Mandy’s Comments (group member since Sep 01, 2025)

Mandy’s comments from the 5183 Fall 2025 Information Resources and Services for Children group.

Tennyson, A. L. (1851). The eagle. In J. P. Lewis (Ed.), National Geographic book of animal poetry (p. 37). National Geographic.

This short poem captures the power and majesty of an eagle perched high above the sea. With vivid imagery, Tennyson depicts the eagle’s strength and sudden movement as it dives.

I would recommend “The Eagle” because it is super short, rhythmic, and full of visual imagery that is easy for children to imagine. The language is vivid and clear, which makes it a great poem for helping kids practice visualizing written text and noticing different descriptive word choices. I would use this poem by first reading it aloud, then asking children to close their eyes and picture the scene. We could talk about which words helped them form mental images and why. It might also be fun to have them draw their interpretation of the eagle and compare the different ways poetry inspires our imagination.

Braden, A. (2018). The benefits of being an octopus. Sky Pony Press.

Zoey, a seventh grader caring for her younger siblings while her mother works, starts to recognize her own strengths when a teacher encourages her to join the debate team. As Zoey's world expands, she starts recognizing the patterns of control and inequality in her family life and begins to imagine better possibilities.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus portrays the realities of many children’s lives with honesty and empathy. Zoey faces poverty, food insecurity, complex family dynamics, and the pressure of caring for younger siblings, which are experiences many students may relate to. I believe realistic portrayals help children more than they harm them because they validate the feelings, struggles, and experiences many young readers have. For children who do not share those experiences, the book encourages empathy and understanding. I think realistic fiction gives kids a way to see that difficult situations are not their fault, and that they can find strength and support in themselves and in others.

Higuera, D. B. (2021). The Last Cuentista. Levine Querido.

Petra Peña is one of the last surviving humans after Earth is destroyed, and must fight to preserve cultural memory on a colonist ship where a small group has erased all of humanity’s stories. This novel blends science fiction and folklore to explore identity, power, and the meaning of narrative.

The book is set primarily on a generational starship traveling from Earth (in the near future) to a distant planet called Sagan. The setting matters quite a bit- the ship is a completely controlled environment where information, history, and memory can be manipulated. This controlled artificial ecosystem creates a society where a small group of elites decide which knowledge survives and which is erased. This mirrors contemporary debates about censorship, disinformation, colonization, and who gets to decide what counts as “truth.” By situating the story in space, the novel highlights how fragile human culture is, and how powerful it is for someone to remember.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

Oh, A. (2022). The girl who fell beneath the sea. Feiwel & Friends.

This novel follows Mina, a girl who sacrifices herself to the Sea God and enters a vivid underworld where spirits, gods, and curses intersect. The story draws from Korean folklore to explore themes of fate, choice, and the courage it takes to break free of old narratives.

I think this book is “true” in the sense that it captures something real about how communities inherit stories about who deserves to live, who is expected to sacrifice, and who is allowed to control their own destiny. Mina’s world is full of gods and curses, but the emotional truth of the story is about younger generations confronting old, oppressive systems and choosing a different path for themselves. Fantasy lets us exaggerate elements of moral reality so we can see them clearly. The magical setting of this story makes the truth easier to name: society often asks women and girls to bear the weight of everyone else’s comfort.

Citation
Sheinkin, S. (2012). Bomb: The race to build—and steal—the world’s most dangerous weapon. Roaring Brook Press.

Annotation
This narrative nonfiction book traces the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II and the secret missions, scientists, and spies who shaped it. Sheinkin combines biography, science, and suspense to make a complex historical event accessible to young readers.

KWL Reflection
Before reading Bomb, I knew the basic history of the Manhattan Project and that it led to the end of World War II. I wanted to understand how scientists, the military, and spies interacted, and how secrecy shaped the project. I learned how international espionage and scientific breakthroughs overlapped and how moral questions haunted many of the people involved.

