The Tunnel by Anthony Browne

Once upon a time there lived a brother and sister who were complete opposites and constantly fought and argued. One day they discovered the tunnel. The boy goes through it at once, dismissing his sister's fears. When he doesn't return his sister has to pluck up the courage to go through the tunnel too. She finds her brother in a mysterious forest where he has been turned to stone...

A fascinating adventure story that is more suitable for Key stage 2 due to the context. Initially, it presents a familiar scene of sibling rivalry that all children will be able to identify and relate to at some level. The author’s portrayal of the contrasting male and female characters is particularly stereotypical - Jack likes to play football, roughly. He is a loud boisterous young man, while Rose is quiet and nervous; she enjoys spending her time reading endless books. This idea of stereotypical behaviour is good discussion point for the class to explore in more detail.

The elder of the two Characters, Jack, dismisses his sister’s fears and wanders into a dark tunnel only to find himself alone, lost and eventually frozen in a statute like position. The reader never discovers what happens to Jack during this period of time but this provides a good starting point for predictions within literacy. The setting, a strange and unknown world at the end of a mystery tunnel, provides endless possibilities for this activity. The story is exploring the relationships between siblings, Jack is assured that despite her fears; Rose will follow him into the tunnel. Indeed, Rose does desperately want to retrieve her brother to ensure his safety but she is tormented by the idea of scary and unknown creatures that may lurk within the tunnel. This moral dilemma that Rose faces allows children to relate to her character, they may compare her challenge to a situation they found themselves in whereby they were unsure of the right decision to make. Rose is courageous and travels through the tunnel only to find her dear brother rooted to the ground, numb, fixed, and perhaps petrified. Her warm embrace and wet tears soon melt Jack and they run home together.
At home, neither character wishes to disclose the day’s events to their mother. The story subtly hints at a ‘secret garden’ of emotions that occur between siblings.

The illustrations in this book are lovely, especially once the children are in the magical forest. Illustrations at the beginning of the book depict a clear separation between the boy and girl in the beginning, each seen in their own bordered frames, until a much larger image of the brother sneaking into his sister's room at night, wearing a wolf mask. Browne dedicates a double page spread to an elaborate drawing of the forest with its creepy details. The illustrations of the forest are excellent because when you look at the trees closely there is more than meets the eye. The full page double spread of the girl running through a forest of ferocious bears and wolves in feminine attire is a clever depiction of the girl's imagination run amok.

Notable language within The Tunnel is Browne’s use of rhetorical questions. When Jack disappears within the tunnel and Rose is left to wait, the author asks “what could she do?”. Following on from this, the author writes “she had to follow him into the tunnel” specifically highlighting writing ‘had’ in Italics to imply that Rose didn’t have a choice thus opening up further opportunity for discussion in which learners could consider what they would do in such a situation.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis

When the Pevensie children, Peter, Susan,  Edmund and Lucy are sent out of London during World War II, they have no ideas of the magical journey that are beginning. In the darkness, of the old country house where they have been sent to, the children stumble through a old wardrobe to the lands of Narnia. There they help Aslan the lion defeat the White Queen who holds Narnia.

 

Themes

 

• Good versus Evil

In this novel, good and evil are straightforward and undisguised. Good is ultimately more powerful than evil, although evil does seem to have a necessary place in the Lewis's world. Even people who make serious mistakes can be redeemed and re-join the side of good. Creatures who are truly evil will be vanquished in the end. Evil is most disturbing because it preys on our own weaknesses and negative traits.

 

"If it comes to that, which is the right side? How do we know that the fauns are in the right and the Queen (yes, I know we've been told she's a witch) is in the wrong? We don't really know anything about either."

In this quote, Edmund raises the fact that he and his siblings are really just stumbling into the middle of a complicated situation that they may not understand. Yet we as readers instinctively know that he is wrong. The Queen is obviously evil, and Mr Tumnus is obviously good.

 

• Compassion and forgiveness

The ability to forgive those who have caused you harm or betrayed you is the most important virtue in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Good is able to triumph over evil through one great act of mercy and compassion. Forgiveness, when it comes, is complete. What's done is done, and it would be pointless to bring up past wrongs.

