* 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 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.
What point is the author trying to make about adapting to change?
ReplyDeleteTruthfully, it has been over a year since I wrote this, and read the book. I recommend reading it yourself to fully understand the author is trying to make.
ReplyDelete