THE THREE PIGS

1. Bibliography

Wiesner, David. 2001. The Three Pigs. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618007016

2. Plot Summary

            Three pigs, 3 homes, and a wolf normally make for a predictable tale. These pigs, however, have another idea in mind and head out of the story for a different adventure. David Wiesner uses comic book artwork to reinvent this classic fairy tale.   

3. Critical Analysis

            David Wiesner takes the traditional fable of The Three Little Pigs and transforms it into a fractured fairy tale where the pigs get a say in what happens to them. This fractured tale does not hold to the same traditional characters of good and evil, and this is mainly displayed when the pigs encourage another fairytale character to join them in the ‘white space’ of the stories. The predictable story, setting, theme, and style have changed widely from the original tale, and opt instead for a surprising change of events on every page. The comic style leads the story out of the traditional setting into the blank borders where anything can happen.

4. Reviews

Winner of the Caldecott Award

NewYork Times Book Review; “Wiesner's dialogue and illustrations are clever, whimsical and sophisticated.”

From School Library Journal; “Children will delight in the changing perspectives, the effect of the wolf's folded-paper body, and the whole notion of the interrupted narrative. Wiesner's luxurious use of white space with the textured pigs zooming in and out of view is fresh and funny. They wander through other stories-their bodies changing to take on the new style of illustration as they enter the pages-emerging with a dragon and the cat with a fiddle. The cat draws their attention to a panel with a brick house, and they all sit down to soup, while one of the pigs reconstructs the text. Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite.”

5. Connections

* Read a traditional tale about the three little pigs and other variations. What do they all have in common and what is different? Does the moral of the story change with the different tales?

* What other stories might Wiesner have used to add a comedy to the story?  

* Other take-offs:

            Scieszka, Jon. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. Ill. by Lane Smith. ISBN 0140544518

            Trivizas, Eugene. The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig. Ill. by Helen Oxenbury. ISBN 068981528X

            Marshall, James. The Three Little Pigs. ISBN 0448422883          

RUMPELSTILTSKIN

1. Bibliography

Retold and Ill. by Zelinsky, Paul O. 1986. Rumpelstiltskin: From the German of the Brothers Grimm. New York: Dutton Children’s Books. ISBN 0525442650

2. Plot Summary

            The miller tells the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The king decides to test her ability and locks her in a room pilled with straw over several nights. But help soon comes from a little man, who wants something in return for his services. When he comes to claim what it is his, she is faced with an even harder dilemma. What is the man’s name?

3. Critical Analysis

             Set in a distant past in an unknown land, Rumpelstiltskin is a traditional folktale. It holds to having limited characters which are vaguely described, but beautifully detailed in the illustrations. The illustrations are realistic to a medieval time period, and the size and coloring helps complete the grandeur of the story. The tale contains several small conflicts which are solved only to create a much larger dilemma. The repetition of the number three continues through the entire plot. The story repeats the usage of the number three trough the amount of rooms the miller’s daughter is place in, the number of times Rumpelstiltskin helps her spin the straw, the number of times Rumpelstiltskin allows her to guess his name, and the amount of names she guesses at each visit. The style is traditional to the tale, and even starts off with the word “Once”. Overall, the story is a great traditional tale that is able to present a plot, characters, setting, and style.

4. Reviews

Winner of the Caldecott Award

Kirkus Review; “The illustrators' familiar pen-and-ink, gouache, and pastel work is as appealing as ever-Azban is a particularly engaging character. Readers will hope this foursome keeps on rolling.”

Children’s Literature; “…Zelinsky's exquisitely detailed illustrations perfectly capture the splendid beauty of the late medieval period, as well as the unique qualities of each character..”

5. Connections

* Retell Rumpelstiltskin from another point of view.   

* How do you think Rumpelstiltskin spun the gold?

* What other names might the Queen have guessed?

* Make a script and act out the story using puppets or real people for the story.

* Similar stories:

            Sedgwick, Marcus. The Emperor’s New Clothes. Ill. by Alison Jay. ISBN 0811845699

            dePaola, Tomie. Big Anthony and the Magic Ring. ISBN 0156119072

RACCOON'S LAST RACE

1. Bibliography

Told by Bruchac, Joseph and James Bruchac. 2004. Raccoon’s Last Race. Ill. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803729774

2. Plot Summary

            Raccoon loves to race people and win. When he takes on a different opponent, after picking on too many people, he is faced with a new challenge which requires him to ask for help from some new friends. Raccoon is forced into making a change.    

3. Critical Analysis

            Raccoon’s Last Race meets all the criteria for being a traditional fable. The talking animals play their roles of good and evil. The plot is predictable but full of action. Raccoon, who acts as the evil character, is punished for his behavior in a humorous way. The setting is set in a distant location sometime in the past, and remains ambiguous throughout the tale. The language is appropriate for the American Indian tale, and an example of this it the use of “Grandfather” and “Grandson” in the interaction between Azban, the raccoon, and the Big Rock. The illustrations made from “pen-and-ink, gouache, and pastel” (Bruchac) are able to add color and animation to the story. The pictures also help present the setting and style to the story. The illustrators use lines to show action, and also add a more humor to the story. Combining the story and the illustrations together makes for a fable worth reading.

