Traditional Literature-Review

Swamp Angel

By: Anne Isaacs

Illustrated By: Paul O. Zelinsky

A: Bibliographic Data

Isaacs, Anne. 1994. Swamp Angel. Ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books.

ISBN: 0-525-45271-0

B. Plot Summary

Swamp Angel is a tall-tale about a gigantic woman born and raised in Tennessee. She is a loving caring person, who loves to help others, and is soon given the nickname "Swamp Angel." Her last good deed the reader reads about is her ever lasting battle with a huge black bear who is eating everyones' food. He is given the name Thundering Tarnation. After batting for several days Swamp Angel throws him into the sky. Finally Swamp Angel has a tree fall on Thundering Tarnation and she wins, and the whole countryside has a celebration. The reader learns at the end of the book, when Swamp Angel threw Thundering Tarnation into the sky he left an impression in the stars. The impression we know today is the star constellation that looks like a bear.

C. Critical Analysis

Anne Isaacs puts an interesting twist on this version of a tall-tale. Most tall tale's main character is a man, but in this special case it is a woman. It is refreshing to see the main tall-tale character be a woman. The much exaggerated events explain how the smoky mountains got their name, and how a bear constellation came to be in the sky. It is with a mix of humor and much exaggeration that this story gets labeled a tall-tale. Swamp Angel presents a strong presence of a woman who can handle woodsman and bears all on her own. Swamp Angel is a story that should be included in any tall-tale unit or teaching experience.

Paul O. Zelinsky does a true job in showing the reader pictures of great parts of the landscape we call America. He uses lost of greens, blues, and browns, throughout out his paintings that causes the reader to look and observe the pictures. The pictures in my opinion make the book and the story more interesting to get lost in.

D. Awards Won

*1994 Caldecott Honor Book
*1995 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
*1994 ALA Notable Book
*New York Public Library, 100 Books Every Child Should Read
*New York Times Best Illustrated Books of 1994
*School Library Journal Best Books of 1994
*Booklist Children's Editors Choices 1994
*Publisher's Weekly Best Books of 1994
*Time Magazine's 8 Best Children's Books, 1994
*Parenting Magazine Reading-Magic Award, 10 Best Books of 1994
*1995 Notable Trade Book in Language Arts, National Council of Teachers of English

Horn Book Review-"Move over, Paul Bunyan, you are about to meet Swamp Angel, an original creation in the tall-tale tradition whose exploits are guaranteed to amaze and amuse a wide swath of readers. . . Visually exciting, wonderful to read aloud, this is a picture book to remember."-Horn Book Review

E. Connections

* Have students write and create their own tall-tale.

* Read other tall-tales and have students compare the different versions.

* Extend the lesson to talk about farming and hardship that early settlers went through for a history connection.

Traditional Literature-Review

The Three Pigs

By: David Wiesner

A. Bibliographic Data

Wiesner, David. 2001. The Three Pigs. Ill. by David Wiener. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

ISBN: 0-439-44517-5

B. Plot Summary

The Three Pigs begins like the traditional tale of the big bad wolf and the three little pigs. However, as the story progresses the pigs jump out of the story and leave the wolf high and dry. While the pigs are out of the story they explore and jump into other stories, such as the nursery rhyme "Hey Diddle Diddle." The pigs also jump into a story about a knight and a dragon. The pigs make friends with the dragon by saving it from being slain by the knight, and they bring the dragon back into their original story. The story ends with the three pigs, the dragon, and the cat from the beloved nursery rhyme tricking the wolf and eating him in stew.

C. Critical Analysis

David Wiesner's version of The Three Pigs is a surprise within itself. The reader is expecting to find the basic same old tale of the story that has been passed down from generation to generation, but the reader actually finds a very different story indeed. While the beginning and the end are sort of the same as the original the middle is anything but that. Wiesner takes the three pigs on an adventure all of their own, by jumping from storybook to storybook. He also, uses speech and thought bubbles throughout the book to mix things up a bit. When looking at the cover of The Three Pigs the reader feels this will be the same original story, but as the reader begins to read this traditional tale, the reader quickly finds that this version of The Three Pigs is "original" all in its own.

Wiesner once again stuns his audience with the extraordinary pictures he produces for the book. The way he changes the images so the reader knows when the pigs are switching stories proves he is worthy of the Caldecott Medal. Different types of font are used to help the reader decipher what is informal text from a speech bubble, and what is the actually formal text of the story.

D. Awards Won

2002 Caldecott Medal

School Library Journal Review-""Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite."- School Library Journal

E. Connections

*Read different versions of The Thee Pigs and then have students compare and contrast the different versions of the story.

*Have students create their own story or comic strip by using speech and thought bubbles. Have students use the book for an example.

*Stress the importance of sequencing of events and have students draw different events in the story and then have the students work together to put the events in the correct order.

