Joseph Had a Little Overcoat (A Book Review)

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat (Review by Leighanne Massey)

Bibliography
Taback, Simms. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. New York: Penguin Young Readers Group, 1999. ISBN 0670878553

Plot Summary
The unique illustrations by Simms Taback really bring out the Polish traditions subtly configured in this story about a man who "can always make something out of nothing." The tale begins as the narrator informs the audience Joseph's coat is old and worn. For practical purposes Joseph decides to make it into a jacket. Then the jacket becomes old and worn and is turned into a vest. With each page, readers will soon catch on to the pattern of Joseph's story, constantly wondering "what can he possibly make next?"    
 
Critical Analysis
Set in a small village, Joseph's Overcoat is a story based on a Yiddish folk song called "I Had a Little Overcoat," which was author and illustrator Simms Taback's favorite song as a child. 
  
Carefully detailed and adorned with small artifacts on each page, readers will gain a glimpse into Taback's cultural representation of Polish life. With a predictable story line and a satisfying resolution, the magic of this simplistic tale lies mainly in the interactive pages and colorful warmth of the watercolors and collage illustrations. It is as if Simms constructs his own world out of thin air. Readers will be surprised in the end to find a real hand-written letter addressed to them as well as the song that inspired the story of Joseph Had a Little Overcoat.          

Review Excerpt(s)

2000 Caldecott Medal Winner

"In today's throwaway world, Joseph's old-fashioned frugality is a welcome change. Based on a Yiddish song from Simms Taback's youth (lyrics and music reproduced on the last page), the book is filled with rhythms and arresting colors that will delight every reader." -Emilie Coulter

"As in his Caldecott Honor book, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Taback's inventive use of die-cut pages shows off his signature artwork, here newly created for his 1977 adaptation of a Yiddish folk song. This diverting, sequential story unravels as swiftly as the threads of Joseph's well-loved, patch-covered plaid coat. A flip of the page allows children to peek through to subsequent spreads as Joseph's tailoring produces items of decreasing size." 
-Publishers Weekly

"Pre-Grade 3-A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit. When Joseph's overcoat becomes "old and worn," he snips off the patches and turns it into a jacket. When his jacket is beyond repair, he makes a vest. Joseph recycles his garments until he has nothing left. But by trading in his scissors for a pen and paintbrush he creates a story, showing "you can always make something out of nothing." 
-School Library Journal

Connections
Other Caldecott Medal books to check out:

• Gerstein, Mordicai. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. ISBN 9780312368784
• Rohmann, Eric. My Friend Rabbit. ISBN 9780312367527 
• Wiesner, David. The Three Pigs. ISBN 9780618007011

Other Simms Taback books to read such as: 

• Taback, Simms. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. ISBN 9780670869398
• Taback, Simms. This is the House That Jack Built. ISBN 9780142402009
• Taback, Simms. Kibitzers and Fools. ISBN 9780670059553 

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat could be used for children to begin their own predictable sequence of events writing. The story could also be used for oral retelling or a reader's theater center. Students can look for and discuss the cultural artifacts contained in the pages.

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers could be used as a great lesson opener for the historic events of Sept. 11, 2001. 

The Three Pigs could be used as a variant tale to explore patterns and relationships between different stories on the same topic.  

   

The Three Ninja Pigs (A Book Review)

The Three Ninja Pigs (Review by Leighanne Massey)

Bibliography

Schwartz, Corey Rosen. The Three Ninja Pigs. New York: Penguin Young Readers Group, 2012. ISBN 9780399255144

Plot Summary

For an interesting spin on the traditional tale of The Three Little Pigs, Corey Rosen Schwartz delivers with this action-packed fractured tale of three pigs who decide to learn the art of Aikido, Jujitsu, and Karate to defeat the big bad wolf and his tyranny. Set against the backdrop of a typical Asian village, the story builds in a series of events leading up to a distinctly original confrontation. When Wolf's antics have sent pig 1 and 2 running for their sister's house, he is hot on their tail anticipating sweet victory. Although, to his surprise, Wolf is not prepared for what pig 3 has up her sleeves and soon realizes he is no match for her. 

Critical Analysis

At the very beginning of the story Big Bad Wolf is established as the villain who "liked to go around town and blow houses down." Sensing danger, the protagonists formulate a plan of defense. Representing relevant trends in martial arts and dialogue seen in today's culture, young readers will relate instantly to the pigs in this tale. 

Many elements of the original story line of The Three Pigs can be found throughout this book and even anticipated. Seasoned readers and new alike might find it surprising and refreshing to read about the female heroine of the story and the context with which the story takes place. There are many depictions of Asian culture that lie within the pages from which to glean interest.

