Cinderella folklore

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schroeder, Alan. Smoky Mountain Rose: An Applacian Cinderella. Ill. by Brad Sneed. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. c1997. ISBN: 0-8037-1733-4

PLOT SUMMARY
This lively story is based on the well-known version of Cinderella told by Charles Perrault. When Rose's trapper father dies, she is left to reside with her stepmother and stepsisters in the backwoods of the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. The story elements are true to form with the twist of a magical hog (instead of the Fairy Godmother). The mean old stepmother and the nasty stepsisters are as awful as can be, giving Rose "enough chores that'll just about kill her." When they set off to the shindig for Seb, "the rich feller who made his money in sowbellies and grits," Rose cries her eyes out down at the pig trough. The hog, upon hearing her woes, transforms her into a beautiful "belle of the ball" and she sets off to the party in style. The next day Seb comes looking for his bride to fit the glass slipper, while Liza Jane is ready to get the axe to make it fit! When he sees Rose down at the pig trough, he recognizes her from the previous evening. All the components in this Cinderella tale are typical of the story from "once upon a time..." to "...and they lived happily ever after," and that is what makes the story so inviting.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Children familiar with the tale of Cinderella can identify easily with this predictable story, and will enjoy the colorful language used by the narrator, as told from the position of a storyteller from Tarbelly Creek. It is a delightful read aloud, using a language style that is challenging for young children to read. Yet an adult versed in accent and expression will bring this tale to life while children eagerly wait to view Sneed's expressive watercolor illustrations. The style of American gothic art creates a feeling of serenity and conveys a wholesome point of view. The use of perspective and soft, pastel colors lends itself to an interesting position that exaggerates the characters' physical qualities (e.g. big feet, elongated bodies and large noses), adding humor to the story. It is sure to be a popular read aloud among older children and will be read and reread in the tradition of the timeless Cinderella classic.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Publishers Weekly: "...if read aloud, this Cinderella will make readers "happy as a pig in a peanut patch."

Booklist: "this spirited rendition begs to be told or read out loud for sheer enjoyment and for enrichment in folklore studies."

CONNECTIONS
*Read and compare Cinderella variants noting the traditional elements found in each. Children love creative drama. Have groups of students write their own version of Cinderella to perform that would be suitable for the culture in which they live.

Suggestions for additional reading:
*Rafe Martin. The Rough- Face Girl, 1992. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons ISBN: 0-39921859-9
*Janet Perlman, Cinderella Penguin or, The Little Glass Flipper. 1992. New York: Puffin Books.
ISBN: 0-14055552-8
*Robert San Souci. The Talking Eggs, 1989. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers,
ISBN: 0-8037-0619-7

RESOURCES
http://martsubhub.lib.wv.us:8000/kcweb/kcContent?isbn=0803717334&type=review&controlnumber=+++92001250&referedby=titlelist
(Accessed Feb. 15, 2010)
http://www.amazon.com/Smoky-Mountain-Rose-Appalachian-Cinderella/dp/0140566732
(Accessed Feb. 16, 2010)
Picture:
http://static.squidoo.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens2708022module16223102photo_1257690877smoky_mountain_rose.jpg
(Accessed Feb. 3, 2010)

Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, Eric, A. Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock. Ill. by Janet Stevens. New York: Holiday House. 1988. ISBN: 0-8234-0689-X

PLOT SUMMARY
Anansi the spider uses a moss-covered rock with special powers to trick his animal friends: Lion, Zebra, Elephant and Giraffe. The strange rock puts his friends to sleep so that Anansi can steal their food to feed his voracious appetite. Little Deer, who is hiding in the jungle brush, sees Anansi’s antics and decides to teach him a lesson. When Anansi tries to trick her, the tables are turned and the joke is on him!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Originally told as a West African tale, the story was adapted to Caribbean culture where Anansi is a beloved folklore character. Stevens uses both cultures to depict the setting (e.g. lush greenery, a rustic cabin with lawn chairs and ceiling fans on the porch, coconuts in a basket, etc.). The story features repetitive language and events that enhance the plot, leading children to make predictions in anticipation of the story climax. Kimmel’s characterization and Steven’s delightful illustrations give the characters human qualities with which children can identify - even the lion has a pet iguana! The choice of natural colors and predominantly neutral tones evokes a feeling of a serene, natural environment typical of the Caribbean and the West African coast. Children will enjoy looking for Little Deer hiding in the brightly colored foliage as she witnesses Anansi’s pranks. They will be eager to discuss the theme of good verses bad and provide insight about the deserved consequences of being a trickster. This folktale is sure to be a favorite among teachers and primary school students.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist: “With perfect pacing and repetition and with surprising reversals up to the very last page, this is a great choice for reading aloud and storytelling.”

