Genre 2- Traditional Literature Book 3

Traditional Literature Book Review

Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats

A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes

By: Nina Simonds, Leslie Swartz, & The Boston Children's Museum

Illustrated By: Meilo So

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simonds, Nina and Leslie Swartz. 2002. MOONBEAMS, DUMPLINGS & DRAGON BOATS: A TREASURY OF CHINESE HOLIDAY TALES, ACTIVITIES & RECIPES. Ill. By Meilo So. San Diego: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN: 0152019839

PLOT SUMMARY
Nina Simonds, Leslie Swartz, and with the help of The Children’s Musuem of Boston introduce readers to five Chinese festivals. The festivals of the Chinese New Year examined are: The Chinese New Year, The Lantern Festival, Qing Ming and the Cold Foods Festival, The Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Once introduced to each festival, the authors share Chinese folktales, crafts, recipes, games and other engaging activities for the reader to better connect to the highlighted culture.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This culturally authentic account of Chinese celebrations is supported from traditional tales like “The Story of the Kitchen God”. Where Simonds and Swartz tell of the careful watch the Kitchen God has over each family’s New Year’s Destiny. To insure that the Kitchen God only has good things to report families “they slather his lips with honey”. The valuable resource goes on to provide mouth watering recipes such as “Sweet Rice Balls” or keeping little hands busy by making “Paper Lanterns” to carry in the New Year parade. This book goes beyond the traditional literature by introducing children to their Chinese neighbors. This book also acts as cultural resource guide providing a variety of resources and Chinese pronunciation guide for readers.

Meilo So’s vivid water colorings of dragons, kites and firecrackers bring to life the celebrations of the Chinese cultural. The illustrator introduces each new festival with a two page spread of bright, inviting pictures. The bridging of two cultures is seen with each festival’s titles, written both in English typeface and beautiful Chinese Calligraphy by So Hing Bun. The illustrator carries sporadic, whimsical illustrations throughout the book. Some illustrations act as instructional guides for example, showing readers how to make a “shuttlecock” while the rest acting as tour guide through the Chinese cultural celebrations.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
-Starred Review KirKus- No library should be without this well-designed, beautiful, and informative resource.

-Starred Review School Library Journal- Most books for young readers about Chinese holidays stress Chinese New Year; only two others feature the full range of annual festivals.

CONNECTIONS

This book is can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom to reinforce the information learned about the Chinese culture.

Letting the class participate in crafts and recipes will reach more learners. If time constraints apply consider limiting the activities to one craft and one recipe.

The children could contribute to a class cookbook sharing a family recipe from their own culture.

Other Books:

-Stepanchuk, Carol. Red Eggs and Dragon Boats. ISBN 9781881896081
-Louie, Ai-Ling. Yeh-Shen : A Cinderella Story from China. ISBN 9780399215940

Genre 2-Traditional Literature Book 2

Traditional Literature Book Review

Strega Nona: A Old Tale Retold

By: Tomie de Paola

BIBLIOGRAPHY
De Paola, Tomie. 1975. STREGA NONA : A Old Tale Retold. By Tomie de Paola. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN 0671666061

PLOT SUMMARY
Strega Nona lived in the Italian town of Calabria. She was known to the villagers for her cures and some whispered of her magic. Villagers would say that "She made special potions for girls who wanted husbands." As she grew old, she hired an assistant by the name of Big Anthony to help with chores in exchange for a place to sleep, some coins and food. One evening while Big Anthony was milking the goat he overheard Strega Nona singing. "Bubble , bubble, pasta pot." With amazement he watched as Strega Nona continued her special song that made her magic pot boil with plentiful pasta. Unfortunately he missed the final part of the spell, the three kisses. The next day, before Strega Nona ventured away she reminded him not to touch her pot, "And remember don't touch the pasta pot"

As he waved good bye, Big Anthony seized his opportunity to try out the spell with the magic pot. To his amazement, the pot produced pasta for him. He ran to the village to share of his good news and told the town to "Get forks and plates and platters and bowls". Big Anthony was viewed as a hero, but not for long. As he was busy taking in the many compliments the magic pasta pot kept making pasta. The pasta was pouring from over the bowl, out of Strega Nona's house on to the town's streets. He tried to make the magic pasta pot stop by yelling "Stop" and repeating the magic spell. All the while- still unaware of the three magic kisses. Big Anthony was the cause of not a problem, but a great, big problem. Villagers shouted for Big Anthony to "Do Something!"

