Genre #2: Traditional Literature - THE EGYPTIAN CINDERELLA

Bibliographic Data:

Climo, Shirley. 1989. The Egyptian Cinderella. Ill. by Ruth Heller. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell. ISBN 0690048246

Plot Summary:

In this variant version of Cinderella, Rhodopis, a Greek maiden, is stolen by pirates and sold as a slave in Egypt. She is quite different in appearance from the other Egyptian servant girls next to whom she has to work, and they spent a great deal of time teasing her and giving her orders. Because Rhodopis is a slave, she is a level below the servants, so she must comply with their orders. With no friends among the servants, Rhodopis finds camaraderie and friendship with the animals, entertaining and dancing for them. After her master sees her dancing with bare feet, he has made for her slippers, made of leather and rose-red gold. These slippers make Rhodopis even more different than the servant girls around her.

One evening, the servant girls make plans to visit the Pharaoh, leaving Rhodopis behind to do chores. After one of her slippers gets dirty, Rhodopis washes them in the river and sets them on the bank to dry, where one is taken by a falcon. The falcon takes the slipper to Amasis, the Pharaoh, who views it as a sign from the god Horus. The Pharaoh begins a search of all of Egypt, seeking the woman whose foot fits the slipper. After much searching, the Pharaoh sees Rhodopis hiding near the banks of the river. She tries on the slipper and when the Pharaoh sees that it is a perfect fit, he declares that she will be queen.

Critical Analysis:

This variant of the Cinderella tale does a good job incorporating the traditional canon of characters associated with this fairy tale and traditional tales in general. With the Egyptian servant girls, we get characters that represent wickedness and conniving behavior; with Rhodopis, we get a character that represents innocence and virtuous behavior. The plot is simple, deviating little from the focus of the main characters and their behaviors. Once Rhodopis receives the rose-red slippers, the plot develops fairly quickly in a predictable manner.

The setting of this Cinderella story is unique, allowing for the reader to get an understanding of Egypt and its culture. Climo’s retelling of this traditional tale allows her to infuse the story with cultural aspects specific to Egypt. For example, when the servants complain to the Pharaoh that Rhodopis is not Egyptian, he declares “her eyes are as green as the Nile, her hair as feathery as papyrus,…her skin the pink of a lotus flower…” (p. 28). At the close of the story, Climo includes an author’s note in which she tells more about the real Rhodopis, offering the reader information about the fiction and nonfiction parts of the tale. These details add validity to the cultural aspect of this story, reinforcing the setting of the traditional tale.

The illustrations in the book add to the setting in which this Cinderella tale takes place and the cultural traditions that are brought forth in the story. The inclusion of animals important to Egyptian culture, as well as Egyptian dress and ornamentation make the pictures a bigger part of the story being told. Heller’s use of vibrant colors and detailed pictures of characters and environments transport the reader to Egypt, further extending the story through this attention to visual detail.

Review excerpts:

School Library Journal – “Climo has woven this ancient tale, a mixture of fact and myth, with clarity and eloquence…”

Publishers Weekly – “In mellifluous prose and majestic illustrations…an inventive twist on the classic tale.”

One of the Notable Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC) for 1989

Personal Reaction:

I enjoyed reading this tale of Cinderella as it was entertaining and informative. With the story based in Egypt, I was pleased to learn more about Egyptian culture and beliefs (i.e. that Horus was an Egyptian god who soared as a falcon on earth). The drawings add a great deal to the story being told and the author’s concluding note was helpful as well.

Connections:

Activities
· Compare and contrast this version of Cinderella with other versions you have heard or read.

· Discuss with a small group what you have learned about Egypt and its culture from this book.

· Create a dramatic reading of this book by assigning parts and drafting a Reader’s Theatre script to follow.

