The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!
Bibliographic Data:
Scieszka, Jon. Lane Smith. 1989. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!. New York: Scholastic Inc.
ISBN 0-590-44357-7
Summary:
It was all just a misunderstanding! This is the stance the wolf takes in this version of the fairy tale The Three Little Pigs. He is not big nor bad, he simply had a cold and was in need of some sugar for a cake for his dear old granny. There was no huffing and puffing it was a sneeze that knocked down the pigs' homes. It is not his fault that wolves eat pigs and he did not want the food to go to waste.
Critical Analysis:
There is more than one side to every story and students will love learning the other side of this classic fairy tale. Students can relate to the wolf getting in trouble over a big misunderstanding. Most students know what it feels like for no one to listen to their side of the story. Scieszka depicts the wolf as a sweet guy who is just trying to make a cake for his granny. However, Scieszka also brings out the cool cocky Alexander T. Wolf with his writing. Older students can see through the story and sense the wolf is still guilty. The dark, almost macabre, pictures give the reader a view into the evil side of the story teller. Even the pigs, normal depicted as bright pink little butterballs, are much darker with sinister looking faces. Also there is only particle illustrations of the pigs. Only part of the face is shown or just the bottom of the pig sticking out of the wreckage of his home. This helps the reader relate to the wolf more, as he is the only face seen as the story goes on.
Review Excerpt:
BOOKLIST review: "Both the text and the stylized new-wave drawings are hip and funny."
Connections:
After reading an original version of The Three Little Pigs, students write a paper describing who they think is telling the truth, A. Wolf or the pigs. The answer must be backed with text evidence from the story.
Create a venn diagram comparing and contrasting the wolf in this story with the wolf from the original version.
Students write a letter to the wolf in jail.
Students draw a picture of their favorite part of the story. Then write a sentence describing the action taking place in their picture.
Dust Devil
Bibliographic Data:
Isaacs, Anne. Paul O. Zelinksky. 2010. Dust Devil. New York: Scheartz & Wade Books.
ISBN 978-2-375-96722-1
Summary:
This book continues the adventures of Angelica Longrider, also known as Swamp Angel. In this two part tale she has moved to Montana and everything is going great until a dust storm comes through. Angel realizes she needs to stop the storm and jumps on the swirling wind. As she wears down the wind she notices it is actually a horse causing all the problems. She is able to tame the wild stallion, names him Dust Devil and makes him her sidekick. The second part finds Angel and Dust Devil fighting villain Backwards Bart and his Flying Desperadoes. They are robbing and destroying property all through Montana. Angel and Dust Devil are able to trick them into flying inside the jail using biscuits as bait.
Critical Analysis:
As with all tall tales, there are many explanations of how things came about in Montana. This story explains why mountains are in Montana, how the Grand Canyon was formed, why there are geysers and why there is gold in the rivers. The illustrations show just how large Angel and Dust Devil are compared to the rest of the people of Montana. The text weaves it way through the illustrations and almost becomes a part of the pictures. The grand scale of tall tales as a genre, is represented through the volume of details in every picture. Students can find new parts of the illustrations every time they read the story. It takes a few looks to discover every detail included in the pictures. The illustrations helps readers become part of the wild west Montana in the story.
Review Excerpt:
BOOKLIST review: "Isaacs’ story and Zelinsky’s oil-paint-on-wood artwork create a laugh-out-loud tall tale with folksy phrasing and slapstick exaggeration."
Connections:
Students create a venn diagram comparing and contrasting another tall tale character, such as Paul Bunyan, to Angelica.
Students create their own tall tale character and write a story about an adventure. Students need to include who would be their sidekick and enemy.
Students write a tall tale about a geographic physical characteristic in their state.
The Story of Lightning & Thunder
Bibliographic Data:
Bryan, Ashley. 1999. The Story of Lightning & Thunder. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks.
ISBN 0-689-31836-7
Summary:
A long time ago Lightning and Thunder lived among the people in the area now known as Africa. Thunder was a sheep and Lightning was her son. Ma Sheep Thunder and Son Ram Thunder would call their friend Rain down from the clouds when the King asked them to. The sheep family and the people village lived happily, however Son Ram Thunder was a rowdy boy who caused many problems running amongst the people. Eventually he caused so many problems the King asked him and Ma Sheep Thunder to live in the mountains. They agreed and went far up into the mountains until they reached their home in the sky where they remain. However there are times that Son Ram Thunder gets wild and jumps back to earth. Ma Sheep Thunder calls loudly to bring him back home.
Critical Analysis:
The illustrates add to the cultural makers of the African story, with the traditional brightly colored picture. Students that are not familiar with African culture can get a taste with the clothing of the characters of the story. The buildings and setting help the reader to know this story took place a long time ago. The verbiage and names add to the culture of the story. Readers can almost hear a beat that goes along with the writing, the "uh-huh" adds to the rhythmic tone of the story. As with all folktales, this story explains something that happens in our world. The ram and sheep are the lightning and thunder, that every child has heard at some point in their lives. Young boys can relate to the wild and impetuous Son Ram Thunder, who does not mean to cause problems but still finds himself the source of issues.
Review Excerpt:
BOOKLIST review: "The text has music and style and moves along quickly, thanks to the humor inherent in the exploits of the rambunctious ram."
Connections:
Students rewrite story in a present day setting.
Students research scientific reasoning for lighting and thunder.
Students write an apology letter as if they were Son Ram Thunder writing to the people of the village.
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