THE PROG FRINCE: A MIXED UP TALE

Lamm, C. Drew. 1999. THE PROG FRINCE: A MIXED UP TALE. Orchard Books. New York, New York. ISBN 0531301354

This story is a mixed up fairy tale of the original FROG PRINCE. At the beginning we meet a girl named Jane who becomes disgruntled when a frog steals her muffin money. She follows the frog and is told a story by him. In this zany tale a prince and a girl, Jaylee, fall in love but the father won’t allow them to marry because she is not a princess. The king tries to give his son a potion that will make him fall out of love and instead he turns into a frog. As the story progresses Jane begins to rally like the frog and when he disappears suddenly he misses him. Then to the readers surprise Jane turns into Jaylee and the frog turns back into the prince and they, of course, live happily ever after. There are references to other fairy tale as well, like when the old woman asks Jane if she as ever heard of THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF. The pictures remind me of the classic fairy tale illustrations which is so appropriate for this story. Lamm uses alliteration to play on the word muffins using items from the prince’s palace such as “millions of murals, mirrors, marionettes, etc. This is a creative fractured fairy tale that children of all ages will enjoy.

THE OTHER SIDE

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2001. THE OTHER SIDE. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. New York, New York. ISBN 0399231161

A fence represents both the physical and psychological barriers that separate the black and white people in this book. Woodson uses the voice and action of young girls to reveal how silly racial tensions are and how forgiving of differences children can be. THE OTHER SIDE is beautifully illustrated with bright watercolors and lifelike pictures. I love that both families seem to have the same economic background and the only visible difference is their skin color. This is a great read aloud to help children understand what racial tensions use to look like and to reveal to them how similar the two girls really were.

THE SEVEN CHINESE SISTERS

Tucker, Kathy. 2003. THE SEVEN CHINESE SISTERS. Albert Whitman and Company. Morton Grove, Illinois. ISBN 0807573094

THE SEVEN CHINESE SISTERS is about seven Chinese sisters who each have their own talent. In the beginning, the reader does not know what the baby’s talents are but through the course of events her talent is also revealed. The illustrations, by Grace Lin, are bright and colorful and include many patterns. The pictures reveal accurate depictions of Chinese clothing, housing, and beliefs about dragons. The dragon in the book resembles the pictures of the Chinese dragon people see when looking at Chinese New Year information. Throughout the story we see each sister use her talents to help the family rescue the baby. The plot, problem, solution, and characters are all interwoven beautifully to create a seamless story that will captivate readers.

THE LIMA BEAN MONSTER

Yaccarino, Dan. 2001. THE LIMA BEAN MONSTER. Walker and Company. New York, New York. ISBN 0802787770


From the crafty bowl of lima beans made into a monster face on the title page to the turnip sprout at the end of the book the illustrations are humorous and a story all on their own. This is a story so many readers will be able to relate to as they too have tried creative ways to get rid of unwanted food. Yaccarino uses great word play with phrases like, “Me want some HUMAN beans!” and “Don’t eat me! I-I’m too small! Wouldn’t you like to eat someone bigger?” (A line stole straight from The Three Billy Goats Gruff.) This story has an exciting plot, a great sense of humor, and fantastic illustrations. This is a great read aloud for kids of all ages.

THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET

Bibliography
Selznick, Brian. 2007. THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET. Scholastic Press. New York, NY. ISBN 0439813786

Plot Summary
A boy named Hugo Cabret is orphaned at a young age and must live in the walls of a train station helping his uncle take care of the clocks as his apprentice. When his uncle leaves also Hugo is stuck stealing trying to feed himself. Hugo finds the automaton his father died trying to fix. Hugo is determined to fix the machine and through a series of events finds out much more about the invention and its creator.

Critical Analysis
This book, the Caldecott winner for this year and Bluebonnet nominee for 2008, is breathtaking. The pictures drawn with simple black lines are exquisitely detailed. Selznick weaves cinematology, narration, concise characterization, and breathtaking illustrations to weave this one of a kind story together. Selznick uses foreshadowing on page 176 when Hugo is reminded of the story his dad told him about the movie in which “he had seen a rocket fly right onto the eye of the man in the moon”. Foreshadowing is also used when we see the heart shaped key is around Isabelle’s neck Hugo asks her about it on page 222 but nothing else is mentioned about it until Hugo takes it off of her to try it on the machine. THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET is a superb fiction novel that I think many children are going to enjoy from start to finish.

