BOOK REVIEW: Traditional Tale: Swamp Angel by Anne Isaacs

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Isaacs, Anne. Swamp Angel. Ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 1994. ISBN 0525452710

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

It didn’t seem from her birth that Angelica Longrider was going to grow to be anything special – after all, she had been born barely taller than her mother.  Nicknamed Swamp Angel after rescuing a wagon train from the bogs of Tennessee, Angelica decides she’s going to face off against food-stealing bear named Thundering Tarnation to claim his pelt for her own and prove she’s every bit as strong as the Tennessee men around her.  After roping a tornado, drinking a lake, wrestling in her sleep and even snoring down trees, she wins the fight and takes her prize in this Paul Bunyan style tall tale about how Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains and Ursa Major were formed.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Those readers familiar with the American Northwest’s tales about Paul Bunyan and his daring feats will enjoy reading a female character in the role from the mountainous regions of the mid-South.  The light-hearted approach to Angel’s growth and size – even the fact that she doesn’t give up when the men from the area think she’s overstepping her role, will help female readers find confidence that they too can do anything they put their mind to.  Paired with Paul O. Zelinsky’s old-fashioned oil paintings, Swamp Angel has a classic, old-school feel that is still refreshing to look at and keeps the pages turning with swaps between small vignettes on wooden backgrounds to full page landscapes with little details just popping off the page.  Another thing that pops off the page are the small references to pour quoi tales of how the Great Smokey Mountains got their ‘smoke’ and how Ursa Major was formed in the night sky.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

1995 CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK

From PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY – “The story continues in this casually overstated vein, explaining how Angelica got the appellation Swamp Angel at the age of 12 after rescuing a wagon train mired in the mud. But the larger-than-life girl's reputation grows to truly gargantuan proportions when she bests an even larger bear, throwing him up in the sky, where "he crashed into a pile of stars, making a lasting impression. You can still see him there, any clear night." This valiant heroine is certain to leave youngsters chuckling-and perhaps even keeping a close watch on the night sky.”

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL – “A master of composition, he varies readers' perspectives by framing the portrait of the newborn and, later, the series of male hunters with small ovals. He uses double-page lunettes to depict the massive bear and woman sprawled across the pages, and places the menacing beast lunging over the frame in another memorable scene. The pictures and words cavort across the page in perfect synchronization, revealing the heroine's feisty solution.”

5.  CONNECTIONS

Gather other pour quoi tall tales to read such as:

•     Kellogg, Steven. Ills. Laura Robb.  PECOS BILL.  ISBN 0688099246

•     Nolen, Jerdine. Ills. Kadir Nelson. THUNDER ROSE.  ISBN 0152060065

•     dePaola, Tomie. THE LEGEND OF THE BLUEBONNET.  ISBN 0399209379

Gather other Anne Isaacs books to read such as:

•     Ills. Paul Zelinsky.  DUST DEVIL.  ISBN 0375867228

•     Ills. Mark Teague. PANCAKES FOR SUPPER!  ISBN 0439644836

BOOK REVIEW: Traditional Tale: The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by A. Wolf as told to Jon Scieska

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Scieska, Jon. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by A. Wolf. Ill. by Lane Smith. New York: Viking Press, 1989. ISBN 0670827592.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This fractured fairy tale involves one Alexander Wolf (also known as Big and Bad) claiming that a sneezing cold and the need for a cup of sugar are the real culprits behind the horror story of the 3 Little Pigs.  He declares that his ‘huffing and puffing’ was a sneezing fit – a real tragedy for the two little pigs without any sense. And that scene with the third little pig?  Let’s just say that tempers and rudeness don’t mix.  For this wolf, it’s all a matter of perspective.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Scieska does a wonderful job of providing simple explanations for each step of this class fairy tale as told from the “villain’s” point of view.  The voice and characterization fit a character trying to appear sympathetic.  Lane Smith’s stylized full color sketches and beautiful watercolor and texturized backgrounds bring each step of the story to life, with fun extras like the “cute animal cheeseburger.”  Children familiar with the original tale will recognize adaptations of classic lines such as the hairs on the pig’s “chinny-chin-chin,” but will have enough of a twist to keep them laughing along with the misadventures of our unlikely protagonist.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 1989

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK 1989

MARYLAND BLACK-EYED SUSAN PICTURE BOOK AWARD 1989

PARENTING READING MAGIC AWARD 1989

From PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY – “Smith's highly imaginative watercolors eschew realism, further updating the tale, though some may find their urbane stylization and intentionally static quality mystifyingly adult. Designed with uncommon flair, this alternative fable is both fetching and glib.”

From ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY – “Lane Smith's elegant, witty illustrations are a lively counterpoint to Mr. Wolf's self-serving spiel. He sneaks hilarious little hints and clues into every picture: Bunny ears stick out of the cake batter; twigs from the stick house fall neatly on the ground in the pattern of cutlery on a set table.”

Top 100 Picture Books #35 by School Library Journal

National Education Association Kids' Top 100 Books #98

5.  CONNECTIONS

Gather other classic fairy tale variants to read such as:

•     Trivizas, Eugene. Ills. Helen Oxenbury.  THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG.  ISBN 9780689815287.

