The Wall Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sís

Peter Sís – Author and illustrator. The wall: growing up behind the Iron Curtain. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-374-34701-7

Author website: http://www.petersis.com/noflash.html

Media: Multi-media, pencil, marker, crayon, colored pencil, pen and ink

Genre: biography, memoir, nonfiction, history, Juvenile literature, graphic novel, picture book

Annotation

Visual award-winning personal memoir of artist Peter Sís growing up on the oppressed Russian Communist totalitarian dictatorship side of the Iron Curtain in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War and his desire for freedom.

My thoughts

This is an award-winning book, Peter Sís brings the reader to his past in Communist controlled Prague during the Cold War. The information brought by the illustrations and prose brings this period vibrantly alive describing the struggles for freedom and expression under the harsh control of a totalitarian regime. For the beginning, Sís uses bright color and different symbols to show the contrast between his natural childhood desire to express his imagination against the repetitive and monotony of the symbols and colors associated with the Soviet Red Army.

His personal story is juxtaposed with a timeline of historical events. Sís adds first personal journal entries from his journal at that time and the reader can understand his perspective and move with him from the tacit acceptance during his childhood to his shift of awareness as he grows up and is exposed to the world.

The colors reflect the personal reactions to the time. During the most oppressive and difficult times, Sís restricts his color choice to black white and red. When he begins to express himself there are bursts of color. “Slowly he started to question. He painted what he wanted to- in secret.” A two page full-color vibrant spread shows the revolution of the 60’s leaking into Sís awareness. It concludes with the fall of the wall on November 9, 1989. This book contains lots of talking points.

Peter Sís provides an introduction, his chronological timeline journal entries, and an afterward to provide additional information to the already expressive illustrations.

Curricular connections

In classrooms, the rise and fall of Communism focuses on the political shifts and oppression in an impersonal manner. This book provides a very personal account that makes the effects of Communist very real and clear. It’s told in a way that is relatable.

Literary devices

Use of repetition: The word “COMPULSORY” is used like an unspoken brand after each description of Communist mandates or suggested activities. (Example: “Joining the Young Pioneers, the Communist youth movement- COMPULSORY. Collecting scrap metal- COMPULSORY. First of May parade celebrating the workers of the world- COMPULSORY. Public displays of loyalty- COMPULSORY. The practice of religion- DISCOURAGED.” This really hammers home the point.


Use of Symbol: Communist ideology and symbols are also repeated throughout the book. The hammer and sickle. 

Reading level/ Interest Age

Age 8 and up/ Grade 3 and up

Reviews and Awards

Caldecott Honor Book

Sibert Medal

Booklist Starred Review

School Library Journel Starred Review

Kirkus Starred Review

Horn Book Starred Review

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

Publishers Weekly Starred Review

And, many other positive reviews…

Drawing From Memory by Allen Say

Allen Say – author and illustrator. Drawing from memory. New York: Scholastic Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-545-17686-6

Author website: No author website found.

Media: watercolors, pen and ink, pencils, and photographs.

Genre: autobiographical, biography, memoir, nonfiction

Annotation

Caldecott Medalist Allen Say’s autobiography chronicling his pathway into the arts and his apprenticeship with Noro Shinpei, Japan’s premier cartoonist, while growing up in Japan during and post WWII.

My thoughts

I was captivated while reading Allen Say’s memoir, Drawing From Memory. The combinations of Say’s prose and choice of illustrations made it very easy to get a mental movie while experiencing his life’s story. The flow of it really makes it hard to put down and can easily be read in one sitting. The tone of his prose was very candid and down to earth which made this an enjoyable and somewhat uplifting experience.

This book is an exception to the norm, but was quite an experience. At twelve years old, he moved out to attend school and lived in his own apartment. He worked hard, maintained clear goals, and worked toward actualizing his dreams. He sort of made a lesson plan layout for his life; this is a good life example for children.

It seems necessary to mention the art. He studied with one of Japan’s key political cartoonists and clearly found his own style. The sketches provide a realistic look into an artists’ life. A person does not become a Caldecott Medalist for their illustrative abilities overnight; oil paintings do not start with perfect glossy strokes. He worked at his craft, was born with talent, and found teachers to guide him. Say serves as a really good example of an artist. Many children become discouraged from the arts early because they can’t achieve realism right away. He provides hope. Similarly, too many artists expect to make it big right away. He provides reality.

