Back in the classroom, there will be much to discuss, including why the amendment was necessary on the heels of the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), the political maneuvering necessary to secure the amendment’s passage, and the medium’s depiction of the event and the historical figures. To further explore the relationships depicted in Lincoln and learn about the film’s production, download the free app Lincoln: Discover the Story (David Rubel and Disney Editions, iBooks, Free, Gr 6 Up). Your students will be intrigued.

Six chapters delve into topics such as the “Players on the Stage of History,” “The Conflict,” and “The President” discussing the Civil War, those who fought for and against the amendment, Lincoln’s presidency, and more. Incorporated into the text are quotes by Lincoln and his contemporaries, archival images, and other primary source material.Throughout the text are black-and-white period photos, sometimes juxtaposed against shots of similar scenes re-created for the film (in color), and embedded videos offering commentary by Spielberg, the actors, and others who worked on the film.

In the videos, Spielberg speaks to Lincoln’s relevancy today as a “most vivid model of a leader, of leadership,” who advocated for “things that we hold dear today.” Daniel Day-Lewis, who plays the president in the movie, comments on Lincoln’s accessibility—the “ever-open door of the White House.” Other actors discuss their research in preparation for their roles—and their challenges—including  Sally Field who plays Mary Todd Lincoln, Gloria Reuben as Elizabeth Keckley, the “personal modiste” of the First Lady, and  David Strathairn as William H. Seward, Lincoln’s the Secretary of State.

Much notice has been paid to the film’s authenticity. In the chapter, “Bringing History to Life” viewers hear from Rick Carter, the production designer, on scouting sets and props, and Joanna Johnston, the costume designer, who dressed the 140-member cast. Johnston mentions Mary Todd Lincoln’s outfits, many of which were “exact replicas” of those she wore in life….”  (“For the president, clothing was purely a way of keeping out the weather.”) Ben Burtt’s narrative addresses his quest to “research and record historic sounds” and to re-create those he could from the ticking of the portico clock to the off-screen bombardment of a cannonade. Museum officials allowed Burtt to record the sound of Lincoln’s actual watch, heard in the film.

Page turns and video runs are fluid and readers will be guided through this production by a table of contents and discreetly placed icons. The app ends with a film clip and link to the iTunes page to purchase tracks from the motion picture. In all, a production for fans of the president and the film, and, to be sure, something for visual learners.-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal.

For some recently published books for students on Lincoln, see Vicki Reutter’s Whiskers, Dreams, and Grave-Robbing Schemes.

Fans of Captain Underpants—and of rude, over-the-top humor—are in for a field day: The Adventures of Captain Underpants: The First Epic App (Scholastic; $4.99; Gr 2-6) offers awesome animation and engaging activities. First is the complete Book-O-Rama, here in high resolution and full color. Viewers can read the story or listen to Mike West’s spirited narration with added sound effects and musical accompaniment. Pages aren’t turned per se; a swipe of the screen slides the characters to the next page, or morphs the background into the next setting.

Games, manipulable message boards, and even those flip-o-rama pages found in the books are embedded in appropriate spots. (Readers can choose to engage in these activities or not.) A jump from one page to any other in the text is via a collapsible bar at the bottom of the screen, while a bar at the top allows children to return to the main menu, to select chapters, or to exit to a game. Avatars to help track game progress are easy to create, but with a tap of a button one will be created (and named) for viewers.

Screen shot from The Adventures of Captain Underpants (Pilkey)
©2013 by Dav Pilkey

Activities include hypnotizing Mr. Krupp with the 3-D Hypno-Ring, catching Captain Underpants in the Skate-o-Rama, or slinging underwear at robots and the diabolical Dr. Diaper in an attempt to annihilate them in the Stretch-O-Rama. Beat Box 2000 is a music-making machine; as Captain Underpants flies across the sky, he triggers ka-booms and other, (often uncouth), noises to one of three catchy beats. Users can record their own sounds if they prefer. The games take full advantage of the iPad’s capabilities, requiring the players to tilt and tap their way through various levels using different strategies; plenty of options keep the play fresh.

The app contains “no ads, no social media sharing, no in-app purchasing, no links to outside websites, [and] no location-tracking features.” With access to a full-length story, terrific animation, challenging activities, and loads of irreverent fun, this app will have fans cheering for the 16-year-old “Captain Underpants.”— MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, New York 

Listen to Jonathan Bean introduce and read from Building Our House.

In the two books he’s authored, the artist Jonathan Bean has placed a child in the center of a warm family and a bustling world. Yet despite all the activity surrounding his young protagonists, Bean’s stories exude a sense of quiet and comfort. In his most recent title, Building Our House (FSG, 2013), readers witness the construction of a house from laying the foundation to installing the fixtures. With the help of family and friends—and lots of hard work—Bean’s “small crew” transforms a “weedy place” into a home.

Author Jonathan Bean

So, tell me, were you one of those kids who had to stop and study every backhoe and pick-up truck you saw?

I don’t think I was. My grandfather owned an excavating company, so I have early memories of being on equipment with him and watching him work. Of course, this was always very exciting, but for some reason I wasn’t the sort to fall head over heels for machines even if, now, they are buckets of fun to draw.

Like your earlier picture book, At Night (FSG, 2007), the child in Building Our House is at the center of a loving home, and a wide world. Yet, despite all the activity happening around them, your characters (and stories) convey a feeling of serenity. Can you talk about that?

I am always happy to hear people say this! When I was a young, aspiring illustrator, Wes Adams, my future editor at FSG, told me my portfolio work was rather cold. I knew that that quality would never fly in children’s books, and so I set out to decide what to do about it. In the end, I realized I needed to be less controlling with my process, to allow some entry point for surprises, humor, joy, or empathy. In that way, I discovered that my illustrations or stories couldn’t be manufactured, that there needed to be a more organic connection between my work and the memories or feelings that were already there. I must have been on the right path, because it wasn’t too long before Wes offered me a contract for At Night, which was the centerpiece of my new portfolio.

The many details you include about building a home are so well integrated into House. They’re sure to fascinate children who want to read every book about construction sites as well as those who lean toward fiction. Did you set out to tell one story over the other?

No, I didn’t. In fact, I knew early on that I wanted to tell both stories. That was the biggest challenge, finding a way to fit all the essential house-building steps into the book without it becoming a dry instruction manual. Fortunately, I had all the family photos and stories to fall back on if things needed spicing up. For instance, the truck named Willys in House is the actual model of Jeep that my parents relied on to transport materials. (A tidbit like that could launch its own story.) I had the luxury of getting to choose from a smorgasbord of such details.

As well as illustrating the step-by-step process of building a structure, your art tells a few of its own stories: the addition of new family member, the change of the seasons, and the passage of time, while details such as a pine tree perched atop the house frame are so playful. Do you have a sense of where you are going with the art before you start? Which stories will be told through illustration?

Often those anecdotal stories develop as I sketch out the primary story. I like adding them, first, because it’s fun! But also because it creates the feeling that, like in the larger world, the little world of the picture book contains surprises and details that are there to be found, if only time is taken to slow down, look, and listen.

While no one would call this a message book, I think there are a few lessons that kids will take away. Families require teamwork (“small crew of four”), even the youngest can contribute, and that to create something solid–or of lasting value–takes time and effort. Were these ideas you were hoping to communicate?

I agree that those messages are there, but I couldn’t really say I thought about them much, if at all. On the one hand, creating a story is a process of intense concentration and awareness, but I also believe that it should contain an element of mystery, even for the creator. There are things I often learn looking back at the completed project, as I am right now.

There are also messages in your parent’s comments, “Measure twice to get it right” and “A good plan for a good house.” (Truisms educators are sure to appreciate.) Were these actually their maxims?

No, I made them up for the story. However, I have, many times, seen my dad measure two or three times to get it right, or watched my parents plan carefully for a new project. I have a lot of respect for them: they are generally more comfortable in the trenches than on the soapbox.

Author Jonathan Bean

I love the photos at the end of the book depicting the building of your family’s home. You were quite small in them. Do you have any memory of that time?

I do remember a few things. I recall quite well the trailer we lived in, since my sisters and I spent much of our time there. I also have a clear memory of climbing to the second floor of the unfinished house. That memory probably sticks because the stairs weren’t in yet and the climb up scaffolding, even with Mom at hand, was frightening.

And one last question: Is the house still in your family?

Yes, it is. In fact, for the first big book signing we had an open house publication party and invited friends from all over to see the actual house and hang out with my family.

Building Our House (Bean)
©2013 by Jonathan Bean

Listen to Jonathan Bean introduce and read from Building Our House.

We particularly look for titles that align with the goals of the CCSS–books that provide unique perspectives, ask readers to consider multiple points of view, and generate conversation, as well as leisure reading material. On occasion, a fiction title may slip in–one that offers a perfect complement to a nonfiction study or a thought-provoking interpretation. This month, books about women make a good showing.

