1.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fox, Mem. 2008. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. Ill. by Helen Oxenbury. Orlando, FL: Haracourt. ISBN 978015206057.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
As the book begins, we are introduced to two little babies born far apart from each other, but they have something in common: ten little fingers and ten little toes. As each set of babies we encounter contrast each other in how they were born, where they were born, and to whom they were born, we are always brought back to the thread of common features each baby has. The final baby born to the author has one unique quality that brings home the love that every parent has for his or her own child—three little kisses on his nose.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Mem Fox is a beloved Australian author who has many books celebrating her cultural roots, yet they hold a universal appeal. In this book, her message moves beyond one single culture to create a universal appeal and subtle message that we are all the same where ever we are from. The only moment she tips her hat that she is not from around here ("here" being Texas for me) is the moment she says a baby is wrapped in an “eiderdown.” There aren't many kids I would wager that know what an eiderdown is here in Texas, perhaps where things are bit chillier for a longer part of the year, but not here.
Fox, Mem. 2008. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. Ill. by Helen Oxenbury. Orlando, FL: Haracourt. ISBN 978015206057.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
As the book begins, we are introduced to two little babies born far apart from each other, but they have something in common: ten little fingers and ten little toes. As each set of babies we encounter contrast each other in how they were born, where they were born, and to whom they were born, we are always brought back to the thread of common features each baby has. The final baby born to the author has one unique quality that brings home the love that every parent has for his or her own child—three little kisses on his nose.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Mem Fox is a beloved Australian author who has many books celebrating her cultural roots, yet they hold a universal appeal. In this book, her message moves beyond one single culture to create a universal appeal and subtle message that we are all the same where ever we are from. The only moment she tips her hat that she is not from around here ("here" being Texas for me) is the moment she says a baby is wrapped in an “eiderdown.” There aren't many kids I would wager that know what an eiderdown is here in Texas, perhaps where things are bit chillier for a longer part of the year, but not here.
The
cadence of the rhymes and the repetition of each phrase makes for an
excellent read-aloud. Children will find themselves anticipating “ten
little fingers and ten little toes” ending to each verse. This
anticipation brings home even further the message that we are all
more alike than we are different.
Oxenbury's illustrations are gentle and joyful. Full of soft watercolors on white backgrounds, each baby embodies an adorably unique personality and speaks to a different culture. The children's features, clothing, and homes are appropriate for that culture without being over-exaggerated or stereotyped. The child carrying the hot water bottle may also be a bit strange to American children as we don't seem to use those as much as electric ones, but it is easily explained.
The overall message is one of noting the similarities in each human while not missing out on the differences as well in cultures. Fox and Oxenbury have taken their own multicultural partnership (Australia and England) to create a picture book that celebrates cultures everywhere. If books can bring about world peace, this one is definitely taking a step in the right direction.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Oxenbury's illustrations are gentle and joyful. Full of soft watercolors on white backgrounds, each baby embodies an adorably unique personality and speaks to a different culture. The children's features, clothing, and homes are appropriate for that culture without being over-exaggerated or stereotyped. The child carrying the hot water bottle may also be a bit strange to American children as we don't seem to use those as much as electric ones, but it is easily explained.
The overall message is one of noting the similarities in each human while not missing out on the differences as well in cultures. Fox and Oxenbury have taken their own multicultural partnership (Australia and England) to create a picture book that celebrates cultures everywhere. If books can bring about world peace, this one is definitely taking a step in the right direction.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
- Booklist Starred: "A standout for its beautiful simplicity, this picture-book collaboration between Fox and Oxenbury aims a message of diversity and tolerance at very young children."
- Horn Book Starred: "Fox's lilting verse just has to be read aloud, and Oxenbury's spacious illustrations, featuring her irresistible round-headed tots, will engage even the youngest listeners."
- Publisher's Weekly: "Put two titans of kids' books together for the first time, and what do you get (besides the urge to shout, "What took you so long?")? The answer: an instant classic."
5. CONNECTIONS
- Mem Fox reads this and many of her other books on her website. She also sings this particular book to a tune she made up herself. Find other rhyming books that the students enjoy and encourage them to make up tunes to go along with them as well.
- Do studies on both the author and the illustrator. An interview with Mem Fox can be found at http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/fox/. An interview with Helen Oxenbury can be found at http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/oxenbury/.
- Picture books are not just for little kids. With older students, look at Mem Fox's webpage and what she has written about this book. She talks about how she called her agents and vowed to quit writing just the day before she wrote this book because she had been stuck on a different book for two years. By quitting that other book, she ended up with the freedom to return to writing other things instead. Discuss things they have quit, reasons they did so, and the idea of switching up what you are doing when you are stuck on something.
- Other books with adorable art featuring babies:
Meyers, Susan. Everywhere Babies. Ill. by Marla Frazee. ISBN: 9780152022266.
Rathmann, Peggy. The Day the Babies Crawled Away. ISBN: 9780399231964.
Tarpley, Todd. Ten Tiny Toes. Ill. by Marc Brown. ISBN: 9780316129213.
Rathmann, Peggy. The Day the Babies Crawled Away. ISBN: 9780399231964.
Tarpley, Todd. Ten Tiny Toes. Ill. by Marc Brown. ISBN: 9780316129213.
No comments:
Post a Comment