Module 2/Genre 2 - Traditional Literature

Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters

Bibliography

McKissack, Pat, and André Carrilho. 2006. Porch lies: tales of slicksters, tricksters, and other wily characters. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books. ISBN 0375836195

Plot Summary

Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters is a collection of folk stories adapted from stories that the author, Patricia C. McKissack, heard on her grandparents’ front porch in Tennessee. She captures the essence of the tales she heard growing up. The stories are early 1900 African American renditions of funny, scary, or clever stories. The cleverest story is one of Aunt Gran and the Outlaws. In this story the genius Aunt Gran figures out how to get Frank and Jesse James to help run the local “klan” out and stop them from practically stealing land from the “black folk”.

Critical Analysis

The author’s note at the beginning of the book is a very interesting addition that sets the scene on the stories she heard as a child and anyone can practically imagine themselves sitting on the warm Nashville porch sipping lemonade with her and her grandparents. McKissack also gives the background on every story so the characters are already defined once the story begins. This helps convey the necessary character background to help the story make sense.

The stories in the book are not well known ones, but everyone can relate to and cheer for the good guy prevailing in the end, the oppressors not prospering, and the fallen given a second chance. The way these tales are spun really allows the reader to feel like they are there on the porch just waiting for the next word to be spoken. Also, the setting of the time is very much communicated through the stories like Aunt Gran and others in her community fighting to keep their land from a greedy racist or Pete Bruce conning his way into four free slices of pie and a bottle of milk during the depression.

McKissack also uses a very real and believable southern dialect. The black and white illustrations are a bit odd, which makes them great on the scarier stories. Some of the quirkier ones are almost disturbing as the artist, Andre Carrilho, uses distorted faces and cartoon animals in very striking pictures.

Overall, this collection of tales is very enjoyable and fun to read. Any class or group of children would be captivated by these tales of the past.

Review Excerpts

BookList: “History is always in the background (runaway slaves, segregation cruelty, white-robed Klansmen), and in surprising twists and turns that are true to trickster tradition, the weak and exploited beat powerful oppressors with the best lies ever told.”
Kirkus Reviews: “…these tales all lend themselves to telling or reading aloud, and carry the common theme that even the worst rascals have saving graces.”
School Library Journal: “These 10 literate stories make for great leisure listening and knowing chuckles.”

Connections

Have students pick one of the stories from this collection and have them tell the story without reading it. Teach them about oral history and stories like this and how this used to be the only way people knew of stories.

With a junior high history class discuss some of the background issues after reading the stories with them. This could be a good start of a discussion about the time between slavery and civil rights.

Share other Patricia C. McKissak books with your children:
The Honest-to-Goodness Truth ISBN 0689853955
Color Me Dark: the Diary of Nellie Lee Love, the Great Migration North ISBN 0590511599
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural (Coretta Scott King Award) ISBN 0780768167

Module 2/Genre 2 - Traditional Literature

Don Quixote and the Windmills

Bibliography

Kimmel, Eric A., Leonard Everett Fisher, and Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. 2004. Don Quixote and the windmills. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN0374318255

Plot Summary

Don Quixote and the Windmills is a cautionary, but amusing tale of someone who loves adventure stories so much that he loses touch with reality. The delusional Don Quixote fights his infamous windmills with a gullible sidekick, Sancho. Quixote loses to his enemies disguised as windmills, or so he thinks, but presses on for more adventure so he can eventually win the love of his sweetheart.

Critical Analysis

This tale is an abrupt take that feels like it is missing the back story, but leaves the ending open for anyone’s imagination. The lesson to be learned is so prominently stated as well as being emphasized on almost every page that exhibits how silly Quixote is. Having working knowledge of this story would help anyone appreciate it more. The section in the very back of the book gives the history of Don Quixote and the original author, Miguel de Cervantes Saaverdra. That section also explains the windmills, the image most people think of when hearing, “Don Quixote.”

The story’s art, by Leonard Everett Fisher, is amazing. Even though the pictures are not overly detailed, great expressions convey so much with the help of the use of contrasting colors. Sancho’s eyes proclaim how frightened he is while hanging onto Quixote who is hanging from a windmill arm. Rocinante’s, his horse, face displays clear displeasure at the end of the book when Quixote continues on for more adventure.

Overall, this is a decent, brief introduction to the story of Don Quixote for young children. They would appreciate most the silly humor Eric Kimmel uses. The handsome illustrations would be appreciated by all, especially the great facial expressions throughout.

Review Excerpts

BookList: “The telling here is staid, leaving the art to express most of the excitement.”

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: “This retelling won't send kids scurrying off to read Cervantes, but those taken with knightly deeds (and not yet ready for the ironic epics of Gerald Morris) may find a taste for this streamlined adventure.”

School Library Journal: “Kimmel's narrative maintains the wry tone of Cervantes's original, ensuring that readers see the "truth" while the Don is deluded. … An ideal appetite whetter for older students, this version also makes an iconic literary figure accessible to younger students.”

Connections

Have a discussion on whether students know anyone who is too enthralled with something like Don Quixote was with adventure (reading Harry Potter books, playing video games, etc.).

