BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zelinsky, Paul O. 1997. RAPUNZEL. New York: Dutton. ISBN 0525456074
PLOT SUMMARY
RAPUNZEL is retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky in this variant of the old folktale. The story starts with a couple who, after many years, finally are expecting their first child. As the woman yearns foe some of the rapunzel herb she views in the garden below their home, her husband has to find a way into the garden. There is a problem: the garden is owned by a sorceress who has the garden sealed, with no window or door by which to gain entrance. So the husband climbs out of the window of his home and down to the garden to obtain the herb for his beloved wife. She demands more each day and as he complies with her wishes, he is caught by the sorceress. She is quite upset with him, but allows him to leave with both the herb and his life after he agrees to give her the child when it is born. The sorceress is true to her word and collects the female child upon her birth, naming her Rapunzel and whisking her away to a remote location. She cares for the child and keeps her in a luxurious tower. When she wants to visit Rapunzel, she calls for the girl to lower her long, beautiful hair and the sorceress climbs to the top of the tower. This tower, as the garden, has no entrance other than the window at the top. Soon a prince riding his horse through the same forest, hears Rapunzel singing from the tower and is instantly charmed and falls in love. He watches and soon discovers that the only way into the tower is to call for her to let down her hair. One evening when the sorceress is gone, he gets Rapunzel to let down her hair, climbs into the tower and proclaims his love for her. Rapunzel is at first frightened, but realizes that she loves him as well in in a ceremony that night in the tower, they marry. The prince visits every night and since the sorceress only visits in the day, the couple is happy until one day Rapunzel tells the sorceress that her dress is getting tight and she needs a new one. The sorceress is instantly angry as she realizes that Rapunzel has married and is expecting a baby. She banished Rapunzel to a far off land and waits for the prince to show up that evening when she scares him. He falls from the tower and the fall injures his sight. he wanders for a year, until he hears Rapunzel's singing and he reunites with her. She is so happy to find him that she cries and as tears fall into his eyes, his sight is restored. He realizes that they are in his kingdom and he and Rapunzel and the twin children, a boy and a girl, that she gave birth to during the year's separation, live happily ever after in the kingdom where they are gladly welcomed.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this version of the familiar tale, Zelinsky has given a more gentle perspective on the story, along with beautiful oil paintings. The art is strongly reminiscent of Italian art. It is very detailed and is loaded with beautifully muted, yet rich colors. Zelinsky's story is sure to be a favorite of both children and adults for not only the story, but the beauty of the book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Publishers Weekly review: " A breathtaking interpretation gives the fairy tale new art-historical roots, with illustrations that daringly and effectively mimic the masters of Italian Renaissance painting."
Common Sense Media review:" This classic tale retold brims with passion and grace, and the emotional intensity of Paul O. Zelinsky's work is bewitching."
CONNECTIONS
Check out the author's website: http://www.paulozelinsky.com/rapunzel.html There are lesson plans to go with the book.
Also check out the author's site for other traditional folktales that were first published by the Grimm brothers. Have students study those traditional European folktales and then do a study of folktales that are part of other cultures and continents.
