Traditional Tale Book Review: Baba Yaga: A Russian Folktale retold by
Eric Kimmel
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, Eric.1991. Baba Yaga. Ill. by Megan Lloyd. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 9780823408542
Kimmel, Eric.1991. Baba Yaga. Ill. by Megan Lloyd. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 9780823408542
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The story begins with the lonely, widowed, wealthy merchant and his kind, lovely daughter Marina. Well, lovely except for the horn protruding from her forehead. The merchant remarries a mean woman who has a lazy and spiteful daughter of her own. The father leaves the home for many years and Marina is stripped of her pretty dresses, only to wear rags. The step-mother and sister force Marina to wait on them while she works morning until night.
The story begins with the lonely, widowed, wealthy merchant and his kind, lovely daughter Marina. Well, lovely except for the horn protruding from her forehead. The merchant remarries a mean woman who has a lazy and spiteful daughter of her own. The father leaves the home for many years and Marina is stripped of her pretty dresses, only to wear rags. The step-mother and sister force Marina to wait on them while she works morning until night.
One day Marusia, the
step-sister, insists that she can no longer stand the sight of Marina as she
has a hideous horn growing from her forehead.
The step-mother sends Marina to a witch (Baba Yaga) under the pretense
that she must fetch a needle and thread in order make Marina a new dress. On her way Marina meets a frog who tells her
how to outsmart the witch. Marina
succeeds in fooling the witch by following what the frog suggests. When Marina returns home, she finds her father has returned. Her father becomes angry at the stepmother and
stepsister for their mistreatment of Marina and sends then away. They seek out Baba Yaga for help but, misfortune befalls poor Marusia.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Kimmel’s retelling of his grandmother’s Cinderella folktale takes on the flavor of Hansel and Gretel or The Frog Prince. The story contains traditional elements of strong female characters in Marina and the stepmother. The plot is simple and predictable. The setting consists of the merchant’s estate, the forest and Baba Yaga’s house. Baba Yaga’s house is unique in that the foundation rests on chicken feet and has a fence made of bones. The global theme of good winning out over evil is culturally specific to the Slavic, Germanic and Turkish influences.
Kimmel’s retelling of his grandmother’s Cinderella folktale takes on the flavor of Hansel and Gretel or The Frog Prince. The story contains traditional elements of strong female characters in Marina and the stepmother. The plot is simple and predictable. The setting consists of the merchant’s estate, the forest and Baba Yaga’s house. Baba Yaga’s house is unique in that the foundation rests on chicken feet and has a fence made of bones. The global theme of good winning out over evil is culturally specific to the Slavic, Germanic and Turkish influences.
Kimmel’s style and
Magan Lloyd’s cartoon-like illustrations reflect the Russian cultural heritage
by capturing the meager lifestyles and natural woodland settings. The emotions are captured vividly in the
expressions of the character’s faces and movements. The motif of supernatural instances, such as
the horn, witch and talking frog are also evident throughout the story. Lloyd enhances ordinary yet relevant items
from the story by placing them in the corner of the bottom right hand page. This placement draws the attention of the reader to the object. Items depicted this way include;
moldy bread, needle and thread, and the frog.
Although the drawings are rich in color and detail, the Baba Yaga character is not as ugly as many might imagine. She could be regarded more as an old woman than a witch. The only obvious connection to her portraying a witch is the inclusion of a broom on which Baba Yaga is sitting upon on one occasion.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “An unusual variant of the tale from the Carpathian Mountains.”
Although the drawings are rich in color and detail, the Baba Yaga character is not as ugly as many might imagine. She could be regarded more as an old woman than a witch. The only obvious connection to her portraying a witch is the inclusion of a broom on which Baba Yaga is sitting upon on one occasion.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “An unusual variant of the tale from the Carpathian Mountains.”
School Library Journal: "Kimmel spins a tale reminiscent of Vasilissa the
Beautiful , incorporating several new twists…This offering may have use in
comparative folklore but, taken as a whole, it does not do justice to Baba Yaga.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “Kimmel's
( Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins ) waggish, well-turned retelling of this
popular legend contains the requisite elements of classic folktales.”
