BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, Eric A. LITTLE RED HOT. Ill. by Laura Huliska-Beith. Las Vegas, NV: Two Lions Amazon Publishing, 2013. ISBN 9781477816387
PLOT SUMMARY
In LITTLE RED HOT, the main character is the young Little Red Hot, with the traditional trait of good. She is clever and has the talent of being able to eat extremely hot food. Her opposite character, the Wolf, is symbolic of evil and concern. He is the typical trickster and presents himself mid-story.
The beginning of the folk tale begins with the familiar “once upon a time” introduction. We are introduced to Little Red and her ability to eat extremely hot food. We also learn that she is planning to visit her sick grandmother, whom she plans to make feel better with a tremendously hot pepper pie. Along the way, she encounters another traditional folk character, Pecos Bill, who warns her of the wolf. A moment later, she encounters the wolf, which pretends to be a coyote of a non-threatening nature. She voluntarily offers her itinerary for her travels, which gives the wolf the upper hand in his plot. He is able to reach her grandmother first, and just as in the traditional tale, rids the house of grandmother and disguises himself as her. Little Red Hot is unfooled by the wolf, and out smarts him into eating the hot pepper pie. The wolf flies from the house, and the story ends with Red Riding Hot and her grandmother enjoying the pie originally made for her.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The setting of the story is colorful, rustic southwest. The author does offer in his note, that it is in Texas. The story takes place over the course of a day. Little Red is accustomed to the chili tradition of Texas, wears cowgirl gear, and has the ability to ride a horse.
In the end, Little Red is able to outsmart the Wolf. Her strong character and will triumph over evil, and happiness is restored to her grandmother’s house.
The beautiful red-toned illustrations add a red flavor to the story, and enhance the idea of chili peppers throughout the story. They provide continual reminders of the setting of the story, and play a crucial role in the enjoyment of the traditional tale through this variant. The most critical illustration that provides tension to the plot is when the wolf takes the shortcut that creates the climax of the story.
The use of the variety of chili peppers in the story provide a gently reminder of the cultural variant of this traditional folktale. The illustrations and text offer an opportunity for the reader to learn about the variety of spices that Texas has to offer.
The author provided the names and attributes of some of the varieties of chili peppers in Texas. The graphical illustration of the chili pepper level of heat is an informal depiction that can be certainly understood by the young reader. The author includes a quick appearance of Pecos Bill, who is still portrayed as a dynamic character of the southwest.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From Goodreads.com Kids Book Review - "I like this book because she is always brave and curious about everything. It teaches kids how to be independent and brave." -- Haylie, age 8
The beginning of the folk tale begins with the familiar “once upon a time” introduction. We are introduced to Little Red and her ability to eat extremely hot food. We also learn that she is planning to visit her sick grandmother, whom she plans to make feel better with a tremendously hot pepper pie. Along the way, she encounters another traditional folk character, Pecos Bill, who warns her of the wolf. A moment later, she encounters the wolf, which pretends to be a coyote of a non-threatening nature. She voluntarily offers her itinerary for her travels, which gives the wolf the upper hand in his plot. He is able to reach her grandmother first, and just as in the traditional tale, rids the house of grandmother and disguises himself as her. Little Red Hot is unfooled by the wolf, and out smarts him into eating the hot pepper pie. The wolf flies from the house, and the story ends with Red Riding Hot and her grandmother enjoying the pie originally made for her.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The setting of the story is colorful, rustic southwest. The author does offer in his note, that it is in Texas. The story takes place over the course of a day. Little Red is accustomed to the chili tradition of Texas, wears cowgirl gear, and has the ability to ride a horse.
In the end, Little Red is able to outsmart the Wolf. Her strong character and will triumph over evil, and happiness is restored to her grandmother’s house.
The beautiful red-toned illustrations add a red flavor to the story, and enhance the idea of chili peppers throughout the story. They provide continual reminders of the setting of the story, and play a crucial role in the enjoyment of the traditional tale through this variant. The most critical illustration that provides tension to the plot is when the wolf takes the shortcut that creates the climax of the story.
The use of the variety of chili peppers in the story provide a gently reminder of the cultural variant of this traditional folktale. The illustrations and text offer an opportunity for the reader to learn about the variety of spices that Texas has to offer.
The author provided the names and attributes of some of the varieties of chili peppers in Texas. The graphical illustration of the chili pepper level of heat is an informal depiction that can be certainly understood by the young reader. The author includes a quick appearance of Pecos Bill, who is still portrayed as a dynamic character of the southwest.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From Goodreads.com Kids Book Review - "I like this book because she is always brave and curious about everything. It teaches kids how to be independent and brave." -- Haylie, age 8
From School Library Journal- A Texas twist on a familiar tale. Little Red Hot gets her name from the peppers she’s so fond of eating. When she visits her sick grandma, she takes her a red-hot chili pie. Who should she meet as she rides through the woods? Pecos Bill, the Three Tamales, and, of course, Señor Lobo. The wolf beats her to her grandmother’s house and disguises himself as the old woman, but one bite of Little Red Hot’s pie sends him skyrocketing out of sight. Different art mediums–gouache, acrylic, and colored-pencil drawings–have all been merged via use of the computer and provide a lot of detail and appeal. The red hues help bring out the feeling of heat, while the action in the illustrations gives a sense of movement and flow across the pages. An author’s note provides information about peppers and how they get their heat plus how the heat is measured. Kimmel also warns people about eating hot chilies.
