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seven2hold
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| Posted: Aug 11 2008 at 8:51pm | IP Logged
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I just put down Deconstruction Penguins by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. (My big sister read it and recommended it.) It is a wonderful book!  I came here to see how others may have used this book to help them explore the hidden meanings in children's literature at home. I was surprised that there was no mention of it here. I can't wait to use it with my children and wanted to share it with you.
My description couldn't do it justice, so here are some excerpts from the back cover.
"Books are like puzzles," write Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. "The author's ideas are hidden, and it is up to all of us to figure them out." In this indispensable reading companion, the Goldstones - noted parent-child book club experts - encourage grown-ups and young readers alike to adopt an approach that will unlock the magic and power of reading.
Chilren often engage in passive reading, simply speeding through a book in order to check it off an assignment list. Yet, kids become successful lifelong readers only when they delve into what a book means. Featuring fun and incisive discussions of numerous children's classics, including The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Frindle, and of course, Mr. Popper's Penguins, this dynamic guide highlights key elements - theme, setting, character, point of view, climax, and conflict - and paves the way for meaningful conversations between parents and children."
"Best of all," note the Goldstones, "you don't need an advanced degree in English literature or forty hours a week of free time to effectively discuss a book with your child. This isn't Crime and Punishment, it's Charlotte's Web."
"Not just the single best book on leading a book discussion group, Deconstructing Penguins is also about how to dig a tunnel into the heart of a book. In my ideal world, every reading teacher would trash that boring classroom text and adopt this book as a curriculum bible."
-Jim Trelease, author of The Read Aloud Handbook
Before I finished it, one of my children came to share what she was currently reading. I was able to ask questions about characters and plot to get her thinking deeper than the surface of her book. I can't wait to use what I've learned from Deconstructing Penguins to solve the puzzle within a book with my children! 
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Kathy
Wife to John
Mother to DD(91), DD(93), DD(95), DS(98), DD(00), DS(01), DS(03), DD(05), and DS(07)
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SuzC
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| Posted: Aug 11 2008 at 9:36pm | IP Logged
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Two thumbs up here, too! I got Deconstructing Penguins from the library and now I've got it in my Amazon cart.
It introduced literary elements to me in a way I had not considered and certainly wouldn't be able to help dc discover. 
eta link, but I goofed and deleted the post. 
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Suz in TX
dd~12, dd~9, ds~8, ds~6, ds~4, ds~1
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JuliaT
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| Posted: Aug 11 2008 at 10:17pm | IP Logged
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I have read this book as well from the library and it is on my wish list. I loved this book! It made literary discussions not as scary as they used to be (for me, anyway.)
Blessings,
Julia
mom of 3 (9,7,5)
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Willa
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| Posted: Aug 11 2008 at 11:07pm | IP Logged
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I blogged about it last year when I read it.
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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4Real Forums : Living Literature
Topic: Books are like puzzles..how to solve them
