Traditional Tales-Review #3-Eric Kimmel book

Kimmel, Eric A. 1994. The Three Princes: A Tale from the Middle East. Ill. by Leonard Everett Fisher. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823415538

Plot Summary--

This is the tale of three princes who seek the hand of a beautiful princess. The choice is hers to make and, as is often the case in love, she wants to choose the prince who touches her heart even though he has few possessions. She devises a plan. For a year, the princes will go out into the world to search for and bring back the greatest wonder. At the end of the year, the princes meet together to show each other their wonders. One has found a crystal ball that will let him see what is happening anywhere in the world. Another has found a flying carpet that will carry him wherever he wants to go. The third prince, the princess' choice, has found a magic orange that will cure any illness. As the princes talk, they decide to check on the princess whom they have not seen in a year. Through the crystal ball, they discover she is deathly ill. They ride the flying carpet to her bedside and use the magic orange to cure her. In the end, the princess must decide who found the greatest wonder.

Critical Analysis--

This tale begins in a most satisfying way. "Once there was and once there was not a princess who was as wise as she was beautiful." From the beginning, the reader knows a wonderful story is about to unfold. This traditional, but not so traditional, way of beginning this tale, immediately sets the tone for the story. While the challenges of finding the wonders are not fully related in the tale, the reader glimpses the challenges through carefully chosen words. For the crystal ball, "In a cave guarded by a frightful djinn..." For the flying carpet, "In the tomb of a forgotten king..." For the magic orange, "... [on] the shores of the Great Sea...there I met a sailor who gave me this." The reader is left wondering, what great danger did the third prince face to gain his wonder?

The tale ends as it should. The princess, "who was as wise as she was beautiful--which made her more beautiful still," and her prince "lived together in joy and delight to the end of their days."

Mr. Fisher uses bold colors in his pictures. Camels, desert landscapes, and traditional clothing contribute to an appreciation of Middle Eastern culture. The night sky pictures show a deep midnight blue with bright, white stars and a crescent moon. They remind me of stargazing out in the country when there are hundreds stars and they seem so close, you can almost touch them. My favorite night sky picture is the three princes on the flying carpet rushing to save the princess. There are stars all around them, even below them. I remember this feeling on an overnight airplane flight, as I was gazing out the window, amazed that I was high enough to feel like I was "in" the stars and not below them.


Review Excerpts--

Publishers Weekly--"Kimmel's sprightly retelling of a Middle Eastern folktale and Fisher's ambient artwork shimmer with wisdom and magic."

School Library Journal-"His [Kimmel] smooth narrative is strong and direct-traditional in structure, but with a fresh, contemporary voice. Dark underpainting and dense blocks of bold color give Fisher's illustrations weight and dimension, while his dramatic use of light focuses the eye effortlessly through the pictures. A welcome addition that deserves to become a read-aloud standard."

Booklist--"Kimmel uses the familiar fairy-tale construct, but his telling has precision and a bouyancy that gives the story wonderful life. The text is well matched by Fisher's muscular artwork, here executed in bold evening colors that masterfully mix the Middle Eastern setting and the Arabian Nights goings-on."


Connections--

*Locate the Middle East region on a map.

*Read some other Middle Eastern folktales.

• The Secret of Laughter: Fairytales and Folktales from Ancient Persia by Shusha Guppy ISBN 1850434271
• Well of Truth: A Folktale from Egypt by Martha Hamilton ISBN 0874838800
• Two Pairs of Shoes by P.L. Travers ISBN 0670736775
• Tales from the Bazaars of Arabia: Folk Srories from the Middle East by Amina Shah ISBN 1845117018 Available November 25, 2008.
• Aladdin and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights by N.J. Dawood ISBN 0140367829

Traditional Tales-Review #2-Cinderella Variant

Louie, Ai-Ling. 1982. Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China. Ill. by Ed Young. New York: Philomel. ISBN 039920900X.

Plot Summary--

This "Cinderella" tale originally appeared in a book that dates from the T'ang dynasty (618-907 A.D.), pre-dating European versions of the Cinderella story. Yeh-Shen is the "Cinderella" who has a cruel, unfair stepmother and a stepsister. Yeh-Shen's only friend is a fish she caught and raised. Yeh-Shen's stepmother captures and kills the fish. Through this, Yeh-Shen learns the fish's bones are magical and will fulfill her heart's desires. Yeh-Shen longs to go to the spring festival but, of course, is not allowed to go. Her fish's bones provide her with an azure gown, feathered cloak, and golden slippers whose weave pattern looks like fish scales. She loses one of the slippers on the way home from the festival which provides the way for the king to find her.

