Traditional Literature: Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky

Zelinsky, Paul O. 1997. Rapunzel. New York: Dutton Children's Books. ISBN 0525456074

Summary

This classic fairy tale begins with a man and his wife who are expecting a child. The wife overlooks a sorceress' garden that was forbidden to everyone. The wife longs for a bed of rapunzel vines, to the point of uncontrollable cravings making her ill. The husband repeatedly sneaks the rapunzel back to his wife, but is eventually caught by the sorceress. He is forced to give their new baby in exchange for his wife's good health. The sorceress names the baby Rapunzel and places her into a tall tower, where she grows to be a beauty with exquisite long hair, which is used by the sorceress to climb into the tower. Years later, a prince hears her beautiful voice and goes to the top of the tower by way of her hair. They fall in love and marry in the tower, unbeknownst to the sorceress. She later finds Rapunzel to be with child, cuts her hair off, and sends her into the wild. In the discovery of his lost wife, the prince suffers a fall that renders him blind. Rapunzel and the prince finally find each other, he regains his sight, and they make their way to his kingdom where they live "a long life, happy and content."

Analysis

This fairy tale does not stray from the classic story that has been retold for ages. The style of writing follows the typical format, sharing the good vs. evil. What really makes the story are the illustrations. The characters are beautifully depicted through Zelinsky's breathtaking oil paintings. Their emotions are vividly drawn, helping the reader understand the feelings of love, fright, desperation, and anger. His illustrations give the setting a Tuscan feel. Each picture is very detailed, down to the leaves on the trees and each hair on Rapunzel's head. In this story, the combination of true love and good does triumph over evil, following the classic fairy tale patterns.

Personal Response

It was difficult for me to focus on the quality of the writing because of the amazing illustrations. Zelinsky's work in all of his stories are breathtaking. I had the privilege of witnessing his illustrating live at the 2012 Texas Book Festival, as he drew illustrations while author Emily Jenkins read from her story, Toys Come Home. His talent is indescribable. I was amazed at the fascinating artwork he was able to create in a matter of minutes.

Reviews and Awards

A 1998 Caldecott Medal Book

 "A breathtaking interpretation gives the fairy tale new art-historical roots, with illustrations that daringly-and effectively-mimic the masters of Italian Renaissance painting." - Publisher's Weekly

"It takes a scholar's mind and an artist's insight to endow the familiar with unexpected nuances--which Zelinsky does with passion and dazzling technique. His choice of a Renaissance setting is inspired, allowing for many artistic and architectural allusions. The book demonstrates respect for the traditions of painting and the fairy tale while at the same time adhering to a singular, wholly original, artistic vision." -Horn Book


Connections

Students can do an author/illustrator study, learning the works of Paul O. Zelinsky. Other classics he has authored and/or illustrated include Rumpelstiltskin and Hansel and Gretel.

Student can compare variations of the story of Rapunzel, including other retellings and fractured fairy tales.

With appropriate permissions, students can compare the story of Rapunzel to the Disney film, Tangled. 

Traditional Literature: The Lady in the Blue Cloak: Legends from the Texas Missions by Eric Kimmel

Kimmel, Eric. 2006. The Lady In The Blue Cloak: Legends from the Texas Missions. Ill. by Susan Guevara. USA: Holiday House. ISBN 0823417387

Summary

The Lady in the Blue Cloak: Legends from the Texas Missions shares six stories of heartfelt deeds of the people who lived during this time in history.

"The Lady in the Blue Cloak" is a tale of Tejas Indians learning the word of God through a mysterious lady wearing a blue cloak. The Indians learn new information from Padres who are unaware of the mystery woman. The lady turns out to be a holy nun who was known to have visions of traveling to far off places, but never actually left her home.

 "Rosa's Window" is a tale of love lost. Pedro is called to do God's work in the New World, but is hesitant to leave his fiance Rosa. After being persuaded by Rosa to go, Pedro heads to Texas to decorate the church with his carvings. He later learns of Rosa's death and carves a masterpiece in her honor.

 "The Bell" also shares a story of love. Dona Teresa and her groom Don Angel are separated as he goes to the mission with his padre cousin. Before he left, Don Angel gives his bride a ring and cross on a chain as a symbol of their love and devotion. Unfortunately, Don Angel dies before he can share the new world with Dona Teresa. A bell is created for the mission in which Don Angel did his work. While the bronze is being poured into the mold, Dona Teresa throws the ring and chain into the mold, so she can be with her loved one forever. Others who were there did the same with their rings and crosses. Dona Teresa takes her last breath as the bell rings for the first time.

"The Miracle at the Gate" demonstrates the power of prayer during a Comanche attack. A padre on watch misses the signs of attack, not allowing enough time for the workers in the field to safely run into the mission. The gates remained open as the padres pray for protection. All the workers make it safely into the mission and the Comanches are unable to get through.

"The Christmas Vine" is a tale precious gifts. A small child wants to bring the Holy Family a gift, but is unable to produce anything he deems worthy. The padre shares with him "the most precious gifts are the ones that cannot be seen with our eyes." The boy and the padre search for a gift, finding a vine that isn't very beautiful. The vine transforms into a beautiful sight, making the boy feel very proud. Today, the vine is known as the "Margil Vine."

