Teeny Probst’s Comments (group member since Mar 17, 2010)

Teeny Probst’s comments from the LLED, Spring 2010 group.

Christine Probst
1602 Logan Avenue
Altoona, Pa 16602

April 1, 2010

Dear Walter Dean Myers,

Congratulations on being awarded with the Cost of Freedom Award! My name is Christine Probst and I am a junior at Penn State Altoona majoring in elementary education. I am currently enrolled in LLED, which are courses design to teach future teachers reading, writing, and literature. Throughout the semester, we have been introduced to countless picture books and novels to use in our future classrooms and were assigned the task of creating a children’s literature award on a topic, social issue, or genre of our choice. After an award is announced to the class, each student is to bring in a book that they nominate for each person’s award.
My description stated that my award, the Cost of Freedom award will be given to the best children’s picture book that deals with wars that the United States has been involved in during the past and present that helped secure the idea of freedom, peace, and safety throughout our nation. These wars could range as far back as the Civil War to the current War on Terrorism that is taking place in the Middle East. The book can show the brutality of war, but in a fashion appropriate for an elementary student or classroom. Furthermore, the book can be one’s personal account from a war or a general, simplistic, outline of a particular war, or etc. A great selection for this award may spark a child’s curiosity and cause him or her to question the events, the people, and etc. Overall, the wars that the United States have been involved in have shaped the nation that we are today and it is important for young children to see what our country and its citizens were willing to do and sacrifice to preserve freedom, peace, and safety within our states.
Your book titled Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam fit this description perfectly. The instant I started reading the book I fell in love it’s poetic way of telling a young American’s experience as a soldier in one of our country’s most devastating wars. The reader is able to feel the fear, destruction, and courage the young soldier is face with in the endless forests of the Vietnam. For children, this book portrays the Vietnam War’s brutality while still being presented in a way that is appropriate for individuals of such a tender, innocent age. As a result, I could have been introduced to a better picture book to be awarded with the Cost of Freedom Award.

Sincerely,
Christine Probst

Kevin- I nominate Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White for the “Children's Humanitarian Award”. Not only is this particular book referred as the best children’s book of all time, it includes elements of humanitarianism toward animals. Fern is a perfect example of a character in the story that is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Wilber safe, even if that means disappointing her own father. She cares for Wilber until he becomes too large and is sent to her uncle’s farm. As a result, I believe this is a great nominee for this award.

Sarah's Post:

Hiroshima No Pika is a commendable choice for the Cost of Freedom Award. It is about a little girl, her mother, and her father who experience the dropping of an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. The family hastily leaves their home to escape the danger of the bomb. While fleeing the city, many others are doing the same, but many of them die along the way. The family survives, but the father dies later of radiation poisoning. This is a worthy nomination for the Cost of Freedom Award because the people of Hiroshima had to suffer after the United States dropped an atomic bomb. The Japanese people paid the cost for America’s freedom.

I nominate The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkey for the “Wordless Stories/Imagination Award.” A wordless picture like this allows the reader to use his or her imagination to tell what is happening in the story and predict what is next to come. The breath-taking illustrations and the determination of the mouse to rescue the captured lion, as a way of repaying his debt is an enjoyable read for a person of any age. As a result, I believe this particular book is a great nominee for this award.

I nominate Stanley’s Party written by Linda Bailey and illustrated by Bill Slavin for the “Balto Book Award”. All the characters, including the main character Stanley, are dogs except for his owners in this particular book. The dogs can talk, dance, sing, and most of all, party. It is a book anyone can found entertaining, especially dog lovers with its humorous and creative look on a dog’s life named Stanley’s. As a result, I believe this is a great nominee for this particular award.

I nominate The Polar Express written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg for “a World of My Own Award”. Almost every aspect of this particular allows a reader to escape reality. From a train standing perfectly still in front of young boy’s house to a bell that can only be heard by persons who believe in Santa, a reader is easily able to enter a world outside our own. Furthermore, the illustrations allow the reader to see what the author’s interpretation of the North Pole, which further sparks ones imagination. As a result, this book is a great nominee for this particular award.

I nominate the Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenke for Tamara’s award. Instead of the Prince saving the Princess from a terrible dragon, the Princess attempts to save the unappreciative Prince. The reader can easily see a female character out of her stereotypical role. Furthermore, the text takes a twist, both boys and girls will find humorous and entertaining, on the classic fairytales about princesses, princes, and dragons. As a result I believe this is a great nominee for this particular award.

I nominate Ice Bear: In The Steps of the Polar Bear by Nicola Davies for the “Young Einstein Award”. Its text is written in a poetic language that included countless facts about this massive arctic creature. From being a powerful hunter to a gentle mother, the reader is able to learn about this incredible endangered specie and read a nonfiction piece of literature. Furthermore, a book such as this can be incorporated into several science lessons including the Arctic, polar bears, and mammals. As a result, I believe this particular book is a great nominee for this award.

I nominate Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel for the “Best Message Award”. The book includes five short stories that show the power of friendship. No matter the time of year or issue at hand, Frog and Toad are always there for one another. They are each other’s best friends and are willing to do whatever is needed to live up to that title. Even if it means, Frog sending a letter or two in the mail to Toad who is upset that he never receives any letters or telling a story while the other is ill in bed. The book shows a power friendship can be found in any shape or form, even if you are a frog or a toad. As a result, I believe this particular book is a great nominee for this award.

