Author: BBCo

Aesthetics is a set of principles that inform the outcome of a work of art. Aesthetics taps into that part of our being that connects with beauty. Last spring, after reading The Mozart Season,  I knew the section of the story that would inspire the most creativity. I know this because I have seen it here, and here, and here. And when readers stumble upon this three page passage, well, Section 5 happens.

As the story goes, when Allegra and her mother's friend, Diedre spend an afternoon in the Rose Garden, well, music happens. Nestled atop a hill in the park is a silvery aluminum sculpture. There are tall columns and arched columns, smaller columns and water uniting them all: 

"It was Diedre who started the song. She began slowly, BONG bong Bong bong with her knuckles on the three big columns, walking between them."

Now I've seen some fantastic creative responses to The Mozart Season (some that have won awards), but when this past year, one of my students finished the book and brought in her Section 5 project to share, I marveled that, yet again, it was in response to this specific music making passage. 

And the project she brought in was not only "nique" (as Allegra and her friends would say), but also a perfect opportunity to share some tips to elevate the Section 5 project artistically. So following is a little make-over:

BEFORE

With a cardboard box, some discarded bottles, aluminum foil, a few scraps of notebook paper, one green marker, Scotch tape, and a pitcher of water, my student made a musical instrument. While I have seen many musical instruments (even musical compositions) inspired by this little section of The Mozart Season, this one captured my imagination. Think "don't judge a book by its cover" for a moment. this little homely project surprised me with rich sounds made from filling the bottles with different levels of water and blowing gently across each the neck. Oh! I was simply tickled, "My favorite Mozart invention so far!" 

But the poor dear was in desperate need of a makeover. So I gave the maker a simple lesson.

1. To begin, if you are going to use a box (and boxes are a great way to begin, always paint the box). Give yourself a blank canvas upon which you can build your idea. A coat or two of gesso or acrylic paint will do just fine.
2. Use more than 1 art medium. Here for example, using green marker and green paint on both folded and crumpled paper makes the viewer read 'foliage" more clearly.
3. Give the reader an anchor to the book where the idea originated by posting quotes around the project.  

You don't have to be an artist to make your idea beautiful. And, think about it, ideas are meant to be appreciated. So, go on, beautify.

One last thought… There is a trend in all sectors of education to discount the reading of pure fiction. This is not wise. This quiet little story is, in my opinion, powerful proof why we all need to read across many genres, all kinds of stories. Every time I've led students through this purely fictional story set in a very real setting (the competition that Allegra is working toward is a real competition that happens annually in Oregon), they read a few pages and groan. But by the time they get to the end, they have a deep appreciation for the rich story and fodder for their creativity to unfold. 

-Kim

Common milkweed, when broken, drips a milky sap. Likely this is how it earned its name. The caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly feasts on this particular plant. The nectar of Milkweed is precious. Anyone who has studied this butterfly knows that is is resilient.

Jerry Spinelli's Milkweed opens from the point of view of an orphaned boy on the streets of Warsaw at the dawn of World War II. The metaphorical connection between the title of the book and the resilient young protagonist is not lost on the reader: "Call me thief. Call me stupid. Call me Gypsy. Call me Jew. Call me one-eared Jack. I don't care. Empty-handed victims once told me who I was. Then Uri told me. Then an armband." Read on to discover how resiliency transforms this Monarch of a boy. In the process, you might plant some Milkweed and consider its connection to the story for your Section 5 project.

-Kim 

Three of the saddest three words are: out-of-print.

Perloo the Bold is a terrific fantasy tale for our Level two readers. I can't tell you how sad I was to learn this news! Immediately Memory Lane was flooded by my tears. 

Five years ago…

Five years ago my son Søren was 10 and Perloo the Bold was a book in print. He identified with and was truly inspired by the reluctant hero, introverted scholar of this wonderful fantasy tale. The two hit it off from page one. Looking back, I did not have to encourage Søren to bring shape to his creative ideas, I simply had to provide the opportunity and the space for him to be creative. His little fimmaking experience inspired by this terrific story, was one of the moments in time that blossomed his unique individuality.