Adler, David. Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. (Holiday House; Gr 4-8). Filled with primary-source material, black-and-white period reproductions, and detailed notes, this book will provide students with insight into the Tubman’s life, the tenor of the times, and an author’s research. See Doers and Dreamers: Celebrating Black History in this issue of Curriculum Connections for more about this book.

Arnold, Caroline. Too Hot? Too Cold? Keeping Body Temperature Just Right. (Illus. by Annie Patterson; Charlesbridge; Gr 3-5). How humans and creatures regulate body temperature is covered in this clearly written title for elementary students. Each spread presents a paragraph or two of text on topics such as “Cooling and Warming the Blood,” “Fur, Hair, and Feathers,” and “Body Size and Shape.” Several captioned and carefully labeled watercolor illustrations and/or diagrams per spread offer information and illuminate concepts. A glossary delivers additional support.

Markel, Michelle. Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909. (Illus. by Melissa Sweet; HarperCollins, 2013; K- Gr 5). The America Clara Lemlich discovered when she disembarked at Ellis Island in the early 1900s wasn’t the country she had envisioned. Working long hours in NYC’s garment district for little pay under appalling conditions, the feisty, “uncrushable” immigrant fought back. Lemlich led the “the largest walkout of women workers in U.S. history,” a strike that resulted in a shorter workweek and more pay for many women. An author’s note provides more information about the garment industry, including the firms that refused to negotiate with the strikers, “notably” the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. The watercolor, gouache, and mixed-media collages artwork by Melissa Sweet forms a patchwork of vibrant images. Consider this title when introducing the topics of workers’ rights, women’s history, and the early 20th-century immigrant experience.

Rubin, Susan Goldman. Diego Rivera: An Artist for the People (Abrams; Gr 6 Up). Rivera was a larger-than-life personality and Rubin documents the painter’s private and professional life. Numerous quotes provide readers with the essence of this man, while sumptuous reproductions highlight the “storytelling” style of his murals. The author doesn’t shy away from discussing the controversy that his art ignited, particularly The Detroit Industry frescoes painted in the lobby of the New York City’s RCA building, which included a portrait of Vladimir Lenin. Black-and-white photos of the artist at work and with Frida Kahlo illustrated the book. A glossary, sources, and author’s notes about Mexican history and Rivera’s influences are also included. Beautiful bookmaking.

Parker, Steve. The Human Body Book (2nd ed.) (DK; Gr 6-10). When the first edition of this book was released School Library Journal’s reviewer called The Human Body “a mesmerizing tour of the body’s parts and common diseases,” noting its superb illustrations with “razor-sharp detail, realistic modeling, clean colors, and clear and thorough labeling.” In addition to covering the 10 body systems, this edition adds a section on aging. Updated illustrations and information on recent medical advances are included. The accompanying DVD delivers some added animation on the breathing and digestive processes. Consider for both circulating and reference collections.

Stone, Tanya Lee. Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? (Illus. by Marjorie Priceman; Holt, 2013; Gr 1-5). Good question. While it’s likely that your students have seen a female physician, in the middle of the 19th century practicing medicine wasn’t an option for women. But encouraged by a friend, Elizabeth Blackwell applied to medical schools and after 28 rejection letters she was finally admitted to New York’s Geneva Medical. This picture book is a great choice for Women’s History Month and lends itself to discussion: explore with your students what those rejection letters stated, if attitudes toward women have changed, and whether occupations are still closed to certain groups today. What other stories have they read about individuals who persevered against all odds? Ask students what impression Marjorie Priceman’s fluid watercolor images create of the Blackwell. (Consider the woman’s stride and gestures.) In what way do the illustrations depict a woman who refused to be constrained by contemporary attitudes? Look for period details in the art. An author’s note contains more information about Blackwell with mention of the institutions she founded: a medical school for women and a hospital for women and children.

Yolen, Jane and Heidi E. Y. Stemple. Bad Girls: Sirens, Jezebels, Murderesses, Thieves & Other Female Villains. (Illus. by Rebecca Guay; Charlesbridge; Gr 8 Up). Just in time for Women’s History Month in March comes a collective biography of a 26 women from the Biblical Delilah to Gangster Girlfriend Virginia Hill. With an appealing cover, a chatty text, colorful graphic-art illustrations, and a cast of infamous characters, this book will appeal to a range of readers, including those looking for leisure reading. With a title like this, who will be able to resist?  The select bibliographies for each chapter include books and websites.

Multimedia informational resources have been a boon for learners across disciplines. Witness some of the apps we’ve reviewed: Pyramids 3D, Bobo Explores Light, Al Gore’s Our Choice and Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomy.

Now there’s The Orchestra, which brings the sights and sounds of London’s Philharmonia to readers and listeners everywhere. Don’t miss it.

For those who didn’t grow up immersed in orchestral practices, trying to understand the art and its ensembles may seem daunting. Even a seasoned musician may open The Orchestra (Touch Press, $13.99; Gr 3 Up) and wonder, where do I begin, for the options are vast. Starting with the commentary of the conductor, Esa-Pekka Salonen, will give listeners a flavor of London’s Philharmonia Orchestra, and open their minds to the complexity of Salonen’s task. His level of thought and his narrative are deep; as the engineer and artistic guide for the orchestra, he speaks at a level suitable for high school or college students. But there is plenty in this app that will have a place with students as young as the elementary grades; for example, the individual showcases for each orchestral instrument.

Simon Oliver and his double bass (‘The Orchestra’) Touch Press

Each showcase consists of a photo of the instrument that can be enlarged and rotated 360 degrees; a video narration and demonstration of the sounds that instrument produces; a written entry; a “Did You Know?” fact; a keyboard (showing the range of the instrument); and an orchestral excerpt performed by the artist during an ensemble performance. Percussion instruments have touch pads to mimic the sounds made by drums. Many of the musicians’ video narratives are endearing (particularly the brass section, notably Katy Wooley’s French Horn video and Alistair Mackie’s on the trumpet), which make the instruments instantly accessible. This section would be also useful for young people trying to determine which instrument to study, for each video explains the working of the instrument and depicts a musician playing it. The snare drum excerpts are wonderful and worth a special mention.

Continuing through the app, users have a choice of orchestral pieces that highlight specific instruments. Claude Debussy’s  Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird are two examples, but the real joy in listening to these pieces comes from the commentaries provided by the musicians and the conductor. There are also opportunities to to listen (with or without full score) to thoughtful conversations amongst orchestral members concerning the expression, technique, and even conducting style while watching the orchestra perform. It is fascinating. When principal flutist Samuel Coles confesses, “I spend whole days practicing flute so that I can forget technique…(in concert)” viewers will gain a new appreciation for the work that goes into creating art.

The text is no less engaging than the audio-visuals. Penned by Mark Swed (chief classic music critic of the L.A. Times), it covers the history of the orchestra, makes suggestions on how to listen to orchestral music and interpret a score. Of special note in the introduction is the mention of El Sistema, the Venezuelan music education program, which has created a moral and social system based on its 125 youth orchestras.

The power of orchestral music is compelling; this app provides unique and rich experiences that can be appreciated by both beginners and professionals.—Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, Newburgh, NY

Eds. note: You’ll hear from the conductor and the musicians on the trailer for this app.

BiblioBoard is a free iPad app providing access to more than 100 curated collections of “licensed, open source and public domain materials” on topics ranging from Punk Rock to The Brothers Grimm. Anthologies on English writers are the most numerous. With the app, readers can dip into any collection, most of which include more than 50 “books, images, and articles written by or about” the subject and sample up to the first seven pages of any title.

The price for each collection ranges from $9.99 to $15.99. Our reviewer, Danielle Farinacci, took a look at three of the newer collections.

As first glance, the BiblioBoard app (BiblioLabs LLC; Free; $9.99 to $15.99 for individual collections; Gr 9 Up) is equal parts inspiring and overwhelming. It offers more than 30 literary anthologies alone, with access to free content within each curation.

The 60-plus volumes in Brontë Sisters: A Historical Collection includes offerings under “Novels,” “Poetry,” “Biographical Works,” “Critical Essays,” and “Images.” It affords a rare glimpse into the sisters’ lives through traditional biographies as well as a series of well-organized letters to and from Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, their fathers, and friends. Readers can also examine portraits of the women, their home, and a reproduction of each sister’s handwritten pen name signature, which are likely to ignite a discussion of a woman’s place in the literary world of the 19th century. It would be difficult to find a more complete anthology of the Brontës’s work in one place with such a small footprint.

John Keats: A Historical Collection presents such telling works as, ”The Life, Letters, and Literary Remains of John Keats,” edited by Richard Monckton Milnes, and ”A Day with Keats,” by his contemporary May Clarissa Gillington Byron, plus romantic gems like Keats’s Letters to Fanny Brawne, written to his fiancée from Rome before the English poet succumbed to tuberculosis at age 25.

Keats’s poems are represented, as is his correspondence. Completing the anthology, which totals more than 70 volumes, are  “Memoirs,” “Critical Essays,” “Souvenirs,” and “Images.” Viewing pages of the original editions of the poet’s work evokes the romanticism these poems warrant, while the color illustrations add a dimension and context not often found in other resources.