It wasn't until Strega Nona made her way down from the hills that she could see in a instant what the problem was..she blew her magical three kisses and the pasta stopped. The village people cried "Oh , grazie- thank you, thank you, Strega Nona!" The villagers then turned on Big Anthony "String him up" , but the grandma witch saved Big Anthony. Strega Nona had the perfect punishment that would fit the crime .....to eat all the pasta.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Tomie de Paola searched his Italian heritage to bring a refashioned folktale to life. As he struggled to think about folktales he doodled his first picture of Strega Nona, although he did not know what her story would be. Time passed and he fondly remembered his favorite folk tale as a child “The Poridge Pot” and thinking of his doodled Strega Nona-this is where the marriage occurred for a refashioned folktale. Strega Nona took life complete with a Grandma Witch (meaning of Strega Nona) , a greedy helper (Big Anthony) and some catchy repetitive phrases like "Bubble , Bubble pasta pot, Boil me some pasta , nice and hot," all children will be chanting their own magic spells complete with the Italian charm of three big kisses. His simple tale is captured through the gentle water color illustrations of the Italian town of Calabria. The Caledott winning illustrator de Paola moves the story along with windowing his pictures through out the book. Tommie de Paola’s side profiles of the town’s people and animals , along with simple facial changes represent a soft, caring way of storytelling throughout his book.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Caldecott Honor- 1976

Starred Review Publisher’s Weekly- DePaola executes a clever concept with his trademark charm and humor.

CONNECTIONS
Tomie de Paola has been writing and illustrating books for over 40 years. He would be a great author/illustrator to do an author study on. He has a wonderful video of him titled :”Tomie Live in Concert” where he talks about his childhood, shares his passion drawing and reads aloud books”

His author website is : http://www.tomie.com/main.html

Other Books:
de Paola, Tomie. The Clown of God: an old story. ISBN 9780152191757
de Paola, Tomie. The :Legend of Old Befana: an Italian Christmas Story. ISBN 9780152438166

Genre 2-Traditional Literature Book 1

Traditional Literature Book Review

BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE

A Fractured Texas Tale

By:Helen Ketteman and Illustrated by: James Warhola

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ketteman, Helen. 1997. BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE: A FRACTURED TEXAS TALE. Ill. by James Warhola. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590255061


PLOT SUMMARY
In this lone star parody of Cinderella, the backdrop is set in the dusty land of Texas cattle ranches. This tale has creatively switched the main role to be portrayed by a hard working cowhand, named Bubba. Bubba lives on a ranch with his “wicked stepdaddy” and his “hateful and lazy” stepbrothers. Little does Bubba know, that a neighbor lady named Ms. Lurleen has decided to throw a ball in search for fella to share her love of ranching. Even though poor Bubba can’t go to the ball, he has spent all day helping his step family get ready. But never fear a "Fairy God Cow" is near. With the help from the Fairy God Cow, Bubba gets a chance to dance with Ms. Lurleen. But in typical Cinderella fashion, he changes back to his normal self on the stroke of midnight. He left only a dirty cowboy boot behind. "This boot is the boot of a real cowboy and the man I want to marry. An I aim to find him." Ms. Lureen sets out on a quest to find the mystery cowhand that fits the lone boot. Soon a glorious reunion takes place where Bubba and Lurleen ride off in a beautiful Texas sunset.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Ketteman’s writing is carried off with a true Texas flare. The readers are reacquainted with a familiar version of Cinderella that was created with her own unique, regional twist. Her writing exhibits an authentic southern dialect using clever dictations like, “bonked the bejeebers out of his bean” or using idioms such as ; “Getting darker than a black bull at midnight” or “Your’re as cute as a cow’s ear”. This crafted story will have the readers laughing out loud while cheering on the courtship of this two-stepping, Texas twosome.


James Warhola’s oil paintings introduces the reader to the cultural heritage of Texans with his larger than life images. He depicts this with illustrations of large stetson hats, big hair and the blue skies of the plains. He uses Texas critters to populate his pages and even hiding the magical “Fairy God Cow” on each page. The facial expressions of his characters tell a story in itself. His humor shines through, as he shows the character’s dogs dancing. His illustrations will keep readers coming back, excited about turning each page to see what they discover next.


REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred Review Publisher’s Weekly- Rustler lingo and illustrations chockablock with Texas kitsch make this ranch-spun Cinder-fella a knee-slappin' tale.


Horn Book Review- The western-style trimmings of the text and accompanying oil paintings are humorous but not enough to justify retelling a story that's as overworked as poor Bubba.


CONNECTIONS
This book is can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom:

-You can have the children create a wedding invitation to the marriage of Bubba and Lurleen using southern expressions and creative design shapes.

-This book has idioms carried through out and provides for a great mini-lesson about what idioms are and having the students share ones that they are familiar with.


Other Books:
Ketteman, Helen. Waynetta and the cornstalk: a Texas fairy tale. ISBN 0807586870

Johnston, Tony. Bigfoot Cinderrrrrella. ISBN 9780399230219

MOSES: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Picture Book Review

MOSES: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

By: Carole Boston Weathorford Illustrated By: Kadir Nelson

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Weatherford, Carole Boston. 2006. MOSES. Ill. by Kadir Nelson. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786851759

PLOT SUMMARY
In this breathtaking picture book, Carole Weathorford takes the reader through a fictionalized account of Harriet Tubman’s spiritual escape from slavery to the north. Through Tubman’s strong faith she returns more than nineteen times to the dangerous south to help over three hundred slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Weathorford’s writing is magical in itself. She carries off dialogue from three different perspectives in this story; A third-person narrator that tells of Harriet’s life and moves the story along, while showing Harriet’s inner voice and prayers to God and God’s responses reaching directly to Harriet’s soul. This is empowering dialogue is distinguished by using different font styles.

