Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bryan, Ashley. 2003. BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD. New York: Simon and Schuster.
ISBN-10: 0689847319

2.PLOT SUMMARY
In this folktale Beautiful Blackbird tells the story of how the birds of Africa used to be many bright colors. The only bird that had any black on his feathers was the blackbird. He was thought to be the most beautiful of all the birds. Suddenly Ringdove wants to be black like beautiful blackbird.  After Ringdove calls all the birds to a festival he asks a question to all birds, “Who is the most beautiful of all the birds?” Everyone responds with “Blackbird is the most beautiful.” Soon after other birds want to have the color black on them so they too will be beautiful. Blackbird agrees to paint them black but, wants them to realize that it is not the color on the outside that makes them beautiful , it is what on the inside.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
It displays a universal meaning in appreciating ones heritage and finding beauty within and not what lies on the outside. I believe the main theme/message that Ashley Bryan sends is to be happy with who you are and not to become someone you are not.
Its style features sounds of onamataepia when Ringdove aks a question, “Coo-coo-roo, coo-ca-roo”. I imagine hearing Ringdove’s call. It has a rhythm that children are familiar with and repetition which is important in literacy.Its message displays a sense of pride in one’s heritage. It has a rhythm that children are familiar with and repetition which is important in literacy. Its message displays a sense of pride in one’s heritage. Initially the story represents black as beautiful however, the Blackbirds message of “Color on the outside is not what’s on the inside. You don’t act like me. You don’t eat like me. This self affirming message is that all races are important not only African-American.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Publishers Weekly
School Library Journal

5. CONNECTIONS
*Lesson plans for Beautiful Blackbird are found on: https://www.roundrockisd.org/docs/4-beautiful_blackbird.pdf

The Three Little Pigs by Leslie L. Brooke

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Brooke, L.Leslie , 1904.The Three Pigs. Frederick Warne & Co. – United Kingdom, United States

PLOT SUMMARY
In this well known children’s story three little pigs are sent out to live on their own as their mother does not have enough food to feed them. So the three little pigs set out to seek their fortune. Each of the little pigs  build house made of different materials. A big, bad wolf blows down the house of the first two little pigs but cannot blow down the house of the third little pig as his house is made of bricks. After trying to outsmart the little pig several ways the wolf is outwitted by the pig. The wolf becomes angered by the pigs cleverness and decides to climb into the pigs chimney where the pig awaits the wolf with a cauldron of boiling water. The wolf falls into the boiling cauldron and the proceeds to cook and eat the wolf.

 CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The setting is in no particular place but if I were to ask one of my students they would say “outdoors and inside the pig with the brick house”.
The theme is of deception where the pig deceives the wolf. It shows how evil does not always avail and that good conquers all. This tale features anthromorphic animals. I believe that the wolf represents evil as a wolf is cunning and is always looking for a victim. The pig on the other hand, represents the innocence of those who cannot take care of themselves(children) and through persistence and determination one is able to achieve happiness. This tale has repetition when it states,” Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin”. People refer to this  proverbial phrase at times or when needed. I find only reading this phrase once to my students and they will remember when asked to repeat it on their own and showing any of the words. Students find joy in reading it out loud with intonation.
I have read several themes of the three little pigs and find that the illustrations on some represent the pigs more in human form. They are clothed however, the original stories show the pigs in their natural form. Meaning as a society we value now how we look and not necessarily about the true meaning and innocence of the story.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Reviewer – Chamira Country – United States Age – 9 Languages Spoken – English

Chamira

How does this book make you feel?
Funny

How would you rate this book?
4 stars

CONNECTIONS
*Reader's Theatre- Fractured fairy tales on The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.
Students will perform a play.
*Mini unit: http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/writing_notebooks.html

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Pinkney, Jerry. The Lion and the Mouse. New York: Little, Brown, and Co. Books for Young Readers, 2009.

