February 17, 2012The Two Mountains: An Aztec Legend Retold By: Eric A. Kimmel Illustrated By: Leonard Everett Fisher
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Kimmel, Eric. 2000. THE TWO MOUNTAINS AN AZTEC LEGEND. New York, NY: Holiday House. ISBN 082341504X
2. SUMMARY OF PLOT: This legend resembles the story of two people who loved each other very much and even after death remain spiritually connected to each other and earth. In the Third Heaven lived the sun god, Tonatiuh, and his son Ixcocauqui. Although Ixcocauqui was free to explore the Palace, he was forbidden to go any further than past the wall. Curiosity leads him past the wall and into a forest where he met a young maiden named Coyolxauhqui, the daughter of the goddess of the moon, and they fell in love. Although the gods were hesitant and not happy with Ixcocauqui disobeying his father, they allowed them to marry on one condition: to never leave the heavens and if so without permission there will be severe punishment. Coyolxauhqui and Ixcocauqui were happy at first with staying behind the wall, but they eventually wondered about earth and all the mystery behind it. After secretly visiting Earth without their father's permission, they were banished and stripped from their godly title. The now human couple enjoyed working hard and making a life for themselves. However, Coyolxauhqui became sick one morning and nothing was making her better. She knew death was near and wanted say good-bye to her mother. Ixcocauqui carried his wife to the top of the mountain where her mother from the First Heaven was able to say good-bye and he vowed never to leave the mountain top. As the gods watched from above they were sad for their children and wanted them to be together again in spirit. The gods transformed this couple into two mountains overlooking the Valley of Mexico. One resembles a sleeping lady from a distance and another has volcanic smoke rising from the mountain's peak. People say from time to time the mountain will rumble and "it is Ixcocauqui, mourning for his beloved."
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS: The tale of Coyolxauhqui and Ixcocauqui is symbolic to Romeo and Juliet as well as Adam and Eve. This young couple's love for each other is very strong and their curiosity for the world around them seem to get them into trouble. Early on in the story the plot is set: Ixcocauqui can't go past the wall because of his fathers orders. Children can relate to this simple idea because they too have parents that have a say so in what they can and can not do. The conflict arises when he crosses the wall and disobeys his father, which evolves into this young couple's journey together. The realm of the Third Heaven and Earth is immediately established as this storie's setting with the beautiful paintings on each page that helps establish this other world. The theme of this story is interesting because it is not like the other stories I've read in this genre. There isn't a good protagonist conquering an evil villain or as happy of an ending as I would have imagined. However, there is a strong moral of obedience and sacrifice for someone you love. This book also reflects the style of retellings from the culture in which it derives from. Motifs are big in this story with supernatural beings that transcend from different realms of Heaven to Earth. Everything about this story is culturally specific from the characters' names, clothing, jewelery, and landscape. The illustrations function as part of the storytelling process as well and reflect the Mexican culture of these gods. You can see the lush garden, bright stars in the deep blue sky, and the rich colors of red, green, blue, and gold in everything they wear. The legend of these two mountains still holds true and they can be seen today from the center of Mexico City. Aztec mythology says these two volcanoes were humans who were deeply in love. Although there are slight differences between the legend and this book, such as the characters names and war being a factor, strong morals and the creation of the mountains from humans remain the same.
4. AWARDS WON: Los Angeles' 100 Best Books (2000)
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition (2001)
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for PreK- Grade 6, 13 Edition (2002)
Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition (2006)
Review Excerpt(s): "This is a companion to Kimmel's Montezuma and the Fall of the Aztecs. Leonard Everett Fisher's illustrations, as always, have definition and strength, but here they are also brillantly colored. The reds and greens are remarkably pure, but it is the gold that adorns everything--from a headdress to a bracelet to a wall of gold--that is so realistic and vibrant that readers will want to reach out and touch. A well-told, interesting addition to folklore shelves."-- Booklist
5. CONNECTIONS: This book can open up discussions about several different topics such as Aztec mythology, mountains, volcanoes, and Mexican legends. Before reading the book, ask the students if they have heard legends that are derived from other countries. You may need some on hand as an example, which are listed in the section below on related books. As you're reading, make a list on the board about the various topics that are covered in the book to give your students more of a multicultural perspective on this text. THE TWO MOUNTAINS can be a great introduction to a whole unit on the Mexican culture which can help tie your instruction to the background knowledge of any Mexican students you may have in your class.
