Swamp Angel by Anne Isaacs

Book Review of

 

Bibliography

Isaacs, A. (1994). Swamp angel. Dutton Children's Books. ISBN 9780525452713

Plot Summary

Born in the early 1800s in Tennessee, Angelica Longrider was just an ordinary girl…or was she? As the years pass by, Angelica shows she indeed is no ordinary girl. Saving townspeople from housefires, flash floods, and settlers from drowning in fast-moving river currents, Angelica Longrider becomes known as the Swamp Angel. Soon the state of Tennessee begins to experience famine due to a beast known as Thundering Tarnation, which has been eating all of their stockpiled food for winter. A competition is organized in hopes of finding the best hunter to defeat the beast and get rid of him once and for all. Swamp Angel chooses to join the challenge to win the prestigious title, Champion Wildcat, and help save her townspeople and state from starvation. 

  

Critical Analysis

In this cleverly crafted tall tale where good triumphs over evil, Anne Isaacs presents a strong female character who is larger than life (no pun intended!). A humorous and suspenseful plot takes the reader on a journey and explains why the main character becomes known as Swamp Angel. Beautifully painted realistic illustrations of the American frontier draws the reader in and add to the humorous, yet climactic tale. Swamp Angel will leave readers on the edge of their seat fascinated by the turning of events that lead to an unexpected ending. 

Review Excerpt(s)
"Move over Paul Bunyan, you are about to meet Swamp Angel. . . . Visually exciting, wonderful to read aloud, this is a picture book to remember". -- The Horn Book, starred review

Awards
A Caldecott Honor Book
An ALA Notable Book
A Time magazine Best Book of the Year
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year
Winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

Connections
For additional activities related to the book:

• Discuss with children the elements of a tall tale. Have them make up their own tall tale and illustrate.
• Compare and contrast another tall tale or another folktale to Swamp Angel. Discuss with children the similarities and differences.
• Discuss with children what exaggerations are. Have children practice coming up with their own exaggerations.

Other recommended books if you liked this one:

• Peppe the Lamplighter by Elise Bartone
• John Henry by Julius Lester
• Circle, Square, Moose by Kelly Bingham

The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz

Book Review of 

 

Bibliography

Schwartz, C. R. (2012). The three ninja pigs. G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 9780399255144

Plot Summary

Three little pigs decide to get rid of the town bully once and for all. A clever plan to attend ninja school and learn some ninja skills sounds like just the right means of defense! Once training begins, however, two of the little pigs quickly decide they’ve learned just enough to defeat that big, bad bully. The third little pig does not concede so quickly and continues diligently with her ninja training. Soon, after overpowering the first two little pigs, the third little pig's newly acquired Japanese fighting skills are put to the test. Readers will find out just how much her diligence pays off. 

Critical Analysis

Corey Rosen Schwartz’s twist on the classic fairytale of The Three Little Pigs is one that will have readers coming back again and again. Set once upon a time, an action-packed plot in overcoming the big, bad wolf is humorously spun into a fractured fairytale in which good overcomes evil. Complete with a strong female character saving the day against the evil wolf, Schwartz’s use of rhythm and rhyme lures the reader in. This amusing read also includes a glossary of Japanese martial arts terms. Dan Santat’s cultural depiction of Japanese culture envelops the reader and adds to the appeal of the tale. The use of facial expressions and movement helps to engage the reader. Readers of all ages will be fascinated by this unique spin on the classic fairytale of The Three Little Pigs. 

Review Excerpt(s)
"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
"For young martial arts fans seeking a lighthearted book about their hobby, Schwartz’s story should fit the bill. . . . The idea of three gi-clad pigs fighting the big bad wolf is a winner." — Publishers Weekly

Connections
For additional activities related to the book:

• Discuss with children what cause and effect are. Continue by discussing different cause and effect elements of the book.
• Discuss with children the different houses each pig had. Have children create their own house that the Big Bad Wolf cannot destroy on paper and color.
• Read the original story of The Three Little Pigs (if children have not already heard it) and discuss the similarities and differences between each story.

