Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky

Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky

*Review created for Texas Woman’s University graduate level class*

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zelinsky, Paul O. 1997. RAPUNZEL. New York, New York. Dutton Children’s Books. ISBN 0-525-45607-4

2.       SUMMARY

After a couple finally conceives, the wife is consumed with cravings for rapunzel, a leafy herb in her neighbor’s garden.  The neighbor, a sorceress, finds the husband stealing the rapunzel and demands the couples’ child in payment.  Afraid for the safety of his wife, the husband agrees to the witch’s demands.  The sorceress takes the child, and raises her, calling her Rapunzel.  Eventually Rapunzel is locked in a tower, deep in the woods, where a young prince hears her singing.  The prince learns how the witch gets into the tower and the two meet, fall in love, and marry.  The witch eventually learns of the deception and casts the pregnant Rapunzel to live in the wilderness.  The witch then tricks and blinds the handsome prince.  The prince and Rapunzel are reunited and her tears of joy heal the princes’ eyes.  They make their way to his kingdom where their family lives happily ever after. 

3.       CRITICAL ANALSIS

The author brings to life the beloved fairy tale Rapunzel.  Rapunzel and the handsome prince are the innocent and unfortunate victims of the evil sorceress.  The characters are typical of fairy tales, with the protagonists described as beautiful, innocent, and void of wrongdoing.  The sorceress is seen as evil and a trickster, such as when she cuts Rapunzel’s hair and fastens it to the window hook.  When the young prince calls to his wife, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!” the prince is shocked to see the sorceress.  The plot moves along quickly, and is filled with enough action to catch any child’s attention. 

The settings vary in the story; we first see a villa overlooking a beautiful garden; other settings include a tower, a vast wilderness, as well as the prince’s kingdom.  The different settings help readers to understand the plight of the characters.  The beautifully done illustrations help present the different settings, as well as the passing of time.  The author describes how the sorceress cared for the baby Rapunzel, how she grew into a beautiful child, and describes how she sent her away to the tower when she turned twelve, all within three sentences.  The illustrations help move the story along, and provide an added dimension to the story, such as the hardship Rapunzel and the prince face in the wilderness, or the shock Rapunzel experiences when she meets the prince for the first time.  The author describes the dilemma Rapunzel faces and, the when the couple is reunited.  Good triumphing over evil, after a long period of struggle is sure to please any reader.  The illustrations help provide clues to the culture in which the story is set; the villas, and architecture is reminiscent of Italy.    The author also includes a note describing the different tales of Rapunzel; “Persinette” a German version, as well as “Petrosinella” a French version of the tale.  Each tale has different settings and variations in the plot.  Children and adults will enjoy the beautifully rendered illustrations and the rich text.  After all, “they lived a long life, happy and content.” 

4.       REVIEWS

Winner of the Caldecott Medal.
"grandly evocative, composed and executed with superb technical and emotional command." Kirkus Reviews

5.       CONNECTIONS

Read Rumplestiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky and other books written or illustrated by him.

Read the Grimm’s version of Rapunzel and explore the similarities and differences. 

Watch the Disney version of Rapunzel, Tangled, and discuss. 

Works Cited

Kirkus Reviews. "Rapunzel." Accessed June 23, 2012. http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/paul-o-zelinsky/rapunzel-4/#review.

The Three Pigs by David Weisner

The Three Pigs by David Weisner

*Review created for Texas Woman’s University graduate level class*

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Weisner, David. 2001. THE THREE PIGS. New York, New York. Clarion Books. ISBN 0-618-00701-6
 
2.SUMMARY
The typical three pigs’ story takes a bit of a detour when the first little piggy gets huffed and puffed right out of the story. After the pigs are blown out of the story they take a walk on the wild side, right into “Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle…” as well as rescuing a dragon from a fierce prince. What happens after you may ask, but you will have to read to find out.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS
David Weisner creates a fresh, new, innovative look for the pigs in The Three Pigs. This type of folktale, also known as a Beast Tale, is centered on three little pigs and a big, bad wolf. While the original tale centers on the wise pig that made his home of bricks, this story features a new escape route. The big, bad wolf, “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in!” ends up blowing the pigs right out of the story, and into another. The pigs go on one interesting adventure and befriend a cat, and even a dragon. The pigs do go back to take care of the wolf, along with a surprise.
The setting of this story is rather vague, we don’t really know when or where this story takes place, other than “once upon a time”. The story ends with the wise pigs triumphing over the big, bad wolf, and all ends happily. The Illustrations are essential to the story, and provide an entirely new dimension. Without the illustrations, such as the pigs creating an airplane and flying through several pages of white space; the story and text would be completely lost. The illustrations are needed to move the story along because Weisner has the text being dropped, scrambled, or just disappearing. The culture from where the parent story originated from is not present. There is little to no detail about where the story originated from. All in all, while this version of The Three Pigs was not my favorite, children should enjoy the new spin on an old tale.

