Traditional Literature #3 - Little Red Hot

By: Eric A. Kimmel        Illustrator:  Laura Huliska-Beith

Credit: Eric A. Kimmel        Illustrator:  Laura Huliska-Beith

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kimmel, Eric A., and Laura Huliska-Beith. Little Red Hot. Las Vegas, NV: Amazon Children's Publishing. 2013. ISBN 9781477816387

PLOT SUMMARY

Eric Kimmel puts a Texas twist on his classic traditional tale of Little Red Hot. Little Red Hot sets off on her adventure to help her sick grandmother after she bakes her famous hot pepper pie. Along the way she meets Pecos Bill, The Three Tamales, and Senor Lobo. Pecos Bill warns her to be on the look-out for The Big Bad Wolf, Senor Lobo. Meanwhile, Senor Lobo is being creative and sneaky. He tries to trick Little Red Hot into thinking he is a coyote. As Little Red Hot continues onto her Grandmothers house, The Big Bad Wolf is racing to get there before her.  Once she arrives at her grandmother's house, she serves up some hot pepper pie to her "grandmother". This sends the Wolf flying out of the book and Little Red Hot and grandmother enjoying the pie together. 

Credit: Eric A. Kimmel        Illustrator:  Laura Huliska-Bei

Credit: Eric A. Kimmel        Illustrator:  Laura Huliska-Beith

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Eric Kimmel does an excellent job retelling his classic traditional tale of Little Red Hot. The style of the story starts with your traditional, "once upon a time". The pattern of the book follows your typical story with the wolf trying to catch the girl, the girl going to grandmas, once at grandmas, the theme of the book will reveal itself of good vs. bad. One creative feature Kimmel used was keeping with the original form of Little Red Riding Hood by using the original phrases and highlighting those phrases in red. He created a sassy Little Red Hot as his main character and used southern dialect, it's fun to read as students will enjoy a read aloud with the Texas twang thrown in there.

Laura Huliska-Beith, illustrator of Little Red Hot uses bold and vibrant colors. She did an amazing job of showcasing Texas landscape. All ages will enjoy this sassy lady that wins the day!

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

Oregon Spirit Book Award Nominee for Picture Book - 2013

Different art mediums–gouache, acrylic, and colored-pencil drawings–have all been merged via use of the computer and provide a lot of detail and appeal. The red hues help bring out the feeling of heat, while the action in the illustrations gives a sense of movement and flow across the pages. An author’s note provides information about peppers and how they get their heat plus how the heat is measured. Kimmel also warns people about eating hot chilies. A fun fractured fairy tale. – Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX School Library Journal June 2013

CONNECTIONS

Activities to Use With This Book:

*  Have students create a play and use a "Reader's Theaters" using the picture book, this is a great way to improve children's reading fluency and speaking fluency.

*  Compare and contrast this version of "Little Red Riding Hood" with other versions. Brainstorm ideas and share with the class.

* Sequencing - Map the setting and story sequence throughout the story and share with the class.

*  Character Traits - Discuss the similarities and differences of all the characters. How do the characters change over time in the book?

* Predicting - Make some predictions throughout the book. Did they come true at the end? Write on a sticky note and share with the class.

* Writing activity - Write your own ending to the story to share with the class.

Book Connections:

* Cactus Soup - ISBN 978-0761458326 

*  The Three Little Tamales - ISBN 978-0761455196 

* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!

Traditional Literature #2 - The Three Little Pigs

By: David Wiesner

Credit: David Wiesner

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wiesner, David. The Three Little Pigs. New York: Clarion Books, 2001. ISBN 9780618007011

PLOT SUMMARY

In this classic story, retelling The Three Little Pigs with a twist of events. We start with your typical three little pigs building their homes. The first little pig is very responsible and encourages the other two to stop playing and build their homes. One pig made his house out of straw, the second pig made his house out of sticks and the responsible pig made his out of bricks. The wolf comes along and huffs and puffs and literally blow's the pigs off the pages and out of the storybook! The pigs take charge, create a paper airplane to explore their new surroundings. They meet new classic storybook characters in the process. When they return home, the pigs and their new friends beat the villain and win the day!

