Module 3 Book Reviews: Traditional Tales

Just A Minute - A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales

2004 Pura Belpre Medal Winner for Illustration

Bibliography

Morales, Yuyi. 2003. Just A Minute - A Trickster Tale and Counting Book. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC. ISBN: 0-8118-3758-0.

Plot Summary

A tricky grandmother keeps Senor Calavera busy enough and entertained enough that he decides to spare her life.

Critical Analysis

This version of traditional Mexican folklore is delightful in every way.  Grandma Beetle's clever to-do list keeps the impatient Senor Calavera quite busy mixing ingredients, filling pinatas, and stomping his feet in exasperation.  With a wink and a smile, Grandma Beetle sees her tasks through to the end, and the happy home bursts with excitement when 9 grandchildren pile through the door to celebrate Grandma's birthday.  Grandma Beetle exudes life when she blows out the candles "with  a gust like a hurricane."  Senor Calavera, in an endearing change of heart, vanishes into the night and foregoes the taking of Grandma Beetle's life.  The acrylic and mixed media illustrations poignantly capture Mexican culture, from dramatic, inviting colors to decorative furniture to festive party decorations.  The sparkle in Grandma's eyes even match the sparkle in her bun!  Counting to 10 in English and spanish with Grandma Beetle and Senor Calavera is quite captivating!    

Review Excerpts

KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Lit with dancing lines and warm colors, Morales' illustrations enhance the appeal of this winning story even further."

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Morales whips up a visually striking book, and funny to boot."

Connections 

Another book written and illustrated by Morales: 

Morales, Yuyi. LITTLE NIGHT. ISBN-13: 9781596430884

Module 2 Book Reviews: Picture Books

Rainstorm by Barbara Lehman

Bibliography
Lehman, Barbara. 2007. Rainstorm. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 13: 978-0-618-75639-1.

Plot Summary
On a rainy day, a lonely boy finds a key, unlocks a trunk, travels down a secret path and emerges from a lighthouse to find new playmates for rainy days.

Critical Analysis
A proper little boy in a very big house has only a ball to play with on a rainy day, until he finds a key that unlocks the imagination! The magical path leads him to a beautiful lighthouse, sunny skies, playmates, bare-footed romping, and all sorts of other exciting, youthful pleasures. Later, his newfound friends come to visit him and suddenly the big house isn't quite so dull and the rainy skies no longer matter. This wordless picture book is illustrated with soft, soothing watercolors, gouache, and ink that add warmth to the little boy's otherwise dreadfully boring day. With pages rich in detail and storyline, look for famous works of art, the boy's changing appearance and most especially, look forward to the magic of a rainy day!

Review Excerpts
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Now even nonreaders can have a magic adventure story of their very own; they'll treasure it."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (Carol Schene): "This appealing rainy-day tale will stir the imagination of those who have ever looked for something to do on a gloomy day."

Connections
Caldecott Medal Winning Wordless Picture Books:
Weisner, David. FLOTSAM. ISBN-13: 9780618194575.
Weisner, David. TUESDAY. ISBN-13: 9780395870822.

Module 2 Book Reviews: Picture Books

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont

Bibliography
Beaumont, Karen. 2005. I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! Ill. by David Catrow. Orlando, FL: Harcourt , Inc. ISBN: 0-15-202488-3.

Plot Summary
A child who loves to paint just can't put down his paintbrush. He paints anything in his sight - the walls, ceilings, the tub, his dog, and himself - from head to toe, much to his mother's dismay, of course!

Critical Analysis
A small child gets carried away with the paints! After painting the ceilings and the walls a delightful blend of imagination and color, he tries to stop but just can't help himself! From within the musical rhythm of the word patterns (the tune "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More") a craftily written predictable story emerges - one that will have its readers shrieking with laughter! The ink and paint illustrations are top-notch, plastering the endpages and every page in between with any combination of comical characters, eye-catching color, and lots of squiggly lines and fun designs.

Review Excerpts
KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Here's one that kids will beg for again and again and again."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "With rhymes that invite audience participation and scenes that draw the eye, this is a strong storytime choice."

Connections
Enjoy more of David Catrow's illustrations.
Lovell, Patty. STAND TALL, MOLLY LOU MELON. ISBN 13: 9780399234163.
Beaumont, Karen. I LIKE MYSELF. ISBN 13: 9780152020132.

Module 2 Book Reviews: Picture Books

The Dirty Cowboy by Amy Timberlake

Bibliography
Timberlake, Amy. 2003. The Dirty Cowboy. Ill. by Adam Rex. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN: 0-374-31791-7.

Plot Summary
A dirty cowboy takes a bath in the river while his dog guards his clothes. When the squeaky clean cowboy steps out of the river, the dog doesn't recognize him. A scuffle ensues over the cowboy's clothes and the cowboy ends up just as dirty as he was in the beginning - and his duds are torn to shreds in the process.

Critical Analysis
A freshly-bathed cowboy wrestles his dog and ends up dirty and smelly all over again -destroying his clothes in the process. The author's plot is plausible and audience winning, however, the author's voice is inconsistent and bits of the story are disconnected, leaving gaps in the tale. The strongest asset of this picture book is the illustration work. Framed by deep red endsheets, the warm colored illustrations portray the humorous expressions of the grimy cowboy and his loyal dog. Small details on each page invite the reader to explore the artwork with great fervor. Filled with western slang and naked cowboy humor, elementary students won't pass up this book.

Review Excerpts
KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Inspired by an anecdote passed down in the author's family, this cautionary tale should please all young readers with an aversion to soap and water."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Transcending the cowboy-tale genre, this raucous romp should tickle bath-averse children everywhere."

