I have always been a bit bewildered and confused at to why this particular work by April Pulley Sayer has not and is not better known. It is illustrated by Alix Berenzy, who is one of the best, and Ms. Sayre has given us some rare prose on the phenomena of animal migration. In short, this work has everything going for it, yet few have even heard of it, much less read it. I am, as I indicated above, quite puzzled.
This work briefly tells the story of migratory animals which include warblers, salmon, green turtles, monarch butterflies, gray whales, caribou, spiny lobsters, arctic terns and wood frogs. Each animal is given a one and one half page spread. An example of the prose would be as follows:
A caribou here, like a river of antlers, walks and eats and walks. They head from the forest to their summer home, the coastal plain. When they reach it, they'll be... home at last.
The detailed art in this work is quite realistic (there's a look inside feature at Amazon) but at the same time shaded which gives it an almost mystical quality. The pictures are an absolute delight and can actually stand alone with out the benefit of the text; they actually tell a story.
Talking Points:::
This is an ideal work to use as a supplemental when teaching the children of the habits and live cycles of the creatures that we share the planet with. I have personally read this one to groups of children and can promise you that it stimulates much discussion.
As an aside; I am pondering the question as to why a work such as this, one that is being and has been quite ignored has not receive the recognition of some works, that while are certainly good in their own right, are really no better than this one.
As an example, I have before me at this writing two books. This one and a very fine work by Allen Say (one of my favorite authors). Say's book, Grandfather's Journey is a Caldecott Honor Medal winner and rightfully so. On the other hand, I am setting here comparing Say's book with the work being reviewed here. I find that in my opinion (for what ever that is worth) that the art work in both books is of equal quality and the text (prose) in both books is equal. It is possible that Home at Last: A Song of Migration is actually better written and has much more of a story to it. Now, I have read both of these works to classes of second and third graders. When I ask them if they want rereads of either book, they always choose the Sayre book being reviewed here.
I cannot help but wonder if some of the award winners actually appeal more to the adult who is actually buying the book than they do the actual ultimate consumer...the child. Perhaps if the child had the opportunity to listen to one of the NPR radio droids gushing about this work or that work, they, the child might me more inclined to enjoy the award winning books. Now I note that most of the Caldecott winners are of a rather "artsy" nature and quite often deal with pressing social issues; both past and present. Again, I wonder if this does not appear more to the adult than the child.
I digress...I am sorry! This work, Home at Last is a fine work and should not be ignored. The kids are missing out on a very good read here. Suggest you at least get a copy from the library and give it a try. I feel you will be pleasantly surprised and that your child will live the thing.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
- Accelerated Reading level : 2.0
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (November 15, 1998)
- ISBN-10: 0805051546
- See-a-Sample
2 comments :
Love your comments about this book. When I hear someone wondering why the book hasn't had more notice, I take notice. I've reserved a copy at the library. Thank you for the find!
Hi Lara: We are so glad you stopped by and are grateful for your comments. That is what this site is all about. And thank you for your kind words. This is a rather fascinating book. In some ways it is rather “mater of fact,” yet on the other hand it has a certain haunting quality about it. The phrase “Home at Last,” is used at the end of each little story and most people, kids in particular, can identify with that…sad if they cannot, huh. And indeed I am baffled why this work has not received more attention than it has. We would be very, very interested in your take on this book once you have read it. The more opinions we get the better. Thanks again for stopping by.
Don
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