Showing posts with label linda's picks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label linda's picks. Show all posts
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Nov 6, 2015
Iris (DVD)
Video Librarian Reviews
This splashy, stylish cinematic portrait of indomitable 93-year-old Manhattan fashionista Iris Apfel—the penultimate film from late documentarian Albert Maysles (his final film will be In Transit)—is somewhat reminiscent of his 1975 classic Grey Gardens, which profiled reclusive eccentrics related to Jacqueline Kennedy. Born Iris Barrel in 1921 in Astoria, Queens, Iris is the only child of Samuel Barrel, whose family owned a glass-and-mirror business, and his wife Sadye, who ran a fashion boutique. After studying art history, Iris worked for Women's Wear Daily, interior designer Elinor Johnston, and illustrator Robert Goodman. She married Carl Apfel in 1948 and the pair launched the textile firm Old World Weavers. Having no children, the couple globe-trotted, acquiring an eclectic collection of exotic souvenirs. Several years ago, Architectural Digest slyly described their luxurious Park Avenue apartment as looking "a little as if the Collyer brothers had moved in with Madame de Pompadour." Iris was involved in the White House interior design restoration projects of nine presidents, from Truman to Clinton. Iris—who is famous for her lament, "There is so much sameness. I hate it!"— wears enormous owl glasses, costume jewelry necklaces, and a multitude of glittering bracelets and clothing adorned with feathers, prints, and bright colors (she says that "it's better to be happy than well-dressed"). Dispensing wit, charm, and wisdom, elderly Iris advocates old-fashioned values and a healthy work ethic: "If you're lucky enough to do something you love, everything else follows." Recommended. (S. Granger) Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2015.
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Nov 5, 2015
A is for Activist - Innosanto Nagara
School Library Journal Reviews
Gr 4 Up—Not your typical alphabet board book, this one packs a powerful message both visually as well as verbally. Each spread presents a letter and a bit of social commentary urging children to take a stand against war and violence, develop an awareness of our environment, and promote acceptance and equality for all cultures, races, religions, genders, and walks of life. For example, "A is for Activist./Advocate. Abolitionist. Ally./Actively Answering A call to Action." "Y is for You. And Youth./Your planet. Your rights/Your future. Your truth./Y is for Yes. Yes! Yes! Yes!" Despite the format, this introduction to social justice is best suited to older children, who will need plenty of explanation and discussion to help them understand issues such as feminism or workers' rights. Nagara relies upon colorful illustrations—many representing the energy behind activism with arms and fists raised—lots of alliteration, and rhyming for each letter and idea. An ever-present black cat hiding or prowling on each letter's page seeks to hold listeners' interest as well. An unusual offering that may plant the seeds for and spark discussions about activism.—Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE
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