Other recommended books if you liked this one:

• Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz
• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
• The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot by Margaret McNamara

The Ugly Duckling by Jerry Pinkney

Book Review of 

Bibliography

Pinkney, J. (1999). The ugly duckling. Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 9780688159320

Plot Summary

Being different isn’t easy and the same can be said for a duckling. After hatching, realizing he isn’t like his brothers and sisters, and being tormented by the others, the duckling makes the difficult decision to leave his family. Searching for peace, the ugly duckling must face numerous obstacles. Will he ever find what he is looking for? The duckling must go through many “seasons” of change before he finds the real truth of beauty. 

Critical Analysis

Jerry Pinkney’s adaption and illustration of the fable, The Ugly Duckling, is a masterpiece. Pinkney guides the reader through a relatable journey, one of learning patience and the true meaning of beauty. Realistic and colorful watercolor illustrations complement the story and add to the emotional appeal of this survival story. 

Review Excerpt(s)
“Pinkney's keenly observed watercolors honor nature in all its splendor. A flawlessly nuanced performance by a consummate craftsman.” - Publishers Weekly
“The appeal of this tale is as strong today as it was 150 years ago, and Pinkney has done an admirable job of repackaging it for a new generation. His adaptation of the text succeeds in capturing the gentleness and melancholy of Andersen, although a bit of the social commentary has gone by the wayside. Pinkney does not shy away from including the more disturbing elements.” - School Librarian Journal

Awards
A Caldecott Honor Book

Connections
For additional activities related to the book:

• Children will have a writing prompt to explain where they would go and who they may meet along the way if they were the ugly duckling.
• Create a swan by tracing the child’s hand. Cut out tracing and glue a curved, long piece of white construction paper to the bottom of the hand
• Create a swan using toilet paper rolls and printouts of different parts of a swan. Have children color, cut, and glue onto toilet paper roll.

Other recommended books if you liked this one:

• Quackers by Liz Wong
• Rosie the Raven by Helga Bansch
• Crow by Leo Timmers

Beautiful Blackbird

Book Review of 

 

Bibliography

Bryan, A. (2003). Beautiful blackbird. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 

ISBN 9780689847318

Plot Summary

A beautiful lone blackbird is invited to a festival in the forest with other colorful birds. The leader, Ringdove, calls upon all the birds to vote on who is most beautiful. Blackbird is chosen as the most beautiful and soon all the birds want to be painted with a spot of black to look more like him. Blackbird agrees but gently reminds them that true beauty comes from within. 

Critical Analysis

Ashley Bryan’s adaption of a tale from the Ila-speaking people of Zambia is a striking piece of work. The use of rhythm and song, combined with the vibrant cut-out paper artwork makes for an unforgettable read. Delving deeper into the meaning of beauty, cultural elements seep out through the use of song and dance and enhance the theme of beauty being within. Readers of all ages will come back to this book, again and again, to experience its richness. 

Review Excerpt(s)
Bryan's lilting and magical language is infectious. - Publisher’s Weekly
This unusual and little-known pourquoi tale may supplement larger collections and serves as a thoughtful and entertaining addition to units on self-esteem. - School Library Journal

Connections
For additional activities related to the book:

• Children learn about the author and artist Ashley Bryan after reading Beautiful Blackbird.
• Provide colorful construction paper or card stock to allow children to exercise fine motor skills by tracing and cutting out bird templates. Children will then plan on how to arrange all of their pieces to have a balanced work of art to be reflective/similar to the front of the book.
• Have children practice what they think are the different dances mentioned within the book.
• Have children create an origami bird

Other recommended books if you liked this one:

• A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin
• Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford
• A Different Pond by Bao Phi

Cat Count by Betsy Lewin

Book Review of

Bibliography

Lewin, B. (2003). Cat Count. Henry Holt and Company, LLC. ISBN 9780805067477

Plot Summary

Counting cats, beginning with one, soon turns into counting many cats! Before you know it, you have fifteen cats but that’s not all. In this fun counting book, counting cats will quickly become too many cats due to a surprise ending. 

