ElementaryLiterature - The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles
ElementaryLiterature
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles
Written by: Jule Andrews Edwards
Bibliographical Information:
Publisher: Harper Trophy: A division of Harper Collins
ISBN: 0-06-021805-3
Genre: Fiction
Author Biography:
Julie Andrews Edwards was born Julia Elizabeth Wells, on October 1, 1935 in Walton on Thames, Surrey England. She became a child actress on Broadway in the play The Boyfriend (1954) but her claim to fame was her role in the movies My Fair Lady and Camelot, she won the Tony award for both movies. Most of us know her for her roles in Marry Poppins, The Sound of Music and most recently the Princess Diaries. In 1959 she and her long time childhood friend Tony Walter married and they have a daughter named Emma, but a few years later in 1967 they divorced and she later married Blake Edwards two years later in 1969. She began writing children's book in the mid 60's and has published many books such as Mandy, Dumpy and many others. She is also involved in many charities such as being an Ambassador to Goodwill, and Operation USA. in 1997 Julie began to have throat issues and when she went into surgery she had lost her singing voice. Today this day Julie remains busy with all her work and is a great role model for all to admire.
Summary:
Ben, Tom and Lindy Potter are at the zoo when they meet they most eccentric man, who tells them of the most wonderful create of all, the Whangdoodle. It is not till a few days later when the children meet the man once again who is known as Professor Savant. When the kids learn more about the Whangdoodle, they are at first suspicious but as time goes on they become more anxious to meet one. The professor prepares the kids to go on a journey to the wonderful of the last remaining Whangdoodle, which turns into no ordinary trip. Before the trip the professors teaches them to look at the world differently and when they arrive in the land of the Whangdoodle their minds are boggled with all the beauty and magic that surrounds them. But there are those such as Prock, the Prime Minister of Whangdoodleland, who do not want the professor or the children there and he does everything to stop them (by using their fears and desires as manipulation). Not only do the children and professor got to meet odd characters such as the Whiffle Bird, the Swamp Gaboons annd they High-Behind Spintercat, but along their journey they learn some valuable lessons.
Book Review:
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, is a great book for children to let their imaginations run wild. The pages are filled with vivid descriptions that make you want to go to Whangdoodleland and experience it for yourself. Within the book are lessons for children to learn such as, believing in yourself and overcoming your fears with faith and determination. Each character learns that if they set their mind to something, they can achieve it, as long as they have faith in themselves. What I also found interesting was that it touches upon the subject of science, of how life is created and cloning, which for the younger kids might be a little too advance but for the older kids, it would be an interesting topic to talk about and research how cloning works. I would highly recommend this book to any teacher who wants to teach their students about the importance of imaginary.
Analysis:
The theme of a story is one of its most crucial elements. The theme allows children to understand the importance of reading the book and the theme of self-confidence and determination is something that everyone can relate too. Lindy is the youngest (8 years old) and she looks up to her brothers wanting to be brave just like them! But her naivety makes her an easy target for Prock, however it is Lindy who is able to cross the bridge and bring the Professor to meet the Whangdoodle. "All you have to do is trust me. The bridge is there I promise. You only have to walk across," (236) it was the Professor who guided the children through Whangdoodleland, but in the end the roles reverse and it is the children who guide the professor, especially Lindy. When Lindy and her brothers came to Whangdoodleland she was frightened by all the creatures and was easily manipulated (even with the professor's warnings), but when she and her brothers crossed the final bridge, they knew they could do anything, especially Lindy. I think that most kids can relate to being scared in new situations but if one believes in themselves they can accomplish anything, even if it seems impossible.
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