The Invention of Hugo Cabret Reviewed by Vanessa Flores
1. Bibliography
Selznick, Brian. The Invention of Hugo Cabret.Ill.by Brian Selznick. New York: Scholastic Press, 2007. ISBN043981378
2. Plot Summary
This story is about a boy, Hugo Cabret, who becomes orphan after his father dies, while working on a very special machine. The machine, as his father explained, was an automaton invented by a magician, which held a secret that could only be unlocked once it was fixed. One night Hugo was caught taking items from a toy shop. The store owner, Georges Méléis as punishment took Hugo’s most prized possession, a journal that was given to him by his father. The journal contained pictures drawn of the automaton the father had worked on when he was alive in order for Hugo to retrieve the book he made friends with Georges’ god daughter, Isabelle and worked for the store owner as well. Georges kept a secret, which had to do with the journal; this made Hugo and Isabelle grow as friends and mystery solvers. As the days passed Hugo made it his duty to fix the automaton without the journal as well as figure out what the store owner was hiding. After investigating the store owner, it came to light that Georges was the one who built the automaton and was at one time a famous magician and movie producer who produced hundreds of movies. Georges was please with Hugo for bringing his past to him light and made him apart of his family.
3. Critical Analysis
As the reader opens the book, the brilliant realistic illustrations take us through the setting of the story. We are introduced to the characters of the story Hugo, Isabelle and Georges, and the reader is able to see the setting through the characters’ eyes and feel the suspense through the drawings as if we were watching a silent film. The characters’ emotions, shine through the black and white illustrations and are able to feel the rollercoaster of feelings that the characters go through until the end of the story.
A young reader or any reader will be able to understand and empathize with the characters as they change throughout the story. As the reader turns page by page, the integral part of this book from illustration to text will have the reader waiting on the edge of their seat for the solution to the climax of the story.
As the story unfolds the theme of never giving up is shown to us through Hugo’s determination of retrieving his father’s journal and solving Georges’ secret. After being engaged throughout the full story the reader will be excited to learn the outcome of the story.
A weakness to consider in this book would be the little explanation of who Hugo's mother was or what happened to her. Through the story the connection is made to Hugo's father and even to both of Isabelle's parents, but as for Hugo no hint was given as to the whereabouts of his mother. As a parent the question was asked by my own son, so what does this say? If my own son questions it, how many others will do the same?
4. Review Excerpt(s) to fall in love with the detail drawn.
From Publishers’ Weekly-“Here is a true masterpiece-an artful blending of narrative, illustration and cinematic technique, for a story as tantalizing as it is touching.”
From Booklist- “Selznick's novel in words and pictures, an intriguing mystery set in 1930s Paris about an orphan, a salvaged clockwork invention, and a celebrated filmmaker, resuscitates an anemic genre and takes it to a whole new level.”
5. Connections:
As the reader opens the book, the brilliant realistic illustrations take us through the setting of the story. We are introduced to the characters of the story Hugo, Isabelle and Georges, and the reader is able to see the setting through the characters’ eyes and feel the suspense through the drawings as if we were watching a silent film. The characters’ emotions, shine through the black and white illustrations and are able to feel the rollercoaster of feelings that the characters go through until the end of the story.
A weakness to consider in this book would be the little explanation of who Hugo's mother was or what happened to her. Through the story the connection is made to Hugo's father and even to both of Isabelle's parents, but as for Hugo no hint was given as to the whereabouts of his mother. As a parent the question was asked by my own son, so what does this say? If my own son questions it, how many others will do the same?
4. Review Excerpt(s) to fall in love with the detail drawn.
· 2007 - Quill Awards
· 2008 - Caldecott Medal
· 2008 - American Library Association Notable Books for Children
· 2008 - Book Sense Book of the Year
· 2007 - Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books
· 2007 - Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year
· 2008 - Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Award
· 2008 - Bluegrass Award
· 2010 - Garden State Teen Book Award
· 2009 - Flicker Tale Children's Book Award
· 2009 - Iowa Children's Choice Award
· 2012 - Nene Award
· 2012 -Top 100 Children’s Novels #39
From School Library Journal- “With characteristic intelligence, exquisite images, and a breathtaking design, Selznick shatters conventions related to the art of bookmaking in this magical mystery set in 1930s Paris.”From Publishers’ Weekly-“Here is a true masterpiece-an artful blending of narrative, illustration and cinematic technique, for a story as tantalizing as it is touching.”
From Booklist- “Selznick's novel in words and pictures, an intriguing mystery set in 1930s Paris about an orphan, a salvaged clockwork invention, and a celebrated filmmaker, resuscitates an anemic genre and takes it to a whole new level.”
Discover other Caldecott Medal Winners such as:
· Wiesner, David. Flotsam. ISBN 0618194576
· Gerstein, Mordicai. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. ISBN 0439700418
Discover other books written by Brian Selznick such as:
· The Houdini Box ISBN0679814299
· Wonderstruck ISBN 9780545027892
· La invención de Hugo Cabret / The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Spanish Edition) ISBN 8467520442
The following activities are available to use as resources:
· Link to your math activities for time. Recall how important it was for the main character, Hugo, to keep the clocks on time. Ask students questions to link their knowledge and text to real life. What would happen if he let each clock slow down, how would it affect people, why is time so important to learn?
o Hutchins, Pat. Clocks and More Clocks. ISBN 0590227289
· Connect to science and how gears work and types of machines.
o Ollerenshaw, Chris. Gears. ISBN 0836811208
· Build students inference skills using the illustrations and its detail.
