#stifling? to all the things that make Dwight interesting and creative | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

allexiaah · 2 years

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🐓 and🧵 for the cottage core ask

🐓: What is a comfort movie/show for you?

Man, this one's hard to answer simply because I don't watch a whole lot of shows or movies, lol. Definitely not frequently enough to call them comfort shows/movies.

I guess I'd have to say one of my favorites is Avatar: The Last Airbender, especially to rewatch. It's a fantastic show.

🧵: What is a recent creative project that you are proud of?

I don't share a lot of my stuff, huh? Most of it stays as unfinished and unpolished WIPs that I only really share with close tight-knit groups of friends, especially for writing. I guess if I had to pick, it'd be either this art of Claudette I did for a secret Santa in a discord server, or this art I did of Philip's blight skin back in October, if you can really call that recent, lol.

I very rarely make finished art, and I don't post the VERY little writing I do finish on tumblr, usually—that tends to stay in servers with friends. But now that I'm thinking about it, I'll put a little snippet of a drabble I did for fun under the cut, since I'm still quite proud of some of this still!

Claudette remembered vividly just how she felt as she crawled to the hook Dwight was struggling on, fear and frustration welling up in her chest and tears sliding down her cheeks as she tried to stifle her sobs. She could do nothing but helplessly watch as the friend she tried so desperately to save lost his bloody grip on the talon he was holding back, and, without missing a beat, ran itself through his stomach.

-—·—·—·—-

Dwight had been the only other person alive in that trial. Meg and Jake had died long before; it was hopeless from the beginning, but the weight of the fact only truly hit as she watched Dwight’s body fade away, pulled off of the hook and cradled by the Entity’s horrific claws before vanishing into the sky. The mere sight of a finished sacrifice was heavy, and made her heart sink into the pit of her stomach. Despite how hard she tried to save her friends, she had failed.

Claudette felt so hopeless, and so afraid, and she tried to pull herself to her feet and keep going, to look for the hatch, her one last chance of escape, but she could hardly crawl; the blood loss was getting to her. There would be no chance for her to survive, and she knew it—there would be no mercy offered to her. She would bleed out on the ground, cold and alone, or she would die just the same on a hook, and all she could do was wait for the axe to fall.

A wave of overwhelming emotions that she’d tried to keep at bay washed over her, and all Claudette could do in her fear and despair was tightly grab onto the little first aid kit that Dwight had dropped when he was hooked and curl up around it and sob.

-—·—·—·—-

Thank you so much for the ask! The interest makes me very happy—i like sharing my creative work and projects a lot more than I say, because I feel anxious about it often when I do, or when I want to, especially when it comes to my writing, which is what I've mostly been doing as of late. I always really like sharing the things I make and the things I like. Much love <3

#allex answers #ask #anon #seriously though anon tysm for giving me an excuse to share a snippet of this drabble as well as the other things again #that snippet is more of a rewrite of something i wrote a while back than its own thing? but it IS a recent project rewrite or not #im proud of it still #fun fact! that original segment was actually a cut part of my fic rewrite #i still find it very nice. just didn't fit nicely

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tennesseepta · 6 years

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My Top 20 Picture Books

by Dwight Hunter

In August 2015, I had a graduate school project to read and analyze 300 picture books, and from those 300, determine the top 100 with rationales.

In this post, I am listing the top 20 picture books from my top 100 list. Each ranking is accompanied by a brief summary and also with my justification for each book. At the end of my list is a link to a YouTube video about one of the picture books that was not in my top 20.

Now, my top 20:

20. Title: Tuesday Author: David Wiesner Illustrator: David Wiesner Publisher: Clarion Books Publication Year: 1991

Brief Summary: The whimsical account of a Tuesday when frogs were airborne on their lily pads will continue to enchant readers of all ages. Amazon.com Justification: A fun read that even pigs can fly when trying to figure out adventurous frogs on lily pads.

19. Title: Patrol: An American Solider in Vietnam Author: Walter Dean Myers Illustrator: Ann Grifalconi Publisher: HarperCollins Publication Year: 2002

Brief Summary: Vietnam War – In a gripping and powerful story-poem, the award-winning author takes readers into the heart and mind of a young soldier in an alien land who comes face-to-face with the enemy. Amazon.com Justification: Very powerful lesson about Vietnam War from the point of view of a soldier in it -- a great discussion starter for adults and children about Vietnam and war.

