The Three Pigs

Bibliography

Wiesner, David. 2001. The Three Pigs. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 978-0618007011

Brief plot summary

The three pigs set out to seek their fortune. The pigs build their houses out of the traditional materials (straw, sticks, and bricks). However, when the wolf comes to blow each house down the pig living in that house escapes from the pages of the book. The pigs escape the wolf by folding a page of the storybook into a paper airplane and flying off into other storybook worlds where they meet the cat and the fiddle and a fairy-tale dragon. These new friends return to the house of bricks with the three pigs where they all sit down to eat a bowl of alphabet soup and live happily ever after.

Critical analysis

This postmodern retelling of the classic tale reinvents the pigs’ story and invites the reader to follow the pigs on an adventure outside the boundaries of the traditional tale and into the pages of other storybooks. As the pigs make their escape from their traditional reality, the pages of the storybook begin to deconstruct and when the pigs and their new friends decide to return to the brick house they must put the pages back together. Upon their return the letters begin to fall off the pages signaling that a new ending will bring about a new chapter in the lives of the three pigs.

The artwork plays an important role in the story telling as shifts of perspective keep the story flowing and underscores the humor in the story. The artwork was created using mixed media including watercolor, gouache, colored inks, pencil, and colored pencils.  Weisner uses four different visual styles in The Three Pigs: one for The Three Little Pigs storybook, one for the Hey Diddle Diddle section, one for the dragon's storybook, and then a more photo-realistic style when the pigs are traveling between stories. On the last few pages of the book we are shown through the illustrations the effect of the pigs’ adventures outside of their own story as the text begins to break apart and drift down the pages.

This version will fascinate and puzzle children. With its graphic novel frames and conversation balloons, there is not a single linear way to read the story on every page. Younger children may get lost trying to figure out why the words on the pages say one thing, but the action shows another. Also, while the wolf is destined to stay trapped in the book, the pigs are allowed to run away from evil and their fears. Readers of all ages will find humor and much to be enjoyed in this retelling of The Three Pigs.

Review excerpts

“Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (1989) turned the favorite porkers' story upside-down by allowing the grossly misjudged wolf to tell his side of the story. Wiesner's latest is a post-modern fantasy for young readers that takes Scieszka's fragmentation a step further: it not only breaks apart and deliciously reinvents the pigs' tale, it invites readers to step beyond the boundaries of story and picture book altogether.” – Booklist (starred)

"Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite.” – School Library Journal

“Wiesner's dialogue and illustrations are clever, whimsical and sophisticated. – New York Times Review of Books

Awards / Best Books

Caldecott Medal Winner, 2002

Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature Winner, 2001

Reading Magic Award, 2001 – Parenting

ALSC Notable Children’s Books, 2002

Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books, 2001

School Library Journal Best Books, 2001

Classroom Connections

Give students the opportunity to explore stereotyping and bias by looking at representations of the wolf in different versions of The Three Pigs (print and film). Have students participate in an AVID-style Philosophical Chairs or Socratic Circles to examine their preconceptions and stereotypes.

In the book the pigs stumbled into other fairy tales and nursery rhymes such as the "Cat and the Fiddle." What other stories might the pigs visit? How would they get there? What might happen there and what characters might they rescue and take back home with them? Write a short story telling what happens.

Compare and contrast this telling of The Three Pigs to the Disney Silly Symphony cartoon of The Three Little Pigs.

Use a Double Bubble Thinking Map to compare and contrast this version with Jon Scieszka’s The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.

Pair this book with Roald Dahl’s poem, “The Three Little Pigs,” and discuss similarities and differences.

