By Cousins, Lucy
Bibliography:
Publisher:
Candlewick Press, p2009
ISBN-13: 978-0-7636-4474-1ISBN-10: 0-7636-4474-9
Plot:
The plot is simple, eight traditional fairy tales, and familiar to all or soon to become familiar to the youngster first discovering favored fairy tales and fantasy. The nonchelontness of justice for the antagonist contained within will most likely not bother little ones reading, while adults may even pause to cast a chuckle to the wolf’s run of bad luck. What makes this book so unlike is the artistry, bright and bold colors dominate this book. The drawings are simple, almost childlike in nature. On each page, the lead character is drawn and colored overly “larger” in appearance to establish distinction and emphasis.
Critical Analysis:
I found myself reliving childhood memories while reading this book of fairly tales. As well as the occasional chuckle as I viewed the undoubtedly fate of the Big Bad Wolf from Red’s and Piggy’s neighborhood. Though I wonder if little one’s could really understand the concept drawings of animals meeting their justified fate (ah those nasty nemesis’s). What kept me coming back and rereading was the drawing themselves and the colors, bold and bright. I felt as though I had missed something even though the pictures on each page were simple, but there was so much to see. What I also noticed was the unusual was the faces of the characters, many times smiling excessively it seems.
Reviews & Awards:
Booklist starred 10/15/09 - The writing is simple and direct, as befits these traditional tales. Illustrated in Cousins’ signature style, the bold, childlike pictures feature broad strokes of black paint defining the forms of characters and elements of the setting.
School Library Journal starred 09/01/09
Publishers Weekly starred 07/20/09
Kirkus Review starred 07/01/09
Connections:
Immediately what comes to mind is the compare/contrast of fairy tale books and the introduction of fairy tales (for younger students). The older students will understand and appreciate the humor contained within, while the younger will enjoy the simple drawings and bright colors.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Four Dollars and Fifty Cents
Four Dollars and Fifty Cents
By Eric A. Kimmel; illustrated by Glen Rounds.
Publisher: Holiday House, p1990, c1990
ISBN-13: 978-0-8234-0817-7ISBN-10: 0-8234-0817-5
Plot Summary:
Shorty Long owes money to just about everybody, and he owes $4.50 to the Widow Macrae who is bound and determined to get her man, I mean money. Shorty too is bound and determine to not pay what he owes to anybody! And to prove it, he plays “dead” but the Widow Macrae isn’t buying it, necessarily. She volunteers to bury Shorty, “appropriately” and then camps out to see if Shorty is really dead. Meanwhile, a band of outlaws arrive on the seen only to be scared out of their shorts when Shorty sits up and talks. They take off and Shorty is held to his original debt to Widow Macrae. But will he pay…. Read the book to find out.
Critical Analysis:
This book is a laugh at loud, western slingin’, cowboy rustling good fun. Simple in premise, a debt is owed and how to avoid the creditor. To some degree this book reminds me of some of those cowboy western movies I watched growing up, with all of the usual characters: rustlers, cowpokes, the barmaid/owner, and the slow dim-witted cowboy. Okay, not all cowboys are “dimwitted” (no offense meant, I’m a huge John Wayne, Lone Ranger fan). In fact, Shorty reminds me more of Pa Kettle than that of a traditional movie cowboy.
Awards and Reviews:
Horn Book starred (February, 1991) - "Rounds's outrageous, bold line-and-crayon drawings perfectly suit the tale's Western flavor. A fast-paced, funny story perfect for reading aloud."
Horn Book starred review
Illustrations:
Apparently the illustrations in this book our from crayon drawings, and at first glance, I didn’t even notice. But looking closer I can see how the coloring fell “outside of the lines.” Perhaps this concept would bother most people, but because the drawings are simple, not complex, with usually a single character on each page, you really do not notice that it is crayon-drawings. And even more, if the drawings were more detailed, I wonder if it would affect the storyline since this story is a “western” themed and outlaw-ish in nature.
By Eric A. Kimmel; illustrated by Glen Rounds.
Publisher: Holiday House, p1990, c1990
ISBN-13: 978-0-8234-0817-7ISBN-10: 0-8234-0817-5
Plot Summary:
Shorty Long owes money to just about everybody, and he owes $4.50 to the Widow Macrae who is bound and determined to get her man, I mean money. Shorty too is bound and determine to not pay what he owes to anybody! And to prove it, he plays “dead” but the Widow Macrae isn’t buying it, necessarily. She volunteers to bury Shorty, “appropriately” and then camps out to see if Shorty is really dead. Meanwhile, a band of outlaws arrive on the seen only to be scared out of their shorts when Shorty sits up and talks. They take off and Shorty is held to his original debt to Widow Macrae. But will he pay…. Read the book to find out.