Credit: David Wiesner

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

David Wiesner, author, and illustrator, of The Three Little Pigs, takes a unique, modern, approach to this classic version of this tale. At times he uses a single illustration that fills the page, a two-page illustration and uses a comic style with frames and dialogue balloons. David Wiesner uses pencil and watercolors for his illustrations.

His creativity takes the reader on a wild journey using different storybook characters while letting the readers use their imagination. The setting often takes twists and turns, allowing the characters to be blown in and out of the book. For example, at the beginning of the story, the three pigs are illustrated as two-dimensional characters. Next, the pig is blown out of the story,  he is then three-dimensional. This pattern repeats itself with the characters in the book. When they are blown back into the book, they are put back into two-dimensional character form.

Credit: David Wiesner

Credit: David Wiesner

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

Caldecott Medal 2002

Publishers Weekly said, “Wiesner’s (Tuesday) brilliant use of white space and perspective (as the pigs fly to the upper right-hand corner of a spread on their makeshift plane, or as one pig’s snout dominates a full page) evokes a feeling that the characters can navigate endless possibilities–and that the range of story itself is limitless.”

The New York Times added, “Wiesner’s dialogue and illustrations are clever, whimsical and sophisticated.”

And School Library Journal summed it all up with, “Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite.”

CONNECTIONS

Book Connections By David Wisner:

*  Flotsam - ISBN 978-0618194575

*  Tuesday - ISBN 978-0395551134

*  Art & Max - ISBN 978-0618756636

*  Hurricane - ISBN 978-0547064338

*  Free Fall - ISBN 978-0061567414

Activities To Use In The Classroom:

*  Sequencing - Make sentence strips of what happened 1st, 2nd, 3rd in the story.

*  Character Traits - Discuss the difference and similarities of the pigs. You could even make a Venn       Diagram and discuss with the class. How do the characters change over time in the book?

*  Predicting - Throughout the book, make some predictions of what will happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Did         your predictions come true? Write on a sticky and share with the class.

*  Story mapping - Setting changes throughout this story. Make a timeline, etc.

*  Writing activity - Write a different ending to this story. How do you think it should have ended.           Create your own pig with their own personality.  Share with the class.

Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!

Traditional Literature #1 - The Lion & The Mouse

By: Jerry Pinkney

Credit: Jerry Pinkney

BIOGRAPHY

Pinkney, Jerry, and Aesop. The Lion & the Mouse. New York: Little, Brown and Books for Young Readers, 2009. ISBN 9780316013567


PLOT SUMMARY


This beautiful, wordless picture book is about how an act of kindness can lead to great friendship, two animals living in the jungle and the need to work together for survival. Jerry Pinkney recounts Aesop's classic tale of The Lion and the Mouse. First, you have the mother mouse trying to find food in the jungle for her babies. She comes upon what she thinks is tall grass, soon she finds herself captured by the king of the jungle. Surprisingly, the lion lets mother mouse go, next you see animal hunters setting up traps. Readers can draw conclusions on what is going to happen next. The lion is then captured and mother mouse works hard to release him, just like he let her go free. It's no easy task for mother mouse. She uses her teeth to grind through the thick rope and calls upon for some help. Mother mouse goes home to her babies with a gift of rope. It's an amazing picture book, with animals working together for the common good.

Credit: Jerry Pinkney

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jerry Pinkney does an amazing job telling a story through beautiful illustrations. Each page speaks to you. Pinkney uses pencil and watercolors to bring his book to life. Most of the illustrations you will see the animals facial features by bringing the scene closer to you as a reader. I think this was a great idea. For example, when the lion realizes his foot is caught in the rope. It just shows his two feet caught or when mother mouse was caught by the lion, you see both of their expressions very clear and how they are feeling.  

Credit: Jerry Pinkney

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

Caldecott Award - 2010

New York Times Best Illustrated Book 2009

ALA Notable Children Book 2010

Horn Books Awards Honor Book 2010

Parent’s Choice Gold Award Winner 2009

Starred Review in Publishers Weekly:  “Pinkney has no need for words; his art speaks eloquently for itself.”

Starred Review in School Library Journal: "The ambiguity that results from the lack of words in this version allows for a slower, subtle, and ultimately more satisfying read. Moments of humor and affection complement the drama.”

