Sunday, March 13, 2022

Quality literature Recommendations Exploring the NSW DET document part 2


The Quality Literature Recommendations document lists seven content groups: context, narrative, character, imagery, symbol and connotation, perspective and argument, and representation. Yesterday I talked about Context.

Now onto Narrative. This is an odd one to me because I cannot think of a story or picture book that does not contain a narrative but I guess narratives do come in different forms.

This is the definition used in this document: ‘Narrative is the communication of a sequence of related events into a story. A narrative is usually structured in such a way as to invite responder involvement. Narrative helps us make sense of our lives’.

(Teachers should) look for stories that are:

imagined 

about real life experiences 

told through different modes and media 

structured with a clear beginning, middle and end (but not necessarily sequential)

inviting students to enter another world 

constructed for a particular audience or purpose 

clearly setting up expectations and allow predictions of actions and attitudes 

provoking an emotional response

told in multiple ways 

presenting a view of the students’ world.

With my comparison book suggestions I am having to "read the minds" of the people who compiled the lists for this document trying to guess what aspect of the book possibly matches the allocated concept. I may not always be entirely successful. Blue links take you to my blog comments and other resources. Because I am writing this list and thinking of your school library some of these books will be out of print but I hope they might be in your library. 

Narrative

A Bag and a Bird by Pamela Allen

Comparison reads:








Flotsam by David Wiesner

Flotsam is a wordless book. I belong to IBBY Australia we call these "Silent Books".  You might like to check out others from my sidebar.  Read about the wonderful project on the island of Lampedusa where these books are shared with refugee children. Flotsam was included in the first collection made back in 2012. Here is an excellent document about sharing wordless books with children. Here is the Kirkus Star review

Comparison books (none of these are wordless):











I adore this book and even have a limited edition print in my home purchased from Books Illustrated. Here is a review from The Bottom Shelf

Comparison books (I am thinking of books where the characters demonstrated perseverance and problem solving):







Comparison books:





Last Tree in the City by Peter Carnavas 

Read more at Kids' Book Review

Comparison books:










Ollie and the Wind by Ronojoy Ghosh 
(This is similar to Kate who tamed the wind)  - see above

Otto the Book Bear by Kate Cleminson

Story Snug review with more plot details. Kirkus Star review. This book breaks the fourth wall when the bear steps out of the book - that is an interesting narrative idea to share with children. You could share Who's afraid of the Big Bad book by Lauren Child as another example. The Wall in the Middle of this Book contains this too. And Press Here Herve Tullet. 

I have a Pinterest with 80 pins of books under the topic Libraries in Picture Books. 

Comparison books:








Peggy by Anna Walker

Comparison books:








Penguin in Peril by Helen Hancocks

Kirkus Star Review. It was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2014.

I had not seen this book before.  I watched a fairly poorly made video of the story. It does look like good fun and everyone is sure to learn a new word - peril. 

Comparison book (In this Tacky book he outwits the baddies):





Comparison book:



The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

Here is a detailed and insightful review in the School Library Journal by Elizabeth Bird. Kirkus Star review

Comparison books:








If you read my post (blue link) you will find other books with similar themes. 


Tilly by Jane Godwin illustrated by Anna Walker

Here in an interview with Jane Godwin about her book Tilly. 


Where the Forest Meets the Sea by Jeannie Baker

I am sure most teachers and Teacher-Librarians are very familiar with this famous book so I won't search for further ideas.


Zen Shorts by Jon J Muth

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