Wonderful Towers of Watts, The
Publication Information
Author:  Zelver, Patricia	Illustrator:  Lessac, Frane
Title:  Wonderful Towers of Watts, The	Date:  1994
Publisher:  Tambourine Books	City:  New York
ISBN, paperback:  0-688-12649-9	ISBN, hardback:
Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes	ESOL:
Family:   Yes	Young Adult:
Picture:   Yes
General Information:
Book Type(s):    true story, easy reading
HSE Descriptor(s):
Summary:
Throughout his life, Old Sam collects bits and pieces of glass, tiles, and discarded objects that he uses to build structures in his backyard in Watts.
Teaching Ideas:
This is a good true story with fascinating illustrations that depict the change in the neighborhood of Watts in Los Angeles as time passes. The book lends itself to prediction and inference. Why did Old Sam build the towers? Why did he give a neighbor the key to the house and leave? Readers might enjoy discussing the different points of view toward the towers--Sam, his neighbors, and children of the neighborhood. This might lead to a discussion of "characters" who do surprising things as in Miss Rumphius and Pearl Moskowitz's Last Stand. The towers could also be compared with urban graffiti art on walls and subways. In family literacy situations, children will enjoy finding objects that have been incorporated in the sculptures.
Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
Art and Photography > art > creativity Art and Photography > art > folk art Emotions-Personal Issues > emotions > imagination Geography > locations > U.S. states/regions > California > Los Angeles > Watts Communities > urban Communities > change Art and Photography > art > sculpture

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