Genre 2- Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet

(1) Bibliography
Philip, Neil. 2003. HORSE HOOVES AND CHICKEN FEET: MEXICAN FOLKTALES. Ill. by Jacqueline Mair. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618194630

(2) Plot Summary
This book is a collection of Mexican-American tales, mostly of Spanish origin. They have been past down orally for generations. These tales come not from professional storytellers but from regular everyday folks, “mostly farmers, stock raisers, farm laborers, sheep-herders, housewives…” There is a bit of magic here for everyone.

(3) Critical Analysis
This book is interesting anthology of tales that range from one page to a few pages in length. Some tales are serious while others are silly yet both types exhibit that special kind of magic that can only be found in folktales. True to the culture, Philips selections are engaging and amusing. Philips includes notes for each of the tales for those further interested in other variants. With bright, strong colors Mair’s illustrations are multi-faceted often depicting many scenes in the respective tale.

(4) Review Except(s)
Booklist: “…one illustration comprising several images accompanies each story, each image mirroring some action, often in a way that is original and unexpected.”

School Library Journal: “…this richly varied collection presents the unique blend of folkloric elements and the Catholicism that defines Mexican folklore.”

(5) Connections

* Discuss the themes and characters that are prevalent in the tales: three wishes, Cinderella, the Virgin Mary, the Devil, etc.

* Read other versions of the tales presented. Have the children compare and contrast.

* Make a cultural tie in by having the class study Mexican Holidays such as Dia de Los Santos Reyes, Feast Day of de San Antonio de Abad, Dia de la Candelaria, Carnaval, Dia de los Muertos, etc.

Genre 2- Lon Po Po

(1) Bibliography
Young, Ed. 1989. LON PO PO: A RED-RIDING HOOD STORY FROM CHINA. Ill. by Ed Young. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 0399216197


(2) Plot Summary
Three little girls are home alone and a wolf gains entry into the house disguised as their old grandmother. He plans to eat the children and climbs into bed with them. The eldest see the wolf’s face and devises a plan to get away. She entices the wolf with talk of gingko nuts, “Gingko is soft and tender, like the skin of a baby. One taste and you will live forever.” The wolf complains that he is old and can no longer climb up trees. The girl tells him that she and her siblings will go pick some Gingko nuts. Once outside she tells her sisters about the wolf and they scurry up the tree. Can they out smart the wolf at this own game?

(3) Critical Analysis
This version of the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale takes the story to new dramatic and frightening limits. The wolf is anthropomorphic enough to actually pass for the girls’ grandmother. He knows he is clever but underestimates the wit of his young victim. The illustrations add to the realism of this progressive plot. Young does an excellent job of staying within the culture. The reader does not doubt that the story takes place in China. Young’s beautiful and powerful watercolors add a spooky and mysterious effect. The images are broken up to create the illusion of a wall scroll which intensifies the flow of action.

(4) Review Except(s)
School Library Journal: “With forceful impressionistic paintings, Young artfully entices readers across the fairy-tale threshold…”

Booklist: “Young incorporates a wolf image into every illustration in this Chinese version of the familiar… tale, imparting a sense of courage as well as danger.”

(5) Connections
*Read a tale of Little Red Riding Hood to the class.

*Read other tales with wolves:
Hennessy, B.G. The Boy Who Cried Wolf. ISBN 0689874332
Seibert, Patricia. Three Little Pigs. ISBN 1577683676
White, Mark. The Wolf In Sheep's Clothing. ISBN: 1404802207

*Discuses the story from the wolf’s point of view. Why are wolves portrayed in literature as bad?

Genre 2- The Egyptian Cinderella

(1) Bibliography
Climo, Shirley. 1989. THE EGYPTIAN CINDERELLA. Ill. by Ruth Heller. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN 0064432793

(2) Plot Summary
Rhodopis is a Greek slave girl in Egypt. Even though her master is kind, she is mistreated by the Egyptian servant girls. After her master sees her dancing, he has a pair of golden rose-red slippers made for her. The gift evokes the jealousy of the servant girls. When the Pharaoh holds high court, they sail away to the event leaving poor Rhodopis behind. To add to her misery a falcon flies off with one of her slippers. At the high court the falcon drops the slipper into the lap of the Pharaoh who is bored with the affair. Seeing the falcon as sign, the Pharaoh declares that he shall marry the maiden who fits the slipper. The Pharaoh proceeds to search all over Egypt. Will his quest lead him to Rhodopis?

(3) Critical Analysis
The character of Rhodopis is simple yet very real. She is fortunate than most slaves but is still mistreated because she is different. This difference adds to her cross-cultural appeal. Most readers can identify with what it is like to be different. She may seem like a weak character but she is not. Despite her situation (losing her home, losing her parents, her subsequent enslavement and mistreat by the other girls) Rhodopis does all she can to keep her spirits up, dancing for her animal friends. The illustrations are amazing. Not only are the colors very vivid but Heller provided a tremendous amount of detail (i.e. the falcon’s feathers). In the scene when Rhodopis master spies her dancing, it almost seems as if Rhodopis might twirl right off the page.

(4) Review Except(s)
Publishers Weekly: “In mellifluous prose and majestic illustrations, these collaborators present an inventive twist on the classic tale.”

School Library Journal: “A stunning combination of fluent prose and exquisitely wrought illustrations.”

(5) Connections
*Have students compare and contrast the story elements with the Disney Cinderella.

*Create a reader theater script and have the class perform it.