“Fragment of a Third Century Copy of Plato’s ‘Republic’” from BiblioBoard’s “Socrates.” (BiblioLabs LLC)

On the topic of Socrates: Father of Western Philosophy, there are a number of biographical and contextual essays, such as “Talks with Athenian Youths,” that offer a glimpse into the philosopher’s daily interactions and the era in which he lived. Scholarly revelations about Socrates’s influence on the writings of Plato, Xenophon, and Aristophanes are also presented. The depth and language of these works makes them most suited for advanced placement or college students, but items such as the Fragment of a Third Century Copy of Plato’s “Republic” provides relevance for any reader.

While some may value these collections as primary source material or as historical artifacts, there is much here for students of literature and philosophy to peruse. They’re sure to find something that speaks to them.—Danielle Farinacci, Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, San Francisco, CA


For additional app reviews visit Touch and Go under blogs and columns at slj.com, and be sure to add us to your RSS feed.

Once again, Touch Press delivers an absorbing, in-depth look at a topic that will dazzle readers and viewers. This app takes viewers on a virtual tour deep inside the tombs and pyramids of Egypt’s Giza Plateau. 

On opening Pyramids 3D: Wonders of the Old Kingdom (Touch Press LLP; $13.99; Gr 6 Up), viewers soar over the Giza Plateau under the bright desert sun while the sounds of birds and the wind are heard in the background. In all, there are nine “Places” to visit at this ancient necropolis, from King Khafre’s Tomb to The Great Pyramid. Tapping on the entrance to a monument will bring viewers inside. Once there, they can take a virtual tour of the pyramid or tomb, methodically following arrows and using the floor plan as a guide, or swiping the floors and walls to move about independently within the labyrinths. The “Expert Intros” for each location, the only audio provided in this app, are informative, yet all too brief.

A menu at the top of each screen provides an alphabetized index of sites to explore and a “Quick tips” menu explains how to navigate within the monuments. Illuminated areas signal statues, wall carvings, and drawings that offer additional information. A tap on a picture label provides a description of the work. Titles, terms, and locales are defined and illustrated with maps. Throughout the app, scenes offer a “Then and Now” feature allowing users to toggle between the clean lines, vibrant colors, and the smooth surfaces that artists imagine these walls and items had millennia ago, and the fading colors and damage wrought by time, and in some cases, vandalism.

‘Statue of a Woman Making Bread’ from ‘Pyramids 3D’ (Touch Press) Photo by Sandro Vannini

An “Objects” option allows viewers to examine a collection of 40 artifacts, each of which can be enlarged and rotated 360 degrees. The clarity of detail is noteworthy. Particularly stunning is the “Golden Mask of Tutankhamun,” which shines as users tip their iPads to fully appreciate the pairing of ancient artistry and modern technology. Other artifacts include statues and statuettes, a gold-handled knife, and a piece of jewelry. For each item, details (size, material, etc.) and notes are provided.

The accompanying text offers an introduction and 10 chapters on topics ranging from “A Brief History of Ancient Egypt” and “The Pyramid Builders” to “The Mystery of the Queen’s Burial” and the 1954 “Discovery of the Solar Boats.” Fascinating details along with a timeline and photos of the site and artifacts are included. A postscript by the author—the noted archeologist Zahi Hawass—discusses recent political developments in Egypt and the plans for the Giza Plateau, its protection, and continued excavation.

Both the spectacular photography by Sandro Vannini and superb 3-D imaging will impress viewers, who will undoubtedly wish the app contained a larger collection of photos and locations to explore. A splendid production.—Deirdre Reddington, Uniondale High School, Uniondale, NY

Picture Book Apps

Emma Loves Pink (by Piret Raud/WingedChariot)

Go Away, Big Green Monster! (by Ed Emberly/Night & Day Studios)

Ladybug Girl (by David Soman and Jacky Davis/Trilogy Touch)

Hildegard Sings  (by Thomas Wharton/One Hundred Robots)

Harold and the Purple Crayon (by Crockett Johnson/Trilogy Studios)

Pat the Bunny (by Dorothy Kunhardt/Random Digital)

Don’t Let the Pigeon Run this App! (by Mo Willems/Smart Planet Digital)

Spot the Dot (by David Carter/Ruckus Mobile Media)

Otter on His Own (by Doe Boyle/Oceanhouse Media)

How Rocket Learned to Read (by Tad Hills/Random House Digital)

Moonbot Studios’ The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, The Numberlys, &
Imag.N.O.Tron

Ruckus Mobile Media’s many stories, folk tales and legends, including Johnny
Appleseed  & The Velveteen Rabbit

Where Do Balloons Go? (by Jamie Lee Curtis/Auryn, Inc.)

The Monster at the End of the Book…Starring Grover! (Sesame Workshop/Callaway
Digital Arts)

The Great Cookie Thief… A Sesame Street App Starring Cookie Monster (Sesame
Workshop/Callaway Digital Arts)

Press Here (by Hervé Tullet/Chronicle Books)

Sunday in Kyoto (Lyrics and Music by Gilles Vigneault/The Secret Mountain)

Moomin, Mymble and Little My (based on the title by Tove Jansson/Spinfy)

Pop Out! The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (by Beatrix Potter/Loud Crow Interactive)

Cinderella: A 3-D Fairy Tale (Illus. by Ed Bryan/Nosy Crow)

Will You Come for a Sleepover? (By Marianne Busser and Ron Schröder/Piccolo)

Tim on the Tiles (Tjibbe Veldkamp/Piccolo)

Boats (Byron Barton/Oceanhouse Media)

The Going to Bed Book (Sandra Boynton/Loud Crow)

Franklin Frog (by Barry Tranter and Emma Tranter/ Nosy Crow’s “Rounds”
series)

Parker Penguin (Nosy Crow’s “Rounds” series)

Goodnight Moon (by Margaret Wise Brown/Loud Crow Interactive)

Fiction & Literature

Frankenstein (by Dave Morris, based on Mary Shelley’s novel/Inkle)

Moby-Dick: A Digital Odyssey (based on Herman Melville’s novel/Arcade)

Treasure Island (abridged ed. of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel/Space Dogs)

T. S. Eliot’s The Wasteland (Touch Press)

Jack Kerouac’s On the Road (Penguin, 1KStudios)

Chopsticks (Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral/Penguin/ Citrus Suite)

Othello other titles from the “Shakesperience” series (Sourcebooks/iBooks)

Shakespeare’s Sonnets (Touch Press/ The Arden Shakespeare/ Faber and Faber Ltd.)

Chasing Fireflies: A Haiku Collection (trans. by Peter Beilenson/Honeybee Labs)

Horrible Hauntings (by Shirin Yim Bridges/Trigger)

Bottom of the Ninth (Ryan Woodward/Ryan Woodward Art & Animation)

Nonfiction & Reference Apps

Bats! Furry Fliers of the Night (by Mary Kay Carson /Bookerella, Story Services Ltd.)

Bobo Explores Light (by Craig Fusco/Game Collage, LLC; Juraj Hlaváč )

My First Classical Music App (by Genevieve Helsby and Jason Chapman/Naxos Digital)

X Is for X-Ray: An A to Z Look inside Everyday Objects (by Paul Rosenthal/Touch Press)

Barefoot World Atlas (by Nick Crane/Touch Press)

Britannica Kids: Ancient Egypt, Knights and Castles, Snakes, etc.

D-Day, Pearl Harbor, Gettysburg, and other titles in the “Great Battles” series (various/Amber)

Weird but True!  (National Geographic Society)

Brooklyn Bridge, The Parthenon, and The Taj Mahal (by Elizabeth Mann/ iBooks)

Annie Fox’s “Middle School Confidential” series (Free Spirit/Electric Eggplant)

“Our Amazing World” series: Antarctica, Penguins, and Owls  (Wayne Lynch/ Matchbook Press)

Beware Madame La Guillotine (by Sarah Towle/Time Traveler Tours, LLC)

Journey into the Deep (by Rebecca Johnson/Lerner)

The Wonders of Geology (by Michael Collier/Mikaya Press)

Al Gore’s Our Choice (by Al Gore/Melcher Media/Push Pop Press)

Fragile Earth (Collins)

Elements (Touch Press)

Journey to the Exoplanets (by Edward Bell, Ron Miller/FSG, Scientific American & Brandwidth)

Solar System (by Marcus Chown/Touch Press)

March of the Dinosaurs (hybrid fic/nonfic; Touch Press LLC, in conjunction with National Geographic &     Wide-Eyed Entertainment)

Gems and Jewels (by Lance Grande & Allison Augustyn/Touch Press)

Pyramids 3D (Touch Press)

Leonardo Da Vinci: Anatomy (by Martin Clayton/Touch Press)

Skulls (by Simon Winchester, Touch Press)

Building Titantic (National Geographic)

DK Human Body (by Steve Parker/Medi-Motion, Dorling Kindersley)

Tate Guide to Modern Art (by Simon Wilson with Jessica Lack and the Tate staff/ Tate Publishing/   Aimer  Media

Mini-Monsters (3D 4 Medical Science)

Fiske Interactive College Guide 2012 (Sourcebooks)

And finally, a few book-inspired game apps

Bunny Fun: Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes (by Rosemary Wells/ Auryn, Inc./Fourth Story Media)

Dr. Seuss Band (Oceanhouse Media)

Elmo Calls (Sesame Workshop)

Where Is My Frog? (by Mercer Mayer/ Sterling Publishing)

Eric Carle’s My Very First App (Philomel/Night & Day Studios)

Counting with the Very Hungry Caterpillar (by Eric Carle/Penguin/Night & Day Studios)

Big Nate Comix by U! (by Lincoln Peirce /Night & Day Studios)

How to Rock Braces and Glasses (by Meg Haston/Hachette/Alloy Entertainment)

High School Bites (by Heather Brewer/Penguin)

With the focus on nonfiction, educators around the country have been asking for direction as they implement the goals of the Common Core initiative. A number of useful guides are available to assist those developing lists of retrospective titles. Librarians and teachers seeking fresh material to enhance their collections can continue to look to Curriculum Connections, and this column, as they move forward.