Critical Analysis:
This book is a laugh at loud, western slingin’, cowboy rustling good fun. Simple in premise, a debt is owed and how to avoid the creditor. To some degree this book reminds me of some of those cowboy western movies I watched growing up, with all of the usual characters: rustlers, cowpokes, the barmaid/owner, and the slow dim-witted cowboy. Okay, not all cowboys are “dimwitted” (no offense meant, I’m a huge John Wayne, Lone Ranger fan). In fact, Shorty reminds me more of Pa Kettle than that of a traditional movie cowboy.
Awards and Reviews:
Horn Book starred (February, 1991) - "Rounds's outrageous, bold line-and-crayon drawings perfectly suit the tale's Western flavor. A fast-paced, funny story perfect for reading aloud."
Horn Book starred review
Illustrations:
Apparently the illustrations in this book our from crayon drawings, and at first glance, I didn’t even notice. But looking closer I can see how the coloring fell “outside of the lines.” Perhaps this concept would bother most people, but because the drawings are simple, not complex, with usually a single character on each page, you really do not notice that it is crayon-drawings. And even more, if the drawings were more detailed, I wonder if it would affect the storyline since this story is a “western” themed and outlaw-ish in nature.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Bubba The Cowboy Prince
Bibliography:
(A fractured Texas tale) Helen Ketteman; illustrated by James Warhola.
Publisher: Scholastic Press, p1997
ISBN-13: 978-0-590-25506-6ISBN-10: 0-590-25506-1
Plot Summary:
Bubba lives with two “evil” stepbrothers, Dwayne and Milton, as well as a “wicked” step daddy. They boss Bubba around continuously and force him to do all of the work on their ranch while they sit atop their broncos and watch Bubba sweat. But Bubba doesn’t mind, “he loves ranching.” Meanwhile, down the road is single Miz Lurleen, looking for a husband who loves ranching as much as she. Miz Lurleen holds a dance at her fancy ranch and invites all of the single cowboys in town. It takes Bubba’s fairy god-cow to work her magic for Bubba to attend this event and stand out as the “belle of the ballroom.” But when the clock strikes 12:00, he returns to his old worn-out self, running out of the ballroom leaving a raggedy boot behind. Miz Lurleen searches across the county to find the man that this boot belongs, which of coarse it belongs to Bubba. Once he slips it on, it is “home on the range” as Bubba and Lurleen ride off into the sunset.
Critical Analysis:
This fractured fairy tale brought a real chuckle to me, as the literary writing was intended for the true Texas, or western spirit. Having grown up in Texas and lived on a farm, as well as working the rodeo circuit, I can truly relate these cowboys on the ranch and the big hair of Miz Lurleen. I’ve seen it, I’ve lived it. I wonder if it would mean quite as much to individuals who live north of the Red River and who only imagine what ranching, farming, and rodeos are all about. Does this book fit a stereotype that they envision, I can’t say. I can tell you that a fairy god-cow does not necessarily exist unless you’ve been sitting on your bronco a little too long after dark, but it adds the perfect compliment to the hard working cattle rustler.
Awards and Reviews:
Publishers Weekly (November 17, 1997) - “Rustler lingo and illustrations chockablock with Texas kitsch make this ranch-spun Cinder-fella a knee-slappin' tale.”
L.A. Recommended Foreign Language 02/01/99
Connections:
This book would be a great addition in a character analysis and storyline. You could compare the various versions of Cinderella with older students and help them to discover that there is more than just the "Disney" version.
Pictures:
The illustrations are bold and purely "western" stereotype characters with big heads and big hair. The animals on the farm have a likelikeness and almost "humanistic" quality on their faces. Attention is especially paid to the scruffiness of Bubba, including the wholes in his boots and clothing, as well as the dirt on his face and body, though not too overly done, just enough to prove that he is a hard worker. The landscape illustrations also cativate the rise and setting of the sun, the colors across a desert. And of course the pristine "whiteness" of Bubba's magic "garb" while dancing with Miz Lurleen, to me he looks like George Strait in his fancy boots and white hat.
(A fractured Texas tale) Helen Ketteman; illustrated by James Warhola.
Publisher: Scholastic Press, p1997
ISBN-13: 978-0-590-25506-6ISBN-10: 0-590-25506-1
Plot Summary:
Bubba lives with two “evil” stepbrothers, Dwayne and Milton, as well as a “wicked” step daddy. They boss Bubba around continuously and force him to do all of the work on their ranch while they sit atop their broncos and watch Bubba sweat. But Bubba doesn’t mind, “he loves ranching.” Meanwhile, down the road is single Miz Lurleen, looking for a husband who loves ranching as much as she. Miz Lurleen holds a dance at her fancy ranch and invites all of the single cowboys in town. It takes Bubba’s fairy god-cow to work her magic for Bubba to attend this event and stand out as the “belle of the ballroom.” But when the clock strikes 12:00, he returns to his old worn-out self, running out of the ballroom leaving a raggedy boot behind. Miz Lurleen searches across the county to find the man that this boot belongs, which of coarse it belongs to Bubba. Once he slips it on, it is “home on the range” as Bubba and Lurleen ride off into the sunset.