4.REVIEWS
“With this inventive retelling…” Kirkus Reviews
2002 Caldecott Medal Winner

5.CONNECTIONS
Children could read other stories written or illustrated by David Weisner. After reading the story, children might like to come up with their own version to the Three Pigs, or their other favorite traditional tale. Children create puppets and reenact the story for different classes. The class could take a trip to your local zoo after reading other beast tales.

Works Cited

Kikrus Reviews. "The Three Pigs." Accessed June 22, 2012. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/david-wiesner/the-three-pigs/#review. Weisner, David. "The Three Pigs." Houghton Mifflin Company. Accessed June 22, 2012. http://www.hmhbooks.com/wiesner/threepigs.html.

Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora, Ill. by Raul Colon

Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora

*Review created for Texas Woman’s University graduate level class.*

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mora, Pat. 1997. TOMAS AND THE LIBRARY LADY. Ill by Raul Colon. New York, New York. Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0-679-90401-8

SUMMARY

Tomas is a young migrant workers’ son, and after hearing his Papa Grande tell a story he decides to visit the local library.  Tomas is initially awed and nervous about entering the huge library with more books than he had ever seen.  A librarian sees Tomas and invites him inside for a glass of water and brings some books about dinosaurs and tigers to him.  Tomas is hooked!  Tomas shares his love of reading with the rest of his family, and even teaches the librarian some Spanish. But eventually, Tomas and his family must go back to Texas, and leave the library behind.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Pat Mora does a delightful job of mixing Spanish and English into one picture book.  The book is set in a basic modern time period, and details the first library experience of a young migrant workers son.  Tomas is a bright and intelligent young boy who appreciates an experience many of us have taken for granted.  Her words create a vivid landscape for readers.  A true joy to read!

Raul Colon creates a masterful blending of colors and textures with his illustrations.  They help depict the story, as well as progresses the story beyond the realm of imagination.  The browns and tan colors he uses help give the reader an impression of a hot, dry, and thirsty summer!  Truly beautiful.

REVIEWS

“A gentle text and innovative artwork depict a pivotal summer in a boy”… Publishers Weekly

“This powerful story is based on the boyhood of Tomas Rivera”…Smithsonian

CONNECTIONS

Read other stories by Pat Mora and examine her use of English and Spanish in the novel.

Have the children describe their first library experiences.

Read other novels which feature librarians such as The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy and Illustrated by Michael P. , or The Library Lion written by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.

Works Cited

Pat Mora. "Highlighted Reviews." Accessed June 12, 2012. http://www.patmora.com/book_pages/tomas.htm. 

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats


*Created for Texas Woman's University graduate level class*

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Keats, Jack Ezra. 1962. THE SNOWY DAY. New York, New York. The Viking Press. ISBN 0-670-65400-0

2.       SUMMARY

The picture book describes the adventures of a young boy, Peter, when he wakes up in the morning to see the first snow day of the season.  The author describes how Peter puts on his snow suit after breakfast and walks outside where he proceeds to makes tracks in the snow, snowmen and angels, climb a snow hill, make snowballs, tell his mom about his adventures, and dream about the snow melting.

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The author’s main character, Peter, is a likeable little boy, excited about the first snow day of the year.  The enthusiasm for the snow day reminds adults of our own youth when we played in the snow.  The writing is simple and direct, and the setting could be set in any time period, even though the story was written in the 1960’s.  The book reminds readers of the joy and enthusiasm for simple things such as snow days and snow angels.

The illustration uses both bright colors and neutral colors to tell Peter’s story.  The illustrations help to move the story along, as well as to bring the story to life.  The book was awarded the Caldecott Medal, which we can see was well deserved. Ezra Jack Keats created Peter, the first African-American protagonist to be featured on a color picture book; this was extremely controversial in the 1960’s; and was done during the height of the Civil Rights movement.  There are some stereotypical aspects of the novel, for instance, the mother is portrayed as heavier, almost as a “Mammy” figure. 

4.       REVIEWS

Caldecott Medal Winner

New York Public Library’s 150 most influential books of the 20^th century

5.       CONNECTIONS

Have children act out different parts of the story, such as dragging their feet through the snow

Have children create their own idea of what their perfect snow day would be

Read other stories by Ezra Jack Keats

Works Cited

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. "Awards and Honors." Accessed June 12, 2012. http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/introduction/a-biography/awards-honors/.