Other Rapunzel variants:
Isadora, Rachel. 2008. RAPUNZEL. Putnam. ISBN 0399247726
Stanley, Diane. 1997. PETROSINELLA: A NEOPOLITAN RAPUNZEL. Puffin. ISBN 0140554912
Storace, patricia. 2007. SUGAR CANE: A CARIBBEAN RAPUNZEL. Hyperion ISBN 0786807911
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Review of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kellogg, Steven, re teller and ill.. 1997. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. New York, NY: William Morrow and Company. ISBN 0688087310
PLOT SUMMARY
In this retelling of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS Steven Kellogg takes a humorous and fresh approach to an old tale. The pigs in this story are waffle makers and the mother pig, Serafina Sow, makes a good living bringing waffles to the world. When her three piglets graduate from Hog Hollow Academy she passes her business on to the three piglets and retires to the Gulf of Pasta. The piglets build homes nearby: Percy makes his of straw, Pete builds a log cabin, and Prudence builds a cozy brick home. When the bully arrives in the form of Tempesto, the wolf, things begin to move quickly. Tempesto arrives at the wafflery and attempts to eat the three pigs, telling them that he hates waffles and overturning the wafflery. After the piglets run to their respective homes, Tempesto, now enraged, follows and attempts to gain entrance. he first visits Percy, demolishing his straw house and blowing Percy to brother Pete's cabin. Before Percy's hut is destroyed, he manages to send a paper airplane containing a plea for help to the sheriff. The wolf successfully blows down Pete's cabin, as well and both brothers run to the safety of their sister's brick home. Tempesto was not able to blow down prudence's home and was bombarded by melons and other vegetables by the piglets. he devised a plan to enter the home through the chimney, but while he was executing this move, the piglet's mother, Serafina, drove up in a taxi announcing that the paper airplane had landed in her salad while she was eating. She was here to help. They placed a waffle iron in the fireplace and as soon as the wolf landed they proceeded to make a Wolffle out of him. he finally surrenders and they send him to the Gulf of Pasta in Serafina's place.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story is a less violent version of the familiar tale. Most versions of the folktale have the first two pigs meet their demise and the wolf meet his in the end. For younger audiences, this is a friendly perspective, adding humor that most younger audiences will enjoy. The artwork is colorful, detailed and full of movement. The art also helps convey the humor with details like the the paper airplane landing in the ear of the sheriff, and an inmate in the jail laughing when Percy's bathtub lands on the sheriff. For children who enjoy irony and sarcasim, this will be a favorite.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "Kellogg's usual busy, highly defined illustrations complement the humorous, clever text." "A tempting choice to pair with Jon Scieszka's The True Story of The Three Little Pigs (Viking, 1989) and your favorite traditional version for porcine storytime fun."
BOOKLIST review: "Just as Serafina's customers flock to The Wheeled Wafflery, so children will greet Kellogg's latest picture book with eagerness based on memories of his many satisfying books. Pure pleasure for Kellogg fans."
CONNECTIONS
Other versions of The Three Little Pigs:
Artell, Mike. 2006. THREE LITTLE CAJUN PIGS. Ill. by Jim Harris. Dial Press. ISBN 0803728158
Laird, Donivee. 1990. THREE LITTLE HAWAIIAN PIGS AND THE MAGIC SHARK. Ill. by Carol Jossem. Barnaby Books. ISBN 0940350254
Lowell, Susan. 1996. THE THEEE LITTLE JAVELINAS. Luna Rising. ISBN 0873586611
Marshall, James. 1989. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803705913
Rubin, Vicky. 2007. THE THREE SWINGIN' PIGS. ill. by Rhode Montijo. Henry Holt & Co. ISBN 0805073353
Scieszka, Jon. 1996. THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Ill. by Lane Smith. Puffin. ISBN 0140544518
Trivizas, Eugene. 1997. THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG. Ill. by Helen Oxenbury. McElderry. ISBN 068981528X
Wiesner, David. 2001. THE THREE PIGS. Clarion Books. ISBN 0618007016
Other connections: have children research pigs in both fairy tale/folktale variants and informational texts. Decide how many similarities and or differences there are.
