Traditional Literature- "Schoolyard Rhymes"

Bibliography

Judy Sierra, Schoolyard Rhymes. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. ISBN: 978-0375825163

Plot Summary

Judy Sierra selected many children’s favorite rhymes that they sing and recite on the playground.  As the reader goes through the colorful pages, she  will be delighted to remember these rhymes and learn new ones.   Some of these include: “Nobody likes me, everybody hates me”,  “Shimmy, shimmy, coca pop” and  “Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack”.   The reader will find herself singing along as the melody pops in her head. 

Critical Analysis

While many of the phrases and rhymes may not make sense, the reader will giggle at its silliness.  The illustrations completely fill the pages and are the perfect backdrop for these rhymes and poems.  Even as the animals jump rope, the rope consists of words from the rhyme. 

Review Excerpts

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This is a definite winner, as it will be enormously popular with children."

BOOKLIST: “A great choice for back-to-school displays.”

Connections

Students, after reading “Schoolyard Rhymes,” can write their own rhymes.  Students can then perform their rhymes by singing it or even jumping rope to them.  The rhymes also can be compared to poetry.

Other books include:

“Anna Banana: 101 Jump Rope Rhymes” by Joanna Cole

“Miss Mary Mack and Other Children’s Street Rhymes by Stephanie Calmenson and Joanna Cole

Traditional Literature Reviews- "All Our Relatives: Traditional Native American Thoughts about Nature"

Bibliography

Goble, Paul. All Our Relatives: Traditional Native 
     American Thoughts about Nature. Bloomington:
     World Wisdom, Inc., 2005. ISBN: 978-094153277.

Plot Summary

“All Our Relatives” discusses different folklore and legends of Native Americans regarding nature.  Goble shares different stories, songs, and phrases, each relating to an animal or part of nature and how the Native Americans have learned and benefitted from each.  He shares a legend of how the crow becomes black, how a woodpecker saved a man from a bear, and how magpies saved the humans from being eaten by buffalo.  Throughout the stories and legends are morals that demonstrate the need to respect and learn from the animals and nature in general.

Critical Analysis

Throughout “All Our Relatives” the reader is shown the beauty and the knowledge that nature provides us.  Goble explores the belief that Native Americans had that people and nature need to live a balanced, respectful relationship.  Excerpts of Native American stories and tidbits of knowledge support each story.  The illustrations, also by Goble, are basic and somewhat reminiscent of cave drawings.  They hold true to the nature of Native Americans and help bring the stories to life.  Goble’s illustrations give the reader a glimpse into the mind of Native Americans.

Review Excerpts

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURANL: “Black Elk, Standing Bear, Brave Buffalo, and others observe the importance of various animals and the sacred qualities of all living things.”

KIRKUS REVIEW: “The stories and the wisdom are strong, and occasionally enchanting.”

Connections

Have the students write and share their thoughts regarding nature.  After the students examine their beliefs, ask them if they think their beliefs align with the Native Americans.

“Sneve's Enduring Wisdom” by Virginia Driving Hawk

“North American Myths & Legens” by Phillip Ardagh

“Native American Mythology A-Z” by Patricia Ann Lynch

Traditional Literature Reviews- "Bubba The Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale"

Bibliography

Ketteman, Helen. Bubba The Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale. New York: Scholastic Press, 1997. ISBN 0-590-25506-1.

Plot Summary

“Bubba The Cowboy Prince” is a variation of the popular folktale “Cinderella”.  Bubba lives on a ranch with his wicked stepdaddy and two lazy stepbrothers, Dwayne and Milton.  He does all the work on the ranch while everyone else looks on giving him orders.  Miz Lurleen is a rich rancher and decides it is time to get married.  She throws a ball and invites all the cowboys around.  Bubba is forced to do so many chores to help Dwayne and Milton get ready for the ball that when it is time to leave, he is a mess.  Forced to stay behind, Bubba gets on his horse to check on the cows when he runs into his fairy godcow.  She transforms him into a handsome, clean cowboy and off he goes to the ball.  Miz Lurleen immediately takes to Bubba, only to have him run off (leaving a boot of course) after turning back into his stinky self at midnight.  She sets out on a quest to find him and of course is successful and offers to marry Bubba to his stepfamily’s chagrin.

