Multiculture Folklore Literature

Summary of the book: 

The Rough-Faced Girl is a Native American Cinderella story. The story is based on a Native American village, where an old poor man has three daughters living in a wigwam, and an invisible being with his sister lives in the village in one of the wigwams. The sister has told the village that only the one that can see the invisible being can marry him. The two oldest daughters are cruel and heartless to the youngest daughter, making her tend to fire, feeding the flames wood. The youngest daughter gets the name Rough-Faced Girl because of all the scars on her arms, hands, and face from the fire, along with her rough, burnt hair. The young daughter wants to marry the invisible being. She states that she sees him everywhere around her. The invisible being gives his love to the Rough faced girl. The invisible being and his sister can see the rough-faced girl's inner beauty and kind heart. 

 

Evaluate Genre/ Illustrations:

The book Rough Faced Girl represents multicultural; it shows the Native American version of a Cinderella story. The story portrays the same concept as the traditional Cinderella story: true love lives within a person. Folklore genre qualities are seen. An example is the story explores a significant universal theme, and the spoken language is rich with natural rhythms. The illustrations offer authentic cultural detail, seen in the Native American designs on the wigwam, clothing, and the character's physical appearance in the book's pictures. The illustration extends the story's narrative, for example, the image of the invisible man with the rainbow bow and the picture of the invisible being the rough face girl sees within nature, etc. The pictures in the book are vibrant natural element colors that visually represent how a Native American Village would appear. The illustrations are by David Shannon. Shannon has illustrated books such as The Ballad of the Pirate Queens and Encounter, How I Became a Pirate, and Pirates Don't Change Diapers. David is also a writer; he's written A Bad Case of Stripes, No David!, along with several other children's books (Wikimedia Foundation, 2023). Shannon received the Caldecott Honor for No David! (Wikimedia Foundation, 2023).

 

Motivational Activities:

After reading this book, I would have the students do an activity comparing and contrasting The Rough Face Girl story with the traditional Cinderella story. Open class discussion about the similarities and differences in the two stories once each group has completed the activity and presented their findings to the class. 

 

One of the activities I found was the one pictured above, which is having the students describe Rough Face Girl. You could put several different descriptive words on the board and have the students place which words describe Rough Face Girl to the picture, and as they add the word, have them explain why that describes her. I would add blank sticky notes in case the students have a descriptive word they would like to have that's not on the board. 

 

Personal comments/ Author background information:

I enjoyed this book; this is a story I have never read before; however, I will add it to my classroom library there are. There are so many learning activities that can be done with this story. I like the fact that it's multicultural; this is a way for the students to visually learn about Native American culture, such as clothing, housing, etc. The author of The Rough-Faced Girl is Rafe Martin. He is a storyteller and writer. Martin has been awarded many awards for his books, 2008 recipient of the empire state award a once in lifetime award, the 1996 American Folklore Society award for Mysterious Tales of Japan, the 1993 Best Bookseller for The Rough Faced Girl, along with many other awards (Arthur A. Levine, 2011). Martin is the author of several children's books, including The Boy Who Lived with Seals, The Banyan Deer, and Mysterious Tales of Japan (Arthur A. Levine, 2011). 

 

 

References

Arthur A. Levine, editor and publisher of H. P. (n.d.). Rafe Martin Author & Storyteller. https://www.rafemartin.com/index.html

Martin, R., & Shannon, D. (1992). The rough-faced girl. Scholastic.

Wikimedia Foundation. (2023b, June 25). David Shannon. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Shannon 

Folklore (Folktale)

 

Summary of the book:

The Book Tikki Tikki Tembo is about a little boy who is the first-born son in his family. At the time, the Chinese custom was to give the first-born son a long name and the second son a short name. The first-born son's name was not allowed to be shortened; Tikki Tikki Tembo's full name was Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo which meant The Most Wonderful Thing in the Whole Wide World. The Second born son's name was Chang which meant little or nothing. Every morning the mother went to a little stream to wash and warned the boys not to go near the well; one could fall in. One day Chang was playing on the well and fell in. Tikki Tikki Tembo ran to tell his mother that Chang had fallen into the well. Tikki Tikki Tembo's mother told him to get the older man with the ladder. Tikki Tikki Tembo went to get the older man with the ladder, and he went down and pulled Chang out. Chang had a fast recovery and was fine in no time. Some time passed, and the boys were by the well again, and this time, Tikki Tikki Tembo was playing on the well and fell in. Chang ran to tell his mother; however, his mother could not understand him; Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri fell into the well, repeatedly Chang told his mother. Finally, his mother understood Chang, and he sent him to get the older man with the ladder. Chang ran to get the older man. The older man was resting, and it took some time to wake him up. Once up, he ran to Tikki Tikki Tembo in the well and went down to get him out. Because Tikkie Tikki Tembo was down in the well for so long, he took longer to heal. From that day on, the Chinese custom was changed; they now give their children little short names.