School Library Journal: “Stevens' anthropomorphic animals are both expressive and endearing…A surefire hit.”

CONNECTIONS
*Collect other trickster stories to read and compare characters and their antics.
*Read other trickster stories and have children create animal puppets to perform a readers theater or to retell the story.

Related books:
Virginia Hamilton, A Ring of Tricksters: Animal Tales from America, the West Indies and Africa. 1997 ISBN: 10: 0590473743
Eric Kimmel, Anansi and the Talking Melon.1994. ISBN: 10: 0823411672

RESOURCES
Picture: http://www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org/images/AnansiandtheMossCoveredRock.jpg
(Accessed February 3, 2010)
http://www.funfelt.com/anansi_rock.html (Accessed Feb. 15, 2010)

Folklore

Neil Philip (editor). Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales. Ill. by Jacqueline Mair. New York: Clarion Books. 2003. ISBN: 10-0618194630

PLOT SUMMARY
This collection of folktales, selected by Neil Philip, comes from Mexican and Mexican American storytellers. These traditional tales show transformations of cats and kings, priests and tricksters, ordinary people and supernatural beings. Some of the folktales in the book can be found in the Grimm’s collection but the flavor and tale type are mixed with religious imagery drawn from Mexican culture. Some were collected in Mexico while others came from the Mexican populations of Colorado and New Mexico. There are many traditional elements indigenous to the culture, including witches, widows, angels and the devil.  There are fourteen stories in the collection. Pedro the Trickster is the story of man who cheats death, while The Story of the Sun and the Moon borrows elements from stories, such as Jack and the Beanstalk. The story of The Two Marias is adapted from “Cinderella” with the role of the fairy godmother taken by the Virgin Mary. The Mule Drivers Who Lost Their Feet is a story that spotlights the silliness of characters with no common sense. The story viewpoints incorporate metaphors and similes and show life as essentially humorous with intimations of seriousness.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Philip obtained the stories from authentic sources to create a rich and varied collection blending elements of religion and humor. The spiritual element in many of the tales makes them sparkle with life and meaning in Mexican culture.  All of the stories have been told and retold over generations. There are notes discussing the backgrounds of each story at the end of the book that are helpful for readers who want to learn more about their origins. The story, Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet, is explained by Philip as a common Spanish American tale that was collected from a 12-year-old Mexican American girl who had heard it from a classmate and believed it to be true. The vibrant colors used by Jacqueline Mair, are a mix of paint and print that draw on many images from Mexico. The decorative use of patterns in the architecture, tableware, the clothing worn by the characters at the fiesta, and traditional animals such as the donkey are all beautifully woven into the artwork. Human expressions and use of symbolism convey the mood of each story and act as a powerful narrative in telling of superstitious and spiritual elements. This is a book to share with older children who are learning about or already have a rich background in traditional folklore.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal: "Richly varied collection...distinctive flavor...stylish and humorous retellings...alive with bright color...a well-put-together package. Clearly superior...enjoyable volume."  School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews: "well-documented and authentic...Mexican flavor is strong throughout...occasional brilliant, hot watercolors...much information for the serious student of folklore." 

Booklinks: (American Library Association): "useful and attractively presented...stories are simply yet effectively retold...exuberant illustrations...illuminating introduction...An extensive bibliography...a solid collection"

CONNECTIONS
Children will enjoy making puppets of popular trickster characters and role play scenes from various folktales.