Critical Analysis

“Bubba The Cowboy Prince” is a close variation to “Cinderella” from a Texan culture viewpoint.  This becomes obvious after reading the first page.  Bubba even has an animal helper, his dog.  Phrases like “git them doggies”, “downright purty” and “much obliged” are used to further emphasize the Texan influence.  The Texas ranch theme saturates this classic folktale and is further enhanced with the illustrations by James Warhola.  Miz Lurleen has classic big Texan hair and the landscape is full of cactus and brush, straight from a west Texas ranch.  There is even a bench shaped like the Alamo in one scene.  All of these elements add to the light-hearted feel to this “Cinderella tale”. 

Review Excerpts

Starred Review in PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “Ketteman and Warhola's well-matched flair for hyperbole gives both the narrative and illustrations a one-two punch.”

KIRKUS REVIEW: “There are no surprises in this version except in the hilarious way the premise plays itself out and in Warhola's delightful visual surprises.”

Connections

Students could pinpoint all of the Texas stereotypes that are throughout this tale.  They could discuss their own experiences with stereotypes and the pros and cons of them.  Students could read other “Cinderella tales” from other cultures and discuss how they reveal aspects of each culture.  Some of these include:

“The Turkey Girl: a Zuni Cinderella “ by Pollock, P.

“The Egyptian Cinderella” by Climo, S.

“Yen-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China” by Louie, A.

Moonbeams, Dumplings, & Dragon Boats Illustrated by Meilo So

Bibliography

Simonds, Nina, Leslie Swartz and The Children’s Museum, Boston. Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats. San Diego: Harcourt Children’s Books, 2002. ISBN 0152019839

Plot Summary

Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats allows the reader to explore four different festivals of the Chinese culture and the history behind those cultures.  It is full of Chinese characters, recipes, riddles and even arts and crafts projects that go along with each festival.  There is even a materials list that accompanies each craft project.  The information is vast, well researched and fascinating.  The authors include information on Chinese New Year, The Lantern Festival, Qing Ming and the Cold Foods Festival, The Dragon Boat Festival and Med-Autumn Moon Festival.  The beginning of the book includes an explanation of the lunar calendar, which dictates the time of each Chinese festival.  The authors also include a resource list for further information and a Chinese pronunciation guide.

Critical Analysis

Each chapter begins with a gorgeous and colorful display of Chinese artwork by Meilo So.  She continues her illustrations throughout the book, which seem to cover every page.  She even aids the reader by providing illustrations with the recipes to make it easier to understand.

The text is large and easy to read.  The stories are full of colorful details to keep the reader interested.  The arts and crafts projects, recipes and riddles are welcome additions to the festival information and allow the reader to really become involved and better understand the festivals; although, Meilo So steals the show with her gorgeous Chinese illustrations.  Anyone interested in the Chinese culture will find this book helpful.

Review Excerpts

Starred Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Moonbeams is a useful, visually appealing addition to any holiday collection”.
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “Step-by-step illustrations aid in food preparation or crafts such as New Year Prints or Good Luck Characters in this elegantly designed volume”.
BOOKLIST: “Attractively designed, the pages include plenty of white space, creating a fine background for So’s brilliantly colored, stylized paintings”.

Connections

*Begin a discussion on different cultural celebrations from around the world.  Have students share festivals that they have participated in.
*Actually have the students create some of the arts and crafts projects and serve food made from the recipes in the book.
*Try and figure out the Lantern Riddles and have the students create their own riddles.

A Caldecott Celebration by Leonard Marcus

Bibliography

Marcus, Leonard S. A Caldecott Celebration: Seven Artists and Their Path to the Caldecott Medal.  New York: Walker & Company, 2008. ISBN 9780802797032

Plot Summary

A Caldecott Celebration explores the inspirations and events that lead seven illustrators to win the Caldecott Medal.  Each chapter tells the tale of how one artist, not only illustrated, but wrote a children’s picture book.  The reader gets to find out the year each award-winning book was written and illustrated and how the events of that time period helped to shape the story.  For example, Robert McClusky’s Make Way for Ducklings was published in 1942, during World War II.  This gave children an escape from the war as they could read about Mrs. Mallard and her quest to help find her ducklings a safe home.  Mordicai Gerstein wrote The Man Who Walked Between the Towers after September 11th, but was inspired by a brave tightrope act that happened thirty years before that.  Leonard Marcus gives great incite into each artists’ mind and thought process and the struggles they each faced while putting the story and illustrations together.  It is not simply a matter of making a few sketches and adding words.  The artists study numerous objects and subjects as well as put a great deal of time into research in order to develop the characters and the background of each illustration.  Marcus takes the reader on the amazing adventure each artist faced when creating his or her Caldecott Medal winning picture book.

