph)
The rating that I could give this book would be a 5. Through its wonderful
illustrations that allow students to immerse themselves into the story.
There are many ways that a teacher can incorporate this book into a
lesson. I believe that the students would be able to relate to the child in
the story when he is struggling with what he believes in. Teachers can use
this to help students that lack confidence and belief in them. Also students
who love Santa would always imagine what the North Pole could be like
and this gives them an idea of the possibility. I think that the actual story is
beautifully written and causes imagery all on its own. Students could be
asked what would they ask Santa for their one gift or for those who do not
celebrate Christmas what is present would they like to receive. I have loved
this book for a long time and now looking at it from an educator
perspective there is nothing that I would change about it.
Provide a reference page that includes a list of all books you used
for this assignment listed in APA format.
Bishop, N. (2010). Lizards. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction.
Frazee, M. (2008). A couple of boys have the best week ever. Orlando, Fla:
Harcourt.
Funke, C., Meyer, K., Bell, A. (2004). The princess knight. New York: Chicken
House.
Garden, N., & Wooding, S. (2004). Molly's family. New York: Farrar Straus
Giroux.
Medina, M., Munoz, C., & Candlewick Press,. (2011). Tia Isa wants a car.
Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press.
Van, A. C. (1985). The Polar Express. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Williams, K. L., Mohammed, K., & Chayka, D. (2007). Four feet, two sandals.
Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

Yorinks, A., & Egielski, R. (1986). Hey, Al. New York: Farrar, Straus and
Giroux.