Module 2 Book Reviews: Traditional Literature

The Horned Toad Prince by Jackie Hopkins

Bibliographic Data

Hopkins, J. (2010). The horned toad prince. Ill. by Michael Austin. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishing Company.          ISBN 1561455482

Summary

Reba Jo is a young cowgirl living in the Southwestern region of the United States, specifically what seems to be Texas.  One day, while out riding her trusty horse across the desert landscape, Reba Jo wanders too closely towards the arroyo, even though she was explicitly told not to by her father and loses her brand-new cowboy hat down a water well.  While wondering what she will do to mend the situation, Reba Jo is called to the well by none other than a horned toad.  He offers to help Reba Jo retrieve her lost cowboy hat only if she will do him three small favors: fill his belly with a good helping of chili, sing him a song, and let him nap in her hat.  Panicked with what to do, Reba Jo agrees.  Reba Jo does not stick to her word initially but does follow through in the end only to discover that this horned toad is really a prince who was under a spell.  This ending, though comical, is not your typical happily-ever-after.  

Critical Analysis

The Horned Toad Prince is a wild, rootin’-tootin’ retelling of the classic Frog Prince fairy tale.  In this fractured fairy tale, the story takes place in a desert landscape in the Southwestern region of the United States and what’s alluded to as Texas, i.e. the horned toad.  The author does a fantastic job of modernizing the characters by making them larger-than-life and their behaviors exaggerated.  She also incorporates quite a bit of humor in her retelling, especially when it comes to the ending.  The setting is captivating, as is the language used.  Reba Jo, the main character in this version, uses dialect and twang that is native to the south.  The horned toad uses Spanish words and phrases, another detail that really adds to the retelling.  The illustrations are intricately detailed and truly capture the landscape of a desert region.  The illustrations also do a fantastic job of conveying the characters’ emotions.  When it comes to the defining elements of a fractured fairy tale, this book checks every box.  Being from Texas, I thoroughly enjoy it and feel it excellently captures the spirit of the Southwest.   

Awards and Review Excerpts

“This is fun and thorough. Hopkins’ telling sizzles with southwestern panache…. Fractured fun at its best.”---Publisher’s Weekly

Connections

This book would be perfect to use in a 4^th Grade classroom in Texas as an extension of the TEKS related to the regions of Texas and to help teach how setting affects a story.  This lesson would be best incorporated after teaching the characteristics of the various regions.  Prior to reading the book, show students a picture preview from the pages and have them make predictions on what region of Texas they think the book is set in.  As you read the story to your class, have them jot down clues in the illustrations and text as to which region it takes place.  Afterwards, discuss the class’ findings.  Finally, have students choose a region of Texas and a well-known fairytale, such as Cinderella, Rapunzel, or The Little Mermaid.  Students will then need to write a fractured fairytale of what they chose but base it in the region of Texas they selected.  They will need to include clues in both their illustrations, characters, and text that would help their readers decipher the region of Texas it takes place in.  As a final product, have student make their story in a blank book so they can share it with the class.   

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

Bibliographic Data

Scieszka, J. (1991). The true story of the 3 little pigs!. Ill. by Lane Smith. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.       ISBN 0-590-44357-7

Summary

This retelling of the story of The Three Little Pigs is from Alexander Wolf’s, or Al for short, perspective.  He takes us through the fateful day when he merely wants to borrow a cup of sugar and instead accidentally blows down two of the three little pigs’ houses from a sneezing fit he was having.  Naturally, since those two pig brothers died from their homes collapsing, he had to do a service and eat their remains.  Unfortunately, his actions land him in jail and solidify him as the villain he is.     

Critical Analysis

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs checks every box of what’s expected from a fractured fairy tale.  The Big, Bad Wolf, who narrates the story, is a caricature of the famed, original version of his character.  His character begs for sympathy and tries to prove that he was not in the wrong at all with his actions; that everything was a huge misunderstanding and gross exaggeration of the truth.  He swears his innocence through the end.  The storyline is a tad bit gruesome and more graphic than the original story.  The illustrations in this book, while quite dark, are also exquisitely detailed and whimsical.  They are sure to capture children’s attention and are likely one of the reasons children have been drawn to this books for so many years.   

