THE STORY OF LIGHTNING & THUNDER by Ashley Bryan Book Review

Bibliography

Bryan, Ashley.1993. THE STORY OF LIGHTNING & THUNDER. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 0-689-31836-7

Plot Summary

This is a creation story explaining how lightning and thunder went from being honored members of a village in Africa to living in the sky with their friend Rain. The book is based on a Nigerian folktale. The West African tale explains how a young ram named Ram Lightning created so much havoc with his horns that the King was forced to banish him and his mother, Ma Sheep Thunder, from Earth to the heavens. Not only does the folk tale explain why thunder and lightning occur, the moral of the story will remind children of the importance of listening to and obeying their parents.

Critical Analysis

Ashley Bryan's rhythmic prose and vibrant, colorful and engaging illustrations add to the enchantment of this tale adapted from Southern Nigeria about Ma Sheep Thunder and her Son Ram Lightning. Several steps were taken to make this environmentally friendly book. “The paper is made from not less than fifty-percent recycled fibers. The inks used are vegetable oil-based. The binder’s board is one-hundred-percent recycled material.”

Review Excerpts

 Publishers Weekly “Joyful in both word and palette, this African story tells why lightning and thunder reside in the sky and not on earth, as they once did. Ma Sheep Thunder and Son Ram Lightning live in an African village, summoning Rain by racing through the mountains at the King's request. But Son Ram Lightning gets into mischief--butting people, munching on straw hats in the marketplace, and accidentally setting a fire. The exasperated King finally banishes mother and son to the sky, where they live today except for occasional earthly forays in which frisky Lightning strikes anything in his path and his mother runs after him, calling him back home. Bryan takes a highly conversational, genial tone, with frequent interjections of "uh-huh" and "uh-uh," that quickly develops camaraderie between the reader, the narrator, the spirited ram, and his frazzled mother. Brilliantly colored and ingeniously patterned, Bryan's illustrations are a playful take on stained glass.”

Kirkus Reviews “A delightful adaptation of a Nigerian folktale about ``Ma Sheep Thunder'' and her ``Son Ram Lightning,'' who live in a village where the people rely on them to call their friend Rain down from the clouds over the mountain. But Son Ram Lightning is so unruly that the King exiles the pair to a faraway home in the sky, from which Lightning still sometimes streaks wildly back to earth, striking anything in his path, while his mother follows behind and calls him back in her rumbling voice. Written to be read aloud (perhaps to a rambunctious child), with bits of rhyme and unexpected wordplay--the King scolds Lightning: ``It is an outrage at your age to go on such a rampage!'' There is one of Bryan's uniquely vibrant, swirling, light-filled paintings on every page.”

Connections

*Invite a local television meteorologist into your classroom to talk with the students about weather. Ask him/her to read THE STORY OF LIGHTNING & THUNDER, it is great for children to see other people besides parents and educators reading!

*The next time a thunderstorm appears to be headed your way, teach students how to calculate how far away the lightning is. Use a clock to determine the number of seconds between the flash and the thunder. Divide the number of seconds by five. The answer will tell how many miles away the lightning is. Every five seconds equals one mile.

*Read this book at the beginning of the year and review the school’s storm safety procedures with students.

* This is another example to use when teaching about myths and "how things came to be". The pictures are bright and interesting to look at and could be an addition to a collection for art study.

*Discuss weather superstitions. Locate other weather lore and share it with the students. Invite them to pass along some of these superstitions to their families so they can keep an eye out for any that might come true.

*Discuss with students the concepts of “prediction” and “forecasting.” You could ask questions such as “Is it possible to predict the weather incorrectly? How might this happen? Why is it helpful for people to know what the weather might be for any given day?

 

Images from http://www.amazon.com/

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS by Steven Kellogg Book Review

Bibliography

Kellogg, Steven.1997. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. ISBN 0-688-08732-9

Plot Summary

In this retelling of a well known tale, Serafina Sow starts her own waffle-selling business in order to enable her three children to prepare for the future. She retires and gives the business to her children, Percy, Pete, and Prudence. Life is pretty sweet for the three little pigs, until a hungry wolf named Tempesto shows up one morning. Percy, Pete, and Prudence refuse to let themselves become breakfast without a fight. This story is a refreshing change from the classic version of the three pigs story. The pigs, not only have names, but they also attend school and run the family business. Neither the pigs nor the big, bad, thug-like wolf get eaten. Instead, there is a humorous and positive ending to this tale.

Critical Analysis

With his hilarious retelling and irresistible illustrations, Steven Kellogg updates the classic folktale for a new generation of readers. Kellogg uses colored inks, watercolors, and acrylics to create full color fun and intricate illustrations.