From School Library Journal, June 2013- "A fun fractured fairy tale."–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX
CONNECTIONS AND LESSON IDEAS
Other works from Eric Kimmel:
This retelling maintains the traditional elements of the original story, where the pigs and the wolf cannot ever befriend each other. The style, however, is one of humor and offers the reader wonderful comic relief. The personification of the wolf is more emphasized in the retelling, as he is the main character.
The artworks in this book create the mood of gloom and misfortune. Modern illustrations make for wonderful viewing, and the humorous depictions throughout the book add to the humorous tone of the author. They create turn paging tension, and offer many details for the reader to enjoy.
From BOOKLIST "Jon Scieszka's THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS (1989) turned the favorite porkers' story upside-down by allowing the grossly misjudged wolf to tell his side of the story. Wiesner's latest is a post-modern fantasy for young readers that takes Scieszka's fragmentation a step further: it not only breaks apart and deliciously reinvents the pigs' tale, it invites readers to step beyond the boundaries of story and picture book altogether."
"Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children"- the National Education Association
CONNECTIONS AND LESSON IDEAS
Other works from Eric Kimmel:
- JACK AND THE GIANT BARBECUE. ISBN 978-0761461289
- THE THREE LITTLE TAMALES. ISBN 978-0761455196
- THE GREAT HAMSTER DRIVE. ISBN 9780761453574
- CACTUS SOUP. ISBN 978-0761458326
- Compare across texts: Read another variant of this folktale, and have students create a double bubble thinking map to compare and contrast the main character of the stories (Little Red Riding Hood).
- Ask a community law official to come in and read the book to the class to discuss stranger danger, and some of the mistakes Little Red made when she first encountered the wolf.
- Have students write a descriptive composition about their favorite spicy foods.
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Photo from http://www.jsworldwide.com/yeah_he_wrote_em.html
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Scieszka, Jon. THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Ill. by Lane Smith. New York, NY: Puffin Books, 1989. ISBN 9780329120276
PLOT SUMMARY
In the THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, the classic
folktale is retold in a humorous change of point of view. The Wolf, otherwise known as the typical
trickster, plays a misunderstood and innocent character. He is personified with a somewhat intellectual
style, as he sports reading glasses and a suit through much of the story. The Three Little Pig characters are portrayed
as unforgiving and of no help in his quest for a humble cup of sugar.
Initially, the Wolf is facing a dilemma, as he realizes he
has run out of sugar for the birthday cake he is baking for his old grandmother. He finds it easy to ask his pig neighbors for
a cup of sugar, but unfortunately suffers from sneezing bouts at each of his
three stops. House after house, he
unintentionally blows the first two houses down with his sneezes. As he accidentally kills the first two pigs
by sneezing and huffing their houses down, he finds it easy to eat the unfortunate
pigs. At his last stop to the third
house made of bricks, the pig insults the wolf’s grandmother and thus forces
the wolf to try to knock down the door. As
part of his bad fortune, he suffers from a sneezing attack as the police are
arriving. This in turn is how the wolf explains how the story was a misunderstanding
of point of view. In the end, the wolf
is put in jail for his alleged attack on the three pig brothers.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The setting of the story is a modest pasture, and the Wolf
travels from house to house in a day.
The story unfolds quickly, and the reader is taken through the
illustrations from house to house.
The theme is the universal idea that there are always two
sides and perspectives in every story.
The ending in this variant is not one necessarily of a happy ending as
in the traditional story. In this version,
it is the wolf’s fate that the story
ends on.
This retelling maintains the traditional elements of the original story, where the pigs and the wolf cannot ever befriend each other. The style, however, is one of humor and offers the reader wonderful comic relief. The personification of the wolf is more emphasized in the retelling, as he is the main character.
The artworks in this book create the mood of gloom and misfortune. Modern illustrations make for wonderful viewing, and the humorous depictions throughout the book add to the humorous tone of the author. They create turn paging tension, and offer many details for the reader to enjoy.
THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS is certainly one for
educators, parents, and grandparents to enjoy alongside their young readers, as
it is a story well know to many cultures across the world.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY- "In this gaily newfangled version of a classic tale, Scieszka and Smith ( Flying Jake ) argue in favor of the villain, transforming the story of the three little pigs into a playfully suspicious, rather arch account of innocence beleaguered..."
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, "Victim for centuries of a bad press, Alexander (``You can call me Al'') T. Wolf steps forward at last to give his side of the story." -John Peters, New York Public Library.
From PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY- "In this gaily newfangled version of a classic tale, Scieszka and Smith ( Flying Jake ) argue in favor of the villain, transforming the story of the three little pigs into a playfully suspicious, rather arch account of innocence beleaguered..."
