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The Girl with the Brown Crayon
Once again Vivian Paley takes us into the inquiring minds and dramatic worlds of young children learning in the kindergarten classroom. As she enters her final year of teaching, Paley tells in this book a story of farewell and a story of self-discovery - through the thoughts and blossoming spirit of Reeny, a little girl with a fondness for the color brown and an astonishin...more
Paperback, 112 pages
Published
September 15th 1998
by Harvard University Press
(first published January 1st 1997)
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I first read "The Girl with the Brown Crayon" eight or ten years ago, when I was still in my teacher training program. (Since then I have also read "White Teacher," "Kwanzaa and Me," and "You Can't Say You Can't Play" -- all equally valuable books.) Every time I come back to Paley's work, I am pleasantly reminded of the refreshing, lighthearted, and easy-to-read style with which she writes. Her gift, in this and all her books, is the ability to honor the complexity and wisdom of children and chi...more
I thought of my good friends Qsuie and Sarah when I read this book. As adults, we are so estranged from the magical, lyrical quality of mind possessed by children (so estranged are we from ourselves). In this book, Vivian Gussin Paley reveals just a little bit of how much young children can analyze literature, social mores, and raise and debate questions of justice -- when given the chance - integrating the books they read with the experiences they share at school, as well as what they bring wit...more
Dec 20, 2009
Sarah
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Future Educators and Early Childhood
Shelves:
for-class
The girl with the brown crayon is an interesting and educational book, great for anyone interested in child development, education, or if you just want a good read. Vivian Gussin Paley gives an interesting look at both the classroom and ideas and feelings of the students inside. Paley’s teaching styles along with her love for the children in her class shine through and help us to understand what it is to be a good teacher.
The book brings us in to a Kindergarten class room where Paley is enter...more
The book brings us in to a Kindergarten class room where Paley is enter...more
I loved this short book about Paley's last year of teaching kindergarten. The class focuses their learning on the work of one of my favorite picture book illustrators, Leo Lionni. Children are so much smarter than we give them credit for and that is well illustrated in Paley's interactions with her young, thoughtful students. This book is more than ten years old now. The focus of much is the wise beyond her years, Reeny. I wonder where she is, what she is doing with her life and if having Paley...more
This was my favorite of all her books so far. She tells about her last year teaching, a girl named Reeny, and spending the whole year studying Leo Lionni books. Reeny has incredible insight and literary instinct for a kindergartener. She is also an amazing leader, and it is inspiring to read what Paley takes from the whole experience.
She and I both relate to Tico, and I also appreciate the way the books bring the class together. I've had that happen, and miss it this year.
She and I both relate to Tico, and I also appreciate the way the books bring the class together. I've had that happen, and miss it this year.
reading this book made me miss teaching, then i realized that no matter how hard i tried i was never going to reach macarthur genius grant levels of teaching like paley did (literally--the woman won a macarthur grant), so i didn't feel quite so bad anymore. this is probably my favorite book of her's so far because it deals almost exclusively with her classes relationship with leo lionni, who was my favorite growing up. this is some heartwarming shit right here, people.
This book is adorable. Little 5yr old Reeny is better at finding meaning in the books of Leo Lionni then I am, but I suppose I'm not surprised, children are good like that. This short and easy read is a wonderful true account of one teacher's year in a classroom (with a curriculum focused on Lionni's books) and illustrates how children use stories to make meaning of their lives (and find meaning in books due to life experience). So cute!
I was not impressed. I'm kind of disturbed that it took this woman her entire career to discover the things she learned while conducting this experiment. What was she doing the rest of the time she was teaching? Was she simply not paying attention? It took me about one year of working with kids (not even full time) to see this sort of enthusiasm for books, and the way children could use books in their everyday life. I felt it was weak and and way too simple.
I read this book some years ago. I still think about it when I encounter a Leo Lioni book. I loved how Vivian Paley had the strength to go with what inspired her class rather than stick to her curriculum. The richness of the experience, the depth of the discussions was amazing. A lovely tribute to the power of literature.
A quick review of Vivian Gussin Paley's last year in the classroom, which was shaped by her kindergartners identification wih Leo Lionni's books and characters. Subtitled: How children use stories to shape their lives, the book reminds us how important picture books can be in a child's development.
Loved this as I love all of her books. In GWTBC Paley writes about the preservation and formation of children's ethnic identity in the kindergarten classroom. Also, an amazing example of small children's ability to really engage with literature on a thoughtful and critical level.
Who knows why, but I wasn’t crazy about this book either. I thought I would love it, but it seemed to be a very personal account of a teacher’s last year, focusing especially on her encounter with one special student who led the class in a love for the books of Leo Lionni.
Highly recommended to anyone interested in child development, education, or just book lovers. A beautiful reminder of how important it is for children to play, just play, and how they bond through stories, and how children's books are so important in reinforcing both of those ideas.
I loved this book! A great read about adults being mindful of what kids can teach us! Its about a kindergarten teacher which is probaly another reason I loved it! I think it would be a great read for anyone though!
Paley always inspires me to try harder to better understand &appreciate small children.
Recommended by Anne Selbyg; made me want to read Lionni to the kids.
Eh. It didn't live up to the hype for me.
One of the most inspiring teacher books I have read. Ms. Gussin Paley does a fantastic job of bringing you in and letting you imagine yourself as the teacher. I constantly found similarities between her students and my own. I am super excited to check out her other books, especially Bad Guys Don't Have Birthdays: Fantasy Play at Four.
If you are a teacher of small children I think you might like this book. Heavy, insightful, deep,....a bit much for that simple title and not up my alley.
I had to read this for my Children's Literature class and it was absolutely delightful. About a teacher (the author Vivian Paley) who spends a whole year studying Leo Lionni. My class was also asked to read Lionni's books and I have since then bought some to add to my personal collection. A good read for someone aspiring to be a teacher or work with kids.
Nov 07, 2009
SerahRose
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to SerahRose by:
Sharon
Shelves:
parenting-teaching
This is an essential read for all early childhood educators and parents. Paley shows us how to learn from your students, embrace the individuality of students, and encourage them to learn along with you. She is respectful in every way and a wonderful writer.
Next up, The Boy Who Would be A Helicopter
Next up, The Boy Who Would be A Helicopter
As a result of little Reenie and the other kids in Paley's classroom narrative, I've given friends Frederick books on their birthdays, dressed my boyfriend as a dreamer-mouse for Halloween, and otherwise had my perspective reskewed in favor of whoever's gathering colors.
As a former teacher, I loved all the books by this author. During the times when I wasn't teaching, it was like jumping back into the classroom and being there to observe the children the author describes. Definitely recommended for those interested in teaching.
Jun 29, 2008
Erica
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
teachers and those who teach
Recommended to Erica by:
Liesl Werner
a book that makes me glad I teach--a lighter read about a star second grader who latches onto the characters she reads about and connects them to her life. The kind of kid that teaches us plenty.
This book follows the year-long literary exploration of author Leo Lionni by a kindergarten class. One girl, the only black girl in the class, is particularly bright and leads the journey.
May 17, 2013
David
marked it as to-read
May 11, 2013
Nicole
marked it as to-read
Apr 29, 2013
Kate Brady
added it
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Okay, my LA Public Teacher's Library card allows me to check-out up to...more
Sep 07, 2009 10:57am