Can You Guess My Name?

Similar characters and plots appear in folklore from all over the world, reveling windows into each culture and, at the same time, insight into the human psyche.   In Can You Guess My Name?, Judy Sierra guides us through 15 fantastic folklore stories from across the globe categorized around 5 familiar stories: “The Three Pigs”, “The Bremen Town Musicians”, “Rumpelstiltskin”, “The Frog Prince”, and “Hansel and Gretel”.  Each of the 5 themes has three original folk stories from different parts of the world that follow the same basic outline.  The similarities are explained in a brief blurb that points out the analogous characters, plots, and endings.  This blurb also points out interesting information about the origins of the stories; for example, tales such as “The Three Pigs” were only told in industrialized countries.  This is because the idea of moving far away from home to live alone was unheard of in other parts of the world.  In reading these stories one cannot help but realize we humans have more in common with each other then we have differences.

It is amazing to read stories from around the world that have such similar characteristics. For example, the stories similar to “Rumpelstiltskin” all involve the main character finding out the name of a trickster to gain something.  The Swedish version “Titeliture” is most similar to the recognizable “Rumpelstiltskin”, the main difference is the names of the characters.  “How Ijapa the Tortoise Tricked the Hippopotamus”, a Nigerian tale, explains why hippopotamus live in the water.  The Rumpelstiltskin charter is the greedy hippopotamus who will not share his food until one of his 'friends' guesses his name.  The Japanese version, “Oniroku”, describes a bridge builder who enlists the help of a sea monster only to find out that the sea monster wants his eyes in return.  The saving grace for all these characters was the good fortune of learning the name of the antagonist. 

At the end of the book there are summaries and brief histories of each of the 15 stories.  The stories are categorized by a system created by Antti Aarne and Stith Thompson.  Aarne and Thompson are folklorists who have read and categorized thousands of stories and arranged them in over 2,000 tale types. 

The stores are bolstered by the beautiful pictures by Stefano Vitale.  Painted on wood, the art work reflects the culture of the story being told.  Not only are the pictures masterfully done, but are they stylized to reflect the art of the culture.  Along with brilliant pictures that convey the meaning of the text, each page has a border that follows the theme of the story and culture. 

Black Cat

Christopher Myers' Black Cat is a poetic masterpiece.  It is a visually stunning book using a combination of photographs taken in New York City, collage, ink, and gouache (an opaque watercolor) to create a sadly beautiful vision of the inner city.  The images in this book are so stunning the reader will have a hard time turning the pages.  Christopher Myers has a masterful use of poetic language, combining elements of free style and rhyme scheme.  Juxtapositions such as “ducking under the red circling of sirens cutting through the night in the wake of sunday night families spilling from blue neon churches” and the haunting imagery of “watching children screaming in playground cages” will leave the reader with goosebumps.

For this book, Mr. Myers was honored with the Coretta Scott King Award.  This award goes to an African American author/illustrator who understands both education and inspirational contributions of all people.   Black Cat follows a black feline around the city.  This cat seemingly never stays in one place, implying that it has no home, “black cat, black cat, we want to know where’s your home, where do you go?”  Not being from the city, I believe there are subtle metaphors I am not picking up on.  Even with this handicap, this book emotionally moved me.  Black Cat is a great book for all ages.  Younger readers will be mesmerized by the flowery language and stunning pictures and older reader will understand the hidden meaning behind the wandering adventures of the black cat. 

When reading this text to children, teachers or parents need to be aware of the sensitive materials presented in it.  They must be prepared to have a conversation about inner city issues such as homelessness.  This might not be an appropriate topic for all children, depending on age and personal situations. 

Bud

Bud by Kevin O’Malley is a wonderful children’s book about coming into your own.  Free spirited Bud was born to loving, but proper parents.  They liked things neat and tidy; he likes things in their natural environment (which is normally messy).  Bud’s parents introduced him to gardening at a young age and it grew into his favorite hobby.  What his parents did not realize was Bud was such a maverick he took gardening to a whole new level.  He became enthra lledwith gardening and created a jungle of plants in his room and in the back yard.  One day Bud’s grandfather, a very orderly man, came to visit.  Bud’s parents were so scared his grandfather would not approve they hid Bud’s gardens.  Will Bud’s grandfather find the garden?

This was a very cute book about being your own person.  Bud loved to get dirty and play in his garden. This was who he was.  Children can relate to this because, as a child, exploration is very important.  This book will help instill the idea of individualism in each child that reads it.  Many children want to fit in with their peer so they conform.  This books with teach children that it is better to just to be yourself. 