Booklist: “Kimmel sets down a traditional Russian folktale, originally told to him by his grandmother, in a brightly illustrated picture book that conjures up images from Cinderella as well as Hansel and Gretel.”
Booklist: “Kimmel sets down a traditional Russian folktale, originally told to him by his grandmother, in a brightly illustrated picture book that conjures up images from Cinderella as well as Hansel and Gretel.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*This book could be used to compare and contrast similar traditional folktales such as Cinderella or Hansel and Gretel.
*Students may reenact the story through Readers Theater or by using puppets.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
*This book could be used to compare and contrast similar traditional folktales such as Cinderella or Hansel and Gretel.
*Students may reenact the story through Readers Theater or by using puppets.
Traditional Tale Book Review: The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Wiesner David. 2001. The Three Pigs. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618007016
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Wiesner David. 2001. The Three Pigs. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618007016
2. PLOT SUMMARY
This story starts out in the traditional Three Little Pigs form that is, until the wolf blows in the
first pigs house. The pig is blown clear
out off the picture where the illustrations are drawn in comic book style. The confused wolf is unable to locate the pig and gives up. The wolf then ventures to the house of sticks made by the second pig. The first pig tells the second pig to follow
him out of the scene. Eventually, all
three pigs are in a new continuum, leaving the wolf and the rest of the original
story virtually flying from the pages.
The trio fashion a paper airplane from a page of the book. The wolf is pictured
in a state of confusion while they fly away. The pigs end up crashing into a another totally different story where they make new friends. The five friends find their way back into the
book where they end up happily eating alphabet soup. The wolf on the other hand, remains ever
baffled by the outcome of the story.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Wiesner’s fractured tale adaptation of classic tale The Three Pigs turns the tables of fate for the wolf by creating a whole new backdrop setting. The new setting develops from nursery rhyme depictions into a matrix of storybook scenes. This nuance of an outer story is imaginative and clever. The new scenes allude to knights and dragons, and nursery rhymes such as The Cat and the Fiddle. The story ends surprisingly, as the fearless friends enjoy their soup made fresh from the text of the book. Kids will love this wacky and zany story retold.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “There's a lot going on here, but once you get your bearings, this is a fantastic journey told with a light touch.”
Horn Book Magazine: “Obviously, there's a lot going on here, but once you get your bearings, this is a fantastic journey told with a light touch.”
School Library Journal: “Children will delight in the changing perspectives, the effect of the wolf's folded-paper body, and the whole notion of the interrupted narrative.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “Even the book's younger readers will understand the distinctive visual code.”
The Caldecott Medal: 2002
5. CONNECTIONS
*This book may be used in a compare and contrast discussion where students are asked to compare the traditional tale to the new retelling.
*Brainstorm different possible endings for The Three Pigs. Have students write their own rendition of the story.
*Perform the story using Readers Theater.
*Couple this book as a read aloud along with The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith.
*Other Books by David Wiesner:
Ant & Max ISBN 9780618756636
Tuesday ISBN 9780395870822
Flotsam ISBN 9780618194575
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Wiesner’s fractured tale adaptation of classic tale The Three Pigs turns the tables of fate for the wolf by creating a whole new backdrop setting. The new setting develops from nursery rhyme depictions into a matrix of storybook scenes. This nuance of an outer story is imaginative and clever. The new scenes allude to knights and dragons, and nursery rhymes such as The Cat and the Fiddle. The story ends surprisingly, as the fearless friends enjoy their soup made fresh from the text of the book. Kids will love this wacky and zany story retold.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “There's a lot going on here, but once you get your bearings, this is a fantastic journey told with a light touch.”
Horn Book Magazine: “Obviously, there's a lot going on here, but once you get your bearings, this is a fantastic journey told with a light touch.”
School Library Journal: “Children will delight in the changing perspectives, the effect of the wolf's folded-paper body, and the whole notion of the interrupted narrative.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “Even the book's younger readers will understand the distinctive visual code.”