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, "Victim for centuries of a bad press, Alexander (``You can call me Al'') T. Wolf steps forward at last to give his side of the story." -John Peters, New York Public Library.
"Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children"- the National Education Association
"Top 100 Picture Books" 2012 poll by School Library Journal
CONNECTIONS AND LESSON IDEAS
Other books from Jon Scieszka:
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| ISBN 978-0140542851 Photo from http://www.jsworldwide.com/yeah_he_wrote_em.html |
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| ISBN 978-0140553857 Photo from http://www.jsworldwide.com/yeah_he_wrote_em.html |
- Teacher will teach a mini-lesson on point of view using the traditional the THREE LITTLE PIGS and how the pigs felt throughout the story. . Students will make predictions about this book prior to the read aloud. Teacher will read aloud. Then have students create a double bubble map on the two sets of characters point of view.
- Students will use a multi-flow map to write the sequence of events of the story.
Check out his website!!!
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| Photo from http://www.simmstaback.com/Simms_Taback_Childrens_Books.html |
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Taback, Simms. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT. Ill. Simms Taback. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1999. ISBN 0670878553
PLOT SUMMARY
JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT is the story of a man named Joseph, who through creativity and innovative intuition, is able to turn an old and worn overcoat into several different pieces of clothing. In the beginning of the story, Joseph stumbles upon the idea that his little overcoat is old and worn, so he turns it into a jacket. Though the story, Joseph transforms and revitalizes the little overcoat into jacket, vest, tie, handkerchief, and eventually a button. As the coat becomes smaller and smaller through the story, he eventually loses the small button. In this, he decides he can now make a book out of his story.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The story creates a wonderful sense of hope, as Joseph is able to turn the idea that from everything, even when perceived has no value or use, can be turned into something. Children are delighted with the theme, as they see the joy Joseph realizes in making this global idea come to fruition through an old overcoat. As intended, this book highlights the Yiddish culture, as the drawings and depictions are typical of the culture. He also includes small details, such as newspapers with Yiddish newsprint.
The illustrations are wonderfully done, and the cut outs between the pages create excitement for the reader, as they guess the next piece that Joseph has created. The details and artwork through the book are simply fascinating. Simms has left no ground un-turned, as the details come alive in on the walls within the book and the clothing designs on all of the characters within the book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From the SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL- " A book bursting with ingenuity and creative spirit."
From CHILDREN'S LITERATURE- "Taback has clothed this well-known tale with comic characters, bold colors and die-cut on each page to highlight the journey from coat to button to memory."
From BOOKLIST- "Taback's mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity."
CONNECTIONS AND LESSON IDEAS
Other Books From Simms Taback:
In a learning center, provide bits of yarn, scraps of material, a pre-cut paper doll, and construction paper. Have students create an outfit for their doll that express who they are.
Have students create a brace map for the overcoat from (whole to part).
Check out his website for more information on his books and artwork!
SimmsTaback.com
PLOT SUMMARY
JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT is the story of a man named Joseph, who through creativity and innovative intuition, is able to turn an old and worn overcoat into several different pieces of clothing. In the beginning of the story, Joseph stumbles upon the idea that his little overcoat is old and worn, so he turns it into a jacket. Though the story, Joseph transforms and revitalizes the little overcoat into jacket, vest, tie, handkerchief, and eventually a button. As the coat becomes smaller and smaller through the story, he eventually loses the small button. In this, he decides he can now make a book out of his story.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The story creates a wonderful sense of hope, as Joseph is able to turn the idea that from everything, even when perceived has no value or use, can be turned into something. Children are delighted with the theme, as they see the joy Joseph realizes in making this global idea come to fruition through an old overcoat. As intended, this book highlights the Yiddish culture, as the drawings and depictions are typical of the culture. He also includes small details, such as newspapers with Yiddish newsprint.
The illustrations are wonderfully done, and the cut outs between the pages create excitement for the reader, as they guess the next piece that Joseph has created. The details and artwork through the book are simply fascinating. Simms has left no ground un-turned, as the details come alive in on the walls within the book and the clothing designs on all of the characters within the book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
- Winner of 2000 Caldecott Medal
From the SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL- " A book bursting with ingenuity and creative spirit."
From CHILDREN'S LITERATURE- "Taback has clothed this well-known tale with comic characters, bold colors and die-cut on each page to highlight the journey from coat to button to memory."
From BOOKLIST- "Taback's mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity."
CONNECTIONS AND LESSON IDEAS
Other Books From Simms Taback:
- I MISS YOU EVERYDAY. ISBN 9780670061921
- CITY ANIMALS. ISBN 9781934706527
- THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY. ISBN 9780670869398
- KIBITZERS AND FOOLS. ISBN 978-0670059553
- Norton Juster
- Marjorie Priceman
- Jim Arnosky
In a learning center, provide bits of yarn, scraps of material, a pre-cut paper doll, and construction paper. Have students create an outfit for their doll that express who they are.
Have students create a brace map for the overcoat from (whole to part).
Check out his website for more information on his books and artwork!
SimmsTaback.com