As an Asian-based variant to the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs, readers will delight in the fast-paced rhymes and amusing story line with colorful detailed illustrations by Dan Santat depicting Asian culture. With dialogue such as "Stay out of my hut or I'll kick your big butt. I'm telling you, you'd better run," children will want to hear this story out loud more than once.        

Review Excerpt(s)

"K-Gr 2-In this fractured fairy tale, three little pigs are portrayed as frustrated siblings fed up with a wolf that loves to huff and puff and blow houses down. In an attempt to protect their homes in their Japanese village, they train at a Ninja school." -School Library Journal

"This riotous rumble of a takeoff begins with three pigs—two brothers and a sister—saying enough to the huffy puffy wolf destroying houses in their town. So it’s off to the ninja school, where the first brother takes up aikido, but he drops out in two weeks. The second brother takes jujitsu and makes good progress, but he is too impatient to keep up his lessons. Only sister pig, a karate student, becomes so skilled that she can break boards by “performing a perfect pork chop!”
-Booklist

"A fractured fairy tale to outcharm the original, “The Three Ninja Pigs” manages to one-up the well-worn story by setting it in Japan, sprinkling it with the language and discipline of martial arts. All in hilarious, impeccable rhyme." — The New York Times Book Review

Connections

Other Corey Rosen Schwartz books to check out:

• Schwartz, Corey Rosen. Hensel and Gretel: Ninja Chicks. ISBN 9780399176265
• Schwartz, Corey Rosen. Ninja Red Riding Hood. ISBN 9780399163548
• Schwartz, Corey Rosen. Goldi Rocks & the Three Bears. ISBN 9780399256851

Corey Schwartz's books can be used to compare the tales to the traditional stories and compare/contrast the different elements.

Students can also do an author study/find out what kinds of martial arts are represented by each book by the author. 

Students can have discussions on the Asian depictions in Three Ninja pigs and read more material on different cultures such as Japan and China.

Students can write their own fractured tales based on either of these stories.

The Story of Lightning & Thunder (A Book Review)

The Story of Lightning & Thunder (Review by Leighanne Massey)

Bibliography
Bryan, Ashley. The Story of Lightning & Thunder. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1993. ISBN 0689318367

Plot Summary
Once upon a time in an African folktale, lightning and thunder used to live on Earth before they were banished solely to the sky. They lived as Ma Sheep and Son Ram Lightning in a small village on Alkebulan. They enjoyed the people of the village and whenever they were called on to help make it rain, Ma Sheep and Son Ram Lightning would run to the highest mountains in an effort to get Rain's attention. Once it started pouring, the people of the village would celebrate the survival of their crops. 

Come time for the harvest celebration, Ma Sheep's son wanted to show the King his horns against the advisement of his mother to remain close to her. In a brash movement, Son Ram charged through the crowd sending people flying or falling to the ground. The King was outraged at Son Ram's behavior and subsequently moved Ma Sheep and Son Ram away from the village. Each time Ma Sheep cautioned her son, it seemed he got himself into more trouble. Farther and farther out they were moved until the sky became their permanent home. Sometimes Son Ram Lightning gets into mischief today and can still be seen striking through the sky.   

Critical Analysis
With the beautiful, bright and colorful chalk illustrations, Ashley Bryan springs to life an old African tale of Lightning & Thunder. Set in the past from a village in Alkebulan comes the traditional story of a magic sheep and ram with the power to call rain into their village. 

The Story of Lightning & Thunder addresses the phenomenon of weather in a culturally and imaginative light with ethical behavior as the driving message. Distinguishing the young Ram Lightning's behavior as disgraceful by the King, his punishment is to be banished further and further for each wrongdoing until finally, he is sent to the sky to live with his mother forever. Readers may find themselves relating to Son Ram or even Ma Sheep's actions and looking at thunderstorms a little differently after reading this magnificent story.    
  
Review Excerpt(s)
Joyful in both word and palette, this African story tells why lightning and thunder reside in the sky and not on earth, as they once did. Ma Sheep Thunder and Son Ram Lightning live in an African village, summoning Rain by racing through the mountains at the King's request. But Son Ram Lightning gets into mischief--butting people, munching on straw hats in the marketplace, and accidentally setting a fire. -Publishers Weekly

A delightful adaptation of a Nigerian folktale about ``Ma Sheep Thunder'' and her ``Son Ram Lightning,'' who live in a village where the people rely on them to call their friend Rain down from the clouds over the mountain. But Son Ram Lightning is so unruly that the King exiles the pair to a faraway home in the sky, from which Lightning still sometimes streaks wildly back to earth, striking anything in his path, while his mother follows behind and calls him back in her rumbling voice. -Kirkus Reviews

Connections
Other Ashley Bryan books to check out:


Coretta Scott King Book Award Winner (2004):

• Bryan, Ashley. Beautiful Blackbird. ISBN 9780689847318

The Golden Kite Award Book & Laura Ingalls Wilder Award:

• Bryan, Ashley. Words to My Life's Song. ISBN 9781416905417

• Bryan, Ashley. Let it Shine. ISBN 9780689847325

Students can read other books from the culture represented in Beautiful Blackbird and compare/contrast the elements in each.

History lesson/Africa & traditions of different cultures.

This would be a great beginning story to open on the first few days of school to discuss behavior and right/wrong actions. Students can discuss what Ram could have done or how the story would have changed if he had not caused trouble.

Make Way for Ducklings (A Book Review)

Make Way for Ducklings (Review by Leighanne Massey)

Bibliography
McCloskey, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings. New York: The Viking Press, 1941. Renewed 1969 by Robert McCloskey. ISBN 0670451495 

Plot Summary
Set in the real scene of Boston, Massachusetts a family of ducks look for a safe home to raise their ducklings. Although they stumble upon a place both mother and father duck love...will it be a suitable environment for their babies? Deciding what is most important sometimes means giving up something else.  

Critical Analysis
Anyone who has ever visited Boston certainly knows the charm of the city sights and the rich history. Boston Common is the oldest park in America and serves as the focal point of this classic story of a family of mallards migrating to find the perfect spot to hatch their ducklings. At first their sights are set on a wonderful island in the middle of a great garden. Just when they become convinced they have found the perfect spot, they realize rather abruptly they may have been too brash.  In the end, mother mallard uses her boldness to have the best of both worlds.

Immediately flipping through the illustrations of this book, one can appreciate the detail and accuracy of the sketches. Although the dialogue between the ducks is not realistic, McCloskey captures their "human" essence and personalities vividly. His illustrations highlight a varying mix of emotions (particularly with the police officer) and distinguish movement well. His attention to detail gives the reader an aerial and 360 point view from the ducks' perspectives of Boston which is really quite incredible, especially for a text set in the 1940's. It is easy to see why McCloskey has stood the test of time. The text is straightforward because the illustrations really bring the story to life. The alliteration of the ducklings' names is a fun twist when reading their names in a row each time they appear in the story. Although set in the past, Boston is well defined as the busy and bustling city as it was then and still is today. It is not just a great children's book; it is a testament to Boston's history as well.
          
Review Excerpt(s)
1942 Caldecott Medal Winner

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

"The quaint story of the mallard family's search for the perfect place to hatch ducklings. Once the ducklings learn to walk in a straight line, they stroll past famous Boston landmarks into the Public Garden. For more than fifty years kids have been entertained by this warm and wonderful story. It has been reissued in paper and packaged with an audiotape for the current generation. 1942 Caldecott Medal."


"Make Way for Ducklings has been described as "one of the merriest picture books ever" (The New York Times). Ideal for reading aloud, this book deserves a place of honor on every child's bookshelf."

Connections
Other Caldecott Medal books to check out:

• Burton, Virginia Lee. The Little House. ISBN 039525938X
• Milhous,Katherine. The Egg Tree. ISBN 0689715684  
• Thurber, James. Many Moons. ISBN 0613513185  

Other Robert McCloskey books to read such as:

• McCloskey, Robert. One Morning in Maine. ISBN 0140501746
• McCloskey, Robert. Blueberries for Sal. ISBN 014050169X
• McCloskey, Robert. Time of Wonder. 0140502017

Make Way for Ducklings can be used as an introduction to Boston, Massachusetts or the migratory patterns or life cycles of mallard ducks. 

One Morning in Maine can be used to show a series of events in a story. Students can do a First, Next, Then, Last type of diagram with writing about the story. Talk about sequence of events.

Time of Wonder can be used to teach about oceans and sailing. It can even be used as a science activity about weather (types of weather-Hurricanes). Students can make a list of the characteristics of weather or oceans. 

Blueberries for Sal can be used to teach about the seasons to young children and what animals do (like bears) to get ready. Students can also use this as another opportunity to talk about plant life and parts of plants (what they grow).

Click, Clack, Moo (A Book Review)

Click, Clack, Moo (Review by Leighanne Massey)

Bibliography

Cronin, Doreen. Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000. ISBN 0689832133

Plot Summary

Farmer Brown discovers his cows have come across a typewriter and have magically developed bargaining capabilities as well as a knack for typing. The cows refuse to produce milk unless Farmer Brown honors their special request. To Farmer Brown's amazement and reluctance, he eventually honors the request of the cows only to find himself at the mercy of his ducks. When will the cycle end?  

Critical Analysis

From the very start of this simple picture book, there is a predictability in the echo from the animals. Narrated in simple vocabulary at the beginning and building in complexity, the story follows a sequence of events as the cows demand of Farmer Brown the one thing that will make them most happy. Readers will find humor in the letters typed back and forth until the cows' resolution is reached to a funny and surprising climactic ending. 

