Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales

~~~don't forget
~~the flea and the oxen
~the moon and the sun

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Philip, Neil ; illustrated by Jacqueline Mair. Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales. New York: Clarion Book, 2003

ISBN 0618194630

Neil Philip

PLOT SUMMARY:

These fourteen Mexican folktales are entertaining; they are packed with wonderment and amazement. Culture and religion are woven into a majority of these folktales. It is evident that many of these folktales are based on the country's solid Catholic faith; however, a person does not need to be of the Catholic faith to enjoy the tales. The folktales range from the one page tale, The Priest who had a Glimpse of Glory,  to the five page tale of Pedro the Trickster.  These classic tales are embedded with magic and transformation.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Neil Philip brings together fourteen wonderful folktales from our neighbor to the south. Philip's introduction  gives the reader a brief background  in the culture, types of tales usually told and possible reasonings for the "cleverness and stupidity" that exist in many of the tales. These Mexican tales are enhanced by the exuberantly colorful illustrations of Jacqueline Mair. Mair's work brilliantly conceals and reveals details of each folktale. Her illustrations are phenomenal -- they are alive with rich vibrant colors and befitting embellishments.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Children's Literature: "As Hispanic culture weaves itself into the American landscape with an ever-increasing saturation, this book of Mexican folktales proves to be a vibrant addition to the folktale genre to which children today are so rarely exposed."

CONNECTIONS;

* Choose a folktale, choose and assign characters, and act it out
* Draw a picture from one of the folktales
* Read other Mexican folktales
* Read other ethnic folktales
* Review other woks by Jacqueline Mair

Jacqueline Mair

Bubba the Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale

Bubba's fairy godcow swished her tail and transformed his raggedy clothes into the handsomest cowboy duds and changed a nearby steer into the most beautiful white stallion.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Ketteman, Helen. Bubba The Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale. New York; Scholastic Press, 1997
 ISBN 0590255061

Helen Ketteman

PLOT SUMMARY:

 Bubba, the Cinderella Cowboy Prince, is pushed around and walked on at the family ranch by his hateful step-dad and his horrible step-brothers. Bubba does not complain mainly because he is a real cowboy and enjoys working the ranch.

Miz. Lurleen is lonesome and wants to find herself "a feller and it wouldn't hurt if he was cute as a cow's ear, either." She wants a true cowboy to help with her ranch. She  decides to throw a ball and send out invitations to all the ranchers in Texas.

Bubba has to help his horrible step-family prepare for the ball and when he asked if they will wait for him they laugh at him and say "You smell more like the cattle than the cattle do" and leave Bubba at behind to stay at home alone.

Luckily, Bubba's Fairy Godcow is watching over him as he rides to the pasture to check on the herd. The Fairy Godcow creates some Texas magic and Bubba and a steer are transformed. Bubba rides to the ball on his white stallion and Miz Lurleen meets the cowboy of her dreams.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Helen Ketteman does a wonderful job with this Cinderella parody with a Texas twist. This uncommon story has all of the elements of the traditional Cinderella fairy tale. Bubba's character will give all readers enjoyment and laughs. Warhola's illustration exhibit a high quality of artwork with Texas flavor from cowboys in ten gallon Stetson hats to Miz. Lurlenn and her big Texas hair. The illustrations are colorful yet soft and whimsical with irony. The detail in each illustration is amazing -- from the wicked step-father missing various teeth to the cows under the thunder storm; which is really Bubba's fair godcow.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Kirkus: "A fairy "godcow" comes to the aid of an overworked cowboy named Bubba, who hilariously embodies an overblown and Texas-grown Cinderella. "Appealingly whimsical, delightful visual surprises."

CONNECTIONS:

* Create a list comparing and contrasting Bubba the Cowboy Prince to Cinderella.
* Have students create their own fractured fairy tale.
* Create/continue the fairy talk of Bubba and Miz Lurleen.
* Draw a picture from their favorite part of the fairy tale.
* Read other books by Helen Ketteman.
* View and discuss other artworks by James Warhola.