I nominate Minty: A Story of a Young Harriet Tubman by Alan Schroeder and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney for the "Historical Relevance award." Harriet Tubman is one of the most well known women in American History. She has helped countless number of African Americans escape slavery to freedom in the north through the Underground Railroad. Although most people know of Harriet Tubman in her elder years, rarely do people know of her childhood. Being such an important individual and hero in this country, I believe it is important for people to know of her younger years and what led to her nineteen trips on the Underground Railroad without losing a single passenger. As a result, I believe this particular book is a great nominee for this award.

Josh-I nominate Minty: A Story of a Young Harriet Tubman by Alan Schroeder and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney for the "Historical Relevance award." Harriet Tubman is one of the most well known women in American History. She has helped countless number of African Americans escape slavery to freedom in the north through the Underground Railroad. Although most people know of Harriet Tubman in her elder years, rarely do people know of her childhood. Being such an important individual and hero in this country, I believe it is important for people to know of her younger years and what led to her nineteen trips on the Underground Railroad without losing a single passenger. As a result, I believe this particular book is a great nominee for this award.

Katee-I nominate Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel for the “Best Message Award”. The book includes five short stories that show the power of friendship. No matter the time of year or issue at hand, Frog and Toad are always there for one another. They are each other’s best friends and are willing to do whatever is needed to live up to that title. Even if it means, Frog sending a letter or two in the mail to Toad who is upset that he never receives any letters or telling a story while the other is ill in sick. As a result, I believe this particular book is a great nominee for this award.

Chelsea- I nominate Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomie DePaola for the “Wordless Stories/Imagination Award.” A wordless picture like this allows the reader to use his or her imagination to tell what is happening in the story and predict what is next to come. The gentle humor of the illustrations and the determination of the old lady make this book appealing. As a result, I believe this particular book is a great nominee for this award.

Jessica- I nominate Ice Bear: In The Steps of the Polar Bear by Nicola Davies for the “Young Einstein Award”. Its text is written in a poetic language that included countless facts about this massive arctic creature. From being a powerful hunter to a gentle mother, the reader is able to learn about this incredible endangered species and read a nonfiction piece of literature. Furthermore, a book such a this can be incorporated into several science lessons including the Arctic, polar bears, and mammals. As a result, I believe this particular book is a great nominee for this award.

Kevin- I nominate Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White for the “Children's Humanitarian Award”. Not only is this particular book referred as the best children’s book of all time, it includes elements of humanitarianism toward animals. Fern is a perfect example of a character in the story that is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Wilber safe, even if that means disappointing her own father. She cares for Wilber until he becomes too large and is sent to her uncle’s farm. As a result, I believe this is a great nominee for this award.

Tamara: I nominate the Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenke for Tamara’s award. Instead of the Prince saving the Princess from a terrible dragon, the Princess attempts to save the unappreciative Prince. Its texts takes a twist on the classic fairytales about princess, princes, and dragons. A twist that both boys and girls will find humorous and entertaining. As a result I believe this is a great nominee for this particular award.

Jess T- I nominate The Polar Express written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg for “a World of My Own Award”. Almost every aspect of this particular allow a reader to escape reality. From a train standing perfectly still in front of young boy’s house to a bell that can only be heard by persons who believe in Santa, a reader is easily able to enter a world outside our own. As a result, this book is a great nominee for this particular award.

Sarah- I nominate Stanley’s Party written by Linda Bailey and illustrated by Bill Slavin for the “Balto Book Award”. All the characters, including the main character, are dogs except for Stanley’s owners in this particular book. The dogs can talk, dance, sing, and most of all , party. As a result, I believe this is a great nominee for this particular award.

My award, the Cost of Freedom award, will be given to the best children’s picture book that deals with wars that the United States has been involved in during the past and present that helped secure the idea of freedom, peace, and safety throughout our nation. These wars could range as far back as the Civil War to the current War on Terrorism that is taking place in the Middle East. The book can show the brutality of war, but in a fashion appropriate for an elementary student or classroom. Furthermore, the book can be one’s personal account from a war or a general, simplistic, outline of a particular war, or etc. As Lehr states in her book titled : A Critical Handbook of Children’s Literature that “well-written historical fiction often rouses within the reader a question that begs to be answered: how much of this is true?” (17) A great selection for this award may spark a children’s curiosity and cause him or her to question the events, the people, and etc. Overall, The wars that the United States have been involved in have shaped the nation that we are today and it is important for young children to see what our country and its citizens were willing to do and sacrifice to preserve freedom, peace, and safety within our states.

My nomination for Sarah is the Polar Express.

My nomination for Tamara is the Paper Bag Princess.

My nomination for Kevin is Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

My nomination for Chelsea is Free Fall by David Wienser, Tuesday by David Wiesner, and Flotsam by David Wiesner.

My Nomination for Katee is The Berenstain Bears lend a helping hand
by Stan Berenstain.

My nomination for Katee is Frog and toad are friends by Lobel, Arnold.

Nomination for Sarah is Stanley's party written by Linda Bailey ;and illustrated by Bill Slavin.

Nomination for Jess M is Ice Bear in the Steps of a Polar Bear