Review Excerpts

Booklist “Just as the pig family in this story soups up their old waffle iron with four wheels and various tanks, pipes, and hoses, so Kellogg takes a favorite folk tale and adds his own inventive touches of character, plot twists, and humor. Serafina Sow supports her three little pigs with her traveling waffle business, but when the children graduate from Hog Hollow Academy, she retires to the Gulf of Pasta and turns the business over to the next generation. Percy builds a straw bungalow, Pete a log cabin, and Prudence a brick cottage. When Tempesto the wicked wolf looks at the waffle menu and orders piglet, the traditional tale is off and running, with some entirely new details and no apologies to anyone. Much of the broad humor is carried in the lively, colorful illustrations, though there's wordplay aplenty in the text and pictures too: Tempesto slides down the chimney, lands on the waffle iron, is blasted with maple syrup, smothered in butter, and turned into a "WOLFFLE." Just as Serafina's customers flock to The Wheeled Wafflery, so children will greet Kellogg's latest picture book with eagerness based on memories of his many satisfying books. Pure pleasure for Kellogg fans.”

Kirkus Reviews “Kellogg puts a master's spin on another familiar tale. These three pigs can afford to build new houses with profits reaped from their mother's mobile waffle business, which they inherit when Serafina Sow retires to the Gulf of Pasta. Tempesto, the big bad wolf (sporting a leather jacket and engineer boots), doesn't care about waffles; he sees the pigs as ham, bacon, and sausage. After devastating their straw and wood homes, he creates a hot-air balloon out of a garbage bag to descend down the chimney of the brick house. Luckily, Serafina pulls herself out of retirement just in time to stick the waffle grill under the descending wolf's bottom--a ``wolffle.'' As usual, Kellogg's illustrations add to the story; intrepid readers will have fun finding art on the wall by Pablo Pigasso, perusing the long list of waffle flavors (among them, baloney and bubblegum), and giggling at the wolf's shirt, which sports slogans, ``Say Yes to Thugs,'' and ``Thugs Need Hugs Too.''A talent-strewn retelling that only enhances the original.”

Booklist "...lively, colorful illustrations...wordplay a plenty in the text and pictures too..."

Publishers Weekly "Buoyant pictures and a pun-riddled text add gusto to Kellogg's light hearted humor..."

Connections

* Have students listen to several selections ( folktale, fiction, non-fiction, fairytale) presented orally and identify the characteristics that make each a folktale.

*Ask students to orally compare and contrast several versions of The Three Little Pigs by completing a chart on the key elements of each story.

*During Center time student could practice putting events and ideas into a logical sequence using quoted pages from the book. Also you could have students illustrate what the quoted pages are depicting.

*Have students illustrate and put story events in sequence to retell Three Little Pigs.

Images from http://www.amazon.com/

THE LION AND THE MOUSE by Jerry Pinkney Book Review

Bibliography

Pinkney, Jerry.2009. THE LION & THE MOUSE. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0-316-01356-7

Plot Summary

In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, a single mother mouse escapes the claws of a hungry owl, only to find herself trapped within the paw of a huge lion. The lion lets the mouse go only to find himself caught and bound by poachers’ ropes high above the ground. To the rescue comes the little mother mouse, she chews the ropes until they give way and free the lion. The mother mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great things.

Critical Analysis

Pinkney was inspired by living next to a nature preserve. The book is set on the plains and among the creatures of the African Serengeti. Author and Illustrator Jerry Pinkney tells the fable of THE LION AND THE MOUSE is a wordless picture book.  Through Pinkney’s illustrations the sounds of the owl, the lion, the mouse, and the poacher's jeep will leave readers staring at the detail and living realism of this famous fable for hours. Pinkney gives the characters expressions without becoming cartoonish, in the full color artwork of this book. He uses “pencil, watercolor, and colored pencils on paper.”

Review Excerpts

2010 Caldecott Medal Winner THE LION AND THE MOUSE illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney

Hans Christian Anderson Award

School Library Journal, starred review “This story starts on the cover with the glorious, golden countenance of a lion. No text is necessary to communicate the title: the direction of the beast's gaze and the conflicted expression on his tightly cropped face compel readers to turn the book over, where a mouse, almost filling the vertical space, glances back. The endpapers and artist's note place these creatures among the animal families of the African Serengeti. Each spread contributes something new in this nearly wordless narrative, including the title opening, on which the watchful rodent pauses, resting in one of the large footprints that marches across the gutter. In some scenes, Pinkney's luminous art, rendered in watercolor and colored pencil, suggests a natural harmony, as when the cool blues of the sky are mirrored in the rocks and acacia tree. In other compositions, a cream-colored background focuses attention on the exquisitely detailed and nuanced forms of the two main characters. Varied perspectives and the judicious use of panels create interest and indicate time. Sounds are used sparingly and purposefully—an owl's hoot to hint at offstage danger or an anguished roar to alert the mouse of the lion's entrapment. Contrast this version with Pinkney's traditional treatment of the same story (complete with moral) in Aesop's Fables (North-South, 2000). 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. A classic tale from a consummate artist.”