James Warhola

Bo Rabbit Smart for True

Contains a brief history of the Gullah people and their language. The four  folktales retold in this book permeate the Gullah culture; it captures the authentic flavor and lifestyle of the people.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Jaquith, Priscilla. Bo Rabbit smart for true: folktalks from the Gullah / retold by Priscilla Jaquith ; drawings by Ed Young. New York; Philomel Books, 1987
ISBN 0399207937

PLOT SUMMARY:

The folktales: Bo Rabbit Smart for True; Alligator's Sunday Suit; Bo Rabbit's Hide-and-Seek and Rattlesnake's Word come alive ~~~

Bo Rabbit Smart for True -- Bo Rabbit is very small and very smart. He uses his cleverness to trick Elephant and Whale into believing he is strong, exceptionally strong for his size.

Alligator's Sunday Suit --  Alligator had the perfect life -- he did not have to work, food was pleantiful and his skin was smooth and white. However, after meeting Bo Rabbit, Alligator no longer has his beautiful skin.

Bo Rabbit's Hide-and-Seek -- Bo Rabbit uses his speed to avoid Eagle and tells Partridge he is wrong to teach his little partridges hide, he should teach them to run. The next morning Bo Rabbit and Partridge and his little partridges meet for hide-and-seek. Bo Rabbit hides first and Partridge finds him quickly. Next, Partridge hides and Bo Rabbit cannot find him despite Partridge telling Bo exactly where he is going to hide. Bo Rabbit learns that what is good for one is not good for all.

Rattlesnake's Word --  Rattlesnake gets stuck when a tree limb falls on him. He asks and tries to persuade different animals to left the log off of him. Because no one trusts Rattlesnake they all refuse except one, Bear. Bear believes Rattlesnake when he says he will not charm him with his eyes and bite him dead. However, Rattlesnake's word is not worthy and he intends to bite Bear. Bo Rabbit comes upon the scene and tricks Rattlesnake into getting stuck under the log---again.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Each of these re-told folktales has a moral. The tale retains significant Gullah culture and tradition. The basic and primitive illustrations by Ed Young help put the reader in a rudimentary setting. It is obvious that each of these tales come from a specific culture; however, the moral of each story crosses all culture boundaries.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Booklist:  "Drawn from the folklore of the Gullah people, this new version of the critically acclaimed folktale anthology, which includes two additional stories, captures the authentic flavor and rhythms of the original stories from the oral tradition."

CONNECTIONS:

* Read about Gullah history

* Discuss universal morals

* Create a short-story with a moral

* View other works by Ed Young

* Compare and contrast Ed Young's work

Ed Young

Iktomi and the Boulder

A (retold) Plains Indian story with a mischievous young Indian, Iktomi.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Goble, Paul. Iktomi and the Boulder: a Plains Indian Story. New York: Orchard Books, 1988
ISBN 0531083608

    

                                     Paul Goble                                                                

PLOT SUMMARY:   

Iktomi, a very self-confident (perhaps over confident) young man. He has prepared himself to go visit friends and family in the next village. He has dressed up, painted his face, and has all his prized positions.  Iktomi is sure that everyone and every living thing will be impressed with how "good"he looks. He fails to notice the birds and animals laughing at him. Iktomi has over dressed and cannot take the heat any more and he stops to rest. While resting in the shadow of a huge boulder, he offers the blanket as a gift to the boulder and places it on top of a boulder so it will not "burn any more." As Iktomi continues his journey he notices a thunder cloud and he questions why he left the blanket for the boulder. He goes back and gets the blanket just in time to shelter from the rain. The next noise he hears is the bouldering rumbling and tumbling towards him. He tries to out run the boulder but cannot. The boulder rolls on top of his legs and finally comes to a stop. Iktomi struggles and screams and asks his brother animals for assistance. Buffaloes, elk, antelope, bears, and prairie dogs all try to move the boulder off Iktomi but they cannot; they give up and wonder off. Darkness comes and Iktomi sees bats. He requests that the bats help him and tells the bats that the boulder has been saying rude and mean things about the bats. The bats are so angry they attack the boulder. Bit by bit, piece by piece the bats break the boulder up. Iktomi is freed and the story explains how why bats have flat face and there are rocks scatted over the Great Plains. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Paul Goble retells and illustrates how Iktomi creates his own battles through all of his self serving actions. As Goble tells the story he strives to convey human characteristics to the reader -- both the good and the bad. Through out the story, the reader is given insight into the Iktomi's character and asked questions directed at his behavior. The book begins with valuable information--"About Iktomi" and "A Note for the Reader." Both short paragraphs enlighten the reader about the forthcoming tell. Iktomi is explained to be the star of many North American Indian stories. His name has changed depending on the creator of the story and there is no single "correct" version of the stories. For the reader, Goble explains that small type is "perhaps" Iktomi's thoughts and the larger lighter text is to provoke thoughts -- neither text need be read aloud but can be depending on the situation.

