The Frog Princes: A Tingit Legend from Alaska

Written by: Eric A. Kimmel

Illustrated by: Rosanne Litzinger

Published by: Holiday House, 2006

ISBN 0-8234-1618-6

Plot Summary:

A long time ago in a Tlingit village lived the village headmen and his daughter. The daughter was very beautiful, and her father was very wealthy, so many young handsome men made their way to the village to propose marriage to the daughter. They would bring expensive presents to the daughter, but neither their looks nor gifts were good enough for her. She tells one unfortunate prospect that she’d “sooner marry a frog” from their lake. That evening, the girl was awakened by a sound in the night. She found a young man in green cloths with bulging eyes, and followed him to the edge of the lake. The girl travels to the bottom of the lake, and there she meets the Frog People. Time flies as she begins to live a happy life at the bottom of the lake with a husband and children, but her parents are worried about her whereabouts. He father hears about the Frog People, and demands they give him his daughter back. After returning to the village, the daughter yearns to be back with the Frog People and her new family, so she sneaks away to the lake each night, until one night when she doesn’t return.

Critical Analysis:

This is a graceful love story from the Tlingit Village in Alaska. The nameless characters are described simply enough for preschoolers to enjoy the story. Because of the well drawn out conflict in the book, the plot is easy to understand. The book is a classic human to animal transformation story, and this alone will engage young readers. The daughter in the book is unusual when compared to the other in her culture, and wants to marry someone out of the ordinary. “Always follow your heart” seems to be the theme of this story. This book will encourage readers to do what they feel is the right thing to do, even if the decision they make differs from the norm. The traditional style of this book is well chosen. The language of the book helps the reader to connect with the Tlingit culture, while the illustrations and the colors chosen add a warm, realistic feeling to the book. The rosy cheeks on the daughter are a great detail used in the illustrations to help readers relate to her character. Red clothing adorns the village headman to signify his power in the community, while the daughter wears yellow, which makes her unusual character stand out. This book is sure to be a hit in read-aloud form for older children, and it makes a great read-alone book as well.

Awards and Reviews:

School Library Journal: Kindergarten-Grade 4–In this variant of a Tlingit legend, the headman's beautiful daughter rejects all suitors, proclaiming to one who has slightly bulging eyes, Why I would sooner marry a frog from our lake! That night, a handsome stranger with slightly bulging eyes and long fingers leads her down a row of steps under the lake surface to join the Frog People. The rest of the story relates how her parents try to get her back. Bright swaths of watercolors illuminate the landscapes and backgrounds. The blankets that the Native People wear are mostly a solid color, although, historically, the Chilkat blanket had long fringes and was adorned with abstract designs and animal patterns that represented either the raven or eagle clan, or a family. The chief has a full beard that looks more typical of a Viking, and his skin color varies, even within an individual depiction of his face. An additional purchase.–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma Library, CA

Booklist: Prechool-Grade 2. In Kimmel's retelling of a Tlingit tale, a village headman's beautiful daughter rejects all her potential suitors: "I would sooner marry a frog from our lake," she tells one unfortunate hopeful. Then comes a young man whom she finds irresistibly handsome, despite his bulging eyes. The suitor belongs to the Frog People, and the enamored girl follows him to his underwater kingdom and happily marries. Her bereft parents threaten the frogs until their daughter is returned, but the girl misses her husband and goes back to his watery world. The story (which may be too long for sharing at one sitting) is gracefully told, and preschoolers will enjoy the shape-shifting magic and cultural details, which are extended in the uncluttered paintings of villagers in Tlingit costume. Still, it's older children (and teens) who will relate most to the parental intolerance for boundary crossing: "It is unnatural for a human girl to live among frogs. They must marry their own kind and so must you." Suggest this for discussions with a wide age group. Source notes are appended. Gillian Engberg

Connections:

Have readers relate a story from their life to this story. What is unique about each reader? What makes each reader different from their friends, and why is this a positive part of their life? This will help the children to feel good about their differences. High self esteem is so important in a culture where standing out is often perceived as a negative trait.

After reading this tale from the Tlingit culture, students can research the culture, and compare it to their own culture. How about sampling some popular food from the Tlingit culture like seaweed or halibut?

Related Titles:

DeCapua, Sarah. The Tlingit. New York: Benchmark Books. 2009.

Gill, Shelly. Alaska. Watertown: Charlesbridge Publishing, 2007.

Harris, Lorie. Tlingit Tales: Potlatch and Totem Pole. Happy Camp, California: Naturegraph Publishers. 1985.

Osinski, Alice. The Tlingit. Chicago: Children’s Press. 1990.

Staub, Frank. Children of the Tlingit. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books. 1999.

