One Upon a Time...

Title: The 3 Little Dassies

Author: Jan Brett

Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons

Year: 2010

ISBN: 9780399254994

Plot Summary:

Once upon a time Mimbi, Pimbi, and Timbi move out of their family

 home to find homes of their own. Add a house of grass, a house of sticks, a house of stone, one hungry eagle and a handsome Agama man and you have the makings of a South African version of The Three Little Pigs. The eagle flaps and claps. Houses are tumbling down and dassies get rescued by a handsome Agama man.  A chimney and a hot fire make for a singed and blackened eagle. “And if you travel to Namibia today, you will see dassies living in stone houses with handsome agama men looking out for them.”

Critical Analysis:

Brett’s detailed watercolor drawings bring the well written text alive with the flavor of the Herero people of Namibia. The details make this tale a visual delight while the text introduces a new twist to an old tale. Wonderfully well written and deliciously illustrated this version of The Three Little Pigs will be one that children and adults will want to read again and again.

Reviews:

This tale will captivate children and introduce a setting and animals unfamiliar to most of them.Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT., School Library Journal

 The animal characters sport adaptations of Western clothing that are seen in Namibia today, down to the turbans worn by the Herero women since Victorian times. The dress prints from the clothing also appear in the illustrator's trademark borders around each two-page spread. Beguiling.  Kirkus Review

Connections:

Conduct a study of Namibia. Discuss animals, food clothing of the region. Read The Three Little Dassies and compare the illustrations with the actual culture.

Read various versions or variants of The Three Little Pigs. Compare and contrast the various stories. Choose your favorite and create a mobile out of the characters.

Related Books:

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

The Three Little Tamales by Eric A. Kimmel

The Three Little Gators by Helen Ketteman

Big and Bad by Etienne Delessert

Who Is It? It’s the Three Little Pigs! by Helen Jackson

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas

Long, Long Ago...

 The Great Ball Game: A Muskogee Story

Retold by: Joseph Bruchac

Illustrator: Susan L. Roth

Publisher: Dial Books

Year: 1994

ISBN: 0803715390

Plot:

“Long ago Birds and Animals had a great argument……” the Native American story goes. Each group thought they were better than the other. An argument ensues. It lasted so long the Animals and Birds thought it might end in a war. One day Crane and Bear decide to solve the argument with a ball game. The first team to score a goal wins the argument. The side that loses has to accept the penalty given by the winning side. The Birds went to one side of the field and the Animals to the other. Only Bat remained. He had wings like a Bird and teeth like an Animal. Where was he to go? Because Bat had wings Bear decided it wasn’t fair for him to play on the Animal team. The Birds wouldn’t take him because he was too small to help. What is a bat to do?  Bat goes back to Bear and pleads his case. Bear agrees to allow Bat to be on the Animal’s team out of pity but decrees that Bat must let the other animals play first. A fiercely competitive game ensues with the Birds having the advantage because of their wings. Just as it looks like the Animals are going to lose the game Bat swoops in and saves the day.

Critical Analysis:

Joseph Bruchac’s adaptation of this Native American legend is a crisp, clear, and well written. The simplicity of the text that doesn’t detract from the enormity of the age old questions of why things are the way they are; where do we fit in the grand scheme of things and what do we do if someone is different. Susan Roth’s illustrations while fitting with the simplicity of the text do not really reflect the cultural nature of the story. Neither do they help the reader to gain insights into the culture and customs of the original tellers of the tale.

Reviews:

This porquoi tale is told in clean, spare sentences with the emphasis on action and character. In a foreword, Bruchac briefly discusses ball games in traditional Native American life, including the role of sports in conflict management. He mentions two other written versions of the story, as well as Louis Littlecoon Oliver's, which he cites as his source. Unfortunately, the cut-and-torn paper illustrations are too crudely done to convey character or provide details that would have enriched the book. The helter-skelter compositions distract readers from what is otherwise an entertaining tale. Carolyn Polese, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, School Library Journal

With clear, minimal language, Bruchac (see The Girl Who Married the Moon, reviewed below) wisely lets the myth carry itself. While the three-dimensional effect of Roth's (Fire Came to the Earth People) textured paper collages is striking and initially intriguing, the illustrations do not much embellish the sparely told story. But in its call for an athletic game to settle a dispute-and thereby avoid fighting-the book handily inverts the Greco-Roman tradition of sport as training for war. Publishers Weekly

Connections:

Have students compare how tales from other Native American cultures compare with Muskogee tales.