Other popular versions and variants of The Three Little Pigs:

Galdone, Paul. The Three Little Pigs. ISBN: 978-0547370200

Zemach, Margot. The Three Little Pigs: An Old Story. ISBN: 978-1439584965

Moser, Barry, The Three Little Pigs. ISBN: 978-0316585446

Marshall, James. The Three Little Pigs. ISBN: 978-0613301565

Rounds, Glenn. The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. ISBN: 978-0823409235

Scieszka, Jon. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. ISBN: 978-0140544510

Trivizas, Eugene. The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig. ISBN: 978-0613021333

The Ugly Duckling

Bibliography

Andersen, Hans Christian. 1999. The Ugly Duckling. Adapted and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN: 978-0618007011

Brief plot summary

A mother duck's eggs hatch, but the biggest egg takes longer than all the others. When it finally hatches the mother notices his long neck and dull color and wonders if he is a turkey chick.  Other ducks in the yard make fun of his ugliness and taunt him.  Although his mother stands by him, the ugly duckling lives an unpleasant life on the farm on which his family lives. He is not only disparaged for his looks, but he is often bullied and brutalized by the other ducks, including his brothers and sisters, and the humans living on the farm. He runs away and immediately finds himself in the middle of a hunting party with guns going off all around him. Surviving this ordeal, he seeks refuge in an old woman's hut, but the woman's pets make life unpleasant for him. So he heads back out into the wild and finds himself alone on the brink of winter. The cold weather nearly kills him, but as spring arrives, he finds himself feeling stronger and flies to a beautiful place with a collection of swans. The ugly duckling has by now given up on life. He intends to place himself among the swans and then expects them to simply kill him. Instead, they recognize him as one of their own. Looking at his own reflection in the water, he sees that he is! In fact, the little children who visit the garden think him the most beautiful swan of all.

Critical analysis

A faithful adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy story that has been beautifully illustrated in watercolor with double-page spreads that draw the reader into the natural setting. The illustrations add to the drama of the story and keep the reader engaged in its telling. Through the illustrations the reader will feel the coldness of the winter scenes, the warmth and beauty of spring, and the wonder of being underwater.

Review excerpts

“Outstanding illustrations and some new characters make Pinkney's retelling of a familiar tale memorable.” – Kirkus Review

“An artistic tour de force that is worthy of its graceful fine-feathered subject.” – School Library Journal, starred review.

“…Pinkney's keenly observed watercolors honor nature in all its splendor. A flawlessly nuanced performance by a consummate craftsman.” – Publisher’s Weekly

The illustrations-gorgeous watercolors-are mesmerizing, and a fitting interpretation of the story.” – Horn Book Magazine

Awards / Best Books

Caldecott Medal Honor Book, 2000

Booklist Editor’s Choice: Books for Youth, 1999

ALSC Notable Children’s Books, 2000

Classroom Connections

This is a book that should prompt discussion about bullying and its effects. The story also deals with feelings and emotions, being laughed at, and wanting to be like everyone else. Focus on the importance of understanding the feelings of others and being kind to everyone.

Students can brainstorm about how the swan egg ended up in mother duck’s nest. After choosing the best idea, students draw a picture and write a paragraph explaining what happened.

Read a brief biographical sketch about Hans Christian Andersen and then make the connection between his real life experience and that of the ugly duckling in his folk tale.

Other popular Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales include:

The Emperor’s New Clothes

The Little Match Girl

The Little Mermaid

The Nightingale

The Princess and the Pea

Thumbelina

The Tinderbox

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

Bibliography

Kimmel, Eric. 1989. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Ill. By Trina Schart Hyman. New York: Holiday House. ISBN: 978-0823407699

Brief plot summary

Hershel wanders into a village on the first night of Hanukkah, but there is no celebration going on. He learns that the local synagogue has been taken over by goblins that hate Hanukkah and will not allow it to be celebrated. Hershel volunteers to get rid of the goblins by spending eight nights in the synagogue and lighting the candles each night. Hershel successfully outwits the goblins through trickery, triumphantly rids the synagogue of them, and restores the village celebration of Hanukkah.

Critical analysis

This is a humorous and inspired adaptation of the traditional Hanukkah story in which the Syrians forbade the Jewish people to worship as they wanted and the Jews fought back. In this adaptation the goblins will not allow the local villagers to celebrate Hanukkah and it is up to Hershel to battle the goblins in order to reestablish Hanukkah for the villagers. The reader looks forward to each night in the story when a new goblin will visit Hershel and he will triumphantly trick the goblin and light another candle on the menorah.

Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations portray the characters well and the goblins as both comical and scary.  There are plenty of sinister shadows and disquieting darkness to offset the luminously lit candles as the drama unfolds. The reader is drawn into the story through the illustrations.

Children who are unfamiliar with Hanukkah will need some background knowledge in order to wholly enjoy the fullness of this folktale. While a very short history of the celebration and its customs is included at the end of the book, it would add depth to the story if more time were spent learning about this important Jewish tradition.

Review excerpts

“Hyman's eerie and effective artwork illuminates Kimmel's original tale of a wanderer who outwits the demons who have prevented a village from celebrating Hanukkah.” – Booklist

“…this is a rip-roaring good story that succeeds on more levels than it fails.” – School Library Journal

“This book is welcome both as a Hanukkah story and as a trickster tale.” – Horn Book Magazine

“Kimmel provides a humorous, entertaining and just slightly scary story for all young readers. Hyman's illustrations emphasize all of the tension with dark scenes of the goblins and their attempts to frighten Hershel.” – Children's Literature Review

Awards / Best Books

Caldecott Medal Honor Book, 1990

National Council for the Social Studies Notable Book, 1990

National Council of Teachers of English Notable Book, 1992

Colorado Children's Book Award, 1992

Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award

Classroom Connections

This book could be included as students learn about multicultural holidays that are celebrated in winter: Hanukkah, St. Lucia Day, Las Posadas, Kwanzaa, and Chinese New Year.

Students learn how to play the dreidl game and experience eating potato latkes.

Pair this book with a kid-friendly history of Hanukkah and then have students look for similarities and differences between the readings.

Pair this book with Eric Kimmel’s The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol (ISBN 978-0823414048) to make connections with other tales associated with Hershel.

Other books by Eric Kimmel that could be paired with Hershel and the Hannukah Goblins:

The Story of Esther: A Purim Tale. ISBN: 978-0823422234

A Hanukkah Treasury. ISBN: 978-0805052930

The Golem's Latkes. ISBN: 978-0761459040

A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis

Bibliography

Peña, Matt de la. 2011. Ill. by Kadir Nelson. A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0803731677

Brief plot summary

On the eve of World War II, Joe Louis, African-American son of a sharecropper father, fought German Max Schmeling, a representative of Hitler’s Master Race.  This was a time when all things German were viewed as a threat to America and when Jim Crow Laws were in effect and America was still segregated. However, this boxing match allowed Americans to put aside prejudice and brought together Black and White Americans in support of Joe Louis as a hero representing America’s war with Germany.  A brief biography of Joe Louis is told within the story.

Critical analysis

This biographical picture book successfully engages the reader as it recounts an emotional, historic event through its brief, poetic, text and spectacular illustrations. Through the use of flashback, highlights of Joe Louis’s life are traced from his quiet boyhood in Jim Crow America to his rise as an outstanding boxer and a national hero. Themes explored in the book include identity and nationality, humility, failure, and realizing personal dreams through hard work.

The realistic illustrations were painted with oils on wood and transport the reader into the boxing ring and into the arena. The illustrations utilize their emotional power to expand on the content of the text. The close-up portraits are powerful.

Young readers may lack the background knowledge and historical context to grasp the importance of this fight in American history. Also, in the story, since Max Schmeling represents the threat of Germany and he was not himself a member of the Nazi Party, his portrayal seems stereotyped. However, both these issues can easily be addressed in the classroom or through additional research and reading.

Review excerpts

“…this was a struggle of good against evil, with Louis just about the only man willing to take on Hitler. De la Peña’s succinct text and Nelson’s intensely beautiful paintings don’t require much more time than Louis needed for Schmeling. But some 70 years later, the story is no less stirring.” – The New York Times Book Review

"Spare, evocative verse melds with the eloquent illustrations to create palpable energy around the fight and Louis's struggle to the top." --Publishers Weekly (starred)

"Spectacularly illustrated and smoothly cadenced." --Booklist (starred)

"Stunning art and dramatic storytelling." --School Library Journal (starred)

"de la Peña's tersely poetic narration is riveting, and Nelson's oil paintings draw viewers directly into the ring." --BCCB (starred)

Awards / Best Books

New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books, 2011
Booklist Editor's Choice Best Books of 2011
Booklist Top 10 Biographies for Youth of 2011

Booklist Top 10 Sports Books for Youth of 2011

School Library Journal Best Books of 2011

Classroom Connections

In the middle or upper grade classroom:

Students can pair this book with newspaper articles about the earlier fighting match between Louis and Schmeling and do a compare/contrast activity of the two events.

