Rumpelstiltskin

Rumpelstiltskin retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

Bibliography

Zelinsky, Paul O. 1986. Rumpelstiltskin. Ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York: Dutton Children's Books. ISBN 0-525-44265-0.

Summary

This is the story of a poor miller's beautiful daughter who is given to the king to spin straw into gold. She did not have the faintest idea of what to do when in comes a little man inquiring of her sadness. She informs him of her dilemma and he offers to help, on the condition that she trades her items for his services. During the third night, she has nothing to trade and the little man comes up with an exchange: her first born with the king for his help. She agrees, not sure if she would ever be queen. When the time comes, she is given the chance to keep her child if she can guess the little man's name.
Critical Analysis

The miller's daughter is portrayed as the innocent character and the little man comes to help her, only to barter for his services. The king is given the role of the greedy character who wants nothing more than to be rich. The retelling and illustration of the Grimms' version of Rumpelstiltskin done by Zelinsky honors the time period of the original story. Zelinsky is very detailed in his painting to capture every aspect to bring the story to life and to capture his audience through the illustrations. The paintings draws attention to even the smallest details such as the lines of the straws, the soft, delicate features of the miller's daughter, and the bold lines of the castle and pillars.

The setting of the story takes place during the medieval period of kings and queens and the paintings clearly depict the time period: castles, a spinning wheel, and the clothing. The beautiful artwork displays the time setting of 'a long time ago'. As with traditional tales, the character portrayed as good (the miller's daughter) lives happily ever after.

Review Excerpts

Caldecott Honor Book

Booklist- "Zelinsky's jeweled tones and precise medieval backgrounds make this a particularly handsome rendering of the classic fairy tale."

Publishers Weekly- "Rumpelstiltskin is a tour de force by an immensely talented artist. Zelinsky is that rare practitioner who can create sophisticated work that adults will marvel at, and that children will joyfully embrace."

Connections

• Read Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter by Diane Stanley
• Plan activities to research the time period.

Beautiful Blackbird

Bibliography

Bryan, Ashley. 2003. Beautiful Blackbird. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-689-84731-9.

Summary

Long ago, beautiful birds of all colors of Africa gathered for a festival. Of all the birds, Blackbird was the only bird with any black color. At the festival, the other birds unanimously agree that Blackbird is the most beautiful of them all and they each want black represented on them. Blackbird states, "Color on the outside is not what's on the inside." But Blackbird shares his color of black with all the other birds in different designs. And now, all of the birds have a piece of Blackbird's beauty.

Critical Analysis

This story was adopted from the Ila-speaking people of Zambia's tale where Bryan uses cut-paper artwork to tell the story of a unique bird. When Ringdove asks Blackbird for some of his beautiful black color, Blackbird tries to explain the importance of appreciating one's individuality and that beauty comes from within. Still, Ringdove and the other birds are persistent to wanting to have some black color on them. The birds all rejoice in their new looks that Blackbird has shared with them. The language and storyline is simple and easy to read.

The beautiful cut-paper artwork portray the vivid colors of each bird and the beauty that each bird possesses. Culture is represented in the birds and how each is different and each should be valued for their own uniqueness. This can also be demonstrated with individuals and finding beauty and appreciation for what's inside instead of looking at the exterior only.


Review Excerpts

Coretta Scott King Award 2004
Bluegrass Award Nominee 2005

Booklist- "The overlapping collage images fill the pages with energy as the songlike responses of the birds tap out a rhythm punctuated with 'uh-huhs.'"

School Library Journal- "The story line is simple and the rhythmic chants of the flock frequently interspersed throughout the text add drama and a rapper's cadence. The cut-paper silhouettes are colorful but static, effectuating a stylized formality."

Kirkus Reviews- "The rolling language and appealing illustrations make this a must."
Connections

• Create activities in which students discover the uniqueness and beauty within their own cultures.
• Find books catering to students' various cultures and share during literacy circles.

The Three Little Pigs

The Three Little Pigs Retold and Illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Bibliography

Kellogg, Steven. 1997. The Three Little Pigs. Ill. by Steven Kellogg. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0-688-08732-9.