The Frog Princess, A Tlingit Legend from Alaska by Eric A. Kimmel, Ill. by Rosanne Litzinger

The Frog Princess by Eric A. Kimmel


 * Review created for Texas Woman's University graduate level class*

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kimmel A., Eric. 2006. THE FROG PRINCESS: A TLINGIT LEGEND FROM ALASKA. Ill by Rosanne Litzinger. New York, New York. Holiday House. ISBN 0-8234-1618-6

2.       SUMMARY

The picture book features the daughter of the headman. Men come from other villages to bring gifts to the beautiful woman and her father in hopes to persuade her to marry them.  She refuses all of them and tells one suitor that she would rather marry a frog than him.  One evening a suitor comes with bulging eyes and long fingers and asks her if she meant what she said.  She follows him to the land of the frogs where a wedding feast has been prepared.  Eventually her parents discover where she is and bring her back from the land of the frogs where she was happy with her husband and children.  She eventually runs away to live with the frog people again. 

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The chief’s daughter seems to be selfish and unhappy in the beginning.  This is seen when she states that "I would sooner marry a frog from our lake!" to turn down one of her suitors.  The Frog people hear this and sends one of their own.  She follows him to the bottom of the lake, and through marriage and her children, she finds happiness. 
The author of this picture book portrays the Tlingit legend and the culture in a respectful manner.  In addition, he also creates an unlikable main character whom we come to see in a new light. 

The illustrator’s different colors such as red, a color of power for the chief.  The illustrator gives the Frog Princess robes of yellow, an unusual color in the Tlingit culture.  While the illustrations help to visualize the text, it does not provide any additional details to the story.

4.       REVIEWS

“The story is gracefully told…” Kirkus Reviews

“Bright swaths of watercolors illuminate the landscapes and backgrounds…” Library Journal

5.       CONNECTIONS

Look at other Tlingit legends and discuss

Read other picture books by Eric A. Kimmel

Create dioramas after reading the picture book and let the children share their dioramas and thoughts

Works Cited

Kirkus Reviews. "The Frog Princess." Accessed June 12, 2012. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/eric-a-kimmel/the-frog-princess-5/.

Library Journal. "Preschool to Grade 4." Accessed June 12, 2012. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6340933.html.

Dave the Potter, Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill, Ill by Brayn Collier

Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill

*Review created for Texas Woman's University graduate level class*

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Carrick Hill, Laban. 2010. DAVE THE POTTER, ARTIST, POET, SLAVE. Ill by Bryan Collier.  New York, New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 978-0-316-10731-0

2.       SUMMARY

In this picture book, Hill features Dave, a potter from the 1800’s.  The picture book describes the way in which Dave makes his pots.  What makes Dave the potter special is the fact that Dave is also a slave in the South, and a poet, in addition to being an artist.

3.       CRITICAL  ANAYLSIS

This picture book blends vivid imagery with superb illustrations.  The author uses imagery and some metaphors and alliteration to great effect.  The details describing dirt and clay is vibrant and helps the reader understand the feeling of the clay in Dave’s hands.  Dave is an artist and poet, and his sense of self and his courage is portrayed through his work.  Writing small inscriptions and poems on the sides of his pots, we can better understand the courage it took for a slave to rebel against the bonds of slavery.  The watercolors provide a stunning and rich view that brings the text to life, and adds another dimension of meaning to the story. 

The book takes place in the South before the Civil War, when slavery was permitted.  Dave’s story transcends time and helps teach us that the human spirit cannot be subdued, even through the bonds of slavery.

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

“This restrained and respectful treatment of the historical fact admirable…” New York Times.

“An accomplished, visually stunning homage to an important African-American artist…” Kirkus Reviews.

2011 Caldecott Honor

5.       CONNECTIONS

Bring play dough or molding clay and allow children to play with the clay after reading the story together.

Other books about inspiring African American slaves

Look at other books written by Laban Carrick Hill and examine how the author uses imagery to portray the story to the readers.

Look at other books illustrated by Bryan Collier and examine how he uses color, and symbolism in his other work.

Works Cited

"Dave the Potter." Accessed June 11, 2012. http://www.labanhill.com/dave_the_potter_53284.htm.

Horwitz, Tony. "A Life Preserved in Clay." New York Times, November 5, 2010. Accessed June 11, 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/books/review/Horwitz-t.html.

Kirkus Reviews. "Dave the Potter:Artist, Poet, Slave." Accessed June 11, 2012. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/laban-carrick-hill/dave-potter/#review.