Related Readings

Other versions of Cinderella by the same author
The Irish Cinderlad

The Persian Cinderella

The Korean Cinderella

Humorous versions of Cinderella
Cinderella Bigfoot by Mike Thaler

Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson

Dinorella: A Prehistoric Fairy Tale by Pamela Duncan Edwards

Cinder-Elly by Frances Minters

Folk versions of Cinderella
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0510a.html

Genre #2: Traditional Literature - AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND: FOLK POETRY FROM EVERYWHERE

Bibliographic Data:

Schwartz, Alvin. 1992. And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry From Everywhere. Ill. by Sue Truesdell. New York: Harper Trophy/HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0064462145

Plot Summary:

In this compilation of folk songs, rhymes, and poems, Schwartz covers everything from people and their relationships to trees, animals, and insects, with everything in between – nonsense and all. Over 250 entries cover both familiar and unfamiliar verses, with an index of first lines included at the end of the book. The inclusion of familiar tunes and sheet music scores for poems and rhymes add to the fun of singing and rhyming with the verses. Additionally, the majority of the entries have comical illustrations alongside them, highlighting the humorous nature of the rhymes and poems included in the book. Schwartz includes additional reference material in the book, providing notes on folk rhymes, folk poetry, nursery rhymes, and parodies, as well as source notes about the poems he has included in this book.

Critical Analysis:

This anthology of folk poetry represents a wide range of rhymes and songs that span generations. Many of the songs and rhymes such as “Liar, liar, pants on fire…” (p. 34) or “Do your ears hang low….” (p. 6) would be familiar to many children today, reinforcing the value of this anthology as a means for getting children involved with language and poetry. The anthology also has appeal for older readers, possibly even adults, as the entries include a variety of songs and rhymes from many decades and traditions.

The grouping of the entries into categories such as people, food, school, teases and taunts, love and marriage, work, stories, riddles, and fun and games helps magnify the variety of selections in the anthology, as well as they variety of age groups to which this book might appeal.

Schwartz does a good job providing background information on the selections included in this text, as he provides relevant background on many parts of the text including nursery rhymes, nonsense, counting rhymes, and jumping rope rhymes. Schwartz supplements this background information with additional source information, helping the reader understand more about the folk poetry included in this anthology and possible variations of the same entries.

Truesdell’s illustrations are simple, yet comical. Penned in black and white, the illustrations bring the characters and events to life, underscoring the humorous situations that are presented in the folk poems. The illustrations provide a greater depth to the poems, adding to the storytelling quality of each entry in the text.

Review excerpts:

Kirkus Reviews – “…a grand compilation of familiar … rhymes and chants from the children’s own tradition…”

School Library Journal – “a marvelous book…[with a] silly, energized tone….[and illustrations] in ideal tandem with the poetry…”

Starred review from The Horn Book – “Move over your copies of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky…strongly recommended.”

An American Library Association (ALA) Notable Children’s Book of 1993

A National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Notable Trade Book in the Language Arts in 1993

A 1992 Book for Youth Editors’ Choice for Booklist

Personal Reaction:

This book was a joy to read and play around with as it reminded me of my days on the playground singing chants and rhymes with my friends. I could envision taking students of all ages through a mental journey as we explored the rhymes, poems, and riddles in this book. What a treat to be able to enjoy these staples of childhood with future generations!

Connections:

Activities
· Put the songs, chants, and rhymes to music with the musical scores provided in the book.

· Add hand claps and other physical movements to the poems, chants, songs, and rhymes in the book as you share them with friends.

· Create additional verses to your favorite rhymes.

· Interview people of other generations about their memories of childhood songs, poems, and rhymes. How many of their responses are included in the book? Which ones were their favorites from childhood?

Related Readings

If You’re Happy and You Know It: Eighteen Story Songs Set to Pictures by Nicki Weiss

I Saw You in the Bathtub and Other Folk Rhymes by Alvin Schwartz

From Sea to Shining Sea: A Treasury of American Folklore and Folk Songs edited by Amy Cohn

Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? by Bonnie Lass and Philemon Sturges

She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain by Philemon Sturges

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback

Genre #2: Traditional Literature - THE THREE PRINCES

Bibliographic Data:

Kimmel, Eric A. 1994. The Three Princes: A Tale from the Middle East. Ill. by Leonard Everett Fisher. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 082341115X

Plot Summary:

This story tells the tale of a beautiful and wise princess. Though many liked her, she had her heart set on three cousins who were princes. She was in love with Prince Mohsen, the one with “flashing eyes,” yet he had no money. To determine in a more equitable fashion the one she should marry, the princess sends the three princes out into the world to find and bring back a rare wonder. The princess plans to decide whom to marry based upon the treasures the princes return to her with. Prince Fahad finds a flying carpet; Prince Muhammed finds a crystal ball; and Prince Mohsen finds an orange.