Related Books:
CUCKOO/CUCU: A MEXICAN FOLKTALE/UN CUENTO FOLKLORICO MEXICANO By: Lois Ehlert
POMPEII: LOST AND FOUND By: Mary Pope Osborne
AESOP'S FABLES By: Aesop
TEARS OF MOTHER BEAR By: Anne Margaret Lewis
February 16, 2012The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! Told By: Jon Scieszka Illustrated By: Lane Smith
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Scieszka, Jon. 1989. THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS!. New York, NY: Viking Penguin. ISBN 0670827592
2. SUMMARY OF PLOT: From the very beginning of the story Alexander T. Wolf declares his innocence by saying "I don't know how this whole Big Bad Wolf thing got started, but it's all wrong!" Alexander Wolf (also known as Al) declares the real story is about him having a cold and needing a cup of sugar from his neighbors so he could finish making a birthday cake for his granny. He first visits the pig that built his house out of straw, but the pig did not answer the door. He felt a sneeze coming on and it was so strong it knocked the house down. Al didn't want to leave a perfectly good ham dinner lying there so he ate it up. Next, he stopped by the pig who built the house out of sticks, but the pig was too busy shaving his "chinny chin chin" to answer the door. Before you knew it, Al felt another sneeze coming on and the house came crashing down leaving a perfectly good ham out in the open. He did the only thing he could do, have another dinner. He finally made it over to the pig who built his house out of bricks, but did not get a warm welcome at all. Soon Al was sneezing again and Pig began yelling at the wolf making quite a scene when the cops showed up. Al ends up in jail believing he was framed, which is why he believes everyone has the story all wrong.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS: This story reflects the typical good and evil characters seen in traditional tales. The only difference may be Al trying to explain himself in order to undo the label of being the bad wolf. I love the plot of the three little pigs because it is so simple regardless of what twist or point of view the narrator may take. The conflict always remains with the big, bad wolf wanting something from the three little pigs (whether it be them for dinner or sugar). I also think the children will get a kick with the ending to this story because it ends very differently than the original with Al receiving realistic consequences for his actions. The setting is interesting because they are very general, but believable as these memories are being described from Al's point of view. The illustrations establish the setting quickly and helps set wolf's nonthreatening demeanor as he walks to each of the neighbors' houses. The theme of good triumphing over evil (even though the wolf tried to declare his innocence) and a happy ending is entertaining for children. The author did a great job of keeping the integrity of earlier retellings with some of the same characteristics such as a formal opening and closing as well as having three pigs and one wolf. This book also has a rhythmic style with some repetition as the wolf reaches each of the pigs house and says "Little Pig, Little Pig, are you in?" The illustrations help elaborate Al's side of the story and give him more of a personality as he explains why wolves eat cute animals. Also, a mood of understanding his point of view is quickly established as Al points out on the blackboard the real story which is only a matter of a sneeze plus sugar. While reading this story one can gain insights into the culture and customs of the pigs and wolf. Obviously, pigs don't socialize with wolves, but the wolf tries anyway to get a cup of sugar making the pigs react in a not so friendly manner. It is also common for European stories to have things occur in threes, which could represent the common trait of the three little pigs. When evaluating anthologies, this story is definitely familiar to young children because background is provided and it exemplifies the tone of a book that can be read aloud.
4. AWARDS WON: Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award for Picture Book (1991)
Parenting Reading Magic Award (1989)
Review Excerpt(s): "It's the type of book that older kids (and adults) will find very funny."-- School Library Journal
5. CONNECTIONS: There are several activities and discussions you can have with the students before and after you read this book. Before hand, read a version of the Original Three Little Pigs and write key elements on chart paper. Discuss with the students how this story is told by the wolf and the original is told by the pigs. Start a discussion on a time when you saw a situation differently than a friend did. They can talk about what happened and how they felt with a partner.
After you read, several questions can be asked leading to writing prompts or do a mini lesson on adjectives. Ask: what point of view do you feel is correct-- the pigs or wolf's point of view? Another idea would be to compare this story to the Original Three Little Pigs. With the mini lesson, pick three sentences from the book and place them in your pocket chart. Have students highlight the adjectives and circle the nouns the adjective describes.
