Traditional Literature

Artwork by Yuyi Morales

Image from www.kirkusreviews.com

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
by Yuyi Morales

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Morales, Yuyi. 2003. JUST A MINUTE: A TRICKSTER TALE AND COUNTING BOOK. Ill. by the author. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 0811837580

PLOT SUMMARY

Yuyi Morales tells the tale of Señor Calavera who comes knocking on Grandma Beetle’s door on her birthday, asking her to come with him. “Just a minute, Señor Calavera” says Grandma Beetle. Once Grandma Beetle sweeps one house, boils two pots of tea, makes three pounds of tortillas, and completes several other tasks, each time asking Señor Calavera to wait one more minute, it was time for her birthday party. Together with her nine grandchildren, Grandma Beetle invites a very impatient and frustrated Señor Calavera to be her tenth guest. After having a fabulous time, Grandma Beetle is ready to go with Señor Calavera. But instead of leaving with Grandma Beetle, Señor Calavera leaves behind only a note looking forward to next year’s celebration.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Morales’ original trickster tale embodies a simple rhythmic storytelling style with the repetition of Grandma Beetle’s plea, “Just a minute, Señor Calavera. I will go with you right away,” followed by her numerical stall tactic. Although representing Death, Morales’ Señor Calavera is neither intimidating nor scary. Grandma Beetle, plump and with sparkly gray hair, represents a good and loving figure. She tirelessly toils all day to prepare her own birthday party, not necessarily for herself, but for her grandchildren (and Señor Calavera) to enjoy. In the end, her trickery keeps her home with her grandchildren, while her supernatural guest exits with a promise to return again.

Morales’ illustrations, composed of acrylic and mixed-media on paper, are vibrant shades of colors commonly found in Mexican artifacts and crafts. Representative of the Mexican culture, Morales not only illustrates tortillas and piñatas, but adds details such as hanging chiles, papel picado, and of course Señor Calavera’s decorative skull and bones. This story would make a wonderful addition or introduction to a larger study of Mexican culture.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

“Lit with dancing lines and warm colors, Morales’s illustrations enhance the appeal of this winning story even further.” Kirkus starred review (Oct. 2003)

“Morales (Harvesting Hope) whips up a visually striking book, and funny to boot.” Publishers Weekly (Nov. 2003)

“This story is a delight.” School Library Journal (Dec. 2003)

“The splendid paintings and spirited storytelling--along with useful math and multicultural elements--augur a long, full life for this original folktale.” Booklist starred review (Dec. 2003)

Pura Belpre Medal for Best Illustration (2004)

ALSC Notable Books for Children, Younger Readers (2004)

CLASP Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature (2003)

Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award (2004)

Latino Literary Award for Best Children's Book (2004)

CONNECTIONS

Use this book for an introduction to various aspects of the Mexican culture, or before making crafts, such as calaveras, tortillas, papel picado, and piñatas.

Use this book in addition to the following books for a lesson on Mexican folktales and trickster tales:

--El Cucuy! : a bogeyman cuento in English and Spanish by Joe Hayes

--Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales by Neil Philip

--The Tale of Rabbit and Coyote by Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola

--Borreguita and the Coyote by Verna Aardema and Petra Mathers

Other books for children about the Day of the Dead

--The Festival of the bones = El festival de las calaveras : the little-bitty
   book for the Day of the Dead by Luis San Vicente.

--Calavera abecedario: a Day of the Dead alphabet book by Jeanette Winter.

For more books and information about Señor Calavera:

Read Just In Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book by Yuyi Morales
Visit Señor Calavera’s website. 
Follow Señor Calavera on Facebook.

Meet Señor Calavera!

Other books for children illustrated by Yuyi Morales

--Mi Abuelita by Tony Johnston

--Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes

--Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull

Visit the Yuyi Morales' website.

Traditional Literature

Artwork by Simms Taback
Image from www.simmstaback.com

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

by Simms Taback

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Taback, Simms. 1999. Joseph had a little overcoat. Ill. by the author. New York: Viking.