Other folklore collections:
 *Virginia Hamilton, A Ring of Tricksters: Animal Tales from America, the West Indies and Africa. 1997 ISBN: 10: 0590473743
*Lewis Mahlmann and David Cadwalader Jones, Folk Tale Plays for Puppets: 13 Royalty-Free Plays for Hand Puppets, Rod Puppets, or Marionettes. c1980 ISBN: 0-8238-0242-6
*Howard Norman, The Girl Who Dreamed Only Gees and Other Tales of the Far North. 1997.
ISBN: 0-15-230979-9
*Neil Philip, Stockings of Buttermilk: American Folktales. 1999 ISBN:10: 0395849802
*Judy Sierra, Can you Guess My Name? Traditional Tales Around the World. 2002.
ISBN: 0-618-13328-3

RESOURCES
Ansell, Janis and Holley, Pam. What do Children and Young Adults Read Next? A Reader’s Guide to Fiction for Children and Young Adults. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale Cengage Learning. 2005.

http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/catalog/titledetail.cfm?titleNumber=111156
(Retrieved February 12, 2010)

http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/catalog/downloadresultsa.cfm?adv=y&ean=9780618194636
(Retrieved February 3, 2010)

Picture Book Reviews

A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Marcus, Leonard S.  A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal. Walker Company: New York. 1999. 48p.
ISBN: 0-8027-8656-1

SUMMARY
Leonard Marcus shares the experiences of six authors/illustrators who received this prestigious award for their work in children’s literature. This book spotlights the enduring works of one author from each decade from 1938-1998: Maurice Sendak for Where the Wild Things Are, William Steig for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Marcia Brown for Cinderella, Robert McCloskey for Make Way for Ducklings, Chris van Allsburg for Jumanji and David Wiesner for Tuesday. Each author reveals not only the process of their work but also their struggles in making these ideas come to life. Readers learn about the terminology of “white space”, using “dummies,” - preliminary rough drawings that show the progression of the story- the struggles of re-drawing and detailing the plans and the medium used in creating these timeless treasures. In candid interviews each author discusses their journey toward illustrating children’s literature and their reactions to receiving this esteemed award.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is an informative book for children and adults alike. For teachers of writing it is a must have resource that can be used in teaching the writing and illustration process, character development the study of authors and their unique craft. Children will benefit from insights gleaned from these authors’ habits of keeping their ideas in notebooks and sketchpads. Simple drawings collected from the authors’ original works are depicted in the book while each explains the steps necessary to work toward a finished piece of quality literature. Although it is a dated publication, Marcus has shared valuable insights about the writing process that will endure for generations.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist starred review: “A beautifully made book, this will serve as a fine resource for children interested in illustration and for teachers researching author/illustrator studies.”

School Library Journal: “A brilliant and distinguished collaboration”

Publishers Weekly “With Marcus's sure hand guiding this tour, readers will find cause for celebration. All ages.”

CONNECTIONS
*Older children can research their favorite authors for biography studies while younger children practice sketching in the style of each various artists.
*Read other Caldecott books to feature in a ‘Caldecott of the Month’ study.

Related Books:
Pass it Down: Five Picture-Book Families Make Their Mark by Leonard Marcus, 2007
ISBN: 13:978-0-8027-9600-4
Side by Side by Leonard Marcus, 2001 ISBN:0-8027-8778-9
The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss by Kathleen Krull, 2004 ISBN: 0-375-822298-4
From Pictures to Words: A Book About Making a Book by Janet Stevens, 1995.
ISBN: 0-8234-1154-0
What do Authors Do? by Eileen Christelow. 1995 ISBN:0-395-71124-X

RESOURCES
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/ (School Library Journal online accessed January 2010)
http://www.publishersweekly.com/Community/Reviews/47159.html (Publisher’s Weekly accessed January 2010)
http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=booklinks (Booklist online accessed January 2010)
Picture: http://www.bookpage.com/9901bp/childrens/caldecott_celebration.html

Picture Books

THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Swanson, Susan Marie, The House in the Night. Ill. by Beth Krommes, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Boston. 2008
ISBN: 0618862447