Traditional Literature-Review

Beautiful Blackbird

By: Ashley Bryan

A: Bibliographic Data

Bryan, Ashley. 2003. Beautiful Blackbird. Ill. by Ahsley Bryan. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

ISBN: 0-689-84731-9

B. Plot Summary

Beautiful Blackbird is an African folktale from Zambia. All the birds are covered in a single bright color except for blackbird. There is only one blackbird, and all the birds think that blackbird is the most beautiful. Throughout the rest of the story the other birds are trying to obtain some black color from blackbird. After blackbird mixes his "blacking brew" he paints and decorates all the other birds with black paint. The end concludes with all the birds having some type of black design on them thanks to blackbird.

C. Critical Analysis

Ashley Bryan delivers a powerful folktale with a powerful message on many levels. One message or meaning the book brings about is how different designs came to be on different types of birds. Beautiful Blackbird also teaches a valuable lesson of wanting to look like someone else, does not change who you are on the inside. Simple chants or songs are displayed throughout the book to bring out the culture. Also, dancing is another element presented in the book that displays culture. The characters and the plot in the story are easy to pull out and identify. Just thumbing through the pages Beautiful Blackbird appears to be a simple story, but give it a second look and the reader will soon find hidden messages and meanings within the story book's pages.

Bryan also does an amazing job with his illustrations. The pictures in the book have been created by cutting out birds from colored paper and creating collages. The illustrations have a very distinct look that catches the eye immediately when turing to the first page of the book.

D. Awards Won

Corretta Scott King Award

Laura Ingalls Wilder Award

Texas 2X2 Reading List

Booklist Review-"In this simple adaptation of a tale from the Ila-speaking people of Zambia, the message is clear: "Black is beautiful." Once upon a time, Blackbird was the only bird of Africa who wasn't brightly colored. When Ringdove asks who is the most beautiful bird, the other birds name Blackbird. At Ringdove's request, Blackbird brings blackening from his medicine gourd to decorate Ringdove's colored neck; the other birds also want trimming, so Blackbird paints dots and brushes lines and arcs until his gourd is empty. Using a more vivid palette than usual, Bryan employs boldly colored, cut-paper artwork to dramatize the action. The overlapping collage images fill the pages with energy as the songlike responses of the birds tap out a rhythm punctuated with "uh-huhs." In an author's note, Bryan explains that the scissors pictured on the endpapers, which Bryan used to create the collages, were once also used by his mother. Ready-made for participative storytelling." Julie Cummins-Book List

E. Connections

*Conduct a deeper study into the culture of Zambia.

*Students can cut and create their own animals out of paper and create their own collage artwork.

*Read and display other African folktales for students to get a better sense of African culture.

Picture Book-Review

Where The Wild Things Are

By: Maurice Sendak

A. Bibliographic Data

Sendak, Maurice. 1963. Where the Wild Things Are. Ill. by Maurice Sendak.New York, NY:Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN: 63-21253

B. Plot Summary

Where The Wild Things Are is a imaginative story about a young boy named Max, who makes mischief, gets into trouble, and gets sent to bed without any supper. As Max is in his room he imagines about traveling to a place where the wilds things are. He travels by boat for a long journey, and then is made king of the wild things. After spending time with the wild things, Max misses home and travels back to find his supper waiting for him in is bedroom.

C. Critical Analysis

Where The Wild Things Are is a classic story that has become a loved favorite for years. Children of all ages can relate to Max, wether that be by making mischief, getting into trouble, or using their imagination to travel to a far away place. Maurice Sendak's creation has become a well known classic, and the pictures are just a memorable as the story. Sendak uses lots of lines and texture throughout his drawings. The images are some that almost every child can identify. Where The Wild Things Are is such a beloved story because everyone can relate to some aspect of the story. The book highly encourages children to use their imagination. I am ashamed to say that I have never read all of Where The Wild Things Are until this assignment, and after reading this classic I now understand why this book has made such an impact on children's literature.

D. Awards Won

Caldecott Medal-1964

Notable Children's Books of 1940-1970 (ALA)

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Illustration-1981

Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book) 1963, 1982

Best Illustrated Children's Books of 1963, 1982-New York TImes

Reading Rainbow Selection

1964-Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

Children's Books of 1981-Library of Congress

Horn Book Review- "Turning to the book now, the most striking thing about it remains its undatable, fresh-as-paint immediacy."-Horn Book Review

E. Connections

* Art lesson over patterns and texture

* Divide students into groups and have then think about what a wild rumpus means, and then allow them to create their own wild rumpus,

* Discuss plot line with the students and have students identify the story elements such as problem, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Picture Book-Review

Tomas and the Library Lady

By: Pat Mora

Illustrated By: Raul Colon

A. Bibliographic Data

Mora, Pat. 1997. Tomas and the Library Lady. Ill. by Raul Colon. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 0-679-80401

