Review: Swamp Angel

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Isaacs, Anne, 1994. SWAMP ANGEL. Ill. by Paul Zelinsky. New York: Dutton. ISBN 0525452710

2. PLOT SUMMARY
SWAMP ANGEL tells the story of Angelica Longrider, a young girl destined to become a folk hero in the vein of Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill. A gargantuan bear by the name of Thundering Tarnation is marauding through Tennessee, instilling fear in the hearts of all who come across it. Enter Longrider, also known as Swamp Angel; the greatest (and hugest) woodswoman Tennessee has ever seen. Above the doubts of her fellow citizens, Swamp Angel is determined to take down Thundering Tarnation, and the ensuing battle between the two would shake both heaven and Earth. In the end, and with much collateral damage, Swamp Angel is victorious, throwing Thundering Tarnation up into the night sky, where he can still be seen to this day.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Anne Isaacs’ SWAMP ANGEL is an engaging and original tale in the vein of classic folk stories of old. In Longrider, the titular character, Isaacs creates a protagonist that is at once endearing and powerful; a positive role model for all female readers. Many recurring folktale themes are present in SWAMP ANGEL, including a larger-than-life hero facing down a larger-than-life adversary, and the inevitable clash of the elements in an epic final showdown. Isaacs’ narration style is full of the wonderful hyperbole one might expect from a folk tale, and Swamp Angel, despite being a relatively modern character, seems right at home with Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, and the rest of the greats. Zelinsky’s art, lovingly painted and full of warm colors, helps give the story the feeling of an age bygone, where magic and the surreal effortlessly intermingle with reality.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "Buy for a great guffaw in small groups or one-on-one.."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: "An impressive picture-book debut."

5. CONNECTIONS
*This book can be a valuable companion piece for a unit on telling and inventing tall tales, perhaps as a template for an assignment on writing tall tales as a class.
*Other tall tales:
Osborne, Mary. AMERICAN TALL TALES. ISBN 0679800891
Kellogg, Steven. PECOS BILL. ISBN 0688099246
Kellogg, Steven. PAUL BUNYAN: 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. ISBN 0688058000

Review: Three Little Pigs (Picturebook Classics)

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Davidson, Susanna, 2008. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Ill. by Georgien Overwater. London: Usborne. 079452253X

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Davidson’s THREE LITTLE PIGS is a charming, modern adaptation of the classic tale. The three little pigs, brothers Pinky and Percy, along with their sister, Poppy, have decided that they are too large for their current home and will be needing a new one. They set about to building a new house for themselves, but, as usual, out to ruin their day is the Big Bad Wolf, who just so happens to have a penchant for blowing down new houses in search of dinner. After they lose their first attempts at a house, the third, and most clever pig, Poppy, is finally able to outwit the Big Bad Wolf, winning herself and her brothers a very happy ending in their new house.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Davidson’s THREE LITTLE PIGS is somewhat of a progressive adaptation, featuring a female pig in the central role, who just so happens to be the smartest and most resourceful of the three. This is a refreshing change of pace, and adds some much-needed character to one of the most well-known and predictable fairytales. In keeping with its modern style, Davidson’s writing is simultaneously lively and exuberant, conveying loud and clear that, although this is still the story of the three little pigs, it is ready to exist and be relevant in a contemporary classroom.

Overwater’s illustrations contain just the right amount of playful imagination, casting a familiar tale in a world full of bright colors and exuberant action. The pigs themselves are well-designed and charismatic, and the wolf appears tame enough so as not to scare younger readers. Overwater’s style is lively and robust, easily able to convey the story wordlessly if necessary, and a major positive mark for THREE LITTLE PIGS on the whole.

Make no mistake, however, this is certainly the three little pigs of 2008, and not a word-by-word recreation of the usual story. Those expecting a completely faithful re-creation may want to look elsewhere. However, Davidson’s attempts to add characterization to the stock pigs and wolf bring life to the story, and the character of Poppy is a positive role model for young girls.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
GOODREADS review: " This modernization of the classic tale is appropriate for independent beginning readers or one-on-one.."
CHILD EDUCATION PLUS review: "Irresistible for children learning to read."

5. CONNECTIONS
*Other modernized fairy/folktales:
Davidson, Susanna. GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS. ISBN 0794522513
Schwitters, Kurt. LUCKY HANS AND OTHER MERZ FAIRYTALES (ODDLY MODERN FAIRYTALES). ISBN 0691139679
Scieszka, John. THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. ISBN 0794522513

Review: Baba Yaga: A Russian Folktale

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, Eric, 1991. BABA YAGA: A RUSSIAN FOLKTALE. Ill. by Megan Lloyd. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 082340854x

2. PLOT SUMMARY
BABA YAGA is a Russian folktale cut from the same mold as classics such as Snow White and Hansel and Gretel. An honest tradesman, who happens to be a widower, lives alone with his beautiful daughter, Marina. Beautiful, that is, if it weren’t for the huge horn growing from the center of her forehead. When her father remarries, Marina’s new step mother and step sister turn out to be her worst nightmare. When her father leaves on business and does not return, Marina is sent by her evil stepmother into the clutches of the Auntie in the Forest, a witch by the name of Baba Yaga. On her way, Marina befriends a small frog, whose advice helps her not only to escape the witch, but to remove her horn as well. In the end, due to good fortune and kindness to small creatures, Marina is rewarded, while her evil step sister is left to reap the “rewards” of a wish gone awry—a horn of her own, to wear until the end of her days.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The story possesses a style of writing that is simultaneously whimsical and dark. Some of the suspense is genuine, but by the end of the story, the plot is wrapped up squarely in the favor of the virtuous, while evil-doers are punished. Many thematic elements are shared between the tale of Baba Yaga, and more widely-known Western fairytales such as Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel. Lloyd’s illustrations are plain—done in watercolor—but expressive, and stylistically, they serve Kimmel’s adaptation well. The past-tense, fairytale-style narrative of Kimmel’s writing lends his version of the tale of Baba Yaga a sense of authenticity, allowing it a timeless quality.


