Echo Echo

Image courtesy of Penguin Random House

Bibliography

            Singer, Marilyn, and Josée Masse. Echo Echo: Reverso Poems about Greek Myths. New York: Penguin Random House, LLC, 2016. ISBN 9780803739925

Plot Summary

Tales of Greek mythology wind through the illustrated pages of this book. Each page layout contains a myth in poem as well as its exact reverso poem. As if by magic, the reverso poem portrays an alternate perpective to the myth. The illustrations also have reverse images. You can see the gods looking to the humans and vice versa. You can see the past reflecting the present.

Critical Analysis

Anyone can enjoy this poem collection. The first poem in the collection is background on Greek mythology. Also, a brief summary of each myth is given below each set of poems for reference. The collection offers a poem set for twelve of the most beloved Greek myths. Readers are sure to want to learn more about the myths after getting a taste through these poems.

Occasional rhyme adds a sense of playfulness, yet the story of the myth is the main focus of the language. Reading the poems is a fun challenge as the poetry seems to cause the brain to switch back and forth between perspectives. With precision choice of words, Singer elicits an emotional response in each mythical adventure from sympathy to fear. The reader can feel one emotion for one side and a complete opposite for the other side. It’s also a joy to take in the illustrations of the opposing perspectives. Flipping perspectives is a unique experience in Echo Echo.

Review Excerpts

2015 National Council of Teachers of English, Excellence in Poetry for Children Award

From Kirkus Reviews: “In all, though, a visual and interpretive feast bringing timeless tales to a young audience.”

From New York Times: “Marilyn Singer’s ingenious ‘reverso’ poems are child-friendly feats of verbal pyrotechnics...”

From Publisher’s Weekly: “Details about the myths appear across the bottom of the pages, further boosting the utility of another inventive exploration of stories readers thought they knew..”

From School Library Journal: “The demanding wordplay is deftly handled and prettily displayed.”

Connections

Read this to inspire students to write their own poems about mythology or other traditional stories.

Pair the poem, “King Midas and His Daughter” with the book King Midas and the Golden Touch by Charlotte Craft and Kinuko Craft (ISBN 9780060540630). Use the poem to generate interest. Guide students in comparing and contrasting features of each.

Use these poems in reader’s theatre performance.

Connect with D'Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d’Aulaire (ISBN 9780440406945).

The Surrender Tree

Image courtesy of Henry Holt and Co.

Bibliography

Engle, Margarita. The Surrender Tree. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2010.  ISBN 9780312608712

Plot Summary

Cuba experienced rebellions and wars for independence from 1810 -1899. In this novel in verse, Engle tells the touching true story of Rosa Castellanos Castellanos with some artistic additions. As Rosa grows up in slavery she learns to cure with herbs from the forest. She refers to her owner as Father. His son, her so called Brother and Lieutenant Death, whom she heals on more than one occasion becomes an ambitious slave hunter in Cuba. Rosa lives most of her life as a nurse in the wilderness, healing rebels and hiding from Spanish soldiers. Jose, her husband, is her protector and helpmate in orchestrating wilderness hospitals. Her biggest enemy is Lieutenant Death who tries at end to kill her throughout years of fighting.

Critical Analysis

The Surrender Tree is an amazing journey back in time to Cuban jungle warfare. Engle’s writing is so easily read, and the imagery is so vivid that I feel I was one of the rebels in the forest intensely hiding and fighting for survival alongside this amazing hero, Rosa. The story flows like a river with alternating character monologues. Each poem is short with a casual rhythm leading the reader into deeper and deeper immersion into the caves, thatched-roofed hospitals, and between palm trees dodging bullets.

Engle uses personification in a way that paints a canvas for miles. For example, dreaming of peace and an actual home she speaks of, “a view of green wilderness stretching, like time…” She also has a way of stirring emotion with her personifications. In her thoughts describing the history of Cuba she asks, “How many battles can one island lose?” When Rosa is dreaming it comes across like a song. You can feel the dedication and love Engle has for Cuba as she describes the land with simile such as, “The flames look like scars on the red, sticky clay…” There is a great pride in the Cuban land and people that is emitted from this novel in verse.

It is a powerful story that gives a sense of understanding to the underdog’s side of this conflict. Rarely discussed in American literature, the plight of the Cuban people is portrayed honestly through these embellished historical accounts. Young people and adults will find this an amazing, eye-opening experience. Every read through brings new layers of perspective in this brilliant piece.

Review Excerpts

2009 Newberry Medal

2009 Pura Belpre Award for Writing

2009 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award

From Kirkus Reviews: “The poems offer rich character portraits through concise, heightened language, and their order within the cycle provides suspense.”

