Module 2: Traditional Literature
Retold by Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrated by Janet Stevens
Bibliography:
Kimmel, E. A., & Stevens, J. (2019). Anansi and the magic stick. Holiday House.
ISBN: 978-0823417636
Plot Summary:
Anansi and the Magic Stick is a traditional African folktale retold by Eric A. Kimmel in which Anansi the spider discovers a magic stick that grants his wishes—only if he ends with the magic words “Abra-Canabra-Cadabra!” Anansi finds himself being called “lazy” by his hardworking neighbors, as he’d rather sleep than do work in his house or yard. He wonders why Hyena always seems to be sleeping, yet Hyena’s house and yard are always spotless. Wondering what Hyena’s secret is, Anansi discovers Hyena’s magic stick and soon Anansi begins wishing for his chores to be done. However, he makes a careless wish for the stick to water the garden and not stop, and while Anansi is sleeping, the magic stick waters the yard so much that a river forms and sweeps away the animals, and Anansi, unable to remember the magic words, is swept away as well. Ultimately, Hyena says the magic words to stop the flood, the animals build lake houses along the river, and Anansi disappears, floating down the river on his houseboat, scheming new tricks.
Critical analysis:
This story follows the typical structure of a traditional tale, with a trickster character, Anansi the spider, going on a journey towards learning a moral lesson by the end of the story. While the story teaches about the importance of integrity and hard work, it is light-hearted and humorous. Although Anansi doesn’t necessarily reflect and learn a lesson by the end of the story (this story is part of a larger collection of tales about Anansi), the reader can understand what he could have learned by the end. Older readers will be able to understand the underlying message of hard work paying off in the end, while younger readers will enjoy a silly tale about a spider who makes one too many wishes and forgets the magic words. The other characters in the story are named animal names, such as Lion, Zebra, and Hyena, and the text is full of easy to understand dialogue which the readers can easily tell how the characters are feeling.
The illustrations are bright and engaging, with cartoon-like qualities and detailed backgrounds. The illustrator uses bright colors to show the variety of the setting, with bright red tomato plants in the garden and lush greenery throughout.
Kimmel uses repetition and bold letters of increasing size to bring attention to key moments in the text, such as when the magic stick grants Anansi’s wish to water the garden and keep “Watering…watering…watering…”. The repetition and increase in font size and bold text adds tension and anticipation as the plot builds.
Awards and Recognition:
Regina Medal
Sydney Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award
Review Excerpts:
From Kirkus Reviews: "Children will delight in Anansi’s escapades as he annoys his neighbors and learns how to control the stick. Kimmel and Stevens make a good team, with the text fonts echoing the action of the story and the illustrations bringing Anansi and all his antics to life.”
From Publisher’s Weekly: " In Anansi and the Magic Stick by Eric A. Kimmel, illus. by Janet Stevens, the arachnid goes too far. Anansi steals the napping Hyena's magic housekeeping stick to water his garden. Unattended, the water floods the town. Stevens's comic creatures with their surprised expressions add kid appeal.”
Connections:
This book is one of several folktales about the trickster spider Anansi. Readers may enjoy extension activities including:
Other Anansi folktales retold by Eric A. Kimmel: Anansi Goes Fishing, Anansi and the Talking Melon, and Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock.
Reading different versions of Anansi folktales or other African folktales such as Why Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema
Creating your own folktale, using the elements that are typical in traditional tales (talking animals, trickster characters, a moral or lesson).
Sources:
Anansi and the magic stick by Eric A. Kimmel. by Eric A. Kimmel. (2001, September 1). https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780823414437
Kimmel, E. A. (2001, September 15). Anansi and the magic stick. Kirkus Reviews. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/eric-a-kimmel/anansi-and-the-magic-stick/
Kimmel, E. A., & Stevens, J. (2019). Anansi and the magic stick. Holiday House.
The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf
Written and Illustrated by Mark Teague
Bibliography:
Teague, M. (2013). The three little pigs and the somewhat Bad Wolf. Orchard Books.
