Jan Brett | Create WebQuest

Introduction

I decided to explore the works of author illustrator Jan Brett. I was first introduced to her writing and illustrations through Berlioz the Bear which was the first book I read to my kindergarten class. While I was reading this book, I watched the children’s expressions as they viewed the wonderful illustrations throughout the story. Berlioz the Bear is full of humorous dialogue among the various characters and lends itself to a bit of mystery and comedy.

Jan Brett uses her imagination to create images and scenery that, at first, represent ‘imaginary places’ until she develops them and brings them to life through her illustrations. Brett’s illustrations create such emotion they alone can tell the story without the reader ‘reading’ the words. Jan Brett’s ability to write and illustrate her own stories with a central focus on nature and animals is the reason why I choose her for this project. I plan on teaching the lower elementary grades; therefore, I feel that her style of writing and illustrations can provide many benefits to the young readers (i.e., making inferences and content/text connections).

Task

Jan Brett was born on December 1, 1949 in Norwell, Massachusetts. As a child, Jan had a love for books and enjoyed reading. She decided to become an illustrator because she wanted to create the imaginary places of which she had read about in many of the books. She began her studies at Colby Junior College in Massachusetts in 1968. After Jan graduated, she then studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and began writing and illustrating in 1978.

It is not difficult to recognize one of Jan Brett’s books because her unique connection to her stories is depicted as she draws upon her love for nature, animals and the human culture by portraying this theme through her stories. Jan’s famous children’s picture books display beautiful and detailed animal pictures which compliments her use of symbolism. Many of her books also contain folktales from various human cultures which stem from Scandinavia, Africa, Finland, Poland and the Ukraine.

Jan also accredits much of her inspiration to travel. She feels that as an author she should know and understand the subjects of her story so their characteristics can be accurately portrayed. As a result, Jan and her husband, Joe Hearne, explore many different countries as a way to understand the various cultures. Often her stories and illustrations will incorporate architecture and costumes of those particular countries.

Jan Brett’s most famous works include The Mitten, The Hat, and Gingerbread Baby. However, she has received many distinct and honorable awards such as Parents' Choice Award, Parents' Choice Foundation, 1981, for Fritz and the Beautiful Horses, 1988, for Mother's Day Mice; In the Castle of Cats and Fritz and the Beautiful Horses selected as Children's Choice titles, International Reading Association, 1982; and Ambassador of Honor Book designation, English-Speaking Union of the United States, 1983, for Some Birds Have Funny Names just to name a few! Ms. Brett also has her own website entitled, “Welcome to the World of Jan Brett” wherein she incorporates games, books, exhibits, cards, blog etc. to engage readers and fans of all ages.

Annotated Bibliography

Title, Illustrator,

Publisher and Copyright

Theme, Summary

And Awards

Personal Response

Classroom Use

Teacher Notes

Title: The Umbrella

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguins Young Reader’s Group

Theme: Costa Rican Forests and Rainforests/ Habitats and Ecosystems

Summary: This story is about a boy who takes a walk through the Costa Rican cloud forest to see what he can discover. He drops his umbrella so he can climb a tree in hopes of discovering the exotic animals but what he doesn’t see is that the animals climb into his umbrella as it floats by them.

Awards: New York Time’s Bestseller

There are so many reasons why I enjoyed reading this book: first – the illustrations are beautiful and very realistic; second – I love the way she incorporates Spanish phrases in the text; and third- I enjoy the way she assigns personification to the animals.

I would use this book in my classroom to help students with the sequencing of events. I would also use this to engage the students in making predictions. Also, it is a great way to introduce and explain what a Rain Forest is and where they are located.

Title: Town Mouse, Country Mouse

Publisher: : G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Theme: Making Changes / Experiencing different habitats

Summary: This story is about a town mouse and a country mouse that wake up one morning and decide they need a change; so, the town mouse visits the country mouse and they agree to switch homes. Both town mouse and country mouse thought the other mouse had a better life. What they didn’t expect was that grass isn’t always greener on the other side! Each mouse experiences unexpected events that make them realize the comforts of their home.

Awards: N/A

I enjoyed this book because I feel it suggests that you should be happy with what you have; and, that things are not always as they appear to be. The story also touches on real life characteristics of mice (what they eat, their habitat). Once again, the illustrations are so vivid and explicit they alone can tell the story. The mice are given their own unique personalities which are easily identified.

I would use this story in my classroom as a wonderful way to teach students how to find similarities and differences (by using the country mouse and town mouse). Also, the story could help with sequencing of events.

Title: Berlioz the Bear

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Theme: Collaborating/Music

Summary: Berlioz and his bear orchestra are going to be performing at a gala ball in the village square at eight o'clock in the evening. During their travels, Berlioz hears a buzzing noise coming from his bass and it causes their coach wagon to hit a hole and breaks down. Everyone big and small, strong and weak, tries to pull the wagon out of the hole but there is no success until... ? Readers will never guess how gets the wagon up and moving!