The illustrations add to and complete this tell. The colors, both vivid and subdued are captivating. Every illustration either has substantial detail or is remarkably plain. Iktomi's dress, facial expressions, and items have great detail while the boulder and various animals do not. This goes along with the theme that Iktomi is the grand and already chief like.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Lawrance M. Bernabo:  "The trickster is a universal character in North American myths and legends, known by different names in different parts of the country. The common denominator is the Iktomi is always trying to get the better of other, but usually ends up being the one who looks foolish."

CONNECTIONS:

* Create a drawing representing some part of the story.

* Create a character dictionary--choose positive and negative traits Iktomi displayed.

* Discuss Native American culture.

* Read other books by Paul Goble.

Talking with Artists. Vol. 2: Conversations with Thomas B. Allen, Mary Jane Begin, Floyd Cooper, Julie Downing, Denise Fleming, Sheila Hamanaka, Kevin Jenkes, William Joyce, Maira Kalman, Deborah Nourse Lattimore, Brian Pinkney, Vera B. Williams and David Wisniewski

,.

Children's book illustrators discuss their story and
their craft.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:  

Cummings, Pat. Talking with artists. Volume two: conversations with Thomas B. Allen, Mary Jane Begin, Floyd Cooper, Julie Downing, Denise Fleming, Sheila Hamanaka, Kevin Henkes, William Joyce, Maira Kalman, Deborah Nourse Lattimore, Brian Pinkney, Vera B. Williams and David Wisniewski. 1st ed. 2, Pat Cummings. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1995.
ISBN 0689803109

PLOT SUMMARY:    

Each artist gives their (my) story then eight simple questions are asked. The same eight questions are asked to each artists:

1. Where do you get your ideas from?
2. What is a normal day like for you?
3. Where do you work?
4. Do you have any children? Any pets?
5. What do you enjoy drawing the most?
6. Do you ever put people you know in the pictures?
7. What do you use to make your pictures?
8. How did you get to do your first book?

There are two pictures of each artist -- a picture from their younger years and a recent picture. There are also pictures of first sketches, preferred work place(s), and recent works.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The manner and format in which Pat Cummings presents the interviews and information is simple, straight-forward, and informative. Each picture chosen for the book, whether it is of the artist (two per person -- youth and older), their favorite work space, first creation or more recent work, is for a specific purpose. The eight questions asked are similar to what kids would ask out of curiosity. All answers are direct, honest, and respectful.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Horn Book Guide, 1995: "A baker's dozen of contemporary illustrators for children are included in the handsomely produced sequel to Cummings's initial volume of conversations with artists. Each succinct autobiographical sketch is followed by a series of questions and answers addressing a variety of subjects. Illustrating the book are photographs of each artist as a child and as an adult and reproductions of artwork -- from the artist's childhood and from published books."

AWARDS:

Children's Choice, 1996

Notable Children's Books, 1996

CONNECTIONS:

* Discuss different art techniques
* Children bring in two favorite pictures -- one younger and
   one current
* Choose an author profiled in this book or Pat Cummings - read
   one of their books

A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal

A combination of biographical information and
   artistic history --
          ~on the road to winning a Caldecott

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Marcus, Leonard. A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal. New York; Walked & Co., 1998.
ISBN 0802786561

Marcus S. Leonard

PLOT SUMMARY:

In celebration and observance of the sixtieth anniversary of the Caldecott Medal the following Caldecott honorees - recipients from each decade were interviewed and profiled:

1942 Make Way for Ducklings-by Robert McCloskey;

1955 Cinderella/The Little Glass Slipper-by Marcia Brown;

1964 Where the Wild Things Are-by Maurice Sendak;

1970 Sylvester and the Magic Pebble-by William Steig;

1982 Jumanji-by Chris Van Allsburg;

1992 Tuesday-by David Wiesner

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Leonard S. Marcus delves into the subjects -- both texts and creators -- showing the amazing stories behind them. Marcus shows the labor and happenstance that went into the conception and construction of these great books.  Filled with anecdotes and concise observations, Marcus's approach to examining these six works and the artists --- this book is just as captivating as the Caldecott Medal winning books.

