Traditional Literature Book Review

TRADITIONAL LITERATURE BOOK REVIEWS

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wiesner, David. 2001.  THE THREE PIGS.  New York, NY:  Clarion Books. ISBN  0618007016

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The familiar story of thee pigs and a wolf has a twist.  This version explains what would happen if the wolf never got to eat the pigs.  They are blown out of the story. After an adventure into other stories, they later return to their story with some unlikely characters that ultimately help them outwit the wolf.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This beast tale uses the plot and familiar phrases from the traditional fairy tale to create an altered fractured fairy tale. Wiesner uses pencil drawings colored with colored inks and watercolors to illustrate the escapism of the pigs from book to book.  The illustration captures the action in up close and far away shots that capture the journey the pigs undertake.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

The Caldecott Medal award winner

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite.”

Starred review in BOOKLIST: “Wiesner has created a funny, wildly imaginative tale that encourages readers to leap beyond the familiar...”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This story could be performed in a puppet show using colorful props and puppets. 

*Other fractured fairy tales about pigs include:

Scieszka, Jon. THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. ISBN 0140544518

Pichon, Liz. THE THREE HORRID LITTLE PIGS. ISBN 158925077X

Guarnaccia, Steven. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS:  AN ARCHITECTURAL TALE. ISBN 0810989417

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zelinsky, Paul. 1997.  RAPUNZEL.  New York, NY:  Dutton Children’s Books. ISBN  0525456074

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The retelling of the classic story in which an infertile couple finally conceives and is forced to give up their new born daughter to a sorceress.  The sorceress isolates the child in a tower that only has one way in and one way out.  The child grows into a beautiful young woman with very long red golden hair.  One day while out in the woods a prince hears the young woman singing beautifully and inquires about her.  He falls in love.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This fairy tale orchestrates a young woman in a situation where she is isolated yet protected, in prisoned yet given luxury within her prison and surrounded by beauty.  The sorceress who holds her captive also acts as sort of a mother figure who although twisted demonstrates love towards her.  The illustrations showcase an Italian landscape that goes beautifully with the theme of the story. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

The Caldecott Medal award winner

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “Zelinsky (SWAMP ANGEL) does a star turn with this breathtaking interpretation of a favorite fairy tale.”

KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Exquisite paintings in late Italian Renaissance style illumine this hybrid version of a classic tale.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This story encourages overcoming adversity at all costs.

*Other versions of this fairy tale include:

McFadden, Deanna. RAPUNZEL. ISBN 1402783388

Basile, Giambattista. PETROSINELLA: A NEOPOLITAN RAPUNZEL. ISBN 0803717121

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Andersen, Hans Christian.  1999.  THE UGLY DUCKLING.  Ill. by Jerry Pinkney.  New York, NY:  Morrow Junior Books. ISBN  0688159338

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

A duck was sitting on her six eggs keeping them warm.  One egg was different from the others, larger and oddly shaped.  When the eggs hatched, all were beautiful ducks except for the one that came from the oddly shaped egg.  This one had a dull color and a long neck.  All who laid eyes on him said that he is ugly.  He is mocked, teased and abused, until his transformation takes place.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is a story that came directly from the imagination of Hans Christian Andersen.  Although it is written in the style of a traditional tale, it is a literary tale.  The author’s tale describes how deeply the opinions and negative actions of others towards you can influence how you think and feel about yourself.  Illustrated beautifully in watercolors, the setting of the story comes alive on every page.     

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Honor Book award

KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Pinkney puts his heart into a story he loves, and makes it live again.”

Starred review in BOOKLIST: “Dramatic in content, sensitive in line, and rich with color….”

5. CONNECTIONS

*After reading this story, a discussion could be had about growing up and the changes that the body goes through. 

*Other stories illustrated by Jerry Pinkney:

Pinkney, Jerry. THE LION & THE MOUSE. ISBN 0316013560

Pinkney, Jerry. NOAH’S ARK. ISBN 1587172011

Pinkney, Jerry. THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE 0316183563 

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bryan, Ashley.  2003.  BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD.  New York, NY:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN  0689847319

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

A Zambian folktale about colorful birds that have no black feathers.  The birds adore Blackbird, the only bird “who had it all”.  When Ringdove convinces Blackbird paint a black ring around his neck using blackening brew, the other birds ask Blackbird to decorate them with some black brew to.  Now all the birds are decorated with a touch of beautiful black.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This beautifully written African folktale has a rhythm that begs to be read aloud and set to music.  The tale represents self-pride and looking for the beauty within.  The very creative illustrations in the book are paper collages of many colors that make up the beautiful birds.  There are scissors on the end pages of the book.  The author makes note that one pair belongs to his mom and the other is the pair that made the beautiful collages used in the book.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Coretta Scott King Award for illustration

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “The story line is simple and rhythmic chants of the flock frequently interspersed throughout the text add drama and a rapper’s cadence.”

KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Still the rolling language and appealing illustrations make this a must read.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*The paper bird collages on the pages of this book could be created along with a black marker or black paint to act as the blackening brew to decorate the birds.  Readers of this book would enjoy acting as Blackbird and decorating the other birds.

*Other African folktales include:

Aardema, Verna. WHY MOSQUITOS BUZZ IN PEOPLE’S EARS. ISBN 014054905

McDermott, Gerald. ANANSI THE SPIDER:  A TALE FROM THE ASHANTI . ISBN 0805003118