2. PLOT SUMMARY:
This is a simple but powerful wordless book. It is relevant to children in that even a simple little mouse can make a difference in a huge way. The setting of this particular story is in the African Serengeti.
A little mouse is found jumping on a lion’s back. When the lion awakes he becomes upset at the little mouse. The mouse asks for forgiveness and pleads with the lion to let him go. The mouse tells the lion his kind deed will be returned to him. The angry lion thinks about it and allows him to leave. One day the lion is captured and begins to roar very loudly. The little mouse hears him and comes to his rescue. In the end the lion and the mouse become friends.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The theme of this Aesop fable is one of friendship. One good turn deserves another. Children can believe that in this world(jungle) even they can make a difference in someone’s(Lion) life. It gives children a sense of belonging and makes their life meaningful.
Mr. Pickney’s  only words in his book are “grr” and “putt-putt” of the jeep and the “scratch” of the mouse when freeing the lion. It helps children understand that sounds can be put into words(onomatopoeia) which is the understanding and beginning of good writers. He illustrates the story in beautiful watercolors that are vivid and detailed. His sense of repetition, and use of animals makes it a great book for children
REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
*2010 Caldecott Medal Winner
*Randolph Caldecott Medal
*Best Illustrated Book of 2009

4. CONNECTIONS:
Read, explore and sequence a fable.

1. A lion's tale
   • Open the website Aesop's Fableshttp://www.umass.edu/aesop/fables.php.
   • Find The Lion and the Mouse in the index and select the traditional version.
   • Look at the pictures and predict who, where, when and what the fable may be about.
   • Discuss and compare the fable's characters (e.g. lion big, powerful, hunter; mouse little, weak, prey).
   • Read the fable.
   • Discuss the main events, problems, solutions and moral of the fable.
   • Think about other possible morals for the story and make a note of your ideas (e.g. be kind to one another).
2. Which came first, the lion or the mouse?
   • Complete the Activity sheet, The lion and the mousehttp://www.learningplace.com.au/sc/online/eng_2/EY2_07_ACT_LionMouse.pdf.
     • Read the sentence beginnings.
     • Cut out the sentence beginnings and place in order.
     • Read the sentence endings.
     • Cut out the sentence endings and match them to the sentence beginnings.
     • Glue the completed sentences on the second page.
   • Read the completed work for understanding.
   • Discuss how the endings have improved the fable.

Confetti Poems for children By Pat Mora

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mora, Pat. 1996. Confetti: Poems for Children. New York; NY: Lee and Low Books. ISBN: 9780329112806

PLOT SUMMARY
Mora creates this wonderful book of poems about a little girls experience. She draws upon her own experience as a child with each poem. Each poem touches upon the happy Hispanic life of child. Some of the poems reflect the colors of the poem. These poems enrich a child’s imagination through its beautiful colors and words. Small pieces of confetti are seen throughout the book as a way of reinforcing her title. All the colors reinforce the plethora of beauty the culture represents.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In each poem Mora creates a strong rhythm that helps a child build fluency through repetition.  Her poems create mental pictures which is important in helping children build abstract concepts. These free verse poems are written for kids but any adult who has experienced a similar childhood cannot help but reflect on their own life as a child. Mora nicely mixes Spanish and English words creatively. The reader immediately knows the meaning of the Spanish words used. The poem Castanet Clicks  is a perfect example:
Castanet Clicks
Uno, dos
one, two
Baskets blue

Tres, cuatro
three, four
one more bell.

Mora cleverly has them in italics to help indicate which are the spanish words.The acrylic illustrations created by Sanchez captures the feel of the southwest hispanic culture. As a proud Latina woman who resides in the southwest part of Texas I can easily relate to the little girl portayed in her poems. Mexican Magician is a poem that stands out to me. Her choice of words builds a strong mental picture of a bakery and the smell of fresh bread baking where she states,”With cinnamon and anise”. It resonates a proud, rich, colorful culture filled with joy and beautiful memories (Orgullo por mi cultura y gente) Proud of my culture and people.
 
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
“This collection of poems is as much fun to look at as it is to read”- Booklist

“Warmly evokes familiar touchtones of Mexican-American life.”- Kirkus Review

“Narrative poems in free verse capture the rhythms and uniquieness of Southwest and its culture as seen through the eyes of a Mexican-American girl...”-School Lbrary Journal

CONNECTIONS
*more books by Pat Mora
      Mora, Pat. 1997. Tomás and the library lady. Ill. by Raúl Colón. New York: Knopf
        Distributed by Random House. ISBN 0152054979
      Mora, Pat. 2009. Book fiesta! : Celebrate children's day/book day. Ill. by Rafael López. New           York, NY: Rayo. ISBN 978006128877

 *Create free verse poems in Writers Workshop

*Choose poems from Confetti to use during April as part of the celebration of National Poetry       Month.