REVIEW EXCERPT:   

BookPage Childrens' Review: "Marcus's short but wide-ranging discussion of each artist will appeal to both older school-age children as well as adults. Who couldn't help but be charmed to hear that for Make Way for Ducklings, McCloskey consulted with duck experts, studied duck specimens, and brought 16 ducks home for up-close study."

Publisher's Weekly: "Encouraging readers to see each picture book through the artist's eyes, Marcus shows Brown's compositional studies, explains how Van Allsburg chose from which perspective to view the coiled python in the living room and how Sendak decided 'that the illustrations leading up to the rumpus would get larger and larger, as Max's emotions pushed out the words.' He traces the evolution of the illustrations for Tuesday from Wiesner's first quick sketches, when the idea occurred to him on a jet plane. With Marcus's sure hand guiding this tour, readers will find cause for celebration. All ages."

AWARDS:

ALSC 1999 Notable Children's Books

CONNECTIONS:  

* Choose and read one of the books/authors Marcus profiled

* Create a collage representing one of the books

* Read other books created by one of thee selected/profiled authors

Knuffle Bunny: A cautionary Tale

Trixie's stuffed rabbit gets soaked and saved.

  

    


BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. New York; Hyperion Books for Children, 2004
ISBN 0786818700

Mo Willems

PLOT SUMMARY:

Trixie, her Daddy and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the local laundromat. Trixie enjoys the trip to the laundromat and helping her Daddy put the clothes in and put the money into the machine. On their way home Trixie realizes she did not have her"Aggle flaggle Klabble!" She tries and tries to explain it to her Daddy but he never understands her words. He asks and pleas to Trixie, "please don't get fussy," but she continues squalling and going "boneless." They finally arrive home, as soon as Trixie's mom opens the door she noticies that Knuffle Bunny is missing. The entire family rushes back to the laundromat where Trixie's dady looks and looks for Knuffle Bunny until he finally find it with the wet clothes. Trixie is so excited she says her first words "Knuffle Bunny!!!"

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale explores something that happens to every child -- they lose or misplace a beloved stuff animal. The illustration are a combination of muted black - and - white photographs and vivid cartoon drawings that are superimposed. Mo Willems draws an excellent "boneless" Trixie as her Dad carries her home during her tantrum. Of course, Mom immediately notices Knuffle Bunny is missing, before the words are even asked, her inquisitive expression says it all "Where is Knuffle Bunny?" These characters tell the true story in unsaid words. Their visual expressions convey just as much if not more than the simple text.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Child Magazine: "In a smart blend of cartoons and sepia-toned photos, Caldecott Honor winner Willems spins a comical tale of trouble at the laundromat. Knuffle Bunny, a beloved stuffed rabbit, accidentally gets tossed in with the wash. When little Trixie realized what's happened to her bunny, the toddler gets crative in conveying her loss."

AWARDS:

Booklist Book Review Starts, Sep. 15, 2004

Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 2004 ; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Children's Choices, 2005

Fanfare Honor List, 2004

Kirkus Book Review Stars, August 1, 2004

School Library Journal Book Review Stars, October 2004

School Library Journal: Best Books, 2004

Charlotte Zolotow Award, 2005

Quill Awards, 2005

2X2 Reading List, 2005

CONNECTIONS:

*Students bring their favorite stuffed animal to school and
  create their own story

*Discuss differences between cities, towns and rural areas

*Read other books by Mo Willems

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed

~They are a little bit rat.
~~They are a little bit mole.