Awards: 1991 Certificate of Merit from Bookbuilders West Book Show

1991Best Children's Books citation, New Yorker magazine.

I really enjoyed this book because of the subtle humor displayed among the various characters. I also like this book because as I read it to my class during practicum, I observed the students as they tried to figure out ‘who was going to get this wagon out’ – it prompted discussions between them and they were making predictions (without realizing it).

This story can be implemented in the classroom as a learning tool for sequencing, predictions, and creating bonds among peers. It also is wonderful to refer to when demonstrating collaboration and group work not to mention it suggests that you should never judge a book by its cover!

Title: Armadillo Rodeo

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Theme: Friendship

Summary: Bo is a very adventurous armadillo who sets out to find new armadillo friends. However, what Bo doesn’t realize is that he has found a bright red pair of cowboy boots, not another armadillo friend - his nearsightedness has deceived him. He ends up following the cowboy boots and this adventure lands him at the bronco busting rodeo. Who will help rescue Bo?

Awards: N/A

This was a cute story and I enjoyed the humor portrayed by the characters. I truly love her illustrations and at times I find myself viewing them before reading the words. The story line is wonderful for young children because it focuses on so many different aspects such as friendship, following along with others (cohesively) and introduces a different culture (the western culture).

This story would be a great tool to use when teaching students how to follow directions (early elementary). Jan Brett has placed this book on audiocassette and the song, These Boots are Made for Walking” plays during part of the story - - at that time, you could give specific instructions to the ‘line leader’ such as do a little dance step and have the students take turns imitating the person in front of line. Every student could partake in the activity!

Title: Comet’s Nine Lives

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Theme: Courage/Bravery/Adventure

Summary: Comet decides to venture away from his home - the lighthouse. During his travels he gets himself into trouble time after time and with each new incident he loses a life. Comet starts to panic when he reaches his last life - - he knows he needs to find a safe place to live but does he find it in time?

Awards: N/A

This is a very entertaining story! I enjoyed reading this simply because of the humor involved. Jan Brett introduces the metaphor “nine lives” and captures the audience as they began to count down to the last life Comet has left! It also encompasses a bit of suspense/mystery which engages you while you read.

This story can be implemented (especially in kindergarten and first grade) to help students in their math skills - - adding the number of lives he use, subtracting each life as he loses them. It can also be used to demonstrate courage and to recognize when you need help from others.

Title: Trouble with Trolls

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Theme: Overcoming Challenge/Finding Solutions

Summary: This story is about a family of trolls who live in an underground den and they aspire to have a dog. Along come Treva and her dog on their way to visit Treva’s cousin. The trolls spot her and try to take her dog. Treva encounters five different trolls and is faced with quick thinking in order to keep her dog and rid the trolls!

Awards: N/A

I enjoyed reading this story because I feel that it keeps you interested in it and you find yourself trying to predict how Treva will get out of such a sticky situation.

This story can be used to introduce new regions, such as Norway (because that is where the story takes place), it can be used to help with problem solving skills and introduces the reader to the genre of fantasy and myths (allowing for creative thinking).

Title: Fritz and the Beautiful Horses

Publisher:

G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Theme: Respect

Summary: Fritz was anything but beautiful - -he was a surefooted, hard-working pony. Always being made fun of and not included with the rest of the beautiful horses, Fitz was sad. This all changes when he is the only equine who can rescue a group of children and proves that beauty is not always the most important attribute to have.

Awards: 1981 Parents' Choice award, Parents' Choice Foundation

1982 Selected as Children's Choice titles, International Reading Association

1984 University of Nebraska Children's Book Award

This is one of my favorites because it makes you aware of insecurities and how it can affect you and others. It is a great way to inspire all children and let them know that it’s not what is on the outside that matters.

This story can be used to discourage young children from picking on each other (bullying) and making them aware of other’s feelings. It could be used to describe different attributes and positive characteristics of peers and to introduce students to discrimination and their negative effects. From a different viewpoint, it could also be used to introduce new vocabulary and terms associated with horses.

Title: The Hat

Publisher:

G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Theme: Confidence / Friends

Summary: Hedgie the Hedgehog is a very curious creature and while playing around discovers a sock and puts it on his head. He soon realizes that he cannot get the sock off and decides to wear it around town as a hat! All of his friends make fun of him and he cannot understand why - - he tells them that its cold out and they all should be wearing a hat. Finally, the little girl who lost her sock sees Hedgie wearing her sock as a hat! She helps him take it off while reminding him that animals don’t wear clothes - - but guess what Hedgie notices about his friends….

Awards: 1998 Book of the Year Award and American Booksellers Association

I enjoyed reading this story because it encompasses humor and a bit of mystery. I really like reading Jan Brett’s literature because she always includes animals and integrates a bit of various cultures into her stories. I feel that even though her writing is fiction/fable/fantasy there is always an accurate reference made towards a particular country (there is always something to learn at any age).