Critical Analysis--

This variant contains some expected "Cinderella tale" elements, such as the evil stepmother, magic, the fancy dress, the dance, and the lost slipper. Some unexpected elements include only one stepsister, the fish bones, in lieu of a fairy godmother, and the manner is which Yeh-Shen is reunited with her lost, golden slipper.

The illustrations are beautiful and convey Chinese culture. Each page is sectioned into panels, either one, two, or three. The pictures are divided into these panels. Prominent in almost every picture is the fish. Blending into the mouth and eyes of the fish are the various characters and events from the story. Mr. Young's choice of colors conveys the feelings in the story. Dark plums and magentas are used for the fish when the stepmother and sister or serious events are depicted. Shades of light green are used to show the friendship between the fish and Yeh-Shen. Reds are used for the dancing and spring festival. Hues of turquoise blue and green are used to show Yeh-Shen in her finery and fortell her future status as queen.

Reviews--

Publishers Weekly-"Misty, jewel-like illustrations evoke the mythic past in this Chinese Cinderella story."

Booklist--"A misty dreamlike air. A worthwhile addition to picture-book collections."

Awards-

• Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award Winner
• ALA Notable Children's Book
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• IRA Children's Choice
• IRA Teachers' Choice
  

Connections--

*Read other Asian Cinderella variants and compare them.

• Angkat: The Cambodian Cinderella by J.R. Coburn ISBN 1885008090
• Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella by J.R. Coburn ISBN 1885008015
• The Korean Cinderella by Shirley Climo ISBN 0064433978

*Read and compare other Cinderella variants from different cultures.

• The Turkey Girl: a Zuni Cinderella Story by Penny Pollack ISBN 0316713147
• Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story by Tomie dePaola ISBN 0399238662
• The Talking Eggs by Robert San Souci ISBN 0803706197
  

*On a map, locate the various countries or regions of origin for the stories.

*Re-write the story of Cinderella. Make the setting and the other elements specific to your town.

*Read other Chinese folktales.

• The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop ISBN 0698113578
• Two of Everything: A Chinese Folktale by Lily Toy Hong ISBN 0807581577
• The Lost Horse: A Chinese Folktale by Ed Young ISBN 015205023X
• The Weaving of a Dream: A Chinese Folktale by Marilee Heyer ISBN 0140505288

Traditional Tales-Review #1-Anthology

Yolen, Jane. 2003. Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys. Ill. by Raul Colon. New York: Harcourt. ISBN 978-0-15-216391-4.

Plot Summary--

This is an anthology of folktales from around the world. The heroes of these tales are boys and the goal of the collection is to show their triumphs when using their brains over their brawn. The themes of self-sacrifice, thoughtfulness, bravery of heart, and faithfulness run throughout the selected tales.

Critical Analysis--

The fourteen tales in this collection come from all over the world and represent many different peoples and cultures. China, Angola, Russia, Burma, Hungary, and Israel are just a few of the countries represented in the anthology. Some of the tales are variants of fairly well-known tales, such as Jack and His Companions, which is a variant of The Bremen-town Musicians and Mighty Mikki, a variant of Puss-in-Boots. Other tales may be less well known, such as Thick-Head, a Native American tale or The False Knight on the Road from England. While a few of the tales have some intense elements, like the hero tricking the troll into cutting open his own stomach in the tale, Eating with Trolls, most of the stories depict good triumphing over evil without much violence.

Each tale is accompanied by a simple black and white line drawing that depicts an important scene and offers the reader a small view of the traditional culture from which the tale originates. Another cultural element found in the tales is traditional storytelling wording. In the tale, The Young Man Protected by the River from Angola, the traditional ending is preserved. The tale ends with three sayings, all of which mean, "I am finished."

The anthology includes a table of contents with not only titles and page numbers, but also the country of origin for each tale. Also, Yolen lists a bibliography and gives details of her research for each tale.

My 9 year old son and I enjoyed sharing this book. Our favorite tale was Jack and His Companions.

Reviews--

School Library Journal--"Her [Yolen] versions of these stories are lively, expressively written, ready for reading aloud or telling, and illustrative of her point."

Kirkus Reviews--"Yolen, an undisputable queen of storytelling, shines with these retellings...A stellar read-aloud volume as well as just right for independent readers."

Awards--Aesop Prize

Connections--

*Choose a tale or two to rewrite as a reader's theater piece.

*Jane Yolen has compiled an anthology entitled, Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls ISBN-13 9780152020477. How does this anthology compare with Mightier Than the Sword? Do they have any of the same themes?

*Other folktale anthologies to read and enjoy.

• Outfoxing Fear: Folktales from Around the World edited by Kathleen Ragan ISBN 0393060365.


• From the Winds of Manguito: Cuban Folktales in English and Spanish retold by Elvia Perez edited by Margaret Read MacDonald ISBN 1591580919.


• Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales selected by Neil Philip ISBN 0618194630.

