Book Review: THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY – written and illustrated by Simms Taback

Taback, Simms. 1997. THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY. New York: Viking Penguin. ISBN 978-0670869398

Simms Taback brings the classic folktale about a little old lady’s disturbing eating habits to new life in his modern retelling of THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY.  This tale includes the traditional cast of characters: fly, spider, bird, cat, dog, cow, and horse.  The story also follows its predictable conclusion (she died, of course).  However, the vibrant illustrations, interspersed additional facts, and witty animal commentary make Taback’s version of this story unique.

This Caldecott Honor book is gorgeously illustrated and includes a peek-a-boo die-cutout view of the Old Lady’s stomach as she munches her way through a menagerie.  The graphics in this retold tale are boldly colored and have “the look of a ransom note” (Kirkus Reviews 1997).  The distressed and “digested wide-eyed animals float in a confetti-dusted space (which matches her dress)” after being swallowed by the Old Lady (Publishers Weekly 1997).  The Old Lady takes on an increasingly large and humorously zany appearance as the story progresses.  A Publisher’s Weekly starred review stated, “everything about the elderly woman’s exterior is equally askew, including the pupils in her eyes” (Publishers Weekly 1997).

Enrichment Activities:

THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY is a popular rhyming tale that can be told orally in a familiar sing-song format.  The oral repetition of a familiar rhyme, read aloud from a storybook, “helps validate children’s experiences, connect written and oral expression, and invite active, physical participation” (Vardell 2008, 102).  The BBC website has a version of this traditional song, sung by Andy Day, freely available on their website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolradio/subjects/earlylearning/nurserysongs/F-J/swallowed_fly). Assist children to “explore neighborhood, cultural, and language variations” by translating this rhyme and song into differing dialects (Vardell 2008, 102).  For instance, the Spanish language version of this song can be found here: http://englikids.blogspot.com/2012/09/there-was-old-lady-who-swallowed-fly.html.

If you would like to listen to a humorous Simms Taback singing version of this story, you can view the following video made by Jeff Seaver:

What to Read Next:

Taback, Simms. 1999. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT. New York: Viking Penguin. ISBN 978-0670878550

Pierce, Jason. 2012. THERE WAS AN OLD FLY WHO SWALLOWED A LADY. Bend, OR: 2Toad. ISBN 978-0985077310

References

Kirkus Reviews. 1997. “THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY.” September 15. Accessed February 9, 2014. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/simms-taback/there-was-an-old-lady-who-swallowed-a-fly/.

Publishers Weekly. 1997. “THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY.” September 1. Accessed February 9, 2014. http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-670-86939-8.

Vardell, Sylvia M. 2008. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE IN ACTION: A LIBRARIAN’S GUIDE. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Book Review: THE RUNAWAY TORTILLA – written by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Randy Cecil

Kimmel, Eric A.. 2000. THE RUNAWAY TORTILLA. Ill. by Randy Cecil. New York: Winslow Press. ISBN 1-890817-18-X

Eric Kimmel puts a southwestern spin on the classic tale The Gingerbread Man in his book THE RUNAWAY TORTILLA. Tía Lupe and Tío José are the proud owners of the Texas taquería named El Papagayo Feliz.  The tortillas made at this taquaría are the lightest and fluffiest tortillas around.  One day, Tía Lupe made a tortilla so light that it jumped up and ran away! The clever tortilla made a mad dash across the Texas desert causing an eclectic mix of characters to pursue her.

Children will fall in love with this southwestern twisted take on the classic story The Gingerbread Man.  Cultural variants of traditional tales, such as THE RUNAWAY TORTILLA, allow children to “gain insight into the customs and values of many nations and cultures” (Vardell 2008, 94).  Moreover, telling familiar tales in several variant cultural formats allow children to “learn more about basic story elements, unique cultural marker, and their own personal responses” (Vardell 2008, 97).

The illustrations and text in this raucous caper fully represent the southwestern and Latino culture.  In this southern version of The Gingerbread Man, the tortilla races across a Texas desert “past horned toads, rattlesnakes, cowboys, and other pursuers” native to the southwestern landscape (Kirkus Review 2000).   The School Library Journal noted that “primitive oil paintings feature a palette of sunset colors” (School Library Journal 2000).  The illustrator, a native Texan, paints the pictures of this book in the traditional southwestern earthy/warm colors of yellow, red, orange, and green.  Moreover, the language is sprinkled with Spanish and southwestern language such as Senor/Senorita, taquaría, and arroyo.

