Michigan Reading Journal Volume 12 Issue 1 Article 4 January 1978 Children Respond Reflectively to Literature Patricia Cianciolo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/mrj Recommended Citation Cianciolo, Patricia (1978) "Children Respond Reflectively to Literature," Michigan Reading Journal: Vol. 12 : Iss. 1 , Article 4. Available at: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/mrj/vol12/iss1/4 This Other is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Michigan Reading Journal by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FOCUS: LITERATURE CHILDREN RES POND REFLECTIVEL V TO LITERATURE Patricia Cianciolo Professor of Children's Literature Michigan State University What does the reading of literature activity and the reading of literature will and responding to it have to do with provide exactly the kind of fare that will becoming a capable reader? Is this an help young readers to acquire the habit ambiguous question? Not at all! Actually, of engaging in reflective (critical) thinking it is very important that educators ask when they read. Let us consider a few this question of themselves and answer it, specific responses that suggest reflective too. To ignore the question is to do dis­ thinking to the printed word, responses service to the children we teach. Examina­ which can be expected of children at any tion of the second-cycle objectives for grade level. the next round of the ational Assess­ The reader should be able to under­ ment ofEducationalProgress1 in the areas stand and evaluate the author's use of of reading and literature will reveal, I words and sentences in context. Even think, the importance of this question primary grade children can respond and and might well offer an answer to it. evaluate literature in this way. Read Included among the objectives for both aloud or ask children to read Hide and reading and literature are those which Seek Fog by Alvin Tresselt and Emilio's focus on reflective or critical thinking in Summer Day by Miriam Bou me. Ask the response to language - be that language children to compare and contrast how in print, oral or enacted. Implementation the au tho rs of these picture books used of these objectives calls for providing words to help the readers to feel the learning experiences in which readers weather elements. Tresselt uses poetic must respond reflectively to the reading prose to help his readers feel the moisture of literary selections and share these and the cold, to create the eerie mood responses - their understanding, inter­ when one is playing in the mist and fog. pretations and evaluations of the pieces, Bourne expresses her thoughts about the be they fiction, poetry, factual writing, oppressive summer heat in language that short stories, essays and editorials, dramas, is direct, simple and forceful. Middle biographies or magazines. Space limita­ grade readers will easily recognize the tions allow for only a brief discussion of power of words to arouse intense emo­ the variety of ways that reflective respon­ tions and they may be able to appreciate ses to literature might contribute towards and respect diversity in writing style as children becoming more capable, thought­ they compare two accounts of animals' ful readers of all printed material. Perhaps behavior when they are caught in a forest the thoughts expressed here will convince fire. So dramatically yet so differently you that you are already doing a fine job do the au th ors and illustrators of Wildfire in using literature to help children become and The Death of a Wombat tell their the skillful, thoughtful and critic al readers stories. In Wildfire, Evans G. Valens, Jr.. that are reflected in the various objectives uses exqui ite poetic prose to tell his included in the reading and literature account of the animals' terror and Clem- components of the ational Assessment. Perhaps you will view the kinds of learn­ For information about , ational A ses ment ing experiences and specific publications and a detailed li t of the revised objectives and exemplifying content write to ational discussed here worth trying and will prove A e ment of Education Progre s, 700 Lin­ to be effective in helping the children coln Tower, 1860 Lincoln Street, Denver become skillful, thoughtful and crj tical Colorado, 80203. Reports of the results of the past National Assessment programs may readers. At best, it is hoped that even this be ordered from Superintendent of Docu­ brief discussion will help us to always ment , U.S. Government Printing Office, keep in mind that reading is a thinking Washington, D.C. 20402. 7 ent Hurd's sophisticated woodcut prints be red-eyed and worn when they finish on rice paper masterfully extend and reaqing this fine collection of five epi­ enrich the story. In contrast, The Death sodes. of a Wombat, Ivan Smith tells his story in language that sometimes simple and The reader should respond to and sometimes embellished and Clifton Pugh evaluate a work by relating it to one's illustrates the story with simple, action­ self, one's own culture or to cultures of filled, line drawings and expressionistic others. At times the reader will read to paintings; together Smith and Pugh per­ seek knowledge and insights about mat­ sonalize the dreadful, urgent sense of ters involving her - or himself primarily. tragedy felt by the animals caught in a Thus, for the child who views going to savage brush fire. bed as something s/he would rather avoid The reader should comprehend and or for the one who is convinced that the evaluate how the author combines images, worst part of going to bed is having to incidents, characters and ideas to create get up in the morning, Judi Barrett's an emotional effect and to state a theme picture book about the good and bad or message. This kind of reflective things about going to bed, I Hate to Go response can be evoked from children to Bed, will be comforting. The full page who read Mama by Lee Bennett Hopkins crosshatch overlay illustrations by Ray and My Twin Sister, Erika by Ilse-Marga­ Cruz contribute to the realism and humor ret Vogel. Both of these stories are short which is offered the readers of this in­ and easy to read; both are stories that sightful and simple text. Likewise, anyone one will think about long after the last who wants a dog but is told that, "The word is read and the books are returned city (9r apartment) is no place for a dog." to the shelves. I_n each story the author or "Tropical fish make an educational emphasize.s that one must be himself or pet, one that keeps the house neat." will herself and one must respect and appre­ delight in Sidney Offit's short story "A ciate uniqueness in people. Each story is Dog No Eyes Can See." Offit's story of based on the authors' own childhood how an affectionate puppy named Rudi experiences and is told as a first person (who had the droopy lids of a Saint narrative. Yet each story is so different Bernard, pointed ears, the body of a from the other. The readers will remember German shepherd and fine withers, the Mama! She is tough, forceful, cheerful, a forearm, knee and pastern resembling a bit gauche, apparently entirely without beagle) was made invisible by feeding feelings of guilt in her thievery and she is him magic elixir, endured a trial basis overflowing with love for her two father­ and eventually was accepted as a member less sons. Mama is an "up" story but it of the family. This is one of six original is one that will leave the reader (like the humorous short stories written by well narrator) feeling anguished, ambivalent known writers as Scott Corbett, Lloyd and very fond of Mama. Ms. Vogle's Alexander and Marilyn Sachs, gathered in story is thoroughly poignant and amazing­ Just For Fun and edited by Ann Durrell. ly simply stated, consisting of five epi­ Two books that are bound to alert the sodes involving twin sisters who are so readers to the beauty that surrounds close that only after one of the girls dies them in their here-and-now world should at age seven can the surviving twin say be mentioned. One of my favorites among that "Today I will be me ... I will be the books this year is Guess Who My myself' but promises also to love her Favorite Person Is written by Byrd Baylor mother " . as if I was still two." and illustrated by Robert Andres Parker Children will find comfort, security and with line-and-wash impressionistic paint­ genuine love in these episodes about ings. The readers will enjoy matching Erika and Inge. The girls were so much their favorite color, place to live, thing alike yet so very different from each to touch, smell, dream, thing to taste, other. The readers will get to know each thing to see moving and time of day with of the girls well but they will get them the favorites identified by the narrator mixed up too, as did their Uncle Max; and his young friend. Also worthy of they will enjoy the accounts of how the note is The Golden Circle. This is a little girls exchanged identities; they will involve gem consisting of twelve essays about the themselves in the girls' arguments and natural world around us - recording what wonderful projects. They, like I was, will nature is doing and how it looks from 8 month to month.