There are a few funny quote bubbles that bring more humor to the story, but for the most part the illustrations in Bud are lackluster.  They do not help the reader have a better understanding of the story.  Most of the pictures are just the text in visual form.  Being a children’s book the pictures are needed, but I felt that they could be better crafted.  The inside cover art is very appropriate to the story.  It is a drawing of flowers Bud did on the financial section of the newspaper.  Older readers will appreciate the juxtaposition of the bright crudely drawn flowers on the stark stock quotes. 

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog

Mo Willems might be the best children’s book author I have ever read.  The way he can construct so much meaning out of a few words and rudimentary pictures is beyond me.  The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog had me laughing out loud in the library by page two.  I instantly created attitudes, personalities, and voices for the two characters in this book.  This is a simple story of a pigeon that finds a hot dog and wants nothing more than to eat it.  Upon trying to eat the hotdog a duckling walks over and explains that he or she had never had a hotdog before.  As the pigeon tries to eat the hotdog the duckling keeps asking annoying question like, “What do they taste like?”  Finally, the pigeon explodes with anger and has to figure out whether or not to share with the duckling. 

This story was so great because the reader can empathize with both characters.  Everyone has been in a situation where they had something they wanted to keep for themselves and everyone has wanted something others have had.  This is a great way to explain sharing with others. 

The pictures in this book are very simplistic yet they capture the emotions of the characters perfectly.  They transcend the text and bring the book to a higher sense of understanding.  There is nothing in the background which is very unique and brings the full attention of the reader to the characters actions. 

Mo Willems is a very popular author.  When I went to the library, the librarian was very surprised there were any books by him available to be checked out.  I was very excited to find out Mo Willems was a lead writer and animator for Sesame Street.  I loved that show growing up and was excited to make a personal connection to this author.  I am also excited he is going to be appearing at a public library near me and cannot wait to attend. 

Tuesday

Tuesday by David Wiesner is a breath taking story told almost solely through pictures.  The only lines of texts tell the date or time.  Through the magical mind of David Wiesner on Tuesday nights animals have the power to fly.  The story starts out in a swamp.  The sun begins to set and then the party begins.  Frogs burst into the sky riding there lily pads.  The reader follows these creatures on their adventure to the nearby town.  They wreak havoc on birds, clotheslines, and living rooms, but by morning they are gone, back in the swamp to wait for the next time they can fly.  The last two pages have the text ‘Next Tuesday’ and the pictures of...well you will have to read the book to find out.    

This is such a great book because there is no text to guide the reader’s imagination.  The pictures tell part of the story, but the reader has to fill in the gaps.  Why are the frogs flying? Are they mischievous or trouble makers?  The pictures of this book are truly great.  There is so much detail on every page the reader could spend hours looking at them.

There are so many great activities that could come from this book.  Younger children could create picture books of their own animals flying around and older children can write a narrative based on the pictures in the book.  I granite that every story would be unique.   

David Wiesner has won three Caldecott medals, one for this book, and two Caldecott Honors medal.  This is very impressive considering he has only written/illustrated nine books.  After reading this blog I suggest you go to your local library website and reserve these books as soon as possible.  Why not go to the actual library?  It is because these books are moving off the shelves quick.  I personally have checked out seven, you don’t have time to waste driving. 

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type is a hilarious children’s book.  Between the brilliant writing style of Doreen Cronin and the masterful illustration skills of Betsy Lewis, this is a must read book for both children and adults.  Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type transports the reader to a simpler time on Farmer Browns’ farm.  There is just one problem; technology has infiltrated this simple life and now cows are using type writers.  All night long Farmer Brown hears click, clack, moo, click, clack, moo.  The trouble really starts when the cows unionize.  They used the typewriter to ask for electric blankets.  When Farmer Brown refused to give the cows electric blankets they go on strike and refuse to give him milk.  Will Farmer Brown ever get his milk, will the cows ask for more demands, and who is that duck on the title page?  These questions and many more will be answered once you read this book. 

            The illustrations in Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type, a Caldecott Honors book, are breathtaking.  They are painted with watercolor and have a very distinctive cartoonish style. Betsy Lewis told the story beautifully through the use of illustration.  The simplicity of the artwork captures the readers' interest and expands the story line and at the same time expands from the text.  Doreen Cronin shows off her skillful use of word-ology.  This story is smoothly written, fluidly introducing new words such as ‘ultimatum’ to young reader’s vernaculars. 

            This book would be a great introduction to the topic of negotiation.  In a funny way students can see the power of agreement.  The cows wanted electric blankets and Farmer Brown wanted milk and for them to stop typing.  Even though each party had to give up something they both received what they wanted.  This is a very important skill for children to have. 

            I am sure you will enjoy reading this book just as I have.  Doreen Cronin has written other books, such as Giggle, Giggle, Quack, and Thump, Quack, Moo A Wacky Adventure, that follow a similar story line and I am eager to get my hands on them.