Each month “Nonfiction Notes” will highlight a few titles publishing that calendar month—books that  have caught our eye and display the hallmarks of quality nonfiction: accuracy, cohesiveness, lively writing, and an interesting approach, along with support materials in the form of informative illustrations, primary resources, author and source notes, and lists of further reading. We’ll be on the lookout particularly for books that offer unique perspectives, ask readers to consider multiple points of view, and generate conversation, as well as titles that will encourage more nonfiction leisure reading. On occasion, a fiction title may slip in—one that offers a perfect complement to a nonfiction study.

Here are some of our favorites publishing this month:

JAN 2013

Bolden, Tonya. Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln and the Dawn of Liberty. (Abrams, 2013; Gr 5-10). This year marks the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. In this beautifully designed volume, Bolden tells the story of the document through the events and the work of individuals-citizens, soldiers, politicians, and abolitionists-that led to its eventual adoption. Reproductions of engravings, maps, paintings, and documents, and black-and-white archival photos, as well as the inclusion of well-chosen detailed captions, quotes, and primary sources enrich the text. Don’t miss the photo of Harriet Tubman in her nineties on page 94. See Vicki Reutter’s article “Whiskers, Dreams, and Grave-Robbing Schemes” in this issue of Curriculum Connections for more information about this and related titles.

Brown, Don. Henry and the Cannons: An Extraordinary True Story of the American Revolution. (Roaring Brook, 2013; Gr 2-5). In 1775, outside of Boston, MA, General George Washington fretted as the British occupied the city. Without cannons his troops had little chance against the crown’s soldiers. In stepped Henry Knox, a Boston Patriot and bookseller, who, despite preferring “a good meal to a good fight” was willing to trek 300 miles to Fort Ticonderoga, NY, to retrieve a cache of weapons captured earlier that year. A remarkable story of an indomitable spirit and an improbable winter journey over icy waterways and snow-covered mountains with 58 cannons in tow. Don Brown’s illustrations add information–and a touch of humor.

Bryant, Jen. A Splash of Red: the Life and Art of Horace Pippin. (Random House, 2013; Gr 2- 5). From an early age, Horace Pippin drew–he drew through his school years, his first jobs, in the trenches of World War I, and later, when he returned to the states, but it wasn’t until he was in his forties that this self-taught artist painted his first canvas. Delightfully detailed mixed-media illustrations by Melissa Sweet, winner of the NCTE 2012 Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children (Balloons over Broadway, HMH) and a Caldecott Honor winner, illustrate the book. Historical and author and illustrator notes, complete the volume. Other recent titles offering ample opportunities for comparison to Splash of Red include Done Tate’s It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw (Lee & Low, 2012) and Chuck Close: Face Book (Abrams, 2012) by the artist. Beyond the images, students will want to discuss the distinct challenges these artists faced as they pursued their art.

Fradin, Judith Bloom & Dennis Brindell Fradin. The Price of Freedom: How One Town Stood Up to Slavery. illus. by Eric Velasquez. (Bloomsbury, 2013; Gr 3-6) In the mid-1800s Oberlin, OH, was a stop on the Underground Railroad and the home of a number of former slaves. This stirring story recounts the rescue of John Price in 1856 from slave hunters by its citizens. Mixed-media paintings, in shadowy deep blues, impart a sense of the danger and clandestine nature inherent in travel along the Underground Railroad. When an Ohio court upheld the legality of the Fugitive Slave Act, the 37 men involved in what came to be known as the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue were jailed. A photo of this remarkable group, as well as author notes, are included.

Halperin, Wendy Anderson. Peace. (S & S, 2013; Gr 2-8 ) What is peace? And how do we have meaningful conversations about it with children? Through a circular text (“For there to be peace in the world…”) and spreads featuring a kaleidoscope of pastel images of children at work, play, school, and home, Halperin explores the concept. Each page incorporates quotes from around the world and through time from Jimi Hendrix’s “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace” to Albert Camus’s “Peace is the only battle worth waging.” Writing extension possibilities abound. Perfect for sharing on International Day of Peace (September 21) or any day.

Stone, Tanya Lee. Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles America’s First Black Paratroopers. (Candlewick, 2013; Gr 6 Up). In this title, Stone, the author of the Robert F. Sibert Medal winner, Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream (2009; both Candlewick), examines the training of and discrimination endured by the African American servicemen chosen under the World War II directive to establish black aviation units. Archival photos and fascinating author notes provide insight into a Stone’s research and what she discovered along the way. You’ll find an interview with the author in this issue of Curriculum Connections.

And don’t miss…Michael J. Rosen’s Sailing the Unknown: Around the World with Captain Cook (Creative Editions, 2012; Gr 2-5). It didn’t take me long to mention a fiction title in this column (and a 2012 one at that), but clearly this picture book is one everyone will want on their shelves when the topic of exploration comes up. The story follows 11-year-old Nicholas Young as he travels with James Cook on the HMS Endeavour. Little is known about the actual boy, who was responsible for caring for the ship’s goat. The text, which takes the form of brief journal entries, charts the ship’s progress and life onboard an 18^th century vessel. Natural discussion prompts include point-of-view, exploration, and historical re-creation. Fluid watercolor scenes by Maria Cristina Pritelli take a birds-eye-view onto busy ports, exotic island locales, and the ship’s deck, and readers will enjoy trying to spot this engaging fellow who sports a red-and-white striped jersey reminiscent of another favorite fictional character.

I’m often asked by teachers for mentor texts. Short prose pieces, picture books, or maybe a memoir that offers students vivid images or parallel construction, or creates a particular mood. It can be tricky to find the perfect offering, so it’s always exciting to come across a title that will satisfy a number of requests across a range of grades and disciplines. Ellen Bryan Obed’s Twelve Kinds of Ice (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012), an ode to childhood and winter, is one of those books. The prose is elegant, the descriptions lush, and sense of joy inescapable.

One sentence describes the first ice of the season: “The first ice came on the sheep pails in the barn—a skim of ice so thin that it broke when we touched it.” The second ice “was thicker. We could pick it out of the pails like panes of glass. We could hold it up in our mittened hands and look through it. Then we would drop it on the hard ground to watch it splinter into a hundred pieces.” “Field Ice,” “Stream Ice,” “Black Ice,” “Garden Ice,” “Late Night Skate,” and other vignettes describe the progress of the ice—its texture, look, and even sound, from late fall to early spring—and the excitement that the advent of ice—and ice skating—represented in the lives of one family, their friends, and their neighbors.

Here’s a description of “Stream Ice.”

“If the nights continued cold, stream ice came quickly after field ice. Dad took us in the car up the road to the stream where we had fished for trout in the spring. We sat down on its hard brown bank to tie up our skates. Then we followed Dad as he followed the stream. Sometimes we’d stop and lie down on our stomachs. We’d put our eyes close to the ice to watch the little fish and slender reeds moving in the cold current of the streambed. Then we’d follow Dad again until the stream smalled to a brook of bent alders. We tried to see how far we could skate between branches, over stones, and around old logs. All afternoon the stream was ours until it was time to take off our skates and walk back to the car. All the way home we talked about…”

The book spans four seasons, ending with “Dream Ice,” “the ice that came in our sleep” that could be skated on during those “hot” nights. Share this gem of a book at storytime, with literacy and science classes, and any opportunity you have.

Twelve Kinds of Ice (Obed)
©2012 by Barbara McClintock

Excerpt from Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed, illus. by Barbara McClintock, reprinted with permission by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Reviews in this column first appeared in SLJ’s column Touch and Go. Please note that later versions of some of these titles may now be available. Visit Touch and Go at slj.com under “Blogs & Columns” for additional reviews, commentary, and interviews with people in the field.–Daryl Grabarek

Atlas by Collins. Harper Collins Publishers. 2012. iOS, requires 5.0 or later. Version 1.0.3. $6.99.
Gr 6 Up–This expansive app contains seven globes: satellite, physical, political, population, environment, communications, and energy. For each thematic section text and illustrations combine to provide an overview of the subject.

