And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry from Everyone
By Alvin Schwartz
Illustrations by Sue Truesdell

Bibliography

Schwartz, A. (1992). And the green grass grew all around: Folk poetry from everyone. New York: HarperCollins Pub.

Plot Summary

Take a walk down memory lane with And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry from Everyone.  Riddles, rhymes and poems from folk poets are divided into fifteen chapters including “People,” “Teases and Taunts,” “Nonsense,” and “A Tree.”  There are also extensive and very interesting notes, detailed sources, and a bibliography that provide plenty of further exploration in the folk poetry genre.

Critical Analysis

Kids love funny poems and this is an undeniably appealing collection of folk poetry that children will enjoy whether it is read aloud to them or they peruse it alone.  Adults will find plenty to chuckle over, reminisce about, and share as they read as well.  The title says that the poems are from “everyone,” but as I look at the pictures and read the poems handed down by oral tradition, remembering many of the poems from my own childhood, it feels like Americana to me.

The black and white illustrations add to the reading experience, sometimes adding details to the story-type poems, always adding extra whimsy.  Truesdell’s style remains consistent, consistently good!  As you look at the pictures, you may find yourself recalling favorite easy readers illustrated by Truesdell, such as the Golly sisters books.

Review Excerpts

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1992): “It's hard to imagine a child who wouldn't greet this treasure trove with enthusiasm.”

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, 1992): “filled with well-known rhymes as well as new discoveries”


Sheree Van Vreede (Children's Literature):  “Perhaps the best collection of folk rhymes I have seen…”

Hazel Rochman (Booklist, May 1, 1992 (Vol. 88, No. 17)): “...a joyful legacy…”

Connections

*Other traditional folklore and folk tale collections to enjoy by Alvin Schwartz

A Twister of Twists, a Tangler of Tongues; Tongue Twisters

Tomfoolery:  Trickery and Foolery with Words

Whoppers:  Tall Tales and Other Lies

Kickle Snifters and Other Fearsome Critters

Chin Music:  Tall Talk and Other Talk


*For the librarian:
This is a great book for parents to read to their children!  We spent several evenings having laughs with this book, especially the “Teases and Taunts” chapter.  It provides the parent an opportunity to share stories from their childhood and perhaps will open doors to wonderful conversations with the child.

The Old Woman and Her Pig

The Old Woman and Her Pig 
retold by Eric Kimmel
Illustrated by Giora Carmi 


Bibliography

Kimmel, E. A., & Carmi, G. (1992). The old woman and her pig. New York: Holiday House.

Plot Summary

In this lighter version of an old British folk tale, Eric Kimmel and Giora Carmi provide a read aloud full of fun.  The story opens as an old woman buys a pig with a found penny.  Her trouble begins when the pig refuses to cross a stile and she wants to get home!  Follow the old woman as she seeks help from a dog, a stick, some fire, some water, a horse, a rider, a rope, a rat, a cat who wants some milk, a pile of hay, and a cow who has some milk.

Critical Analysis

As befits a folk tale, the characters in the story to not grow or develop, yet they serve the plot adequately.  There is a definite problem and a satisfying resolution with lots of action to keep the pace lively.  The real fun comes in this cumulative tale from the easy to repeat pattern that develops as characters are requested to help the old woman.  The story does lose some of the appeal of the original while trying to be gentler, but will certainly be appropriate for the younger set.

The colored pencil illustrations draw a smile from the reader as they complement the plot, showing faces on things like vegetables, stones, and trees and spelling “NO” with such as a dog's tail, fire, rope, and a horse's legs!  The English countryside is sweetly portrayed, showing a time from “by-gone-days", as they say in England.

Review Excerpts

*Susie Wilde (Children's Literature): “Illustrations by Carmi stretch the humor of the story…”

*Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, 1992): “An elegant retelling of a favorite old tale...”

*Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1992): “An earnest attempt to provide a nonviolent alternative…”

Connections

*Try these other versions:

The Old Woman and Her Pig: An Appalachian Folktale retold by Margaret Read MacDonald

The Old Woman and Her Pig: An Old English Tale retold by Rosanne Litzinger

*Eric Kimmel has other folk tales for you to enjoy.  Here are some that also have teacher’s guides.  Especially fun are the Anansi stories!    

*Can’t get enough Giora Carmi illustrations?  You may like these:

A Circle of Friends by Giora Carmi

A Journey to Paradise and Other Jewish Tales retold by Howard Schwartz

The Rooster Prince retold by Sydell Waxman

The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story
Retold by Rebecca Hickox
Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand


Bibliography

Hickox, R., & Hillenbrand, W. (1998). The golden sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella. New York: Holiday House.