Before the princes return to the princess to show her their finds, the princes use the crystal ball and find that the princess is dying. So they hop onto the flying carpet and rush to the princess, giving her the orange that cures any sickness. The princess decides to marry the prince who saved her life, yet all three contributed to the plan to save her. In the end, she chooses Prince Mohsen because he gave up his valuable orange to save her life and was left with nothing else.

Critical Analysis:

This retelling of a Middle Eastern story is refreshing in that it includes many elements of a traditional tale, namely a heroine (the princess) and interested suitors (the three princes). In Kimmel’s version, we learn immediately the names of the three princes, but never learn the name of the princess. This is an interesting detail as it is different than other familiar tales in which the princesses are named; however, this detail perhaps reflects accuracy associated with the Middle East and its culture and the ways in which men and women interact in society.

The story’s plot and theme has broad appeal making Kimmel’s retelling an engaging story for readers of all backgrounds and age groups. The straightforward plot with little conflict among the three princes themselves, takes the reader through the journey of this Middle Eastern princess and her quest to get the prince she loves. The notion of being selfless and sacrificing everything for the love of someone else is an idea that can be seen across cultures in a variety of traditional tales.

While the location of this specific tale is not given, the names, cultural references, and illustrations included by Kimmel and Fisher help situate the story in the Middle East. The illustrations have dark backgrounds upon which the vibrant colors of the princess’s and princes’ clothing are presented, transporting the reader to visions of the tales of the Arabian nights.

Brief notes provided by Kimmel and Fisher illuminate some of the history behind the original tale, though little specificity regarding this tale in particular is provided. Nonetheless, even without more detailed notes on the authenticity of the original tale, this story and its illustrations draw the reader in to the characters and the decisions they face.

Review excerpts:

Booklist – “Kimmel uses the familiar fairy-tale construct, but his telling has precision and a buoyancy that gives the story wonderful life.”

School Library Journal – “Kimmel’s tale provides a satisfying conclusion….a welcome addition that deserves to become a read-aloud standard.”

Kirkus Reviews – “A smooth, accessible adaptation, much enhanced by the spare powerful art.”

Personal Reaction:

I enjoyed this traditional tale, especially since I am largely unfamiliar with tales of The Arabian Nights. The journey that the characters take through the story was refreshing and insightful, reminding me of the power of a good story that is shared among all generations.

Connections:

Activities
· Write a letter to the princess explaining which prince you would marry and why you would choose him over the others.

· Which object is the most valuable in your opinion – the crystal ball, the magic carpet, or the orange? Why?

· Read another version of “The Three Princes” story and compare them to this one using a Venn diagram. (http://www.storiestogrowby.com/stories/3_princes_body.html)

Related Readings

Zorah’s Magic Carpet by Stefan Czernecki

Abu Ali Counts His Donkeys: A Folktale from the Middle East by Dorothy Van Woerkom

The Legend of the Persian Carpet by Tomie dePaola

Folk Tales & Fables of the Middle East and Africa by Barbara Hayes

Genre #1: Picture Books - A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION

Bibliographic Data:

Marcus, Leonard S. 1998. A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal. New York: Walker and Company. ISBN 0802786561

Plot Summary:

Touching on books from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Leonard Marcus explores the history of the Caldecott Medal, focusing on the craft of children’s book illustration and the authors/illustrators who have received the award. Stories behind Robert McCloskey’s Make Way for Ducklings, Marcia Brown’s Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper, Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, William Steig’s Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Chris Van Allsburg’s Jumanji, and David Wiesner’s Tuesday present a wide view of these award-winning books, the illustration media used, and the ups and downs that accompany such creative work.

Critical Analysis:

Marcus effectively weaves elements of history and biography together to create a vibrant portrait of six Caldecott award-winning books and their authors. He intersperses the discussions of each author and book with quotations, anecdotal statements, and one-of-a-kind sketches and drawings, further reflecting the depth and uniqueness of each author’s craft. Marcus’s journey covers the time range inclusive of each author’s planning stages for the book to their recognition as Caldecott Medal winners, thereby giving the reader a comprehensive look at each author and the writing and illustrating process in depth.

