Simms Taback's, "Joseph Had a Little Overcoat" Book Review

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Taback, Simms. 1999. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. Ill. by Simms Taback. Penguin Group: New York, New York. ISBN 0-329-15300-5

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, is a retelling of a Yiddish folk song turned folktale. In this version, the Yiddish song was transformed into a story, in which a humble man cherishes his worn overcoat. As the story progresses, Joseph’s overcoat is used continuously by the protagonist, the overcoat is transformed into a jacket, then vest, next a scarf, followed by a necktie, to a handkerchief, and lastly ends up being used in a button. This story’s time period has a lot to do with its development, it was during a time where resources were scarce and limited. People were resourceful and used everything to the max, at the end of the story there is a surprise that links back to the moral of the story. The moral of the story is that you can always make something out of nothing. The silver lining is to learn to appreciate what you have, be content with what you have and cherish it!

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Taback’s retelling is a very creative approach that captures the attention of the reader, the artwork is jovial and bold. Taback’s inventive use of the die-cut pages ups the ante and intrigues the intermediate readers. The protagonist Joseph, looks similar to author/illustrator Taback. The story is an ode to the Jewish culture. A neat aspect, which adds to the book’s uniqueness, is that throughout the book there are cut-outs in Joseph’s overcoat. The cut-outs serve as a point of interest, because you can use it to hold the reader’s attention and have them predict what the overcoat will be made into next! The book is a narration, the protagonist Joseph does not speak, but is used to display the development of the story. The illustrations were pencil, ink, watercolor, and collage, with the dominant colors being paired to autumn, shades of brown, a forest green and black are incorporated in the images resolution.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

The Caldecott Medal.

Publishers Weekly starred review: “As in his Caldecott Honor book, There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly, Taback’s inventive use of die-cut pages shows of his signature artwork, were newly created for his 1977 adaptation of a Yiddish folk song.”

Common Sense Media starred review: “Simms Taback is a master of collage: Dozens of photographed faces peek out of an apartment scene and pointed plants are topped with real vegetables. Kids find the clothing-shaped, die-cut holes irresistible…”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This story can be used in a read-aloud setting, and at the end of the story, the Yiddish song “I Had a Little Overcoat” can be song in a chorus. The tale’s moral is that one can always make something out of nothing, this is a good theme in which students can be taught a valuable lesson.

*Other stories like this one:

Taback, Simms. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. ISBN 978-0670869398

Pfister, Marcus. The Rainbow Fish. ISBN 978-1558580091

David Wiesner's,"The Three Pigs" Book Review

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wiesner, David. 2001. The Three Pigs. Ill. by David Wiesner. Clarion Books: New York. ISBN 978-0-618-00701-1

2. PLOT SUMMARY

The Three Pigs is a retelling of the English Fairy Tale, yet it has an unexpected twist! In this version the story begins like the classic tale, with three pigs who built their houses out of straw, sticks and bricks, and the wolf blows down the first two pigs’ homes and appears to have eaten them both. Yet, the story’s plot, mischievously turns into a playful twist, in which the three pigs go on a journey and explore other stories, and encounter other characters. In one fairytale within the main fairy tale, the pigs befriend a mighty dragon who then joins them and contributes to the story’s spectacular development, and unique ending!

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story has humoristic qualities, and commences with a familiar beginning like the classic, with the three pigs building their homes. Then when the wolf encounters the third pig, there is a shift in the story and it transitions into a land of imagination. Wiesner’s illustrations begin in a traditional manner, with the pigs and the wolf portrayed realistically in the beginning. However, the paradigm shifts to a more cinematic style, the pictures seem to have a pop-up quality with the dialogue blurbs adding a modern graphic novel feel; the transition and transformation the pigs go through, is quite admirable, since the pigs are jumping from story to story, the dimensions in the pictures and pigs are well proportioned. The blank pages in the middle of the book provide an illuminating contrast. The illustrations throughout, are assigned a clear theme, that is cohesively and imaginatively well-done. The pigs change from realistic to cartoonish, and back and forth, the colors vary in scale from subtle browns and mute grays, to vibrant gold and brilliant green. The illustrations do a splendid job, bringing this endearing retelling of the beloved The Three Little Pigs, to life.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

The Caldecott Medal.

Publishers Weekly starred review: “Even the book’s younger readers will understand the distinctive visual code. As the pigs enter the confines of a storybook page, they conform to that book’s illustrative style, appearing as nursery-rhyme friezes or comic-book line drawings.”

Good Media starred review: “The Three Pigs, is about morality and imagination.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This story would be great for a class reading in which the whole class plays a role, it focuses on the moral reasoning of concern for others well-being and platonic relationships with others. Simple costuming that can be made in class by students, like pigs masks, hand puppets with brown paper lunch bags would be a great addition to incorporate.