Related Books:
THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES By: Jon Scieszka
THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG By: Eugene Trivizas
THE THREE PIGS By: David Wiesner
February 12, 2012Swamp Angel By: Anne Isaacs Illustrated by: Paul O. Zelinsky
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Isaacs, Anne. 1994. SWAMP ANGEL. New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books. ISBN 0525452710
2. SUMMARY OF PLOT: Angelica Longrider, who was born on August 1, 1815, became the greatest woodswoman in Tennessee. Although it did not seem like she was any different than most, she did several acts that traditionally women wouldn't do. For example, she built a whole long cabin at age two and by twelve she helped settlers get their abandoned wagon out of the Dejection Swamp. Since helping the settlers out of the swamp she was known as Swamp Angel. Her next big act was catching a huge bear called Thundering Tarnation. When they met face-to-face in the woods, she tossed that bear so high in the sky she was afraid she may have lost him. As a tornado whirled by she grabbed it using it like a giant lasso and swung that bear around. They fought for three days and three nights, even in their sleep. On the third night Swamp Angel snored so loud a tree fell right on top of Thundering Tarnation flattening him. That night they had a huge celebration and fed everyone in Tennessee with bear steaks and bear cakes. Swamp Angel left Tennessee for Montana where she used Thundering Tarnation's pelt as a rug, which is known as the Shortgrass Prairie. Just like Swamp Angel made an impression with everyone in Tennessee, it is believed she also left an ever lasting impression with the stars when she threw Thundering Tarnation in the sky.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS: SWAMP ANGEL's text and illustrations holds true to the culture of settlers living on the frontier of Tennessee. The characters are depicted well with the good Swamp Angel going up against the Thundering Tarnation bear who's wreaking havoc on the lands of Tennessee. This is a simple plot that young children can understand and enjoy because it is full of action as the Swamp Angel does acts of heroism. I also think readers will enjoy the ending because it sticks to the traditional theme of "good wins over evil" as well as leaves you with thinking about the effects Swamp Angel had on the future. The ending makes reference to Montana's so called Shortgrass Prairie and the constellation of Thundering Tarnation in the sky allowing the teacher to open into a discussion or lesson on these topics. The illustrator and author did a great job with sticking with the setting of Tennessee in 1815 by depicting rolling plains with small houses placed sparingly. Time also passes quickly as she grows up and then fights with Thundering Tarnation throughout several days and nights. This book reflects the style of an early retelling by having a formalized opening and ending with motifs of the supernatural. The reader will be able to gain insight into the culture of Tennessee in 1815 and Swamp Angel's life with this authentic cultural representation. Although there is some background on Swamp Angel's life no background stories are provided, which makes this main character a little unfamiliar to young children.
4. AWARDS WON: Caldecott Honor Book
Boston Globe- Horn Book Honor Book
ALA Notable Book
New York Public Library, 100 Books Every Child Should Read
New York Times Best Illustrated Books of 1994
School Library Journal Best Books of 1994
Booklist Children's Editors Choices 1994
Publisher's Weekly Best Books of 1994
Time Magazine's 8 Best Children's Books, 1994
Parenting Magazine Reading-Magic Award, 10 Best Books of 1994
1995 Notable Trade Book in Language Arts
Review Excerpt(s): "Move
over, Paul Bunyan, you are about to meet Swamp Angel, an original creation
in the tall-tale tradition whose exploits are guaranteed to amaze and amuse
a wide swath of readers. . . Visually exciting, wonderful to read aloud,
this is a picture book to remember." -- Horn Book5. CONNECTIONS: This book can open the doors to a geography lesson where children can identify and describe how settlers lived on the frontier. Have them look at the pictures and discuss various details: how people dressed, the kinds of houses they lived in, how they traveled and how they celebrated. Some of this story may not be true, so have them distinguish between the "tall tale" and what's true. You can also have them read another tall tale comparing and contrasting the different cultures they derive from.
Related Books: JOHN HENRY By: Julius Lester
JOHNNY APPLESEED By: Reeve Linbergh
THE SCRAMBLED STATES OF AMERICA By: Laurie Keller
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND By: Woodie Guthrie
(FOR GRADES K-5)
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