“Living Earth” explores the natural world and a variety of landscapes, as well as changes in and threats to the planet, among other topics. “People and Power” considers where energy reserves are located, where energy is produced and consumed, how technology connects the world, and more. These and other subjects are addressed through questions and detailed answers are provided along with captioned photos, charts, and graphs (sources cited).

Viewers swipe to spin the 3-D globes; pinch and pull to zoom in and out. While zooming in the globe will switch to Google Maps with an Internet connection. A location bar at the top of each screen marks the city and country or region displayed. A tap on the information symbol opens a window that reveals country statistics and information on the nation’s land, climate, economy, demographics, and transportation, and a few images. Each entry also includes links to the country’s web site.

Menus below each globe provide readers with additional facts about our planet including birth rates, pollution hotspots, and Internet usage. Color-coded keys and symbols help readers interpret the information. (The app contains no narration or sound effects.)

The satellite globe is the only one that downloads when users purchase the app. The others must be installed individually, and the amount of time required to do so is considerable. While the breadth of information inAtlas is impressive, its tendency to shut down and the substantial amount of storage space required (1.3 GB) may prove problematic for some users.–Cathy Potter, Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth, ME

Franklin Frog. Barry Tranter and Emma Tranter. Nosy Crow Ltd. 2012. iOS, requires 3.1.3 or later. Version 1.0.2. $4.99.
PreS-Gr 2–Hibernation is on the mind of an amphibian in this interactive, animated introduction to the habits and life cycle of a frog. Users meet the mature fellow resting on a lily pad. From there they direct him through his habitat and day as he hops to land, snares a tasty snail and worm, and swims in a pond, carefully avoiding predators. As the seasons change, the frog hibernates (viewers help locate a likely spot), awakens in the spring, and eventually finds a mate. From one of the eggs laid by the female, a frogspawn hatches and the story begins anew. With its simple activities and circular format, this colorful app is bound to keep young children engaged through several frog generations.

Children can read the story independently or listen to a winning child narrator. There are occasional verbal and visual (glowing dots, blinking arrows) prompts. The background music is soothing and the sounds of pond life, realistic. A delightful balance between educational and entertaining.– Amy Shepherd, St. Anne’s Episcopal School, Middletown, DE

Goodnight Moon. Margaret Wise Brown. Loud Crow Interactive. 2012. iOS, requires 4.3 or later. Version 1.1. $4.99; Android, requires 2.3.3 and Up. Version 1.2. $2.99
PreS-K–On the opening screen Brown’s classic title appears against pastel bed covers, a plush stuffed rabbit, and some not-too-subtle advertising for add-on purchases. A tap to the jacket and the book opens as the background becomes a deep-blue sky filled with twinkling stars. A double-page spread of the story covers only half the screen, so images and text are somewhat reduced in size.

The digital version retains the rich palette of Clement Hurd’s original illustrations, and there are loads of enchanting animations, sound effects, and interactive elements: flickering flames in the bedroom fireplace, a cow that jumps over the moon, stars that dissolve on touch, and the opportunity to inscribe the book with child’s name and/or photo. But there are also features and games that may not be intuitive, or of interest to kids: a mouse hunt, a sticker collection (more for purchase), and a spy glass that enlarges only a small portion of an image or the text while obscuring the rest of it.

The narration is evenly paced and soothing, and a gentle piano tune plays throughout (the volume is adjustable). To advance the text, a long swipe is best; a short one may trigger more interactivity, which can frustrate children.

Parents are likely to be turned off by the add-ons (though the pitch can be locked down), but kids who love this story will enjoy viewing it with animation. While the interactivity will engage them, the extras are just that.–Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

With snow blanketing the country there’s not much else to do but pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, grab your iPad, and get ready for a wintery adventure featuring two boys, a whale, and a polar bear or two.

Valentine Parguey and Charly Playe’s Scott’s Polar Trip (Square Igloo, 2012; iOS $2.99; Android $2.99; PreS-Gr 2) finds a young boy traveling in the Arctic Circle via submarine. Through his periscope, the youth glimpses an Inuit child staring over the edge of an ice floe into the water below. Inook has discovered a baby whale trapped in a net and Scott offers to help him rescue it. After this successful mission, the two have several other adventures involving polar bears, wolves, and other creatures of the North.

This entertaining app is easy to navigate. A magnifying glass indicates when there are more images to be discovered, such as a photo of an igloo, a whale, snow goggles, etc., each accompanied by informative nonfiction text. Story illustrations by Matt Roussel are colorful, featuring icy blues, unusual perspectives, and slight animations. Four games related to Inuit culture are embedded into the story; viewers can work on an puzzle of an igloo, play blanket toss, search for murre eggs, and build an Inukshuk.

Screen shot from ‘Scott’s Polar Adventure’ (Square Igloo) Roussel

Two age-level options are available: 3-4 or 5-7, which determine the amount and level of nonfiction text that accompanies the photos. Children can choose to read the story on their own or have it read to them, in one of three languages (English, Spanish, and French). A sprinkling of (defined) Inuit words also appears. Ambient sounds, such as the cry of the whale when the boys are trying to rescue it, add a nice layer to the story, but can be switched off if desired. This is one trip that children are sure to enjoy.-Omar Ramiriz, Northlake Public Library District. Northlake, IL

Eds. note: Scott’s Polar Adventure has a trailer.

Image from ‘Atlas by Collins’

A number of apps address the state of our planet. One of the first produced for students was Al Gore’s award-winning Our Choice (Melcher Media/Push Pop Press; $4.99), featuring stunning photography, informative video clips, and a compelling message about global warming. In 7 Billion: How Your World Will Change (National Geographic; $4.99) thought-provoking photos, videos, charts, and articles examine the impact of population growth on the earth, including commentary on food sources, family size, and the most challenged regions of the world. Fragile Earth, one of SLJ’s Top 10 Apps of 2012, offers a gallery of photos detailing the impact of human endeavors and natural phenomena on the environment. Satellite and land photographs, taken from minutes to years apart, depict the alarming before-and-after effects of mining, deforestation, tsunamis, earthquakes, and other events on our landscape.

The recently released Atlas by Collins takes a look at our planet from a number of perspectives. Cathy Potter reviews it below.

Chart, “Energy Consumption,” from ‘Atlas by Collins’

Gr 6 Up-The expansive Atlas by Collins contains seven globes: satellite, physical, political, population, environment, communications, and energy. For each thematic section text and illustrations combine to provide an overview of the subject.

“Living Earth” explores the natural world and a variety of landscapes, as well as changes in and threats to the planet, among other topics. “People and Power” considers where energy reserves are located, where energy is produced and consumed, how technology connects the world, and more. These and other subjects are addressed through questions (“What are the major environmental threats to our planet and the areas most affected? “What energy reserves does each country contain?” “Where in the world can you get mobile phone coverage?) and detailed answers are provided along with captioned photos, charts, and graphs (sources cited).

Viewers swipe to spin the 3-D globes; pinch and pull to zoom in and out. While zooming in the globe will switch to Google Maps, but an Internet connection is required to take advantage of this feature. A location bar at the top of each screen marks the city and country or region displayed. A tap on the information symbol opens a window that reveals country statistics and information on the nation’s land, climate, economy, demographics, and transportation, and a few images–information that will be useful to student researchers. Each entry also includes links to the country’s web site.

Menus below each globe provide readers with a plethora of information about our planet including birth rates, pollution hotspots, and Internet usage. Color-coded keys and symbols help readers interpret the information presented. (The app contains no narration or sound effects.)

The satellite globe is the only one that downloads when users purchase the app. The others must be installed individually, and the amount of time required to do so is considerable. While the breadth of information in Atlas by Collins is impressive, the download time, tendency to shut down, and substantial amount of storage space required (1.3 GB) may prove problematic for some users.—Cathy Potter, Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth, ME

Eds. note: For a look inside Atlas by Collins take a peek at the trailer.

There’s no doubt about it: app production has skyrocketed. But curiously, a number of children’s book publishers and app developers are now thinking twice about the format. After dipping the proverbial toe in the water, some companies have put app development on hold, while others are exploring their options, trying to determine how to create these costly innovative items and still make a buck. Some organizations, including Random House and Sesame Workshop, have extended their partnerships to include apps, and many more bookshelf apps, such as MeeGenius! and Wanderful, are hosting collections of titles that are grouped by theme, specialization, or publisher. In a word, the world of apps is in flux.

But that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a slew of exceptional products this year, and you’ll find a number of them on our list. As with most year-end lists, this one is subjective, and it includes only apps that have been reviewed in SLJ’s column Touch and Go. You’ll note a front-runner, but those items that follow can stand proudly side-by-side.