Have students create a visual display to compare the Muskogee culture with another Native American culture that created Pourquoi tales. The display should show how the two cultures are similar and different.

Helpful Website:

http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Legends-C.html

A Tall, Tall, Tale

Title: Dust Devil

Author: Anne Isaacs

Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky

Publishers: Schwartz and Wade Books

Publishing Date: 2010

ISBN: 9780375867224

Plot Summary:

This continuation of the tall tale about a giant of a girl begins where Swamp Angel by Anne Isaacs ends.  Angela Longrider, having grown too big for Tennessee, moves west to the one place large enough to hold her, Montana. But Swamp Angel finds life in Montana is a bit different than Tennessee. Adjustments have to be made. The sun rose too early so she moved a mountain. The crops rocket to the sky taking the cows with them until harvest time brings them home again.  She can’t find a horse big enough to hold her until she outrides a dust storm and finds her sidekick Dust Devil just in time. Along comes Backward Bart, the bad guy that says everything backward, rides oversized mosquitoes and is stealing everyone’s gold. What else is a girl to do when she’s larger than life? Hope on her oversized sidekick and capture the bad guy of course.

Critical Analysis:

Zelinsky’s art, created with oil paint on thin cedar veneer, lends an authentic Western flavor to this story. The deceptively simple paintings in hues of brown, yellow and tan with splashes of blues and reds actually give the feel of the Montana outdoors. The glimpses of wood grain beneath the oil remind the reader of long ago times and places. His portrayal of the author’s characters lends added humor to Anne Isaac’s portrayal of this Montana tall tale.

Isaac’s language in the story stays true to the tall tale style and literally begs the story to be read aloud. The reader can easily picture the characters and hear their voices as the story literally rolls of the tongue. There is enough humor to keep the audience amused and enough fast paced action to carry them through to the end of this story of good against evil. Although a bit long for younger audiences it is definitely a great book for school aged children to enjoy. The fast paced, exaggerating plot and humorous illustrations will rollick them on to the very end.

Review Excerpts:

Notable Children’s Book for 2010 
– The New York Times Book Review (one of eight Notables) 

Kirkus Reviews
“Isaacs and Zelinsky tell an even taller tale about Angelica Longrider, the outsized heroine of their hilarious, Caldecott Honor–winning Swamp Angel.… A new classic.” 

 School Library Journal: 
“A stunning tour de force and a satisfying continuation of Angel’s saga.”

 Booklist: 
“Once again, Isaacs’ story and Zelinsky’s oil-paint-on-wood artwork create a laugh-out-loud tall tale with folksy phrasing and slapstick exaggeration. Children will delight in … this handsomely designed, thoroughly entertaining stand-alone sequel.”

Connections:

Other Tall Tales:

Paul Bunyan adapted by Jane Mason

John Henry by Julius Lester

Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg

Activities:

Have the children read several tall tales by different authors. Create a compare and contrast chart.

Create a diorama of their favorite tall tale.

Adapt a tall tale into a skit and have children act it out. 

The Sky Is Falling!

Chicken Little

Author: Rebecca Emberley

Illustrator: Ed Emberley

Publisher:  Roaring Book Press

Year: 2009

ISBN #: 9781596434646

Plot Summary:

In this new twist on an old tale the daughter father team of Rebecca and Ed Emberley tell the tale of Chicken Little, his friends Henny Penny, Lucky Ducky, Loosey Goosey, and Turkey Lurkey. All are running with “no time for a plan,” from a perceived danger. “Oh my goodness, oh my gracious the sky is falling…. And off they ran. Still no plan,” only to find themselves running into a dark, wet cave shown to them by none other than Foxy Loxy. Now the danger is very real. Fortunately for them, a new twist to the old tale releases them from a hungry fate hopefully to be wiser feather brains than when they started on their speedy, unplanned journey.

Critical Analysis:

Bold and adventurous color combinations render this book a temptation to the eye.  Hilarious, modern day language and a delicious twist to the ending of this old time tale make for a wonderful story that rolls off the tongue. A must read book for children of all ages. It is fun to look at and fun to read. It lends itself to a story time full of laughter all the while providing an opening for a deeper discussion about the real danger of acting before you think.  

Awards and Reviews:

“An old chestnut of a tale comes to rip-roaringly glorious, hilarious, gorgeous life in the hands of two picture book masters. [The art] leaps off the page, mixing colors with crazed combinations that provide the perfect balance between text and image. Perfect for reading aloud…..this title is bound to become the favored version for children and adults alike.”  Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“The pith plot and magnetic illustrations will attract younger readers; the sassy storytelling and quirky

Humor will appeal to all ages.” – Starred, School Library Journal

Connections:

Art: combine this book, Banana by Ed Vere, and The Red Hen by Rebecca and Ed Emberly to discuss primary colors and how to combine them to make other colors.