Despite the depth of coverage provided in the book, Marcus’s writing remains simple and easy-to-follow. The vocabulary is accessible to readers of all ages and the illustrations and drawings add another dimension to the information provided in text. The incorporation of details about the authors’ own journeys as children’s book writers establishes a more personal feel to the book, making it a welcome read for those interested in varied aspects of the writing or publication industry.

Review excerpts:

Starred review from Booklist – “a beautifully made book, this will serve as a fine resource for children interested in illustration and for teachers researching author/illustrator studies”

School Library Journal – “the large, attractive pages invite readers to savor the multitude of illustrations”

Publishers Weekly – “He [Marcus] fills the volume with the kinds of details children relish…”

Personal Reaction:

I was surprised by the wealth of information available in this book. The detailed stories behind the authors and their works allowed for refreshing insight into the world of children’s books and their creation. I especially liked the coverage of books from earlier decades, as it is a great way to introduce the reader to books that may have been popular prior to their own childhood. Lastly, the personal stories included in each chapter made the facts more appealing, as they were presented in an almost-conversational manner.

Connections:

Activities
· Research the life of Randolph Caldecott

· Look at different Caldecott award-winning books. Explore the different illustration media used in the different books. Do you have a preferred illustration medium?

· Read other books by the authors discussed in Marcus’s book

· Watch an interview with Chris Van Allsburg, one of the authors portrayed in Marcus’s book (http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/vanallsburg)

Related Readings

Randolph Caldecott and the Caldecott Medal
Yours Pictorially: Illustrated Letters of Randolph Caldecott by Randolph Caldecott

A Caldecott Celebration: Seven Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal by Leonard S. Marcus

Randolph Caldecott: His Books and Illustrations for Young Readers by Robert J. Desmarais

Children’s Literature and Illustrations
Show and Tell: Exploring the Fine Art of Children’s Book Illustration by Dilys Evans

Under the Spell of the Moon edited by Patricia Aldana

Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang

Genre #1: Picture Books - THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS

Bibliographic Data:

Gerstein, Mordicai. 2003. The Man Who Walked Between The Towers. Brookfield, CT: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 0761317910

Plot Summary:

A street performer Philippe Petit, who has found his calling in entertaining others, watches as the World Trade Center towers are constructed in New York City. As he watches their construction, he is attracted to the open space between the buildings and the performance possibilities it offers. He and his friends sneak in just before the towers are completed, running a tightrope wire between the two buildings. At daybreak on August 7, 1974, Philippe Petit walks across the tightrope, feeling happiness and freedom high above the bustling city. Years later, the twin towers are gone, but the fond memories of those buildings are made more special when remembering Philippe Petit’s journey between them.

Critical Analysis:

With stunning illustrations, Gerstein focuses the reader’s attention on the joyful antics of Petit’s street performances set against the backdrop of New York City and the twin towers specifically. Several fold out pages draw the reader’s focus to the height and beauty of the twin towers, reinforcing Petit’s obvious love for these architectural icons. Adding intrigue and suspense to the story, the reader gets to know of Petit’s risky performances around the world before even learning his name. The incorporation of rope or wire in almost every illustration reminds the reader of Petit’s passion and helps move the story along as it builds to his walk between the twin towers.

Additionally, the vibrant hues of each illustration add to the part of the story being told. The darker blues and grays used for the night illustrations contribute to the element of surprise and sneakiness that was required for Petit to gain access to the twin towers for his walk. These contrast with the brighter hues of blues, greens, and yellows that reinforce the daring nature of Petit’s work as it takes place in broad daylight.

Gerstein’s story is told in the simplest of terms, almost deceiving the reader into believing the story is solely about Petit and the risks he takes as a tightrope walker. However, the last pages of the book add a somewhat surprising poignancy as he states “Now the towers are gone” and reminds the reader of the tragedy that unfolded on September 11, 2001. Not leaving the book on such a sad note, Gerstein suggests that our memories of the twin towers can be filled with joy as we reflect on Petit and his tightrope walk.

Review excerpts:

Caldecott Medal, 2004 – “Gerstein ensures that this extraordinary event is imprinted on readers’ minds and creates a powerful, transforming memory.”