· Brings the book to life Flashlight readers activity:
Book Review
That is Not a Good Idea! Reviewed by Vanessa Flores
1. Bibliography
Willems, Mo. That is Not a Good Idea! Ill. Mo Willems. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2013. ISBN 0062203096
2. Plot Summary
This book is about two animals that cross looks like if it was meant to be. Quickly the fox invites the goose for a stroll and the goose accepts. Throughout the story the goslings are saying out loud “It is not a good idea!” leaving the reader to think what is she thinking. The fox invites the goose over to his house to cook a delicious soup but what happens leaves the reader amazed and confused. Like the goslings said, “It was not a good idea, but for who you would least expect!!!
3. Critical Analysis
The characters in this story are represented wonderfully through the colorful realistic illustrations. The reader is able to see the expressions of each of the characters.
As we watch the villain in the story think of dinner, we are lead to believe that the naïve goose does not know any better. The author portrays this by having the small goslings yell out, “It is not a good idea!” The author uses color to write this in bright red text to show the importance of these words.
During the climax of the story, the goslings’ worried expressions become even more evident. By adding “Really,” in bright bold large print letters, to each and every time they appear, foreshadowing that the end is coming near. Still continuing the innocent looks and answers of the goose, the reader is thinking the most obvious outcome.
This book engages any reader and leaves the reader yelling out with the goslings, “It is not a good idea!!!”
4. Review Excerpt(s)
From School Library Journal- “This charmer is lovingly composed as homage to silent movies and the concept of picture books as the "theater of the lap." Readers will become totally involved as they watch, along with several chicks, a drama unfolding, certain to end in tragedy.”
From Kirkus Review-A new offering of guaranteed laughs from three-time Caldecott-honoree Willems.”
From Booklist- “If anyone is going to pull off a picture book built on the conventions of old-time silent movies—exaggerated facial expressions, telling body language, and, of course, blacked-out dialogue pages cut into the story—it would be Willems.”
From Four year old Evin Flores- “It was funny. I like to say, “It is not a good idea.”
5. Connections:
· Discover books that are Caldecott winners written by Mo Willems:
· Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (2005)
Discover books for early readers written by Mo Willems:
The following activities are available to use as resources:
· Connect to science prey and predators.
o West, Tracey. Animals and their prey. ISBN 0545080800
· Connect to children’s safety
o Raatma, Lucia. Safety around strangers. ISBN 0736800603
· Mo Willems website for Parents/Teachers:
o http://www.gomo.net/page.php?name=Parents
Book Review
Goodnight Moon, Reviewed by Vanessa Flores
1. Bibliography
Brown, Margaret W. Goodnight Moon. Ill. Clement Hurd. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1947. ISBN 06443017
2. Plot Summary
This book is about a little rabbit that is in bed and getting ready to go to sleep. As the story begins the rabbit decides to delay his bed time by saying goodnight to all that is in his sight. From the wall to the floor the rabbit does not leave anything out, he even includes as he says an “old lady rabbit “who hushes him to sleep. The story goes on until there is nothing he needs to say goodnight to and he falls asleep.
3. Critical Analysis
Goodnight Moon begins with a bright green colored room, in which there seems to be no darkness. This changes as the reader turns each and every page. As the rabbit begins to call out the items he sees in the room, the page colors seem to be dimming, giving the reader the sense of time passing. This enhances the view of the only light in the room as it grows smaller and smaller until there is no light.
The black and white illustrations found after every other page diminishes in size as well, like if the rabbit’s eyes were closing seeing the items grow smaller. By the end of the story the night sky is shown as well as a dark room where a sleeping rabbit lies, giving the reader that snug sleepy feeling.
4. Review Excerpt(s)
Top 100 Picture Books #4 by School Library Journal
From Kirkus Review-Little children will love this going to sleep book -- a really fresh idea by a talented and prolific author, illustrated by Clement Hurd
From The Christian Science Monitor- "A little rabbit bids goodnight to each familiar thing in his moonlit room. Rhythmic, gently lulling words combined with warm and equally lulling pictures make this beloved classic "an ideal bedtime book."
5. Connections:
Discover books inspired by Goodnight Moon written by Margret Wise Brown:
· Goodnight Moon Room (1985)
· Goodnight Moon 123 (2008)
· Goodnight Moon / Buenas Noches, Luna (Spanish Edition) (2006)
Discover books for early readers written by Margret Wise Brown:
· I Like Bugs(1999)
· I Like Stars (1998)
The following activities are available to use as resources:
· Connect to science by studying the different phases of the moon.
o Olson, Gillia M. Phases of the Moon ISBN 0736896171
· Connect to children’s safety
o Ready for Bed!: A Tale of Cleaning Up, Tucking In, and Hardly Any Kaye, Stacey R.Complaining.ISBN 0736800603
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