Book Chat Thursday: April 2012

WELCOME

WELCOME! For the last 17 years, about once a month, usually on a Thursday evening, a group of writers, illustrators, teachers and librarians meets in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles to discuss children's books. Usually we talk about one picture book and one middle grade or YA novel. After the meeting, Sandy Schuckett, a retired LAUSD librarian, summarizes our discussion. Here are her reports of our thoughts about the books we have read. We'd love to have your comments too!
Thanks to Nancy Hayashi for our wonderful title art! NOTE: We are changing to a new schedule. Our meetings will now be quarterly and during the afternoon. Our group has been meeting since 2007. It was organized under the auspices of the Children's Literature Council of Southern California (CLCSC).

Thursday, April 12, 2012

AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN by Michael Morpurgo and QUEEN OF THE FALLS by Chris Van Allsburg

Novel: An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo: Once again we had quite good discussions at our last meeting, and once again we didn't all agree! On the novel, Elephant in the Garden, we were really split. Some thought it was absolutely wonderful in every way, others, not so much. Some felt that the idea of an elephant trekking across Germany in the middle of a war was just too unbelievable. We all felt that it gave a good picture of what war does to everyone involved, but that was pretty much our only agreement.

Picture Book: Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg: On the picture book, Queen of the Falls, all agreed that it was definitely not a 'read-aloud' for younger kids. We talked about the value of picture books for older readers, and how this book might encourage older kids to do additional research.