Students can research to learn more about Max Schmeling and then follow-up with a discussion on propaganda.

Students can identify the major themes of the book, identity and nationalism, and discuss how Joe Louis and his big fight address them.

Students reading Watsons Go to Birmingham can do a “step back” to see how Joe Louis served as an inspiration for Kenny’s father.

Related Books:

·      Curtis, Christopher Paul. Watsons Go to Birmingham. ISBN: 978-0385321754

·      Jordan, Deloris Rosalyn M. Jordan, and Kadir Nelson, Ill. Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream. ISBN: 978-0689833717

·      Michaelson, Richard and Eric Velasquez. Twice as Good. ISBN: 978-1585364664

·      Nelson, Kadir. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. ISBN: 978-0786808328 

·      Peña, Matt de la. Ball Don’t Lie. ISBN: 978-0385734257

·      Pinkney, Andrea. Bird in a Box. ISBN: 978-0316074025

·      Sharenow, Robert. The Berlin Boxing Club. ISBN: 978-0061579684

·      Smith, Jr., Charles R. Stars in the Shadows: The Negro League All-Star Game of 1934. ISBN: 978-0689866388.

Invention of Hugo Cabret

Bibliography

Selznick, Brian. 2007. The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 978-0439813785

Plot Summary

After his father dies in an accidental fire in 1931, 11 year-old Hugo, goes to live with his alcoholic uncle who lives in a Paris train station and maintains the clocks there. When his uncle disappears Hugo is left completely alone and he begins stealing food to survive and maintaining the clocks in the train station so that no one will notice his situation. When not maintaining the station clocks, Hugo is working to rebuild an automaton with the hopes that it will reveal a secret message from his father that will answer all of his questions and save his life. When caught stealing wind-up toys from a toymaker’s booth located in the train station, Hugo becomes intertwined with the lives of the toymaker and his goddaughter.

Critical Analysis

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a fast-paced adventure book loaded with action and mystery. It is very unique in that it seamlessly blends historical fiction, picture book, graphic novel, flip book, and movie elements. The story depends as much on the pictures as it does on the words.  While the words convey narration and conversation, the pictures convey action. The book opens with a cinematic series of illustrations that immediately draws the reader into Hugo’s world and maintains the reader’s curiosity and interest through the last page.

The illustrations are black and white pencil drawings that are amazingly detailed and textured. Photographic and cinematic in style, the illustrations are very lifelike and draw the reader into the action and emotion of the story.  Close-ups of characters allow the reader to see into them.  The design of the book successfully conveys the feel of silent film through the use of black-edged window-boxing throughout and the text pages recall title cards from silent film with their white filigree borders.

This book successfully explores the themes of survival, life-purpose, self-discovery, dream, and loss.  All of these themes are central to coming of age. The focus on the theme of loss may make this book more appropriate for ages thirteen and up. It is a book that should appeal to boys, but girls will also enjoy the mystery and suspense and find Isabella an easy character with whom to connect. At 525 pages it may frighten off some readers. However, once they see the number of pages taken by illustrations and read the first chapter, even a reluctant reader should be drawn into the story.

Review Excerpts

“With characteristic intelligence, exquisite images, and a breathtaking design, Selznick shatters conventions related to the art of bookmaking in this magical mystery set in 1930s Paris.” – School Library Journal, starred review

“The interplay between the illustrations … and text is complete genius, especially in the way Selznick moves from one to the other, depending on whether words or images are the better choice for the moment.” – Horn Book, starred review

"...this ambitious, intelligent piece of bookmaking demands and deserves attention..." — Booklist, boxed review

"... a uniquely inventive story.... elegantly designed to resemble the flickering experience of silent film melodramas." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Hugo Cabret sits at the nexus of magic and storytelling and film, and ... Brian Selznick shows us a little magic of his own." — The New York Times Book Review

