Nursery Tales Around the World Selected and Retold by: Judy Sierra

"Through these tales, children learn basic story patterns of plot, theme, and character." Judy Sierra.
          Nursery Tales Around the World is presented in groups of three, with variations on a theme or idea. There are six sections of the book, containing three fairytales each. All sections have a fairytale from the United States and two from various other countries. The first section is called "Runaway Cookies," and contains three stories: The Gingerbread Man (US), The Pancake (Norway) and The Bun (Russia). Do you see a theme? Since I already knew the story of the Gingerbread Man, I was anxious to see how it was told in another country. Other sections of the book include: "Incredible Appetites," which contains a fairytale called The Boy Who Tried to Fool His Father (Zaire) and another from India called, The Cat and the Parrot. All of these fairytales are about the dangers of an uncontrollable appetite; "Chain Tales" which is about tricksters like, Anansi and the Pig (Jamaica), and This Is the House That Jack Built (England). It is easy to recognize the theme of "Slowpokes and Speedsters," which has the The Hare and the Tortois as it is told in Greece, and one from China titled, The Fox and the Crab, all of which follow along the lines of a traditional Aesop's Fable. Can you guess the theme of the section entitled: "Fooling the Big Bad Wolf?" This section does contain a fairytale called, The Three Pigs, but it is from England. The fairytale from the United States is called The Gunny Wolf (which I had never heard of), but is about a little girl who outsmarts a Gunny Wolf (who wants to eat her) by singing to him and putting him to sleep so that she can escape.
          Overall this book is a fun and easy read, and I enjoyed reading traditional fairytales that I knew, from the perspective of other cultures. These nursery rhymes contain lots of rhymes and repetitions making it easy for even the youngest child to understand and enjoy. Also the story lines are very basic making this book an easy read aloud too. It could be used to discuss different cultures, beliefs, and morals. The artwork is what you would find in a book about traditional folklore and does not contain bright or vivid colors, but more muted tones; the artwork on the first page of each story depicts which charaters are in that story. I also liked how the author incorporated an introduction page with information about each different section, and what the underlying theme is. I would recommend this book for younger children, but it could also be used for older children when discussing rhymes, morals, old proverbs, different cultures etc.

Judy Sierra has a Ph.D. in folklore and has compiled five folklore anthologies. She has a new book coming out in 2010 called, Tell The Truth B.B. Wolf (which sounds fun) and another book coming out in the Fall 2011 called, ZooZical!! You can find out more about Judy Sierra by visiting her website at: http://www.judysierra.net/.

   

The Ugly Duckling By Hans Christian Andersen

When you first open this version of The Ugly Duckling and see the title page, it is so beautifully illustrated that one can't help but stop and try to take in all the details. The reader knows it will be a story that takes place in the country just by seeing the farm house and barn, the cows, pigs and chickens, as well as the ducks swimming in the pond. This story is about a duckling who is considered to be "different" from day one and is teased by everyone including his own brothers and sisters. For the first year of his life, the duckling is chased by other ducks, pecked by hens and kicked by the girl that feeds him, all because he looks different from the other ducklings. One line particularly represented how he felt, "I will follow them, thought the duck. I would rather be killed by them than suffer any more cold and hunger and cruelty." (pg. 24). But as the seasons change, as represented by the illustrations, so does the duckling until one day he looks down into the pond and sees the reflection of a beautiful swan.

         

         This story conveys a powerful message about how to treat others who may be considered "different" for whatever reason, and that we should always try to find our true inner "beauty." This book can be read to kindergartners on up, especially now that classrooms are becoming more and more culturally diverse, and more inclusive of students with various challenges.This story would also be a great lead in for a lesson about bullying, because bullying has become so prevalent in our schools across America. This version of The Ugly Duckling is adapted and illustrated by Jerry Pinkey, and is the recipient of the Caldecott Honor of which it is very deserving. Every page is covered in beautiful artwork detailing nature; capturing the frog catching a dragonfly, a random caterpillar on a leaf, a catfish on the bottom of the pond, a baby duckling riding on it's mother's back and my favorite one: the duckling seeing it's beautiful reflection in the water. Although it is more difficult to read, children of all ages would enjoy having it read to them. After reading this version, it has quickly become one of my favorite books, not just because of it's message, but also because of the beautiful artwork!

Matthew A.B.C.

