Tragic and harrowing, Grass is the true story of Granny Lee Ok-sun, who was abducted during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the years just prior tTragic and harrowing, Grass is the true story of Granny Lee Ok-sun, who was abducted during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the years just prior to and during World War II. She was then enslaved as a "comfort woman" for Japanese soldiers for several years until the end of the war. The book begins with her an an old woman, preparing to go back for the first time to the Korean village she grew up in, 55 years after her abduction. It is not a pleasant tale, nor a necessarily hopeful one; it is a tale of survival and the determination of the human spirit to always try to make something good of horrific circumstances, even when those efforts seem pointless and fruitless. It is an incredibly important story, too, because it shows yet another monstrous side of war that many of us don't even know exists, much less think about. Highly, highly recommended....more
This certainly educated me some! The backmatter is hugely important; make sure you don't skip it. Between this and other things I've read, it's occurrThis certainly educated me some! The backmatter is hugely important; make sure you don't skip it. Between this and other things I've read, it's occurring to me the the history of the Wild West has been whitewashed just as much as the rest of American history. Dunno why I didn't just include it in with the rest--perhaps because there's more legend than fact about it in my brain. But those legends in my brain are disproportionately White, so I appreciate books like this expanding my horizons....more
The story itself is incredible and stands on its own, but the use of color to depict language and changing the art style from part 1 to part 2 to matcThe story itself is incredible and stands on its own, but the use of color to depict language and changing the art style from part 1 to part 2 to match the story goes above and beyond. I'm really curious to see what the next volume will be about, since Kun-lin is released from prison by the end of the first....more
Fantastic! So much I like about this book. Great collection of artists and biographies. I was simultaneously delighted and dismayed that there were soFantastic! So much I like about this book. Great collection of artists and biographies. I was simultaneously delighted and dismayed that there were so many women who had made significant contributions to modern society that I had never heard of. Hopefully books like these are a part of changing that. I also really liked the "what do you have in common with" part before each biography. Nice way to engage the reader to connect to the historical figures on a personal level!...more
Stuff I would never learn about if there wasn't a comic about it. I particularly appreciated learning about the less well known figures from this partStuff I would never learn about if there wasn't a comic about it. I particularly appreciated learning about the less well known figures from this part of history. It's wild to think there was a time when poetry was mainstream popular......more
The degree to which I have been annoyed by and delighted with this little girl on the brink of young womanhood is a good indication that it is an accuThe degree to which I have been annoyed by and delighted with this little girl on the brink of young womanhood is a good indication that it is an accurate portrayal of that period of childhood/adolescence. It is fascinating to see how someone who seems to be frequently concerned with social justice on a larger scale is blind to the ways that she marginalizes and excludes her own classmates (and friends)--she is, as we all do, moving from the self being the center of one's universe to a view of self that includes the global community....more
There's a lot of misinformation about Sanger and what she was about out there. I appreciate the perspective that Jones offers as well as how she weaveThere's a lot of misinformation about Sanger and what she was about out there. I appreciate the perspective that Jones offers as well as how she weaves in parts of her own personal journey without taking center stage....more
I have seldom read a memoir where I feel like the author has used both language and image so succinctly. It is a relatively quick read, but there is dI have seldom read a memoir where I feel like the author has used both language and image so succinctly. It is a relatively quick read, but there is depth and substance to every spread. The art is a unique combination of photographs and illustrations. Jacobs uses the same images of herself and her family in numerous panels in a chapter, but somehow it works and is dynamic. Her honesty and observations about family and society are astute and thought-and-emotion-provoking. It is a story about so many things--past and present, friends and family, race and belonging, culture and politics--and yet it never feels overwhelming. ...more
This book will either make you feel crappy about how well you take care of yourself or inspire you to take better care of yourself. OR resign yourselfThis book will either make you feel crappy about how well you take care of yourself or inspire you to take better care of yourself. OR resign yourself to your genetic makeup and cut yourself another slice of cake. Also, the Guiness Book of World Records is dumb not to recognize this guy....more
Clear, concise, thought-provoking, educational, important. I don't LOVE the art (it is a teensy bit inconsistent), but it serves the story well. EveryClear, concise, thought-provoking, educational, important. I don't LOVE the art (it is a teensy bit inconsistent), but it serves the story well. Everyone should read this! ...more