ISBN: 978-0439915014
Plot Summary:
The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf by Mark Teague is a twist on the traditional tale of the three little pigs. Similar to the original tale, in this story the three little pigs set off to build their own houses. In this version, the first pig wants to buy potato chips, the second pig wants to buy soda pop, and the third pig, characterized as more practical than her brothers, wants to buy building materials. The first two pigs quickly build a straw and stick house, respectively, and use their leftover money for potato chips and soda pop, seemingly not caring that their houses were made with cheap and flimsy materials. The third pig however, uses all her money to buy sturdy materials, bricks and mortar, to build her house. The first two pigs relax while the third pig, their sister, toils away as she builds her brick house. She eventually finishes building a grand, strong house and plants a vegetable garden outside. Suddenly, a new character is introduced—the big bad wolf. Although in this version, he is described as “very hungry and somewhat bad.” It is emphasized that he is hungry and increasingly disappointed when the various restaurants in town are closed, and he cannot get food. This leads the story back to the original tale; the wolf goes to the first pig’s straw house, demands to be let in, and eventually huffs and puffs and blows the house down! The same series of events occurs at the second pig’s stick house, and both pigs escape, heading for the third pig’s brick house. The wolf follows, but is unsuccessful in blowing the brick house down, due to the third pig’s care and attention to detail when building her house. The pigs thoughtfully agree that the wolf looks like he could use some dinner, and he apologizes and admits that he was just hungry. The two pigs move in with their sister and she sets house rules that they must clean their rooms before playing, thus teaching a lesson about taking care of responsibilities.
Critical analysis:
This story is a close adaptation of the original three little pigs traditional tale, but with a more modern twist. The author uses repetition and descriptive language to highlight each pig’s distinct interests and personalities, and the author’s careful word choice paints a simple yet distinct picture of the differences between the three pigs—the first two pigs being predominately focused on eating chips, drinking soda, and having a good time, while the third pig is set apart as being “un-pig-like” and determined to get the job done before relaxing and having fun. While the wolf, at face value, seems similar to the original wolf from the traditional tale, he is ultimately given motivation for his choices to blow the houses down. The illustrations work in conjunction with the text, as the reader is able to visualize the wolf’s increasing frustration and desperation in his expression as he searches for food. Additionally, the illustrations have humorous details on every page that add to the unique personalities of each character. The illustrations are appealing to young readers, and the bright colors perfectly capture the vivid hues of the countryside.
Awards and Recognition:
Young Hoosier Book Award, 2015-2016
Volunteer State Book Awards, 2015-2016
Review Excerpts:
From Kirkus Reviews: "Teague’s oil paintings are marvelously detailed and brightly colored. His pigs are full of personality, and their human traits and accessories are sure to delight.”
From Publisher’s Weekly: " Readers familiar with the original tale will be amused by Teague’s humorous meta-commentary (“I can’t believe that worked!” says the famished wolf after blowing down the straw house), as well as the clever details in his creamy, textured oil paintings (one pig escapes on a Vespa). The happy ending brings the potential foes together, and although Teague gets in some jabs at the pigs’ bad habits, it doesn’t intrude on the story’s sense of fun.”
Connections:
Reading more versions of The Three Little Pigs and comparing what is similar and different about each. Other versions include: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz, and The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas
Imagining your own version of the story, changing one element, such as the setting or characters
Exploring the history of traditional tales and fractured fairy tales
Sources:
Teague, M. (2013b, May 1). The three little pigs and the somewhat bad W... Kirkus Reviews. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mark-teague/three-little-pigs-and-somewhat-bad-wolf/
Teague, M. (2013). The three little pigs and the somewhat Bad Wolf. Orchard Books.
The three little pigs and the somewhat bad wolf by Mark Teague. by Mark Teague. (2013, March 18).
https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780439915014
The Lion and the Mouse
Retold and Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Bibliography:
Pinkney, J. (2010). The Lion & the mouse. Little, Brown & Co.
ISBN: 978-0316013567
Plot Summary:
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney is a wordless picture book adaptation of Aesop’s fable The Lion and the Mouse. Pinkney’s breathtaking illustrations transport the reader to the African savannah as he retells the tale of the interactions and acts of kindness between a mighty lion and a tiny mouse. Through illustrations and few words, the reader discovers the fateful events that bring the lion and the mouse to cross paths; a hungry owl chases its prey, a small mouse through the savannah, and the mouse runs right into a sleeping lion. The lion, shown to be immensely larger than the mouse, picks him up by the tail and seemingly considers gobbling him up. However, the lion changes his mind and lets the mouse go free. Suddenly, poachers come into the savannah and build a net to capture the lion. The reader sees an aerial view of the lion walking through the brush, and then a close-up view of his paw getting caught in the ropes, thus trapping him in the net. The mouse hears the lion’s roar and scurries up the tree branch that is holding the net. Remembering the kindness the lion showed him, the mouse gnaws the rope free, saving the lion. The mouse goes home to his family with a piece of the rope, and the story ends with an unspoken lesson of repaying kindness to one another. The only words in the book are onomatopoeia such as the hotting of an owl at night, the squeaking of mice, and the roar of a lion. Surprisingly, those are all the words needed to tell this tale, as the illustrations and sound words weave together the story seamlessly.