ISBN 0670878553

PLOT SUMMARYBased on a Yiddish folk song, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat tells the story of Joseph, his overcoat, and his resourcefulness. When his overcoat becomes worn and old, he makes a jacket out of it. When that gets worn and old, he makes a vest out of it. And so on he goes, until finally, Joseph loses the last remnant of his overcoat - his button. But clever Joseph makes something out of that too!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In his Caldecott Award winning book, Simms Taback beautifully draws readers into a slice of Jewish culture. Because it comes from a song, Taback’s text has natural rhythm and pace that make it ideal for young readers. Its simple repetitive lines and cadenced pattern is just begging to be read aloud. Taback cleverly includes numerous details of Jewish culture - from the Yiddish newspaper on the street at the fair, to the books authored by Jewish authors, to the reference to Fiddler on the Roof. Most notably, however, is the inclusion of the English version of the original song that the book is based on at the end of the book.

Truly deserving of the Caldecott medal, Taback’s artwork, constructed using watercolor, Gouache paint, pencil, ink and collage, are filled with small details that keep the reader engaged and surely coming back for more. Die-cut holes on each page give readers a little hint into what the fabric will turn into next, each time getting smaller and smaller until there is nothing left. In the end, however, Taback has truly made a wonderful “something out of nothing.”

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat is recommended for ages 3-7, but is sure to be enjoyed by all.

 REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

“With its effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor, this is tailor-made for reading aloud.” Publishers Weekly, 1999

“Taback’s mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity.” Booklist, 2000

“A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit.” School Library Journal, 2000

1999 National Jewish Book Award

1999 Sydney Taylor Book Award

2000 ALA Notable Children’s Book, Young Readers

2000 Caldecott Medal

CONNECTIONS

Use this book in a lesson on sequencing: What did Joseph do when his __ got old and worn? Have students retell the story by filling in the blank with each item Joseph made and what he did immediately after. Other sequencing books to use can include:

--I Had a Favorite Dress by Boni Ashburn

--Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein

--This is the House that Jack Built by Simms Taback

--There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback

Other possible lessons for this book could include a unit on clothing and weather, or recycling/re-purposing items that get old. 

Other books for children illustrated by Simms Taback

--Postcards from Camp

--I Miss You Everyday

--Mommies and Babies

Visit Simms Taback’s website.

View the animated version of the story Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. Written and illustrated by Simms Taback, narrated by Rob Reiner on “Scholastic Storybook Treasures: Wheels on the Bus and More Musical Stories.” Produced by Weston Woods/Scholastic, 2001.

From the video mentioned above, here is an excerpt of the traditional song “I Had a Little Overcoat” found at the end of the book and the movie.

Traditional Literature

Artwork by Jim Harris, Image from
 www.jimharrisillustrator.com

Three Little Cajun Pigs

by Mike Artell

Illustrated by Jim Harris

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Artell, Mike. 2006. THREE LITTLE
CAJUN PIGS. Ill. by Jim Harris.
New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.
ISBN 0803728158

PLOT SUMMARY

When Trosclair, Thibodeaux and Ulysse (“dey all call him ‘Boo’”) get sent out into the world by their Mama, all three little Cajun pigs try their hand at building a home of their own. Trosclair builds his out of straw, Thibodeaux out of sticks, and wise Boo decides on bricks. Meanwhile, “dat big gator,” Ol’ Claude is watching the three little pigs from the bayou. As expected, Claude goes after the pigs, knocking down the straw and stick homes with his big gator tail. All three pigs take refuge in Boo’s brick house, while Claude tries to knock it down with a flip of his tail. When he realizes he can’t knock it down, he spots a chimney and decided to go in that way. But, Boo, who was making a roux, decided to turn up the heat when Claude gets stuck in the chimney. Out of mercy, the pigs decide to cover the pot, and help Claude get out. The younger pigs decide to stay the night with big brother Boo, but build their own brick houses the very next day. And, Claude? “He got him an ice pack on his derriere,” and has no plans to visit the pigs anytime soon.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this variation of the Three Little Pigs, Mike Artell adds a Cajun twist and makes the well-known story lyrical and lively. His poetic retelling incorporates a Cajun accent and unique vocabulary into a familiar story. The Big Bad Wolf is replaced by Ol’ Claude, an alligator who lives in the nearby bayou. And while his three good-guy characters remain pigs, he gives them Cajun names and of course, accents.