Starred Review in Kirkus Review: “A nearly wordless exploration of Aesop’s fable of symbiotic mercy that is nothing short of masterful.”


CONNECTIONS

Book Connections by Jerry Pinkney:

*   The Tortoise & The Hair  ISBN 9780316183657

Activities To Use In The Classroom:

*   Venn Diagram - similarities and differences between the lion and the mouse. Discuss

*   Show the pictures in the book, tell what is going on using details.

*  Read a written version of the story. Find pictures that match phrases from the text. Discuss         and share. 

*  Locate Katy, Texas,  Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania on a map and discuss.

Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!

Picture Book #3 - Are You My Mother?

By: P.D. Eastman

Credit: P.D. Eastman

Bibliography

Eastman, P. D. Are You My Mother? Random House, 1988. ISBN 0679890475

Plot Summary

A mother bird is off to find food for her new baby bird. What she doesn't understand is her new baby that has just hatched from its egg is off on it's own adventure to find her. The new baby bird asks a kitten, a hen, and an adorable dog (on top of its head), and a cow if they are its mother. They all reply with a "No; they are not his mother."  The baby bird is still determined to find it's mother! Next, the baby bird comes upon a bulldozer and asks, "Are you my mother?" Just as the loud bulldozer said,"SNORT! Scarring the baby bird, as it lifts the baby bird back into its nest with its mother. 

Credit: P.D. Eastman

Critical Analysis

P. D. Eastman, author and illustrator of "Are You My Mother?" uses humor and the simplicity of a baby bird and it's mother in its natural habitat. The author is brilliant without having to use any color as he uses simple drawings in shades of browns, grays, and reds. Eastman hardly uses any color in his illustrations and influences the daily lives of the characters.

Credit: P.D. Eastman

Review Excerpt(s)


Reviews:

I am such a big fan of the truly excellent easy reader. This is another one that blows you away with its perfect simplicity. – Amy M. Weir

Classics made simpler and sturdier for babies of all ages!  - Random House

Credit: P.D. Eastman

Connections

Book Connections by P.D. Eastman :

*   Flap Your Wings. ISBN 9780394

*   Go, Dog, Go! ISBN 9780375805

*   The Best Nest ISBN 978093948005

Activities To Use In The Classroom:

*   Sequence Activity - Great sequential activity book 

*   Writing Activity - Prepare visuals (photographs) of animals (hen, cow, dog, etc.) and have           them complete a writing prompt using "I wonder"...


* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!

Picture Book #2 - Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!

By: Mo Willems

Credit: Mo Willems

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, Mo. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Hyperion Books For Children, 2003. ISBN 0439686172


PLOT SUMMARY

In Moe Willems picture book, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!", an adorable blue pigeon pleads and begs to let him drive the bus. As the bus driver is gone, the very creative pigeon does anything he can to try and drive the bus by pleading with the audience of readers to get his way through emotions and expressions. It will make you laugh out loud!

Credit: Mo Willems

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Mo Willems does a wonderful job of bringing a pigeon to life! He uses pale colors and most pages only have one image and limited text. It is a simple story but has a huge personality. Mo Willems uses humor, strong emotions and feelings through powerful illustrations he created and creative words. It makes the reader feel like they are a part of the book. Come along for a ride with, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!"

Credit: Mo Willems

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

Caldecott Award of 2014

Publishers Weekly said, “Readers will likely find satisfaction in this whimsical show of emotions and, perhaps, a bit of self-recognition.”

Kirkus and its starred review said, “A first picture book by an Emmy Award–winning writer and animator, listeners will be begging, pleading, lying, and bribing to hear it again and again.”

School Library Journal said of it, “In a plain palette, with childishly elemental line drawings, Willems has captured the essence of unreasonableness in the very young. The genius of this book is that the very young will actually recognize themselves in it.”

CONNECTIONS

Activities To Use With This Book:

*   Model expressive reading as you read this book. Have students practice with other picture books in this series by Mo Willems.

*    Opinion Writing - Have students write a letter to the bus driver. Do you think the pigeon should drive the bus or not? Extension activity - how to write a letter?