*Read Climo’s other Cinderella tales to the class:
Climo, Shirley. The Irish Cinderlad. ISBN 0-606-17881-3
Climo, Shirley. The Korean Cinderella. ISBN 0-06-443397-8
Climo, Shirley. The Persian Cinderella. ISBN 0-06-443853-8

Genre 1- The Art of Eric Carle

(1) Bibliography
Carle, Eric, et al. 1996. THE ART OF ERIC CARLE. Ill. by Eric Carle. New York: Penguin Group Incorporated. ISBN 0763625973


(2) Plot Summary
This title is a medley of stories and pictures exploring the art and works of Eric Carle. Mr. Carle discusses his life growing up and now it later influenced his art. His colleagues also share their memories and thoughts about the author/illustrator. A speech, Where Do Ideas Come From, given by Eric Carle at the Library of Congress is also featured. In addition Mr. Carle shares his collage tissue paper technique that he uses to create his illustrations. Several illustrations from his picture books are displayed in the book.

(3) Critical Analysis
An enjoyable treasure, The Art of Eric Carle, contains an autobiography, articles of colleagues’ reflections, and personal photographs. The reader is treated to photographs of Eric Carle’s life and family as well as some of his early professional artwork before he became involved in picture books. Mr. Carle’s Where Do Ideas Come From speech is both magical and touching, “Some ideas come from the outside, and other ideas come from your inside.” To him all experiences both good and bad are dabs of color that form the picture of both his work and his life. The autobiography while fascinating seems rather truncated which leaves the reader searching for more. An expanded autobiography would have benefited this book greatly. One could spend hours staring at the brilliant artwork. The illustrations are the heart of the book.

(4) Review Except(s)
Booklist Review: “Carle is one of the most beloved illustrators of children’s books.”

Kirkus Review: “An agreeable overview of Carle’s life and work, a consideration of the genesis of his ideas…”

(5) Connections
* Have children paint and texture tissue paper.

* Have children, as a class, create a collage poster.

* Read a few of Eric Carle’ books to the class:
Carle, Eric. The Very Hungry Caterpillar. ISBN 0-399-25190-1
Carle, Eric. Do You Want To Be My Friend? ISBN 0-7587-8917-3
Carle, Eric. Eric Carle’s Treasury Of Classic Stories For Children. ISBN 0-590-50213-1

Genre 1- Kitten's First Full Moon

(1) Bibliography
Henkes, Kevin. 2004. KITTEN’S FIRST FULL MOON. Ill. by Kevin Henkes. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0-06-058838-4


(2) Plot Summary
A kitten witnesses a full moon for the first time and believes it to be a big bowl of milk. The kitten tries in vain to get at the bowl. After many failed attempts, she finally gives up. When the kitten arrives home there is a bowl of milk on the porch waiting for her.

(3) Critical Analysis
Set in the darkness of night, the main static character in this story is a persistent little kitten that is determined to get her bowl of milk in the sky. The other character is the moon who constantly evades the kitten. Throughout the book each time the kitten fails the narrator utters “poor kitten!” This is important because Henkes wants the young readers to empathize with the kitten and her plight, not ridicule her. At the end when the kitten finally gets her bowl of milk the narrator cheers the kitten exclaiming “lucky kitten!” Despite being only black and white, the pictures captivate the eyes. Henkes utilize bold strong lines and shading to bring the kitten to life. It almost seems as if she could jump right out the book. The images are so powerful they could stand alone with the text to tell the story.

(4) Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “An irresistible offering from the multifaceted Henkes.”

Publishers Weekly: “The narrative and usual pacing will keep children entranced…”

(5) Connections
* Utilize the Board of Felt to reenact the story.

* Dress-up (teacher, librarian, or childcare provider) as a cat.

* Read books about cats and about the moon:
Carle, Eric. Have You Seen My Cat? ISBN 0-15-314263-4
Carle, Eric. Papa, Please Get The Moon For Me. ISBN 0-88708-026-X

Genre 1- Knuffle Bunny

(1) Bibliography
Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY. Ill. by Mo Willems. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 078681870-9


(2) Plot Summary
Trixie and her daddy walk to the Laundromat. On the way back home, Trixie realized she left her stuff bunny, Knuffle Bunny, behind. She is not yet speaking and babbles to her daddy but he does not comprehend. Unable to communicate properly Trixie throws a temper tantrum the rest of the way home. When they arrive home her mommy immediately notices that Knuffle Bunny is missing. The family races back to the Laundromat and Trixie’s daddy rescues Knuffle Bunny from the washing machine. With her beloved Knuffle Bunny back in her arms Trixie speaks her first words, “Knuffle Bunny!!!”

(3) Critical Analysis
The dynamic main character of this story is a little girl about 2 years old named Trixie. Her daddy and mommy are the supporting characters. The way Willems displays the gibberish (baby talk) in the text accentuates the desperateness of the situation. The family plight of running down the block, through the park, and past the school creates even more drama. Knuffle Bunny should still be at the Laundromat but there is the possibility that he is not and Trixie has lost him forever.

The illustrations are a fascinating combination of hand drawings and photos. The background images consist of black and white photography while the people are drawn and colored in. Willems has a unique technique of employing strong yet sketchy lines. The pictures also provide a brief flashback in the beginning of the book. The readers get to see pictures of Trixie’s parents wedding day, the day Trixie was born, and of the family standing in from of their house in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

(4) Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text.”

Publishers Weekly: “Willems once again demonstrates his keen insight with a story both witty and wise.”

(5) Connections
* Bring stuffed bunnies and rabbits for children to hold during story time.

* Read other books on lost stuff animals:
Alborough, Jez. Where's My Teddy? ISBN 0-7636-1868-3
Crummel, Susan Stevens. Plaidypus Lost. ISBN 0-8234-1561-9

* Let the adventure continue by reading Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case Of Mistaken Identity. ISBN 1-4231-0299-1

First post

I have created this blog to post my required book reviews for my class (Literature for Children and Young Adults- LS 5603).