4. Reviews

Kirkus Review; “The illustrators' familiar pen-and-ink, gouache, and pastel work is as appealing as ever-Azban is a particularly engaging character. Readers will hope this foursome keeps on rolling.”

Publishers Weekly; “Father and son writing team Joseph and James Bruchac return with their third folktale, Raccoon's Last Race, illus. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. Here, long-limbed, speedy raccoon taunts his rivals as he easily outruns them. But when he has an accident, he gets his just deserts because of his ungracious nature.”

5. Connections

* What stories have you been told to explain why things are the way they are?  

* Which character do you relate to most?

* Write your own story that explains why things are a certain way.

* Use a felt board to act out the story.

* Other books by Joseph and James Bruchac:

            Bruchac, Joseph and James Bruchac. How Chipmunk Got His Stripes. Ill. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. ISBN 0142500216

            Bruchac, Joseph and James Bruchac. Turtle’s Race with Beaver. Ill. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. ISBN 0142404667

            Bruchac, Joseph. The First Strawberries. Ill. by Anna Vojtech. ISBN 0140564098

Review of KITTEN"S FIRST FULL MOON

1. Bibliography

                Henkes, Kevin. 2004. Kitten’s First Full Moon. United States: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0060588284

2. Plot Summary

            Kitten loves a bowl of milk. On her first full moon she mistakes the moon for a yummy bowl of milk and ends up working hard only to discover that everything she wants is waiting for her elsewhere. 

3. Critical Analysis

            A basic story with what appears to be simple pictures, Kittens First Full Moon is a fun story for a young audience. By using gouache and colored pencils (Henkes), Kevin Henkes is able to create an unusual look to his painterly artwork. The simple design and grayscale coloring allows the reader to be drawn more to the action in the pictures than to elaborate colors and extensive details. The story itself is told in a more simplistic manner leaving the reader to enjoy the action more. The picture books focus remains on kitten’s desire for milk throughout the entirety giving the story a central plot that moves the tale from page to page.

4. Reviews

Winner of the Caldecott Award

NewYork Times Book Review; “His drawing style is rowdy, exuberant, equal parts late Arnold Lobel and early Maurice Sendak. His heroes are admirably tenacious, plucky and equal to whatever task, lesson or sorrow Mr. Henkes supplies of them. His writing is concise wit that is rare in children’s books…. There is also an emotional context to Mr. Henke’s picture-book work that equally rare…. His work rings true.”

From School Library Journal; “…Repetitive phrases introduce each sequence of desire, action, and consequence, until the animal's instincts lead her home to a satisfying resolution. Done in a charcoal and cream-colored palette, the understated illustrations feature thick black outlines, pleasing curves, and swiftly changing expressions that are full of nuance. The rhythmic text and delightful artwork ensure storytime success. Kids will surely applaud this cat's irrepressible spirit.”

5. Connections

* Look at other books by Kevin Henkes, and determine if he likes to keep both the stories and drawings simple in other books as well.

* Using props (such as a story board or puppets) retell the story showing kittens troubles as she tries to reach for the moon.

* Make an artistic picture of the moon.  

* Other predictable books:

          Martin, Bill. Fire! Fire! Said Mrs. McGuire. Ill. by Radunsky, Vladimir. ISBN 0152057250

          Rosen, Michael J. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Ill. by Helen Oxenbury. ISBN 1416987118

          Sakai, Komako. The Snow Day. ISBN 0545013216

  

Review of CHUBBO'S POOL

1. Bibliography

                  Lewin, Betsy. 1996. Chubbo’s Pool. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 039572807X

2. Plot Summary

            “‘GET OUT OF MY POOL!’ roared Chubbo” (Lewin, p.14). Chubbo is a selfish hippo who doesn’t wish to share the pool he found with the other thirsty animals. The sun rises and the water begins to lower, and Chubbo finds that he has an important lesson still to learn. Based on a real hippo in Botswana’s Okavango (Lewin, p.32), Chubbo’s Pool is able to show the importance of sharing and friends to all ages.

3. Critical Analysis

            The realistic artwork in Chubbo’s Pool allows for the reader to be transported for a short period of time to experience the Botswana wildlife. Watercolor usage (Lewin) allows for Betsy Lewin to show a variation of shading without any sharp definition from dramatic lines. This approach gives a softening affect to what otherwise might be construed to some as a harsh natural wildlife. The variation of shades in the same colors also allows for a more colorful approach to artwork that consists mainly of cold colors (i.e blues, green, and browns). The animals presented in the pictures are a positive recreation to actual wildlife allowing children to see and learn about the real animals and their lives.

            Lewin uses inspiration from a “real hippo who refused to share his part of the river with anyone else” (Lewin, p.32) to create her tale. Every part of her story helps lead the reader to the climax and also a change of character in Chubbo; making this an inspirational picture book for all ages.

