Wednesday, June 22, 2011

GENRE 2 TRADITIONAL LITERATURE

THE STORY OF LIGHTNING AND THUNDER
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


BIBLIOGRAPHY
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.
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

ACTIVITIES
Research life in the desert
Read several variants of The Three Little Pigs and compare and contrast
Have the students act out the book (Could have the students get in groups and act out different variants and let the others guess which one they are out out.)


JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT
by Simms Taback


BIBLIOGRAPHY
Taback, Simms. 1999. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT
. Ill. by Simms Taback. New York, NY: Penguin Books.  ISBN 0-329-15300-5


PLOT SUMMARY
JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT, written by Simms Taback, is a folktale adopted from a Yiddish folksong that he sang growing up.  The main character, Joseph starts out with an overcoat and as it wears out he alters it to become another piece of clothing.  In this tale, the only evil is time and use, wearing something down.  The setting is in the country.  Time passes quickly, as every other page he makes a new garment.



CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The theme is one in which everyone can relate.  Joseph really does triumph over evil, even when he has nothing.  He writes a book to show that one can always make something good out of nothing.  So… a happy ending!  The very first sentence introduced Joseph, a simple character with an overcoat.  “Joseph had a little ___ . It got old and worn,” was a phrase that was repeated throughout the story.  Also, the character always goes somewhere in his new garment, another repeated element.  In the back of the book, Taback provided the original folksong he sung growing up.  He successfully maintains the integrity of the original piece.   

The illustrations, also generated by Taback, not only complement the story but actually make the story come to life.  When I first started reading the book, I thought someone had cut out his jacket.  Because of the illustrations, this is definitely a book to read aloud to children.  The illustrations are very cleaver and timeless.  Although the pictures indicate that Joseph lives in the country, they also show that he likes to travel, go to the theater, and be artistic.  He scattered little clues about his life throughout the pages through his drawings.  There is an authentic cultural representation through the images and with explanation of how the story came to be.  


REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist (Vol. 96, No. 9/10 (January 1, 2000))Ages 4-7. This newly illustrated version of a book Taback first published in 1977 is a true example of accomplished bookmaking--from the typography and the endpapers to the bar code, set in what appears to be a patch of fabric. Taback's mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity. Their colors are festive yet controlled, and they are filled with homey clutter, interesting characters, and a million details to bring children back again and again. The simple text, which was adapted from the Yiddish song "I Had a Little Overcoat," begins as Joseph makes a jacket from his old, worn coat. When the jacket wears out, Joseph makes a vest, and so on, until he has only enough to cover a button. Cut outs emphasize the use and reuse of the material and add to the general sense of fun. When Joseph loses, he writes a story about it all, bringing children to the moral "You can always make something out of nothing."
 Library Talk (March/April 2000)Based on a Yiddish folk song, this delightful story of ingenuity and thrift has been re-illustrated and is told in simple, repetitive text. The folk-style illustrations are created from Joseph's little overcoat and feature innovative die-cut pages that highlight each object from jacket to button. Taback's illustrations, created with gouache, watercolor, pen and ink, and collage, are eye-catching. The illustrations move the story along and provide many details for the lingering eye to enjoy.  Music to the song "I Had a Little Overcoat" is included on one of the final pages--an addition which, along with the illustrations, will bring readers back to this tale again and again. Highly Recommended. Sharron L. McElmeel [Editor's Note: Taback has won the 2000 Caldecott Medal.]
Publishers Weekly (November 1, 1999)As in his Caldecott Honor book, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Taback's inventive use of die-cut pages shows off his signature artwork, here newly created for his 1977 adaptation of a Yiddish folk song. With its effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor, this is tailor-made for reading aloud. All ages.
School Library Journal (January 2000)Pre-Gr 3-A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit.  The rhythm and repetition make it a perfect storytime read-aloud.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada


AWARDS
2000 Caldecott Medal

CONNECTIONS
Other books that would go along with this book are:
Caldecott Medal Winners
Children's folktales from different cultures
All children's folktales
ACTIVITIES
Compare folktale from different cultures
Make a collage from magazines depicting own style (or drawings)
Write about a time you made something from nothing.
Decorate a can or container with different buttons.