Critical Analysis

Counting cats is enjoyable in this lively counting book. Counting from one to ten and adding each set of cats along the way, Betsy Lewin makes counting enjoyable. Combined with vibrant and whimsical illustrations depicting different types of cats, such as “full of funny tricks cats” or “chasing duck and hen cats”, Lewin creatively rhymes with each new set of felines. Each illustration adds to the amusing and playful words revealing the group of cats being described. Young readers will be entertained by this silly counting book with a surprise at the end.

Review Excerpt(s)
“The loose, pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoons perfectly match the lighthearted tone of the text. From the title page, which shows an amusing rear-end view of three kitties with tails proudly held aloft, to the action-filled group scenes, Lewin perfectly captures the elegant postures and mischievous nature of these self-assured creatures. A fun choice for cat lovers and children who are building their math skills.” - School Library Journal
“Cat lovers and children just learning how to count will be entranced by this colorful, energetic book.”

 - Booklist

Connections

For additional activities related to the book:

• Have children place the correct number of colored beads on a pipe cleaner to represent specific numbers.

• Create cat cutouts and draw numbers on them. Create a sheet with numbers randomly placed and have children match the cat to the number.

• Place cups or bottles on a table with a different number on each one (a cat sticker or cutout would be cute!). Give the children cheerios or some other sort of counter and have them practice dropping in the correct amount of cheerios to match the number shown on the bottle. 

Other recommended books if you liked this one: 

• Click, Clack, 123 by Doreen Cronin

• My Very First Book of Numbers by Eric Carle

• Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick

Book Review of

Bibliography

Mattick, L., & Blackall, S. (2015). Finding Winnie: the true story of the world's most famous bear (First edition.). Little Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316324908

Plot Summary

Snuggled up with his mother, young Cole listens to a bedtime story about a very special bear. His mother tells a story of a bear, named Winnie, who becomes part of the Canadian army and travels the world. The caregiver, Captain Harry Colebourn, soon decides that war is no place for a bear to live safely. Sadly, he makes the tough decision to take Winnie to live in the London Zoo where she will be cared for and loved properly. But, as the story says, “Sometimes…you have to let one story end so the next one can begin”. Soon Winnie finds an unlikely companion and friendship blossoms. Many take notice of this unique pair and a new story begins…one that has become famous for decades. 

Critical Analysis

Lindsay Mattick ingeniously crafts a true story of her great-grandfather’s experience in the army while caring for bear cub. She intertwines the real life story with a fictional depiction of a storytelling time with her son Cole. Carefully crafted with factual information from her great-grandfather’s past, along with fictional conversations with the young boy Cole listening intently to the story, Mattick draws the reader in. The story reveals that while sometimes it is hard to make the best decision or let things go, it is only then that the next “story” may begin. This heartwarming adventure will be loved by all age-levels and readers whom take great pleasure in reading Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh books.

Sophie Blackall’s Caldecott Medal-winning illustrations are true pieces of artwork. Realistically and beautifully designed pictures in Chinese ink and watercolor amplify the beauty of the story being told. From the colorful, realistic depictions of the soldier on the train to the bear crossing the ocean atop a military ship, there is no denying the effect of the artistry and its captivating appeal to the reader. 

Review Excerpt(s)

"The sum total is as captivating as it is informative, transforming a personal family story into something universally resonant."—Horn Book, starred 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

"A perfect melding of beautiful art with soulful, imaginative writing, this lovely story, penned by Colebourn's great-great-granddaughter, is ideal for sharing aloud or poring over individually."—School Library Journal, starred review

Connections

For additional activities related to the book:

• Have children look back into the text and try to determine how many miles Winnie traveled. 

• Ask children what makes a good story. Have children discuss and write their own story with their favorite animal. 

• Discuss character development with the children, in particular that of Captain Harry Colebourn. Have the children draw a picture (or provide an outline of to color in) and write down words or phrases that describe him.  

Other recommended books if you liked this one: 

• Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

• Locomotive by Brian Floca

• Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

Book Review of

Bibliography 

Klassen, J. (2012). This is not my hat. Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763655990

Plot Summary

Stealing a hat that is not his, the unnamed character (a tiny fish) thinks he has gotten away without being caught. To ensure he isn’t caught, he attempts to swim away to a place where no one will find him. But little does he know….trouble is lurking just behind him. 