Section 5 of our integrated Literature and Writing Discovery Guides will help you establish a tradition of creativity.

If you elevate imagination, provide opportunities to generate creative work, and your children will celebrate accomplishments that stand the test of time.

And now…

Three more words (sad to read): 

Perloo's been shelved!

Sad, but true.

While we will not discontinue selling our Perloo the Bold Guides, we will no longer be selling the books (you will certainly find this book in libraries, or second hand online for years to come). When we first received the news of the book going out-of-print. we stocked up. We even purchased as many gently used copies as we could find. But now, our supply is down to single digits. So, while supplies last, Perloo the Bold bundles will be sold for a mere $10 — a 50% markdown! So take your child on an incredible journey with Perloo and see where the path leads! 

Perloo The Bold from Taylor Bredberg on Vimeo.

It is one of those moments where you realize you've lost something precious. You know the moment. Shoulders shrugging. Eyes remembering. Breathless.

Enter the bear. The bear who lost something precious. 

The bear who lost his hat is at once endearing. 
The bear whose emotional gesture does not change.

Does not change that is until his epiphany, "I HAVE SEEN MY HAT."

At which point he runs. 
Runs to his treasured hat.

But this is not your typical illustrated story. 
This tale is a tale with a twist.
A smart, thought provoking, hat-wearing twist. 

The 2012 Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor book, I Want My Hat Back is a must read for children and grown ups too, but especially for wearers of hats.

And, when you are ready for the next hat book, you will want to read 2013 Caldecott Winner, This is Not My Hat, about a hat steeling fish.

And when you have completed these two enchanting hat books, you will have to wait for fall, when the trilogy is to be completed. 

-Kim

Sent from my iPad

I was drawn to this book because of its intriguing illustrations. Looking closer I realized its look was intriguing because it was crafted by the likes of Jon Klassen. 

Think The Folk Keeper.

Think Skellig.

Now, think Coraline.

What happens when the hero of the story is an anxious child? One who cocoons beneath his covers each night and cannot commit to sleep until he’s recited his litany of gratitude—twice.

Add to this drama the fact the fragile protagonist has a brand new baby brother who is desperately ill.

What happens when that protagonist, once he’s finally drifted off to dreamland, encounters the queen-of-all-angel-wasps whose come to “save” the baby?

Unsettling?

Quite.

But for upper elementary and middle school level readers, this is a book worth reading to glean, among other treasures, its message of perseverance in the face of fragility is heartening.

The lexicon here is simple, but I found it deceptively and wondrously so.

For example:

“I knew I wouldn’t get back to sleep—didn’t even want to—so I pulled on jeans and a T-shirt and went outside to the backyard. It was early to be cool still, though you could feel the heat already clenched up in the earth and air, just waiting to unfurl” (70-71).

There is something magical about the way the author uses the words “clench” and “unfurl” to surprise the reader, to turn the tone of this statement.

And here too:

“I hated it when her eyes got wet. It made me scared. Like she wasn’t my mom any more but something fragile that might break” (41).

In two small sentences leading up to a third longer statement, we sense the drama of this family who is thin with worry for the sick baby. We readers are invited to experience the story’s main conflict through small turns in simple language. These three small sentences, all straight forward on the surface, demonstrate the inviting voice of this book. Here, the building of rhythm, the sensory information—those wet eyes—and, the last statement beginning with that awkward prepositional phrase, “Like she,” work together to give us a fresh understanding of a child responding to a mother’s tears.  

While it is not likely The Nest, by Kenneth Oppel will make it to our Level 3 or 4 lineup in the near future, it is a recommended read for those interested in magical realism, especially for those who like the genre best when it is pushed toward the realm of science fiction or fantasy as this book pushes in both directions.

-Kim