Citation:
Jenkins, Steve. Almost Gone: The World's Rarest Animals. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2006.
ISBN: 9780060535988
Summary:
Steve Jenkins takes the reader across the globe and features 28 different animals that are either "almost gone", "gone forever", or "coming back". Each animal description features an illustration of the animal, where it is found, and how many are left (estimated). The animal descriptions not only feature the animals specifications but also how or why the animal is endangered.
Critical Analysis:
The set up of this book is great for a young reader. The blurbs about the animals are easily digested. The descriptions of the animals help the reader to understand the look of the animal and it's characteristics. Most importantly, the descriptions of the animals explain why the animals are on the verge of extinction. While it is interesting to have an idea of how many of the animal are left-- it's impossible to truly know. Some of the estimates are bold, such as the Giant Stick Insect which is listed as having "fewer than 10 left". Jenkins makes a disclaimer at the opening of the book that "the numbers given for each animal in this book are best guesses of the scientists who study them". Unfortunately, there are no citations for these estimates.
Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: "This engaging title is informative as well as visually stunning. Jenkins
captures the essence of his subjects with appropriately colored,
cut-paper collage illustrations on stark white backgrounds. Each
endangered animal is introduced in a single paragraph that typically
contains a fact or two about its range, behavior, diet, and those
conditions that threaten its welfare."
BookList: "As usual, Jenkins' artwork is fascinating. His papers, apparently
handpainted, are carefully matched to catch subtle variations of an
animal's skin or a sense of the shagginess of its coat. The last spreads
consider four extinct animals and three species brought back from the
brink by breeding or protection programs."
Connections:
*Other titles about extinction:
V is for Vanishing by Patricia Mullins
ISBN: 9780064434713
Will We Miss Them? by Alexandra Wright
ISBN: 9780881064889
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
"Balloons Over Broadway" by Melissa Sweet
Citation:
Sweet, Melissa. Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011.
ISBN: 9780547188450
Plot Summary:
This colorful nonfiction picture book is written about Tony Sarg. The book talks briefly about his childhood and early career but focuses mainly on his contribution to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Tony Sarg is responsible for dreaming up the large helium balloons which are still showcased in the annual parade. Sarg incorporates his love for puppets and ingenuity to develop the balloons. The book explains how the parade began and grew to need such large pieces!
Critical Summary:
The book begins almost as a biography of Tony Sarg. Sweet touches on his ingenuity and originality as a boy explaining how he managed to rig a way to do his chore of feeding the chickens from his bed! The book continues to explain his creativity and interest in puppets and how these developed over time. The story is told chronologically and logically. The bulk of the story is based on Sarg's work with the Macy's parade. Sweet expertly crafts the story around his innovation of the large helium balloons. The reader feels as though he or she is brainstorming right alongside Sarg as he incorporates ideas from all over the world. In this way, Melissa Sweet did a wonderful job of bringing history to life for the young reader.
Review Excerpts:
BookList: "What she has done is make a joyous piece of nonfiction that informs and delights in equal part."
School Library Journal: "Sweet tells this slice of American history well, conveying both Sarg's enthusiasm and joy in his work as well as the drama and excitement of the parade. Rich in detail, the gouache, collage, and mixed-media illustrations are a stand-out, capturing the charm of the period and the awe-inspiring balloons. This one should float off the shelves."
Connections:
*Bring this story further to life with actual puppets, marionettes and balloons. Let the children see the differences between balloons filled with air and helium.
*Other books of invention (illustrated by Melissa Sweet)
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women
ISBN: 9780395937440
A River of Words: the Story of William Carlos Williams
ISBN: 9780802853028
Sweet, Melissa. Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011.
ISBN: 9780547188450
Plot Summary:
This colorful nonfiction picture book is written about Tony Sarg. The book talks briefly about his childhood and early career but focuses mainly on his contribution to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Tony Sarg is responsible for dreaming up the large helium balloons which are still showcased in the annual parade. Sarg incorporates his love for puppets and ingenuity to develop the balloons. The book explains how the parade began and grew to need such large pieces!