Summary

This is a hilarious spin on the classic tale of the three little pigs. Kellogg adds the element of the three pigs' mother, Serafina, and her dream of bringing delicious waffles to the world. As the family business takes off, Serafina retires to the Gulf of Pasta and leaves Pete, Percy and Prudence in charge of the business. Everything in the three pigs' life is running smoothly until a 'big bad wolf' named Tempesto declares he wants to eat the three pigs. WIth a twist, the wolf states, "I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll flatten this dump!" Then the pigs receive help from a surprise character. This is a new twist to a classic that children and adults have loved for generations.

Critical Analysis

This book is a play off the original story of the Three Little Pigs with the same main characters. But in this story, names have been added and so has the pigs' mother as well as the storyline of having a family business. The main characters of the three pigs and the big bad wolf portray the traits of innocent and evil. The pigs were living a merry life until the 'big bad wolf' comes along and tries very hard to eat the pigs. Many of the pages are filled with Tempesto's attempts to get the pigs. Kellogg throws a twist in and has Serafina aka Momma Pig come to the rescue. As always, good triumps over evil and Tempesto declares, "I surrender!".

Kellogg uses colored inks, watercolors, and acrylics to illustrate this classic story. Each page is full of illustrations to help the reader become involved in the story. Looking carefully through each page, one can find the author's humor in the details of the drawings. Instead of a display of a piggy bank, there is 'A Peopley Bank'. There is a page of the 'pigrims' and the pigs rehearsing for 'Hamlet and La Toasta'.
Review Excerpts

Volunteer State Book Award 2000

School Library Journal- "Kellogg's usual busy, highly defined illustrations complement the humorous, clever text."

Kirkus Reviews- "A talent-strewn retelling that only enhances the original."

Connections

• Read variations of the story such as:
• The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas.
• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
• The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
• Compare and contrast the stories.

Tomas and the Library Lady

Bibliography

Mora, Pat. Tomas and the Library Lady. Ill. by Raul Colon. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1997. ISBN 0-679-80401-3.

Summary

Tomas' family continuously travel between Iowa and Texas throughout the year to help other farmers. As his parents are hard at work, Tomas and his brother, Enrique, spend their time playing or listening to stories told by their grandfather, Papa Grande. As Papa Grande runs out of new stories to share, he encourages Tomas to go to the library to find new stories. There at the library, Tomas meets the library lady. She introduces Tomas to new stories about dinosaurs and Indians. As Tomas' interest and love of books grows, so does a friendship blossom between Tomas and the library lady. The library lady shares a variety of books to Tomas. Tomas is taken away to new and far off adventures through the books and shares his new stories with Papa Grande and his family. As the summer goes on, Tomas is found in the library every chance he gets. Eventually, the summer comes to an end and Tomas has to say gracias to the library lady. Tomas leaves with a deeper love of books and storytelling.

Critical Analysis

This is a tale of a young boy who finds a love of reading and books through the kindness of a librarian. The main character of this story, Tomas, is introduced to the library and all that it has to offer. The background of Tomas' family could be relatable to readers who move often for various reasons. Children can connect to this story and feel that they are not alone in wanting to find something to take their minds off of the constant moving. For Tomas, it was finding the joys in reading. The story helps to show the magic of what a book can do for the imagination. Each book Tomas reads has its own unique story and Colon's illustration help to depict the various stories Tomas reads.

The illustrations complement the story and helps the reader to imagine Tomas' journey while feeling connected to the story. The style of the artwork uses soft lines to present a warmness of the connection Tomas made with the librarian and his new found love of books. The soft, delicate lines has readers feeling the warmth and welcoming aura that is given off by the library lady.

The author and illustrator touches on the subject of culture and how some families have different work ethics and job titles. They did not overstate the culture depicted but emphasized more on the storyline. I think there was a modern representation of how we, as a country, have many immigrants who work various jobs. This book introduces one aspect of culture.