Connections

* Activities found at the following website http://www.dltk-teach.com/fables/lion/index.htm

* Children love fables because most of them feature animals as the main characters. Get out a flannel board and allow students to retell the story at a center.

* Make hand held puppets with a craft stick and allow students to act out the story in groups. Grade students on their ability to retell in sequence order.

(Book images from www.amazon.com)

THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats Book Review

Bibliography

Keats, Ezra Jack.1962. THE SNOWY DAY. New York: The Viking Press. ISBN 0-670-86733-0

Plot Summary

Peter awakes one morning to discover that snow has covered everything in sight. After breakfast Peter slips on his red snowsuit and runs outside. He makes tracks in the snow and hits snow off the branches of trees. Peter uses his imagination as he makes a snowman and snow angles and even slides down a mountain of snow. At the end of the day Peter returns home to tell his mother of his adventures and takes a nice warm bath. The next day Peter calls a friend from across the hall and they go out for an adventure together.

Critical Analysis

Keats's created beautiful tranquil illustrations in THE SNOWY DAY. He used cut-outs, watercolors, and collage to depict the calmness and silence of the freshly fallen snow on a winter day. The little boy in the red snowsuit, Peter, enjoys his day experimenting with footprints, knocking snow from a tree, creating snow angels, and trying to save a snowball for the next day. Readers young to old will easily relate to the simplicity of being outside all day in the snow until the body becomes cold from head to toe. Then coming in to a warm house and relaxing in a warm bath. Readers in warm climates will find themselves wanting to be Peter and experience the snow for themselves. Keats’ uses contrasting colors such as warm reds, oranges, and pinks against cool blues and purples to highlight the focus on each page.

 

Review Excerpts

1963 Caldecott Medal: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Publishers Weekly, “Now in a sturdy board-book format just right for youngest readers, Ezra Jack Keats's classic The Snowy Day, winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal, pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow.”

Connections

*Show students the Caldecott award-winning book, The Snowy Day. Explain that this book won a special award for its illustrations. Discuss how the illustrations are created. Ask students what they believe makes an award-winning illustration.

*Help student to create their own paper, as Ezra Jack Keats did.

*Create a book allowing each child to contribute a page. Students could share their own favorite snowy day adventure complete with an illustration of themselves in the famous red snowsuit. 

Images from http://hubpages.com/slide/Snowy_Day/606659

KNUFFLE BUNNY A CAUTIONARY TALE by Mo Willems Book Review

Bibliography

Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0439802490

Plot Summary

Join Dad and Trixie in this delightful story on an adventurous day to the laundromat. Trixie takes her favorite stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny, with her. After leaving the laundromat, Trixie discovers that Knuffle Bunny has been forgotten at the laudrymat.  Trixie, becomes dramatic and frustrated trying to tell her father about Knuffle Bunny. Dad becomes irratible because he can not understand why his sweet daughter has become so fussy on their walk through the park. As soon as Dad and Trixie get home, Mom notices that Knuffle Bunny’s disapearancce is the problem. Trixie, Mom, and Dad go back to discover that the bunny ended up in the washer.  Once Dad retrieves the bunny, Trixie is so happy that she blurts out her first words, Knuffle Bunny!

Critical Analysis

Mo Willems is magnificent as he depicts emotions felt by Trixie, the dramatic frustrated toddler, the trying his best Dad, and Mom who knows exactly what her darling Trixie needs. Readers young to old relate to the cartoon emotion filled drawings. Even a jagged, lightning bolt border on a page shows the climax of feeling as Mom points out to Dad why Trixie decided to go “boneless.” Willems’ use of cartoon characters on top of non-fiction realistic black and white photos allows readers to relate to the setting and think of a connection they have to the book. The anticipation of finding Knuffle Bunny keeps all readers eager to know the outcome.

Knuffle Bunny A Cautionary Tale looks a lot like a memory book in action. Children and adults will all love the happy ending. Trixie has a very memorable day at the laundryman as she blurts out her first recognizable words.

