Strong Storytelling Can Tally Up Math Skills

Here is some very interesting research out of the University of Waterloo in Canada. Yet another reason why kids need to be exposed to books at a young age. I will see if I can find more of the research about the effects of storytelling at a young age.

I should have some more book reviews up in just a few days.

The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian

This book completely sucked me in, unlike any book that I have read in a long time. Yes, at points it seemed very far-fetched. But even with it being far-fetched you wanted it to be real. Janet Tashjian drew me in with her characters that I truly wanted to know more about. Larry is so fantastically idealistic and flawed at the same time that one can't help but love him. He is idealistic in only a way that a teen can be.

This is how good the book was...I started reading the Gospel According to Larry on Friday night and by Sunday morning I had finished it, and its sequel Vote for Larry. It has been quite a while since I've consumed books like this.

Larry struggles to fit in with our materialistic and media driven society. Larry turns the tables and opens the eyes, but eventually has to suffer for his bucking of the system.

It is probably most appropriate for those 13 and older to get a full grasp on some of the concepts. This is definitely a book that will raise consciousnesss and discussions. I can't wait to see the next book in the trilogy.

Definitely check out "Larry's" website to find out more.

My Pig Amarillo by Satomi Ichikawa

My review won't be that objective for that book. I loved this story of Pablito and his pet pig, Amarillo because it took place in the tiny Guatemalan village of Todos Santos. Todos Santos is a place I was lucky enough to visit during the Spring of 2000.

Ichikawa's illustrations are absolutely stunning....even though she does not mention the village by name I knew it immediately by her colorful drawings of people, buildings, and geography.

Her story is cute and touching. It is about Pablito, a young boy who raises and evenutally loses his pet pig. Pablito is filled with the same sadness as anyone who has lost a pet feels. His grandfather helps him come to grips with his loss by practicing the ancient custom of sending a message to the deceased on All Saints Day (Todos Santos in Spanish). Pablito then constructs a kite to send his message. Pablito then recieves a message back in the form of a large cloud formation that looks just like Pablito.

This is a good book for examining how different cultures deal with loss. There is an introduction to a few Spanish words (my one complaint about the book, because it takes part in a portion of Guatemala where Spanish is not the principal language). Many of Ichikawa's books deal with places she has visited and I can't wait to explore more of her books.

I recommend this book strongly for those 6 and over.

The Island-Below-The-Star by James Rumford

This is another story by James Rumford (also writer and illustrator of Dog-Of-The-Sea-Waves) that tells of the ancient Polynesians discovering the Hawaiian islands. In this particular story he tells the story of five brothers, each with different skills and interests, but all sharing a love of adventure. The four older brothers decide to follow a bright star to a far away island. They decide to leave behind their youngest brother, Manu the lover of birds, because he is too young and the trip will be too dangerous.

Manu sneaks on board their canoe and goes along for the voyage. The five boys eventually are caught in a large storm and lose their way. Manu saves the day when he spots a far off land-bound bird and uses it to lead his brothers to the island.

Rumford includes a one-page history and discussion of the ancient Polynesian explorers to provide some of the facts behind the story.

This is wonderful story filled with gorgeous watercolor illustrations. The story is an excellent introduction to Polynesian culture. It is also a good adventure story that illustrates how each of us have a special purpose.

Recommended for children 6 and older.