        Matthew A.B.C. is a silly, fun book written and illustrated by Peter Catalanotto, and based on the ABC's. Mrs. Tuttle, the teacher, has 25 students in her class all named "Matthew." How does she tell them apart......Matthew "A" is Affectionate, Matthew "G" has trouble with Glue, Matthew "K" is fond of Ketchup, etc., etc. This book is an easy read, with one sentence on each page, no inflection, no bold words. The illustrations are bold and neat and reflect the sentence on the page. It is definitely geared towards the younger ages and I really think kindergartners would love it. It would also be helpful with phonics.

Peter Catalanotto visited my older son's school back in 2003 and signed all the student's books (as you can see in the picture), so this book is very special to my son. Catalanotto has written 13 books and also does illustrations. He lives in Pennsylvania, but is a "visiting author." If you would like him to visit your school, simply go to www.visitingauthors.com and fill out a request form.

Is There Really a Human Race? By Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell

                                                                                                 This story by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell really makes you think about how you live your life. Is There Really a Human Race? is about a boy who wonders if there is a "human race" and if so, does he go through an obstacle course, does he run, does he jump over things he may encounter along the way? The deeper meaning of the story is really about how we live our lives, treat others and the choices we make. The story flows quickly, with lots of rhyming words, and almost every sentence ends in a question mark. The illustrations are bold and full of color, often depicting people from every "race" and ethnicity working together to get through the daily obstacles presented in life.Most of the drawings are messy and all over the place, like life can be "messy." There also lots of BOLD words. Students as young as Kindergarten will enjoy this story, although they will probably not grasp it's deeper meaning; I gave this book, as a Christmas gift, to my oldest son several years ago and although he enjoyed reading it, I don't think he was able to "get" the true underlying meaning of this wonderful story. 

Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell have worked as a team on several other books: Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day. 

I'm Gonna Like Me:Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem.

It's Hard to Be Five.:Learning How to Work the Control Panel. 

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born.

When I Was Little:A Four-Year Old's Memoir of Her Youth.

If you like to know more about Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell, you can visit them at : www.jamieleecurtisbooks.com or www.lauracornellbooks.com

Oh, the Places You'll Go! By Dr. Seuss

        Oh, the Places You'll Go! By Dr. Seuss, is a fun and inspiring "graduation speech" about how you can be successful if you keep trying and don't give up no matter what obstacles might get in your way. Dr. Seuss once again chooses to write the whole story with short, rhyming sentences and lots of grandiose punctuation. All of the illustrations are done in pastel colors and cover the entire page, with lots of shapes, designs, animals and interesting characters that only Dr. Seuss could imagine. This book was given to me by my now mother-in-law when I graduated from college. It really meant a lot to me because I felt like she believed that I was going to be successful, and that she was giving me her support and encouragement. Isn't it interesting that one story, geared towards elementary students, could evoke so much emotion in a college student? I read it when she gave it to me and I still read it now. When I was accepted to graduate school, I reread again it to remind myself not to give up no matter how overwhelmed I felt. The story itself is not long, but the meaning is deep. It doesn't matter which road you travel, as long as you try your best.........and Dr. Seuss basically tells the reader "to get going!"

Elementary students can read this, probably starting in the second grade, although they may not grasp it's deeper meaning. The story itself is fun and easy to read and can really help a student to learn more vocabulary words because of the rhyming patterns.

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson is one of my all time favorite books. The introduction page sets the tone for the book with Harold standing there with his purple crayon, and purple scribble is all over the page. This story focuses on Harold, who is a young child but not a toddler, and the adventure he goes on using his purple crayon and his imagination. This story is an easy read and doesn't require a lot of inflection etc.
     Harold draws everything that happens to him, such as when he wants to take a "walk in the moonlight," he has to draw the moon and the sidewalk. All of the illustrations are rudimentary and drawn using only the color purple. When Harold doesn't want to get lost in the woods, he draws a small forest. When he is hungry, he draws all nine pies that "he likes best" and when he is tired, he draws his bed and he makes sure to draw the moon through his window. This book reflects the imagination that all young children possess, and I have especially loved reading it to all of my children. I have had this book for at least thirteen years and it's worn out, but I still enjoy reading it at bedtime.Any young child would be able to identify with this book, especially the parts about the scary dragon, the big mountain, the trim boat and the moon. I think Harold being able to see the moon through his bedroom window makes him feel safe and secure, and that it is time for bed.

Crockett Johnson also wrote Ellen's Lion.