Critical Summary:
The book begins almost as a biography of Tony Sarg. Sweet touches on his ingenuity and originality as a boy explaining how he managed to rig a way to do his chore of feeding the chickens from his bed! The book continues to explain his creativity and interest in puppets and how these developed over time. The story is told chronologically and logically. The bulk of the story is based on Sarg's work with the Macy's parade. Sweet expertly crafts the story around his innovation of the large helium balloons. The reader feels as though he or she is brainstorming right alongside Sarg as he incorporates ideas from all over the world. In this way, Melissa Sweet did a wonderful job of bringing history to life for the young reader.
Review Excerpts:
BookList: "What she has done is make a joyous piece of nonfiction that informs and delights in equal part."
School Library Journal: "Sweet tells this slice of American history well, conveying both Sarg's enthusiasm and joy in his work as well as the drama and excitement of the parade. Rich in detail, the gouache, collage, and mixed-media illustrations are a stand-out, capturing the charm of the period and the awe-inspiring balloons. This one should float off the shelves."
Connections:
*Bring this story further to life with actual puppets, marionettes and balloons. Let the children see the differences between balloons filled with air and helium.
*Other books of invention (illustrated by Melissa Sweet)
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women
ISBN: 9780395937440
A River of Words: the Story of William Carlos Williams
ISBN: 9780802853028
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
"The Firefly Letters" by Margarita Engle
Citation:
Engle, Margarita. The Firefly Letters: a Suffragette's Journey to Cuba. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2010.
ISBN: 9780805090826
Plot Summary:
The Firefly Letters is a novel of poems based on the real life experience of Frederika Bremer and her travels in Cuba. Frederika was a woman from Sweden who travels to Cuba to learn about the culture. Engle writes a beautiful fictionalized account of her time spent in the country and the people she meets. The thought provoking book accounts a time of slavery and gender inequality.
Critical Analysis:
Engle writes the book as a verse novel. Each poem is a letter supposedly written by a particular person: Fredrika, Cecilia, Elena or Beni. Each letter is written as though it is a journal entry which expresses the writer's most personal thoughts and beliefs. In this way, Engle demonstrates the most relate able type of poetry for young readers: free verse. The poems are not written to fit a particular type or form. They mean just to express emotion and feelings and they do so beautifully.
Engle addresses a variety of social issues in the novel including slavery, socioeconomic classes, women's rights, and societal expectations of young girls to become particular types of women. Through the personal level of writing, these difficult issues are approached gently.
While women's rights are most prominent in the novel, Engle does well to address human's rights. It could have been easy to leave all men's voices and thoughts silent. However, Engle gave voice to Beni, Cecilia's husband. In his first section, Beni laments that had he been free to choose a wife of his own, he would not have married Cecilia. He was in love with another girl. Engle's sensitivity to both sides of the arranged marriage uphold a belief in equal rights for all, with no preference to either gender.
Review Excerpts:
Publisher's Weekly: "This slim, elegant volume opens the door to discussions of slavery, women's rights, and the economic disparity between rich and poor."
Booklist: "Through this moving combination of historical viewpoints, Engle creates dramatic tension among the characters, especially in the story of Elena, who makes a surprising sacrifice."
School Library Journal: "The easily digestible, poetic narrative makes this a perfect choice for reluctant readers, students of the women's movement, those interested in Cuba, and teens with biography assignments."
Connections:
*Pura Belpre Honor Book
*Other titles by author Margarita Engle:
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom
ISBN: 9780805086744
The Poet Slave of Cuba: a Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano
ISBN: 9780805077063
Engle, Margarita. The Firefly Letters: a Suffragette's Journey to Cuba. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2010.
ISBN: 9780805090826
Plot Summary:
The Firefly Letters is a novel of poems based on the real life experience of Frederika Bremer and her travels in Cuba. Frederika was a woman from Sweden who travels to Cuba to learn about the culture. Engle writes a beautiful fictionalized account of her time spent in the country and the people she meets. The thought provoking book accounts a time of slavery and gender inequality.
Critical Analysis:
Engle writes the book as a verse novel. Each poem is a letter supposedly written by a particular person: Fredrika, Cecilia, Elena or Beni. Each letter is written as though it is a journal entry which expresses the writer's most personal thoughts and beliefs. In this way, Engle demonstrates the most relate able type of poetry for young readers: free verse. The poems are not written to fit a particular type or form. They mean just to express emotion and feelings and they do so beautifully.