From School Library Journal: “Acclaimed poet Margarita Engle has created another breathtaking portrait of Cuba.”

Connections

Read this as an introduction to a study of world cultures focusing on the means of land ownership.

Read this after reading an article about the historical Cuban conflicts. Guide discussions about perspective of pieces. Use as a topic for an essay.

Also, read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (ISBN  9780552773898) as a means of comparing writing styles or perspectives. Offer either as choices in literature circles. You may want students to research the historical events and prepare a presentation. Also, students may want to respond with artistic expressions or letters of opinion.

For a health class or health professions class, have them read this and research cures. Perhaps a comparison/contrast of natural versus modern medicine approaches would be beneficial.

Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky

Image courtesy of Puffin Books

Bibliography

Zelinsky, Paul O. Rumpelstiltskin. New York: Puffin Books, 1986. ISBN 9780525442653

 Plot Summary

Trying to impress the king, the miller lies and says his daughter spins straw into gold. Impressed indeed, the king orders his daughter to the castle where she is ordered to spin straw into gold or die. A little man arrives who spins the straw into gold in exchange for her belongings. The king decides to marry her if she spins the gold one more time, but she has nothing left to trade. She accepts the little man’s offer to spin in exchange for her first born child. When the king and queen have their first baby she asks the little man if he will accept anything else. He says she must guess his name, so the queen’s servant goes out to learn the name. The mission was successful and the king and queen keep the baby.

Critical Analysis

Rumpelstiltskin, as retold and illustrated by Paul Zelinsky is a fine example of the classic tale. The story is based on the Grimm brothers’ 1819 edition of German origins. Zelinsky’s tale of Rumpelstiltskin is the familiar version told to most modern English children.

Zelinsky’s illustrations are beautifully painted with rich detail and color. The depictions of the miller’s daughter wonderfully portray deep emotion in each scene. Illustrations in this book create a softer touch for this tale by giving the king soft facial features. Upon reading this book, I am lead to believe the king is not entirely cruel but that he has a character flaw. Given the right circumstances, there is hope for him yet. Therefore, this version of Rumpelstiltskin is recommended for very young audiences since it is a tame rendition.

Also, the illustrations add a tremendous depth of character in the little man, Rumpelstiltskin. When Rumpelstiltskin flies around his beer brew singing, the reader can see he rejoices because he needs something more in his life, perhaps a little companionship. After all, most people don’t even know his name. This is a great book to get started enjoying the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, as the pictures go a long way in telling the story themselves.

Review Excerpts

1987 Caldecott Honor

1998 Caldecott Medal

1998 ALA Notable Children’s Book

From Kirkus Reviews: “Zelinaky's illustrations are opulently painted, full of classical architectural detail, fantastic distant landscapes, and that early use of perspective which gives a raked stage effect.”

 Connections

In a study of types of government, read Rumpelstiltskin and discuss origins of monarchy. Why would the villagers need to impress the king? How did the king rule the people? What caused the first kings to be considered for their command? What factors helped the king retain authority over the people? How was monarchy similar to other forms of government?

This is a German version from the Grimm brothers. Read and teach students to compare and contrast with other versions. Many versions of various origins available at SurLaLune. Children may want to create their own illustrated version of one of these tales.

• ·       Duffy and the Devil, an English version of the tale.
• ·       Ferradiddledumday, an American Appalachian version of the tale.
• ·       The Golden Spinster is a Slavonic, specifically Hungarian-Slovenish, version.

After reading, start a read aloud or literature circle with Rump, The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtiff. ISBN 978-0307977960

For a math and science connection, involve students in researching valuable goods for trade. Compare what was valuable in the past to what is valuable today. Research the trade prices. Calculate how much you would need to meet a level of wealth today. Ask students to learn why the various materials are valuable. What are these materials used for? What do manufacturers need these materials to produce? Who controls the price of these goods? How does this affect governments today?

The Three Pigs

Image courtesy of Clarion Books

Bibliography

Wiesner, David. The Three Pigs. New York: Clarion Books, 2001.  ISBN 9780618007011

Plot Summary

Three pigs set out to make their way in life. The first builds his house of hay. The second builds his house of sticks. Wolf easily blows down both of these houses. The first pig runs to join the second, and when the wolf comes to the stick house, the three pigs band together and run out of the book pages. They adventure in and out of the stories of other books where they save a dragon from being slayed. The dragon returns with them to live in the brick house where he saves them from the wolf and they live happily ever after.

Critical Analysis

The Three Pigs is a refreshing new take-off from the traditional tale. The illustrations are wonderfully detailed. The animals are personified, and the wolf depictions are especially submissive throughout. It is clear to see the wolf learns to leave the pigs alone, whereas the pigs are depicted with thrilled, independent, adventure seeking faces. It’s a great allegory of power in numbers.