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST review: "Folktale lovers will relish this lively version."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: "This engrossing story is both fanciful and suspenseful."

5. CONNECTIONS
*This story is excellent October reading that would lend itself well to any unit involving spooky, Halloween-appropriate literature.
*Other folktales/fairytales with similar themes:
Rylant, Cynthia. HANSEL AND GRETEL. ISBN 1423111869
Grimm, Jakob. Grimm, Wilhelm. SNOW WHITE: A TALE FROM THE BROTHER GRIMM. ISBN 1402771576
Brown, Marshall. CINDERELLA. ISBN 0689814747
Mayer, Marianna. BABA YAGA AND VASILISA THE BRAVE. ISBN 0688085008

A Sick Day for Amos McGee Review:

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stead, Philip C.. 2010. A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE. Ill. by Erin Stead. New York: Roaring Book Press. ISBN: 1596434023

2. PLOT SUMMARY
In A Sick Day for Amos McGee, the titular character always has time for his animal friends at the zoo. He helps them with their daily activities—running races with the tortoise, reading with the bookish owl, and more—and is the type of person who would never miss a day. That is, until he gets too sick to come to the zoo, in which case his animal friends decide to throw him the mother of all sick days, and bring their unique brand of lively activity straight to his house!

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
At its heart, A Sick Day for Amos McGee is about the strength of friendships, and the unspoken bond between people (and animals) who enjoy each other’s company. The Steads, Philip and Erin, seem to understand this better than anyone, and share a vision where both the illustrations and the text are filled with the warmth that only forms between two very close friends. It conveys its message, that friends are there for and care for one another, very well, and in a way that children will have no trouble understanding or enjoying.

The lightly-colored, soft visuals in A Sick Day for Amos McGee draw the viewer in without overpowering their senses. Each illustration is silky smooth, and loaded with expressive detail, which only aids the solid storytelling. The message is well-meaning without being heavy-handed, and a welcome one at that in an age where friendships are becoming increasingly digital, and most would feel they’ve done their part by simply expressing sympathy over Facebook as opposed to visiting a sick friend in person, bringing good cheer.

The book features loads of fun interaction between Amos and his animals, often in fun and humorous ways. The positive message of being loyal to one’s friends is handled with care, and a valuable lesson. A fun, engaging book that teaches consideration and kindness, while promoting strong friendships.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Winner—Caldecott Medal (2010)
LIBRARY VOICE review: " The effect is a sense of being enveloped, or better yet, being hugged."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "It doesn’t parrot anyone, and when you read it you feel like you’ve know the book your whole life."

5. CONNECTIONS
*Can be related to sharing activities about friendship and loyalty
*Is an excellent companion piece to lessons about empathy/understanding between humans and animals
*Other books about zoo life come to life:
Van Allsburg, Chris. JUMANJI. ISBN 0395304482
Aliki. MY VISIT TO THE ZOO. ISBN 006446217X

Where the Wild Things Are Review:

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sendak, Maurice. 1963.WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. Ill. by Maurice Sendak. United States: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN: 0064431789

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Where the Wild Things Are, a beloved classic and one of the quintessential picture books of the last century, Maurice Sendak doubles as author and illustrator to deliver one of the all-time great stories of childlike imaginatoion. Max, the story’s rebellious protagonist, has just been sentenced to his room for being too much of a wild thing. Suddenly, Max’s imagination literally comes pouring into his bedroom like an ocean, transporting him to the mythical land of the Wild Things, where everyone can do whatever they want at all times. While there, he learns that there can certainly be too much of a good thing, learning that, sometimes, the best times are those spent with the ones you love.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sendak manages to capture the sheer exuberance of the childhood imagination in both his words and his illustrations. Max’s journey is a thrill to the senses, transporting the reader right along with Max into the world of the Wild Things, which is every bit as detailed and surreal as any child’s dreamscape. There, the magic and atmosphere of this beloved classic have been delighting children for nearly half a century, and it is largely in part to Sendak’s fully realized vision.

The now-famous images of the Wild Things and their incredibly world have inspired generations of children to let their imaginations run wild, too. The surreal, sometimes fun and sometimes scary world of the Wild Things is visually enthralling, and it would be no wonder had the book has attained its classic status through visuals alone. However, the understated, exuberant, and ultimately heart-felt plot, is the unsung star of the story. Written in just the type of language that children know and understand, Wild Things communicates directly and poignantly to its audience, urging them to have fun, but also appreciate the gift that is family.

Where the Wild Things Are has become timeless for a reason. It is a book remembered and beloved for beautiful imagery, memorable characters, and a plot that relates directly to children without speaking below or above them.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Winner—Caldecott Medal (1964)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "Each word has been carefully chosen and the simplicity of the language is quite deceptive."
GOODREADS review: "Where the Wild Things Are is one of those truly rare books that can be enjoyed equally by a child and a grown-up."

5. CONNECTIONS
*Useful in units designed to stimulate imagination
*This book is excellent for theater and performing arts exercises, and can be done as a short play or pantomime exercise
*Other books about escaping into imagination:
Watterson, Bill. THE COMPLETE CALVIN & HOBBES. ISBN 0740748475
Bunting, Eve. PIRATE BOY. ISBN 9780823423217