Jim Harris’ illustrations work to give the story additional insight into the Cajun culture with small touches like his depiction of the pigs’ second-line parade when they leave home, Boo’s home built on brick pilings or piers, and the gator’s floating house in the swamp, complete with washboard and tub. His watercolor and pencil drawings are full of rich details that invite the reader to spend an extra minute on each spread, admiring the work and being transported to the bayous of Louisiana. Harris also brings back the mouse from his earlier collaboration with Artell, Petite Rouge, to add to the fun.

Recommended for ages 4 to 8, but enjoyed by all who love the Cajun culture.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

“This retelling of the traditional story is Cajun both in language and lesson.” Kirkus (Sept. 2006)

“Although Cajun variations on folktales are becoming plentiful, this one should not be missed.” School Library Journal (Dec. 2006)

CONNECTIONS

Use this book for a lesson comparing and contrasting different variations of the Three Little Pigs in different cultures and settings.

--The 3 Little Dassies by Jan Brett

--The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark by Will Grace

--The Three Little Tamales by Eric A. Kimmel

--The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell

--The Three Swingin’ Pigs by Vicky Rubin

After reading several books based on the Three Little Pigs, have student create a simple Reader’s Theater script, either as a class or in small groups, using a unique setting and set of characters.

Other familiar children’s stories featuring the Cajun culture:

--Petit Rouge by Mike Artell

--Jacques and De Beanstalk by Mike Artell

--There was an old Cajun by Deborah Kadair

--Cajun Night Before Christmas by James Rice

Visit the author’s website at http://www.mikeartell.com/

Visit the illustrator’s website at http://www.jimharrisillustrator.com/

Picture Books

Artwork by Betsy Lewin
Image from www.betsylewin.com 

Duck For President
by Doreen Cronin
Illustrated by Betsy Lewin

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cronin, Doreen. 2004. DUCK FOR PRESIDENT.
Ill. by Betsy Lewin. New York: Simon & Schuster.
ISBN 0689863772

PLOT SUMMARY
In Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewis’ third collaborative work, we find a familiar character, Duck, running for president. Fed up with the hard labor of working on the farm, Duck organizes an election to take over the farm from Farmer Brown. Lo and behold, he wins! Soon after, he realizes that running a farm is hard work, so he sets his eyes on the governorship. He wins again! But, like before, he realizes that running a state is hard work. He decides to look for greener pastures and launches his presidential campaign, eventually wining that election as well. In the midst of running the country, “covered from head to toe in face powder, paper cuts, staples, security badges, Secret Service agent, and coffee stains,” he decides to answer a Duck Needed ad and retires from politics.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Cronin successfully simplifies the election process for young readers, and gives adults a few chuckles with references to typical political antics along the way. As the story moves along, her words repeat the election process, each time on a grander stage, keeping the reader interested in what Duck and his trusty campaign chickens/staff, come up with next. In typical Cronin/Lewin style, Duck for President brilliantly depicts the expressive nature of the human-speech-less characters and manages to convey a hilarious, almost plausible story of an ambition Duck.

Lewin’s thick-lined water colors seamlessly match Cronin’s words, and manage to depict familiar scenes from political campaigns past and present, adding hints of cultural familiarity --political slogans, patriotic touches, even an upgrade to a computer from the typewriter. Included in the text and illustrations are elbow -nudging references to former U.S. Presidents, and possibly a certain female candidate, that adults are sure to enjoy.