Enrichment Activities:

There are many web-based activities that parents can utilize to supplement this fable.  The books publisher, Winslow Press, has several fun games, activities, and relevant fun facts on their site (http://www.winslowpress.com/tortilla/tortilla.cfm#).   In the classroom setting, teachers can compare/contrast multiple versions of The Gingerbread Man to discuss point-of-view and different cultures.  For example, North East Independent School Library, in San Antonio, has a free compare/contrast group activity to be completed in a classroom or library setting (http://teacher.neisd.net/library/public/lessonplan/lessonplan.cfm?lessonpk=49).

What to Read Next:

Kimmel, Eric A.. 2009. THE THREE LITTLE TAMALES. Ill. by Valeria Docampo. New York: Two Lions. ISBN 978-0761455196

Nolte, Nancy. 2004. THE GINGERBREAD MAN. Ill. by Richard Scarry. New York: Golden Books. ISBN 978-0375825897

References

Kirkus Review. 2000. “THE RUNAWAY TORTILLA.” September 1. Accessed February 8, 2014. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/eric-a-kimmel/the-runaway-tortilla/

School Library Journal. 2000. “THE RUNAWAY TORTILLA.” Amazon. Accessed February 8, 2014. http://www.amazon.com/The-Runaway-Tortilla-Eric-Kimmel/dp/189081718X.

Vardell, Sylvia M. 2008. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE IN ACTION: A LIBRARIAN’S GUIDE. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Book Review: THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS – written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith

Scieszka, Jon. 1989. THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS. Ill. by Lane Smith. New York: Viking Penguin. ISBN 0-670-82759-2

Do you know the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs? Jon Scieszka’s retelling of this common story, THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS, confirms that everything you know about the shocking events of that fateful day are wrong.  This book is tells the “true” tragic story of the three little pigs from the perpetrator’s (AKA- The Big Bad Wolf) point of view.   The misjudged and innocent Big Bad Wolf was framed!

This retold traditional tale is listed as #35 in the School Library Journal’s top 100 picture books of all time (Bird 2012). Younger children will enjoy this well written and illustrated picture book, however, it will be “less meaningful if they do not understand what is being parodied” (Vardell 2008, 85-86).   Kirkus Review mentions that middle grade children will easily understand this twisted tale’s lesson regarding the “unreliability of witnesses” (Kirkus Review 1989).  Older children will understand that the, “second view of the same events may yield a story that is entirely different from another but equally ‘true’” (Kirkus Review 1989).

Publisher’s Weekly remarked that the book’s “imaginative watercolors eschew realism, further updating the tale” (Publishers Weekly 1996).  The illustrations in this book compliment the text and visually assist in the telling of this narrative.  For instance, the wolf is drawn with an innocent and trusting expression while the small glances of the pigs’ faces illustrate an angry and fearsome demeanor.

Enrichment Activities:

There are many freely-accessible and pre-planned extension activities created to incorporate this book into a lesson plan or story-time.   Scholastic has many of these activities listed on their website at: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/true-story-3-little-pigs-extension-activities. This book is could also be used as a tool to teach children about point-of-view.  This could be accomplished by asking the children to write the story of Three Little Pigs from yet another character’s point of view. Bright Hub Education has a wonderful THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS lesson plan based around the concept of point-of-view (http://www.brighthubeducation.com/lesson-plans-grades-3-5/67152-use-the-true-story-of-the-three-little-pigs-to-teach-point-of-view/).

A teacher could also guide children  in acting out their own dramatic theatrical production of this story.  Here is an example of a theatrical production of THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS produced by the Dallas Children’s Theater:

What to Read Next:

Scieszka, Jon. 1992. THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES. Ill. by Lane Smith. New York: Viking Penguin. ISBN 978-0670844876

Shaskan, Trisha Speed.  2011. SERIOUSLY, CINDERELLA IS SO ANNOYING!: THE STORY OF CINDERELLA AS TOLD BY THE WICKED STEPMOTHER (THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY). Ill. by Gerald Guerlais. Mankato, Minn.:  Picture Window Books. ISBN 9781404870482

References 

Bird, Elizabeth. 2012. “Top 100 Picture Books #35: THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith.” School Library Journal. June 1. Accessed Febuary 21, 2014. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/01/top-100-picture-books-35-the-true-story-of-the-three-little-pigs-by-jon-scieszka-illustrated-by-lane-smith/#_.