Have children take a well known story, like Snow White, and have them pick out the one part that could represent the story as a whole well.

Other Eric Kimmel books:
Anansi and the Talking Melon ISBN 0874993393
I Took My Frog to the Library ISBN 0874994047
Gershon's Monster: A Story For The Jewish New Year ISBN 043910839X
Sword of the Samurai: Adventure Stories from Japan ISBN 0064421317

Other Leonard Everett Fisher books:
William Tell ISBN 0374384363
Galileo ISBN 0027352358
The Seven Days of Creation ISBN 082340398X

Module 2/Genre 2 - Traditional Literature

Bubba the Cowboy Prince: a Fractured Texas Tale

Bibliography

Ketteman, Helen, and James Warhola. 1997. Bubba the cowboy prince: a fractured Texas tale. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590255061

Plot Summary

Bubba the Cowboy Prince is a enchanting Cinderella type story with a Texas twist. Bubba is the unloved step child who does all the work and never gets to enjoy life. When the well-to-do Miz Lurleen throws a ball to find a husband/ranch hand Bubba wants to go too, but his stepbrothers and stepfather just laugh. As a Texas-size storm starts, Bubba’s fairy god-cow came to the rescue. Bubba gets to go to the ball after all.

Critical Analysis

This is a lighthearted fractured fairy tale that takes Cinderella, changes the gender and makes him the stereotypical red-headed step child. This story reads like it is set in some fine ranching town like San Saba, Texas. The dialogue is perfect in its grammatical imperfections and twang. Bubba’s nemeses are typical evil looking step-family, especially the wicked stepdaddy (the stepbrothers are just homely looking, not scary at all). This story is, of course, predictable with a typical Cinderella ending.

The illustrations in this book are so full of detail that more time is spent enjoying the details of the Texas storm and twister, than it takes to read the page. Miz Lurleen’s armadillo and Bubba’s dogs expressions almost steal the show if it weren’t for the fairy god-cow who is also cleverly placed through out the beginning of the story in an almost Where’s Waldo? sort of way.

Anyone would enjoy this southern take on a male Cinderella and his fight for a chance to dance with the heroine of the story. Young readers will enjoy looking for elements of the written story in the illustrations. Older children will like figuring out the story with their previous knowledge of Cinderella and the visual clues given.

Review Excerpts

BookList: “With a male in the starring role, this charming and funny retelling may hold more appeal for young boys than the traditional version may.”
Publishers Weekly: “Rustler lingo and illustrations chockablock with Texas kitsch make this ranch-spun Cinder-fella a knee-slappin' tale.”
Kirkus Reviews: “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

Have young students draw parallels between Bubba the Cowboy Prince and the traditional Cinderella story they know. They can compare and contrast setting, characters, plot, and more.

Other Cinderella type books to use for comparing and contrasting:

Climo, Shirley, and Ruth Heller. 1989. The Egyptian Cinderella. New York: Crowell. ISBN 9780690048223

Climo, Shirley, and Ruth Heller. 1993. The Korean Cinderella. New York, NY: HarperCollinsPublishers. ISBN 9780060204327

Perlman, Janet, and Charles Perrault. 1994. Cinderella Penguin, or, The little glass flipper. Picture puffins. Ringwood, Vic: Puffin. ISBN 9780140553246

Boada, Francesc, Monse Fransoy, and Charles Perrault. 2001. Cinderella = Cenicienta. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 0811830845

Books to help teachers and librarians teach Cinderella:

Hollenbeck, Kathleen M. 2003. Teaching with Cinderella stories from around the world: easy lessons and activities that help kids explore story elements, appreciate different cultures. New York, N.Y.: Scholastic Professional Books. ISBN 0439188431

Module 1/Genre 1 - Picture Books

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands – Book Review

Bibliography

Nelson, Kadir. 2005. He's got the whole world in his hands. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803728506

Plot Summary

This colorful picture book contains the words to the spiritual, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” The pictures tell the story of this family and the world as seen on a personal level and global level.

The book ends with the song with all verses listed and then a word about the song itself and the importance of it.

Critical Analysis

The first thing anyone notices with this picture book is the rich hues of color that each illustration contains. Kadir Nelson uses oil, pencil, and watercolor to create the eye catching artwork. The pictures in the story that look child-drawn are by Nelson, but he used his weak hand to do them.

The illustrations’ bold and rich colors really impact the reader and helps communicate the beautiful world that the Creator’s hands made and hold. The family that is represented shows different races that He holds in his hands also. The pictures make the song lyrics so much richer by showing not just the boy, but his family, his town, his country, and his world. The pictures in this story tell the story of a family that observes and enjoys the world that is in his hands. This would be a perfect book for young children or early elementary aged kids.

Review Excerpt(s)

Booklist: “Nelson envisions the song in a highly personal and involving manner while embodying its strength and spirit.”

School Library Journal: “A moving, artistic celebration of our world and the people who share in its splendors.”

Connections

-Have children draw pictures of what they think is in “his hands” or find another song that the students know well and have them to draw meaningful pictures to go with each line of the lyrics.

-Discuss what is going on in each illustration and listen for creative stories from the students.

