VANESSA RODRIGUEZ
EMERGENT PICTURE BOOKS
TEDDY BEAR COUNTING
In this book, toddlers are able to count along in rhyme. It's not just a counting book, it also teaches toddlers colors, shapes, and counting by sets as the bears dance, jump, and play. At the end, the bears rush out in groups as the readers count down to zero. This book uses pictures and colors to engage the readers attention.
Barbieri (2010). Teddy Bear Counting. Charlesbridge.
DR. SEUSS'S ABC
In this book, Seuss uses different characters to give examples of each letter in the alphabet. Throughout the book, readers are able to follow along or come up with their own examples fo reach letter. Seuss included vibrant colors and pictures to gain the attention of the audience.
Seuss (1991). Dr. Seuss's ABC. Randomhouse.
TEN BLACK DOTS
This counting book uses different objects for readers to count along. It gives examples of ten black dots in the sun, two for a fox's eyes or eight for the wheels of a train. Using the black dots helps make it easier for readers to count along.
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Crews (1968). Ten Black Dots. Greenwillow Books.
MY PROJECTS
What I’ve Done
To provide a tangible showcase of my work, I’ve included a portfolio of my most recent projects. Take a moment to explore below, and reach out if you’re interested in learning more about what I have to offer.
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WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
By: Maurice Sendak
One night Max, the protagonist, puts on his wolf suit and makes mischief of one kind and another, so his mother calls him 'Wild Thing' and sends him to bed without his supper. That night a forest begins to grow in Max's room and an ocean rushes by with a boat to take Max to the place where the wild things are. Max tames the wild things and crowns himself as their king, and then the wild rumpus begins. But when Max has sent the monsters to bed, and everything is quiet, he starts to feel lonely and realises it is time to sail home to the place where someone loves him best of all.
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Goodreads. Where the Wild Things Are. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19543.Where_the_Wild_Things_Are
THE SNOWY DAY
By: Ezra Jack Keats
The Snowy Day is a book that has become a big favorite and an unforgettable book. It has a wonderful story that can be told to children that they can easily relate to and love. But aside from a wonderful story, it has amazing illustrations to help tell it. The simple use of pastel and watercolors create a great and enjoyable image of all the fun activities children can do in snow. All the little things that make winter fun are witnessed through an easy, innocent story told through text and illustrations. For example, in the story Keats tells the reader about the way Peter walks in the snow and the way his feet leave footprints; and along with this text is an illustration of what Peter's footprints look like. Other examples that show how well the text and illustrations go together in this story are when Peter is makes a snowman, a snowangel, climbs up a mountain of snow and then slides down it; each activity is shown and easily distinguished in the illustrations Although the colors are very light and simple, they still work very well in the illustrations and are used in a creative way. The joy of winter, snow, and all the fun that comes with it were portrayed very well in Keats book through the illustrations easily earning it the Caldecott Medal.
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Tangarife, T. The Snowy Day. Retrieved from https://elementaryliterature.wikispaces.com/The+Snowy+Day
FANTASY LITERACY ANALYSIS
THE GIRLÂ WHO DRANK THE MOON
By: Kelly Barnhill
This book is written in the past tense and is narrated in a third-person narrator. Chapters are related in the first-person in monologue form as an unnamed narrator tells her child stories about the Witch. The story takes place in a world filled with magic, and it shows readers how witches, dragons, swamp monsters, and townspeople can either separate themselves and suffer or work together and thrive. Barnhill’s 48 chapters in the novel take readers to different places in the world where the story takes place. It is a fun and detailed book.
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Goodreads. The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28110852-the-girl-who-drank-the-moon
TRADITIONAL LITERATURE
POCAHONTAS
In this classic Disney story, the story ties the Native American culture with colonists to tell how both cultures were able to work together. This book shows the two cultures coming together.
CINDERELLA
This classic Disney book shows the point of view of Cinderella and how mistreated she gets treated by her step mother and step sisters. Although she gets mistreated at home, she is granted a magical night by her fairy god mother. This book shows the perspective of Cinderella.
MULAN
In this classic Disney story, Mulan breaks her cultural tradition of being a lady to taking her fathers place in the army. She disguises herself as a soldier to help China.
CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION BOOKS
BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE
Author: Kate DiCamillo
The major themes in the book are friendship, family, tolerance, and the value of letting people make their own first impressions. Because of Winn-Dixie is light on a plot, but this does not sacrifice the quality of the book. It focuses on the characters in the town, and Opal’s epiphanies as she gains understanding. The book is aimed for children from third grade and up. The questions it asks are perfectly timed for their development. What does it take to make friends, and to be a friend? What does it mean if a dog is better at making friends than some people are? What is the potential cost of mocking someone, or being mocked? What is the cost of abandonment? How should children first be exposed to weight subjects such as grief, death, alcoholism, and abandonment? Is it ever wrong to forgive? This book is overall appropriate, full of information, and lessons for the aimed age group.
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Shmoop. Because of Winn-Dixie. Retrieved from https://www.shmoop.com/because-of-winn-dixie/literary-devices.html
A TRUE HOME
Author: Kallie george
This chapter book allows readers to understand that in the most misfortunate situations, there is good to come of it. In the story, Mona the Mouse is homeless and stumbles across an open door filled with characters who are willing to give her a helping hand. The book enters a world where animals are highly anthropomorphized, but still inhabited a world with all the natural dangers of the forest. This book is appropriate for grades third through fifth.
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Goodreads. A True Home. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32793043-a-true-home
BIO/AUTOBIOGRAPHIES
MARTIN'S BIG WORDS: THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING
Author: Doreen rappaport
This is a great book for young kids to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. The illustrations in the book is interesting.
The book lets children into Martin's world. This book will draw children toward him and understand the history. This is appropriate for children without being to explicit. This book handles his death and history well. It is very simple. for example, it simply states that "he died."
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Goodreads. Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/160943.Martin_s_Big_Words
YOUNG MOZART
Author: Rachel isadora
in this children's book, it introduces young children to the world of Mozart. this is done by the amazing illustrations and story about his life. It has a special emphasis on his childhood in a clear and straight forward language perfect for little listeners. Each spread features an exquisite watercolor painting depicting Mozart at a different point in his life.
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Goodreads. Young Mozart. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2258812.Young_Mozart
MARIE CURIE
Author: Vicki Cobb
In this biography, it tells the life of the famous scientist Marie Curie, and follows her all the way from her birth until the time that she dies. The vocabulary in this book can be challenging, as there is a lot of scientific terminology. Words that might be unknown, however, are often explained to the reader in a way that is interesting. The format of the book might be difficult for young readers, as there is a lot to distract them on the page. The book doesn't shy away from difficult topics. I would recommend this book for children twelve and up to read, particularly girls. I think that there aren't enough role models for young girls who are scientists. Marie Curie shows that a woman can be a scientist, and a successful one at that, and I think that's something that young girls today need.
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Goodreads. Marie Curie. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4104272-marie-curie
WHO WAS ANNE FRANK?
Author: ann abramson
Who Was Anne Frank? looks closely at Anne's life before the secret annex, what life was like for her in hiding, and the legacy of her diary. Black-and-white illustrations, including maps and diagrams, provide historical and visual reference in an easy-to-read biography written in a way that is appropriate and accessible for younger readers from third to the eighth grade.
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Scholastic. Who Was Anne Frank?. Retrieved from https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/who-was-anne-frank-by-ann-abramson/
I AM AMELIA EARHART
author: brad meltzer
This engaging series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children, and to inspire them to strive and dream. The book tells the story of a young Amelia Earhart who always pushed the boundaries with regards to what was expected of girls and women at the time. She and her family famously built a wooden roller coaster in their back yard, giving rise to Amelia's love of speed and flying. Her early life as an aviatrix is described including an introduction to her female flight instructor, Neta Snook. The message underlying the book is to never let anyone tell you that you can't do something. With hard work, you can achieve your dreams.
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Goodreads. I Am Amelia Earhart. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17987502-i-am-amelia-earhart
HISTORICAL FICTION
HENRY'S FREEDOM BOX: A TRUE STORY FROM THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
author: Ellen Levine
This book did a magnificent job of describing horrific events in a way suitable for children, even though there are going to be many highly perturbed readers/listeners. But, that is appropriate. Much information gets conveyed about the inhumanity of slavery. It does not shy away from the horrors slavery entailed, not the least of which was not belonging to yourself, not being free. Henry’s brilliant and brave choice is very inspiring and it and the resolution kept the book from being overly disturbing.
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Goodreads. Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From The Underground Railroad. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/315882.Henry_s_Freedom_Box