Monday, June 13, 2011

GENRE 1 INTRO AND PICTURE BOOKS

KITTEN'S FIRST FULL MOON
by Kevin Hinkes


BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hinkes, Kevin. 2004. KITTEN’S FIRST FULL MOON. Ill. by Kevin Hinkes. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0-06-058829-2

PLOT SUMMARY
In this enlightening picture book, a kitten chases the moon, which he believes to be a bowl of milk. Of course, he will never be able to catch it. He climbs trees, jumps in a pond, and roams the countryside trying get to the bowl of milk. In the end, Kitten finds a bowl of milk waiting on the doorstep. This playful book is predictable, fun and whimsical.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Hinkes award winning, Caldecott Medal book, KITTEN'S FIRST FULL MOON, definitely engages the readers in the kitten’s dilemma. It is obvious that the kitten has never experienced a full moon and doesn’t know the ways of the universe. The predictability of the plot will allow young children to engage in reading skills that will help them in years to come. Children will delight in watching the kitten learn about the world and how the moon appears to be so close.

The pictures are simple, yet intriguing. The illustrations are all in grayscale, which helps in the storyline since the moon looks like a bowl of milk. Color would never work with the story.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist starred (February 15, 2004 (Vol. 100, No. 12))
Wise preschoolers may chuckle at the kitten's folly, but they'll also recognize the mysterious power of moonlight to transform the familiar world of daytime into something altogether new.
Horn Book (May/June, 2004)
Anyone who has ever watched a cat spasmodically pounce and chase for no apparent reason will enjoy the imaginative, unpretentiously poetic method Henkes reads into this madness.
Horn Book starred (Fall 2004)
The rhythmic, action-oriented text is just right for small children.
Kirkus Review starred (February 15, 2004)
artful in its gracelessness and naïveté, just like a kitten. Simply charming. (Picture book. 3-5)
Publishers Weekly (February 16, 2004)
The narrative and visual pacing will keep children entranced, and the determined young heroine and her comical quest will win them over.
School Library Journal (April 1, 2004)
The rhythmic text and delightful artwork ensure storytime success. Kids will surely applaud this cat's irrepressible spirit.

CONNECTIONS
Frank Asch's classic Moongame (S & S, 1987) and Nancy Elizabeth Wallace's The Sun, the Moon and the Stars (Houghton, 2003) will be good books to connect a nocturnal theme.

Other books that would go along with this book are:
The Milk Makers by Gail Gibbons
Jenny's Surprise Summer by Eugenie
Three Little Kittens by Paul Galdone
Hi, Cat! by Ezra Jack Keats
Have You Seen My Cat? by Eric Carle
On The Moon by Anna Milbourne
Cats by Anna Milbourne
The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn M. Branley

Students could do an art activity using symmetry to learn about reflections.
Students could visit an an animal shelter or veterinarian to learn about caring for kittens.


A BIRTHDAY BASKET FOR TIA
by Pat Mora ~Illustrated by Cecily Lang


BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mora, Pat. 1992. A BIRTHDAY BASKET FOR TIA. Ill. by Cecily Lang. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-02-767400-2

PLOT SUMMARY
In A BIRTHDAY BASKET FOR TIA,a mother and her daughter prepare for a birthday party, along with the family cat, as they discuss what the day will bring. The main character, Cecilia, spends some time gathering meaningful items to put in a basket for a surprise for her great aunt who is turning ninety. When Aunt Tia comes to her surprise party she is greeted by Cecilia and the basket of gifts. As she takes each item out of the basket, she is aware of the meaning of each item.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
A BIRTHDAY BASKET FOR TIA crosses multicultural lines with its sprinkling of Spanish words and foods. Written in English, this book will be a favorite for children of all cultures because the theme is relative to all. The author uses a cumulative effect when writing about the items that Cecilia places in the basket. The book is written so that it is though the reader can hear the thoughts of the girl as she goes about her day. This is a "feel good" book in that the love for an elderly aunt and young girl are very evident.