School Library Journal – “gorgeous oil-and-ink paintings capture the aerialist’s spirited feat and breathtaking perspectives high above Manhattan harbor”

Kirkus Reviews – “…breathtaking homage to extraordinary buildings and a remarkable man”

Personal Reaction:

This book was a thoughtful and insightful look at an interesting man and his connection to a piece of New York City’s history. I appreciated the vibrant illustrations and the passion that was conveyed in the pictures as they showed different elements of Petit’s performances – from juggling to walking the tightrope wire. Petit’s bravery in achieving his dreams amidst the dangers of physicial injury and breaking the law remind me of the importance of being true to who you are, while also forcing me to think deeply about the ramifications of such actions.

Connections:

Activities
· Read about Petit’s recreations of his 1974 walk in the August 7, 2005, New York Times article “Tightrope Walk Between Twin Towers Is Recalled”

· Make a list of other famous daredevils and what risks they took.

· Try walking across a tightrope. Is it difficult to maintain your balance? Explore what kind of exercise and training is necessary for a performer to be successful at tightrope walking.

· Discuss 9/11 and its aftermath. What other tributes can be made to remember the twin towers?

· Research the history of the World Trade Center towers.

Related Readings

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully

Starring Mirette and Bellini by Emily Arnold McCully

To Reach the Clouds: My High Wire Walk Between the Twin Towers by Philippe Petit

Women Daredevils by Julia Cummins, Illustrated by Cheryl Harness

Genre #1: Picture Books - MY FRIEND IS SAD

Bibliographic Data:

Willems, Mo. 2007. My Friend Is Sad. New York: Hyperion Books. ISBN 1423102975

Plot Summary:

In this ELEPHANT & PIGGIE book, Gerald the elephant is sad. His friend Piggie notices Gerald’s sadness and strives to cheer him up by putting on different acts, from a cowboy to a robot. Despite Piggie’s efforts, Gerald remains sad because, as he later explains, he was unable to share these things with his friends. In the end, both Gerald and Piggie recognize the importance of their friendship.

Critical Analysis:

With its simple illustrations focused on the characters of Gerald and Piggie, this book speaks a great deal about the influence of friendship on one’s life and happiness. Combining the poses and facial expressions of the characters with different font sizes for dialogue, Willems invites the reader to feel and empathize with Gerald’s sadness and Piggie’s whole-hearted attempts to help his friend overcome this sadness.

Each page is full of ample white space, allowing the reader to focus more attention on the two characters that are central to the story. Additionally, the contrast in the colors used for Gerald (gray) and Piggie (pink) provide a clear distinction for the reader, as they can easily identify which character is speaking. Towards the end, the two characters are seen more often on a page together, thus furthering the plot as it gets closer to a resolution regarding Gerald’s sadness.

The reader gets a laugh in the end when Piggie says that Gerald needs new glasses, as he failed to notice that all of the costumed characters were, in fact, Piggie herself. In the end, the simplicity of the text meshed with the simplicity of the illustrations drives home the underlying simple truth that friendship is important.

Review excerpts:

Starred review from Booklist – “accessible, appealing, and full of authentic emotions…”

School Library Journal – “the stories move briskly, with a minimal word count and touches of whimsy throughout”

Personal Reaction:

I enjoyed this book because of how it embraces friendship and all of its quirks. I could completely identify with Gerald’s plight as he recognized the importance of sharing fun activities with friends instead of alone. Gerald’s intense reactions resonated with my own experiences, allowing me to dive into the book immediately. I would definitely enjoy reading more about the adventures of Gerald and Piggie as they continue exploring the world as friends.

Connections:

Activities
· Brainstorm ways to cheer up your friends when they are sad.

· Describe a time when your friend went to great effort to cheer you up. Discuss how that made you feel.

· Make a Venn diagram to highlight both the ways in which you are unique and the things that you have in common with your friend.

Related Readings

Friendship

Dog and Bear: Two Friends, Three Stories by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Wombat & Bandicoot, Best of Friends: Three Stories by Kerry Argent

Titch and Daisy by Pat Hutchins

More ELEPHANT & PIGGIE books

I Am Invited to a Party! by Mo Willems

Today I Will Fly by Mo Willems

There Is A Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems