Week 7 note

New glossary

1. character development

In life the development of a person's character or personality is a matter of growth and change over time. In literature, however, there is rarely the time or space for that to fully occur. But there is the promise of change, even within the brief space of the picturebook formate. 

2. Flat character

Flat characters are less important, but essential to a story's action. They are not fully developed, but in most stories, these flat characters help carry the action by showing how the central character behaves or relates to others. Flat characters make the setting a believable place because they are a part of a community of characters. Flat characters are quickly made known to the reader, then assume their necessary places in the narrative so that the story can then focus on the central characters. In Charlotte's Web, Dr. Dorian and Mr. Arable are  clearly flat character.

3. Round character

A round character is one that is fully developed; we know this character well, because many traits are demonstrated in the action of the story. We know appearance and actions, speech and opinions, what others say and think about the character, and often what the writer thinks about him or her. The character is so fully developed that we may even be able to predict actions and reactions. Ex: David Almond's Skellig, features two round characters: Michael and Mina. 

4. Static character

A static character is one who does not change in the course of the story. The conflict does not influence the character the character by making any impact on personality or outlook. Flat characters- including stereotypes and foils-will not change because they are not known well enough for us to recognize or care about changes, but a round character, too, may be unchanged by the conflict. In fact, even the protagonist may be unchanged by the action. In Skellig, Michael's Mother is a static character, steadfastly nurturing of both Michael and the new baby, though in different ways. Her responses to the demands of moving, renovation, and a sick child are predictable. 
5. Dynamic character
A dynamic character is one who changes over the course of the action. He or she may change from being shy to possessing poise, from being cowardly to displaying bravery, of from selfish indulgence to performing selfless acts. Ex: Big Red Lollipop is an excellent example of dynamic change in a young character. 
6. Foil
A minor character whose traits are in direct contrast to those of a principal character in order to highlight them. The snobbish lamb is as young and naive as Wilbur, but she is smug instead of humble. Pigs are little or nothing to her. Since the lamb is consistently disdainful, her behavior contrasts sharply with Wilbur's humility, thus acting as a foil.

7. Trickster

A popular folktale character who teaches and learns lessons the hard way, making up for physical weakness by making subversive jokes and playing underhanded tricks on his unsuspecting victims. Tricksters can be alternatively clever and stupid, kind and mean, deceived and deceitful; they play an important role in the folklore and culture of the United States. Ex: Tricker: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection by Matt Dembicki. 

Authors’ introductions

1. David Almond

David Almond FRSL (born 15 May 1951) is a British author who has written several novels for children and young adults from 1998, each one receiving critical acclaim.

He is one of thirty children's writers, and one of three from the U.K., to win the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award, "the world's most prestigious prize in children's literature". For the 70th anniversary of the British Carnegie Medal in 2007, his debut novel Skellig (1998) was named one of the top ten Medal-winning works, selected by a panel to compose the ballot for a public election of the all-time favorite. It ranked third in the public vote from that shortlist.
2. Rukhsana Khan

Khan was born in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1962. She immigrated to Canada with her family when she was three years old and grew up in Dundas, Ontario. She graduated from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology and became a biological-chemical technician. She has four children including three daughters and a son, and lives with her husband in Toronto, Ontario.

Khan's writing career began by writing songs for Adam's World children's videos. Her stories have appeared in Message International and Kahani magazines. Her award-winning books for children include picture books, short story collections and novels. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, The Writer's Union of Canada, CANSCAIP and Storytelling Toronto. Khan is also a member of the International Storytelling Network.

Khan is a "well-known Canadian children’s author who focuses on telling tales of diversity." Her books have been translated into several languages, including Italian and Japanese. She presented a speech titled "Freedom of Speech Versus Cultural Sensitivity: Balancing the Right to Create Freely vs. the Need of People to be Respected", at the 2008 IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) World Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
3. Matt Dembicki

Cartoonist Matt Dembicki is the artist/writer of graphic novels such as the award-winning nature parable 'Mr. Big.' He edited the recently released 'Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection' from Fulcrum Publishing. He is about to complete work on his Ignatz Award-nominated 'Xoc' (pronounced “Shock”), an ecological tale about a great white shark. He is also a founding member of the D.C. Conspiracy, a comics creators’ collaborative in Washington, D.C.

4. Crockett Johnson

Crockett Johnson (1906-1975) was the writer and/or illustrator of over 20 books for children, including his beloved classic HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON (Harper, 1955), as well as seven subsequent adventures starring Harold, and THE CARROT SEED, written by his wife, Ruth Krauss (Harper, 1945). He was also the creator of “Barnaby,” one of the most popular comic-strips of the Twentieth Century. (A Barnaby selection appears in LITTLE LIT: STRANGE STORIES FOR STRANGE KIDS, Harper, 2001.) 

Mr. Johnson received his art training at New York University and Cooper Union, and in his later years exhibited a series of geometric paintings, which were well-received by both the mathematical and artistic communities.
5. Pamela S. Turner

The first thing I can remember wanting to be is a children’s book writer and illustrator. I went through sketchbooks so fast my mother bought me rolls of shelf paper to draw on, and I remember being scolded for bringing books to the dinner table. When my parents made me turn off my bedside lamp at the end of every evening, I would read by the tiny red light on the temperature control for my electric blanket. I grew up in Riverside—a rather hot part of southern California. I was forced to sweat through many books, and not just because I was worried about the hero or heroine. When I was in college I spent a year in Nairobi, Kenya, as an exchange student. I didn't know much about Africa before I left, but I knew it had lots of wildlife. I traveled throughout East and Central Africa and saw lions, elephants, gorillas, Cape buffalo, and many other animals. I met my future husband, Rob, in Kenya. He was an exchange student from the University of California–Berkeley. We both loved living in another country. I have a B.A. in social science from the University of California–Irvine, and a Master of Public Health from the University of California–Berkeley. I’ve worked as a legislative assistant for foreign affairs for a California congressman and as an international health consultant. Over the years, Rob and I lived in the Marshall Islands, South Africa, the Philippines, and Japan. We have three children, Travis, Kelsey, and Connor. Each of them was born in a different country. We now live in Oakland, California. When I write I am ably kept company by my yellow Labrador retriever, Genki, and my son Connor’s cockapoo, Tux. They sometimes respond to “sit.” They always respond to “cookie.” I also have an Australian White’s tree frog named Dumpy F. Lumpy who responds to nothing except juicy crickets.
Books introductions

1. Skellig by David Almond

Michael was looking forward to moving into a new house. But now his baby sister is ill, his parents are frantic, and Doctor Death has come to call. Michael feels helpless. Then he steps into the crumbling garage and encounters a strange being who changes his world forever.

2.  Big Red Lollipop
 by Rukhsana Khan (Author), Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)

Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother, Ami, insists that she bring her little sister along. Rubina is mortified, but she can't convince Ami that you just don't bring your younger sister to your friend's party. So both girls go, and not only does Sana demand to win every game, but after the party she steals Rubina's prized party favor, a red lollipop. What's a fed-up big sister to do? Rukhsana Khan's clever story and Sophie Blackall's irresistible illustrations make for a powerful combination in this fresh and surprising picture book.


3. Tricker: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection

All cultures have tales of the trickster – a crafty creature or being who uses cunning to get food, steal precious possessions, or simply cause mischief. He disrupts the order of things, often humiliating others and sometimes himself. In Native American traditions, the trickster takes many forms, from coyote or rabbit to raccoon or raven. The first graphic anthology of Native American trickster tales, Trickster brings together Native American folklore and the world of comics.

In Trickster, 24 Native storytellers were paired with 24 comic artists, telling cultural tales from across America. Ranging from serious and dramatic to funny and sometimes downright fiendish, these tales bring tricksters back into popular culture. 

4. Harold and the purple crayon by Crockett Johnson

Share this timeless classic with a new generation of readers!

"One evening, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight."

Armed only with an oversized purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of wonder and excitement.

Full of funny twists and surprises, this joyful story shows just how far your imagination can take you. Harold and the Purple Crayon has delighted readers of all ages since 1955.

5. Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog by Pamela S. 

Imagine walking to the same place every day, to meet your best friend. Imagine watching hundreds of people pass by every morning and every afternoon. Imagine waiting, and waiting, and waiting. For ten years. This is what Hachiko did.
Hachiko was a real dog who lived in Tokyo, a dog who faithfully waited for his owner at the Shibuya train station long after his owner could not come to meet him. He became famous for his loyalty and was adored by scores of people who passed through the station every day. This is Hachiko’s story through the eyes of Kentaro, a young boy whose life is changed forever by his friendship with this very special dog. Simply told, and illustrated with Yan Nascimbene’s lush watercolors, the legend of Hachiko will touch your heart and inspire you as it has inspired thousands all over the world.