Wiesner maintains certain traditional elements such as the typical European beginning and ending, as well as the beloved pigs’ dialogue, “Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin.” This story also takes us on a journey in and out of other traditional European folktales which will surprise and delight children who are familiar with them.  

Details in the style of the writing provide an interesting experience for children of any age. Illustrations are wonderfully attractive leading the story along its path. And a rewarding path it is when we learn something different than the typical pigs’ story. With this version of the pigs’ story, we are not limited to the moral that hard work is the way, but friendship and teamwork is rewarding as well.

Review Excerpts

2002 Caldecott Medal Winner

From Kirkus Reviews: “With this inventive retelling, Caldecott Medalist Wiesner (Tuesday, 1991) plays with literary conventions in a manner not seen since Scieszka’s The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (1993).”

From School Library Journal: “Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite.”

From Publisher’s Weekly: “Wiesner’s (Tuesday) brilliant use of white space and perspective (as the pigs fly to the upper right-hand corner of a spread on their makeshift plane, or as one pig’s snout dominates a full page) evokes a feeling that the characters can navigate endless possibilities–and that the range of story itself is limitless.”

From New York Times: “Wiesner’s dialogue and illustrations are clever, whimsical and sophisticated.”

Connections

Read this along with other folktale variants to inspire children in creating their own folktale variations.

·       The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka.  ISBN 978-0140544510

·       Huff and Puff by Claudia Rueda. ISBN 9781419701702

Read to children as part of a unit on friendship. Let kids discuss how to be a good friend. Invite children to draw pictures of their friends and how they help each other.

After reading The Three Pigs, students can create blueprints for a house that will fit them and their friends. Optionally, they can decide on security measures. Within this project, they can use mathematics in this design. They can be given limited resources to increase the challenge.

Beautiful Blackbird

                                       

                                        Image courtesy of Books for Young Readers

Bibliography

Bryan, Ashley. Beautiful Blackbird. New York: Books for Young Readers, 2003.  ISBN 9780689847318

Plot Summary

Blackbird lives long ago in Africa in a colorful bird community. The other birds come to believe black is the most beautiful color, so they all want some of his black color. He reminds them that true beauty comes from within. They still come to him, and he decorates everyone with some of his black roots. The birds rejoice and dance with delight in their striking, color contrasting, black touches.

Critical Analysis

Originally, a folktale of the Ila-speaking people of Zambia, Beautiful Blackbird is a colorfully illustrated depiction glorifying the beauty of the African culture and teaching a lesson that color is not congruent with personality. And more specifically, Beautiful Blackbird teaches us it is not only alright to be black or otherwise colored, but that black is truly beautiful. The metaphor of the blackbird reflecting all the colors of the world delivers a message to readers of all ages that can be understood at varying levels of sophistication. Also, it is uplifting that we find strength and power in the character Blackbird.  

Rhythm and repetition in Beautiful Blackbird invites readers to perform this lovely tale. Through its rhythmic performance style, the audience can connect with the root culture of this piece. Bryan’s cut-paper artwork speaks to the purity of color, ensuring the audience focuses on the subject. Color is at the heart of this tale honoring beauty in everyone and most of all honoring the beauty in being black.

Review Excerpts

2004 Coretta Scott King Award

1974 ALA Notable Book

From Kirkus Reviews: “The rolling language and appealing illustrations make this a must.”

From Publisher’s Weekly: “Bryan's lilting and magical language is infectious.”

From Booklist: “The overlapping collage images fill the pages with energy as the songlike responses of the birds tap out a rhythm punctuated with ‘uh-huhs.’”

Connections

Use it to compliment an early childhood lesson in the colors of the rainbow or prism followed by guiding a discussion with children about their interpretations of the book. Children may create artwork featuring their science lesson as well as creative work with colors.

Read along with poetry by Maya Angelou. Invite children to create art inspired by her poems.

Children can create a collage with all colors of paper, paint, or crayon.

Read books to learn about a variety of cultures. Invite children to teach about their own cultures. Celebrate different cultures by hosting a culture fair.

·       A life like mine, How children live around the world, Unicef. ISBN 9780756618032

Teach a unit of study around the world. Learn about the culture and geography of countries around the world.

Gather books celebrating black contributions.

·       Jackie Robinson and the Story of All Black Baseball by Jim O’Connor. 9780394824567

·       Trombone Shorty by Bryan Collier. ISBN 978-1419714658

·       Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America by Andrea Pinkney. ISBN 9781423142577

·       I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., illustrated by Kadir Nelson. ISBN 9780375987724