Young Adult Fiction

MLS Graduate Student's Reading Blog

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A Folktale Retold

Traditional Literature Review
LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Young, Ed. Seven Blind Mice. New York: Penquin Group, 1992. ISBN: 0399222618

PLOT SUMMARY:
Seven colored blind mice make individual observations. It is only when the white mouse puts all of the pieces of information together and sees the whole, that the mice discover the truth. The text is summed up by the Mouse Moral, "Knowing in part may make a fine tale but wisdom comes from seeing the whole".

                                                CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young recalls the nursery rhyme of old, Three Blind Mice. With creative artistic license he creates seven blind mice, one for each day of the week. Each mouse is set apart by its color: white, blue, red, purple, yellow and green. The conflict arises when the seven mice "were surprised to find a strange Something by their pond". Together they flee. Each mouse takes a turn in observing the "strange Something". Each mouse comes back with a colorful explanation identifying the mysterious object . By Sunday, the seventh mouse makes the trip to see the "strange Something". Being wiser than the rest, this mouse looks at the "whole" of the object by observing the "strange Something"  looking from every direction, down and side to side, to come to a conclusion. Finally, this mouse's savvy leads the others  mice to the truth. The story tells a creative moral while instructing the reader about the seven days of the week.

Ed Young is the illustrator of this book as well. Crafting paper, cutting and collageing is his choice medium. The background on every page is a solid opaque black outlined with a half-inch white frame. All of the color choices for his mice and the "strange Something" are vivid, with extra dramatic impact, and contrasted with the nior background. The text is offset in a crisp, white font that will assist the youngest reader. The paper used throughout the book looks personally made, much like the style of Eric Carle. The minimalist background is the perfect choice for the pallet of color and texture. Each page results in this visually engaging book that tells a good story, teaches the days of the week and will be shared for years to come.

AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Caldecott Honor Book

THE HORN BOOK starred review: "Immensely appealing."
KIRKUS REVIEWS, pointer review: "Exquisitely crafted: a simple, gracefully honed text, an appealing story, and outstanding illustration and design--all add up to a perfect book."

CONNECTIONS:
Ed Young Biographical Information:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Young_(illustrator)
Author Spotlight at Randomhouse.com:  http://www.randomhouse.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=71120
Embracing the Child website: http://embracingthechild.org/
                   Ed Young link: http://www.embracingthechild.org/Bookspecialyoung.htm
 

Books by Ed Young:
BEYOND THE GREAT MOUNTAINS A Visual Poem about China
Dragon King
Voices of the Heart
Lon Po Po
Mouse Match
What about Me


 images credited to:  http://embracingthechild.org/

Folk Literature Collection

Traditional Literature Review
LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Cousins, Lucy. 2009. Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763644741

PLOT SUMMARY:
Yummy Eight Favorite Fairy Tales, by Lucy Cousins, is a collection of eight of the most beloved folktales passed down through the ages. Originally orally told, these stories are timeless and continue to entertain and teach lessons.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The eight fairy tales included in this anthology are: Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Enormous Turnip, Henny Penny, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Little Red Hen, The Three Little Pigs and The Musicians of Bremen. All the tales remain true to the childhood originals. The personified animals all play their parts in the good versus evil plots; The Big Bad Wolf is foiled, the Bremen Musicians find a home, the Troll is pushed off the bridge, the crew, working together pulled up the turnip and had a feast, Henny Penny enjoys the results of her labor and Goldilocks runs away. There is no effort to gloss over that the first two pigs, out of the three, get eaten and the wolf boiled. In the end good triumphs over evil.
The illustration, also by Lucy Cousins, fits the book's content. The artwork uses bold colors and thick outlines on white and primary colored backgrounds. Each painted image has a childlike quality. The primitive compositions communicate, not only the stories but, reflect that these tales  have been passed down through generations. Words painted in bold black strokes throughout complement the text of each story. Ms. Cousins' painterly technique is quaint and humorous befitting the dynamics of each traditional story.