Connections:
Oops - someone else is so dirty that they aren't recognizable!
Zion, Gene. HARRY THE DIRTY DOG. ISBN: 9780060842444.

Module 1 Book Reviews: An Introduction to Children and Their Literature

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Winner of the 2008 Newbery Medal
Winner of the 2008 Coretta Scott King Author Award

Bibliography
Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. Elijah of Buxton. Ill. by Carlyn Beccia. New York, NY. Scholastic. ISBN-13: 978-0-439-02344-3.

Plot Summary
A young boy is raised in freedom by former slave parents in Buxton, Canada. In search of a man who stole money meant to free more slaves, he crosses over the American border and for the first time in his life encounters the human cost of slavery.

Critical Analysis
An impressionble and somewhat naive 11 year old boy named Elijah spends his days riding a mule named Flapjack, fishing with rocks, working in a stable, and going to school and church. His life of Canadian freedom is far different from the childhood of slavery that his parents knew in the US. Most of the residents of Buxton are former slaves and Elijah often hears talk of the inhumanities they suffered during those years, yet it's difficult for Elijah to appreciate the horrors and hardships his relatives and neighbors have overcome. It isn't until a crooked preacher known for his unusual shenanigans steals money meant to buy freedom for another man's family that Elijah begins his true educational journey. When he finds himself alone in the US in pursuit of the thief, he looks inside himself for the strength to help captured slaves by carrying the smallest one, a tiny infant, back to the freedoms of Buxton. Elijah captures the hearts of readers - through comical childhood pranks, sincerity of thought, and growing pains. But as bravery and a well-grounded sense of right and wrong determine his actions in a very scary situation, Elijah's triumphant rite of passage is the clincher that will keep readers coming back for years to come.

Review Excerpts
KIRKUS REVIEWS: "This is Curtis' best novel yet, and no doubt many readers, young and old, will finish and say, 'This is one of the best books I have ever read.'"
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: "From the author of award winners, The Watsons go to Birmingham 1963 and Bud, not Buddy, comes another novel with heart and meaning wrapped in rollicking humor. "

Connections
Curtis has written several award winners:
Curtis, Christopher Paul. THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM. ISBN-13: 9780440228004.
Curtis, Christopher Paul. BUD, NOT BUDDY. ISBN-13: 9780553494105.

Module 1 Book Reviews: An Introduction to Children and Their Literature

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

1. Bibliography
Potter, Beatrix. 2001. THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT. Ill. by Michael Hague. New York, NY: SeaStar Books. ISBN: 1587170531.

2. Plot Summary
A naughty little bunny named Peter disobeys his mother and sneaks into Mr. McGregor’s garden. Peter bungles his escape, loses his second new jacket and shoes, and ends up sick in bed while his heedful sisters enjoy a delicious dinner.

3. Critical Analysis
Beatrix Potter’s frank delivery of the tale allows for the many actions of Peter’s challenging day to be conveyed quickly and efficiently to a young reader. The no-nonsense style reflects old Mrs. Rabbit’s uncomplicated, straightforward manner in raising a difficult bunny like Peter as well as his obedient sisters. The clear message of this fantasy is that obedient children are rewarded – the sisters enjoy a dinner of bread, milk, and blackberries, while disobedience is punished – Peter becomes sick, loses his clothes, and instead of dinner must endure a dose of chamomile tea. Children love this story because of Peter’s exciting exertion of independence, the thrill of multiple narrow escapes, and a tidy ending – which finds Peter safe at home, in bed asleep, with mother at his side.

4. Review Excerpts
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “…generations have continued to enjoy this lively tale of naughtiness.”

5. Connections
Beatrix Potter wrote 23 Tales and each has reprinted over 100 times.
Some tales with Potter’s own illustrations are:
Potter, Beatrix. THE TALE OF FLOPSY BUNNIES. ISBN-13: 9780723247777.
Potter, Beatrix. THE TALE OF SQUIRREL NUTKIN. ISBN-13: 9780723247715.
Potter, Beatrix. THE TALE OF TOM KITTEN. ISBN-13: 9780723247791.

Module 1 Book Reviews: An Introduction to Children and Their Literature

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen

1. Bibliography
Knudsen, Michelle. 2006. LIBRARY LION. Ill. by Kevin Hawkes. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763622621.

2. Plot summary
A lion finds acceptance in the library as long as he follows the rules. After breaking one rule the lion feels he is no longer allowed to visit the library and everyone is saddened by this - except for one “by the book” library employee. Happiness returns to the library when the lion is welcomed back.

3. Critical Analysis
This story is not only a great lesson in legitimate reasons for breaking the rules, it also lends itself to a discussion for the purpose of a library – to provide enjoyment for ALL – that libraries are public entities and no one can be denied library privileges because of the way they look or because someone doesn’t like them! The rules are not meant to exclude anyone from the library. The acrylic and colored pencil illustrations do much to convey the feelings of the lion and of the librarian, which are only simply described. The pastel colors and the soft edged circular patterns throughout the book serve to intensify the reader’s compassion for the lion and the reader’s awareness of the librarian’s and the children’s feelings of compassion for the helpful lion. This book leaves the reader feeling very warm and fuzzy inside – much like the outside of a lion – and much like the way we should feel after a visit to the library!

4. Review Excerpts
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL 2006: “This winsome pairing of text and illustration is a natural for storytime and a first purchase for every collection.”
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “Their expressive faces and the lion’s regal yet friendly stance will draw in readers who hopefully, like lion, will want to explore the many treasures to be found in the library.”

5. Connections
For another encounter with a lion and his mighty feelings, check out:
Watson, Jane Werner. THE LION’S PAW. ISBN-13: 9780307960085.
Peet, Bill. ELI. ISBN-13: 9780395366110.