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The Crown On Your Head (2011)

by Nancy Tillman(Favorite Author)

4.03 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

031264521X (ISBN13: 9780312645212)

languge

English

genre

Middle Grade & Children's

publisher

Feiwel & Friends

review 1: I am a teacher in a state where standardized test preparation has become an art and science. Needless to say, the children are beaten down as they prepare to take the tests in late Spring. I have read this book to my elementary students before they take the test to inspire them to believe in themselves, and that they are more than a test score. My students have responded very positively to the book (even 5th graders!). I also gave the students paper crowns from a party store after I read the book. In preparation for a parent event at school I started to do some research on the symbolism of the animals and colors in the illustrations. This book is packed with psychological and spiritual symbolism. Don't dismiss this as a trite children's book. The animals featured in... more the pictures were chosen on purpose. Each of the animals represents personal or spiritual attributes that contribute to a happy and fulfilled life. The zebra symbolizes protection of loved ones and compassion. The butterfly represents the soul. The crown is made of "...moonlight and fireflies, and dragonfly wings," to represent spiritual awakening to one's true nature. This book is a road map for personal happiness.
review 2: 2 stars for the text, 4 stars for the illustrations. The illustrations are magical and beautiful. The message is sweet - each child is unique and special - but the telling is a bit too saccharine for my taste. There are a couple of good lines ("That means you are grand from your toes to your chin. Take a deep breath, and let that sink in."), and some that made me roll my eyes ("In other words, from your very first day, you were chosen to glow in a very big way!"). Worth looking at for the illustrations alone, but I would hate to get stuck reading this text over and over again to a toddler!(Note: I received a free advance reading copy of this book from the publisher at an American Library Association Annual Conference. I was not required to write a positive review. Thank you, Fiewel and Friends!) less

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