by Ashley Bryan
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bryan, Ashley. 1993. THE STORY OF LIGHTNING AND THUNDER. Ill. by Ashley Bryan. New York, NY: Antheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon and Schuster.ISBN 0-689-31836-7
PLOT SUMMARY
The plot is full of action and somewhat episodic because when Son Ram Lighting’s actions are troublesome, the King sends Ma Sheep and Son Ram Lightning to a new location. The setting is established on the first page, in a little village in Africa. The author paints a picture in the readers’ minds of lightning as Son Ram zigzags through fields and up mountains with Ma Sheep, thunder, calling after him. The conflicts are extremely crucial to the plot. The resolution, sending Ma Sheep and Son Ram Lightning, explains how thunder and lightning came to be. At the end, the author allows the listener, or reader, to identify with Son Ram Lightning. This is a perfect book to read aloud.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
THE STORY OF LIGHTNING AND THUNDER is based on Folk Tales from Southern Nigeria, West Africa, by Elphinstone Dayrell, however, this tale could relate to any culture. It includes supernatural events, such as going into the sky. There are also repeated elements, such as, use of “uh-uh,” throughout the story. Also, after every troubled incident the King would send Ma and Son farther away, where the same thing would happen again. The African culture in represented, other than already stated, through the village and what was sold. Likewise, interestingly, no matter what, Ma Sheep Thunder did what King requested without question. Although this story is mostly about how lightning and thunder came to be, it also has a moral. The story seems to highlight friendship, being that Rain always tried to help her friend, Ma Sheep, when needed. That is why King sent her. Also, the most important lesson is that children should obey their parents. In not doing so, bad things happened.
The illustrations are colorful, vivid and are complementary to the story. The character is well portrayed in African clothing. The story would easily be followed through the pictures.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist (Vol. 90, No. 2 (September 15, 1993)"Bryan's swirling watercolors depict a bright African terrain peopled with decorative, colorful characters. The text has music and style and moves along quickly, thanks to the humor inherent in the exploits of the rambunctious ram. Specific source notes are included. This is a solid title for reading aloud that will appeal to a wide age range."
Horn Book (March, 1994)"Stylized illustrations, in pretty shades of blue, green, orange, and yellow, accompany a mildly amusing retelling of a folktale from southern Nigeria about how Thunder -- a mother sheep -- and her mischievous son, Lightning -- a ram -- were banished from the Earth to the sky."
Kirkus Review starred (1993)"Written to be read aloud (perhaps to a rambunctious child), with bits of rhyme and unexpected wordplay--the King scolds Lightning: "It is an outrage at your age to go on such a rampage!" There is one of Bryan's uniquely vibrant, swirling, light-filled paintings on every page."
Publishers Weekly (October 18, 1993)"Bryan takes a highly conversational, genial tone, with frequent interjections of ``uh-huh'' and ``uh-uh,'' that quickly develops camaraderie between the reader, the narrator, the spirited ram, and his frazzled mother. Brilliantly colored and ingeniously patterned, Bryan's illustrations are a playful take on stained glass."
AWARDS
THE STORY OF LIGHTNING AND THUNDER does not appear to have been awarded any honors, however, Ashley Bryan has written several other books which have been heavily awarded. He has compiled, written and illustrated numerous books, many of them African folktales.
CONNECTIONS
Other books that would go along with this book are:
Ashley Bryan's African Tales
Uh Huh and The Story of Lightning and Thunder
All Night, All Day: A Child's First Book of African American Spirituals
What a Morning
Beat the Story Drum, Pum-Pum
Lion and the Ostrich Chicks
or
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Same series: Why Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ears (Imagination Library Books)
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Doctor De Soto by William Steig
The Amazing Bone by William Steig
- On rainy days, this would be a good story to read during recess time.
- Students could research about lightning and thunder, completing a KWL chart before and after research
- Students could make up their own story explanation for lightning and thunder, first discussing other stories they have heard in the past, such as "angels mopping in Heaven."
- Study about Ben Franklin and his kite
- Make a chart of rain events
THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS
by Susan Lowell ~ Illustrated by Jim Harris
Lowell, Susan. 1992. THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS. Ill. by Jim Harris. Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Publishing Company. ISBN 0-590-48170-3
PLOT SUMMARY
THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS is a picture book variant of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. This entertaining book by Susan Lowell uses javelinas, cousins of pigs, to reenact the original story in a desert setting. The javelinas possess human traits of hairy legs and a desire to seek their fortunes. As the three javelinas part ways, they all discover different materials with which to build their houses. Like the old story of the pigs, the javelinas are stalked by a predator, the sneaky coyote. He huffs and puffs their houses in, one by one. The javelinas all use the familiar term, “not by the hair on my chinny chin chin.” They eventually all end up in the house made of solid adobe, keeping the desert flavor.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The story progresses quickly as the plot is full of a large amount of action. The setting is established quickly, somewhere in the southwest. The coyote is definitely the villain in the story. In the end, he is “cooked” as he climbs down the stovepipe. However, he is seen running from the javelinas’ house in the form of smoke, howling in pain. This explains why you can hear coyotes howling in the moonlight on any given night in the desert. The story captures the language of the southwest, even sounding out some Native American words. There are repeated elements in the form of actions and sayings.
The illustrations are fabulous, the kind you just need more time to take in than the words allow. I found myself flipping back through the book to look at the pictures. They absolutely create the mood, are appropriate for the story, and reflect the cultural heritage of the desert. There is a great sense of cultural representation in this picture book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist (Vol. 89, No. 9 (January 1, 1993)
Harris' illustrations are appealing and humorous and children who loved the original will enjoy this version.
Horn Book (March, 1993)In this southwest retelling of "The Three Little Pigs," the setting and characters work comfortably within the tale's framework.
Horn Book (March, 1993)In this southwest retelling of "The Three Little Pigs," the setting and characters work comfortably within the tale's framework.
Publishers Weekly (September 14, 1992)This clever and flavorful change of scene puts a diverting spin on an old favorite. Harris's lively, finely detailed illustrations, with the bristling, pink-nosed peccaries clad in cowboy outfits, amusingly contrast the villain's vigorous wiles with the title characters' cozy domesticity. Sprightly fun. Ages 3-8.
AWARDS
Arizona Young Readers Award 1994
Mockingbird Award
PBS Reading Rainbow 1994
Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award Finalist 1996
CONNECTIONS
Other books that would go along with this book are:
Josefina Javelina: A Hairy Tale by Susan Lowell
Cactus Hotel (Owlet Book) by Brenda Z. Guiberson
There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea by Jennifer Ward
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas
Cactus Hotel (Owlet Book) by Brenda Z. Guiberson
There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea by Jennifer Ward
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas
ACTIVITIES
Research life in the desert
2000 Caldecott Medal