Book 1: Classic Picture Book
Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag
Bibliography:
Gág, W. (1977). Millions of cats. New York: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan.
Summary:
A lonely old couple decides they want a cat. So the man goes off to find one and he comes upon a hill covered with cats. The man picks one but then keeps coming across others that he also wants. He ends up taking them all. When they all get home the woman says they cannot afford to keep them all. They leave it up to the cats to decide which one they keep. She asks the cats which is the prettiest of them all. The cats begin to fight and eventually eat each other up. Only one little kitten is left hiding. He survived because he did not think he was pretty so none of the other cats bothered with him. After caring for the cat the couple agreed that it was the prettiest cat of all.
My Impression:
The pictures in this book were simple and black and white but they conveyed the story well. I enjoyed reading about the journey the old man went on with all the cats. The ending was definitely unexpected. I'm still wondering if the cats really ate each other. It was a good story, that flowed when I read it. If there is a lesson in there I guess it falls along the lines that being humble keeps you from being eaten. Reading this book to children will give them a story they will enjoy and excitedly tell everyone about the unbelievable outcome of the old couple and their millions of cats.
Reviews
“A memorable work of art, elegantly executed in pen and
ink, this Newbery Honor Book tells the tale of an old couple in search of just
the right pet, who witness what may be the biggest cat fight in literary
history, with an ending that still touches the hearts of readers and listeners.”
– Booklist/Book Links
"I first read Millions of Cats when I was eight years old and thought I'd never seen a book so strange and so beautiful. I still marvel at the expressive black-and-white line drawings, the inventive compositions, and the millions and billions b and trillions of cats. The story is both hilarious and unexpected. Reading Millions of Cats for the first time made me realize that there are people out there like me. I thought, maybe I can make a picture book, too."
Reimagining favorites. (2005). Publishers Weekly 252(28), 87.
Use in Library Setting:
Read the book to begin a lesson on pet ownership. Discuss why the old woman said they could not keep all the cats. Have the students list the responsibilities of owning a pet.
Students read this book to explore the idea of the number one million. To envision the idea of one million students come up with a situation that could be equal to one million, like the hairs on a dog. Then students would give a reasonable explanation on how long it would take to count to one million.
Book 2: Classic Chapter Book
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
Estes, E., & Slobodkin, L. (1944). The hundred dresses. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company.
Summary:
The story starts off when Wanda a young girl is absent from school. After a few days students start to notice her absence. Wanda lived in “bad” part of town, had a foreign name, and was poor so the students liked to have "fun" with her. Due to her poverty Wanda wore the same ill-fitting dress everyday. One day when admiring another classmates dress she makes the comment that she has 100 dresses lined up in her closet. So the other girls would ask her how many dresses she had she would say 100 beautiful types and colors. The girls would all laugh because they could not imagine this girl could possibly have that many dresses. Peggy didn’t think it was mean she considered it just a game but Maddie who was also poor was starting to find it bothersome. Maddie wanted to stand up to Peggy, her best friend, but then she was afraid the girls would turn on her. When the school holds a contest for the best design of a dress Wanda submits her 100 drawings which fill the class with beauty. She wins the contest but is not there to receive her medal. Wanda’s father writes a letter to the school explaining that his son and daughter will not be coming to school anymore because they are moving to the big city which will be more accepting of them. Peggy and Maddie feel bad and go to see Wanda but she has already gone. Maddie felt so bad she decided she was never going to stand by and say nothing again. They end up writing Wanda a letter which she replies to and gives the girls each one of her drawings. The drawings resemble each girl which makes them feel better because it shows that Peggy always liked them even though they were mean.
My Impression:
This lesson in this book feels like it was written for this time with bullying being such a big issue in schools. The book never out right says the word bulling but the way it uses "fun" it is clear that bullying is happening. Peggy and Maddie learn that even though they may not be physically abusing Wanda they did case her pain with their ridicule.
Reviews:
“This long-standing favorite tells the story of Wanda, a
Polish immigrant, who is teased by her classmates for her differences and her
claim that she owns a hundred dresses. Estes’ skill with language shines in
this tale as she uses just the right word or phrase to vividly catch the
emotion and the moment, but still keeps the test natural sounding and
accessible. The story serves as a classic example of outstanding use of
language in transitional literature.” – Book Links (Gr. 3 - 5)
Liang, L. (2006). The Hundred Dresses. Book Links,
15(3), 51.
“Wanda Petronski is the target of Peggy's game of teasing and name-calling because her name is "funny," she comes to school with mud on her shoes, and she wears the same dress every day. Maddie says nothing to stop the teasing and realizes too late that she is also to blame. "She had stood by silently, and that was just as bad as what Peggy had done." A reissued classic with sensitive, evocative illustrations.” – School Library Journal (Gr. 3 - 5)
Jennifer, & Ralston. (2005). The Hundred Dresses. School Library Journal, 51(5), 50.
Use in Classroom Setting:
Student listen the Hundred Dresses about a young polish immigrant. Afterwards students research the origin of their family. In the end the student presents their findings.
Students can also use this book to research the research the migration of a people from a certain location and the reasoning behind their choice to leave their home.
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