B. Plot Summary

Tomas and the Library Lady is a children's picture book about a young boy named Tomas. Tomas' parents are migrant workers who travel to Iowa for the summer to pick fruits and vegetables. Tomas is a young boy who loves to hear stories especially from his grandfather. After being strongly encouraged by his grandfather to travel to the library to receive more stories Tomas decides to go. Upon arriving at the library Tomas meets the librarian who gathers books for Tomas to read and enjoy. As the summer moves on Tomas and the librarian develop an everlasting friendship. It is not until the end when Tomas has to go back home for the winter season does the reader realize just how important this relationship truly is. Tomas and the Library Lady is based on a true story.

C. Critical Analysis

Tomas and the Library Lady creates an interesting story for the reader by helping to develop a sense of worth and value to a special place called the library. Pat Mora does an excellent job by incorporating higher level concepts for young readers to read about. Mora introduces the concept of migrant farm workers, and what life is like for young children whose family decides to live this lifestyle. Mora also adds spanish words beside the english translations for young readers to be exposed to spanish words and maybe even learn them. Tomas and the Library Lady teaches children the love of reading stories in a way by aiding in the preservation of the actual library itself. The books shoes children how important the library is and how much fun it can be.

The illustrations in Tomas and the Library Lady have a very strong sense of visual elements by using lines and texture. The pictures look as if they should rise off the page and be rough in texture. Raul Colon is the illustrator of Tomas and the Library Lady, and he uses dramatic lines to create is illustrations.

D. Awards

* Selected for Arlington Reads, 2005
* Texas Bluebonnet Master List, 1999-2000
* Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, Southwest
Texas State University, 1998

* Teachers' Choices, International Reading Association, 1998

* Honor Award in the Multicultural and International category. Skipping
Stones Magazine, 1997

* Notable Books for Children, Smithsonian, 1997
* Nebraska Golden Sower Nominee, 1999-2000
* Américas Award Commended List, Consortium of Latin American Studies
Programs (CLASP), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1997

Booklist Review-"From the immigrant slums of New York to the fields of California, it’s an elemental American experience: the uprooted child who finds a home in the library. Mora’s story is based on a true incident in the life of the famous writer Tomás Rivera, the son of migrant workers who became an education leader and university president." —Hazel Rochman, Booklist

E. Connections

* Teach children about immigrant workers and conduct a deeper study

* Conduct a deeper look at the library and have students do research on the library.

* Share the poem "Library Magic"- a poem about Tomas

Picture Book-Review

Kitten's First Full Moon By: Kevin Henkes

A. Bibliographic Data

Henkes, Kevin. 2004, Kitten's First Full Moon. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books. ISBN: 0-439-80056-0

B. Plot Summary

The picture book titled Kitten's First Full Moon is a story about a brave little kitten who is trying to get to a big bowl of milk. The kitten is persistent but never successful in obtaining the bowl of milk, because the bowl of milk is actually a full moon in the night sky. After trying and trying the kitten finally falls into a pond after pouching on the moon's reflection. The poor wet little kitten finally gives up on its adventure and returns home to find a big bowl of milk waiting on the front porch.

C. Critical Analysis

Kevin Heneks uses simple black and white illustrations. However, it eye catching to notice how he uses the shape of a circle throughout the whole book. Circles can be seen everywhere. Also, the expression on the kitten's face is easy to understand and know what the kitten is feeling. The element of the character is very simple and easy to understand, it is just the kitten. The plot keeps the reader involved throughout the story, because the reader is wanting to know if kitten will ever learn the truth behind the "fake" bowl of milk. Kitten's First Full Moon is an engaging story that allows the young reader to use their inferencing skills. Never does the story come out and tell the reader that the bowl of milk is actually the moon, but it is through Henek's capturing pictures that shows the reader what the kitten is really after. Kitten's First Full Moon appears at first to be a simple story with a simple character and setting, but by taking a deeper look the adult reader can see that Kitten's First Full Moon contains deeper elements for children such as cause and effect and inferencing.

D. Awards Won

The Caldecott Medal

Bulletin Blue Ribbon (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books)

Charlotte Zolotow Award

ALA Notable Children's Book

Texas 2X2 Reading List

Book Sense Pick

Kirkus Review- "In a surprisingly new guise, Henkes turns his hand for his 34th book to a retro look, with rough-hewn, black-and-white illustrations that pair perfectly with this deceptively simply story. When Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk, ..."-Kirkus Review

E. Connections

* This is a great picture book for a read aloud.

* Prediction, cause and effect, and inferencing are great reading skills that can be taught using this picture book.

* For very young leaners this books would be great to teach the concept of a circle since the shape appears over and over throughout the book.