SO MANY LESSONS IN SUCH A SMALL BOOK! AMAZING - KIDS WILL LOVE THIS ONE
Every so often I run across a children's book that has so much going for it that it is quite difficult to know where to start. This is one of them! I note that this work has been referred to as another take-off on the "ugly duckling" story, and while that may be so to a certain extent, I hesitate to do so myself. Although that theme does indeed shimmer in the back ground; I found this work to be so very much more. Now where to start...where to start?
I suppose we can first take a look at the text; I feel you will agree is an important element of any book. The author, A.Volta has used a straight forward syntax that is extremely easy to understand and, just as importantly, to read. There is no doubt as to the primary message the author is conveying, i.e. acceptance, rejection and the heartache that comes with being a bit different. As a substitute teacher I find this nasty little problem riffling through the younger set almost on a daily basis. (We can say the same of the adult world, but we will not go there at this time.) In precise wording, simple at first glance, but oh so complex, the author has addressed this problem in no uncertain terms. No beating around the bush here; I find this extremely refreshing! As has been pointed out by other reviewers here, there is also a strong touch of whimsy woven throughout the test. Again, I find this absolutely charming, being a big fan of whimsy of any sort. Bottom line is that this author can write and write well!
Now to the moral part of the story which is the heart of this work. Our little caterpillar, Patulous, is quite different than its mates. Our little caterpillar's color was different; all splotchy and not like the nice smooth green of the others, and Patulous' body shape! Oh my, not long, lean and smooth, but rather short and chunky. No, our little critter simply did not fit the norm. Patulous is scorned and rejected by the others simply because our little friend is "different." Wow, have I seen this little drama played out over and over again over the years!
Now the plot of this work is simple, as it should be, and I will be brief here as I do not want to add any spoilers to this review. Patulous leaves the other caterpillars feeling totally rejected, but finds the world is full of friends who are quite accepting. First there is the kindly and understanding snail, and then enter the picture, a sympathetic cricket and finally a rather delightful ladybug. These new friends accept Patulous as is, unconditionally. The day finally comes when the different little creature, Patulous must go away with the other caterpillars "to make my chrysalis - to become a butterfly!" Patulous' friends watch in anxious wonder. Enough of the plot now; I do not want to give the exciting part away. Sorry folks, you will have to read and find the ending for yourselves! I will say though that I love happy endings and I was not disappointed with this one.
There is more to this story though than just the obvious message. The author has dished out and made available to the adult a plethora of teaching aids in this work, all quite sneaky and hidden within the story so the kids will not be put off by just "another lesson." First the author has given us a wonderful and simply explanation of the life cycle of the butterfly. She has been kind enough to include a nicely written outline of this fascinating process in the back of the book. Secondly, the name of the caterpillar and the book, "Patulous" alone gives the parent and teacher a golden opportunity to explain the Latin language and how if affects our own and other languages. Thirdly, and I think just as important as anything else in this work, it exposes children to some very nice writing and like children everywhere, the will learn to distinguish good writing from bad writing through the simple process of osmosis. (A niece project would be for the older of the little ones to write their own simple version of this story and illustrate it themselves.)
And now we have the art work in this little book. Oh my goodness, I hate to age myself and use the term "knock your socks off," but that little saying from out of the past is perfect in describing the wonderful illustrations in this book. They are colorful, precise, powerful, entertaining and informative. Reader take note here....look closely at the shading the artist, Diane Lucas has used to highlight and frame her work. As an example, take a close peek at one single purple flower (amongst the many illustrated here) and note that you can identify at least six or seven shades of the simple color of purple. If you think this is easy, try it yourself sometime. This is the sort of work that a child will set and leaf through for hours in fascination of the colors and figures alone. The art work goes perfectly with the pictures. Text and art, and their perfect blending enhance both the art of the writer and the art of the artist in this work. This is one good writer and one good artist and we are lucky they came together in one single work.
Note: This is a crafty author. I was unable to ascertain after reading this work the gender of our different little caterpillar. This again is not easy and I thought it quite fitting and found it quite workable. I am not sure how she pulled it off...but she did.
This is a well built, bound and designed book that should hold up through countless readings and less than gentle care from the wee ones.
This would be a wonderful addition to any child's library (Pre School through 3rd grade), and any school or public library. It is an absolute treasure.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
- Accelerated Reading level : None Found
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: Working Parents, LLC (November 5, 2008)
- ISBN-10: 0971104018
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