*    Students create their own vehicle for the pigeon to drive and then persuade readers why they would want to drive their car with expressive language.

*     Students can create a  Sock Puppets book trailer video on a tablet/iPad after they have read the book. Using Sock Puppets would be a great extension of the story to explain their side of  the story.

Book Connections by Mo Willems:

*    Don't Let The Pigeon Eat The Hot Dog. ISBN 9780786818693

*    Don't Let The Pigeon Finish The Activity. ISBN 9781423133100

*    The Pigeon Needs A Bath. ISBN 9781406357783

*Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!

Picture Book #1 - Finding Winnie: The True Story of the Word's Most Famous Bear

By: Linsday Mattick              Illustrator: Sophie Blackall

Image: www.dailymail.com

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mattick, Lindsay, and Sophie Blackall. Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear. New York, 2015: Little Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316324908

PLOT SUMMARY

A mother tells her son the true events of a WWI soldier, Harry Coleburn, buying a baby black bear from a bear trapper. The events that follow will truly capture your heart. Coleburn names his new friend Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, England. He soon finds himself facing the reality of war and leaving Winnie at a zoo.  Although it is a very hard choice for Coleburn, he knows it's the best thing to do. At the zoo, Winnie finds a new friend and a very special friendship just like he had with Harry. They young boy would go on to name his new friend, Winnie-the-Pooh. Later his father wrote about all his adventures with his beloved bear. 

Credit: Lindsay Mattick & Sophie Blackall 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Lindsay Mattick does a wonderful job by sharing her family's relationship to the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh bear through the use of a bedtime story. The emotions and feelings come alive as you follow along on her families journey with the infamous bear known as Winnie-the-Pooh. 

Sophie Blackall does an amazing job illustrating Harry Coleburn's and the little boy's journey with Winnie. She can capture feelings and emotions through her beautiful illustrations. For example, as you see the illustration above, the little boy with Winnie-the-Pooh. The happiness, joy, and love of Winnie-the-Pooh and the little boy fill the page and your heart. The image of Harry going off to war, you can see and feel the emotion in the air through Sophie Blackall's illustration of a family gathering at the train station and say goodbye to their loved ones. 

Lindsay Mattick and Sophie Blackall created a beautiful, emotional picture book for all ages. 

Credit: Sophie Blackall 

AWARDS

Caldecott Medal of 2016

Charlotte Zolotow Honor of 2016

Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books of 2015

Horn Book Fanfare List: Best Books of 2015, Nonfiction

The New York Times Notable Children's Books of 2015, Picture Books

Booklist Best Picture Books of 2015

Booklist Lasting Connections, 2015

ALA Notable Books for Children 2016, Young Readers

New York Public Library's 100 Notable Titles for Reading and Sharing 2015, Children's Books

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, K-2 of 2016

CCBC Choices - Historical People, Places, and Events of 2016

"Strikes a lovely, understated tone of wonder and family." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A perfect melding of beautiful art with soulful, imaginative writing...A must-have." - School Library Journal, starred review

CONNECTIONS

Activities to Use With This Book:

*   Research bears; living in zoos vs. living in the wild. Make a Venn diagram.
*   Discuss and share the different examples of compassion shown throughout the book. Make a list,        draw images, and share with the class.
*   Research World War I, soldiers lives, etc.
*   As the teacher reads the picture book, reflect and discuss with students about events in the book,          and have students reflect in their journal by drawing images or writing.
*   Create a book trailer using iMovie or Prezi after students have read the book. Share with the class.

Book Connections:

*   Shushkewich, Val. The Real Winnie: A One-of-a-Kind Bear. ISBN 9781280579196
*   Innes, Stephanie. A Bear In War. ISBN 9781554700974
*  Walker, Sally M. Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.
    ISBN  9780805097153
      
* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!

Welcome to my Reading Blog!

I love reading and sharing that love of reading. I'm attending Texas Woman's University. For my Children's Literature class, we will be reading many different types of children's and young adult books and writing book reviews. The books will be in the following categories:

• Picture Books
• Traditional Literature
• Poetry
• Nonfiction & Biography
• Historical Fiction
• Fiction, Fantasy & Young Adult

I hope you enjoy reading my book reviews. Enjoy!