PLOT SUMMARY
This simple poem is a story told through the eyes of a child who finds comfort in the house at night. A little girl finds reassuring order to the nighttime and asserts her independence in taking care of a golden key to the house. Predictable, rhythmic patterning comes full circle as she discovers adventure in a book, flies through the city and returns home to the quiet, cozy comfort of her own room.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The welcoming imagery and word play create a unique voice through pictures, depicting the beauty of things in the night as a child eases her nocturnal fears. This is a beautiful book that invites parent and child to snuggle up for a bedtime story full of peaceful feelings of warmth and safekeeping.
Beth Krommes conveys an engaging story of safety and comfort in a double-page spread format using textured etchings of two simple colors. The important focus on familiar nighttime things is done in gold while using light and dark shadows to bring attention to other details. The patterning of color compliments the patterning of text making this a delightful book that brings warmth to the heart.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Caldecott Award winner, 2009

Booklist: “A beautiful piece of bookmaking that will delight both parents and children.”

School Library Journal: “It is a masterpiece that has all the hallmarks of a classic that will be loved for generations to come."

CONNECTIONS:
*Read other nighttime stories and create posters of familiar items in dual color.
*Read other books about the nighttime.

Related books:
The Napping House by Don and Audrey Wood ISBN: 0152026320
On a Starry Night by Natalie Kinsey –Warnock ISBN: 0-53106820-X

RESOURCES:
Marcus, Leonard S., A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal, Walker & Company, NY, 1998.

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/ (School Library Journal online accessed January 2010)http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=booklinks (Booklist online accessed January 2010)

Picture: http://awesomestorytime.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/house-in-the-night-cover.jpg (accessed January 2010)

Picture Book Reviews

JUST THE TWO OF US

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith, Will.  Just the Two of Us. llI. by Kadir Nelson.  Scholastic Press: Singapore. 2001.
Scholastic ISBN: 0439087929

PLOT SUMMARY
An African-American man raps the lyrics to this popular song by Ralph MacDonald as he reflects upon the feelings he has for his son. He chronicles his commitment as the child grows into a young man. The story follows the development of the young boy with typical problems along his path in life and the advice he tries to remember from his father. The main struggle through the story, belongs to the author, Will Smith, who is concerned about his growth in being a positive role model for his son. The refrain of the song is repeated in this rap which uses some rhyming to express Smith's feelings as he learns what it means to be a father.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book begins with quotes from Will Smith’s parents as he was growing up. It is dedicated to his parents and the memory of his grandmother. The last quote is from his son who “said he wants to build castles in the sky.” His parents’ responses to his comments and his response to his own son set the tone of this lovely story. In the book the father gives the child valuable advice as he grows, “I’ll do everything I can to show you how to be a man. Dignity, integrity, honor…and you can cry, there ain’t no shame in it” The theme "Just the two of us..." provides a deeper meaning of the father's commitment that is implicit throughout the story. It is a touching story for fathers to share with their sons and mothers to share with their daughters.

Kadir Nelson's illustrations use warm and cool colors to compliment the realistic facial expressions of the father and to depict the mood changes throughout the book. Colors move from dark to light providing a sense of worry and hope. The story begins with the sunrise and ends with the sunset, illustrating the journey of the man's path through fatherhood. Beautiful poster-like illustrations provide a focal point in the father's experiences with his son and convey a sense of meaningful lessons learned along the way.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist: starred review “A good choice for parent-child sharing.”
School Library Journal: “A lovely book for fathers and sons to share.”

CONNECTIONS
*Discuss the relationships between fathers and sons/ mothers and daughters
*Gather other books illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Look at how the pictures express the mood of the book as well as character development in the feelings of anxiety, worry, happiness, strength, and contentment.

*Other books by Kadir Nelson:
Henry's Freedom Box By Ellen Levine, 2007 ISBN: 043477733-X
Dancing Wings  By Debbie Allen, 2000 ISBN: 0803725019

RESOURCES:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/ (School Library Journal accessed January 2010)
http://www.publishersweekly.com/Community/Reviews/47159.html
(Publisher’s Weekly accessed January 2010)
Picture: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0439087929.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_SL250_.jpg