Awards and Review Excerpts

“In this humorous story, Alexander T. Wolf tells his own outlandish version of what really happens during his encounter with the three pigs…. Smith's simplistic and wacky illustrations add to the effectiveness of this fractured fairy tale.”

—School Library Journal

Connections

After reading an original version of The Three Little Pigs and this version to your class, do a Venn Diagram comparison of the two versions.  Discuss how perspective and point of view and voice can affect a story.  Then, introduce the fractured fairytale series The Other Side of the Story.  It is a great collection of books that tells the fairytale from the villain’s perspective, just like this version does.  You could break students into groups and assign them a fairytale to read as well as its The Other Side of the Story series counterpart.  The groups could then make a presentation comparing the two versions of their assigned fairytale, making sure to explain how the different points of view affected the story.

Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky

Bibliographic Data

Zelinsky, P. (1997). Rapunzel. Ill. by Paul Zelinsky. New York, NY: Dutton Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group.     ISBN   978-0-525-45607-0

Summary

Rapunzel is a young girl trapped in a tall tower by an evil witch who is using her for her hair’s magical powers.  The witch never lets Rapunzel leave the tower.  One day, a handsome prince passes by, and hears Rapunzel in the tower.  The two meet and fall in love.  Their love has to overcome obstacles before they can be together, but they do end up happily ever after.

Critical Analysis

Rapunzel is a classic telling of a fairy tale that still captures the imaginations of children to this day.  It involves many of the elements that define fairy tales, such as magic and predictable endings/beginnings.  Mr. Zelinsky does a wonderful job at reflecting the Italian heritage this story comes from through the costuming of his characters and the setting.  He is known for his intricately-detailed illustrations in general, but this book takes that to another level.  The illustrations are so good, in fact, that you don’t necessarily need to read the words to understand the story.  They literally are pieces of art.    

Awards and Review Excerpts

Caldecott Award Winner

"A breathtaking interpretation gives the fairy tale new art-historical roots, with illustrations that daringly-and effectively-mimic the masters of Italian Renaissance painting."--Publishers Weekly

"Simply put, this is a gorgeous book; it demonstrates respect for the traditions of painting and the fairy tale while at the same time adhering to a singular, wholly original, artistic vision." (The Horn Book, starred review)

Connections

Rapunzel by Rachel Isadora    ISBN 0399247726

Once Upon a World: Rapunzel by Chloe Perkins    ISBN 1481490729

The Fisherman and the Turtle by Eric Kimmel

Bibliographic Data

Kimmel, E. (2008). The fisherman and the turtle. Ill. by Martha Aviles. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Corporation.    ISBN 978-0-7614-5387-1

Summary

One day, the fisherman goes out to catch some fish to feed himself and his wife.  Normally, he has poor luck, but this time, he catches four fish and a giant turtle.  The turtle begs the fisherman to free him and explains that he is no ordinary turtle; he is magical.  In exchange for sparing his life, the turtle grants him a wish.  When the fisherman’s wife finds out he only asked for one wish, she is angry and keeps sending him back for more.  Unfortunately, her greed and selfishness will lead to her demise.

Critical Analysis

This book is an excellent retelling of The Fisherman and His Wife.  The illustrations perfectly capture the culture of the Aztecs and Mexico through the character’s costumes, the lifestyle they live, the setting, and the colorful pictures.  The illustrations are the true highlight of this story.  They are rich, unique, and full of life.  Ms. Aviles’ artistic style is unlike any other, and it’s sure to capture kids’ attention through the bright, inviting colors.  I enjoyed the story itself as well, as it taught a valuable lesson on greed and gratitude.  It would be the perfect book to use in a classroom to teach these concepts.  

Awards and Review Excerpts

“A good choice to introduce children to a culture underrepresented in picture books”-Booklist

“This welcome variant is well-suited to reading aloud, discussion and comparison.”---Kirkus Review

Connections

The Fisherman and His Wife by Rachel Isadora    ISBN 0399247718