The pictures are vivid and colorful. The words are easy to read because they are all in white or light areas of the page. I noticed that the characters stay in the same clothes throughout the story, even when she is reminiscing. I think this will help young readers keep the characters straight.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
"Mora’s simple text exemplifies the best of recent multicultural publishing. An honest, child-centered story."—Horn Book

"Vibrant, detailed cut-paper illustrations portray family warmth and individuality with verve and panache."—School Library Journal

"This warm and joyful story by a Hispanic poet tells of a young girl’s search for the perfect present for her great-aunt’s ninetieth birthday … The final surprise at Tía’s party symbolizes the strong relationship between generations."—Julie Corsaro, Booklist

AWARDS
Southwest Book Award, Border Regional Library Association
Book Links Salutes "A Few Good Books" of 1992
Utah Governor’s September Children’s Book-of-the-Month, 2004


CONNECTIONS
Other books that would go along with this book are:
Mice and Beans by Pam Munoz Ryan
The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting
Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan
Night Noises by Mem Fox
Flower Garden by Eve Bunting
Arthur's Birthday by Marc Brown
A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats
Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch
The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle
Clifford's Birthday Party by Norman Bridwell
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
Some Birthday! by Patricia Polacco
Abuela (English Edition with Spanish Phrases) (Picture Puffins) by Arthur Dorros
Abuela's Weave by Omar S. Castaneda
A Birthday for Frances by Russell Hoban

Students could do bring pictures of their family to put in a book shaped like a birthday cake made out of construction paper.
Students could bring an item that has a special meaning for them and place it in a big basket at the front of the classroom until time to share.
Students could draw a basket and draw (or cut from a magazine) pictures that they would use to fill the basket if they were gifting to someone they love.


SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE
by William Steig

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Steig, William. 1969. SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE. Ill. by William Steig. New York, NY: Windmill Books/Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0-67-166269-4

PLOT SUMMARY
This timeless story, SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE, is about a donkey who finds a red, shiny pebble.  He discovers that it has magic powers while he is holding it in his hands while he wishes for the rain to go away.  After a big error in judgement, Sylvester, the donkey, is destined to remain a rock until one day, after much heartache, his parents picnic on Sylvester, the rock.  When his parents place the pebble upon the rock, he is able to wish himself back to a donkey.  The story has a very happy ending with the family reunited. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE is a story that has a very clear message.  We don't have to wish for things, rather be happy with who you are and what you have.  This book is one that can be enjoyed by all ages and cultures.  It is timeless in that the message will be relevant in all times.  The story is full of fantasy such as, a magic rock, talking animals, a donkey changing into a rock and back, etc, but yet the storyline is somewhat predictable and believable.  The story is full of hope for a good ending and offers relief when it happens.

The pictures, pretty much, tell the story.  They are colorful and detailed.  This storybook will be one that children will remember not only for the story, but for the illustrations. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal...
"This first-rate production should be in all public and school libraries."

AWARDS
Emphasis on Reading: A Children's Choice Book Award Program Winner 1982-1983 Grades K-1 Alabama
Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner 1970 United States

CONNECTIONS
Other books that would go along with this book are:
Officer Buckle & Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
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
The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton


Activity Ideas from Scholastic
If the story of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble continued after the end of the story, in what ways do you think the
Duncan's life would be different from the way it was at the beginning of the story? Why do you think these changes
would happen?

Talk with children about what they might wish for if they found a magic pebble. Ask: Why would you wish for these
things? How would these things make your life better?
Later, print children's wishes on small slips of paper. Put the wishes in a hat or box. Have children take turns pulling a
wish out of the hat and seeing if they can identify the child in the group who made the wish.

Discuss with children the kinds of things they enjoy doing with their family members. Encourage children to describe
those things they particularly like about their parents, guardians, siblings, relatives, and special events they may
have shared with them.

Talk about special collections the children may have had similar to the pebble collection that Sylvester had.


Cut out at least twenty circles, to represent pebbles, from light-weight cardboard. Make different markings on the circles.
Be sure that each circle has markings that are identical to one of the other circles. Place all of the circles face up on
the tabletop. Have children pretend that the circles are magic pebbles. Then have children take turns looking for
the matching pairs of "magic pebbles." (Make your own variations on this visual discrimination game by increasing
or decreasing the amount of detail in the markings on the circles, depending on the ability levels of children in your
class. For example, for younger children, you might want children to look for circles with matching colors. For older
children, you might want to have them hunt for circles with matching detailed patterns.) When each child has had an
opportunity to find "matching magic pebbles" celebrate with a classroom picnic similar to the one the Duncan family
enjoyed.

Take a walk outdoors with children. Have children stop by a large rock, tree, or tree stump. Ask children: If this rock
(tree, tree stump) could talk, what do you think it might say? How do you think it would feel about where it lives
and how it spends each day? How do you think it would feel about having visitors? When you return to the classroom,
have children write or dictate stories about the magic rock (tree, tree stump) that came to life. Later, have children
illustrate their stories and share them with their classmates.