*Other stories in which three characters encounter a dilemma are:

Kimmel, Eric A. The Three Little Tamales. ISBN 978-0-7614-5519-16

McNamara, Margaret. The Three Aliens and the Big Bad Robot. ISBN 978-0375866890

Jerry Pinkney's, "The Ugly Duckling" Book Review

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Pinkney, Jerry. 1999. The Ugly Duckling. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. Morrow Junior Books: New York. ISBN 978-0-688-15933-7

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The Ugly Duckling is a retelling of a Danish Literary Fairy Tale. This version stays true to the Hans Christian Andersen’s central theme. The main character, the ugly duckling, experiences discrimination since the day he hatched, the ducks made him feel like he is ugly because of his unconventional looks. His mother nurtures him, and tries to instill positivity into him, and the notion that looks are not important. However, the duckling still faces backlash from all around because of his looks, which prompts him to escape and go in search of acceptance. In his journey, he encounters many who do not understand his plight or purpose. In the end, the ugly duckling experiences an amazing transformation, and his outer looks finally match his benevolent soul.   

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This tale has dramatic qualities that pull on the readers’ heartstrings; the adversity that the ugly duckling experiences represents everyone’s own insecurities, and imparts a valuable lesson on patience, being a virtue. One must have the patience to learn, to understand their own true beauty. Pinkney’s illustrations offer a dramatic effect, with very realistic drawings that captivate the viewers. The pictures display serene backgrounds, passages that are beautiful and detailed. Nature is an element that really shines throughout all the pages, the illustrator captures the spring season in bright greens, winter in icy cold and blue undertones, summer in yellow and bright blues, all the are seasons so eloquently represented. There is a contrast between the homely brown ducks and the magnificent white swans. The last image of the ugly duckling is brilliantly done, it shows the metamorphosis that he experiences, and the image encapsulates the turning from ugly duckling to exquisite swan. The illustrator purposely accented and highlighted the swan in a golden, yellow light to go with the text in the story, “His feathers and his beak are the brightest of all.” The story’s text and illustrations are a delightful combination that work hand in hand, to depict this beloved tale.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Honor Book.

ALA Booklist starred review: “Dramatic in content, sensitive in line, and rich with color… Children who are not familiar with the story will be captivated; those who have had the story read to them before will find new things to shiver over.”

Kirkus Reviews starred review: “Pinkney puts his heart into a story he loves, and makes it live again.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This is a great story to teach self-confidence with it and why it is necessary to discover one’s own true beauty. The story’s illustrations captivate the students’ attention, and it would be an excellent read, to be done in circle reading.

*Other stories where the theme is similar:

Sneed, Brad. Thumbelina. ISBN 9780803728127

Williams, Margery. The Velveteen Rabbit. ISBN 978-0385077255

Eric A. Kimmel's, "The Three Little Tamales" Book Review

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kimmel, Eric A. 2009. The Three Little Tamales. Ill. by Valeria Docampo. Marshall Cavendish. New York. ISBN 978-0-7614-5519-6

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The Three Little Tamales, is a retelling of the English Fairy Tale The Three Little Pigs, this version of the tale alludes to the beloved classic. This new age take is infused with Mexican essence and traditions; the story uses personification to bring three tamales to life and explores the moral of why hard work is valuable. The three little tamales escape the taqueria, a little restaurant, in which they were made in, because they do not want to be eaten. They escaped, one made her house out of sage bush, the second he made it out of cornstalks, and the last one she made it out of a cactus. When Senor Lobo, the Big Bad Wolf, appears the story unfolds quite comically and proceeds to teach a valuable lesson to all who read it!

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story has comedic qualities that are used to retell this great lesson to children, using a more relevant platform, it incorporates Hispanic traditions, embedding in it a world famous Mexican dish, such as tamales. The plot develops quite brilliantly because the illustrations done by Docampo vividly display the setting of rural Texas. Valeria Docampo’s illustrations are filled with vibrant colors that evoke a fiesta, a Mexican celebration, the colors red, white, and green are spread throughout the pictures, giving an homage to the Mexican flag.  In the taqueria, chiles (peppers) adorn the building and the sombreros that the characters are wearing, are an ode to Mexican traditions, and provide a visual representation with it. Throughout the pages, the dominant colors are bright yellow, serene blues, bright green surroundings, the tamales are highlighted and accentuated in a beautiful golden color, which makes them standout, and the central focus in the pages. The illustration add another dimension to the story being told and help bring to life the three little tamales!

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Library Media Connection starred review: “Here’s another Three Little Pigs variation; it’s quite silly, but it works. Complete with a glossary of Mexican terms, this story is fun and well-written.”

School Library Journal starred review: “ Kimmel has pulled the pork from The Three Little Pigs, wrapped it in masa, and cooked up another traditional tale flavored with Southwestern spice.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This story would be a great read in an open circle reading because of the lyrical chants of Senor Lobo, in which the students could participate and join in reading aloud those particular chants. Props like different color ribbons could be used to designate the three students that will read the parts of the whimsical tamales

*Other stories in which the theme of The Three Little Pigs is reference in are:

Kimmel, Eric A. The Three Cabritos. ISBN 978-0761463092

Grace, Will. The Three Little Fish And The Big Bad Shark. ISBN 978-0439719629