18. Title: Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me Author: Daniel Beaty Illustrator: Bryan Collier Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Publication Year: 2013

Brief Summary: But what happens when, one day that “knock knock” doesn’t come? This powerful and inspiring book shows the love that an absent parent can leave behind, and the strength that children find in themselves as they grow up and follow their dreams. Amazon.com Justification: Such a moving text and illustrations that so many children (and adults) can learn from. To me, required in every elementary school and children’s library.

17. Title: A Mother’s Journey Author: Sandra Markle Illustrator: Alan Marks Publisher: Charlesbridge Publication Year: 2005

Brief Summary: Here, Markle follows a female from the nursery, over 50 miles of rugged Antarctic ice to open water and then deep into the sea, braving leopard seals and other dangers in a sustained effort to stockpile nourishment for the hungry chick that will, if all has gone well, be waiting on her return. Kirkus Reviews Justification: This first-hand observation written into a picture book is almost a required text for elementary children to understand science, environment and penguins.

16. Title: Four Feet, Two Sandals Author: Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed Illustrator: Doug Chayka Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Publication Year: 2007

Brief Summary: This poignant story of loss, friendship, and sharing introduces readers to the realities of children growing up in refugee camps. School Library Journal Justification: Based on the author’s experience of living in a refugee camp, this powerful story of sharing to survive the trauma of loss is a great lead to discussion about children around the world living as refugees. Highly recommended for social studies classroom.

15. Title: Each Kindness Author: Jacqueline Woodson Illustrator: E. B. Lewis Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books Publication Year: 2012

Brief Summary: With its powerful anti-bullying message and striking art, it will resonate with readers long after they've put it down. Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually, Maya stops coming to school. Barnes and Noble.com Justification: A book worthy of any elementary classroom to lead a discussion on how to treat other people and that caring is good for both the sender and the receiver.

14. Title: Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Author: Doreen Rappaport Illustrator: Bryan Collier Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children Publication Year: 2001

Brief Summary: This picture-book biography is an excellent and accessible introduction for young readers to learn about one of the world's most influential leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Justification: Not only for Black History Month and MLK Day; this book can be used in any historical drama in elementary grades to depict the short amount of time into the past that this happened in our American history timeline.

13. Title: A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin Author: Jen Bryant Illustrator: Melissa Sweet Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Publication Year: 2013

Brief Summary: Even during W.W.I, Horace filled his notebooks with drawings from the trenches … until he was shot. Upon his return home, Horace couldn’t lift his right arm, and couldn’t make any art. Slowly, with lots of practice, he regained use of his arm, until once again, he was able to paint—and paint, and paint! Barnes and Noble.com Justification: Teach about perseverance and about overcoming poverty. With some history too.

12. Title: The Wall: Growing up Behind the Iron Curtain Author: Peter Sis Illustrator: Peter Sis Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication Year: 2007

Brief Summary: Through annotated illustrations, journals, maps, and dreamscapes, Peter Sís shows what life was like for a child who loved to draw, proudly wore the red scarf of a Young Pioneer, stood guard at the giant statue of Stalin, and believed whatever he was told to believe. But adolescence brought questions. Amazon.com Justification: “Peter Sís [is a] master of the not-necessarily-for-children picture book.” (The Los Angeles Times Book Review). Succinctly put – this is a great book to depict what it was like behind the Iron Curtain – stifling creativity. Should be required for any middle school social studies.

11. Title: Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring Author: Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan Illustrator: Brian Floca Publisher: Flash Point Publication Year: 2010

Brief Summary: Authors Greenberg and Jordan are less concerned with presenting the ballet (although readers do get a strong sense of it) and more interested in how such an extraordinary collaboration came to be. How does an idea go from a jotted note on choreographer Martha Graham’s pad to a fierce triumph? Booklist Justification: I never heard of Appalachian Spring or any of the characters in this book but I know now. A personal expression that this book needs to be in every elementary classroom at some point. Floca is masterful with the illustrations.

10. Title: Animal Poems Author: Valerie Worth Illustrator: Steve Jenkins Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication Year: 2007

Brief Summary: Vivid imagery and an expert command of sound and meter distinguish this collection of poems about animals. Booklist Justification: Poetry like no other – the crisp, cutting-like-knife-through-soft-butter descriptions – for any classroom; for any poetry class to read good, no, great writing. From the “Whale” “…..His whole hill of flesh; Flesh floats easily; In the sea, light as; Dust in sun-baths ….” Like I wrote on number 62, Worth’s poetry should be required reading for ANY level English class.