Review Experts

Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature
Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award
International Reading Association Teachers' Choice Awards

Connections

• Discussions about family background, experiences in moving (for older children)
• Activity: attending a library and finding new books to share with others; allow children to have read-alouds to their classmates

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Bibliography

Viorst, Judith. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Ill. by Ray Cruz. Aladdin Paperbacks, 1972. ISBN 0-689-71173-5.

Summary

Alexander knew his day was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day the moment when he woke up. He's got gum stuck in his hair, his brothers find prices in their cereal when all he found was cereal, he no longer is Philip Parker's first best friend but has been moved to being third, and the list goes on. So he decides that moving to Australia would be better. As his day goes on, luck does not seem to be on his side. In the hopes of comforting Alexander, his mother tells him that everyone has a bad day, even people in Australia.

Critical Analysis

Many of the aspects of this story can be related to by the readers. The main character, Alexander, is roughly the same age of the target audience so the readers can understand his feelings and become emotionally involved. The theme of the story is also relatable to various age groups. The readers can sympathize with Alexander and the frustration he feels when one thing after another seems to go wrong. The only thing he can think of that would make things go away would be to move, maybe someplace far away.

Considering the storyline and its content (such as, but not limited to, identifying various emotions), this story would be more suitable to children over 6 years of age. Younger children may not be able to identify their frustrations the way that Alexander does. But I think that this book is a good gateway for discussing feelings/emotions and how to handle them.

In the illustrations, Ray Cruz uses the black and white color scheme to emphasis shadows and to draw more attention to Alexander and his facial features. The artwork uses lots of shadow techniques to show different textures and depth. Cruz was able to depict the many emotions of Alexander: sad, upset, angry, disappointed, frustrated, disgusted and annoyed. Considering that the illustrations are not in color, some children may not want to pick up the book. They may want to seek out books with vivid and bright, bold colors. Alexander may need to be introduced by adults who loved this book growing up.

Review Excerpts
ALA Notable Children's Book
George G. Stone Center Recognition of Merit
Georgia Children's Book Award
Reading Rainbow book

Connections

Create class discussions about feelings and emotions and how they can be managed
Read other similar books:

• Alexander, Who Is Not (Did You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move by Judith Viorst
• A Good Day by Kevin Henkes
• Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days by Judith Viorst

My Friend Rabbit Review

Bibliography

Rohmann, Eric. My Friend Rabbit. Ill. by Eric Rohmann. Roaring Brook Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0-312-36752-7.

Summary

This is the story of two friends, Rabbit and Mouse, who seems to always find trouble wherever they go. Mouse finds himself in a pickle as his airplane gets stuck in a tree. Rabbit devises a plan to "come to the rescue" enlisting the help of others. The plan seems to be working until something goes wrong and Rabbit finds himself in more trouble. Being the loyal friends that they are, Mouse comes to Rabbit's aid. They fly off in Mouse's airplane, only to find themselves stuck in another tree.

Critical Analysis

Many pages of this story contain only pictures which can help beginning readers, as well as English language learners, learn how to predict what comes next and create dialogue among peers and teachers. The illustrations in the story are in bright, bold, beautiful colors that cover the pages from edge to edge. There were no extra background pictures that would distract the reader from the main story. The outlines of the characters help the reader to focus on the vibrant colors and attract readers into the story.

This story depicted how two loyal friends came to each other's aid when the other was in trouble. Rohmann shares with his readers the meaning of friendship, loyalty, and even patience. My Friend Rabbit is a suitable story for children of all ages, even for adults, whose story contains the value of friendship. The use of humor in Rabbit and Mouse's situation helps his readers connect to the story.

I personally enjoy this book. I love the bold colors and outline of each character. The storyline of Rabbit trying to do good deeds for a friend while unknowingly causing more trouble adds an upbeat mood. When I read this book to a group of 2 and 3 year olds, the use of familiar animal characters helped to create dialogue and allowed the children to become interactive with the story. My Friend Rabbit became a new favorite, not only for the children, but for me as well!

Review Excerpts

Caldecott Medal
Newbery Honor Award
ALA Review: "The artist shows his respect for his audience and keen understanding of picture book design."

Connections

• Gather related books on friendship and loyalty.
• Readers can share their stories of friendships.
• Related books: Gary and Ray by Sarah Adams