Partial List of Publications:
"Teaching Hatchet and survival fiction after 9/11."
"Banned Books; celebrating the freedom to read."
"Teaching History as HERstory with historical fiction."
"Picture Books for Middle and High School Students." see: FULL TEXT BELOW
NoveList Curriculum Guide
NoveList/EBSCO Publishing © 2003
Picture Books for Middle and High School Students
by Betsy Eubanks
No self-respecting teacher would ever say that picture books are just for kids. Anyone who has seen the work of Maurice Sendak, Chris Van Allsburg and good, old Theodor Geisel (a.k.a Dr. Seuss) knows the value of textual messages enhanced with spectacular art. More secondary level teachers are incorporating the occasional picture book into their teaching, and more picture books are appearing on shelves of middle and high school media centers. But the richness of picture books as a teaching tool for older students remains largely unappreciated.
There are several reasons for the underuse of picture book materials at the secondary level. Many teachers continue to view these resources as playful, colorful, simplistic texts that lack the depth of information required for the secondary curriculum. Furthermore, these teachers probably received no exposure to the picture book during their education training, especially if their course work focused on teaching older students. Just as one seldom thinks of an elementary student learning about logarithms and physics, so does it seem strange to imagine a class of hormonally-challenged teenagers absorbed in a teacher's reading of a children's book. Although the former remains unlikely,
the latter is increasingly possible, as children's book authors produce picture books that speak to adolescents in a non-didactic, appealing voice.
Why do older kids like picture books? Believe it or not, despite their intent to seem 'grown up' and beyond childish pursuits, teenagers are often amazingly comfortable with these materials from their early years. While a game or activity might be ridiculed as "babyish," a story hearkens back to
their elementary days when "read-alouds" were a cherished part of the school day. Because they are not confronted with unfamiliar vocabulary or complicated text they must decipher, students can relax and listen for the "message" or the information being conveyed. As with anything visual, today's student will also appreciate the art which accompanies the text. Again, because this is not a matter of identifying techniques or artistic movements -- impressionistic, surrealistic, classical, etc. -- the students do not feel challenged to identify and define in their appreciation of picture book art.
Picture book topics now run the gamut of the curriculum and can be easily integrated into history, science, language arts, psychology, and even math instruction.
History: With picture books, history comes alive in a way that is not possible with dry textbooks. Even though the Jewish Holocaust might seem too terrifying and graphic to receive picture book treatment, it is a topic that is sensitively dealt with by many children's authors. In Star of Fear, Star of Hope (Walker and Company, 1993), Jo Hoestlandt tells a story of two young girls in France
during the Nazi occupation. From Helen's perspective, we gradually come to understand the significance of the yellow star which Lydia must wear on her coat sleeve. Inevitably, the best friends are separated by the Nazis. Helen, relating this incident as an adult, continues to hope that Lydia has survived and the two friends will be reunited. Johanna Kang's illustrations, deceptively simple, provide emotion and intensity that go beyond the limits of language.
The topic of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism is addressed in many picture books by other writers of talent and perception as well. Rose Blanche by Roberto Innocenti (Creative Education, 1985) is a powerful statement of how just one person can possess the courage to fight evil and injustice. Young Rose Blanche, a school girl, discovers a concentration camp in the woods and begins to smuggle food to the prisoners. Innocenti's stark gray and white illustrations are relieved only by the bright colors used on Rose. The ending is realistic: Rose is shot by soldiers on the very day the town is liberated. This incredible book requires thoughtful interpretation and discussion, and would be a forceful addition to a unit on the Holocaust or a study of injustice and prejudice.
Science: Science is another content area that can be enriched by picture books. Environmental issues, such as pollution, rainforest destruction and waste of natural resources, are favorite topics of children's authors. The classic ecological tale, The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss (Random House, 1971), in which the destructive Once-Ler transforms the "bright-colored tufts of the Truffula Trees" into useless "Thneeds," destroys the environment, and disregards the warnings and pleas of the Lorax. Because the only hope for the future is placed literally into the hands of a child, the tale is a perfect
springboard to the topic of how ecological crises can be remedied by students now and in the future when they are adults. Another interesting treatment of pollution is offered by Chris Van Allsburg in Just a Dream (Houghton Mifflin Co., 1990), which sets forth a "what if" scenario in the dream of a young litterbug who teases others who attempt to recycle and protect the environment.
Math: For many students (and adults!), mathematics is a constant puzzle. Usually, it isn't very comforting to know that lack of aptitude originates from a right or left-brain dominance or an inherited math disability passed down by finger-counting parents. Students must take math nonetheless, and for those who find it difficult, a touch of levity can ease the pain. Although picture
book materials seem out of place in the math classroom, it is amazing how responsive students will be to a lesson that begins with a whimsical or thought-provoking mathematical tale.
