Kevin’s Comments (group member since Mar 18, 2010)

Kevin’s comments from the LLED, Spring 2010 group.

Nomination for Sarah- How to Talk to Your Dog by Jean Craighead George

Nomination for Jess M. -My Light by Molly Bang

Nomination for Chelsea-Free Fall by David Wiesner

Nomination for Katee-Listen to Me by Barbara J. Neasi

Nomination for Josh-Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Munoz Ryan

Nomination for Teeny- Duel of the Ironclads by Patrick O'Brian

Nomination for Jess T.- Power and Glory by Emily Rodde

Dear Mr. John Burningham,

I am an elementary education major at Penn State Altoona. I am currently a junior and I am in, what we call, the LLED block classes (Language and Literacy Education). We had an assignment where all of us had to make an award that exemplifies a particular subject or idea, and give it to give to a children’s picture book. The awards range from “Best Diverse Family” to “U.S. Freedom Award.” Every student had to pick out books for their classmates to read through and pick out the best book that exemplifies their particular award. After we went through all of our books, we present the winning book that exemplifies our award to the class and its author.
I am writing you to congratulate and thank you for winning my award for “ Children’s Humanitarian Award.” You won this award for you children’s book “Hey! Get Off Our Train.” You book displays great care and respect for all kinds of animals. These books can and include all animals, not just domesticated animals. And your book really did just that, it extended care and sympathy for all animals, and it fits perfectly for my award. How you were able to catch my attention through the voice and personification you used was awesome. Anytime you can give a voice to something that doesn’t, that makes it all more human. “Writers don’t improve their craft unless they have a real purpose, a real audience, and a real investment in their writing,” (Mem Fox). It is obvious that through your writing that you have a passion for what you are saying, and is why you were able to go on and make amazing children’s literature, like “Hey! Get Off Our Train” and inspire deeper thinking and compassion. Again, congratulations for winning my “Children’s Humanitarian Award” but above all, thank you.

Sincerely,
Kevin Ryan
Penn State Altoona

Nomination for Jess T.- Power and Glory by Emily Rodde
Nomination for Teeny- Duel of the Ironclads by Patrick O'Brian
Nomination for Josh- Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Munoz Ryan
Nomination for Katee- Listen to Me by Barbara J. Neasi
Nomination for Chelsea- Free Fall by David Wiesner
Nomination for Jess M.- My Light by Molly Bang
Nomination for Tamara- Where's the Big Bad Wolf? by Eileen Christelow
Nomination for Sarah- How to Talk to Your Dog by Jean Craighead George

My award will be given to the children's book that displays great care and respect for all kinds of animals. I will call the award I want to give is the Children's Humanitarian Award. These books can include all animals, not just domesticated animals. The age range of the books can vary within K-6 because I believe all children should be aware of the proper treatment of all animals.