 1. Moonbot Studios deserves high praise. Its Oscar-winning team, led by kids’ book creator William Joyce and film director Brandon Oldenburg, was one of the first to create an app, IMAG.N.O.TRON, that features augmented reality—a technology that layers digital images and information onto the real world. How does this cutting-edge app work? Clutching an iPad, simply hold the app over a page of Joyce’s bestseller The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (S & S/Atheneum, 2012), an ode to the joys of reading. As soon as the app recognizes an image, the magic begins: books suddenly start to flutter, fly, and softly recite their lines; characters begin to wink; images are seamlessly transformed from 2-D into 3-D, and a bicyclist appears to glide off the printed page. Moonbot’s signature wit and originality are in evidence here, but with this app, seeing is truly believing.

2. Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral’s young adult novel, CHOPSTICKS (Penguin/Citrus Suite), is a format-bending mystery that’s told through photos, news clippings, and artwork—and the kicky digital version packs some added punch. Will the embedded songs, YouTube videos, animated IMs, sound effects, and a “shuffle” feature that lets viewers choose alternate readings help solve this sophisticated puzzle? The verdict’s still out.

3. With just a touch of the screen, kids can zoom in from outer space and land anywhere on Earth thanks to Nick Crane’s BAREFOOT WORLD ATLAS (Barefoot Books/Touch Press). Then it’s a quick jump to another region, country, landmark, or activity of their choice. Narrated bits, delightful animations, background music, and real-time data inform viewers about the amazing range of traditions, cultures, geographical features, and animals found on our globe. This is one trip kids won’t want to end.

4. Looking for a healthy dose of interactivity? Try Jamie Lee Curtis’s whimsical picture book Where Do Balloons Go? (HarperCollins/Auryn, Inc.), with vibrant illustrations by Laura Cornell. Among the splendid features that await those who tap, tilt, pinch, and swipe their way through this rhyming story are musical interludes, animated vignettes, theater-to-showcase user-created videos, and, oh yes, an opportunity to record your own squeaky, helium-induced voice. With its unique features, this app offers hours of fun.

5. Artists who are grappling with the best way to bring comic books to the tablet can take some tips from Ryan Woodward’s BOTTOM OF THE NINTH (Ryan Woodward Art & Animation). Sepia panels incorporating baseball memorabilia and splashes of color are enhanced with the sights and sounds of America’s favorite pastime as Candy Cunningham takes to the pitcher’s mound to play “New Baseball,” 200 years in the future. With touch-triggered dialogue balloons, piped-in radio commentary, and dazzling animation, this one hits it out of the park.

6. If you’re not yet convinced that Moonbot Studios’ creative team is pure genius, take a look at THE NUMBERLYS, an app inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1927 film Metropolis. In The Numberlys’s grey futuristic world, letters don’t exist—until five roly-poly factory workers sporting puffball hairdos hammer, bend, and forge their way through the alphabet with the help of viewers. As the narrator says, at first the laborers’ efforts were “awful. Then at last… artful.” Indeed.

7. Somewhere beyond this double, double toil and trouble, Shakespeare must be smiling. With extensive notes and commentary, videos of famed actors performing each of the Bard’s 154 sonnets, a facsimile of the 1609 Quarto, and other noteworthy highlights, THE SONNETS BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Touch Press) offers a stunning look at the playwright’s work. Really, who needs a classroom when you can watch and listen to actress Fiona Shaw recite Shakespeare at home?

8. Breathtaking visuals, a concise text, and a narrated tour of some of our nation’s most spectacular natural sites make Michael Collier’s WONDERS OF GEOLOGY (Mikaya Press/Tasa Graphic Arts) a contender for the Eighth Wonder of the World. Close-up views, animated diagrams, and arrows that point to the geographic features under discussion transform basic science concepts into fascinating brain food. Throw in flawless navigation, and this app is a secondary student’s go-to text.

9.Based on a folk song by Gilles Vigneault, SUNDAY IN KYOTO (Les Productions Folle Avoine/The Secret Mountain) tells the story of an ensemble of musicians (who play koto, guitar, piano, shamisen, bouzouki, banjo, and harp) that was organized by one Cajun Joe. Amusing details, subtle animations, a toe-tapping tune, and a few Zen-like moments (including a bronze Buddha that claps and a discreet mouse that emerges for a bow at the performance’s finale) make this performance absolutely irresistible.

10. In FRAGILE EARTH (HarperCollins/Aimer Media), 170 pairs of captioned, before-and-after photos, taken on the ground or by satellite, reveal the often-devastating effects of hurricanes, tsunamis, and other natural phenomena on our vulnerable planet—as well as the harmful consequences of urbanization, mining, and global warming. In one horrifying sequence, 15 minutes separate two black-and-white photos taken before and after a violent dust storm engulfed a Kansas town. These and other images are enlightening, and often, alarming.

Adapting any children’s classic to a new format is tricky. Purists will scream it’s not the original; others will be delighted to discover a new way to enjoy an old favorite, or, when it’s been out-of-print for a while, appreciate the opportunity to have access to the story once again. The good news is, we aren’t being asked to choose between formats.

Dorothy Kunhardt’s Pat the Bunny (Random House Digital) and Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon (Trilogy Studios) are examples digital stories that can stand side-by-side with their print counterparts. Pat the Bunny offers a non-linear version of the tale, with delightful, age-appropriate interactivity built in. No scratchy Daddy’s face to feel here, but children can use their fingers to move a sled, pop bubbles, or paint.

For generations, children have wanted to borrow Harold’s crayon and reproduce his meandering lines on the page; in the app they are actually encouraged to do it. And when this boy sets sail on the ocean, children watch as waves rock his boat and seagulls fly overhead.

Like these digital versions, the Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon can be appreciated as an app. Is it the same as the print? No. Will preschoolers be able to enjoy both? Most likely.

On Goodnight Moon’s (Loud Crow Interactive; PreS-K; $4.99 iOS, $2.99 Android) opening screen, a copy of the book appears against pastel bed covers, a plush stuffed rabbit, and some not-too-subtle advertising for add-on purchases (Goodnight Moon ABC and Goodnight Moon 123). A tap to the jacket and the book opens as the background becomes a deep-blue sky filled with twinkling stars. A double-page spread of the story covers only half the screen, so images and text are somewhat reduced in size.

The digital version retains the rich palette of Clement Hurd’s original illustrations, and there are loads of enchanting animations, sound effects, and interactive elements: flickering flames in the bedroom fireplace, a cow that jumps over the moon, a giggling rabbit, stars that dissolve on touch, and the opportunity to inscribe the book with child’s name and/or photo. But there are also features and games that may not be intuitive, or of interest to kids: a mouse hunt, a sticker collection (more for purchase), and a spy glass that enlarges only a small portion of an image or text while obscuring the rest of it.

The narration is evenly paced and soothing, and a gentle piano tune plays throughout (the volume is adjustable). To advance the text, a long swipe is best; a short one may trigger more interactivity, which can frustrate children.

Parents are likely to be turned off by the add-ons (though the pitch can be locked down), but kids who love this story will enjoy seeing it on the screen with animation. While the interactivity will engage them, the extras are just that.—Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

The next app is classic Don Freeman.

In Don Freeman’s 1973 picture book, Flash the Dash (Children’s Press), readers meet a lazy dachshund and his partner, Sashay. At first, it’s Sashay who does odd jobs about town to keep them in treats and liverwurst, but eventually she convinces her reluctant mate to do his share. Flash finds a job as a telegram delivery dog, “gets his wiggle on,” and enjoys his work (and smart-looking cap). Due to his speed, he earns his nickname.

However, as the seasons change and spring arrives, the dachshund begins to ignore his duties and is soon found napping in fields and under trees. During one sleepy detour, a telegram floats away. A woman discovers it, notes it is addressed to Flash, and reads it to him. When Flash learns Sashay has had puppies, he gets “the message.”

In the app version (Auryn, Inc. $3.99; PreS–Gr 2) children can read the story or listen to the mellow narration. “Auto Play” allows for a hands-off experience as the text is read karaoke-style (each word is highlighted in red as it’s spoken), with automatic page turns. Children can also choose to customize the narration by recording their own version of the story. Items on the page such as tree and sidewalk are named when tapped in all operating modes.

Freeman’s original gold-toned illustrations are bright, clear, and appealing. This out-of-print picture book will be enjoyed by a new generation in digital. A free, “lite” version is available to sample.—Morgan Doane, Kent District Library, East Grand Rapids, MI

A view of the “NYC skyline” in Las Vegas, NV, the site of 2012 NCTE Convention

Amid the sparkle of bling and sounds of cha-ching, visitors to Las Vegas, NV, last week caught sight of thousands of educators from around the country wending their way through Metro Golden Mayer Grand complex toward its conference center for the 102nd annual National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) convention November 15-18.

While some (including author Sherman Alexie) confessed to playing “spot the English teacher,” and others admitted to (briefly) straying from the well-marked paths to try their hand with Lady Luck, most attendees stayed on track to reach the 700-plus sessions, Tech-on-the-Go tips and demonstrations, a floor show hosting 160 exhibitors, and hourly author signings.

Robust programming addressed a wide range of topics including the Common Core, technology, reading and writing, diversity, and notable books.