The Caldecott Medal: 2002
5. CONNECTIONS
*This book may be used in a compare and contrast discussion where students are asked to compare the traditional tale to the new retelling.
*Brainstorm different possible endings for The Three Pigs. Have students write their own rendition of the story.
*Perform the story using Readers Theater.
*Couple this book as a read aloud along with The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith.
*Other Books by David Wiesner:
Ant & Max ISBN 9780618756636
Tuesday ISBN 9780395870822
Flotsam ISBN 9780618194575
Traditional Tale Book Review: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Taback, Simms.1999. Joseph Had A Little Overcoat. New York: Viking Penguin. ISBN 0670878553
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Joseph has a coat that becomes worn out so, he makes a jacket out of it. The jacket eventually wears out so, Joseph makes the new vest which he later converts into a scarf. The scarf evolves into a necktie, handkerchief, and button. Joseph loses the button but in the end, he makes something out of nothing; the book that the reader is actually reading!
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Taback, Simms.1999. Joseph Had A Little Overcoat. New York: Viking Penguin. ISBN 0670878553
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Joseph has a coat that becomes worn out so, he makes a jacket out of it. The jacket eventually wears out so, Joseph makes the new vest which he later converts into a scarf. The scarf evolves into a necktie, handkerchief, and button. Joseph loses the button but in the end, he makes something out of nothing; the book that the reader is actually reading!
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This humorous and down to earth
picture book captures the essence of life on a farm in Poland. The main character is expressive in showing
his emotions of dissatisfaction with his old clothing and his pleasure in
donning his new duds in public.
The illustrations are embellished
using pattern repetition and vivid colorings characteristic in Slavic
cultures. The Yiddish themed clothing,
pictures, books, religious items, and language are apparent throughout the
book. The reader is not only drawn to the unique style and colors but, also to Taback’s use of miniscule details embedded in the book.
Taback employs the use of echo in “Joseph had a little…it got old and worn.” He also makes use of familiar word patterns in the song at the end of the book. The colorful artwork of watercolor, gouache, pencil, ink and collage make this Caldecott Medal Award winner a prize for all ages.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Magazine: ”The text is simple to the point of prosaicness-nowhere near as inventive and jazzy as the illustrator's riff on There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly-but the art sings with color and movement and humor and personality.”
Booklist: “Taback's mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity. Their colors are festive yet controlled, and they are filled with homey clutter, interesting characters, and a million details to bring children back again and again.”
School Library Journal: “A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit.”
Publisher's Weekly: ”This diverting, sequential story unravels as swiftly as the threads of Joseph's well-loved, patch-covered plaid coat: “A flip of the page allows children to peek through to subsequent spreads as Joseph's tailoring produces items of decreasing size.”
Caldecott Award Medal 2000
Taback employs the use of echo in “Joseph had a little…it got old and worn.” He also makes use of familiar word patterns in the song at the end of the book. The colorful artwork of watercolor, gouache, pencil, ink and collage make this Caldecott Medal Award winner a prize for all ages.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Magazine: ”The text is simple to the point of prosaicness-nowhere near as inventive and jazzy as the illustrator's riff on There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly-but the art sings with color and movement and humor and personality.”
Booklist: “Taback's mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity. Their colors are festive yet controlled, and they are filled with homey clutter, interesting characters, and a million details to bring children back again and again.”
School Library Journal: “A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit.”
Publisher's Weekly: ”This diverting, sequential story unravels as swiftly as the threads of Joseph's well-loved, patch-covered plaid coat: “A flip of the page allows children to peek through to subsequent spreads as Joseph's tailoring produces items of decreasing size.”
Caldecott Award Medal 2000
5. CONNECTIONS
* This book lends itself to many possibilities for lessons from art mediums, to music, to student participation read alouds.
* Use this book to introduce an activity using discarded items. Have students make garment collages out of old magazine or advertisement circulars.
* This book lends itself to many possibilities for lessons from art mediums, to music, to student participation read alouds.
* Use this book to introduce an activity using discarded items. Have students make garment collages out of old magazine or advertisement circulars.
No comments:
Post a Comment