Engle addresses a variety of social issues in the novel including slavery, socioeconomic classes, women's rights, and societal expectations of young girls to become particular types of women. Through the personal level of writing, these difficult issues are approached gently.
While women's rights are most prominent in the novel, Engle does well to address human's rights. It could have been easy to leave all men's voices and thoughts silent. However, Engle gave voice to Beni, Cecilia's husband. In his first section, Beni laments that had he been free to choose a wife of his own, he would not have married Cecilia. He was in love with another girl. Engle's sensitivity to both sides of the arranged marriage uphold a belief in equal rights for all, with no preference to either gender.
Review Excerpts:
Publisher's Weekly: "This slim, elegant volume opens the door to discussions of slavery, women's rights, and the economic disparity between rich and poor."
Booklist: "Through this moving combination of historical viewpoints, Engle creates dramatic tension among the characters, especially in the story of Elena, who makes a surprising sacrifice."
School Library Journal: "The easily digestible, poetic narrative makes this a perfect choice for reluctant readers, students of the women's movement, those interested in Cuba, and teens with biography assignments."
Connections:
*Pura Belpre Honor Book
*Other titles by author Margarita Engle:
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom
ISBN: 9780805086744
The Poet Slave of Cuba: a Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano
ISBN: 9780805077063
"The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate
Citation:
Applegate, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan. New York, New York: Harper Collins, 2012.
ISBN: 9780061992254
Plot Summary:
Ivan is a Silverback Gorilla who lives complacently in Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. He enjoys creating art and watching TV. His domain is changed when a baby elephant named Ruby comes to live at the Mall too. Ruby's arrival begins a big series of changes for Ivan as he realizes that the Mall is not where Ruby should spend the rest of her life. Ivan uses his art to reimagine a life for Ruby and rescue them both.
Critical Analysis:
The One and Only Ivan is characterized as a verse novel. However, it does not meet the criteria of such as outlined by Syliva Vardell in Children's Literature in Action. Vardell discusses a verse novel as being "built on poems that are often lovely stand-alone works of poetry". With a narrative of "multiple points of view" (116). The One and Only Ivan is written solely from Ivan's perspective. He is the narrator of the entire story. While each of poem builds the narrative, not each could stand alone on its own. Many of the poems could only be understood within the story because of the personal pronouns and topical references. For example in "More About Romance", it is written "I wish Bob were here". An outside reader wouldn't understand who Bob is and why Ivan would wish for him when he's talking about 'romance'.
Applegate takes the reader inside the mind of Ivan the gorilla. She imagines a wonderful character who is trying to figure himself and his situation out. Ivan creates his art but no one understands his paintings. He paints many bananas which are only understood as squiggles by Mack, the mall operator. His large piece of art which becomes the billboard is only truly interpreted by Julia and her father when Ivan has mastered creating letters which spell "H-O-M-E".
The poems do not rhyme. They are all varying in length and complexity. Some of the poems include dialogue between Ivan and others. They are all free verse type poems which are intended to communicate the idea of the titles. For example, "Introductions", is all about when Ivan meets Ruby, the baby elephant, for the first time.
Vardell, Sylvia. Children's Literature in Action. Westport, Connecticut: Library Unlimited, 2008.
Review Excerpts:
Booklist: "The text, written in first person from Ivan’s point of view, does a good job of vividly conveying his personality, emotions, and intelligence as well as creating a sense of otherness in his point of view."
School Library Journal: "The character of Ivan, as explained in an author's note, is inspired by a real gorilla that lived through similar conditions before being adopted by Zoo Atlanta. Applegate makes a powerful statement about the treatment of animals—especially those living in captivity—and reminds readers that all creatures deserve a safe place to call home. Castelao's delightful illustrations enhance this lovely story, and the characters will capture readers' hearts and never let go. A must-have."
Connections:
*2013 Newbery Award Winner; Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee 2013
*Young readers of this book could get poetry writing experience by mimicking the free verse style of the novel. Ask readers to identify an experience, moment, person, or thing that he/she wished to encapsulate in a poem. This is their title. After this point, everything is up to the writer's mind!
Applegate, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan. New York, New York: Harper Collins, 2012.