 

"Then be off home as quick as you can," said the Faun, "and – c-can you ever forgive me for what I meant to do?"
"Why, of course I can," said Lucy, shaking him heartily by the hand. "And I do hope you won't get into dreadful trouble on my account."

Here we see that Lucy is ready and willing to forgive anyone who is genuinely sorry while Mr Tumnus feels the need to apologise for a transgression he hasn't even committed yet.

• Transformation

There are several types of transformation in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It is possible for individuals to transform from unpleasant and selfish people to wise and just ones, but only with the help of a powerful outside force. There are several types of transformation in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It is possible for individuals to transform from unpleasant and selfish people to wise and just ones, but only with the help of a powerful outside force.

 

"I've come at last," said he. "She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. Aslan is on the move. The Witch's magic is weakening."

When Father Christmas appears in Narnia, it is a sign that time has begun to pass in a normal way again. The endless winter is being transformed into normal, human, cyclical time with landmarks like holidays.

 

• Courage

Courage in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is not a feeling but a way that you behave. Although you might feel despairing, frightened, or sick, you can still behave bravely. Bravery is one of the most valuable virtues. It cannot be learned, but good people will find that they have unknown reserves of strength in difficult moments. Courage may mean the ability to face certain defeat, pain, suffering, or even death with patience and fortitude.

 

"At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in his inside. […] Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous."

Peter's courage is innate and only needs a little bit of prompting from the outside in order to show itself.

• Family

The bonds between family members and the nature of the family itself are central themes of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In this novel, families have definite gender roles and different people will have different responsibilities depending on their circumstances.

 

"Don't go on talking like that."
"Like what?" said Susan; "and anyway, it's time you were in bed."
"Trying to talk like Mother," said Edmund. "And who are you to say when I'm to go to bed? Go to bed yourself."

When the four pevensie children are sent to the countryside to get away from the air raids in London, older sister Susan tries to reposition herself as a surrogate mother.

• Exploration

The desire to explore and experience new things is a charming characteristic in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but one that can lead to more trouble than expected. Exploration might mean investigating the outdoors, the indoors, a magical world that exists in another dimension, or even one's own psychological world.

 

"It's an owl," said Peter. "This is going to be a wonderful place for birds. I shall go to bed now. I say, let's go and explore to-morrow. You might find anything in a place like this. Did you see those mountains as we came along? And the woods? There might be eagles. There might be stags. There'll be hawks."
"Badgers!" said Lucy.
"Snakes!" said Edmund.
"Foxes!" said Susan.

As soon as the children arrive at the Professor's house in the country, they are excited about the possibility of exploring the wilderness around them. What they don't realize is that they will be exploring a wilderness – but in a completely different world.

In general, the book is written in a simple, plain language that many child readers can understand. Its brilliant construction enables readers of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy the magical world that the book creates. At times the description of pleasant things take on a life of its own, making the reader long to have tea with Mr Tumnus or walk through the Narnian countryside, for example. When reading, C.S.Lewis's descriptions have the ability to take the reader into the world of Narnia, which makes the book so enjoyable.

 

Film trailer

 

 

 

Oh Say can you seed? By Bonnie Worth

 

Oh say can you seed? is a perfect non-fiction book for introducing children to flowering plants. The cat in the hat examines various parts of seeds and plants in this easy to read story for young children.

With the Cat in the Hat as the guide, children are encouraged to think about the different ways we use plants, "from the paper for books and the cloth for your pants". He helps students understand that plants are used for food, clothing, and medicines, and are used for so many of our daily needs.

With the assistance of Thing 1 and Thing 2, Cat in the Hat defines what a seed is for students and illustrates the anatomy of seeds. He illustrates the growing timeline of seeds and identifies the parts of the plant once the seed has grown. Bonnie Worth also shares what plants need to grow and how plants are the only living things on Earth that make their own food through photosynthesis.