If you are faint of heart Lucy Cousins' interpretations are not for you. If you desire traditional interpretation and don't mind a little violent folktale resolution, this is the anthology  for you.

AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPTS:
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNEL: Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 2—Beloved classics are successfully served by these bold, striking renditions. There's no sugarcoating here, as the wolf in "Little Red Riding Hood" is shown receiving his gruesome comeuppance and Henny Penny's friends never return from Foxy Woxy's lair. Large, arresting gouache spreads in Cousins' signature style utilize saturated colors and thick, dark outlines against solid backgrounds. Expressive characters enhance the stories' shifting moods...

The New York Times - Paul O. Zelinsky
Cousins' artistic style, closely resembling tempera painting scrawled by a child, is almost devoid of detail. Why does it feel so satisfying? Because the world of this book is, delightfully, a world made of paint...

CONNECTIONS:
A wealth of information can be found of the web concerning Fairy tales that are traditional, fractured or variants. It would be surmountable to include them all. The following links are sites I pulled up with a general Google search.

American Folklore
                http://www.americanfolklore.net/sindex.html

Lesson Plan Resources:
               http://www.americanfolklore.net/lesson-plans.html
               http://www.cln.org/themes/fairytales.html
               http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4081

Fractured Fairy tales
               http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/wes/projects/fairy_tales_sofie/fractured_fairy_tales.html

Variants of the Three Little Pigs Resource:
               http://www.ferrum.edu/applit/bibs/tales/Other3Pigs.htm

Allen County Public Library: Variants of Red Riding Hood
               http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/children/fairytale.html

University of Saskatchewan Education Library PDF. Titled Fairy tales and folktales
               http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/children/fairytale.html

Monday, February 22, 2010

Cinderella Variant

Traditional Literature Review
LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Jackson, Ellen. 1994. Cinder Edna. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books. ISBN 068812322

PLOT SUMMARY:
Cinderella is a fairytale that has been told throughout the ages. The traditional Cinderella still sits in the ashes, is assisted by her Fairy Godmother, loses her glass slipper and marries her prince. While next door neighbor Cinder Edna, "who isn't much to look at", takes a different approach to her happily ever after. Each girl deals with her wicked stepmother and stepsisters yet, Cinder Edna, "cooks tuna casserole sixteen different ways and finds sitting in the ashes a silly waste of time". In contrast to the traditional Cinderella, independent Cinder Edna makes her own way to the ball. While each Cinderella attends the ball and meets herr own Prince Charming.  Author Ellen Jackson in the conclusion, poses the question "Guess who lived happily ever after?".

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This parody of a traditional tale contrasts two young women. Set in more modern times, each Cinderella navigates through set backs, challenges and triumphs. The twist is in Edna's spunky, go getting attitude. The result is a version of the traditional tale that empowers young girls to make their own choices and find their own way. This book is a welcome contrast to the Cinderella of old.

Kevin O'Malley enhances Jackson's story with detailed color pencil drawings creatively interacting with the storie's text. This clever rendition is sure to be a favorite. No more is a heroin sitting in the ashes waiting for her prince to come; Cinder Edna is blazing her own path.

AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Featured in Great Books For Girls by Kathleen Odean.
Chosen as a "children's favorite" by the children of Seattle,1997.
Children's Book Award Nominee in South Carolina and Colorado for 1996-97.
Children's Book Award Nominee in Nevada for 1997-98 and Pennsylvania for 1998-99.
Mentoring USA, Recommended Reading List.
Combined Awards-Recognized Standards Literature List, Indiana, 2000.

PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: Instead of glass slippers, Cinderella's neighbor Cinder Edna wears comfortable penny loafers to the ball, where she falls in love with the prince's goofy, tender-hearted younger brother. "Full of kid-pleasing jokes," said PW. Ages 5-up. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: ... O'Malley's full-page, full-color illustrations are exuberant and funny. Ella is suitably bubble-headed and self-absorbed while Edna is plain, practical, and bound to enjoy life. Kids will love this version of the familiar story for its humor and vibrant artwork. Buy two copies-one to circulate and the other to hoard for story hours. Susan Hepler, Alexandria City Public Schools, VA

CONNECTIONS
Cinderella Stories and Variants resource:
http://www.story-lovers.com/listscinderella%2Bstories.html

SurLaLune Fairy Tale Pages by Heidi Ann Heiner
                 Main Page: http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/
                "The Annotated Cinderella" page: http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/cinderella/index.html
Lesson Plan Resource

Cinderella Movie list by Dart Worthy for Amazon.com

Tagging/Indexing/Cataloging: Librarything

SL 5013.20 Competency #5


1. I went to Librarything.com and set up my account. I selected Heting Chu, the author of our text for this class, and added a tag for our textbook.


2. Secondly, I added a Librarything cloud for the books I read and the books my daughter reads.

3. Then, I searched Librarything for tags resources about fractured fairytales (A personal favorite of mine).



Next, I copied the tags related to fractured fairytales and pasted them below. Finally I added a library think below the tags.

adventure (434) animals (264) children (729) children's (1,429) children's literature (422) Cinderella (667) classic (278) comics (1,498) elemental masters (277) erotica (562) fables (811) fairy tales (6,940) fairy tales retold (327) fantasy (11,452) fiction (10,109) graphic novel (2,385) humor (1,160) magic (788) mice (271) mystery (407) novel (610) own (613) oz (608) picture book (1,351) princess (425) read (1,558) retelling (694) romance (538) satire (273) series (554) short stories (681) snow white (290) tbr (433) unread (646) vertigo (369) witches (468) wizard of oz (366) YA (1,105) young adult (1,207)





Wednesday, February 10, 2010

RSS Feed to Random House New Releases - Juvenile Fiction

SL 5013.20  Competency #4
Google search

The RSS feed that I chose to place on the sidebar of my Blog is from Random House.  The feed will include juvenile fiction updates throughout the year.  Juvenile fiction is the area I am least aquainted with at this time therefore, this feed will keep me informed and direct my reading to current juvenile fiction.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Artist to artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art

Picture Book Review
LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Carle, Eric. Artist to artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art. Edited by David Briggs, Courtenay Plamer, Kiffin Steurer, Patricia Lee Gaugh. New York, New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 9780399246005

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Eric Carle's note, at the beginning, sums up the reason for this book in the first couple of sentences:

"I am so pleased to be able to present this unique anthology, which I hope will be inspiring for you and all who read it. In the pages that follow, twenty-three artists have shared the story of their work......."(Carle n.d.).

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The book is set up in two page layouts with the right side being a fold out. The left side is a letter from the featured artist, on the right, is the artist's self portrait. The self portrait tops the fold out page. When opened, this page reveals some of the artist's original work. Some of the artist even include pictures from their childhood. All share where they work, whether it is a studio or a mountain top and proceeds from the book benefit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Having each of these talented artist work exhibited in the same book allows the reader to appreciate the unique qualities of each individual illustrator. The illustrator styles range from: detailed pencil drawings of Chris Van Allsburg , paper engineering with Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart, the loose line drawings of Quentin Blake, the more primitive art of Alice Provensen and Petra Mathers and , of course, the amazing collages of Eric Carle. Other artist included in this collection are: Mitsumasa Anno, Ashley Bryan, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Tomie dePaola, Jane Dyer, Mordicai Gerstein, Robert Ingpen, Steven Kellogg, Leo Lionni, Wendell Minor, Barry Moser, Jerry Pickney, Alice Provensen, Gennady Spirin, Rosemary Wells and Paul O. Zelensky. Each artist inspires future illustrators as they share stories, advice and personal experience. Some are self taught and others academically trained but, all communicate passion for their art. This book does not disappoint and is a must have for any elementary art teacher, library and classroom teacher.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

...a gorgeous, browsable gallery of international treasures. -- School Library Journal

Fun to read and view, this anthology is a treasure trove of creative insight and inspiration. -- Kirkus, starred review