I just recently learned about this amazing woman! Why isn't she more familiar? She should be up there with MLK and Rosa and all them! Especially with I just recently learned about this amazing woman! Why isn't she more familiar? She should be up there with MLK and Rosa and all them! Especially with a positive message like that......more
[See my reviews of other books in this series for more commentary] What I like about this in particular is that the subject matter is less strictly rep[See my reviews of other books in this series for more commentary] What I like about this in particular is that the subject matter is less strictly representational. I mean, there's *dirt* but *earth* is much broader as a concept. So kids have an opportunity to see dramatically different interpretations of the same elements and can make contrasts and comparisons accordingly. Any child who worked their way through this book (or any in the series, really) is almost guaranteed to have their horizons expanded and the way they define objects and concepts in the real world challenged by the unique perspectives that fine art offers. I can't speak highly enough about this series....more
[See my review for How Artists See Animals for more commentary on the series as a whole] There is a nice selection here--of artists from different hist[See my review for How Artists See Animals for more commentary on the series as a whole] There is a nice selection here--of artists from different historical periods and different styles of art. Paintings and sculptures, representational and abstract. Carroll asks great questions that invite further exploration. There are short bios of the artists, suggestions for further reading, and a list of museums at which one may view work from the artists. I wish there were also female artists represented (I'm not familiar enough with the names to know if any are artists of color), but this was written in 1996, so hopefully the updated editions will be more conscientious....more
I learned about this series from reading a review of a relaunched edition (with new material) and I'm enthralled. What better way to teach art to chilI learned about this series from reading a review of a relaunched edition (with new material) and I'm enthralled. What better way to teach art to children than to start with what they know and ask questions that help them to expand from there. The selections are great and the questions Carroll asks are great. There are short biographies at the end and a list of museums where you can see the artists' works. My only complaint is that I wish the images were bigger--that the whole book, in essence, could be magnified. This is a great resource for both parents and educators in a culture where fine art is not taught or appreciated nearly as much as it should be....more
I mean, it's cool that it's about a real composer and that Willems doesn't outline that specifically, and it's cool that it's about being inspired by I mean, it's cool that it's about a real composer and that Willems doesn't outline that specifically, and it's cool that it's about being inspired by something when you're young that changes the direction of your life, and it's cool that the song that is referenced at the end ("The Cold" by Hilary Purrington, whom the story is presumably about) but, I dunno, I think Willems could do better than this. The writing itself follows a pretty familiar structure and pacing that makes it, well, unremarkable in my estimation. I know, Mo Willems is a kidlit god. I hope he doesn't strike me down in my impudence....more
I'm not crazy about the illustrations. Proportions and faces are a little off in some places. But it's a good story and it's well told.I'm not crazy about the illustrations. Proportions and faces are a little off in some places. But it's a good story and it's well told....more
What a fascinating approach to the legend (?) of Mother Goose. It's part biography, part poetry. The actual biographical info is scant, yes, but it inWhat a fascinating approach to the legend (?) of Mother Goose. It's part biography, part poetry. The actual biographical info is scant, yes, but it introduces to readers that idea that Mother Goose is an actual historical figure. There's a nice mix of familiar and unfamiliar MG rhymes here, and there is a MGesque rhyme that runs throughout the book telling Elizabeth Foster Goose's story. It's interesting and unusual....more
I'm not an expert on reading levels, but it seems like the text was written at a lower reading level (maybe third grade?) which is a bit unusual for pI'm not an expert on reading levels, but it seems like the text was written at a lower reading level (maybe third grade?) which is a bit unusual for pic book biographies. It was nice. As I've said before, more more more stories of women and people of color who have accomplished great things!! (The only thing I wondered was whether or not she'd experienced any adversity along the way. Stories like this always have a little of that. Great if she didn't, but it would have been nice to include a bit about any barriers she might have encountered.)...more
While this should probably not be a person's only exposure to Thoreau's life and philosophy, as a work of art it is sublime. It is lush, and colorful,While this should probably not be a person's only exposure to Thoreau's life and philosophy, as a work of art it is sublime. It is lush, and colorful, and detailed and the layouts compel your eye to linger on every page. It's an impression of the man more than anything else, and as such it serves as an invitation for the reader to do their own research on Thoreau and his writing. Highly recommended!...more
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