Review Excerpts

2005 Caldecott Award Winner Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale illustrated and written by Mo Willems

Publishers Weekly says “Willems once again demonstrates his keen insight with a story both witty and wise.

School Library Journal, starred review “A seemless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text.”

Connections

• You can print out coloring and activity pages for  books on Mo’s wonderful website, www.pigeonpresents.com.
• Go to www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com, type “KNUFFLE” into the search bar, click on “Knuffle Bunny Too,” and, on the book’s home page, you see the link you can click to print out the Event Kit, which is also full of reproducible pages and fun activities.
• Discuss the emaotions present in the book. Have students journal about a time when they felt desperate for help like Trixie did in the book.
• Read other Mo Willems books such as Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Images from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

FLOTSAM by David Wiesner Book Review

 Bibliography  

Wiesner, David. 2006. FLOTSAM. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618194576

Plot Summary
In this intriguing wordless picture book, David Wiesner takes his audience on a ocean adventure through the eyes of an underwater camera. The main character of the book, an adventure seeking scientific minded boy, finds an underwater camera washed up on the shore. After taking the film from the camera to be developed the boy discovers a magical world of photography, which causes one to wonder, “What may really be in the ocean?” When a picture of a girl holding a photo of a boy, whom is holding a photo of another girl, and so on and so on as another child appears, the curious boy gets out a microscope and discovers the camera has been found by generations of children. Each child contributed a photo of themselves while holding the photo of the previous child. The boy takes his own photo then throws the camera back in the ocean leaving the reader to believe that another oceanic adventure is to come. This magical, mysterious book leaves its readers to take their imagination to the limit!

Critical Analysis

Wiesner magnificently captures the attention of his readers in Flotsam through detailed, brightly painted beach and ocean scenes. Every page has beautiful detail filled illustrations magnificently brought to the reader through water colors by Wiesner. Readers young to old will find themselves eagerly awaiting the next page. The main character, a scientific minded, very curious boy, will take you on an ocean adventure. By living vicariously through the boy all readers will find themselves wondering if the scenes portrayed really happen under the ocean.

The story is set on a beach during a family outing. Children and adults will enjoy allowing their imagination to take over as they experience the fantasy joys of the undersea creatures and the world the creatures see. The book also offers a realistic side to adventure on the beach when the boy finds an underwater camera washed up on the shore. Finding a mysterious camera would peek curiosity in most everyone. Let your imagination go as you enjoy every magiacal detail in Flotsam.

Awards Won

Winner of the 2007 Randolph Caldecott Medal
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2006
A Booklist Editor's Choice 2006
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2006
A Horn Book Fanfare Title
A Child magazine Best Book of the Year
A Parenting magazine Book of the Year
A Nick Jr. Best Children's Book of 2006
A Book Sense Children's Pick, Autumn 2006
A Washington Post Top 10 Picture Book of the Year
A Parents' Choice Award Winner
A 2006 National Parenting Publications Gold Award Winner
New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing
Chicago Public Library, Best Books of the Year
An Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner 2007

Review Excerpts

"Wiesner offers another exceptional, wordless picture book that finds wild magic in quiet, everyday settings." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review

"New details swim into focus with every rereading of this immensely satisfying excursion." Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"A mind-bending journey of imagination." School Library Journal, Starred Review

"In Wiesner's much-honored style, the paintings are cinematic, coolly restrained and deliberate...An invitation not to be resisted." Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"Wiesner's detailed watercolors make the absurd wonderfully believable...and children will surely love 'Flotsam' from start to finish." New York Times Book Review Notable Book

"The meticulous and rich detail of Wiesner's watercolors makes the fantasy involving and convincing." Horn Book

"Wiesner continues to show children that things aren't always what they seem. Would the Caldecott committee consider a three-peat?" Bookpage

"Wiesner returns with his traditional wordless-narrative format for another fantastical outing." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Connections

*Use Flotsam to aid in writing. Show children that writing is like a movie or a collection of pictures in your brain and that good writers make the pictures come to life in words. Provide students with a copy of the book Flotsam and ask them to write the story in their own words. Teachers could grade students based on their ability to; be creative, develop a summary stating the beginning middle and end, or the students’ use specific vocabulary such as flotsam.

*Teachers could use the book of Flotsam to access students on their ability to provide the story elements and the parts of story. Teachers could develop a chart for students to name the charters, setting, plot, beginning, middle, end, book title, and author’s name.

*Flotsam could be used to discuss the difference between fact and fantasy. Sometimes children only recognize fact in non-fiction books with photographs in the place of illustrations. Flotsam has realistic illustrations with fact and fantasy portrayed in them.

(Book images from www.amazon.com)