Story Time: use this book as well as other versions of Chicken Little such as the one retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg or Laura Rader to conduct a story hour for children. Make a chicken craft and sing the song “Mother Gooney Bird” while doing all the motions.

Book Display: collect various versions of different stories such as Little Red Hen, Chicken Little, The Three Little Pigs, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears to set up a fairy tale book display.  Be sure to include versions for various ages and reading abilities. 

Two Monkeys Plus One Banana?

Bibliography

Title: Banana

Author: Ed Vere

Illustrator: Ed Vere

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Year: 2007

ISBN#: 0679904018

Plot Summary

Add two monkeys plus one banana. Does it equal a recipe for disaster or not?  When monkey in red finds a banana he is delighted but so is his friend, monkey in blue. Asking, crying, yelling and taking do no good. One simple word changes everything. Both monkeys get a piece of the banana and everybody is happy in the end.

Critical Analysis

This delightful picture book by Ed Vere uses bright colored pages, vibrant ink drawn characters and a simple, two-word, dialogue to introduce children to the sometimes difficult concept of sharing. The hard cover and heavier, paper make this a durable book for the younger crowd. The simple dialogue and expressive pictures lend themselves to lots of discussion about feelings. Vere’s use of bold colors and lines convey the turbulent emotions little ones sometimes feel when learning how to share with their friends. 

Awards

2011 Choice Books Award

“A fun choice for sharing with a group.” –School Library Journal

“Minimalist text gains expression through varied punctuation and typeface, while speech balloons and other comic-book conventions (not to mention one spectacular simian tantrum) evoke a certain pigeon. Bold, expressive colors and exuberant lines characterize the artwork.” –Kirkus Reviews

Connections

Great book for teaching youngsters about sharing. Read together. Talk about what the monkeys are feeling. Discuss appropriate sharing behavior. This is a great book to recommend to parents that are requesting books about sharing for their young children. 

Use in the classroom when discussing punctuation, conveying meaning in writing and use of illustrations to express emotion. How does the author's use of various types of punctuation and illustrations express different emotions? 

Be Careful What You Wish For

Title: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Author: William Steig

Illustrator: William Steig

Publisher: Prentice-Hall Books

Year: 1969

ISBN #: 0138816816

Plot Summary

In this interesting twist on the old adage,"Be careful what you wish for," Sylvester the donkey loves to collect unusual rocks. One day he finds a very special round, red, rock and accidentally discovers that it grants wishes when he holds it in his hand. Unfortunately for Sylvester, one must be careful what they wish for. He accidently turns himself into a rock and is unable to turn himself back. Rocks don’t have hands after all.  Sylvester’s parents wonder, worry and search for Sylvester. It is only when they accidently help Sylvester to turn himself into a donkey again that Sylvester and his family find out what wish is truly important.

Critical Analysis

Steig’s writing in this particular story is directed toward the older picture book reader as some of the concepts in the plot may frighten or disturb some younger readers. This is particularly apparent when the main character is transformed into a rock and neither his parents nor the police can find him. Sylvester then loses hope and his parents try to move on with their lives without him. The vocabulary is also geared toward a more advanced reader of the picture book genre. The story does contain a happy ending and a lesson about the importance of family but perhaps would not be suited to those younger or more sensitive readers.

Steig’s cartoon illustrations greatly enhance the text and provide excellent and accurate visual cues to the written word. The thoughts and emotions of each character are accurately conveyed through use of lines that portray varied facial expressions, and dynamic body language.

This may be a difficult book to share in a story hour for younger children but might work well in a book club for 8 and 9 year olds or for family reading time at home.

Review Excerpt(s)

Common Sense Media- “Once again, William Steig addresses one of childhood's biggest latent fears, abandonment. But his gentle, unerring handling of this issue makes for an endearing story full of pathos and strength.”

 School Library Journal: Top 100 Picture Books #55, Overwhelming anguish and transcending joy. Not common fare for picture books. A book in need of an Amber alert. - DaNae Leu

Award(s)

Caldecott Medal

Connections

Conduct a junior book club for eight and nine year old readers. Gather similar books such as Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say or Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. Compare and contrast them.

Look at other books illustrated by William Steig and discuss how he conveys feelings through his use of art.