ISBN: 9780061992254
Plot Summary:
Ivan is a Silverback Gorilla who lives complacently in Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. He enjoys creating art and watching TV. His domain is changed when a baby elephant named Ruby comes to live at the Mall too. Ruby's arrival begins a big series of changes for Ivan as he realizes that the Mall is not where Ruby should spend the rest of her life. Ivan uses his art to reimagine a life for Ruby and rescue them both.
Critical Analysis:
The One and Only Ivan is characterized as a verse novel. However, it does not meet the criteria of such as outlined by Syliva Vardell in Children's Literature in Action. Vardell discusses a verse novel as being "built on poems that are often lovely stand-alone works of poetry". With a narrative of "multiple points of view" (116). The One and Only Ivan is written solely from Ivan's perspective. He is the narrator of the entire story. While each of poem builds the narrative, not each could stand alone on its own. Many of the poems could only be understood within the story because of the personal pronouns and topical references. For example in "More About Romance", it is written "I wish Bob were here". An outside reader wouldn't understand who Bob is and why Ivan would wish for him when he's talking about 'romance'.
Applegate takes the reader inside the mind of Ivan the gorilla. She imagines a wonderful character who is trying to figure himself and his situation out. Ivan creates his art but no one understands his paintings. He paints many bananas which are only understood as squiggles by Mack, the mall operator. His large piece of art which becomes the billboard is only truly interpreted by Julia and her father when Ivan has mastered creating letters which spell "H-O-M-E".
The poems do not rhyme. They are all varying in length and complexity. Some of the poems include dialogue between Ivan and others. They are all free verse type poems which are intended to communicate the idea of the titles. For example, "Introductions", is all about when Ivan meets Ruby, the baby elephant, for the first time.
Vardell, Sylvia. Children's Literature in Action. Westport, Connecticut: Library Unlimited, 2008.
Review Excerpts:
Booklist: "The text, written in first person from Ivan’s point of view, does a good job of vividly conveying his personality, emotions, and intelligence as well as creating a sense of otherness in his point of view."
School Library Journal: "The character of Ivan, as explained in an author's note, is inspired by a real gorilla that lived through similar conditions before being adopted by Zoo Atlanta. Applegate makes a powerful statement about the treatment of animals—especially those living in captivity—and reminds readers that all creatures deserve a safe place to call home. Castelao's delightful illustrations enhance this lovely story, and the characters will capture readers' hearts and never let go. A must-have."
Connections:
*2013 Newbery Award Winner; Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee 2013
*Young readers of this book could get poetry writing experience by mimicking the free verse style of the novel. Ask readers to identify an experience, moment, person, or thing that he/she wished to encapsulate in a poem. This is their title. After this point, everything is up to the writer's mind!
Monday, July 1, 2013
"Twosomes" by Marilyn Singer
Citation:
Singer, Marilyn. Twosomes: Love Poems from the Animal Kingdom. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011.
ISBN: 9780375967108
Plot Summary:
This charming collection of 15 "love poems" is witty and sweet. Each poem is accompanied with an illustration of the type of animal who is the supposed speaker of the poem. Each two line poem is intended to be from one of the animals to another. This would be a perfect little poem collection to share with a little one that you love.
Critical Analysis:
Each poem is only two rhyming lines and includes a pun about the type of animal. These should be fun for children, but some might need to be explained. For example, the poem "Horses" comes to a close with the phrase "stable relationship". This is a pun on the word "stable". It is meant to be interpreted both ways: constant and unchanging and also as relating to a relationship which takes place in a barn! The child would need to understand the meanings of both uses of the word.
Each of the coupled pages are somewhat matching animals. Dogs and Cats are adjacent. Sharks and Dolphins are adjacent. Singer took every opportunity to couple things together-- even down to similar animal types!
Review Excerpts:
Publisher's Weekly: "Singer's endearing puns and Wildish's expressively love-struck cartoon animals should tickle young and old valentines alike."
School Library Journal: "The humor is sometimes quiet, sometimes silly, and often stems from puns. The smooth writing is simple (in a good sense) and accessible."
Connections:
*Children could create original poems about other types of animals not included in Singer's collection. Mimic the two line length and rhyming ends. Encourage them to be creative and witty!
*"Mirror Mirror" by Marilyn Singer 2011 Texas Bluebonnet book
ISBN: 9780525479017
Singer, Marilyn. Twosomes: Love Poems from the Animal Kingdom. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011.