Rumpelstiltskin

Written by: Paul O. Zelinsky

Illustrated by: Paul O. Zelinsky

Published by: Puffin Books, 1986

ISBN 0-525-44265-0

Plot Summary:

The beautiful daughter of a poor miller ends of being locked in a castle because her father tells the king that she can spin straw into gold. The king locks the beautiful girl in a straw-filled room, and insists that she spin all of the straw into gold before the morning. The penalty for failure to do so—death. A small man enters the room and offers to help the girl spin the straw into gold, but he demands the girls first child in return. The king marries the beautiful girl, and they bore a son. Once again, the little man returns wanting their boy. The queen desires to keep her son, and the little man gives her three days to find out his name. Two days pass and the queen is clueless to the little man’s name. On the second evening, she sends out her most faithful servant in search of the little man. The servant learns his name, and the queen shares it with the little man the next day. After learning of the queen’s knowledge, Rumpelstiltskin storms off, never to be seen again.

Critical Analysis:

This particular version of the Brothers Grimm tale is told and illustrated beautifully. The characters have traits similar to other tradition tales. The king is greedy, and the miller’s daughter is a true portrait of innocence. The evil character in this story is clearly played by Rumpelstiltskin. The story does not have an obvious hero, while the miller’s daughter is left only to save herself. The plot throughout the story is simple, but entertaining enough for even older children to enjoy. Rumpelstiltskin takes place a long time ago and in a magical castle far away. The theme of this story centers around power and greed. The miller wanted more power, so he lied to the king about his daughter’s talents. The king was greedy, so he kept the girl in his castle, and married her only for the riches she would bring to him. The language in the story is very traditional, as the author’s goal was to keep the story true to it’s original publications by the Brothers Grimm. The illustrations in the book are beautifully done. The painted pages are only accompanied by a few lines of text per page. The carefully detailed illustrations compliment the text in a warm and wonderful way. Zelinsky’s version of Rumpelstiltskin is truly a masterpiece.

Awards and Reviews:

Caldecott Honor (1987)

American Library Association Notable Book (1987)

School Library Journal: Painstaking research and thoughtful choice of medium are the hallmarks of this Caldecott Medal winner's work. In his stunningly beautiful retelling of the Grimm tale, Zelinsky's words shine as gloriously as his golden paintings. A Caldecott Honor book.

Publishers Weekly: One of the most exquisite picture books of the season, Zelinsky's Rumplestiltskin will have strong appeal for children and for adult picture-book collectors alike. The artist has illustrated numerous award-winners, including Hansel and Gretel (a Caldecott Honor Book) and The Story of Mrs. Lovewright and Purrless Her Cat (a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year). Here Zelinsky has retold the narrative himself; he has captured the magic and frightening wonder of the tale while incorporating elements from a number of 19th century Grimm versions. The spare story flows beautifully, and the illustrations are extraordinary. Incredibly detailed full-color paintings show the influence of careful study of styles and techniques of European portrait and landscape painters. In Hansel and Gretel, the tale's dark side was communicated principally through Zelinsky's depiction of a powerful and frightening background. But here the interior scenesheaps and heaps of straw, and baskets of empty spindles, with rooms suddenly full of golden threadcarry the story. The little man Rumplestiltskin is by turns mysterious, comforting, devious, furious and pathetic. And Zelinsky shows dramatically the love that the miller's daughter has for her child, and the terror she feels when she realizes she may have to give him up. Rumplestiltskin is a tour de force by an immensely talented artist. Zelinsky is that rare practitioner who can create sophisticated work that adults will marvel at, and that children will joyfully embrace.

Connections: This is just one of many versions of the story of the little man named Rumpelstiltskin. The book can be read with readers of all ages and then compared to one or more different versions of the story. The author’s note at the end of the book acts as a great introduction into a study of the Brothers Grimm.

Related Titles:

Cavert, Pam. Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin. Watertown: Charlesbridge Publishing. 2006.

Galdone, Paul. Rumpelstiltskin. San Anselmo: Sandpiper, 1990.

Hettinga, Donald R. The Brothers Grimm: Two Lives, One Legacy. Boston: Clarion Books. 2001.

Powell, Martin. Rumpelstiltskin: The Graphic Novel. Mankato: Stone Arch. 2008.

