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Title: Me...Jane
Author: Patrick McDonnell
Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell
Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company
Year: 2011
Words: 218
This is a VERY short book, so pay very close attention. With a book this short, PACING is crucial.
I bought this book because I love researching biographies. And the art is gorgeous! You can't go wrong with Patrick McDonnell. Here's the summary found on the copyright page.
Holding her stuffed toy chimpanzee, young Jane Goodall observes nature, reads Tarzan books, and dreams of living in Africa and helping animals.The book opens with "Jane had a stuffed toy chimpanzee named Jubilee." That's the whole first page [a half spread].
And here's the next spread [2]: "She cherished Jubilee and took him everywhere she went. And Jane loved to be outside."
I wish I could just quote the whole book. I'll summarize the next spread [3]. She (Jane) watched the animals do the things they do. And of course it's written as a list of three animals.
Spread 4, again summarized: Jane learned all about the animals by observing and reading.
Spread 5: images of some of Jane's creations from when she was a child. Things like Wild Bird puzzles, sketches, question and answer sheets, etc. No text for the story.
Spread 6: Here's the change in status. "One day, curious Jane wondered where eggs came from." [includes a funny reference from one of McDonnell's comics]
Spread 7: tells where Jane found some eggs.
Spread 8: another simple phrase (of 4 words) to end the sentence that started two spreads ago.
Spread 9: How Jane felt to be a part of the world.
Spread 10: Two sentences about an action Jane took to feel closer to nature and how she felt when she did it.
Spread 11: More about how she felt with a little repetition, all in a mere 9 words.
Spread 12: How Jane loved to read and made a comparison between herself and another girl named Jane.
Spread 13: "Jane dreamed of a life in Africa, too..."
Spread 14: More about her dream of life in Africa (only 8 words).
Spread 15: "At night..." what Jane did. (11 words).
Spread 16: 3 words
Spread 17: 4 words
Spread 18: 5 words
Final Spread: On the Left: "About Jane Goodall" and some of her life's achievements. On the Right: "A Message from Jane" to encourage children to explore the world and appreciate nature.
Beautiful. Simple. Elegant. Cute. Cuddly. Quick. Short. Fun. Inspiring. Awww...
Now go live out your dreams, and keep on keepin' on...
Here is the linky list!
This is definitely a story I want on my shelf. What a delightful way to introduce Jane Goodall to children. Fantastic woman, fantastic story and thank you for your excellent analysis.
ReplyDeleteChristie,
ReplyDeleteYou stole my book :D I loved this book. I am glad someone is sharing it. The world needs to see the beauty of this book. Truly amazing :D
I keep submitting, but it is not showing. I am not sure if it is taking. Here is the link. http://iwritepicturebooks.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteI don't think it shows up automatically when you submit it. But when you refresh the page, it will show up. Because every day it is getting 2 links posted, and I am deleting the second one.
DeleteYou can still review the same book, if you like! Perhaps you were going to choose a different element.
I love this book too! I just put this book on the Staff Picks shelf at my library a couple of weeks ago, and I reviewed it on my blog. It was a Caldecott Honor book in 2012. My favorite parts are the drawings Jane did herself as a girl.
ReplyDeleteWhat a popular book, then. I'm glad I chose it.
ReplyDeleteLove this book too, although I haven't read it, but I have read reviews. Needs to be in every library, but not sure it's in mine.
ReplyDeleteAnd Christie, please delete my link on Day 5...I mistakenly posted it there instead of here on Day 4.