~~~They are all naked.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Willems, Mo. Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2009
ISBN 9781423114376

Mo Willems


PLOT SUMMARY:

Wilbur appears totally different from the other Nake Mole Rats in his Colony. He likes wearing clothes, dressing up because when he dresses up he can be cool, or fancy, or funny --- he can be whatever he would like to be --- just by his outfit. The other naked mole rats, appalled and distraught over Wilbur's failure to see the error of his "unnakedness" went to see the heoric and regal Grand-pah. Grand-pah listened and thought and thought some more; he then called for a gathering of all naked mole rats so he could make a proclamation. Grand-pah's appearance amazed the naked mole rat colony -- he was fully clothed and proclaimed that clothes could be fun. He thanked Wilbur for asking "Why not" and from that moment forward:

~some mole rats were naked,

 ~~some were clothed,

~~~and all had a great time.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Willems tackels the life-long issue of being different and struggling for the right to be yourself. The book has simple basic illustrations which allows Wilbur to stand-out even more when wearing his clothes. Luckily for Wilbur Grand-pah is a wise old naked mole rat that is not afraid to try something different when asked "why not." When Grand-pah decrees that clothes could be fun more naked mole rats come out of the closet wearing their favoriate clothing items.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

School Library Journal: " Willem's contemporary fable concerns the way in which a young member of the species 'naked mole rats' is different. As the nomenclature suggests, the group does not wear clothing, with the singular exception of Wilbur. his extensive wardrobe, ranging from a tuxedo to a space suit, and his insistense on wearing it, cause much sonsternatio and criticism from his colony."

AWARDS:

Junior Library Guild selection

CONNECTIONS:

*Create a list of clothes worn by a particular group (military, nuns, police officers, sport teams, etc.)

*Discuss the many differences in people and how people should treat eachother

*Read other books by Mo Willems

Flotsam

Something that floats.
If it floats in the ocean,
it may wash up on the beach,...

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Wiesner, David. Flotsam. New York: Clarion Books,  2006

ISBN 9780618194575

David Wiesner  


PLOT SUMMARY:

An eloquent, wordless picture book about a boy spending a day at the beach. The young boy notices something that washed up in the surf and his journey begins. After having the film developed the boy sees pictures of an underwater fantasy world and of children from other countries and periods of time. The story is completed when the boy takes a picture of himself and returns the gift the ocean had given -- the camera with a new chapter of a wonderful wordless story.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Flotsam has beautiful illustrations that connect and proceed smoothly from one page to the next. The detail in every illustration is amazying--from the windows on the sandcastle to the barnacles on the Melville underwater camera. Each page brings the reader to a new picturesque underwater paradise with cities on the back of seaturtles, mermaids riding octopi

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 15): "From arguably the most inventive and cerebral visual storyteller in children's literature, comes a wordless invitaiton to drifin with the tide, with the story, with your eyes, with your imaginiation."
School Library Journal: "Filled with inventive details and delightful twists, each snapshot is a tale waiting to be told."

AWARDS:

Best Books of the Year, 2006 ; Publishers Weekly

Best Books of the Year, 2006; School Library Journal
Kirkus Book Review Star, August 1, 2009
Notable Children's Books, 2007 ; ALSC American Library Association

CONNECTIONS:

* Create a  picturless montage, using pictures from home or cut out of magazines.
* Create a Flotsame collage
* Use this book to discuss the oceans, other cultures, different eras in time.
* Read other books by David Wiesner

The House in the Night

                        


  Here is the key to the house.
  In the house burns a light.
    In the light rests a bed.
   On that bed waits a book....

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Swanson, Susan. The House in the Night. Boston: Houghton 

Mifflin Company, 2008
ISBN 0618862447

  Susan Marie Swanson

PLOT SUMMARY:

Structured text and luminous pictures explore a key to a house, which has a bed, 

on which lies a book, in which there is bird...you see the simple pattern. The book 

considers the everyday items in a house and how they connect to each other and

become a home with relaxed comfort and basic joy. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The plot is simple, easy to read, and explores what makes a house a home. The 

book is interesting; however, the illustrations are far more appealing and thought-

provoking. The richly detailed black-and-white illustrations expand this bedtime

story. As the story progresses with gentle and familiar words the illustrations begin

to illuminate -- seemingly glow with golden color that exists in a comforting world.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

From the Horn Book Guide, Fall 2008: “Here is the key to the house. In the house

burns a light.” So begins a soothing bedtime verse that ends with a child tucked in 

bed, bathed by the light of the moon.”

AWARDS:

The 2009 Randolph Caldecott Medal

Starred review: Kirkus

Starred review: Booklist

Publisher Weekly Best Books of 2008

2008 Parents’ Choice Approved

CONNECTIONS:  

*Use this book to inspire children to relate what they find
  comforting in their homes

*Create a "House in the Night" picture book of their house

*Read other books by Susan Maria Swanson

*Review and compare other illustrations by Beth Krommes

Beth Krommes-illustrator