Critical Analysis:
This fractured fairy tale brought a real chuckle to me, as the literary writing was intended for the true Texas, or western spirit. Having grown up in Texas and lived on a farm, as well as working the rodeo circuit, I can truly relate these cowboys on the ranch and the big hair of Miz Lurleen. I’ve seen it, I’ve lived it. I wonder if it would mean quite as much to individuals who live north of the Red River and who only imagine what ranching, farming, and rodeos are all about. Does this book fit a stereotype that they envision, I can’t say. I can tell you that a fairy god-cow does not necessarily exist unless you’ve been sitting on your bronco a little too long after dark, but it adds the perfect compliment to the hard working cattle rustler.
Awards and Reviews:
Publishers Weekly (November 17, 1997) - “Rustler lingo and illustrations chockablock with Texas kitsch make this ranch-spun Cinder-fella a knee-slappin' tale.”
L.A. Recommended Foreign Language 02/01/99
Connections:
This book would be a great addition in a character analysis and storyline. You could compare the various versions of Cinderella with older students and help them to discover that there is more than just the "Disney" version.
Pictures:
The illustrations are bold and purely "western" stereotype characters with big heads and big hair. The animals on the farm have a likelikeness and almost "humanistic" quality on their faces. Attention is especially paid to the scruffiness of Bubba, including the wholes in his boots and clothing, as well as the dirt on his face and body, though not too overly done, just enough to prove that he is a hard worker. The landscape illustrations also cativate the rise and setting of the sun, the colors across a desert. And of course the pristine "whiteness" of Bubba's magic "garb" while dancing with Miz Lurleen, to me he looks like George Strait in his fancy boots and white hat.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Artist to Artist, 23 Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art
Bibliography:
Gauch, Patricia. 2007. Artist to Artist, 23 Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art. New York, NY. Philomel Books. ISBN:978-0-399-24600-5
Plot Summary:
A collection of artist ranging in age, gender, and race/nationality, discuss their beginnings and the "when I knew I wanted to be an artist" along with the people in their lives that either supported their endeavors or discouraged their efforts. The artists also include their techniques in developing characters and a "self" portrait.
Critical Analysis:
This book actually caught me off guard and I found myself re-reading various authors over and over. I read a few to the 4th graders, and they too, found inspiration and hope as they focus on their writing compositions for TAKS. So personal notes of interest: Eric Carle's picture books have only 32 pages, and he makes note that he has to pay special attention to ideas, images, and placement in the story line. Robert Ingpen, "...you can choose to be an artist and fly away with your creativity, or to be an illustrator and surround yourself with craft. An illustrator submits his inspiration to a definite end; the painter carries his into infinitude." Barry Moser, his story is so much like many children who are discouraged, even reprimanded for their talent. "Wasting your time." Chris Van Allsburg has become one of my favorite artist and his ability to tell a story without the use of words but through the use of his drawings - incredible. I also can relate to his story of trying many different avenues before settling on what you know best. In his case, pencil. And finally, Rosemary Wells, who encourages students to do what you love no matter what others tell you, and believing in yourself enough to take a chance.
Reviews:
"This book is a treasure!" - School Library Journal
"A toast to the artists and to the lovely book they have made together." - Booklist
Connections:
This book is an important integration into our 4th grade writing. Students enjoy hearing/reading about these famous authors and how they began and drew inspiration.
Gauch, Patricia. 2007. Artist to Artist, 23 Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art. New York, NY. Philomel Books. ISBN:978-0-399-24600-5
Plot Summary:
A collection of artist ranging in age, gender, and race/nationality, discuss their beginnings and the "when I knew I wanted to be an artist" along with the people in their lives that either supported their endeavors or discouraged their efforts. The artists also include their techniques in developing characters and a "self" portrait.
Critical Analysis:
This book actually caught me off guard and I found myself re-reading various authors over and over. I read a few to the 4th graders, and they too, found inspiration and hope as they focus on their writing compositions for TAKS. So personal notes of interest: Eric Carle's picture books have only 32 pages, and he makes note that he has to pay special attention to ideas, images, and placement in the story line. Robert Ingpen, "...you can choose to be an artist and fly away with your creativity, or to be an illustrator and surround yourself with craft. An illustrator submits his inspiration to a definite end; the painter carries his into infinitude." Barry Moser, his story is so much like many children who are discouraged, even reprimanded for their talent. "Wasting your time." Chris Van Allsburg has become one of my favorite artist and his ability to tell a story without the use of words but through the use of his drawings - incredible. I also can relate to his story of trying many different avenues before settling on what you know best. In his case, pencil. And finally, Rosemary Wells, who encourages students to do what you love no matter what others tell you, and believing in yourself enough to take a chance.
Reviews:
"This book is a treasure!" - School Library Journal
"A toast to the artists and to the lovely book they have made together." - Booklist
Connections:
This book is an important integration into our 4th grade writing. Students enjoy hearing/reading about these famous authors and how they began and drew inspiration.
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