Genre 2: Traditional Literature

The Three Little Pigs retold by M.J. York, illustrated by Laura Ferraro Close

Bibliography

York, M. J., and Laura Close. The Three Little Pigs. Mankato, Minn.: Childs World, 2012.

Plot Summary

In this classic tale, the three pigs build their homes out of straw, sticks and brick, as the big bad wolf sets out to devour each of the innocent and naïve little pigs. He succeeds in eating the first two pigs, which he captures by blowing their houses of straw and sticks down.  However, the third little pig that builds his house out of bricks and mortar is very clever.  He starts a huge, boiling cauldron of water in the fireplace for tea.  The wolf gets angry because he has been outsmarted by the clever little pig three times, so he decides to take a flying leap down the pig’s chimney to get to him.  As a result, the wolf unknowingly leaps to his death, right into the cauldron of boiling water.  Of course, the clever pig is left alone and lives happily ever after to go forth and prosper.

Critical Analysis

In this version of The Three Little Pigs, retold by M.J. York, the author puts a modern, practical spin on this fairy tale classic.  The story begins with the mother pig telling the three baby pigs that the family has fallen on hard times, so they must leave the family home and make their own way in the world.  Much of the original dialog and plot remain the same as the original, until the end of the story, when the third clever pig gathers his apples and turnips before his date with the wolf.  Another variation is boiling cauldron of water for tea that the third pig places in the lit fireplace in anticipation of the wolf.

The illustrations in this story can best be described as traditional; they are what a child would envision if the illustrations were not present.  The vivid use of color creates movement and animation, which stimulates a child’s imagination.

Review Excerpts

Connections

Gather other award-winning versions of The Three Pigs:

Caldecott Honor:  Weisner, David.  The Three Pigs.  ISBN 978-0618007011.

ALA Notable Children’s Book Citation and New York Times Best Book of the Year:

Scieszka, John. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.  ISBN 978-0670827596.

-Use as a teaching tool for a first grade Reading lesson on sequencing

-Use as a teaching tool for a first grade Reading lesson on character traits

-Use as a teaching tool for a first grade Reading lesson on plot (problem/solution).

The Lion and the Mouse, by Jerry Pinkney

Bibliography

Pinkney, Jerry. The Lion and the Mouse. S.l.: Weston Woods/Scholastic, 2010.

Plot Summary

A meek little mouse stumbles upon a fierce and ferocious lion.  The frightened little mouse thinks he’s history until the mighty lion makes an unusual decision:  he decides to let the little mouse go.  The mouse doesn’t forget the grand gesture of kindness by the lion, and even tells his other mouse friends.  It’s a good thing that the lion decided to let the mouse live, because it is the courageous little mouse that saves lion from the snares of the hunter later in the story.

Critical Analysis

The story of the lion and the mouse is a heartwarming testament to the power of kindness and friendship.  The lion’s split-second, life-changing decision to free his prey means so much to the mouse that he feels inclined to return the good deed, proving that one act of kindness deserves another.  The illustrations are vividly colorful, detailed and unforgettable, rising to the challenge of telling a powerful story with minimal words.  Furthermore, the illustrations convey total composition, as the characters and setting appear to move off the page.

Review Excerpts

2010 Caldecott Medal

"Pinkney has no need for words; his art speaks eloquently for itself."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A nearly wordless exploration of Aesop's fable of symbiotic mercy that is nothing short of masterful... Unimpeachable."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 "A classic tale from a consummate artist."—School Library Journal, starred review

Connections

Gather other Caldecott Honor books to read such as:

Scanlon, Garton Liz.  All the World. ISBN 978-1416985808.

Stead, Phillip.  A Sick Day for Amos McGee.  ISBN 978-1596434028.

Raschka, Chris.  A Ball for Daisy.  ISBN 978-0375858611.

-great resource for teaching the virtues of kindness and respect (social studies)

Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan

Bibliography

Bryan, Ashley. Beautiful Blackbird. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003.

Plot Summary

All the beautiful-colored birds meet in the forest one day for a festival.  It is there that they behold the beautiful blackbird, and declare its amazing beauty.  They all tell blackbird that he is the most beautiful, and they confess that they want to be just like him.  They all break into expressive dance, just to show blackbird how beautiful they think he is.  Blackbird tells them all that they can look like him on the outside, but they should be themselves on the inside.  Then, blackbird graciously brings the beautiful black paint to the forest festival, and paints each and every one of his feathered friends black.  At the end, they all dance a happy dance in celebration, as blackbird reminds them, “I’ll be me, and you be you!”

Critical Analysis

Beautiful Blackbird is a heart-warming story that is a celebration of individuality.  As the other colored birds begin to gather around blackbird and become infatuated with his beauty, he acknowledges it but also stresses the importance of being true to oneself, by telling the other birds that you’ll look like me on the outside, but you are yourself on the inside.  The illustrations imitate life in this book, as the vivid colors represent movement, creativity and individuality.  The various uses of black lines and shapes also represent the individuality of the human experience.  The book also conveys another very subtle message:  black is beautiful.

Review Excerpts

2004 Coretta Scott King award for illustrations

“Bryan's lilting and magical language is infectious.” –Publisher’s Weekly

“…serves as a thoughtful and entertaining addition to units on self-esteem.” –School Library 

Journal

Connections

Gather other Coretta Scott King award books:

Hamilton, Virginia.  The People Could Fly:  A Picture Book Illustration.  ISBN 978-0375845536.

Gather other Caldecott Honor books:

McDermott, Gerald.  Anansi the Spider:  Tales from the Ashanti.  ISBN 978-0805003116.

-great resource for teaching the importance of self-esteem (social studies).