Duck for President is recommended for all ages, and is available in Spanish.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS
“Readers will have a great fun learning with this playful poke at American polities.” (School Library Journal, Sept. 2005)

“Cronin's text is hilarious for kids and adults and includes a little math and quite a bit about the electoral process.” (School Library Journal Starred Review, Mar. 2004)

“Just in time for an election year, the feathered troublemaker of Click, Clack; Moo (2000) and Giggle, Giggle, Quack (2002) enters the political arena, with sidesplitting results” (Kirkus Starred Review, Jan. 2004)

“A few nods to past presidents appear in both text and art (Nixon, Clinton, G.H.W. Bush), offering older readers a knowing wink.” (Publishers Weekly, 2004)

School Library Journal Best Books (2004)

New York Times 10 Best Illustrated Picture Books (2004)

New York Times 10 Best Illustrated Books (2005)

Book Sense Book of the Year, Children’s Illustrated Winner (2005)

CONNECTIONS
For resources from the publisher of this book, visit Duck for President where you will find downloadable items such as campaign posters and button, discussion questions, and ballots.

Use this book for a lesson on presidential elections. Vocabulary words can include: election, vote, voters, registration, protest, ballot, recount, tally, staff, campaign, campaign trail, speech, poster, governor, president, autobiography.

Use sites such as Fact Monster and Scholastics' Poll Mania participate in online polls for kids.

Visit Time for Kids Election 2012 mini-site for resources related to this year's presidential election.

Other books for children about presidential elections
--Grace for President by Kelly S. DiPucchio
--My Teacher for President by Kay Winters
--If I Were President and If I Ran For President, both by Catherine Stier
--See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the
   Race to the White House by Susan E. Goodman

Other books for children by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
--Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type
--Giggle Giggle Quack
--Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack: An Alphabetical Adventure
--Click, Clack, Splish, Splash: A Counting Adventure
--Dooby Dooby Moo

Visit the illustrator’s website at www.betsylewin.com

View this Duck for President campaign video

Picture Books

Artwork by Robert McCloskey.
Image from www.goodreads.com

Make Way for Ducklings
by Robert McCloskey

BIBLIOGRAPHY

McCloskey, Robert. 1941. MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS. Ill. by the author. New York: The Viking Press. ISBN 0670451495

PLOT SUMMARY
Robert McCloskey’s children’s classic, Make Way for Ducklings, is the story of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their quest to find just the right place to raise a family. Set in the city of Boston, the story begins with the two ducks flying over the city, and landing in the pond at Boston Public Garden for a short rest. Although they both think the park is a nice place to settle down, Mrs. Mallard soon realizes it is a bit too dangerous for just-hatched ducklings. After continuing their search over some of Boston’s landmarks, they again find a nice spot on a small island on the Charles River. Here, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard welcome thier eight ducklings-- Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack. After they hatch, Mr. Mallard decides to go exploring while Mrs. Mallard stays behind with her new babies. They make plans to meet back at Boston Public Garden in a week. Mrs. Mallard wastes no time and begins teaching her ducklings how to swim, dive, walk in a line, come to her when they are called, and keep away from anything with wheels. When she feels they are ready, she leads them across the river, down the streets of Boston, on their way to meet Mr. Mallard at the pond. How will they cross the busy streets? Will they make it to the Public Garden? And, who will they meet along the way?

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Although Make Way for Ducklings is now over 70 years old, its simple storyline and amazing illustrations have made it a timeless favorite. The main characters, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, are typical parents who only want the best for their family. From finding the right place to lay their eggs, to teaching the ducklings what they need to know before going into the big city, to protecting them along the way until they reach a safe place to live, these parents are relatable to any young reader. The dialogue between Mr. and Mrs. Mallard suggests that this pair cares about the well being of their brood, and is planning for their future. The simple, yet descriptive text moves the story along as we accompany the Mallards on this adventure through a busy city.

McCloskey’s meticulous illustrations help place the reader in the heart of Boston. Additionally, his detailed drawings of landmarks, old automobiles and people’s clothing take the reader back in time. Each brown pencil drawing over cream-colored two-page spread transports the reader into the book by detailing the “fluff” of the ducklings’ feathers, the “gentleness” of the pond, and the “speed” of the passing wheels, making for a very pleasant reading experience.

Make Way for Ducklings is recommended for children ages 3 – 8, and is also available in Spanish.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS
“…an enchanting and very original book.” (Kirkus Starred Review, Aug. 1941)

Caldecott Medal (1941)

Indies Choice Book Award for Picture Book Hall of Fame (2009)

No. 6 in School Library Journal’s Top 100 Picture Books (July 2012)

“Make Way for Ducklings” Boston Public Garden, Boston, MA

Sculpture by Nancy Schon, image from www.schon.com

CONNECTIONS
Use this book in a lesson for young children on the letter D – Ducks, ducklings

Pair this book with other stories like Aesop’s The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, and Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin for a lesson on living in large cities versus rural areas.