Kadir Nelson’s illustrations equally balance the importance of Harriet Tubman’s story. The oil and water color paintings depict the beauty of America’s land but stresses the hardships of the long road to freedom. His choice in color, shadows, light or absence of light sets the mood perfectly for this spiritual story.

With the author’s foreword and author’s note give readers more information about the practice of slavery in the United States and one woman’s great courage to help others to freedom.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Caldecott Medal Honor/Award 2007
Coretta Scott King Award/Honor 2007

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The words and pictures create a potent sense of the harsh life of slavery, the fearsome escape, and one woman's unwavering belief in God.”–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Starred review in Horn Book: “Weatherford’s poetic telling of Harriet Tubman's role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad combines with Nelson's larger-than-life illustrations to portray the spiritual life of the African American visionary”

CONNECTIONS
This book is can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. It not only gives a great account of the characteristics of great leaders, but the historical account of slavery in America.

Children can write a story from the perspective that they are a runaway slave escaping with Harriet.

Research the Underground Railroad and think of how they could communicate in secret to other slaves.

Other Books:
Ferris, Jerri. Go free or die : a story about Harriet Tubman. ISBN 0876145047
Brill, Marlene Targ. Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad. ISBN 0876147767

Knuffle Bunny

Picture Book Review

Knuffle Bunny

By: Mo Willems

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE. Ill. By Mo Willems. New York, NY: Hyperion Books For Children. ISBN 078681870

PLOT SUMMARY
A small toddler’s simple day trip to the Laundromat with her daddy soon “turns her world upside” when her favorite stuffed bunny is lost. The reader is taken on journey to find Knuffle Bunny and ultimately be rewarded with little Trixies’s first words.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
All readers can connect with this future timeless classic. Adults can walk down memory lane with eye catching black and white photos, all the while capturing the attention of children with comic like drawings (superimposed with computer assistance). Little Trixie’s facial expressions alone tell the story of the tragedy of a lost object with humor. Simple, selective word choices add extra comical flare to this story. While frustrating problems leave some adults speechless, this problem brings about a developmental milestone for little toddler Trixie- she says her first words.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Publishers Weekly- The accompanying pictures comically corroborate the omniscient narrator's claim. Willems once again demonstrates his keen insight with a story both witty and wise.

School Library Journal- “A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text” Martha Topol

CONNECTIONS
Anyone who has had a favorite toy as a child will connect with this book or has lost an important object.

Other books by this author include:

- Don't let the pigeon drive the bus! ISBN 078681988
- Knuffle Bunny too: a case of mistaken identity ISBN 1423102991

Talking with Artists: Volume Two

Picture Book Review
Talking with Artists:Volume 2
By: Pat Cummings

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cummings, Pat. 1995. TALKING WITH ARTISTS. Vol.2. by Pat Cummings. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 0689803109

PLOT SUMMARY

In Talking with Artists (Volume Two), Pat Cummings introduces the readers to thirteen different picture book illustrators. Conversations with spotlighted artists include: Thomas B. Allen, Mary Jane Begin, Floyd Cooper, Julie Downing, Denise Fleming, Shelia Hamanaka, Kevin Henkes, William Joyce, Maira Kalman, Deborah Nourse Lattimore, Brian Pinkney, Vera B. Williams, and David Wisniewski. In these informal interviews the reader will learn there are many approaches to art and each artist’s own unique style.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Author and Illustrator Pat Cummings based the idea of her book on questions from children about artists. The informal nature of this book allows kids to feel closer to each featured artist in a question and answer setting. In volume two, she continues to share her conversations by asking questions of these artists like: Where do you get ideas from? What is a normal day like for you? Where do you work? Do you have any children? Any Pets? What do you enjoy drawing the most? Do you every put people you know in your pictures? What do you use to make your pictures? How did you get to do you first book? She draws the reader in by highlighting a short “My Story” section complete with pictures of drawings from when they were a child, illustrations from published books, now/then photos and snapshots of their art studios.

The focus of this second volume allows children to see that trying new things still happens as a professional artist. This is what makes their work fun. She lets the reader have an inside look at different techniques that each artist uses. By having an up-close and personal look at these artists will truly inspire future illustrators to challenge themselves with different techniques.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
-Starred Review-Boston Globe- Horn Book Honor Award for Non-Fiction


-Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Young artists will learn a lot…Well designed and well conceived"


-Starred review in BOOKLIST: "A delight for aspiring artists."





CONNECTIONS

Children that love to draw and that have aspirations of someday being an artist will love this book. For kids that can’t get enough can further investigate Pat Cummings volumes I or II. It would be interesting for a child to go on an “Art Hunt” examining the work of the illustrators they have been introduced to.



Other books in the series “Talking with Artists”
- TALKING WITH ARTIST, VOLUME 3: ISBN 0027242455
-TALKING WITH ARTIST, VOLUME 3: ISBN 0395891329