Hi, my name is Hayley and I'm an addict.

I read. And I aim to help others to read. Feeding an addiction is okay, but only when it doesn't become your life. At that point it is safe to sit the person down and talk to them about becoming a librarian...

Hence the creation of this blog, I've had an intervention and am currently undertaking a Certificate in Librarian studies (or something).

So read, comment, tease, challenge: do all you can to help your own addictions grow.

Sunday, 3 April 2011

A teacher's secret weapon

This sophisticated picture book is a godsend! This story is useful for teachers and parents alike in teaching children about perspective, culture, and the environment.

Brother Eagle, Sister Sky.
Susan Jeffers.

How the story goes: The introduction states that this is a retelling of a speech made by Chief Seattle to the leaders of the USA on the signing of treaty agreements back in the day (1850s). So that's what the story is. It is a Native American take on how to treat the environment, why it's important, and what the effects of (for lack of a better term) raping the land would have.

Set out in philosophical terms; "How can you buy the sky? How can you own the rain and the wind?", the retelling takes the reader (or listener) to account for their own actions and as a whole, the human race's. The images are graphically surreal and kids have fun finding the spirits hidden in them. The message is obvious: treat the land better.. or else. However, the links you can make from this book are varied: political, historical, cultural, and environmental.

It's a teachers dream (I made a HUGE unit around this book lol) and can be read to and read with all ages, although I would recommend it for ages 7-12. This is based around the length, which is rather long for a picture book. Parents: this book is useful for exploring perspective and looking at cause and effect (personal responsibility).

Genre: [Sophisticated Picture book] [Historical] [Native American Culture]
Jeffers, S (1991). Brother Eagle, Sister Sky. Dial Books: New York, NY.
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3 comments:

  1. Unknown4 April 2011 at 00:32

    Oooh, I hadn't heard of this book before, but looks really cool! Keep up the good info Hayley =) P.S. I know this isn't a challengin comment, but it is a comment nonetheless =P

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  2. bookaholic4 April 2011 at 00:42

    Social studies Sam... lol this was the book I used for that unit... But thanks for the comment!! bahaha

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  3. Unknown4 April 2011 at 00:56

    Oh was it? I so didn't know that! I did the Lorax-also a very good book which transcends all ages!Dr Seuss is just a genius! It has pretty similar elements (look after the land, effect on animals/people etc), and everyone likes Dr Seuss!

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