9. Title: Officer Buckle and Gloria Author: Peggy Rathman Illustrator: Peggy Rathman Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers Publication Year: 1995

Brief Summary: Officer Buckle, a mustachioed policeman who wears a crossed-out-banana-peel patch on his sleeve, has a passion for teaching students about safety, but his audiences tend to doze off during his lectures. They awaken, however, when police dog Gloria joins Buckle onstage. Publishers Weekly Justification: As a parent reading this book to my then two, young children in 1995, we all loved the pictures, the text, and the safety lessons – even to this day. A required book in any collection.

8. Title: Me … Jane Author: Patrick McDonnell Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Publication Year: 2011

Brief Summary: In this picture book biography, McDonnell examines Goodall’s very English childhood and her unexpected wish—nurtured by early exposure to Tarzan—to live and work in Africa. Publisher’s Weekly Justification: About Jane Goodall, this book can not only demonstrate following a goal but that one person can change things. A synthesis of text and art as well.

7. Title: The Biggest Bear Author: Lynd Ward Illustrator: Lynd Ward Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Publication Year: 1952

Brief Summary: Johnny found a bear. The bear loved to eat and became a local nuisance. Johnny finally had to shoot him but the bear was saved by a trap set up by a local zoo. Justification: Nostalgia plays a part in this justification. I loved reading this book when I was just old enough to read. The biggest lesson is that a plan can be changed and that a goal can be changed for the better. A required book for any book collection.

6. Title: Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave Author: Laban Carrick Hill Illustrator: Bryan Collier Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Publication Year: 2010

Brief Summary: Dave was an extraordinary artist, poet, and potter living in South Carolina in the 1800s. He combined his superb artistry with deeply observant poetry, carved onto his pots, transcending the limitations he faced as a slave. Amazon.com Justification: A powerful book of love and wonderment that should be in every school and library. Useful to connect the past to the present.

5. Title: A Boy and a Jaguar Author: Alan Rabinowitz Illustrator: CaTia Chien Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Publication Year: 2014

Brief Summary: Alan Rabinowitz, a noted conservationist, provides children with a moving autobiography, detailing his struggles with stuttering and how his love for animals, particularly for jaguars, provided liberation. Children’s Literature Justification: Ever read a book so profound that it affects your thoughts? This is one of those books. Learn how children are not broken inside, about conservationist themes, and about a picture book that is just an all-around fantastic one and would be worth having in any collection.

4. Title: Where the Wild Things Are Author: Maurice Sendak Illustrator: Maurice Sendak Publisher: Harper & Row Publication Year: 1963

Brief Summary: Max's room transforms into a magical portal to the land where the wild things are. Justification: A picture book so overwhelmingly good that it should be a crime not having it in all book collections.

3. Title: This is not my Hat Author: Jon Klassen Illustrator: Jon Klassen Publisher: Candlewick Press Publication Year: 2012

Brief Summary: When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. Amazon.com Justification: This is a great book! Every elementary school should have this book in their collections. The artwork is so good that the book almost doesn’t need words. One can tell by the eyes what is happening – thus the quality of the artist and his work. And the ending is open-ended to where the small fish might be?

2. Title: Grandfather’s Journey Author: Allen Say Illustrator: Allen Say Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Publication Year: 1993

Brief Summary: At once deeply personal, yet expressing universally held emotions, this tale of one man’s love for two countries and his constant desire to be in both places captured readers’ attention and hearts. Amazon.com Justification: One of those books that belongs in every class room because the story reads so well and the illustrations are so stunning and support the text exclusively. Useful to discuss about family dreams and family relations and about culture.

1. Title: Math Curse Author: Jon Scieska Illustrator: Lane Smith Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers Publication Year: 1995

Brief Summary: From the inventive minds of Scieszka and Smith comes an unusual take on the subject of mathematics. School Library Journal Justification: Hey, I’m a science and math subject liaison librarian – what would you expect to be the number one book on my list! All kidding aside, sort of, this is a classic picture book for math class in elementary school that is filled with stunning illustrations, math equations, and applicable to daily life – recommended for any school to have in collection. Even adults would enjoy reading this one.

Here is a YouTube video I made to talk about one of the picture books in my top 100 list: The Mare on the Hill. https://youtu.be/wPmrjTwSx8s

#Book list #Education Committee

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