Kellogg, Steven, re teller and ill.. 1997. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. New York, NY: William Morrow and Company. ISBN 0688087310
PLOT SUMMARY
In this retelling of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS Steven Kellogg takes a humorous and fresh approach to an old tale. The pigs in this story are waffle makers and the mother pig, Serafina Sow, makes a good living bringing waffles to the world. When her three piglets graduate from Hog Hollow Academy she passes her business on to the three piglets and retires to the Gulf of Pasta. The piglets build homes nearby: Percy makes his of straw, Pete builds a log cabin, and Prudence builds a cozy brick home. When the bully arrives in the form of Tempesto, the wolf, things begin to move quickly. Tempesto arrives at the wafflery and attempts to eat the three pigs, telling them that he hates waffles and overturning the wafflery. After the piglets run to their respective homes, Tempesto, now enraged, follows and attempts to gain entrance. he first visits Percy, demolishing his straw house and blowing Percy to brother Pete's cabin. Before Percy's hut is destroyed, he manages to send a paper airplane containing a plea for help to the sheriff. The wolf successfully blows down Pete's cabin, as well and both brothers run to the safety of their sister's brick home. Tempesto was not able to blow down prudence's home and was bombarded by melons and other vegetables by the piglets. he devised a plan to enter the home through the chimney, but while he was executing this move, the piglet's mother, Serafina, drove up in a taxi announcing that the paper airplane had landed in her salad while she was eating. She was here to help. They placed a waffle iron in the fireplace and as soon as the wolf landed they proceeded to make a Wolffle out of him. he finally surrenders and they send him to the Gulf of Pasta in Serafina's place.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story is a less violent version of the familiar tale. Most versions of the folktale have the first two pigs meet their demise and the wolf meet his in the end. For younger audiences, this is a friendly perspective, adding humor that most younger audiences will enjoy. The artwork is colorful, detailed and full of movement. The art also helps convey the humor with details like the the paper airplane landing in the ear of the sheriff, and an inmate in the jail laughing when Percy's bathtub lands on the sheriff. For children who enjoy irony and sarcasim, this will be a favorite.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "Kellogg's usual busy, highly defined illustrations complement the humorous, clever text." "A tempting choice to pair with Jon Scieszka's The True Story of The Three Little Pigs (Viking, 1989) and your favorite traditional version for porcine storytime fun."
BOOKLIST review: "Just as Serafina's customers flock to The Wheeled Wafflery, so children will greet Kellogg's latest picture book with eagerness based on memories of his many satisfying books. Pure pleasure for Kellogg fans."
CONNECTIONS
Other versions of The Three Little Pigs:
Artell, Mike. 2006. THREE LITTLE CAJUN PIGS. Ill. by Jim Harris. Dial Press. ISBN 0803728158
Laird, Donivee. 1990. THREE LITTLE HAWAIIAN PIGS AND THE MAGIC SHARK. Ill. by Carol Jossem. Barnaby Books. ISBN 0940350254
Lowell, Susan. 1996. THE THEEE LITTLE JAVELINAS. Luna Rising. ISBN 0873586611
Marshall, James. 1989. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803705913
Rubin, Vicky. 2007. THE THREE SWINGIN' PIGS. ill. by Rhode Montijo. Henry Holt & Co. ISBN 0805073353
Scieszka, Jon. 1996. THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Ill. by Lane Smith. Puffin. ISBN 0140544518
Trivizas, Eugene. 1997. THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG. Ill. by Helen Oxenbury. McElderry. ISBN 068981528X
Wiesner, David. 2001. THE THREE PIGS. Clarion Books. ISBN 0618007016
Other connections: have children research pigs in both fairy tale/folktale variants and informational texts. Decide how many similarities and or differences there are.
Review of Turtle Knows Your Name
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bryan, Ashley, retold and ill.. 1989. TURTLE KNOWS YOUR NAME. New York, NY: Macmillan. ISBN 0689717288
PLOT SUMMARY
TURTLE KNOWS YOUR NAME is the retelling of a West Indies folktale. In this version a young boy is learning to say his name, UPSILIMANA TUMPALERADO, and his grandmother is trying to teach him. She does not give up and eventually takes him to the beach where her own grandmother had taken her to learn her own name. As grandmother and UPSILIMANA TUMPALERADO dance and sing, he learns to say his name. They did not notice that turtle was listening. he listened, swam to the bottom of the sea and spelled the name on the sand with shells. Later when UPSILIMANA TUMPALERADO is playing with friends in the village, they cannot say his name so they call him Long Name. His grandmother tells him that it is a long name, but not the longest. One day when he decides to play with all the animals, he finds that none of them can say his name, either. Until he runs into turtle and discoveres that he knows his name! He very excited and gets home in time to tell his grandmother over dinner about his discovery. She reminds him that if he wants dessert he will have to tell her what her name is. At this point, he runs around to the villagers asking if they know her name. none of them do. The animals also cannot help him and then he remembers that turtle knew his name so he goes to turtle and asks what his grandmother's name is. Indeed, turtle does know her name and he eventually tells UPSILIMANA TUMPALERADO who in turn goes home to shre the news with grandmother and have his dessert.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story has a sing-songy feel to it with certain phrases being repeated in a song quality. The repeated names, questions, and songs from the villagers add to the folktale. The art work is beautifully colorful and somewhat geometric. the bright colors and patterns reinforce the feel of the island culture this story is set in. Children should enjoy the lively pace of the text and bright art to make this a favorite book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "The handsome and loving black grandmother and her grandson inhabit a radiant, and tropical world and should bring delight to young children and storytellers, who will recognize their proud and loving spirits, and will enjoy chanting the very long names over and over again."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY review: "The festive paintings are a visual treat, complementing the text with jewel-like colors and fluid lines."