-Read other Kadir Nelson books (like Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom or Henry’s Freedom Box) and compare the stories and illustrations.

Module 1/Genre 1 - Picture Books

Talking with Artists – Book Review

Bibliography

Cummings, Pat. 1992. Talking with artists. New York: Bradbury Press. 0027242455

Plot Summary

This book is a compilation of mini autobiographies about fifteen different artists (the books says there are fourteen, but “one” of the fourteen is the couple Leo and Diane Dillon). Each illustrator gives their own background, childhood illustrations or artwork, and current illustrations. Also, they all answer the same eight questions that Cummings encountered in her school visits. Along with each autobiography is a circa 1992 photo of the artist as well as a photo of them as a child. The reader, whether a child or adult, sees a clearer picture of what being an illustrator means to these fifteen people and can really get to know each one.

Critical Analysis

Since each section is written by the featured illustrator every sections has its own feel or personality. The artists do the work for Cummings whose purpose of this book is to reveal to children that if you love art, “don’t be afraid of the “work” in “artwork.”” By sharing how each artist started in art, every budding artist can find at least one of these people to relate to maybe even find their own illustrator-role model.

The eight questions that each artist answers keep the book consistent and exciting. By the time I got to the Lane Smith section, I couldn’t wait to see if his answers were going to be as whacky and interesting as his illustrations (they were). These questions also help the illustrators to show themselves with words for once instead of with only art (although some are authors as well).

This book could also be inspirational to youngsters because it reveals the artists’ early childhood artwork and then current artwork. For a child to see how different or better someone’s art can be as long as they keep trying, could help a child find a career as an illustrator someday.

The book is easy to read and very enjoyable. The short sections make it a simple book to read in spurts as well. Any child who enjoys drawing or art in general could easily love this book. Everyone else can enjoy the humor presented by some artists and the early encouragement other artists received.

As a side note, this collection of autobiographies was collected in 1992. I think that computers and the internet has changed many things, including art, but I think this book’s mission still holds true, even though I think artists today would be telling a slightly different story about how they work.

Reviewed Excerpts

The Horn Book: “No effort has been spared to make this a substantial, but not formidable, reference: even the childhood artworks are accorded the same respect given those produced as adults, with information appended about the medium used, size of the original, and title."”

School Library Journal: “Young artists will learn a lot; teachers and other children will also love it."

Connections

-Have art students start a time capsule of their artwork. This will help them value their own art and art in general.

-Compare and contrast how each illustrator started and how they each landed their first book illustration opportunity.

-Have students write a story as a class and have another class illustrate it. Discuss how the pictures are different from what they class had in mind.

-Continue with the other volumes of Talking with Artists.

Module 1/Genre 1 - Picture Books

So You Want to Be President? – Book Review

Bibliography

St. George, Judith. 2000. So You Want to Be President? Ill. by David Small. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 0399234071

Plot Summary

In this informative and light-hearted picture book, different facts about Presidents of the United States are presented in humorous ways. Information from physical characteristics to behavior to their background is revealed in ways that show that anyone can become president. Anecdotes are used throughout to help the readers feel a connection with our past presidents. So many different facts are presented that everyone has to feel some sort of connection with at least one president.

Critical Analysis

So many facts are presented in this book that make all the presidents seem real and personable. The author, St. George, also draws commonalities between presidents that served decades or centuries apart. St. George also uses quotes to show humor and the pros and cons of being president of our country. Also helpful, at the end of the book are the names of presidents in each illustration and a list of presidents with basic information added for quick reference.

David Small’s caricatures depict the presidents and a few other political figures. His use of exaggeration makes it easier to identify the presidents. His use of colors also adds to the feeling of each illustration. The illustration of Presidents Clinton and Nixon walking away from “Honest Abe” with their heads hung in shame and the dark mood set with color of course sets the picture of the paragraph about their dishonesty. The illustration of FDR’s profile shows his pure joy while still exaggerating his chin and squinted smile so you know who he is.

This would be a great book to share with any social studies class. This would be a wonderful resource for children from kindergarten to high school.

Review Excerpt(s)

Booklist: “…delightful illustrations, usually droll and sometimes hilarious, will draw children to the book and entertain them from page to page.”

The Horn Book: “Arranging historical tidbits in an attractive buffet, this well-timed book offers anecdotes both cautionary and guaranteed to attract attention and arouse interest.”

The New York Times: “'So You Want to Be President?' is easy enough to read even for children in the lower grades, but like many such books it is ideally enjoyed by a child with an adult. That way, its rich anecdotes provoke questions, answers, definitions, recollections and more anecdotes.”

Connections

-Lead a discussion with young children about what they have in common with presidents of the past. Share what things you have in common with different presidents.
-Lead a discussion with teens could to see if they think some of the presidents would not be president today and why. They could write responses about which president is the most inspirational to them.
-Have older art students draw caricatures of their favorite teacher.

Switch Classes - 5603 Lit for Children and Young Adults

I am now going to be using this blog for my new class, Literature for Children and Young Adults. It's my class at TWU (5603-22) and I'll be posting book reviews for my class. The book reviews will fit in well with my "Libraries are Fun?" theme!