•     Shaskan, Trisha Speed. Ills. Gerald Guerlais.  HONESTLY, RED RIDING HOOD WAS ROTTEN!: THE STORY OF LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD AS TOLD BY THE WOLF (THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY). ISBN 1479519405

•     Cole, Babette.  PRINCE CINDERS.  ISBN 0698115546

Gather fairy tales from other cultures to show how some stories have similar roots, such as:

•     McDermott, Gerald.  ANANSI THE SPIDER: A TALE FROM THE ASHANTI.  ISBN 080500310X

•     Manna, Anthony and Christodoula Mitakidou.  Ills. Giselle Potter.  THE ORPHAN: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM GREECE.  ISBN 0375866914.

•     Young, Ed.  LON PO PO: A RED-RIDING HOOD STORY FROM CHINA.  ISBN 9780698113824

BOOK REVIEW: Traditional Tale: Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bryan, Ashley. Beautiful Blackbird. New York: Atheneum Books, 2003. ISBN 0689847319.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Using the rhythm of the sing-song style of the Ila-speaking people of Zambia, Ashley Bryan tells the tale of how the Blackbird, once voted the most beautiful bird of all, painted markings of black on all the other birds.  From this, he shares his give of beauty, but reiterates that it is what is inside that makes him different and beautiful.  Each bird receives special markings to be beautiful in their own way, but Blackbird keeps what makes him special from his heritage on the inside – something that can’t be given away.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Mr. Bryan’s simple colored cutouts, paired with the effortless rhythms and repetition of the musical language in this tale will connect with young readers, reinforcing Blackbird’s message of each bird being different.  The simple songs and dances provide an easy way for those unable to sit still to join in the telling of the story.  What really stands out is the carefully cut birds, which dance across the pages, even before their distinguishing marks.  The writer/artist even includes an image of the scissors he used, which were his own mother’s sewing scissors, helping to tie the beauty of the pages and story to his own roots and childhood.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2004 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award

From PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY – “Scenes of the rainbow of wings are outdone only by a lakeside view of their colors intricately "mirrored in the waters." And Bryan's lilting and magical language is infectious.”

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEWER CAROL ANN WILSON – “This unusual and little-known pour quoi tale may supplement larger collections and serves as a thoughtful and entertaining addition to units on self-esteem.”

5.  CONNECTIONS

Gather other books that teach self-esteem and acceptance of other cultures, such as:

•     Brown, Monica. Ills. Sara Palacios.  MARISOL MCDONALD DOESN’T MATCH. ISBN 0892392355

•     Colato Lainez, Rene. Ills. Fabiola Graullera Ramirez. RENE HAS TWO LAST NAMES / RENE TIENE DOS APELLIDOS.  ISBN 1558855300

Gather other Ashley Bryan books to read such as:

•     BEAT THE STORY DRUM, PUM PUM.  ISBN 068931356X

•     LION AND THE OSTRICH CHICKS. ISBN 0153022299

BOOK REVIEW: Picture Books: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale.  Ill. by Mo Willems. New York: Hyperion Books, 2004. ISBN 0786818700

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Trixie, a precocious toddler goes on an excited errand to the Laundromat, where her dad even lets her put money into the big machines for their clothes.  However, on the way back she realizes her beloved stuffed bunny, Knuffle Bunny, is missing!  She gets upset but can’t explain to daddy what’s wrong.  When they get home, mommy realizes the problem and they rush back to look for poor Knuffle Bunny.  Daddy finally finds him among the wet clothes and returns him to Trixie, who is so grateful she says her first words: “Knuffle Bunny.”

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Little readers will relate to the joys of running big kid errands with their parents and being entrusted with putting money into the slots of a machine.  They’ll also share the anxiety of being unable to communicate a problem, or even losing a favorite toy.  The simple text of Mo Willem’s book coupled with the unique backdrop of his pages will entrance young listeners and keep early readers entertained as well.

By pairing muted tone and black and white photographs with silly doodle sketched colorful characters, the readers eye will dance from page to page with Trixie as she tries to communicate in her own language. The simple city blocks will provide a familiar setting to many readers and the fun speech bubbles will help them read along.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2005 CALDECOTT MEDAL

Top 100 Picture Books #7 by School Library Journal

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL – “Printed on olive-green backdrops, the illustrations are a combination of muted, sepia-toned photographs upon which bright cartoon drawings of people have been superimposed. Personalities are artfully created so that both parents and children will recognize themselves within these pages. A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text.”

From BOOKLIST – “Even children who can already talk a blue streak will come away satisfied that their own strong emotions have been mirrored and legitimized, and readers of all ages will recognize the agonizing frustration of a little girl who knows far more than she can articulate.”

5.  CONNECTIONS

Gather other Caldecott Medal books about precocious children to read such as:

•     Falconer, Ian. OLIVIA. ISBN 0689829531

•     Rylant, Cynthia. THE RELATIVES CAME. ISBN 0689717385

Gather other Mo Willems' books about Trixie and Knuffle Bunny to read such as:

•     KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY.  ISBN 1423102991

•     KNUFFLE BUNNY FREE: AN UNEXPECTED DIVERSION. ISBN 9780061929571

Both of these sets of books can be used to talk to small children and even older children about growing up and family.