"The Padre's Gift" teaches the reader about kindness and how it pays off. Two stories share what happens when people find bad luck, but are kind to strangers (who happen to be padres). These tales are still passed along today, as people in San Antonio tell their children to "always be polite and kind to strangers, especially if they wear brown robes and walk with sandals on their feet."

Analysis

The characters throughout the legends are both padres and civilians who are doing their part for the new world. Kimmel retells the stories in a beautiful light, sharing the feelings of love, loss, and struggle with the reader. Each story shares the location of the mission, and what has become of them. The reader learns of missions that have been lost, and others that are now famous landmarks, such as The Alamo.

Each story brings a different theme. The stories do not always end happily, but provide messages of strong love and religious devotion. The author keeps each story culturally specific, stating names and locations of each character and mission. The stories help the reader gain insight into the development of Texas and shares the lessons that are still imparted on families in the area today.

Susan Guevara does a wonderful job with her full page, detailed oil paintings. Each story is introduced with Guevara's artwork, something that stays true to the genre and to the time in which the stories take place. The paintings grasp the important aspects of each story.

Personal Response

I found this book to be very interesting. The heartwarming stories helped me understand more about the Texas Missions, something I was uneducated about.

Reviews and Awards

"Kimmel delves into a lesser-known topic the lore of the beginnings of Spanish missions in Texas with this unusual and compelling collection. Guevera provides an opener to each legend with her elegant full-page oil paintings evocative of the symbols and themes of the era." -Publisher's Weekly

"This is a lovely book that will probably prove most useful in Texas and possibly in other areas with a history of Spanish missions." -School Library Journal

Connections

Teachers can combine their language arts lessons on legends with social studies research on the actual missions. These two books can aid in the research aspect:

Gendell, Megan. 2010.  The Spanish Missions of Texas. New York: Children's Press. ISBN 0531212432

Levy, Janey. 2010. The Missions of Texas. New York: Rosen Classroom. ISBN 1615324569

Traditional Literature: The Three Horrid Little Pigs

Pichon, Liz. 2008. The Three Horrid Little Pigs. Great Britain: Little Tiger Press. ISBN 9781589250772

Summary

In this fractured fairy tale, the three little pigs are different from those in the classic tale...they are troublemakers! Their mother sends them out of the house after "having enough of the pesky pigs." Each pig sets off to find his own land and build a home. A friendly wolf sees the mess that each pig makes while lazily building their homes. The wolf offers to help build a more secure home. Each pig rudely responds and says the statement "I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll kick you out!" After being rejected by each pig, the wolf returns home. Finally, after each house is somehow destroyed, the pigs discover the warm, comfortable house owned by the wolf, sneak through the chimney, and are welcomed in by the wolf. The pigs drop their horrid behaviors and learn to build a sturdy home.

Analysis

The characters in The Three Horrid Little Pigs are very enjoyable. The pigs take on a dynamic character role, being "horrid" through the majority of the book, then changing into friendly, helpful pigs in the end.  The wolf remains static, friendly and helpful throughout the story, even at the end when the pigs had treated him so poorly.

The plot and setting is very similar to the classic story. Each pig faces his own dilemma with the structure of his home, beginning with the least sturdy material (hay) and moving up to a more secure material (the already made chicken coop). A wolf visits each house, but does not destroy them in this case. Similar materials are used to construct the homes as in the classic story, and each illustration shows their homes being built in a pasture or on a farm.

Typically, a rendition of "The Three Little Pigs" is a cautionary tale. This doesn't seem as evident in The Three Horrid Little Pigs. The writing gives off more of a "love thy neighbor" message. The author's style is repetitive, much like the classic version. Each encounter with a pig is similar...difficulties with creating a home, a kind gesture from a friendly wolf, followed by an angry response from the pigs.

The colorful cartoon illustrations provide the reader with wonderful images of the mischievous pigs. There are captions included throughout the illustrations that show us what the characters are thinking. Another significant factor is the font size, which often changes based on the language. The more intense moments are depicted in a larger, bolder font.

Personal Response

As a big fan of fractured fairy tales, I thoroughly enjoyed The Three Horrid Little Pigs. I think it is a hilarious spin on the classic tale, placing the wolf in a kind light. This book would pair well with Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.

Reviews

"The lively narrative, printed in playfully arranged text of varying size, is well suited for spirited read-alouds, as are the colorful illustrations that add to the hilarity with expressive characters. Children will enjoy the clever twist on a familiar story." -Booklist

"This picture book serves as another fine example of a fairytale twist that will be enjoyed by young readers." -Library Media Connections

Connections

After reading The Three Horrid Little Pigs and also reviewing the original tale, students can be challenged to write their own version of the classic story.

There are several versions of The Three Little Pigs available to readers. A whole grade level can take a rendition of the classic tale and turn it into a play or a reader's theater. Titles that can be used include, but are not limited to,  The Three Horrid Little Pigs, The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell, and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. This would make for a fun performance night for parents!