Author/Illustrator: Barbara Joosse/Renata LiwskaPlot Summary: Of the 100 orphans at the Novosibirsk, Russian Orphanage #1, Nikolai is the only bear. And of the ninety nine keepers in the orphanage, no one speaks Bear. Nikolai watches child after child get adopted by loving parents and wonders when it will be his turn. Finally, a kind couple comes from America who seem to "speak his language." The man prowls on the rug with him, the woman sings to him and gives him hugs that make Nikolai feel "soft-bearish." They leave the orphanage and take him home to America.
Comments: I loved this book! It would be appropriate for adopted children(it was listed on several websites about adoption) but also a lesson about being or feeling different. Nikolai's inability to communicate and have people understand him could also be applied to children with difficulties communicating such as those with autism.
Extensions:
1. Read the book to kindergartners while holding a stuffy, teddy bear. Pass the bear around for them to hold.
2. This book could be used by the teacher or school counselor as part of a lesson on how it feels to be different.
3. It could also be used for a lesson for children to identify what is special or unique about them and then write or draw about it.
Themes/keywords: orphans, orphanages, bears, Novosibirsk, Russia, Russia
Age/Reading Level: Interest Level - K-3; ATOS 2.6; Follett - 1.9
Standards:
I believe books such as this highlight the inadequacies with adhering to strict academic standards as well as present the argument that activities in the Media Center should not always be standards-based. Issues such as belonging, not belonging, feeling isolated, diversity and inclusion should not be concepts taught by school counselors but should be integrated in to classroom routines. Some school reform programs such as Expeditionary and the International Baccalaureate advocate for diversity and the importance of children growing up in a diverse community and county. Other schools, however, do not have this framework. This is an opportunity for Media Specialists to fill an important need and the multicutural/international books can be a useful tool.
Publisher's Info: Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, New York 2005.
ISBN-13: 978-0-399-23884-0
ISBN-10: 0-399-23884-0
Awards/Review Sources:
School Library Journal 04/01/05 | Kirkus Review starred 03/01/05 |
| Horn Book 10/01/05(inc. a starred review) | Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 01/01/05 |
| Teacher Librarian 04/01/06 |
Genre/Dewey: Fiction; Easy/Everybody
Websites: Author's Website: http://www.barbarajoosse.com/ (I think I would like Barbara.)
Notes for Booktalk:
Vocabulary: accordion, babushka, orphan
Comments