Plot

In this Iraqi version of the Cinderella story, Maha toils for a stepmother and stepsister who are unkind to her.  Maha takes pity on a red fish and, in return, the red fish helps Maha change her life.  You will smile as the classic Cinderella elements unfold in unexpected ways.  The author and the illustrator both provide notes at the end, with the illustrator note telling how the fabulous are was created.

Critical Analysis

The characters in this story are archetypes from the good sister/bad sister story: the weak but loving father; the evil step mother and step sister; the supernatural helper; the kind, deserving heroine; and the handsome suitor.  The middle eastern culture shows naturally through the text and the illustrations.  For example, in the story dates are eaten, marriage contracts are signed and the rooster crows “ki-ki-ki-ko”.  The clothing styles, the building and the landscape in the painted vellum illustrations portray this part of the world softly, which fits the story perfectly.  Will Hillenbrand’s style is a good match for Maha, he brings her and all her surroundings to life.

Review Excerpts

*Publishers Weekly: "a visual treat from start to finish."

*School Library Journal: “a sweet, smooth book with just a hint of spice.”

*Booklist: “Hillenbrand's illustrations capture a strong sense of place.”

*Kirkus Reviews: “what readers will come away with is an appreciation for the unusual setting, comic characters, and the age-old emotions and resolutions that rule this story.”

Connections:

*Check out all things Will Hillenbrand.  His website includes pages such as "Will's Books," "Author Visits," and, excitingly, "Art Gallery" where you can inquire about purchasing his original art.  I hope no one beats me to the painting from Down by the Station, which was one of my son's first "favorite books!"

*Have a wonderful time trying your hand at creating illustrations like Will Hillenbrand with this full color, downloadable 16 page lesson.  It is the first link on this page from his website.

*Enjoy these Cinderella stories from other cultures:

• The Irish Cinderlad by Shirley Climo
• Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition by Jewell Reinhart Coburn
• The Persian Cinderella by Shirley Climo
• Cendrillion: A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert D. San Souci
• Smoky Mountain Rose:  An Appalachian Cindrella by Alan Schroeder
• Yeh-Shen by Ai-Ling Louie
• The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin
• Prince Cinders by Babett Cole

A Caldecott Celebration              

by Leonard S. Marcus

Bibliography

Marcus, L. S. (2008). A caldecott celebration : Seven artists and their paths to the caldecott medal (2008 ed.). New York: Walker & Co.  ISBN 0802797032

Plot Summary

Originally published in 1998 to celebrate the first six decades of the Caldecott Medal, the new 2008 edition is updated to include an additional representative from the past 10 years.  Marcus does not provide a critical analysis of any of the seven books in his work, rather he tells the story behind the story.  This book shares with the reader the author’s journey, often even how he came to write and illustrate for children.  It also describes how each included story came into being, from conception through winning the prize.  The illustrators profiled are Robert McCloskey, Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Chris Van Allsburg, David Wiesner and Mordacai Gerstein.  A glossary, proper noun index and a list of all the Caldecott Medal winners through 2007 are included at the end of the book.

Critical Analysis

When you pick up this thin book and look at the seven illustrations on the cover, you may find yourself thinking you would have picked different books to represent the decades.  You would be joining the debate that rages each year after the selection of the book that wins the Caldecott Medal.  Once you open the cover and read about any one of the artists, you will find yourself delighted with the story and thinking that its inclusion makes perfect sense.  Marcus tells the stories clearly, while combining drama and history in such a way that older children and adults will find joy, whether reading one story at a time or the whole book in one sitting. 

Each winning book is represented by several samples of the art for which it won the prize, and even more interesting, samples of the dummy or study pieces that each artist used in creating the finished products.  The best thing about the book is that it makes both young and old want to read or reread the books profiled, plus everything else available by these enormously talented illustrators.

Review Excerpts

*Publishers Weekly (starred review), "Filled with witty anecdotes and pithy observations . . ."

*Booklist (starred review), "A beautifully made book."

*The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, “Eminently satisfying."

Connections

*If you are using picture storybooks with older students to study literary elements, sharing the journey behind the book will be very satisfying to your students.

* My 12 year old son throughly enjoyed reading this book.  He liked recalling which of the books he had read, when he read them and whether they were library books or if we still owned them.  We had a delightful trip down memory lane.

*Selected  bibliography of Leonard Marcus:

Minders of Make-Believe: Idealists, Entrepreneurs, and the Shaping of American Children's Literature.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, May 2008.