Picture Books-Review #3

Cronin, Doreen. 2000. Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type. Ill. Betsy Lewin. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 1-4169-0348-8

Plot Summary--

This clever book details labor/management negotiations between Farmer Brown and his farm animals, specifically, the cows. Neither side is willing to make concessions until a neutral party (the duck) is brought in to mediate the dispute.

Critical Analysis--

Cronin's story is whimsical with simple but direct text. Using the cleverness of barnyard animals who can type and demand better working conditions immediately draws the reader into the story. Even though some of the vocabulary is challenging for younger readers (neutral party, ultamatum), they will enjoy the surface story, that of animals wanting warm blankets because they get cold at night. The deeper story, management/labor relations is not lost to older readers who enjoy the book as well.

Lewin's illustrations capture the whimsy of the story. Bold colors and simple lines invite the reader into the story. Lewin's drawings of the old, manual typewriter add to the story's charm. Also, the letters between the farmer and his animals that are written on the typewriter, look truly typewritten.

The surprised expressions on the animals' faces let the reader know that the animals think their demands are perfectly rational. Why should Farmer Brown be upset over such a simple request? Conversly, the shadow of Farmer Brown on the bard door as well as his facial expressions let us share in his utter frustrations. We know he feels his animals are being totally unreasonable.

The illustration of the cows' secret over-night meeting leaves the reader wondering what will happen. The chain and padlock on the barn door, as well as the moss green wash across the two-page spread, complete the secrecy picture. The ending illustrations of the ducks and their demand, leaves us wondering what is next for Farmer Brown.

My son enjoyed this story. He giggled over the thought of the cows and hens having electric blankets. The ducks and their diving board got an actual chuckle from him. I enjoyed the cleverness of this story as well. I can empathize with Farmer Brown. My son's negotiating personality is not unlike that of the cows in this story. Books that can reach varied levels of audiences are truly amazing books and this is surely an amazing book.

Review Excerpts--

Bookbag Magazine-"This hilarious story with a surprise ending is a great tribute to fair play and introduces the power of communication in a way that even the youngest listener will enjoy."

School Library Journal-"Farmer Brown is no match for his conspiring cows [who] type notes demanding electric blankets. Artful lines as bold as the bovines and a silly text result in a satisfying story that reinforces the power of the written word."

Connections--

*Cronin and Lewin have collaborated on other books about Farmer Brown and his animals. Read some of them.

• Thump, Quack, Moo: A Whacky Adventure ISBN 9781416916307
• Giggle, Giggle, Quack ISBN 9780689845062
• Duck for President ISBN 9781416958000
• Dooby Dooby Moo ISBN 9780689845079
• Click, Clack, Splish, Splash: A Counting Adventure ISBN 9780689877162
• Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack: An Alphabet Adventure ISBN 9780689877155

*No Moon, No Milk by Chris Babcock ISBN 0517885409 has a similar story line. Compare and contrast the two stories.

*Read other books written by Doreen Cronin.

• Diary of a Worm ISBN 9780060001506
• Diary of a Fly ISBN 9780060001568
• Diary of a Spider ISBN 9780060001537

*Talk about negotiations and give-and-take. Why is it important? Have you ever made an agreement with someone where you got something and the other person got something as well?

Picture Books--Review #2

Taback, Simms. 1999. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0-439-21697-4

Plot Summary--

This delightful picture book tells the story of resourceful Joseph and how he uses his worn out overcoat in new and useful ways. It conveys the message that old and worn does not mean useless.

Critical Analysis--

Taback's story is simple and endearing. He uses repetitive text to tell the story and invites readers to predict the next use of the old and worn overcoat with his use of cut-out shapes. Taback's illustration style uses a combination of collage, watercolor, pencil, ink, and Gouache (a kind of paint). Each picture is a feast for the eye with detailed pictures. The drawings invite children to imitate his style as the faces are simply drawn. The clothing is a mixture of collage materials and drawn patterns.

Throughout the illustrations, Taback places newspapers, letters, postcards, and framed photogaphs to give Joseph's house a truly homey feel. In addition, wise sayings that look cross-stitched add to this homey feel. It is evident that Joseph lives in a rural area as we see his barn and animals and his vegetable crops.

Taback conveys Jewish culture through the illustrations. There is Hebrew writing in the books and newspapers, pictures of Rabbis, menorahs, and other male characters wearing yarmulke.

The story seems to end abruptly. The text ceases its repetitive pattern and ends with, "Now he had nothing." To mirror this text, the illustration is uncharacteristic of the rest of the book. Gone are the many details Taback takes such care to add to the other illustrations in the book. We are left with Joseph, plain walls and floor, a rug, and a simple coat rack. Even his animals are walking away from him.