Among the many highlights was a packed presentation led by Orbis Pictus Award winner Melissa Sweet, and honorees Candace Fleming, Monica Brown, and Julie Paschkis. Attendees flocked to hear authors Libba Bray, Rita Williams-Garcia, James Deem, and Sharon Flake, and shared meals while they listened to speakers Jonathan Kozol, Scott Westerfeld, Blue Balliett,  David Shannon, and Jon Scieszka, among others. Sam Houston State University’s Teri Lesesne chaired a conversation on “Inspiring Readers with the Newest Young Adult Literature Winners.”

The Common Core State Standards was central to several panels, including one led by educators Lucy Calkins, Mary Ehrenworth, and Chris Lehman, co-authors of  Pathways to the Common Core (Heinemann, 2012) and faculty at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University. These and other speakers addressed issues from teaching the skills that align with the standards and integrating them into the classroom, to identifying classic and contemporary literature that will support students as they identify universal themes.

Sessions on apps, Twitter in the classroom, and e-reading, and “Reports from Cyberspace” also drew interest. In one interactive program, facilitators demonstrated how to incorporate technology in each stage of the writing process, while in another, presenters discussed shifting lessons to podcasts and video, among other approaches to the “Flipped Classroom.”

Closing the conference were full-day workshops addressing writing instruction, arts, literacy, civic engagement, “Books That Make a Difference: Kids Taking Action for Social Justice,” and NCTE’s Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN) two-day gathering.

This year, the ALAN workshop focused on “Reaching Them All” and delivered with panels and break-out sessions discussing humor, LGBTQ literature, children of the world, war, graphic novels, sci-fi, and romance.

Throughout, authors provided insight into their work. Considering his novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (S & S, 2012), Benjamin Alire Sáenz commented that having come to terms with his sexuality at age 54, “I think these characters have been living inside me for years.”

Poet Lesléa Newman spoke about October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard (Candlewick, 2012), a novel in verse about the 1998 murder of that University of Wyoming student. Donna Cooner, author of Skinny (Scholastic, 2012), discussed her own gastric-bypass surgery. Gabrielle Zevin (All These Things I’ve Done, FSG, 2011) suggested “it’s almost irresponsible not to have a message. I want my characters to be strong, but ‘strong’ has lots of meanings.”

Eric Walters (When Elephants Fight, with Adrian Bradbury, Orca, 2008), Deborah Ellis (My Name is Parvana, Groundwood Books, 2012), and Patricia McCormick (Never Fall Down, HarperCollins, 2012) commented on their imperative to provide contemporary readers with an understanding of life in other countries, particularly the lives of children in war-torn regions.

Conference materials, handouts, and more information about the event can be found on the NCTE Convention website.

Interior of ‘Ladybug at Orchard Avenue’ (Oceanhouse) Buchs

With a clear, informative text and colorful illustrations, Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld’s Ladybug at Orchard Avenue (Oceanhouse Media/Soundprints; $2.99; PreS-Gr 2) explores the dangers a beetle encounters foraging for food as winter approaches: “The bristly jaws of an ant gape over Ladybug’s head like a giant pair of pliers.” The descriptive text notes the protective body parts and defensive mechanisms that the creature has at its disposal, from rigid forewings to malodorous secretions that ooze from its leg-joints. A final section provides information about ladybug development and hibernation.

Throughout, sounds of crickets, birds, and flapping wings can be heard. There’s no animation, but the story progresses smoothly as panning and zooming effectively focus viewers’ attention on the action.

The clear illustrations by Thomas Buchs offer great text support for new readers. In addition, in the “Read to Me” and “Autoplay” modes, words are highlighted along with the narration. In the “Read it Myself” option, children can tap a word to hear it read aloud. When a particular image is touched, a label zooms to the forefront of the screen and the word is spoken. In some cases, the specific animal parts named in the story, such as the ant’s jaws, are identified as such, but too often it’s generic term— and a missed opportunity to deliver the information that kids deserve in an informational text.—Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books

Hibernation is also on the mind of one Franklin Frog  (Nosy Crow, PreS-Gr 2; $4.99) in Barry and Emma Tranter’s interactive, animated introduction to the habits and life cycle of this amphibian. Users meet the mature fellow resting on a lily pad. From there they direct him through his habitat and day as he hops to land, snares a tasty snail and worm, and swims in a pond, carefully avoiding predators. As time passes and seasons change, the frog hibernates (viewers help locate a likely spot), awakens in the spring, and eventually finds a mate. From one of the eggs laid by the female, a frogspawn hatches and the story begins anew—now focused on the tadpole. With its simple activities and circular format, this colorful app is bound to keep young children engaged through several frog generations.

Children can read the story independently or listen to a winning child narrator. There are occasional verbal and visual (glowing dots, blinking arrows) prompts. The background music is soothing and the sounds of pond life, realistic. Franklin Frog strikes a delightful balance between educational and entertaining.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne’s Episcopal School, Middletown, DE

After discovering a bone in the sand a young girl ponders what life might have been life for a pterosaur in Claire Ewart’s Fossil (Auracle, $2.99; PreS-Gr 2) Rich, watercolor illustrations add to the informative rhyming text that traces the creature’s millennium-long path from flight to fossilization.

Along with the clear narration, children can tap scenery and animals to listen to labels and learn a few words not found in the text. Readers have the added option of personalizing the book by scripting their own story or recording their own audio. The original text can be reset at any time.

An added feature is a bibliography that can be accessed from the home screen. To note: the most recent date on any listing is 2002, while most hover around 1989. Appended to the poem is an article on fossil evidence and theories about prehistoric life. Young dino fans and those looking for an introduction to fossils won’t be disappointed.—Wayne R. Cherry, Jr., First Baptist Academy, Houston, TX

Just say the word “forensics” to a group of students, and you’re bound to get a reaction. The popularity of TV shows such as CSI has already brought kids into the library looking for books on the topic, and two new titles are sure to bring them back. The books point to the tantalizing clues left by ancient remains, and the painstaking work of geologists, archeologists, and physical and cultural anthropologists, as they search for and consider evidence, draw conclusions, and re-examine theories in light of new information and technologies. All valuable lessons for students.

Sally M. Walker and Douglas W. Owsley’s Their Skeletons Speak: Kennewick Man and the Paleoamerican World (Carolrhoda, August, 2012; Gr 6 Up) considers the story of the 9,000-year-old remains, discovered in 1996 by two young men along the banks of the Columbia River in Kennewick, WA. The find was startling in several respects, including the number and age of the bones and bone fragments uncovered. In telling Kennewick Man’s story, the authors weave in accounts of other remarkable Paleoamerican finds and the information they have yielded about the life and culture of early North American inhabitants.

How scientists build theories based on evidence gleaned from hours of close examination, testing, and retesting, allowing that sometimes the smallest clue can present important results, is a focus of the book. At various points, the authors point out how the same evidence led different scientists to different conclusions. Consider with your students the attention devoted to the discovery of a spearpoint embedded into Kennewick Man’s ilium. At what angle did the the stone point enter his body and what did this indicate? Did the injury impact the way Kennewick Man walked? Had this injury healed at the time of his death?  What were some of the theories developed in response to those questions, and how did scientists arrive at them? What further research was conducted to test those theories?

These were just some of the questions and avenues the authors explore as they present information on how theories—and research—evolve in light of debate. Ask your students to cite other, similar examples in the book. They can begin by considering what information was provided by technology that existed in 1996 when Kennewick Man was found, and what scientists learned in 2004 using newer technology.

Walker has stated that her research tools included “primary sources and ancient bones.” What other resources did the authors use? What resources do your students use as researchers? Are there others they might consider? Owsley has commented that “the sky is the limit” when it comes to the information gleaned from human remains. Have students list what they learned about Paleoamerican culture in general, and Kennewick Man specifically, from the book. What is there still to learn?

Early on, the authors discuss the importance of cultural sensitivity. Under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a Native American tribe claimed the skeletal remains of Kennewick Man, requesting to rebury them according to their traditions. Government scientists there contested the claim in court. Ultimately the judge assigned to the case decided that the evidence presented “had not led him to conclude that Kennewick Man was affiliated with a modern tribe.”

This issue of cultural sensitivity is also addressed in James M. Deem’s Faces from the Past: Forgotten People of North America (Houghton Mifflin, November 2012; Gr 7 Up). In Faces, Deem, the author of many books, including the 2009 Sibert Honor title, Bodies from the Ice (Houghton Mifflin, 2008 Gr 5-8), covers the fate of often-unknown individuals and the repatriation efforts to honor them.

Deem’s account takes readers from Spirit Cave outside of Fallon, NV, and a 17th-century French ship found at the bottom of Matagorda Bay on the Gulf coast of Texas, to a Colonial burial ground in Albany, NY, and the site of the Battle of San Jacinto near Houston, TX. As the subtitle notes, the author set out to explore the lives of the “forgotten,” often “nameless,” people of our past; a Paleoamerican man, a sailor on Le Salle’s last expedition, enslaved workers at an upstate New York farm, and massacred Mexican soldiers left unburied during the Texas War for Independence.