CONNECTIONS
Bryan, Ashley, retold and ill.. 1989. TURTLE KNOWS YOUR NAME. New York, NY: Macmillan. ISBN 0689717288
PLOT SUMMARY
TURTLE KNOWS YOUR NAME is the retelling of a West Indies folktale. In this version a young boy is learning to say his name, UPSILIMANA TUMPALERADO, and his grandmother is trying to teach him. She does not give up and eventually takes him to the beach where her own grandmother had taken her to learn her own name. As grandmother and UPSILIMANA TUMPALERADO dance and sing, he learns to say his name. They did not notice that turtle was listening. he listened, swam to the bottom of the sea and spelled the name on the sand with shells. Later when UPSILIMANA TUMPALERADO is playing with friends in the village, they cannot say his name so they call him Long Name. His grandmother tells him that it is a long name, but not the longest. One day when he decides to play with all the animals, he finds that none of them can say his name, either. Until he runs into turtle and discoveres that he knows his name! He very excited and gets home in time to tell his grandmother over dinner about his discovery. She reminds him that if he wants dessert he will have to tell her what her name is. At this point, he runs around to the villagers asking if they know her name. none of them do. The animals also cannot help him and then he remembers that turtle knew his name so he goes to turtle and asks what his grandmother's name is. Indeed, turtle does know her name and he eventually tells UPSILIMANA TUMPALERADO who in turn goes home to shre the news with grandmother and have his dessert.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story has a sing-songy feel to it with certain phrases being repeated in a song quality. The repeated names, questions, and songs from the villagers add to the folktale. The art work is beautifully colorful and somewhat geometric. the bright colors and patterns reinforce the feel of the island culture this story is set in. Children should enjoy the lively pace of the text and bright art to make this a favorite book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "The handsome and loving black grandmother and her grandson inhabit a radiant, and tropical world and should bring delight to young children and storytellers, who will recognize their proud and loving spirits, and will enjoy chanting the very long names over and over again."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY review: "The festive paintings are a visual treat, complementing the text with jewel-like colors and fluid lines."
CONNECTIONS
- An excellent candidate for reader's theater, puppetry, or storytelling . Focusing on the song qualities in this tale will engage children and puppets will also give children a place in the story.
- Look at other books where turtles are the main character, and find similarities.
- Find books with similar chanting, rhyming text.
- The following books with stories from the West Indies are another connection:
SanSouci, Robert D. THE FAITHFUL FRIEND ISBN 0027861317
Godard, Alex. MAMA, ACROSS THE SEA ISBN0805061614
San Souci, Robert D. THE HOUSE IN THE SKY: A BAHAMIAN FOLKTALE ISBN 0803712855
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Review of Long Night moon by Cynthia Rylant
- Bibliography
Rylant, Cynthia. 2004. Long Night Moon. Ill. by Mark Siegel. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689851269
- Plot Summary
According to Native American traditions, the moon of each month takes on a personality and name of its own. Rylant's beautifully eloquent text takes the reader through the year to the 'Long Night Moon'.
- Critical Analysis
With spare, soft wording, Rylant weaves an imaginative personality for the full moon each month. The text has the feel of poetry. It is lyrical. The Earth and inhabitants of the fields and forest are all affected by each moon leading up to the December moon; The Long Night Moon that is the "faithful" moon.
Mark Siegel's art is wispy and ethereal. there is a short description in the back of the book from Siegel about his difficulty in deciding how best to illustrate this book. He chose charcoal, pencil, and pastels. The book maintains that quality of the full moon night as nocturnal creatures are shown in relation to the personality each moon displays.
- Reviews
In School Library Journal-"books this good come along once in a blue moon."
In Kirkus Book Review-"...a quiet meditation on time and nature."