ISBN: 9780375967108
Plot Summary:
This charming collection of 15 "love poems" is witty and sweet. Each poem is accompanied with an illustration of the type of animal who is the supposed speaker of the poem. Each two line poem is intended to be from one of the animals to another. This would be a perfect little poem collection to share with a little one that you love.
Critical Analysis:
Each poem is only two rhyming lines and includes a pun about the type of animal. These should be fun for children, but some might need to be explained. For example, the poem "Horses" comes to a close with the phrase "stable relationship". This is a pun on the word "stable". It is meant to be interpreted both ways: constant and unchanging and also as relating to a relationship which takes place in a barn! The child would need to understand the meanings of both uses of the word.
Each of the coupled pages are somewhat matching animals. Dogs and Cats are adjacent. Sharks and Dolphins are adjacent. Singer took every opportunity to couple things together-- even down to similar animal types!
Review Excerpts:
Publisher's Weekly: "Singer's endearing puns and Wildish's expressively love-struck cartoon animals should tickle young and old valentines alike."
School Library Journal: "The humor is sometimes quiet, sometimes silly, and often stems from puns. The smooth writing is simple (in a good sense) and accessible."
Connections:
*Children could create original poems about other types of animals not included in Singer's collection. Mimic the two line length and rhyming ends. Encourage them to be creative and witty!
*"Mirror Mirror" by Marilyn Singer 2011 Texas Bluebonnet book
ISBN: 9780525479017
Sunday, June 23, 2013
"The Three Little Dassies" by Jan Brett
Citation:
Brett, Jan. The Three Little Dassies. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2010.
ISBN: 9780399254994
Plot Summary:
The three little dassies lived in the desert with their parents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. They set out to live on their own in the distant mountains. When the dassies get to the mountains they meet an Agama Man. He tells them that he and the family of eagles on top of the mountain are the only ones living there. The three dassies begin to search for materials to make houses. One dassie makes a house of grass. Another dassie makes a house of driftwood. The third dassie makes a house of stone. The big old eagle spots the dassies one morning and decides to catch them for a meal. The big old eagle manages to flap his wings and blow down the first house made of grass. He takes the first dassie into his nest. Then he goes after the second dassie and also manages to flap his wings and blow down the house made of driftwood. He also takes the second dassie to his nest! The big old eagle goes after the third dassie's house but is unable to blow down her house. All he manages to do is whip up a cloud of dust which makes him cough and sneeze so much that he gives up and returns to his nest. When he gets back to the nest the two dassies are no longer there! He spots them back down below near the stone house! The big old eagle attempts to get into the stone house through the chimney but is scorched by the smoke and forever blackened. The dassies are safe from the eagle and live happily and safely together in the stone house.
Critical Analysis:
Jan Brett did an excellent job creating a variant on The Three Little Pigs. Her variant also serves as a myth. The story takes place in Namibia, South Africa. Dassies, Agama lizards, and eagles are animals that live in the mountains together in that region. The last page of the story is illustrated realistically with several dassies on a mountain side with a black eagle overhead and an Agama lizard nearby. This last page is the summation of the myth. It explains why the dassies can live in stone caves on the mountainside and why the eagles are black.
Jan Brett has a unique style for her illustrations and once again she creates a beautiful storybook whose illustrations tell a side story of their own. Each page is framed with side illustrations which show what is happening elsewhere in the story. The storyline does not explain how the two dassies escape from the eagle's nest. However, side illustrations depict how the Agama Man helps the two dassies climb out of the nest to safety.
Review Excerpts:
Publishers Weekly: "This offering is classic Brett: meticulously rendered animal characters, an authentically depicted setting, ornate borders, action-filled side panels, and lively storytelling...A buoyant and original reimagining."
School Library Journal: " Children will enjoy following both stories and will linger on each page following the exacting detail of the setting: the desert, the characters, the decorative borders, and all the small touches in between. This tale will captivate children and introduce a setting and animals unfamiliar to most of them."
Connections:
*If you're teaching fairy tale variants to children this title would make a perfect example. It manages to mirror the classic storyline (even dialogue) with an entirely unique look and feel specific to South Africa.
