A Version of Cinderella...
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ketteman, Helen. 1997. Bubba The Cowboy Prince A Fractured Texas Tale. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0-590-25506-1.
PLOT SUMMARY
Bubba, the main character, is a cowboy in Texas living with his wicked stepdad and mean stepbrothers. They try to make his life miserable by making him do all the chores around the ranch. Bubba loves ranching, so he does not mind doing the work. One good day Miz Lurleen, the richest and prettiest girl around, decides to throw a ball to find herself a husband. Since Bubba did not have appropriate attire, he does not go to the ball. That is, till, a fairy godcow appears to help him get ready for the ball. Once at the ball, Bubba and Miz Lurleen dance and start liking each other. At midnight, Bubba's attire and fetid smell come back. He dashes out of the ball losing one of his dirty boots while Miz Lurleen calls after him. Determined to find the owner of the boot, Miz Lurleen takes on the task of having the men in the county try on the boot. Bubba and the boot are a perfect match such as Bubba and Miz Lurleen are, too. Happily, they ride off into the sunset as the wicked stepdad and stepbrothers throw a chicken fit.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Helen Ketteman has created a very enjoyable fractured tale based on Cinderella. As the story is told in a Texan slang, the author captivates her audience by making the tale hilarious and extremely entertaining. Although the reader might know somewhat what will happen at every turn of the page, it does not take away from the story, and on the other hand, the reader is eager to know what twist will be added to this "Cinderella" story. It is not difficult at all to get into the story and the Texas twang right away. If it is being read aloud, the reader will soon find himself or herself reading the story Texas-style. It is a wonderful fractured tale that makes it extremely amusing to whoever reads the story.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Review by Booklist. "With a male in the starring role, this charming and funny retelling may hold more appeal for young boys than the traditional version may."
Review by Publishers Weekly. "Rustler lingo and illustrations chockablock with Texas kitsch make this ranch-spun Cinder-fella a knee-slappin' tale."
CONNECTIONS
This wonderfully told story can serve as a springboard for many activities for young children. Teachers, as well as parents, can compare and contrast the story with the traditional tale of Cinderella. Also, the genre of fractured tales can be explored and analyzed. In the classroom setting, a poll can be taken to see which version, fractured fairy tale or traditional tales, is more popular with the children.
This link will provide further information about the author, Helen Ketteman: http://biography.jrank.org/pages/2073/Ketteman-Helen-1945.html
Folk Literature Collection...
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=and+the+green+grass+grew+all+around&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schwartz, Alvin. 1992. And the Green Grass Grew All Around. USA: HarperTrophy A Division of HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 0064462145.
PLOT SUMMARY
This book is full of rhyme and folk poetry. The book is divided into sections that depict a given theme for the poetry found in that part of the book. There are folk poems that range from food or school to nonsense or rain and shine. The author does a beautiful job of compiling and organizing all these poems that bring to life everyday basic and silly things. The book starts with an introduction by the author where first days of school are described to latter life moments in which folk tale was understood and researched. After the introduction, a great selection of poetry is found. At the end of the book, a section of notes, sources, bibliography and index of first lines can be found about the content of the book.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is one that can be enjoyed by opening to any page in the book. The rhymes are silly and take the reader back to childhood times. It would be unusual for the reader not to find at least one poem that has been heard before. Although some poems or rhymes might not be politically correct in our times, they do possess a lesson in life that can be taken by anyone reading these rhymes. The book is written in a simple way that attracts the reader to keep on reading every line. The illustration are also simple and not overpowering that take away from what is being read. Overall, the book is recommended for some fun and easygoing reading.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred reviewed in Booklist. "The late Alvin Schwartz has left a joyful legacy in this collection of folk poetry for everyone to share."
Reviewed in School Library Journal. "A marvelous book that is sure to become a classic if children have any say in the matter."
CONNECTIONS
These are other books written by Alvin Schwartz (1927-1992). Most of his books are based on the theme of folklore and wordplay:
Stories to Tell a Cat
And the Green Grass Grew All around: Folk Poetry from Everyone
Gold and Silver, Silver and Gold: Tales of Hidden Treasure
I Saw You in the Bathtub and Other Folk Rhymes
Telling Fortunes: Love Magic, Dream Signs, and Other Ways to Learn the Future
Love Magic: Dream Signs and Other Ways to Learn the Future
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Scary
A retold folktale...
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
dePaola, Tomie. 1989. Tony's Bread An Italian Folktale. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN: 0399216936.
PLOT SUMMARY
Tomie dePaola’s retold folktale revolves around three main characters. There is Tony, a baker that lives in a small town in Italy, his beloved daughter, Serafina, and Angelo, a clever nobleman from Milano. As the story is told, the reader finds out that Tony’s dream is to establish a bakery in Milano and that he spoils his daughter by giving her everything she wants. Tony adores his daughter and believes no man is worthy of being with her. One day, Angelo is in town and falls in love with Serafina. By talking to Serafina’s aunts, he knows exactly how to get around Tony’s firm decision of not allowing any man to court his daughter.
Angelo offers Tony to take him and Serafina to Milano knowing it would be hard for Tony to refuse since Angelo is well aware of Tony’s dream. Needless to say, they all go to Milano and enjoy all sorts of pastries made by bakers in the city. After the trip, Tony feels much disillusioned thinking his baking will never compare to Milano’s bakers. Angelo does not give up on his idea of marrying Serafina, so they all brainstorm on ideas of baking wonderful bread. Once Tony knows what bread he wants to create, Angelo gives him the best ingredients for his new invention. The new bread becomes popular in Milano which paves the road for Tony and Serafina to move to Milano. As Serafina and Angelo marry in a quiet ceremony, Tony is being celebrated and acclaimed for the delicious bread he makes. The people call out “pan de Tonio” which brings about the name panettone for the wonderful bread know enjoyed by so many, especially during Christmas time.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Tony’s Bread is a charming folktale that explains how the Italian bread, panettone, came to be about. In his usual style of retelling stories and illustrating them, Tomie dePaola has created a wonderful book in which he takes the reader through events that lead to making the panettone. By retelling the story, dePaola also, allows the reader to learn a little about the Italian culture by the way the father is so protective of his daughter and the tight-knit aunts who gossip in low voices and help out in the unfolding of events in the story. It is a wonderful told story which can be enjoyed by young and old alike!
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Review in Publishers Weekly. "The tale is a typically charming dePaolian effort, and the illustrations abound with his trademark coziness."
Review in Booklist. "Lighthearted pictures in the artist's familiar style back the text, which heartily celebrates the setting with a liberal sprinkling of Italian phrases and such characters as the three meddling aunties."
CONNECTIONS
This link take you directly to Tomie dePaola's official website:
dePaola has written and/or illustrated over 200 books for children. This is what he says about illustrating a book:
"If my book is going to take place in a different place like Mexico or Italy, I'll look at dozens and dozens of photos of those places to "exercise" my imagination. Sometimes, but not too often, I will do VERY rough sketches of the whole book in the DUMMY." (This excerpt was taken from Mr. dePaola's offical website).
Some of his most famous books that keep circulating incessantly through my library are:
Strega Nona
The Legend of the Bluebonnet
and my all-time favorite
Now One Foot, Now the Other
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