Millions of cats by Wanda Gag

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gag, Wanda. 1928. Millions of Cats. New York, NY: Penguin Group. ISBN 9780399233159

PLOT SUMMARY
This wonderful text and illustrated picture book tells a story of an lonely elderly couple. The wife wants a cat to love and asks her husband to find a cat and bring it home. After finding a hill covered with cats he ends up taking all of them home.  At home his wife is stunned to find so many cats and is worried how they will be able to feed them. After the cats get into a fight the elderly couple end up with a small scrawny cat. The setting takes place in a quaint little cottage surrounded by flowers. Cottage is simple and plain. Here the setting appears to take place in a isolated area because couple are lonely yet happy. Elderly woman is dressed in 1920’s dress with a simple bonnet.
 Illustrations are simple and yet to the point. Children are used to bright colors and lots of designs. Sometimes too much illustration can lose the meaning of a story because children pay attention to pictures more than the story. However, children look at the pictures and relate to some issues this elderly couple face such as poverty, loneliness, and aging grandparents as well as being a responsible cat owner. The story then becomes meaningful to them.

CRITICAL ANAYLSIS
The couple are depicted as poor and simple people yet rich in love. The representation here is one of challenges(loneliness) that can be overcome with love(kitten). In this story a message is raised about beauty and how as a society we tend to judge people and things based on how beautiful they are.  Wanda Gag uses aesthetic issue to make a scrawny little cat “pretty”, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Wanda Gag uses rhyme and rhythm to make the story entertaining for children. “Hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, MILLIONS OF CATS!!!The first time I read this book to my students I raise my voice to show expression.The following day I read this book again to my students and omitted the words “Hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, MILLIONS OF CATS!!!” and look at my students as a cue for them to say it. They get a laugh out of it as they repeat it. They learn to memorize phrases  and at the same time have fun doing it. Reading becomes fun and meaningful.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
1929 Newbery Honor Award
1958 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award (posthumous)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL – “One Hundred Books that Shaped the Century”
THE NEW YORK TIMES – “A perennial favorite.”

CONNECTIONS
*Teach children to be responsible owners
*Memorization skills by reading other books that repeat phrases
*Author study of Wanda Gag

This is not my hat by Jon Klassen

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Klassen, Jon. 2012. THIS IS NOT MY HAT. Somerville, MA: Candlewick. ISBN: 978-0-7636-5599-0

 PLOT SUMMARY
A little fish steals a hat from a huge fish. The little fish is confident that the big fish will not catch him because the hat is too small for the big fish. He even brags that he stole it from a big sleeping fish. The little fish justifies it by saying it doesn’t fit him anyway. As he is swimming away he knows it is wrong to steal the hat so goes to a place where plants grow big and tall and close together. The fish boasts to the crab who saw him take the hat and says" he wouldn't tell anyone which way I went." But on the very next page, the crab is seen pointing the way of the little fishes’ escape route. Finally the little fish enters the plants with the big fish trailing behind. The big fish emerges from the plants with his hat on. The whereabouts of the little fish is unknown.YIKES!!!


CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this funny little story that takes place under the sea. The little fish is overconfident about stealing but ends up being confronted by the owner of the hat. The end does not show what happened to the little fish only the big fish coming out from the plants. The life lesson in this story shows that stealing is wrong and eventually someone will know. The lesson here makes it humorous but teaches children that there are consequences for actions.
The colors Klassen uses are easy for the eye of a child. He makes the big fish larger than life. He uses lots of black and browns Children will want to see what happens next (anticipation). He uses repetition on several pages, “And even if he does…”
When I read this book I implement strategies that I teach my students. 1) First time I read the book for enjoyment 2) Read it again to catch meaning and/or literary elements.
Although I have not read this book to my students I will definitely enjoy reading to them.

 REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
*Winner of the Caldecott Medal, 2012
*A Junior Library Guild Selection

 CONNECTIONS
*This story is great for predicting what will happen next and justify their prediction. It engages students in reading. One can even omit words and they can insert their own words into making their own story.
*This is a great way to teach children that stealing is wrong.