5. CONNECTIONS

Eric Carle's Official website:   http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html
Images from Eric Carl's Official Website

 Eric Carle's Museum of Picture Book Art:


Web Pages, illustrations, books by any of the following: Mitsumasa Anno, Quentin Blake, Ashley Bryan, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Tomie dePaola, Jane Dyer, Mordicai Gerstein, Robert Ingpen, Steven Kellogg, Leo Lionni, Petra Mathers, Wendell Minor, Berry Moser, Jerry Pinkney, Alice Provensen, Robert Subuda and Matthew Reinhart, Maurice Sendak, Gennady Spirin, Chris Van Allsburg, Rosemary Wells and Paul O. Zelinsky

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

"Mommy" written by Arthur Yorinks, illustrated by Maurice Sendak and paper engineering by Matthew Reinhart

SL5013.20 Competency #3
Youtube Search


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Recently I have been reading Eric Carle's book Artist to artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art (Carle n.d.) and noticed that two of the artist featured in this anthology had added their talents to the innovative pop-up book Mommy. Maurice Sendak, illustrator most known for children's book Where the Wild Things Are, collaborated with author Arthur Yorinks and paper engineer Matthew Reinhart . The result is an imaginative journey of a baby who foils the scariest of creatures. The title reflects the singular word used in the text, "Mommy".

The story is wonderful, the illustrations fabulous, but the draw for me was the intricate paper engineering by the masterful Matthew Reinhart. Mr. Reinhart elevates the art of pop-up books creating an amazing experience that surpasses the traditional pop-up books of my childhood. I can look at this book day after day and still find something new and intriguing. It takes but one look to become a fan!

The pop up book Mommy (Maurice Sendak, Arthur Yorinks, Matthew Reinhart 2006) is one I have in my personal library. I acquired it for my daughter during October 2007. We were both completely mesmerized by the book.

Carle, Eric. Artist to artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art. Edited by David Briggs, Courtenay Palmer, Kiffin Steurer Patricia Lee Gaugh. New York, New York: Philomel Books.

Maurice Sendak, Arthur Yorinks, Matthew Reinhart. Mommy. Michael Di capua Books * Scholastic, 2006.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Picture Book Review
LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Weatherford, Carole Boston. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. New York, New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2006. ISBN  0786851759

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This beautifully crafted children's book acquaints the reader with the historical period from 1619 to 1865, when "Africans and their descendents were enslaved in colonial America and the United States" (Weatherford 2006). The book tells about Harriet Tubman's treacherous journey to claim her freedom.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Carole Boston Weatherford tells a well known story in a unique way by creating a sermon like cadence. Based on Harriet Tubman's historic story, the text, communicated by a narrator, contains a spiritual prayer or a conversation with God that is inserted throughout the text. This technique maximizes the impact of Harriet's journey and how she, and others who escaped, had only their faith to guide them. Harriet experienced life as an owned property, a free woman of Philadelphia and finally a conducter for the Underground Railroad. Ms. Weatherford's rendition is fresh and creative and timeless. Told in an inoffensive way, it would be an appropriate book to introduce this period of our nation's history to young readers.

Ms. Boston Weatherford's story, remarkably told, would not have as much impact without the illustrative talents of Kadir Nelson. The visual background created for Harriet's journey conveys the emotion of each stage of her journey. Colors are brilliantly used to illustrate the level of desperation and hope she has each step of the way. The "Harriet" figure is drawn with thoughtful movement and emotion. A light source is used to beautifully illuminate the character's face in the darkest of moments. Most of the book is set up in two page layouts. Mr. Nelson places his main character off center creating a strong composition that is balanced to Ms. Weatherford's text. Each illustration can easily stand on its own as a work of art.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Coretta Scott King Award Winner
Caldecott Honor Book

Starred Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Tubman's religious faith drives this handsome, poetic account of her escape to freedom and role in the Underground Railroad."

Starred Review in BOOKLIST: "Weatherford's handsome picture book about Harriet Tubman focuses mostly on Tubman's religious inspiration, with echoes of spirituals ringing throughout the spare poetry about her struggle ("Lord, don't let nobody turn me 'round")."