Kirkus Review. 1989. “THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS.” August 15. Accessed Febuary 9, 2014. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jon-scieszka/true-story-of-3-little-pigs/.

Publishers Weekly. 1996. “THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS.” March 4. Accessed February 2014, 2014. http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-14-054451-0.

Vardell, Sylvia M. 2008. Children’s Literatue in Action: A Librarian’s Guide. Westport, CT: Libraies Unlimited.

Book Review: ARE YOU MY MOTHER? – written and illustrated by P.D. Eastman

Eastman, P.D.. 1960. ARE YOU MY MOTHER?. Ill. by P. D. Eastman. New York: Random House. ISBN 0-394-90018-9

The suspenseful and humorous beginning-reader mystery titled ARE YOU MY MOTHER? tells the tale of a baby bird and his search for his mother.  Anticipating the birth of her new baby, Mother Bird flies off to find some food.  Baby Bird hatches during her absence and goes to look for his mother.  Baby Bird encounters many animals and objects that he mistakes for his mother along the way.  The story ends happily as baby bird is plopped back down into his nest just in time for his mother to fly home.

This classic tale has been listed #45 in the School Library Journal’s top 100 picture books of all time for good reasons (Bird 2012).  Baby Bird’s comical mistakes when identifying his mother are ridiculous enough that they will tickle the funny bone of any young reader.  Moreover, Baby Bird’s plight of losing his mother is a plot that young children will identify with and is very “believable and relevant to the young child” (Vardell 2008, 58).

The story, which has been around since 1960, will whet parents “appetite for the familiar touchstones of the past” (Vardell 2008, 23).  The language is simple and the story short enough that this book would be a good choice for beginning readers.  Moreover, the illustrations in the story compliment the text and dialog enabling the child to “see” the story in the pictures.  This is an “important part of early literacy” and helps the child to decode the context of the story (Vardell 2008, 42).

The text on the pages of this book is written in large and easy to read font on white background. The monochromatic and simple color scheme used in the book’s artwork does not distract from the words making for easier reading.  The illustrations in the book are drawn in shades of muted brown with highlighted features in yellow and red.  Warm colors, such as red and yellow, are often used to “convey emotion and symbolism” in children’s picture books (Vardell 2008, 54).  P.D. Eastman’s illustrations in ARE YOU MY MOTHER? increasingly showcase bright red and yellow colors as the dramatic plot unfolds.  The use of bright colors on “Snort”, the crane truck Baby Bird mistakes for his mother, emphasizes the feelings of fear and frustration Baby Bird is feeling at the peak of his adventure.

Enrichment Activities:

The longevity and popularity of this book has led to the creation of many preschool and parent activities that can be tied into story-time, circle-time, or parent-child led lessons.  For example, Bight Education Hub (http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-preschool/96884-story-stretcher-for-are-you-my-mother/) has some wonderful ideas to incorporate an Are You my Mother? theme into the preschool classroom.  Also, the obSEUSSed blog contains a printable ARE YOU MY MOTHER? matching game (http://www.obseussed.com/2012/05/are-you-my-mother-printable-matching.html) that parents can print out and play with their children.

An Animated Version of the Story:

What to Read Next:

Stileman, Kali. 2011. ROLY-POLY EGG. Ill. by Kali Stileman. Wilton, CT: Tiger Tales. ISBN 978-1589258525

Sitomer, Alan Lawrence. 2012. DADDIES DO IT DIFFERENT. Ill. by Abby Carter. New York: Disney-Hyperion. ISBN 978-1423133155

References

Bird, Elizabeth. 2012. “Top 100 Picture Books #45: ARE YOU MY MOTHER? by P.D. Eastman.” School Library Journal. May 29. Accessed January 21, 2014. http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/29/top-100-picture-books-45-are-you-my-mother-by-p-d-eastman/#_.

Eastman, P.D. 1960. ARE YOU MY MOTHER?. New York: Random House.

