Jennifer Armstrong News: The Banana strikes again

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

The Banana strikes again

This teacher blog describes the pre-reading activities inspired by Once Upon a Banana.

2 Comments:

Tim said...: Jennifer - No idea why I hadn't bought "Banana" already . . . but I just rectified that. I'm sure my six-year-old son will love it.

Cheers!

Tim Walker; 12:18 PM
Mary Lee said...: Thanks for finding my story of The Banana!

Here's an update: This has been state testing week. I brought bananas for a healthy snack each day. Today, the kid who warned me not to read aloud books with guns and killing (for fear of reading that action to life) asked me if that thing with slipping on a banana peel works in real life, or only in the comics. I told him that was a science experiment for him to work on AT HOME!; 6:32 PM

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About Me

Name: Jennifer Armstrong

Location: Saratoga Springs, New York, United States

I've been writing children's books for about twenty years, with great success and a lot of pleasure. This year is the first time, however, that I have had two big books coming out almost simultaneously. Managing the publicity scheduling has become a second career all by itself. This blog is a way of keeping friends, family and colleagues updated on what's happening on the publicity trail.

Reviews

Starred Review of The American Story from School Library Journal..."This collection of lively tales demonstrates the broad base of individuals who make up our country and the slow accretion of incidents that create a heritage. Starting with the colony of Saint Caroline, founded by French Huguenots near what is today Jacksonville, FL, in 1565, the short tales proceed chronologically to the election of 2000. Along the way, readers move through sections entitled "Settlement and Colonies" (1565-1778), "A New Republic" (1791-1863), "Expansion and Invention" (1867-1899), "Becoming Modern" (1900-1945), and "Brave New World" (1946-2000). The tales are pulled from politics and government, social and religious life, recreation and science. Students will hear about personalities as various as John Chapman, Carrie Nation, Typhoid Mary, Babe Ruth, and Maya Lin. An excellent classroom resource, the stories are a perfect way to fill the odd three or four minutes, and the book's organizational structure ties in well with more comprehensive titles, such as Robert D. Johnston's The Making of America (National Geographic, 2002). The selections are cross-referenced into "Story Arcs" so that readers can follow historical threads, such as immigration or science and technology. The lively prose is matched by numerous soft color illustrations. A grand way to introduce children to the history of their country."-Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information

Starred Review of The American Story from Kirkus...."Armstrong approaches history as a storyteller, and each of these stories is a gem of clear and concise writing. Readers are encouraged to find patterns and themes in the tales, and the section called "Story Arcs" serves as a guide. "Black History and Civil Rights," for example, includes accounts of Thoreau, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Thurgood Marshall and Rosa Parks. Intended more as a "patchwork quilt of history" than a comprehensive or traditional time line, the volume ranges far and wide, with witch trials and monkey trials, hoaxes and curses, whale attacks, balloon rescues, Lizzie Borden and Pac-Man. The abundant full-color art is lively and essential to the great visual appeal of the volume. The superb bibliography contains a big mix of histories for children and adults. Young history buffs will enjoy dipping into this fine collection, and parents and teachers will find it an invaluable resource."

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Jennifer Armstrong News