Awards / Best Books

Randolph Caldecott Medal, 2008
National Book Award Finalist, 2007
#1 New York Times Bestseller
New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2007
Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2007
Kirkus Best Book of 2007
New York Public Library Best Book for Reading and Sharing
American Library Association Notable Children's Book, 2008
American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, 2008
Quill Award Winner, 2007

Connections

Related Books

·      Carman, Patrick. Floors. ISBN: 978-0545255196

·      Fleischman, Sid. Sir Charlie: Chaplin, the Funniest Man in the World. ISBN: 978-0061896408

·      Joyce, William. The Man In the Moon. ISBN: 978-1442430419

·      Moriarty, Chris and Mark Edward Geyer, Ill. The Inquisitor’s Apprentice. ISBN: 978-0547581354

·      Selznick, Brian. The Robot King. ISBN: 978-0060244934

·      Selznick, Brian. The Houdini Box. ISBN: 978-0689844515

·      Selznick, Brian. A Boy of a Thousand Faces. ISBN: 978-0064410809

·      Selznick, Brian. Wonderstruck. ISBN: 978-0545027892

·      Verne, Jules. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. ISBN: 0448413078

·      Verne, Jules. Journey to the Center of the Earth. ISBN: 978-1402743375

Make Way for Ducklings

Bibliography

McCloskey, Robert. 1941. Make Way for Ducklings. New York: Viking Press. ISBN: 978-0670451494

Plot Summary

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are searching for a new home that will be safe from foxes and turtles so that they can raise a family of ducklings. In search of their home they briefly visit Boston’s Public Garden, but deciding that it is far too busy and hazardous to make it their home. They settle in along the nearby Charles River, build a nest, and hatch a family of ducklings. The story continues as Mrs. Mallard travels with the ducklings through busy and dangerous streets of Boston on the way back to the Public Garden.

Critical Analysis

This 1942 Caldecott Medal winner is still a favorite with children today. Young readers will love Mrs. Mallard’s proud, loving protection of her ducklings and the protection that they receive from the police in the story. The plot develops with page-turning pacing and has been well-crafted and thought out, doubling the reader back into Boston and the Public Garden at its conclusion.

The illustrations for the story were created in charcoal and then lithographed on zinc plates. Through the illustrations we are given a bird’s eye view of Boston and surrounding area. The ducks in the pictures look very realistic, while the people look more cartoon-like. In 2002 Robert McCloskey was named a “Living Treasure” by the Library of Congress.

Review Excerpts

"Robert McCloskey's unusual and stunning pictures have long been a delight for their fun as well as their spirit of place." — The Horn Book

"… one of the merriest picture books ever" – The New York Times

Awards / Best Books

Caldecott Medal, 1942

Connections

Have students draw pictures of objects and characters from the story and then they can place them on a map of Boston. You may want to make a large-scale, simplified map of just the streets that are mentioned in the story. Students can practice retelling the story and retracing the ducks' routes. Students can practice retelling the story and retracing the ducks' routes.

This story takes place in a city and your students will be able to find urban characteristics throughout the book. Make a chart which includes the characteristics of and differences between a city, a suburban area, and a rural area. Students can then compare and contrast the buildings, open spaces, transportation, population sizes, etc.

Give children a blank piece of paper and ask them to draw a new home for the ducklings. It should include all aspects of shelter that the ducks would need to survive, such as being safe from enemies, easy access to food, a dry and comfortable area, etc. After children have had a chance to share their ideas with each other, follow up by learning about habitats and wildlife adaptation.

Related Books:

·      Hiranandani, Veera, adapter and Shane L. Johnson, illustrator. Olivia and Her Ducklings. ISBN: 978-1442413825

·      McCloskey, Robert. Blueberries for Sal. ISBN: 978-0670175918

·      Potter, Beatrix. The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck. ISBN: 978-0723267782

·      Tafuri, Nancy. Have You Seen My Duckling? ISBN: 978-0688027971

·      Willems, Mo. The Pidgeon Finds a Hot Dog!  ISBN: 978-0786818693