The Three Horrid Little Pigs

Written by: Liz Pichon

Illustrated by: Liz Pichon

Published by: Tiger Tales, 2008

ISBN 978-1-58925-077-2

Plot Summary:

“Once upon a time, three horrid little pigs lived with their mother in a tiny house. The pigs were very bad and they drove their mother crazy!” Soon enough, the pigs’ mother had enough of their nonsense and sent them to move out. The pigs packed their bags and were on their way. Of course, the first pig lazily tries to build a house out of straw, and the second builds a house of twigs. By and by they meet a wolf, a handyman wolf, who offers to help the pigs build nice houses.  The pigs refuse his help (by the hairs of their chinny chin chins), and off the wolf goes. The third pig is even lazier than the first two, and he decided to move into a over a chicken coop instead of building his own house. Of course, the wolf feels terrible for the chickens and invites them to stay in his beautiful, big, strong brick house with him. Meanwhile, the first pig’s house is devoured by cows, the second pig’s house is over taken by angry birds, and the pig in the chicken coop is constantly being pecked by a rooster. The pigs head to the wolf’s house and try to sneak down the chimney, but wolf has a pot of boiling water in the fireplace. After sneaking down, the pigs realize the boiling water is only soup. They all share a nice meal together, after all, the wolf has to be the “sweetest, loveliest wolf ever”. The wolf allows the pigs to stay for a while, and teaches them how to build a strong house. In the end, the pigs build a beautiful and strong house big enough for everyone, and, of course, all of the animals live happily ever after. 

Critical Analysis:

In The Three Horrid Little Pigs, Liz Pichon creates a story vastly different than the original Three Little Pigs tale. In this story, the roles are reversed… the pigs play the evil, selfish characters, and the wolf foils the pigs by playing the good, generous character. The plot in this story is familiar, but twisted. While most people are acquainted with the story of the Three Little Pigs, this version will throw the reader for a loop. The setting has not changed from the original tale, because this story takes place in an unspecific countryside. The theme of this story is also similar to the original tale. It is important always to take your time, be a good planner, and a productive worker to be successful. This story has a modern style throughout the pages. The text is written in different fonts and sizes to emphasize emotions in the story. Many times throughout the story, the characters have thought bubbles or exclamations added to the illustrations. The third pig even sports a blue mohawk.  This book lends itself easily to being red aloud, and it is sure to be an audience pleaser for young children. The painted illustrations in the book are beautiful and bright. So much emotion and so many details are painted into each page that the reader will want to spend some extra time just to explore the illustrations.

Awards and Reviews:

PreSchool-Grade 2—If you think you can't jam another twist on a classic tale into your collection, think again. Three pesky porcine protagonists are so bad that their mother kicks them out of the house. They are so lazy that they merely pile up sticks and straw for houses and one takes over a henhouse. The wolf is portrayed as a helpful handyman who offers to shore up their shoddy construction but is rebuffed each time. Rendered homeless by straw-eating cows, nesting birds who need sticks, and a pecking rooster who reclaims the henhouse, the homeless pigs get ready to head for the kindly wolf's abode. When he hears the pigs on the roof, he prepares a "big pot of boiling…soup" and invites them in. The tale ends with everyone living together happily ever after. The full-color cartoon illustrations capture the pigs' bad behavior and comeuppance with a goofy exuberance. The font size shrinks and enlarges to mirror the action and the text works as a fun read-aloud as well as a read-alone.—Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI

Connections:

This book would work wonderfully for even a crowd of older children. After reading, the children can write and illustrate their own version of The Three Little Pigs or choose a different traditional tale to flip and illustrate. Turn the stories into readers’ theatre scripts to add even more fun!

Related Titles:

Lansky, Bruce. Newfangled Fairy Tales. Monnetonka: Meadowbrook Press, 1998.

Lendler, Ian. An Undone Fairy Tale. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005.

Maguire, Grogory. Leaping Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales. New York: Harper Collins, 2006.

Scieszka, Jon. The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. New York: Viking Juvenile, 1992.

Trivizas, Eugene. The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books. 1993.

Eloise

Written by: Kay Thompson

Illustrated by: Hilary Knight

Published by: Simon and Shuster, 1955

ISBN 0-671-22350-X

Plot Summary:

Eloise, a six year old young lady, spends all of her days in the Plaza Hotel in New York City. She has a dog (who looks like a cat) named Weenie and a turtle (who wears sneakers) named Skipperdee. Eloise lives a carefree life at the Plaza with little parental supervision, except for her Nanny, and she finds mischief on every floor. Eloise, Oh my Lord, has so many things to do around the hotel that she barely has time for naps. From riding the elevators, to attending weddings, and helping in the mail room, Eloise has many special jobs to fulfill. And, of course, at the end of the day… there’s always room service.

Critical Analysis:

Eloise is a wonderful and enchanting book for children and adults alike. Although this picture book is rawther  long, the witty phrases and jokes make the book fun for all ages. The author creates an interesting story by including all of the unusual things six-year-old Eloise does to fill up her days in the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The amusing and imaginative illustrations are a perfect fit for the story. The only colors used in the illustrations are black and reddish-pink, and these colors lend themselves flawlessly to Eloise’s character. Although the plot of this particular story only covers the span of one day, there is plenty of content to keep the reader enthralled. A special bonus for the reader is the few French phrases learned while reading the story. Readers would be wise to heed Eloise’s advice throughout the story, and, of course, always remember “Kleenex makes a very good hat.”