Language

The first thing that struck me about the language of this book were the American English links. First of all, the title Oh say can you seed? instantly reveals the language of the book before you even read the first page due to the fact it is a play on words of lyrics from the American National Anthem. Secondly, there are phrases used throughout the book such as pants and traveled (spelt travelled in England). From that point of view, if the book were to be used in science lessons, teachers would have to be careful with the terminology and phrases used in the book.

Throughout the book there is a sing song rhyme that instantly transforms its contents from a non-fiction education book to a story about seeds i.e.

I'm the Cat in the Hat,
and I think that you need
to come take a look at
this thing called a seed.

The rhyme makes the book much more fun and enjoyable to read for children and could also help in reinforcing and improving the intake of the information presented through the story.

The book also gives the reader a very personal connection between the reader and the characters in the story. The Cat in the Hat often says I think, I will or I mean which reinforces the fact that he is the one doing the teaching in the story and taking the reader on the journey of a life of a seed.

By using phrases such as the cloth for your pants or the veggies you eat , Bonnie Worth gives the reader the feel that the Cat is talking directly to them, and also relating themes in the book back to a students everyday life. Presenting information in the context of a child's everyday life can also help to improve and increase understanding of key concepts.

Rhetorical questions such as Can you think of the ways? gets the reader thinking. In the context of this story, it gets the children thinking about all the different ways in which plants are used throughout our lives.

Illustrations

Opening pages of Oh say can you seed?

The book is full of colourful and interesting illustrations that can attract attention,  enhance understanding and create context. The illustrations can also help in aiding retention of key facts/ concepts because they give the children something that they can use in identification i.e. matching an idea with a diagram.



Photosynthesis diagram from Oh say can you seed?
 

The book also goes into great detail with diagrams and charts that match descriptions in the text in order to help children understand and bring to life the processes or parts involved with seeds and plants.

Laura's Star by Klaus Baumgart

This book has been a favourite of mine ever since I was a youngster for two reasons; firstly because I have so many lovely memories of it being read to me by my granddad and secondly, because I love the way that Laura's character transforms from the beginning to the end of the story.

Plot Summary
The title of the story is quite self explanatory: the story is about a little girl called Laura who longs for a friend that she can talk to and share secrets with. One night she is mesmerised by a glittering star, falling from the sky, which lands broken on the pavement. Laura rescues the star and takes it carefully to her room to fix it. There, Laura confides in the star by telling it all of her secrets.

In the morning, Laura wakes up to find her new friend missing and is sad throughout the day. When she later goes to bed, she finds her bandaged star in the same place she had left it. While she is happy to have her friend back, Laura realises that her star is dyeing and so makes the decision to set him free to return to the night sky.

Key themes
A magical story that helps children to understand the importance of friendship and that sometimes, we have to let go of things that are precious to us. Baumgart's story also teaches children that, sometimes, we have to put the needs of other before our own and that no matter how alone we may feel, there will always be someone there. Friends come in all shapes and sizes. This story can also be interpreted as a metaphor for children dealing with bereavement, as the star symbolises their lost one.

Structure

           ✤ OPENING:

"I wish I had a friend," sighed Laura as she gazed out of her bedroom window.
 

✤ CLOSING:

Each night when she went to bed, she could whisper her secrets into the darkness, knowing that the little star was somewhere out there, listening.

The story, in my opinion, is based heavily upon Laura's character transformation and growth as a person, the opening and closing lines of the story are clear evidence of this.  In the opening line we meet a lonely, unhappy Laura that hides away and longs to find a friend but by the end of the story, we see that Laura has transformed into the happy, comforted little girl that she should be.


Adaptations
Laura's star is also a 2004 German animated film based upon Baumgart's book and produced by Warner Bros. The film was produced in both German and English and has become the most successful animated film in all of German history with a sequel to the story released in 2009. Though I'm yet to watch the film, plot summaries that I have read online lead me to believe that the story has been dramatized for film purposes. In the film, Laura and her brother Tommy (there was no Tommy in the book) discover that the little star has powers and can do amazing things like making people fly and brining inanimate objects over time (this also never happened in the book).

A sad but beautiful story of the friendship between a lonely little girl and a star.