4. Reviews

School Library Journal; “The text is simple but rhythmic and rich with expressive adjectives, excellent for reading aloud. The book demonstrates the same high standards for presenting an unusual topic as Lewin's Booby Hatch (Clarion, 1995).”

Booklist; "Lewin's translucent watercolors offer a realistic portrait of Botswana wildlife set against a spectacular backdrop of sun-filled scenery. Inspired by the author's experience in Botswana, this is a delightful tale that humorously conveys the value of sharing and the joys of friendship. A pictorial glossary of the animals is appended."

5. Connections

* Gather other books by Betsy Lewin, and look at how she uses animals to convey the story to children.

* Have each participant think about a time that they shared with others, and using the animals presented Chubbo’s Pool create a drawing.

* Discuss why Chubbo doesn’t mind the cattle egret who is represented pictorially throughout the story? Why might Betsy Lewin have included the bird in the drawings but no in the story?

* Other stories about values and friendships:

   Pfister, Marcus. Hang on, Hopper!. ISBN 9781558584044

   Hills, Tad. Duck & Goose. ISBN 9780375836114

  McDonald, Megan. Ant and Honey Bee: What a Pair!. ISBN 9780763612658

   Schenk de Regniers, Beatrice. May I Bring a Friend?. ISBN 9780689206153

Review of THE CAT IN THE HAT

1. Bibliography

Seuss, Dr.. 1957. THE CAT IN THE HAT. United States: Random House. ISBN 9780394800011

2. Plot Summary

            Many kids find themselves with little to do on a rainy day. But for two children who receive a visit from the Cat in the Hat this doesn’t remain a problem for long. The get to see new tricks and make few new friends in this timeless story. After a little bit of destructive fun, mom arrives home and a question remains for the kids.

3. Critical Analysis

            Dr. Seuss’s THE CAT IN THE HAT has been acclaimed for changing the world of easy ready books; I found the story to be lacking in climax and morals. The story is light and a bit of fun to read. It makes a wide usage of a limited vocabulary, and with spectacular drawing which use lines to show animation the book is able to capture the attention of most audiences. The story is full of small simple climax moments that are quickly fixed in a hurry, and these negate from what could be a build up to a major climax (the mother coming home). The fish keeps bringing the mother up in the story, but this fails to make an impression as he is pictorially represented as smaller and paler. Seuss tries to use the natural antagonism between cats and fish to further enhance the conflict between the Cat in the Hat who wishes to have fun and the fish who is responsible. However, this idea fails as the fish is simply over looked or used as props for jokes. The story is full of small simple climax moments that are quickly fixed in a hurry, and these negate from what could be a build up to a major climax (the mother coming home).

          THE CAT IN THE HAT does however merit consideration for the use of color. The painterly drawings should be widely praised for the artistic ability presented throughout the book, including the creative use of the two-tone color. The limited usage of red and blue coloring before the arrival of the Cat in the Hat is quickly abandoned as he knocks on the door and returns after his departure. Color usage represents the ‘life’ the Cat in the Hat is able to bring to Sally and the narrator while they are stuck inside on a rainy day.

         Dr. Suess’s tale has remained a popular story because of the characters, rhythm, and age of readers. The story is full of interesting fictional characters such as the Cat in the Hat, Thing one, Thing two, and the scornful talking fish; who the narrator use to explain what happened on that particular day. The rhythm of the lines encourages the reader to continue with the story from beginning to end without stopping, allowing for the beginning reader to feel a sense of accomplishment when it is finished. Even with the faults, I find this story entertaining and necessary for beginning readers. It does, however, make me question what message is being said with the questions the book ends with. The story can be misconstrued to be telling children that they can have strangers in the house without telling their parents and make a huge mess (all while their parents are trusting them to behave without supervision) as long as they don’t tell them and the parents don’t find out.

4. Reviews

          Ellen Goodman, THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Nov. 1966; “Ten years ago, Dr. Seuss took 220 words, rhymed them, and turned out THE CAT IN THE HAT, a little volume of absurdity that worked like a karate chop on the weary little world of Dick, Jane and Spot.”

          THE EXPRESS; “Dr. Seuss ignites a child's imagination with his mischevious characters and zany verses.”

5. Connections

* Have each child finish the story by answering the question presented: “What would YOU do/ If your mother asked YOU?” (Seuss, p. 61). What would be the result of that answer.  

* Discuss activities to do on rainy days.

* Watch the film THE CAT IN THE HAT, and see what the similarities and differences are. Which one did you like best?

* Read other books by Dr. Seuss and see if they hold a similar interest for the reader.

* Other humorous stories:

            Golden Gelman, Rita. MORE SPAGEHETTI, I SAY!. ISBN 0590457837

            Seuss, Dr. HOP ON POP. ISBN 039480029X

            Shaw, Nancy. SHEEP IN A JEEP. Ill. by Margot Apple. ISBN 0618695222