Critical Analysis

The chapters are placed in chronological order and cover each decade, starting with 1942 and ending with 2004.  Each chapter begins with a picture of the artist, , the cover of the award-winning book, publishing date, his or her birth date, the medium used for illustrations and a quote from each artist.  The reader is privy to sketches and sample illustrations that led to the final product.  The text is large and balanced well with illustrations.

While the amount of text may overwhelm young readers, future artists will find it fascinating.  Marcus even puts a glossary in the back of the book to help explain certain words young readers may not understand, which allows their vocabulary to expand. He reveals thoughtful details and interesting inside stories from and about each author.  Marcus discusses the events that surrounded the artists as they grew up and how that led them down the path of winning the Caldecott Medal in a manner that captivates and inspires readers. 



Awards Won and Review Excerpts

A Bank Street College Children’s Book of the Year
An ALA Notable Book
A New York Public Library’s One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing Selection

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “His insights–derived from interviewing each of the artists–allow readers to become sideline participants in the creative processes that resulted in the characters and stories that we have come to love.”

Starred Review in PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “Encouraging readers to see each picture book through the artist's eyes.”

Connections

*Start a discussion on what it takes to illustrate and write a children’s picture book to begin a project allowing the students to write and illustrate their own picture book. 
*Have a copy of each of Caldecott winners that are featured in the book so the students can look over them in more detail. 
*Have other Caldecott Medal winners available for the students to examine.

Picture Books

The Hello, Goodbye Window by Justin Norton and Illustrations by Chris Raschka.

Bibliography

Justor, Norton, The Hello, Goodbye Window. New York: Michael di Capua Books/Hyperion Books for Children, 2005.  ISBN 0-7868-0914-0

Plot Summary

In this brightly colored picture book, Norton Justor writes form the viewpoint of a child who is visiting her grandparents.  He describes the fun and imaginative things this little girl gets to do with her Nanny and Poppy.  In their house they have a “Hello, Goodbye window” that is somewhat magical to this little girl.  She can make funny faces at her grandparents, scare them and even see her reflection as if it is a mirror.  Everything from Dinosaurs to the pizza delivery guy can be seen through this window.  Throughout the story, Justor has the little girl describe her grandparents’ house, including all the dangerous things kids need to be wary of.  For example, she states that she is not to touch anything under the sink.  At the end of the story, the little girl’s parents come to pick her up.  She discusses the happy feelings associated with returning home and the sad ones because she must say goodbye to her Nanny and Poppy.  The story is one that many children can connect with and brings up the warm, happy feelings when visiting grandparents.

Critical Analysis

Justor shares a warm and loving story that most readers can relate too.  Embedded in the story are lessons and feelings related to the happiness of hellos and the sadness that can come with goodbyes.  The writing is simple and in bold print. The story is easy to read and to follow.  Because it is told from the viewpoint of a little girl, many children can identify with this picture book. 

Chris Raschka’s illustrations are full of color and have an elementary feel to them, as if a child could have drawn them.  It is as if the little girl is not only the narrator, but the illustrator as well.  Because there are not too many details in the drawings, it is easy for the reader to picture the details from his or her own life in the book. 

Review Excerpts

The Caldecott Medal: 2006

Starred Review in the SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Her story will resonate with young children who see themselves in the character.”

Starred Review in BOOKLIST: “book that speaks to the real lives of children and their experiences.”

Connections

*Provides a good background to discuss the feelings associated with the joys of saying hello and the sadness with goodbyes.

*Read  Norton Juster’s , Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie., ISBN 9780439929431 in order to demonstrate the little girl’s cooperative and the not so cooperative traits and discuss them with children and identify what is appropriate.   The children can also see if they can point out any of these characteristics in the little girl in The Hello, Goodbye Window.

Welcome!

I will be writing my reviews for my Literature for Children and Young Adults course at Texas Woman's University.  Please feel free to come along on this adventure as I learn to write book reviews for different types and genres of books.