Connections:

Most children are enchanted by the idea of staying in hotels for an extended period of time. After sharing this book in a storytime for older children, have the readers create a collaborative book. The prompt: One thing I would love to do while staying in a hotel. Have each participant write and illustrate one page. The illustrations can mirror Knight’s art by having the students use black pens and one additional color. After completing all of the pages, bind the book together and make an “Eloise” themed display.

This book (and the other Eloise books) can be tied in to language lessons. Before translating Eloise’s French in the book, invite the children to guess at what she may be saying. Find a coworker or friend who speaks French and help the children translate their favorite expression into French. After all, everything sounds fancier in French.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Written by: Philip C. Stead

Illustrated by: Erin E. Stead

Published by: Roaring Brook Press, 2010

ISBN 978-1-59643-402-8

Plot Summary:

Amos McGhee, wakes up every day at the same time, puts on the same outfit, and catches the same bus to his job at the City Zoo. Amos’ job consists of playing chess with the elephant, racing the tortoise, keeping the penguin company, wiping the rhino’s runny nose, and reading bedtime stories to the owl (who, of course, is afraid of the dark). Amos’ routine is interrupted one morning when he wakes up with a cold. He must stay home from the City Zoo, but he isn’t alone for long. The animals hop onto the bus and head to Amos’ house where they entertain him by playing games, like chess and hide-and-seek. The animals also help Amos by keeping his feet warm, wiping his nose, reading him a bedtime story, and much more.

Critical Analysis:

The story of Amos and his zoo friends is a delightful story of true companionship. Amos, the caring, grandfather-like zookeeper, will easily win the hearts of readers. Stead creates a wonderful and engaging story without overwhelming a new reader with content. Most of the pages contain no more than one sentence, while a few contain only illustrations. Readers will be engaged by the beautiful, but simple, illustrations throughout the story. The colors used are muted, friendly, and full of emotion. The pictures in this book can truly tell the story on their own. There are happy surprises to be found in the illustrations like a red balloon, bunny slippers, and a friendly teddy bear.

Awards and Reviews:

Caldecott Medal (2011)

Notable Children’s Book (2011)

School Library Journal: Kindergarten-Grade 2—Amos McGee, an elderly man who works at the zoo, finds time each day for five special friends. With empathy and understanding he gives the elephant, tortoise, penguin, rhinoceros, and owl the attention they need. One morning, Amos wakes up with a bad cold and stays home in bed. His friends wait patiently and then leave the zoo to visit him. Their trip mirrors his daily bus ride to the zoo and spans three nearly wordless spreads. Amos, sitting up in bed, clasps his hands in delight when his friends arrive. The elephant plays chess with him, and the tortoise plays hide-and-seek. The penguin keeps Amos's feet warm, while the rhinoceros offers a handkerchief when Amos sneezes. They all share a pot of tea. Then the owl, knowing that Amos is afraid of the dark, reads a bedtime story as the other animals listen. They all sleep in Amos's room the rest of the night. The artwork in this quiet tale of good deeds rewarded uses woodblock-printing techniques, soft flat colors, and occasional bits of red. Illustrations are positioned on the white space to move the tale along and underscore the bonds of friendship and loyalty. Whether read individually or shared, this gentle story will resonate with youngsters.

Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC.

Booklist: Zookeeper Amos McGee always makes time to visit his good friends at work: he plays chess with the elephant, runs races with the tortoise (who always wins), sits quietly with the penguin, lends a handkerchief to the rhinoceros (who has a runny nose), and reads stories to the owl (who is afraid of the dark). Then, after Amos gets a cold, his friends miss him, and they leave the zoo and ride the bus to his place to care for him and cheer him up. Like the story, the quiet pictures, rendered in pencil and woodblock color prints, are both tender and hilarious. Each scene captures the drama of Amos and the creatures caring for each other, whether the elephant is contemplating his chess moves, his huge behind perched on a stool; or the rhinoceros is lending Amos a handkerchief; or the owl is reading them all a bedtime story. The extension of the familiar pet-bonding theme will have great appeal, especially in the final images of the wild creatures snuggled up with Amos in his cozy home.

Hazel Rochman

Connections:
How fun it would be to compare this book to Peggy Rathman’s Good Night, Gorilla? Readers can share why or why they would not enjoy a job as a zookeeper. Would they be brave enough to play chess with an elephant. What would it be like if the zoo animals decided to take the bus to their house? Which games or toys would be good for animals to play with in the reader’s room?

Enlighten readers by using a new art medium! The illustrations in this book were created using pencil and woodblock printing. Contact a local artist and give the kids a try at woodblock printmaking, surely a new medium for most.