A great book with which to approach students' math anxiety is Math Curse by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith (Viking, 1995). Trouble starts for the book's protagonist on the very first day of school, when the teacher remarks, "YOU KNOW, you can think of almost everything as a math problem." From that moment, everything in the main character's life does indeed become a math problem, from the number of minutes it takes to eat breakfast, to measuring the distance of the Mississippi River with M&Ms. Because the math curse is finally broken, hope is restored -- until the science teacher announces, "YOU KNOW, you can think of almost everything as a science experiment."
Other picture books that introduce math concepts in delightful, intriguing ways include Demi's One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale (Scholastic, 1997) and Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar (Paper Star, 1999) by Masaichiro and Mitsumasa Anno.
Character Education: Character education is already extensively integrated into the curricula of most schools and remains a significant means by which integrity and standards of behavior are introduced to students as topics for discussion and consideration. As nations come to grips with terrorist threats, overpopulation, and third world distress, it is increasingly incumbent on
educators to find appropriate materials that connect students with these issues and the moral questions they raise. Both print and non-print media have brought remote corners of the world into view; the question of tolerating neighbors has broadened into a matter of understanding people of different cultures whose beliefs and actions now intrude upon the carefully-devised space of private property and materialism that has protected us from the "strangeness" of others.
One title that introduces such topics, We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy (HarperCollins Publishers, 1993) by Maurice Sendak, is a forceful treatment of homelessness and poverty. Here, the magic of Sendak's art is apparent, but instead of charming fantasy, the subject matter is cardboard shelters, rats and raggedy children. The only protection from the elements is newspaper,
which displays headlines such as "Shooting!" "Leaner times; meaner times," and "Famine in the World." When Jack and Guy discover a little boy who is starving and homeless, they decide to save him by buying him bread, and conclude that "we'll bring him up as other folk do." Their altruistic gesture is realized in the final picture where we see Jack, Guy and the little boy sharing a ramshackle shelter among the refuse and litter of other homeless dwellings. Such a book offers a powerful introduction to a discussion of societal ills, the welfare system, socioeconomic norms, homelessness and a variety of other significant, current events topics.
In order to deal with the complexity of this new world and its multitude of cultures, students can benefit by materials that encourage them to accept just and decent standards of behavior. Picture books convey messages about greed, poverty, abuse, kindness, compassion, and love. The succinctness of text placed beside beautiful, haunting and intriguing illustrations provides a powerful tool that will touch the minds and hearts of students.
All content areas can be enriched by the use of picture books. Their brevity, visual appeal and singular focus make them ideal teaching tools for the creative teacher. A visit to the children's section of your media center, library or bookstore will surprise you with the extent and variety of
offerings.
Additional suggested texts
Character Education
The Sweetest Fig by Chris Van Allsburg.
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993.
This unique, quirky story describes the punishment a selfish man receives when he wishes on magical figs and his wish backfires.
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon.
The Blue Sky Press, 1998.
Camilla Cream learns a lesson about being true to herself. Concerned only with what others
think of her, Camilla magically transforms herself to fit what her friends want. When she finally realizes what she likes, she loses her stripes and returns to happy normalcy.
Stormy Night by Michele Lemieux. Kids Can Press, 1999.
Intriguing pen and ink drawings depict a young girl and her dog who spend a sleepless night in bed
wondering about big, philosophical questions such as "Will the world come to an end someday?" The book will stimulate thought and discussion about important questions that usually don't arise in the classroom setting.
History
Train to Somewhere by Eve Bunting
(Orphan trains; 19th century U.S. history). Clarion Books, 1996.
Hiroshima No Pika by Toshi Maruki.
(WWII). Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books, 1980.
Tea with Milk by Allen Say
(Immigration & emigration; Japanese-Americans). Houghton Mifflin, 1999.
Ghost Train by Paul Yee
(Transcontinental railroads; Chinese-American railroad workers). Douglas and McIntyre, 1996.
The Hatmaker's Sign by Candace Fleming, adapter
(U.S. Declaration of Independence). Orchard Books, 1998.
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
(Racism). Crown Publishers, Inc., 1991.
Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky by Faith Ringgold.
(Slavery and racism). Crown Publishers, Inc., 1992.
The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
(Racism and civil rights). G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2001.
Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust by Eve Bunting.
Jewish Publication Society, 1980.
Science
The World that Jack Built by Ruth Brown. Dutton, 1991.
This story is a warning of the ecological disaster that can result from unthinking
industrialists.
Window by Jeannie Baker. Greenwillow Books, 1991.
Detailed collages illustrate this book without text, revealing destructive changes in the environment over a twenty-year period as a mother and child view the outside world from a window.
Behold the Trees by Sue Alexander. Arthur Levine Books, 2001.
In this fascinating blend of science and history, the author relates the history of Israel in terms of the wonderful trees that were initially destroyed, then replanted.
Math
Anno's Magical Seeds by Mitsumasa Anno.
Philomel, 1995.
Anno's award-winning book connects magic with math.
One Riddle, One Answer by Lauren Thompson. Scholastic Press, 2001.
This Persian fairy tale presents a sultan's daughter who poses a mathematical riddle to her suitors.
Betsy Eubanks is a School Library Media Specialist in the North Carolina
Public Schools. October 2003
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