This story can be used to help students in a variety of ways: Sequencing events, making predictions and, more importantly, introducing comparisons and contrasts. You could do this by using the books, The Mitten and The Hat and have the students compare the similarities and difference between them.

Title: Gingerbread Baby

Publisher:

G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Theme: Magical/Cleverness

Summary: Matti and his mom bake a gingerbread baby that escapes from their oven. The gingerbread baby roams all around town and leads the people on a wild chase as they try to catch him. Everyone is searching for the gingerbread baby except Matti - - he is at home baking. What is Matti baking? Is it another gingerbread baby or is it the gingerbread house that is placed in town as a trap to catch the gingerbread baby?

Awards: N/A

This is a cute story to read. It is entertaining and a bit mystifying! And, yet again, Jan Brett brings to life the gingerbread baby through her wonderful display of personification! The illustrations are comical and help the reader make connections and predict what may or may not happen next.

I could read this story aloud to my students and discuss what strategies are used to catch the gingerbread baby, I could discuss their predictions of what will happen next and why is Matti still baking and not looking for the gingerbread baby and I could introduce the country Sweden and discuss some of their culture and traditions.

Title: The Three Snow Bears

Publisher:

Penguin Group, Inc.

Illustrator: Jan Brett

Theme: Respect for others property

Summary: After losing her team of sled dogs, Aloo-ki sees an igloo and decides to go inside and warm up. She finds food and a bed that is just right for her. What she doesn’t expect are three snow bears to come home early - - before she can leave.

Awards: N/A

I enjoyed this book as it is a spinoff from Goldilocks and the Three Bears! It is entertaining while simultaneously teaches the readers to have respect for other’s property.

While reading this book to my class, I would focus on the issue of respect and self-control! I would also introduce Alaska and its characteristics to help the readers have a better understanding of the text and make greater connections to the story.

Objectives and Assessments

The students will describe the characters, settings and events in the story by creating a storyboard using key details provided by the author through her illustrations.

a. I will be checking their work for understanding as I walk around the room and will also observe how they are implementing the reading strategy techniques to ensure comprehension. I will ask students to give me “thumbs up” if they understand the directions.

2. Students will arrange the events of the story in sequential order as they prepare their storyboard.

a. I will check for understanding and walk around the room and observe the students work in progress. Once students have completed the storyboard, I will review and grade them to make sure they have completed them satisfactorily and placed the events in the proper sequential order.

3. Students will answer questions to comprehend the author’s use of the text.

a. I will check for understanding by observing and listening (informal assessment) to the students’ discussions originating from our question cube.

4. Students identify and describe people, places, things and events in detail and will express the ideas and feelings portrayed by author in a clear manner as they create their illustration of one of the characters in the story and write a short paragraph describing how the characters felt during that setting and event depicted in their illustration.

a. Assessment will be based upon complete illustration including accurate setting and details from the story and an accurate descriptive paragraph that corresponds to the illustration. I will grade for accurate use of illustration and connections to the story and will also grade on grammar skills (proper use of punctuation and capitalization, etc.)

Process

FIRST,

I will read the book Fitz and the Beautiful Horses.

I will direct the class to the features of the book, its cover and pictures. I will ask them to make predictions about what the story is about. I will introduce the new vocabulary words within the story and assist the students to draw upon their personal experiences to make connections to the new vocabulary words.

I will tell the students that they will be responsible for picking out their favorite part of the story and will explain why it is their favorite part.

I will ask students to think about what strategies we can use when we read a word and do not understand what it means (perhaps use context clues, sound out the words or reread the sentence to think about what would make sense) or have students underline the words they do not know.

NEXT,

Once we have read the book, we will discuss the students’ predictions and theme of the story. We will share all aspects of the book including any dedications. We will discuss why the author has written this story and how does it relate directly to the author.

Using the Cooperative Learning strategy, “where do I stand”, the students will be assembled into small groups, two students from each group will stand a few feet apart from one another – one student represents “one” (sad) and the other student represents “ten” (happy) then let each student from that group stand closest to the number that represents how sad or happy they would feel if they were treated like Fritz the horse.

FINALLY,

Students will create a storyboard depicting the events that occurred in the story and will place them in sequential order.

Conclusion

This unit was prepared to help students become actively engaged in understanding the work of Jan Brett. By the completion of this unit, students should have an understanding as to what inspires Jan Brett to write and illustrate the various books. Students will have learned how to make text-to-text and text-to-self connections and will be able to identify Ms. Brett’s books within minutes. The students will have been exposed to how Jan implements the use of animals in her stories to engage the students and make her stories come to life!

Credits

References

Brodie, C. S. (2005). Jan Brett: Hedgehogs, Trolls, and a Gingerbread Baby. School Library Monthly, 22(1), 50-52.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Brett

http://janbrett.com/biography.htm

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/jan-brett