*Love the illustrations? Check out other titles by Jan Brett:
Gingerbread Baby
ISBN: 9780399234446
The Mitten: a Ukranian Folktale
ISBN: 9780399231094
Town Mouse, Country Mouse
ISBN: 9780399226229
Brett, Jan. The Three Little Dassies. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2010.
ISBN: 9780399254994
Plot Summary:
The three little dassies lived in the desert with their parents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. They set out to live on their own in the distant mountains. When the dassies get to the mountains they meet an Agama Man. He tells them that he and the family of eagles on top of the mountain are the only ones living there. The three dassies begin to search for materials to make houses. One dassie makes a house of grass. Another dassie makes a house of driftwood. The third dassie makes a house of stone. The big old eagle spots the dassies one morning and decides to catch them for a meal. The big old eagle manages to flap his wings and blow down the first house made of grass. He takes the first dassie into his nest. Then he goes after the second dassie and also manages to flap his wings and blow down the house made of driftwood. He also takes the second dassie to his nest! The big old eagle goes after the third dassie's house but is unable to blow down her house. All he manages to do is whip up a cloud of dust which makes him cough and sneeze so much that he gives up and returns to his nest. When he gets back to the nest the two dassies are no longer there! He spots them back down below near the stone house! The big old eagle attempts to get into the stone house through the chimney but is scorched by the smoke and forever blackened. The dassies are safe from the eagle and live happily and safely together in the stone house.
Critical Analysis:
Jan Brett did an excellent job creating a variant on The Three Little Pigs. Her variant also serves as a myth. The story takes place in Namibia, South Africa. Dassies, Agama lizards, and eagles are animals that live in the mountains together in that region. The last page of the story is illustrated realistically with several dassies on a mountain side with a black eagle overhead and an Agama lizard nearby. This last page is the summation of the myth. It explains why the dassies can live in stone caves on the mountainside and why the eagles are black.
Jan Brett has a unique style for her illustrations and once again she creates a beautiful storybook whose illustrations tell a side story of their own. Each page is framed with side illustrations which show what is happening elsewhere in the story. The storyline does not explain how the two dassies escape from the eagle's nest. However, side illustrations depict how the Agama Man helps the two dassies climb out of the nest to safety.
Review Excerpts:
Publishers Weekly: "This offering is classic Brett: meticulously rendered animal characters, an authentically depicted setting, ornate borders, action-filled side panels, and lively storytelling...A buoyant and original reimagining."
School Library Journal: " Children will enjoy following both stories and will linger on each page following the exacting detail of the setting: the desert, the characters, the decorative borders, and all the small touches in between. This tale will captivate children and introduce a setting and animals unfamiliar to most of them."
Connections:
*If you're teaching fairy tale variants to children this title would make a perfect example. It manages to mirror the classic storyline (even dialogue) with an entirely unique look and feel specific to South Africa.
*Love the illustrations? Check out other titles by Jan Brett:
Gingerbread Baby
ISBN: 9780399234446
The Mitten: a Ukranian Folktale
ISBN: 9780399231094
Town Mouse, Country Mouse
ISBN: 9780399226229
Friday, June 21, 2013
"Rapunzel" retold by Paul O. Zelinsky
Citation:
Zelinsky, Paul O. Rapunzel. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 1997.
ISBN: 9780525456070
Plot Summary:
A man and a woman were very happy except that they could not have a child. One day the woman becomes pregnant and begins to grow severe cravings for rapunzel growing in the garden which belongs to the sorceress. The man is caught stealing the rapunzel for his wife and the sorceress makes a deal with him that he may take the rapunzel only if the couple gives their child to her. The sorceress hides the girl she names Rapunzel away in a high tower in the woods. A young prince happens upon her in the forest and learns how to scale the tower and visit her. The two marry secretly and the prince visits her every evening. Rapunzel becomes pregnant and the sorceress casts her out alone into the forest. The prince is met by the sorceress in the tower when he comes to visit Rapunzel. The sorceress causes the prince to fall from the tower and he is blinded. He wanders the forest where he finds Rapunzel. The prince recognizes his wife by her voice and is surprised to find that she has had twins. The family emerges from the woods and lives together happily.
Critical Analysis:
Zelinsky's version of this tale is beautifully told and illustrated. The illustrations are elaborate and rich. It feels as if you are walking through a museum and being told a story through paintings.
