Scieszka, J. (1989). The true story of the three little pigs. New York, Puffin Books.
Grade Level: K-3
Genre: Picture Book- This book is primarily composed of illustrations that tell the story.
Summary: This is a true story that changes everything. Jon Scieszka’s book The True Story of the Three Little Pigs tells the story of The Three Little Pigs from the point of view of the wolf. The wolf begins by telling the reader his name (which is Alexander T. Wolf) and explaining that the Big Bad Wolf thing is all wrong. He can’t help it that he likes to eat cute little animals. It’s just the way wolves are. And the story with the three little pigs is really about a sneeze and a cup of sugar. The poor wolf was actually framed (or so he says).
Summary: This story proves the point that there are two sides to every story. A venn diagram would be a great tool to compare the original story to the "fractured" story. Questions for discussion might include: If you were a lawyer, who would you defend and why? What other fairly tales do you think have characters that may have been unfairly accused? This book could also be used to encourage students to write the other side to a popular story. The illustrations are also very humorous and include some collages. This book is enjoyable for adults too who are tired of the same ol’ story.
Lionni, L. (1987). Frederick. New York: Dragonfly Books.
Grade Level: Pre-K-2
Genre: Picture Book- This book is primarily composed of illustrations that tell the story and is aimed at young readers.
Summary: Frederick is a field mouse. It is summer and his family is preparing for winter, but Frederick isn’t helping. While his family is gathering food for the winter, Frederick just sits outside. Many times they ask him what he is doing and he tells them. He tells them he is gathering sunrays, colors, and words for the long, dark winter. Finally, winter arrives and the mouse family took to their hideout. At first, there was lots of food and lots of stories, but eventually they ran out of food and stories. This is where Frederick comes in.
Reflection: Lionni uses collages for his illustrations and what they lack in color, they make up in detail. The story makes the reader realize that every person in a family contributes in their own way. One way is not necessarily better than the other, just different. Children will enjoy this story because of the illustrations and teachers will read the story because of its message. It is also a good book to use to teach the seasons or to teach about cooperation and conflict within families. I would ask students to make text-to-self connections and to compare Frederick's family to their own. Questions for discussion may include: What kind of mouse is Frederick? How do you know? Would you want Frederick to be in your family? Why? Frederick is a wonderful book that is a great addition to any library.
Shannon, D. (1999). No, david! New York: The Blue Sky Press.
Grade Level: Pre-K-1
Genre: Picture Book- This book is primarily composed of illustrations that tell the story and is aimed at young readers.
Summary: In No, David!, Shannon tells a story that all children will be able to relate to as they grow up. David is a young boy who is constantly doing something he shouldn’t be doing and constantly being told “No!” David tries to get in the cookie jar, tracks mud on the living room floor, and overflows the bathtub with water, among other things. Finally, he does something that pushes the limit with his mother.
Reflection: Shannon’s illustrations are great at depicting the mischievous side of children. Each picture is done with a sense of humor that shows through to the reader. There is a lot of person-against-person conflict between David and his mother, but also a lesson to be learned in this story and that is one of forgiveness. The use of repitition in this book is a big part of what makes it fun to read. In teaching this book, I would make sure we began by taking a picture walk because most of the story is told through the pictures. I would have ask student about their own experiences and make text-to-self connections. Students could make their own book, using their own name in the title. Introducing young readers to books like this, that are relatable and fun, will make them want to read more and more and more.
Rohmann, E. (2002). My friend rabbit. Connecticut: Roaring Book Press.
Grade Level: Pre-K- 2
Genre: Picture Book- This book is primarily composed of illustrations that tell the story and is aimed at young readers.
Summary: My Friend Rabbit features a cute story about friendship along with terrific illustrations. The story is about a friendship between a mouse and a rabbit that always seems to find trouble. They are playing with an airplane when it becomes stuck in a tree. That’s where the adventure begins. Not to worry, though. Rabbit has a plan.
Reflection: Rohmann’s Caldecott-Winning illustrations are very striking with the thick black lines that surround all the characters and the illustrations. In one part of the book, you have to turn the book vertically to see the picture as it fills two pages, a composition feature that adds to the story. Rohmann does an excellent job of taking you on Mouse and Rabbit’s adventure through his expressive illustrations and letting the reader determine the personalities of all the characters through their expressions. In using this book in the classroom, it would be great for analyzing characters and asking students of they would choose Rabbit for their friend and tell why or why not. The story itself is quite simple, but uses plenty of literary elements. Rohmann foreshadows the conflict in the story in the first two lines of the book, “My friend Rabbit means well. But whatever he does, wherever he goes, trouble follows.” He uses personification in his story, having Rabbit and Mouse playing with a toy airplane. Rohmann is an excellent storyteller and this is truly an enjoyable story to read. There is a lot to be said about the quirks of friendship and Rohmann took one quirk and turned it into a relatable story. Everyone has or will have at some point, a friend like Rabbit.
Base, G. (1996). Animalia. New York: Puffin Books.
Grade Level: K-4
Genre: Alphabet Picture Book- This book uses illustrations to showcase the letters of the alphabet.
Summary: Animalia is an intriguing, detailed alphabet book with colorful illustrations and rich vocabulary.
Reflection: Animalia is wonderfully illustrated with fantastic characters from dragons to hogs to newts to unicorns. Each alphabet letter is given characters that represent it in vivid drawings, with each of the drawings done in one dominant color scheme. For example, ‘C’ is represented by “crimson cats,” with the color scheme being predominantly red, or crimson. Each illustration also has a phrase that goes along with the letter it represents. Each of those phrases skillfully uses alliteration, a wonderful way to expose children to a literary tool. For example, “Proud Peacocks Preening Perfect Plumage.” Animalia is also a useful tool for teaching critical thinking and observational skills. Each illustration features many elements that represent the chosen letter. It is not always easy to name the pictures depicted, sometimes requiring a little research. In addition, this book could be used to teach fantasy and could be a beginning point for several small stories about the characters and setting of each alphabet letter. For older students, it could be used to have students write a play and design costumes based on the illustrations. In each illustration, Base inserts a hidden picture of himself as a child, a challenge in the reader’s observational skills. These illustrations took Base three years to complete, but will offer the reader a lifetime of enjoyment. I have looked at it repeatedly trying to find something I missed the other times I looked at it! This book is highly recommended.