Vardell, Sylvia M. 2008. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE IN ACTION: A LIBRARIAN’S GUIDE. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Book Review: A BALL FOR DAISY written and illustrated by Chris Raschka

Raschka, Chris. 2011. A BALL FOR DAISY.  Ill. by Chris Raschka.  New York, NY:  Schwartz & Wade Books.  ISBN 978-0-375-85861-1

This beautifully illustrated and wordless picture book tells the story of Daisy, a small white dog with a love for walks and toy balls. This 2012 Caldecott Award winning tale starts out with Daisy and her owner walking to the park to play fetch with Daisy’s beloved red ball.  Alas, Daisy and her red ball have several heartbreaking mishaps at the park.  First, the ball gets stuck behind a fence where Daisy’s owner must rescue it.  Next, a rambunctious brown dog tries to join in the fun only to pop Daisy’s beloved toy.  Raschka perfectly captures the devastation and loss of a child losing their favorite toy in the illustration of the next 9-10 pages.

 

However, all hope is not lost.  Daisy and her owner return to the park to meet up with the rambunctious brown dog, her owner, and a new blue ball for Daisy! Soon, Daisy and the brown dog become new friends as they play happily at the park with the new ball. Daisy returns home with her beloved new blue ball to curl up happily on the couch and fall contentedly asleep.

Wordless picture books tell a tale through art instead of words.  Art in children’s literature uses “line, color, texture, and composition work together to create art, much as character, setting, plot, theme, and style work together to create literature” (Vardell 2008, 53).  Raschka executes this use of art to create a story perfectly in his picture book A BALL FOR DAISY.  The heart wrenching feeling of loss when a favorite toy, blanket, or treasured stuffed animal is lost is translated into grayed, brown, or muted purple background colors and undefined lines. The elated feelings of happiness when finding a new ball and new childhood friend are translated into brilliant blue, yellow, and green tones (Horning 2012).   As a 2011 Kirkus review states, Raschka is able to “map an inner life rich in heights of joy and depths of sorrow” through his illustrative storytelling (Kirkus 2011).

A Horn Book review of this book calls Raschka’s use of composition “noteworthy for both its artistry and its child appeal” (Horning 2012).  Raschka uses several sequential illustrations on a single page to convey action and plot.  Conversely, he uses single-page, large, and colorful illustrations during the high emotion or focal parts of Daisy’s tale. While reading this story, these large colorful illustration seem to encourage the reader to pause and reflect on Daisy’s emotions and dilemma.   Horning’s review points out that this author and illustrator “varies the line to echo her emotions” (Horning 2012).  Raschka masterfully conveys emotions in his illustrations by utilizing “bold, sure lines when Daisy is happy; shaky, squiggly lines when she is upset” (Horning 2012).

This picture book would be a perfect choice for young children learning about the value of friendship and forgiveness. According to the book CHILDREN’S LITERATURE IN ACTION: A LIBRARIAN’S GUIDE, wordless picture stories “challenge children to use their imaginations to create or narrate their own text” (Vardell 2008, 46).  A BALL FOR DAISY is an ideal book to teach a young child to identify emotions by having them vocalize what they believe Daisy is feeling at each pivotal moment in the story. Moreover, having a child put verbal words to this illustrative story assists them with “storytelling, writing captions, developing oral fluency, assessing visual literacy, and developing ESL vocabulary skills” (Vardell 2008, 46).

I believe that the story and sentiments in the book are emotional experiences most children (and adults) can identify with. I personally was transported back in memory to my own childhood experiences while reading Daisy’s tale.  In my humble opinion, A BALL FOR DAISY is a must read picture book for all young children.

Book Trailer:

What to Read Next:

Faller, Regis. 2006. THE ADVENTURES OF POLO. Ill. By Regis Faller. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 978-1596431607

Raschka, Chris. 2013.  DAISY GETS LOST.  Ill. by Chris Raschka.  New York, NY:  Schwartz & Wade Books.  ISBN 978-0449817414

References

Horning, Kathleen T. 2012. “Reviews of the 2012 Caldecott Winners.” The Horn Book. January 3. Accessed January 19, 2014. http://www.hbook.com/2012/01/choosing-books/reviews/reviews-of-the-2012-caldecott-winners/.

Kirkus. 2011. “Kirkus Reviews: A BALL FOR DAISY.” May 10. Accessed January 19, 2014. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/chris-raschka/ball-for-daisy/.

Raschka, Chris. 2011. A BALL FOR DAISY. New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade Books.

Vardell, Sylvia M. 2008. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE IN ACTION: A LIBRARIAN’S GUIDE. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.