The colorful depictions of the farm life yield a unique view on an otherwise usual occurrence. Betsy Lewin serves the characters well in representing the different emotions of annoyance, surprise, and concentration displayed by the fictitious behaviors of the animal characters and Farmer Brown. The double-page layouts give light to the magnitude of the farm where the animals and Farmer Brown reside. The visual created by Lewin of ducks typing and cows with heater blankets is sure to make any young reader laugh out loud with delight.     

Review Excerpt(s)

2001 Caldecott Honor

From Publishers Weekly:

"Plucky barnyard denizens unite to improve their working conditions in this hilarious debut picture book from Cronin (appropriately enough, an attorney). Farmer Brown is dumbfounded when his cows discover an old typewriter in the barn and begin experimenting ("All day long he hears click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo. Clickety clack moo").

From Booklist:

"Lewin's wild line-and-watercolor cartoons are perfectly suited to this barnyard farce about animals that go on strike to demand better working conditions."
  

Connections

Other Caldecott honor books to check out: 

• Andersen, Hans Christian. Ugly Duckling. ISBN 9780688159320
• Falconer, Ian. Olivia. ISBN 9780689829536
• Simont, Marc. The Stray Dog. ISBN 9780064436694

Other Doreen Cronin books to read such as: 

• Cronin, Doreen. Click, Clack, Boo!: A Tricky treat. ISBN 9781442465534 
• Cronin, Doreen. Duck for President. ISBN 9780689863776
• Cronin, Doreen. Click, Clack, Peep! ISBN 9781481424110

Click, Clack Moo can be used as an opening to letter writing and the components needed to form a letter.

Duck for President can be used to teach about Democracy and why people get to vote and how the process works.

 

Finding Winnie (A Book Review)

Finding Winnie (Review by Leighanne Massey)

Bibliography

Mattick, Lindsay. Finding Winnie The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear. New York: Little Brown and Company, 2015. ISBN 9780316324908

Plot Summary

Finding Winnie is the story about the beginning concept of the classic character Winnie-the-Pooh. It all begins when a little boy named Cole asks his mother to tell him a real story about a bear at bedtime. 

Carefully narrated, Cole's mother begins the story about a man named Harry who was once a gifted veterinarian for animals in his hometown. Harry hears about a war across the ocean and decides to help by taking care of the horses on the front line. Through the inquisitive eyes of little Cole and the series of events accounted by his mother, the reader is taken on Harry's journey to when he first met an extraordinary bear cub.  

This extraordinary bear is given the name of Winnie based on Harry's home of Winnipeg. Winnie's story seems to take take flight as she becomes a staple to Harry and his traveling regiment. Will Winnie stay with the men? Will it be safe for her? When it comes time for Harry to care for the injured horses near the front, he is confronted by the same concerning questions in his mind. He ultimately decides a battleground is not safe for a baby bear. Shortly after, Winnie finds herself in a new home in the London zoo where the second part of her story begins with a boy named Christopher.        

Critical Analysis

As the first page is turned, the reader is placed in the role of a little boy named Cole impatiently awaiting the same question;"Could you tell me a story?" Carefully and in a logical series of events, a unique story unfolds from Cole's mother.

With consistent childlike clarification, the story begins on a train with a veterinarian named Harry who is traveling to help injured horses on the front line of World War 1. Heartstrings are tugged when Harry stumbles upon a baby bear at a train stop. The reader struggles alongside Harry when determining what to do about the situation and rejoicing when the bear is given a name and a home.  

It is through the revealing and richly detailed illustrations that Winnie takes form and the reader learns Harry's story takes place in the past. With the characters' attire portrayed true to the time period, it is like taking a step back in time. As the story progresses in a purposeful pace, the meaning of the narrator's careful emotion-filled pages and storytelling is felt. At last, the truth of Winnie-the-Pooh's creation is realized.   

Review Excerpt(s)
A #1 New York Times Bestseller and Winner of the 2016 Caldecott Medal

A New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year
—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"Gorgeously illustrated...[a] delightful telling"—New York Times 

Book Review
*"Little ones who love Milne's classic stories will be enchanted by this heartening account of the bear's real-life origins."—Booklist (Starred Review)

Connection
Other Caldecott books to check out: 

• Klassen, Jon. This Is Not My Hat. ISBN 9780763655990
• Raschka, Chris. A Ball for Daisy. ISBN 9780375858611
• Santat, Dan. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend. ISBN 9780316199988

Finding Winnie could be used as an introduction to World War 1 and a research project into what other animals helped in war efforts (History). 

Students can compare/contrast Harry and Christopher Robin's relationship with Winnie the bear.

Finding Winnie could also be used as an introduction to elements of genre study. Students can brainstorm characteristics of non-fiction.