In Booklist-"The deceptively easy phrasings strike a chord; even when the words are joyful, there's still a poignant undertone."
- Connections
Collect books about phases of the moon and have children learn about them.
Use web sites like moonconnection.com and have children create their own calendar of moon phases.
Have children research native American mythology and legends. have them create a story of their own that might become a legend.
Revie of Tomas and the Library Lady
- Bibliography
Mora, Pat. 1997. TOMAS AND THE LIBRARY LADY. Ill. by Raul Colon. New York, NY: Random House, Inc.. ISBN 0679804013
- Plot Summary
Young Tomas helps his migrant farm worker family in the fields of Iowa, but misses his home in Texas. he loves his grandfather's stories and cool water. After telling a story to Tomas and his younger brother, Grandfather suggests that it is time that Tomas visit the library and get some books so that they might have some new stories. Tomas entered the library in town and was instantly greeted by the Library Lady who offered him cool water and books. They developed a friendship as Tomas returned again and again to the library and the lady who gave him cool water and checked out books to him in her name. When Tomas and his family had to leave to return to Texas he and his grandfather took sweet bread to the Library Lady. He left for Texas with a brand new book and the memory of a very nice, new friend.
- Critical Analysis
A sweet story that was based on the childhood experience of Dr. Tomas Rivera (1935-1984) whose family were migrant workers in Texas and Iowa. Mora's focus on the friendship and generosity offered by the librarian to Tomas encourages readers to want to spend time in the library finding the next new story. A bit of heartbreak, deftly handled comes when the family must move back to Texas. Gifts and hugs were exchanged between the Library Lady and Tomas, leaving the book on a sweet, happier note.
Colon's illustrations are neutral in tone and are reminiscent of impressionist pointalism combined with patterned scratchings. The neutrality of the color palette helps maintain the focus on the story. The faces of the people and dinosaurs are all very friendly and inviting.
- Review Excerpts
Review in Horn Book-"A charming, true story about the encounter between the boy who become chancellor at the University of California at Riverside and a librarian in Iowa."
Review in GoodReads-"This tribute to Tomas and his mentor reminds us of the power of stories and those dedicated librarians who have changed the lives of so many people."
- Connections
Examine other books about libraries and librarians. Talk about how those libraries and librarians are similar and perhaps how very different they are.
Have children share their favorite story of their own experience with a librarian that made them feel good. give them the opportunity to illustrate a page for a class book about their experiences.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Review of Flotsam by David Wiesner
- Bibliography
- Plot Summary
In this highly imaginative wordless picture book, a little boy finds an underwater camera while at the beach. He has the film developed and finds that life under the sea is very interesting. He also discovers that he is certainly not the first to find the camera nor the first to use and return the camera to the ocean to be found again. This camera has been around for a while.
- Critical Analysis
This wordless picture book is another thought provoking offering from Wiesner. Executed entirely in watercolor, the book has stunning detail and color. The imaginative use of the creatures under the sea and the lives they lead when "nobody is looking" is humorous and leaves the reader excited with the thrill of discovery. The images of the photograph that shows one child after another taking a photograph, holding the previously taken photograph in his or her hand draws the reader in like the little boy in the book. When he uses the microscope to see all the images back to the very first photograph, the visual history is so very amusing. The last page of the book has the camera being found again, after another fascinating journey through the ocean.
- Review Excerpts
Review in HORN BOOK-"With its careful array of beach combed items, the title page spread of Wiesner's latest wordless picture book makes it look like one of those Eyewitness books, but the following wordless story is far stranger than fact."
Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL-"Filled with inventive details and delightful twists, each shot is a tale waiting to be told."
Review in KIRKUS REVIEWS-'In Wiesner's much-honored style, the paintings are cinematic, coolly retrained and deliberate, beguiling in their sibylline images and limned with symbolic allusions. An invitation not to be resisted."
- Connections
- Look at books about ocean life and compare the informational text to Wiesner's imagination about what really happens when the camera is taken on a journey.
- Gather books on fashion of the twentieth century and allow children the time to decide what year each photograph in the camera must have been made.
- Have children make up thier own painting or drawing of an environment adding thier own make-believe elements.
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