Critical analysis:
The only words in the book are onomatopoeia such as the hooting of an owl at night, the squeaking of mice, and the roar of a lion. Surprisingly, those are all the words needed to tell this tale, as the illustrations and sound words weave together through the story seamlessly. The expressions on the faces of the lion and the mouse tell a story of their own, and the reader is able to interpret the consideration the lion makes of letting the mouse go, as well as the mouse’s determination to free the lion from the net.
Pinkney’s illustrations are incredibly detailed; the reader is able to almost feel the wind blowing across the grassy plains and blowing across the lion’s mane. The colors in the illustrations are warm-toned, full of golden tones and dusty browns. While there are very few words in the text, Pinkney is still able to convey a sense of compassion throughout the story.
Awards and Recognition:
2010 Caldecott Medal
Review Excerpts:
From Kirkus Reviews: " Pinkney successfully blends anthropomorphism and realism, depicting Lion’s massive paws and Mouse’s pink inner ears along with expressions encompassing the quizzical, hapless and nearly smiling. He plays, too, with perspective, alternating foreground views of Mouse amid tall grasses with layered panoramas of the Serengeti plain and its multitudinous wildlife.”
From Publisher’s Weekly: " Pinkney enriches this classic tale of friendship with another universal theme—family—affectingly illustrated in several scenes as well as in the back endpapers, which show the lion walking with his mate and cubs as the mouse and her brood ride on his back… Pinkney has no need for words; his art speaks eloquently for itself.”
Connections:
Exploring more of Aesop’s fables: The Hare and the Tortoise, The Fox and the Grapes, and The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
Discovering more wordless picture books such as Journey by Aaron Becker and A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka
Adding dialogue to the story through cartoon speech bubbles
Sources:
Pinkney, J. (2010). The Lion & the mouse. Little, Brown & Co.
Pinkney, J. (2009a, September 1). The Lion & the mouse. Kirkus Reviews.
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jerry-pinkney/the-lion-the-mouse/
The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney. by Jerry Pinkney. (2009, July 27).
https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780316013567
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Adapted and Illustrated by Simms Taback
Bibliography:
Taback, S. (1997a). There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. Viking.
ISBN: 9780670869398
Plot Summary:
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly is a retold adaptation of the classic poem about an old lady who one day swallows a fly, leading to a strange chain of events. In this version, Taback adds humorous asides from different animals as the reader learns about the old lady swallowing the fly, the spider, the bird, the cat, the dog, the cow, and finally, the horse. The rhymes repeat throughout the poem, building as a line is added each time she swallows an animal. Additionally, the side characters add in their thoughts throughout the text, still managing to keep up with the rhyme scheme.
Critical analysis:
This story is a simple rhyming poem about a silly scenario that will appeal to young readers. Taback’s humorous interjections from other characters, which still manage to rhyme with the main verse, brings a clever take to this classic rhyme. The colorful and mismatched text pops against an alternating yellow and black background, adding a lighthearted spin to the story.
The colors are bright and mostly stick to primary colors with cartoon-like drawings. The animals that she swallows are shown in her stomach, and the illustrations become more chaotic and absurd as the story goes on. While the text is easy to read and engaging for young readers, older readers will also appreciate the additional rhyming components that are tossed in on the sides.
Awards and Recognition:
1998 Caldecott Honor
Review Excerpts:
From Kirkus Reviews: " It is good fun to watch the old lady bulge and bloat, and the sheer corniness of the verse continues to be deeply gratifying.”
From Publisher’s Weekly: " Older children should get a kick out of the amusing asides liberally tucked into every spread… Children of all ages will joyfully swallow this book whole.”
Connections:
Creating your own collage-style text using cut-outs from magazines and newspapers
Exploring additional rhyming text in a similar style
There Was an Old Lady series by Lucille Colandro
There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea by Jennifer Ward
There Was an Old Monster! by Adrian Emberley
Sources:
Taback, S. (1997a). There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. Viking.
Taback, S. (1997c, September 1). There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. Kirkus Reviews.
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/simms-taback/there-was-an-old-lady-who-swallowed-a-
fly/
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly by Simms Taback. by Simms Taback. (1997, September 1).
https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780670869398
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