I just finished reading this & will be reviewing soon. It is a great find; and I especially love the idea of using this for Asian Pacific Heritage Month; nothing against other books, but, with rare exceptions, picture books that aren't about either Japan or China are folk/fairy tales. How nice to have something real.
Exactly, what a good point! Off the top of my head, I cannot think of any fiction or nonfiction about Cambodia except the usual series books about countries. I had kids at my school of Cambodian heritage who would check those books out over and over again. This book will be a lovely addition for those kids.
In the interests of full disclosure, I must tell you I was a French major in college and spent a year based in Strasbourg soaking up glorious art in museums everywhere I traveled.
This is a book every school library needs to own. Open your Titlewave or BTSB or Mackin account and put this book on your "To be Purchased" list right now.
Little Sap wins a spot in the royal dance troupe of Cambodia. She trains for many years, learning through hard work to dance and pose with grace. In 1906, King Sisowath takes his dance troupe to France to perform. In the audience, the artist Auguste Rodin is inspired by the dancers and[Image] asks for the chance to sketch them.
In an interview at Cynsations, Texas author Michelle Lord recounts how her discovery of these drawings served as inspiration for the story.
[Image]Illustrator Felicia Hoshino has exquisitely evoked the colors and spare style of Rodin's work. Her pictures move the story along with the grace and pacing of a dance.
This book will hit so many areas of your library collection, Art, Multicultural, Dance, History...
More importantly, kids MUST find themselves in their school library. Newly arrived students (and long-time ones) will look for books about their former home whether it is another city, state of another country. Children[Image] look for books about their faith and about their cultural background. These books act as an anchor as they navigate their new (or familiar) environment. You have Gotta Have this book.
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Close this window Jump to comment formI just finished reading this & will be reviewing soon. It is a great find; and I especially love the idea of using this for Asian Pacific Heritage Month; nothing against other books, but, with rare exceptions, picture books that aren't about either Japan or China are folk/fairy tales. How nice to have something real.
7:49 AM
Exactly, what a good point! Off the top of my head, I cannot think of any fiction or nonfiction about Cambodia except the usual series books about countries. I had kids at my school of Cambodian heritage who would check those books out over and over again. This book will be a lovely addition for those kids.
12:01 PM
This looks awesome - thanks for the tip!
1:14 PM
This is also on my "to be reviewed" list because it's so intriguing and beautifully done.
Thanks for the review.
3:25 PM