Much to the relief of the reader, the final page resolves this dischordant note by resuming the illustration style and adding the text, "...you can always make something out of nothing."

An author's note ends the book. In it, Taback explains his inspiration for the story; a song from his childhood which is printed on the facing page.

As an adult, I enjoyed this book. The story's message is timeless, that of finding something good in the bad. I enjoyed the illustrations because of the many "extras" added--the postcards, letters, wise sayings, and newspaper headlines. Many of these are out of the experience of the young reader but add interest for the more experienced reader.

Review Excerpts--

Publishers Weekly--"With its effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor, this is tailor-made for reading aloud."

School Library Journal--"A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit."

2000 Caldecott Medal

Connections--

*Read other books illustrated by Simms Taback

• There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly ISBN 0670869392
• Too Much Noise by Ann McGovern. Illus. by Simms Taback ISBN 0395629853
• This is the House that Jack Built ISBN 0142402001
• I Miss You Everyday ISBN 0670061921

*Read other stories taken from songs.

• Today is Monday by Eric Carle ISBN 0698115635
• Mary Had a Little Lamb by Sara Josepha Hale. Pictures by Bruce McMillan ISBN 0590437747
• The Itsy, Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani ISBN 9781580890144
• I'm a Little Teapot by Iza Trapani ISBN 9781580890557
• Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Iza Trapani ISBN 9781580890151

*Create your own piece of art by using drawing, coloring and collage techniques.

*Re-use something old in a new way.

*Read other books that have been inspired by specific childhood memories.

• Tom by Tomie dePaola ISBN 9780698114487
• My Apron by Eric Carle ISBN 9780399226854

Picture Books--Review #1

Gaugh, Patricia Lee, David Briggs, Courtenay Palmer, and Kiffin Steurer, eds. 2007. Artist to Artist 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art. New York: Philomel. ISBN 978-0-399-246000-5

Plot Summary-
This book features 23 well-known children's book illustrators from around the world. Each illustrator has written a letter to aspiring artists telling the story of becoming an illustrator and encouraging the budding artist to persevere and follow his dreams.


Critical Analysis-
Each artists' letter is accompanied by a self-portrait, a picture of the illustrator as a child, and a picture of the illustrator's studio. The pictures of childhood art, early works, and current works included with each artists' letter, help show his development as an artist. Artists working in numerous disciplines are featured. These disciplines include painterly techniques, such as line drawings, paintings, and sketches in pencil and ink as well as graphic techniques like collages and pop-ups. As each illustrator shares his or her story, we discover the many roads that lead to becoming a picture book illustrator. From artists who knew from a very young age they would be artists (like Tomie dePaola and Eric Carle) to those who found their calling later (like Chris Van Allsburg, Leo Lionni, and Petra Mathers), their stories are here.

This book achieves its goal of inspiring young artists. As Eric Carle writes in his introduction, "I hope that this book will be a kind of mentor for you, young artist, and that you will feel when reading these artists' stories that you are among friends, fellow dreamers, and scribblers, who follow their instincts and listen to their own inner voices." (Eric Carle 7)

Review Excerpts--

School Library Journal-"...the end result is a gorgeous, browsable gallery of international treasures, with a behind-the-scenes tour led bythe generous and gifted creators themselves."

Kirkus Reviews- "Fun to read and view, this anthology is a treasure trove of creative insight and inspiration."

Connections--
*Gather several books by one of the illustrators. Is the style easily recognizable? Try to duplicate the style on your own.

*Several artists mentioned working with different mediums. Try creating the same picture using different art materials and techniques. Is there one you prefer?

*Read other books about artists and their works. Here are a few ideas.

• A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION by Leonard Marcus
• TALKING WITH ARTISTS (any of the volumes) by Pat Cummings
• PICTURE THIS: HOW PICTURES WORK by Molly Bang
• PASS IT DOWN: FIVE PICTURE BOOK FAMILIES MAKE THEIR MARK by Leonard S. Marcus
• SIDE BY SIDE: FIVE FAVORITE PICTURE BOOK TEAMS GO TO WORK by Leonard Marcus

*Several artists mentioned being inspired by "traditional" well-known artists, such as Michelangelo, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Paul Klee and others. Find some artwork by these artists. What do you think about them? Do they inspire you?

*Some artists mentioned other picture book illustrators that inspired them like Maxfield Parrish, Dr. Seuss, and Wanda Gag. Find some books illustrated by these illustrators. Do they inspire you, too?

*Gather supplies for your own art box or studio. Include pens, pencils, crayons, colored pencils, watercolors, different kinds of papers, scissors, and anything else that will excite and inspire you to create.

New Semester-Fall 2008

For the semester, this blog will be used to submit class assigned book reviews for the Children's and Young Adult Literature course from Texas Woman's University.