5. CONNECTIONS
• Civil War/Slavery
ABES HONEST WORD'S: THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN by Gary Kelley
Civil War on PBS: http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/
Kidport Reference Library online:
http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/UsaHistory/CivilWar/Slavery.htm#Books
Stories of the Underground Railroad and other journeys to freedom
• Civil Rights and Integration
MARTIN'S BIG WORDS: THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING by Doreen Rappaport
MLK online: http://www.mlkonline.net/video.html
THE STORY OF RUBY BRIDGES by Robert Coles
THROUGH MY EYES by Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges Official Website: http://www.rubybridges.com/
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE by Jacqueline Woodson






The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Picture Book Review
LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Selznick, Brian. The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York, New York: Scholastic Press, 2007. ISBN 13:9780439813785

2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this creative picture book/graphic novel, Brian Selznick tells the story of a young man struggling with life's many unanswered questions and a coincidence that finally leads him, and other characters in the book, to an internal, as well as external resolution. The despairing situation of the main character creates empathy, concern and caring drawing the reader into the experiences and challenges of the story. The result of this dual journey relates to anyone who has found themselves in an unsure situation seeking answers for things that might not have answers.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
As the writer, Brian Selznick uses complication to start the plot rising. Early on, Hugo, the main character, is conflicted about his needs and wants. He also struggles to acquire the means of survival that will aid him physically and mentally. Hugo actively engages in unsavory behavior for self-preservation and in an unusual task he feels destined to finish. The journey connects him with the future and aids in healing his past, while at the same time impacting other lives that have gone astray. The heartfelt nature of Selznick's writing immediately grabs the reader's interest and sustains that interest till the end.

Brian Selznick the illustrator creates a unique experience while reading this novel. Using 284 pages of pencil drawings, he has created a "silent film" experience. This format foreshadows the ultimate discovery in the biographically based novel. The setting is a Paris train station's underground. The main character's life revolves around the responsibility of accurately keeping "time" for the station's clockworks. The illustrations, all in pencil with a contour, crosshatching technique, and the black pages reflect the dark places the character must live in the underground station and his unsettled mind. The pacing of the book is driven by these original sequential illustrations that communicate emotion and relay action within Hugo's personal journey.

The book is a feast for the eyes and, as the time moves forward, reading this story makes the heart beat a little faster. All necessary journeys in life, even the ones we don't know we are embarking on, take time, persistence, faith and determination. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is an excellent resource, not only in literary elements, but as a conversation for readers to have with themselves and others who have experienced moments of self-doubt and confusion of purpose.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Caldecott Medal Winner 2008
Junior Library Guide Selection
2007 National Book Award Finalist, Young People's Literature

Starred Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Here is a true masterpiece—an artful blending of narrative, illustration and cinematic technique, for a story as tantalizing as it is touching. Twelve-year-old orphan Hugo lives in the walls of a Paris train station at the turn of the 20th century, where he tends to the clocks and filches what he needs to survive."

Starred Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: " Grade 4–9—With characteristic intelligence, exquisite images, and a breathtaking design, Selznick shatters conventions related to the art of bookmaking in this magical mystery set in 1930's Paris."

5. CONNECTIONS
• Early French artist and cinematic pioneer Georges Melies
• Films and drawings by George Melies
• Magicians and the world of automata
• Books Written by Brian Selznick
THE HOUDINI BOX (Oct. 7, 2008)
THE BOY OF A THOUSAND FACES (Aug. 21, 2001)
THE ROBOT KING (Sept. 1995)
• Books Illustrated by Brian Selznick
THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS by Barbara Kerley
THE DOLL PEOPLE by Laura Godwin
• Websites
.Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invention_of _Hugo_Cabret
• The book will compliment themes concerned with a troubled youth who are looking for answers.
• Other Books and video resources about Georges Melies.


 A Trip to the Moon (Le Voyage dans la lune)
Georges Méliès (French, 1861-1938)