The story itself has a long history and is loved by many. The story is balanced. It begins with a couple who is happy but wishes to create a family, unfortunately, the pair does not achieve the family they dream of in the eyes of the reader. Luckily, the story ends with the pair's true daughter having a happy family. The characters feel emotions deeply. The woman's cravings for rapunzel from the garden are so intense that she feels she might die if she does not get to eat any. Similarly, the prince feels as though he will die if he does not meet the beautiful voice in the tower (Rapunzel). These exaggerations are a common thread throughout the tale, including Rapunzel's hair which is long enough to reach the bottom of the tower and strong enough to be climbed.
Magic is a subtly implied element in the story. The sorceress is defined as such although her most magical act is appearing when least expected. The prince is stricken blind by a fall and the tears of Rapunzel restore his vision. This is stated simply in the story, as if tears are the natural cure for blindness!
Review Excerpts:
Publisher's Weekly: "Zelinsky (Swamp Angel) does a star turn with this breathtaking interpretation of a favorite fairy tale. Daringly and effectively mimicking the masters of Italian Renaissance painting, he creates a primarily Tuscan setting...The text, like the art, has a rare complexity."
BookList: "Children--and adults--will pore over the intricate detail and glowing colors; they will also be moved by the mysterious tale of nurture and passion and terror."
Connections:
*Other folktales retold by Paul O. Zelinsky
Rumpelstiltskin: From the German of the Brothers Grimm
ISBN: 9780140558647
Hansel and Gretel
ISBN: 9780525461524
Zelinsky, Paul O. Rapunzel. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 1997.
ISBN: 9780525456070
Plot Summary:
A man and a woman were very happy except that they could not have a child. One day the woman becomes pregnant and begins to grow severe cravings for rapunzel growing in the garden which belongs to the sorceress. The man is caught stealing the rapunzel for his wife and the sorceress makes a deal with him that he may take the rapunzel only if the couple gives their child to her. The sorceress hides the girl she names Rapunzel away in a high tower in the woods. A young prince happens upon her in the forest and learns how to scale the tower and visit her. The two marry secretly and the prince visits her every evening. Rapunzel becomes pregnant and the sorceress casts her out alone into the forest. The prince is met by the sorceress in the tower when he comes to visit Rapunzel. The sorceress causes the prince to fall from the tower and he is blinded. He wanders the forest where he finds Rapunzel. The prince recognizes his wife by her voice and is surprised to find that she has had twins. The family emerges from the woods and lives together happily.
Critical Analysis:
Zelinsky's version of this tale is beautifully told and illustrated. The illustrations are elaborate and rich. It feels as if you are walking through a museum and being told a story through paintings.
The story itself has a long history and is loved by many. The story is balanced. It begins with a couple who is happy but wishes to create a family, unfortunately, the pair does not achieve the family they dream of in the eyes of the reader. Luckily, the story ends with the pair's true daughter having a happy family. The characters feel emotions deeply. The woman's cravings for rapunzel from the garden are so intense that she feels she might die if she does not get to eat any. Similarly, the prince feels as though he will die if he does not meet the beautiful voice in the tower (Rapunzel). These exaggerations are a common thread throughout the tale, including Rapunzel's hair which is long enough to reach the bottom of the tower and strong enough to be climbed.
Magic is a subtly implied element in the story. The sorceress is defined as such although her most magical act is appearing when least expected. The prince is stricken blind by a fall and the tears of Rapunzel restore his vision. This is stated simply in the story, as if tears are the natural cure for blindness!
Review Excerpts:
Publisher's Weekly: "Zelinsky (Swamp Angel) does a star turn with this breathtaking interpretation of a favorite fairy tale. Daringly and effectively mimicking the masters of Italian Renaissance painting, he creates a primarily Tuscan setting...The text, like the art, has a rare complexity."
BookList: "Children--and adults--will pore over the intricate detail and glowing colors; they will also be moved by the mysterious tale of nurture and passion and terror."
Connections:
*Other folktales retold by Paul O. Zelinsky
Rumpelstiltskin: From the German of the Brothers Grimm
ISBN: 9780140558647
Hansel and Gretel
ISBN: 9780525461524
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