Critical Analysis

Beautifully crafted digital and Chinese ink images, Jon Klassen creates a humorous story of a tiny fish who mischievously steals a hat from a large fish. Using eye movements from the larger fish and shifts in air bubbles, Klassen is able to subtly provide readers with additional information helping to add to the book’s humor. Modest text and large illustrations will make this book one younger readers will want to read again and again. 

Review Excerpt(s)
Simplicity is key in both text and illustrations. The black underwater provides the perfect background for the mostly gray-toned fish and seaweed while the monochromatic palette strips the artwork down to essential, yet exquisite design. Movement is indicated with a trail of small white bubbles. This not-to-be-missed title will delight children again and again.—School Library Journal (starred review)

Klassen’s authorial debut, I WANT MY HAT BACK (2011), became one of the surprise picture-book hits of the year, and while it’s tempting to see this follow-up as a sequel, it’s really only related in its hat-theft theme, animal characters, deadpan humor, and a suggestively dark conclusion. . . . The simple, dramatic tension and macabre humor that’s right at a kid’s level of deviousness mesh splendidly with Klassen’s knack for tiny, telling details and knockout page turns. Who knew hat thievery was such a bottomless well?—Booklist (starred review)

Klassen excels at using pictures to tell the parts of the story his unreliable narrators omit or evade.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Klassen combines spare text and art to deliver no small measure of laughs in another darkly comic haberdashery whodunit...Hats off!—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Connections

For additional activities related to the book:

• Create an underwater scene using pieces of construction paper. Be sure to add each of the characters present in the story!

• Using a fish cut-out, have children create their own mischievous little fish. 

• Discuss with children alternate ends to the story and have them create their own ending. 

Other recommended books if you liked this one: 

• I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

• Circle by Mac Barnett

• Walter the White Crayon by Dawn Brock

Millions of Cats by Wanda Ga'g

Book Review of 

Bibliography 

Gág Wanda. (1956). Millions of cats, by Wanda Gág. G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 9780399233159

Plot Summary

A lovely black and white picture book featuring an older couple who are lonely and in need of company. After much thought and discussion, the elderly couple decides they should get a cat. The husband, wanting to please his wife, goes out on a search for a cat or kitten to keep as their own. After a long walk, he comes upon a hill where there are cats and kittens as far as the eye can see. The elderly man decides to choose the most beautiful cat or kitten to take home, but soon finds himself having chosen all the cats and kittens! 

Critical Analysis

In creating the Newbery Honor award-winning picture book in 1929, Wanda Ga’g’s marriage of words and pictures creates a playful story with a surprising but happy ending. The main character’s dilemma in deciding what true beauty means, coupled with the repetitive phrasing, “...Hundreds of cats, Thousands of cats, Millions and billions and trillions of cats”, creates a catchy tale children of all ages can’t put down. The black and white illustrations with immense detail help to immerse the reader into the story and add to its old charm. 

Review Excerpt(s)

“Millions of Cats won a Newbery Honor in 1929, making it one of very few picture books to do so (the Caldecott medal had not yet been created), and continues to be ranked among the best American children’s books—by those who remember it, at least. For the rest, it’s ripe for rediscovery. After all, look at all the cats!” - Literary Hub

“Millions of Cats, the oldest American picture book still in print, was the brainchild of Minnesotan artist Wanda Gag. Although she died young, her legacy survives in her beautifully-illustrated books for children.” - Grand Journal

Connections

For additional activities related to the book:

• Use playdough to have children create cat/kitten sculptures. 

• Have children draw one of the many different types of cats they hear described in the story. 

• Use pieces of media to craft the landscape of the story (where the old man is walking among the hills or when he comes upon the hill of cats) and include cats by drawing or cutting pictures from magazines

Other recommended books if you liked this one: 

• The Funny Thing by Wanda Ga’g

• Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

• Swimmy by Leo Lionni