Other books for children about baby animals and their parents
--Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
--Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henke
--Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
--I Love you, Little One by Nancy Tafuri

Other books for children about ducks
--The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
--Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin

--Come Along, Daisy! by Jane Simmons
--Little Quack by Lauren Thompson

Watch the Make Way for Ducklings video 
(New Hamshire Public Television, Caldecott Literature Series)

Picture Books

Artwork by Kevin Henkes.
Image from www.kevinhenkes.com 

Kitten’s First Full Moon
by Kevin Henkes

BIBLIOGRAPHY 
Henkes, Kevin. 2004. KITTEN’S FIRST FULL MOON. Ill. by the author. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0060588284

PLOT SUMMARY 
In his thirty-fourth children’s book, Kevin Henkes tells the tale of hungry and inquisitive Kitten who, one night, witnesses her first full moon. Mistaking it for a large bowl of milk, Kitten is determined to reach it. Poor Kitten! After several attempts, resulting in eating a bug, tumbling down some stairs, chasing it down, climbing a tree, and finally jumping into a pond, Kitten decides to go back home in defeat, still hungry. But just as she’s reaching her home, her night gets unexpectedly better. Lucky kitten!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS 
Henke’s simple writing and bold text make the book easy to follow for early readers. The use of repetition of phrases like “Poor Kitten!” and “Still, there was a bowl of milk, just waiting,” gave the story a nice rhythm, and kept the plot moving along at a nice pace. I sat down with my 6 year old to have him read it out loud. He was able to get through it pretty easily, struggling with only a handful of words. When asked if he enjoyed the book he responded, “Yes, because the silly kitten thought the moon was milk and she kept trying to get it.” I asked him what his favorite part was and he said, “When the kitten ate a bug, and when she fell in the water. Those were the funniest pictures.”

Henkes’ own drawings serve as the book’s illustrations. His simple black images on the creamy white of the book’s pages really make Kitten’s ordeals come alive for young readers and non-readers alike. Each action and pose clearly depicts the movements of real cats. Often described as “thick lined,” the book’s drawings are reminiscent of earlier book classics such as Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, or Marshmallow by Clare Turley Newberry.

Recommended for children ages 2 and up, Kitten’s First Full Moon, is sure to delight its readers from the simple, interest-grabbing beginning to the satisfyingly happy ending. It is also available in Spanish. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS 
“Simply charming.” (Kirkus Starred Review, Feb. 2004) 

“Kitten's First Full Moon shares the flavor of many children's books from those faraway days.” (The New York Times, May 2004) 

“Kids will surely applaud this cat's irrepressible spirit.” (School Library Journal Starred Review, 2004) 

Caldecott Medal (2005) 

Charlotte Zolotow Award (2005) 

ALA Notable Children’s Book for Young Readers (2002) 

Starred Review in Booklist (2004) 

No. 25 in School Library Journal’s Top 100 Picture Books (June 2012)

CONNECTIONS 
Use this book in a lesson for young children on shapes – circles!

Use this book for a lesson on comparing day and night.

Use on the 100th day of school. The inside front and back covers have 100 moons!

Other books for children about viewing and enjoying the moon
--Peter and the Moon by Alice Briere-Haquet
--La Luna by Enrico Casarosa
--Moonlight by Helen V. Griffith
--Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Other books for children about curious and interesting cats
--Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
--The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
--Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner 

Visit http://www.kevinhenkes.com/

Welcome!

Thank you for joining me in my new adventure in blogging. This blog will consist of book reviews of children's and young adult books for one of my library studies graduate classes. Over the course of this semester, I will be reading, reviewing and posting about what I've read. As a future school librarian, my hope is that this will be the beginning of a regular service I provide and something that my students can contribute to on a regular basis. Follow me while I explore a small sampling of children's books, and into this new blogging adventure.
*Mrs. Verastiqui