 

Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became an American Icon Along the Way. New York: Random House, September 2007.

Pass It Down: Five Picture-Book Families Make Their Mark. New York: Walker and Company, January 2007.

Side By Side: Five Favorite Picture-Book Teams Go To Work. (paperback edition). New York: Walker and Company, January 2007.

The Making of Goodnight Moon: A Fiftieth Anniversary Retrospective. New York: HarperCollins, 1997. 

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

by Brian Selznick

Bibliography

Selznick, B. (2007). The invention of hugo cabret: A novel in words and pictures (1st ed.). New York: Scholastic Press.  ISBN 0439813786

Plot Summary

Set in a train station in Paris, France in 1931, this is the story of a boy who is more than a thief and a man who is more than a toy maker.  Both have secrets they feel they cannot share.  Watch and read as they come together through hardship, navigate friendships, and finally heal.

Critical Analysis

Selznick marries words and pictures in the 2008 Caldecott Medal book in a fresh and delightful way.  On the pages with words, there are no pictures, and on the pages with pictures, there are no words.  Both work very well.  The black and white illustrations are vital to this novel, they move the story along and provide plot information that the reader must have for the story to make sense.  His pencil drawings are immediately recognizable to people familiar with his work and draw the reader into the story as they pan from wide lens views to extreme close-ups.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is full of suspense which keeps the reader turning pages as they wonder what the importance of the necklace is, what will happen when Hugo is caught, what the mechanical man will write, and what George wants to forget.  Selznick doesn’t moralize in the story as Hugo steals and lies, yet both are portrayed as wrong.  Hugo wonders what his punishment will be for these actions.  When Selznick, literally, draws the story to a close, the reader feels satisfied and can close the book knowing that sometimes things come right in the end.

Review Excerpts

*Publishers Weekly (Starred Review), “a true masterpiece...”

*School Library Journal (Starred Review), “shatters conventions related to the art of bookmaking...”

*Horn Book (Starred Review), "There is a bounty of mystery and incident here..."

Connections

*My twelve year old son immediately recognized Brian Selznick as the illustrator from Andrew Clements’ works, even though I did not.  I looked it up, and he is right.  If you have a reluctant reader who loves this book, Andrew Clements may be a wonderful next step.

* “The Intricate, Cinematic World of ‘Hugo Cabret’” on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.” This includes an interview with Brian Selznick and excerpt from the book read by the author.

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7114977

*For the librarian, get the movie A Trip to the Moon, and show it during a youth program.  Use the book talk below to introduce the book.

*Here is a book talk for Invention.   It includes a video sample.  http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=10617

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Words and pictures by Mo Willems

Bibliography

Willems, M. (2003). Don't let the pigeon drive the bus!. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.  ISBN 078681988X

Plot Summary

Play babysitter to a very persistent pigeon as he goes through all the typical childhood tactics of getting his way.  Experience his disappointment.  And, watch him bounce back from disappointment in the way only a child can.

Critical Analysis

Mo Willems writes as though he truly understands the desires and perspectives of children.  In this book he writes from the point of view of a pigeon who represents every child with a desperate yearning. The plot of this picture storybook is very simple, but the emotions conveyed are varied and children will recognize them all. Young readers and listeners will not only identify with the childlike pigeon, but with the adult figures in their lives as they keep the pigeon from driving the bus.

The plain background and childlike line drawings of the pigeon pull the reader into the story, allowing the feelings and emotions of the pigeon to feel real.  Mo Willems illustrations are a perfect fit for the story and the characters portrayed.  It is fun book, especially when read aloud to a group of responsive children.

Review Excerpts

*School Library Journal (Starred Review), “A brilliantly simple book that is absolutely true to life...”

*The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (Starred Review), “Begs to be read again and again.”

*Booklist (Starred Review), "A winning debut . . . preschoolers will howl over the pigeon's dramatics."

Connections

*Mo Willems blog can be found here.  On Willems blog you will find interviews, upcoming appearances, and more.

*Pigeon Presents is a website devoted to all things Mo Willems for children and adults, including Fun, Books, Pals, and Grown-up stuff.  Look in Grown-up Stuff for a fabulous teacher’s guide to using two pigeon books in the classroom.  Find a bibliography of Willems work in Books for more great read alouds.

*You may have to find this on the used market: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! DVD. 6 minutes with teacher’s guide. Weston Woods, 2009. ISBN 978-0-545-13435-4: $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-545-13443-9: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-13453-8: $29.95