On a side note, I think that Allen Say was verrrry lucky. Japan during this time period was scary and very tragic, as the war racked the lives away from many people. Young, middle aged, old; talented, genius, average; in areas there was no discrimination and way to determine who would become successful or not. Allen Say did become successful and from his writing he was able to maintain a healthy psychology. (Many of that generation are not that way. Americans travelling in Japan might pick this energy up from older generations. It is a sad part of history).

Allen Say-San focuses on his plight, relationship, teachers, and experiences as an artist. He turns the story away from a boy growing up during war and postwar Japan. (Maybe this is the naivate of youth and during the postwar period he was not as affected personally). In any case, the context does add a lot to his story. Librarians can/should suggest books to assist in providing the conjunction of postwar Japan to this story. Then Allen Say’s memoir is really inspiring and different than the norm of the time. I think… in any case, it would be interesting to read more.

Curricular connections

Most students are required to read an autobiography/memoir at some point this one can go into the librarian’s mental toolbox for that books and artists in that category.

Reading level/ Interest Age

Grade 5 and up/Ages 10 and up

Reviews and Awards

Sibert Winner
Discussion of awards and are still pending.

Leonardo's Horse by Jean Fritz and Hudson Talbot

Fritz, Jean - author & Talbott, Hudson - illustrator. (2001). Leonardo's Horse. New York: Putnam. ISBN: 978-8811580478.

Annotation

The true story of Leonardo’s dream of creating a giant horse statue is a little known one dwarfed by his other feats, but this book encapsulates the bronze horse’s journey and the process centuries later to bring it to life by Charles Dent.

My thoughts

The unique dome shape of the book makes this book physically stand out and the illustrations will also be eye catching. In addition, this story is one that is not as well known as Leonardo’s other inventions and creations. It gives a unique perspective into Leonardo’s mind and humanizes this man who was a genius and a man ahead of his years.

The pages when Leonardo became ‘depressed’ because his goal of creating the statue is never fulfilled is unfortunate and sad yet it shows young readers a version of a healthy dreamer who was invested in his creations. Leonardo da Vinci is a popular role model for many people after learning about him during primary school years. Leonardo worked very hard his entire life thinking and creating the feats that he became known by and still had disappointments. He was a real person with real feelings.

The majority of the book is about the later creation of the statue that was actualized by Charles Dent and Nina Akamu in a dome during the late 1980s. The horse was intended to be a gift from the American people to the people of Italy. Many people were involved in the production of the horse using modern technology and there were still complications with the creation of the horse.

The illustrations also standout because Hudson Talbott’s artwork brings the reader back to the Renaissance and takes them through the process of creating Leonardo’s horse statue. The book features a 10-step process from clay- to plaster- to bronze diagram describing the phases of making bronze sculptures. Talbott's illustrations also look similar to Leonardo's which lend the book a sense of authenticity. 

Curricular connections

Elementary school and Middle school (grade 4-7- Renaissance/history/ art)

Reading level/ Interest Age

Grade 3-6/ Age 5 and up.

Reviews and Awards

Starred reviews from SLJ, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books.

Author website: No official website found.

Illustrator website: The Books and Illustrations of Hudson Talbott

www.hudsontalbott.com/

Media: watercolors, pen and ink, colored pencil, and collage

Genre: Juvenile literature, nonfiction, biography

Frida by Jonah Winter and Ana Juan

Winter, J., & Juan, A. (2002). Frida. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books. ISBN: 978-0590203203.

Annotation

Picture book biography about Frida Kahlo’s childhood, how she learned to paint, how painting saved her life, and why she kept painting.

My thoughts

Frida Kahlo was an amazing artist. I had the chance to visit the Frida exhibition at the San Francisco MOMA a couple of years ago. After seeing her amazing self-portrait paintings in person, I became more inspired by her creativity and strength so I was really looking forward to this book.

I thought that Winter's choice to illustrate Frida's childhood was interesting since I've read more about her years after the accident with mention of polio. This made this book even more relevant to the audience of young readers and made her more of an inspirational figure that children can understand and aim to emulate.

I loved the illustrations in this book. The illustrations portray story of Frida with a similar palette and that are familiar elements to Frida’s own paintings, but the style is true to Ana Juan’s own unique artistic voice. The simplicity of the story explains Frida's life in a way that kids can understand. The pictures illustrated the happiness and creativity in Frida's life.

Curricular connections

Elementary school- Art and Biographies or Spanish

Reading level/ Interest Age

Ages 4 and up.

Reviews and Awards

Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature Honorable Mention (Awards)

Author website: No official website found.

Illustrator website: www.anajuan.net/

Media: Acrylics and wax on paper.

Genre: Juvenile literature, biography