El Deafo
1. Citation
Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. Amulet Books.
2. Annotation
Cece Bell’s graphic memoir portrays her childhood experiences growing up with hearing loss after contracting meningitis. Using humor, honesty, and engaging illustrations, Bell explores friendship, communication, and self-acceptance as she learns to embrace her differences and her alter ego “El Deafo.”
3. Discussion
El Deafo is an authentic, complex portrayal of childhood deafness by combining expressive graphic panels with realistic depictions of the social challenges surrounding disability. Bell’s use of visual metaphors (e.g.,muted speech bubbles to indicate incomprehensible sounds) helps readers understand what it might feel like to navigate the hearing world as a deaf person. The story avoids stereotypes and shows Cece as capable, funny, and resourceful rather than pitiable etc. Illustrations emphasize the emotional tone, inviting empathy without getting bogged down in emotions. The book encourages a positive attitude toward our differences and portrays disability as a unique way of experiencing life, rather than a deficit. Bell’s honest storytelling fosters inclusion and self-confidence.

Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti
Citation
McDermott, G. (1972). Anansi the spider: A tale from the Ashanti. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Annotation
This West African folktale follows clever Anansi the spider, whose six sons each use their unique gifts to rescue him from danger. The story explains how Anansi’s likeness came to be placed in the sky as a constellation.

Evaluation - Betsy Hearne
According to Betsy Hearne’s source note countdown, Anansi the Spider would fall around Level 3-4. McDermott credits the story as coming from the Ashanti people of Ghana, but doesn’t cite a specific storyteller or oral source. While the book captures the spirit of a traditional trickster tale through its bold art and simple language, the lack of a detailed source note winds up leaving readers without context for the story’s cultural meaning or transmission.

Read this week:
Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert D. San Souci
Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story by Tomie dePaola
The Rainbow Serpent by Dick Roughsey
Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti by Gerald McDermott
Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young
The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton

Today I Will Fly!
1. Citation
Willems, M. (2007). Today I will fly!. Hyperion Books for Children.

2. Annotation
Piggie is determined to learn how to fly, while her friend Gerald the elephant doubts it’s possible. With humor and teamwork, Piggie proves that with help from friends, almost anything can happen.

3. Commentary
I think Today I Will Fly! is a great beginning reader book because it’s funny, simple, and really encourages kids to keep reading. The short, repetitive sentences make it easy to follow along, and the playful dialogue feels like a real conversation between friends. The pictures do a lot of the storytelling, helping kids understand new words through context. I also like how the story celebrates trying new things and not giving up- the tone is positive and fun. I think this is an excellent title for beginning readers.

Titles chosen that were already added to the group shelf:
Frog and Toad are Friends
Henry and Mudge- The First Book

1. Citation (APA Style)
Rathmann, P. (1994). Good night, Gorilla. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
2. Annotation
Goodnight Gorilla is a board book in which a mischievous zoo gorilla quietly follows the zookeeper around on his nightly rounds, letting animals out of their cages until they all end up in the zookeeper’s bedroom. With very sparse text and expressive illustrations, the story could be engaging for very young children.
3. Commentary (~100 words)
Peggy Rathmann’s humorous, clever illustrations carry much of the storytelling. The artwork depicts expressive body language and small visual details (eg the mouse dragging a balloon) to build humor and narrative momentum without needing much text. The muted colors create a quiet nighttime atmosphere while the animals’ colorful accessories (the balloon, the zookeeper’s flashlight) draw the reader’s attention to certain details. The unique visual style makes the book accessible and engaging even for pre-readers, since children can interpret the story through the pictures. The art’s clarity and humor encourage repeated readings and support early literacy by fostering observational skills.

Monster Hands

1. Kane, K., & McMillan, J. (2024). Monster Hands (Dion MBD, Illus.). Nancy Paulsen Books.

2. ALSC 2025 Notable Children’s Books Selection, Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of 2024, 2024 Booklist Editors’ Choice Pick

3. Monster Hands tells the story of two Deaf siblings who use American Sign Language to confront nighttime fears together. This award-winning picture book celebrates siblings, ASL, and the power of imagination in overcoming anxiety.

4. I think Monster Hands deserved its awards. By centering Deaf siblings using American Sign Language, it brings authentic representation to kids who may rarely get to see themselves on the page. At the same time, the story has universal appeal; many children will likely relate to feeling scared at night and finding comfort in a sibling’s support. The book mixes playful suspense, warm illustrations, and cultural authenticity, making the book memorable and meaningful. I would recommend this book to kids due to its storytelling, message, and representation of Deaf culture.