Review Excerpt(s)
From School Library Journal
“Each character possesses secrets and something of great value to the other. With deft foreshadowing, sensitively wrought characters, and heart-pounding suspense, the author engineers the elements of his complex plot:”From Publishers Weekly
“Here is a true masterpiece—an artful blending of narrative, illustration and cinematic technique, for a story as tantalizing as it is touching.”

Connections
*This book could be used to teach foreshadowing.
*This book can be used to discuss trying the invention of movies and how it changed the world.
*The illustrations could be used to talk about the Caldecott award.
Bowser, Elieen. THE TRANSFORMATION OF CINEMA 1907-1915. ISBN 0684184141
Marcus, Leonard S. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTIST AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. ISBN 0802786588

Green Eggs and Ham

Bibliography
Seuss, Dr. 1988. GREEN EGGS AND HAM. Random House, Inc. New York, NY. ISBN 0394900162

Plot Summary
Sam, one of Dr. Seuss’ imaginary creatures, offers green eggs and ham to a stubborn, grumpy character. The character insists that he does not like green eggs and ham. Sam is determined to get the creature to try this new food and so he offers it ina variety of places. In the end, the character finally decides to try it and does like the unusual dish after all.

Critical Analysis
This story told in simple sentences and rhyming prose is an easy read. Readers are attracted to the sing song dialogue that reads “You may like them. You will see. You may like them in a tree!” Children can easily identify with the plot as many of them are afraid to try something new. I am grateful that in the end the character does try the dish and likes it showing readers that trying new things is a good idea. I love that the characters are imaginary and so is the setting with trees that are yellow and grass that is red. The color choices make the pictures pop out of book and also add to the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss. This is one of the Dr. Seuss books that I really like for beginning readers because it uses real words and not the made up words that we see in many of Dr. Seuss’ books.

Review Excerpt(s)
From School Library Journal “Limited vocabulary but unlimited exuberance of illustration.”

Connections
*This book could be used to highlight and discuss rhyming words.
*This book can be used to discuss trying new things since we really might like it.
*Use the recipe for green eggs and ham to connect with the text.
Brennan, Georgeann. GREEN EGGS AND HAM COOKBOOK. ISBN 0679884408

Library Lion

Bibliography
Knudson, Michelle. 2006. LIBRARY LION. Candlewick Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts. ISBN 0763622621

Plot Summary
A librarian is startled when a well mannered lion enters the library. The head librarian states that he can stay as long as he doesn’t break any rules. The lion begins to help out at the library and becomes a regular patron. One day the lion needs to go get help for a librarian and roars to get someone’s attention. Knowing that he broke the rules the lion disappears for a while. Finally, after the librarian explains that sometimes you have a good reason to break the rules the lion returns and welcomed with a giant embrace from the head librarian and many of the children.

Critical Analysis
This story is a heart warming tale of a lion that learns to obey the rules of the library and also learns that sometimes rules have to be broken in an emergency. The characterization of the large giant is incredible this ferocious beast is portrayed as “helpful”, a step stool, and “a comfy backrest for the children”. The illustrations are detailed and colored with inviting cool colors. I love the artist’s portrayal of the library as an inviting comforting place. The artwork combined with the story, told mostly in third person, is an easy read that children of all ages will enjoy and engage in. I think many young readers will fancy the idea of going to a library in which everyone, including a cuddly lion, could be accepted and enjoy storytime.

Review Excerpt(s)
From School Library Journal “Hawkes's deft acrylic-and-pencil pictures have appeal for generations of library lovers. They are rich with expression, movement, and detail. The lordly, lovable lion is a masterful mix–regal beast and furry friend–and the many human characters are drawn with animation and emotion. This winsome pairing of text and illustration is a natural for storytime and a first purchase for every collection.”
From Booklist
“This story's appealing premise is clear in the first sentence: "One day, a lion came to the library." There's the expected uproar as the lion pads through the stacks, but librarian Miss Merriweather only asks: "Is he breaking any rules?" The lion is not, and so he is allowed to stay.”

Connections
*This book could be used to help teach about the importance of obeying rules and when it might be necessary to break rules.
*This book is great to start a discussion of library behavior expectations.
*Compare and contrast this book with I TOOK MY FROG TO THE LIBRARY.
Fraser, Mary Ann. I.Q GOES TO THE LIBRARY. ISBN 0802788777
Craig, Paula; Thompson, Carol. MR. WIGGLE’S BOOK. ISBN 1577686160
Kimmel, Eric A. I TOOK MY FROG TO THE LIBRARY. ISBN 014050916X