In detailing these discoveries, Deem discusses what their remains have taught us about these individuals: their physical appearance, the foods they ate, their labors, and the causes of their deaths, when known. He includes primary source materials—letters, family and city records, and early maps and reproductions—to reconstruct their daily lives and their histories. He documents how researchers poring over old newspapers in were able to determine that a particular Wyoming location was the likely burial site of six Chinese workers killed in a mine blast in 1881. Sidebars provide additional, related information on such topics as The Texas War of Independence, The Chinese Exclusion Act, artifacts, NAGPRA cases, and more.

The author also describes radiocarbon dating and surveys the history of facial reconstruction from late 19th-century to modern techniques, with notes on the work of anatomists and sculptors and the challenges their assignments present. He illustrates the latter with fascinating step-by-step photographs.

Encourage your students to seek other titles on these topics. Be sure to recommend Katherine Kirkpatrick’s The Mysterious Bones: The Story of Kennewick Man, (Holiday House, 2011; Gr 5 Up). How does this title differ in focus and approach from the two discussed here? In illustrations and resource lists? For other titles on the work of scientists—including Marc Aronson and Lee Berger’s The Skull in the Rock (National Geographic, 2012), which covers recent finds in South Africa—read Kathy Piehl’s “A Lifetime of Study,” and “A Universe to Discover.”

How better to convince young adults that need coaxing to read nonfiction than with stories of thrilling discoveries and ongoing investigations? These new titles by seasoned writers explore the world of forensic science with stunning results, offering insight into the lives of early North Americans, the work of scientists, and the research process.

The Common Core State Standards below are a sampling of those referenced in above books and classroom suggestions.

W.5.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection, and research.
RI.6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually quantitatively)…to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
R1.6.9 Compare and contrast one author’s presentation of events with that of another
SL 6.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions…Come to discussions prepared having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to prove and reflect on ideas under discussion….
SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats…and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.
RI.7.1. Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RI.7.2. Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
RI.7.3-12. Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text.
RI 7.3-12 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. Develop factual, interpretive, and evaluative questions for further exploration of the topic(s).
RI 7.3-12 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
RI 7.3-12 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
RI 7.3-12 Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
RI 7.3-12 Analyze a complex set of ideas or sequence of events and explain how specific individuals, ideas, or events interact and develop over the course of the text.

Related TeachingBooks.net resources »»»

Reviews in this column first appeared in SLJ’s column Touch and Go. After each review, you’ll find the date it appeared online. Online, there are links to related resources, a trailer (if one exists), and a link to purchase information. Please note that later versions of some of these titles may now be available. Visit Touch and Go at slj.com under “Blogs & Columns” for additional reviews, commentary, and interviews with people in the field.

Othello: The Shakesperience. William Shakespeare. Sourcebooks, Inc. iBooks. iOS, requires 5.0 or later. 2012. $5.99.
Gr 9 Up–Let’s face it. Who hasn’t struggled with Shakespeare? Sourcebooks’ “Shakesperience” iBooks, which build on their earlier print plus CD series, are designed to remedy this problem by helping readers connect with the playwright’s texts more easily and more deeply. Othello catapults users from a colorful book cover image directly into act 1, scene 1 on a screen designed to look like the double-page spread of an open book. Indexes and navigation icons are hidden until the top of the screen is touched.

The text drives the iPad experience: behind words and phrases highlighted in blue are explanatory notes, and by the second page turn users will discover audio scene introductions by the renowned Shakespearian actor Sir Derek Jacobi, and short, read-along audio recordings by notable stage and film actors. Comparative audio renditions of actors performing carefully selected classic lines (Paul Robeson, John Kani, and Hugh Quarshie as Othello and Emma Fielding and Uta Hagen as Desdemona, etc.), bonus archival recordings by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Edwin Booth, and video clips from live performances will enhance viewers’ engagement with the play.

Additional layers of information include galleries of captioned black-and-white and full-color stage photographs; costume and set renderings; production notes; authoritative articles providing historical context; and interviews with actors, directors, and a voice coach. Tools for note-taking, highlighting, and bookmarking are available, as are embedded definitions and a searchable glossary of more than 1400 terms. A table of contents aids access. For teachers and students, as well as all of those who missed the brilliance of Shakespeare the first time around, The Shakesperience: Othello, is a dream come true.–Kathleen Wilson, New York University, NY, NY (10/11/12)

The Sonnets by William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare. Touch Press/Illuminations/The Arden Shakespeare/ Faber and Faber Ltd; 2012; iOS, requires 5.0 or later. $13.99.
Gr 11 Up–In an app that will appeal to even the most reluctant of students, Touch Press has assembled a brilliant team of scholars and actors to produce the equivalent of a course in Shakespeare’s sonnets. Each of the 154 selections begins with a video recording of an actor’s recitation of the work (delivered by Stephen Fry, Patrick Stewart, Fiona Shaw, or another noted performer). As the verse is presented, users can choose to view the performance full-screen, or read the verses as the corresponding text is highlighted. Additional notes analyze individual lines.

Don Paterson provides commentary for each sonnet, and contributes to the fascinating section titled, “Perspectives.” Here students will gain a better understanding of Shakespeare’s contribution to the form, discover speculative theory about his sexuality, and learn the origins of original pronunciation.

Cicely Berry shares thoughts on how academics have “stolen the sound of Shakespeare from us” in that people feel they “must” study him to appreciate his language. Author Katherine Duncan-Jones considers the use of the sonnet to explore private emotions without puns. There are also a few discussions about the true authorship of the verses.

Every “Perspectives” entry is composed of text and a corresponding video. These unpretentious, you-are-there conversations allow users to connect to the sonnet as a form, and illuminate the meaning and intent of the works. Shakespeare’s narrative poem, “A Lover’s Complaint” is also given attention. The app includes a text-only category of notes from The Arden Shakespeare offering information on context and illusion and the reception and criticism of the selections, but that section and the facsimile of the 1609 edition of the Sonnets pale in comparison to the video-rich resources.

Large buttons on the home page link each section, and the sonnets can be accessed by actor or number. Students and teachers will want to watch the videos multiple times, in English classes, as well as theater class for its acting suggestions. An essential purchase for upper-level literature classes and anyone interested in Shakespeare performance.–Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, Newburgh, NY (10/11/12)

The nationally-known principal also addresses the “elephant in the room” topic of why his school doesn’t have a librarian.

Just follow a high school student around for a day, says Chris Lehmann, founding principal of Philadelphia’s Science Leadership Academy (SLA), and you’ll see why most teens think “School stinks.” Lehmann, who delivered the October 27 keynote at School Library Journal’s 2012 Leadership Summit, isn’t surprised by these negative sentiments. He believes that outdated educational practices and decisions based on “reductive learning measurements,” or “cheap data,” are a failure of imagination and aren’t creating schools that engage learners.

The innovative educator rejects what he sees as an outdated “19th-century factory model” of school operations in favor of a new “citizenry model.” Lehmann challenged attendees to consider the number of times they’ve heard the mantra that teachers must strive to educate 21st-century workers. “Compliant workers aren’t going to solve the problems of the future; we need to educate people who can think, question, challenge, and solve,” he says.

So what makes SLA different, and what does the “citizenry model” look like?  It’s all about the student. “We learn best when it matters to us,” remarked Lehmann, who insists education must be student- and inquiry-driven, community-based, collaborative, and passionate. “High school is real life, not preparation for real life,” and students should be learning and exploring in ways that makes sense to them. “If we train kids to be workers, that’s what we’ll get. If we train them to be citizens, we’ll get workers and husbands and wives, parents and citizens.” Our purpose, he believes, should be to teach students “how to learn…how to live…to be better than they are today.”

Lehmann insists that kids need adults, so SLA teachers typically assume a mentor role, which means encouraging students to pursue what interests them. In lieu of report cards and benchmark tests, students create “artifacts of their learning.” The results? Engaging, personal projects that teachers could never have dreamed up or designed.

The educator worries that while “schools belong to our democratic tradition,” “public education is less valued now” than at any other moment in the past century. “The money we spend on kids is totally dependent on their parents’ incomes,” he stated, noting that [the urban] SLA receives approximately $6,000 per student compared to a nearby suburban community, which spends $22,000 per capita. Citing Philadelphia’s recent billion-dollar budget cut (from an initial budget of3.3 billion), Lehmann commented, “you don’t get there without a pretty high body count.”  SLA has no librarian, and students learn languages via a Rosetta Stone program.

His parting advice for the audience? “Reclaim schools from those who consider us managers.” “Unlearn to learn.” “Dream Bigger.” “Breakdown barriers.” “Include all stakeholders.” “Have fun.” And finally: “Be humbled by our task: we teach kids.”

As to the “elephant in the room,” Lehmann talks about the lack of a librarian at SLA at the beginning of his talk:

SLJ Summit 2012: Chris Lehmann keynote from School Library Journal on Vimeo.