Evaluate Genre/ Illustrations:

Tikki Tikki Tembo is a folktale; it talks about Chinese cultural customs and how they changed the custom practice of long names for their first-born son to short terms based on the tale of Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri. Tikki Tikki Tembo's story meets the quality checklist for folklore. Cultural integrity is represented in the story; the use of the first-born son's name was shortened by the little brother when he was trying to get help from the mother, and the mother corrected the son and demanded he use his brother's full name. The Folktale follows a narrative form story structure with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The illustration of the book supports the chinses culture with the characters dressed in clothing that represent the culture, such as the straw hat the older man wore and the old man and mother characters wearing hanfus. The landscape of the pictures represents Chinese culture houses' roofs may be made out of clay bricks. Bright colors were used throughout the book on the birds, flowers, and butterflies. The illustrator enhanced the story's text by having illustrations that displayed in great detail. The illustrations played out the text of the story. The illustrator of Tikki Tikki Tembo was Blair Lent; the book won a 1968 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award in the Picture Book category (Wikimedia Foundation, 2023). 

Motivational Activities:

A motivational activity that could be used in the classroom would be to have the students reenact the Folktale. Break the students up into groups to put together the story. The students can use their creativity to add dramatic effects to their storytelling. 

After reading the book, have students break down the story's beginning, middle, and end. Make a list of what happens in all parts of the story for the students to visually see how the Folktale is broken down into three parts. Have an open discussion when talking about each part with the class.

Personal comments/ Author background information:

The Folktale Tikki Tikki Tembo allows students to discover recurring patterns and understand the framework when viewing literature. Students can read this Folktale out loud and use their creativity to add dramatic effects to the reading. Tikki Tikki Tembo is straightforward; it echoes spoken language with a natural rhythm. During research, I read that the story may have originated from a Japanese folktale instead of a Chinese folktale. The illustration in the story reflects the text of what's being told. The color patterns and use of culture-related realism give the reader a glimpse of how the culture visually appears. The author of the Folktale was Arlene Mosel. Tikki Tikki Tembo was written in 1968 and was recognized with the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award the same year (Wikimedia Foundation, 2023). Mosel also wrote The Funny Little Woman, which won the Caldecott Medal for its illustrations and the Honor Book for the Globe-Horn Book award in 1974 (Wikimedia Foundation, 2023).

 

References

Mosel, A., & Lent, B. (1968). Tikki Tikki Tembo. Scholastic.

Wikimedia Foundation. (2023c, July 21). Arlene Mosel. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlene_Mosel

Wikimedia Foundation. (2023d, July 27). Tikki Tikki Tembo. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikki_Tikki_Tembo 

Science Fiction

 

Summary of the book:

The book Fairy Science is a science fiction book. The book tells the story of a fairy named Ester who lives in Pixie Ville with other fairies. All the other fairies believe in fairy magic except Ester. Ester believes in science; she believes in facts, data, and hard evidence, all presented through science (Spires, 2019). A tree in Pixie Ville begins to become sick, weeping. The fairy teacher and the student fairies believe that fairy magic can heal the tree. Ester sees that fairy magic is not working, so she draws a plan using a scientific method, which gives her the conclusion as to why the tree is sick and what can heal it (Spires, 2019). Ester puts the plan into action; sunlight is needed. Slowly the tree begins to get better. Some fairies still believe that fairy magic healed the tree; however, some fairy students have started asking Ester questions about science and how it works (Spires, 2019). Now others want to learn science. 

 

Evaluate Genre/ Illustrations:

 The genre of the book, science fiction, focuses on how science gives answers by using scientific methods. Scientific methods provide facts, data, and hard evidence. Examples given in the book were explaining erosion and the occurrence of condensation. Even though all the fairies believed in fairy magic, Ester was determined to use science to solve the tree's illness. The text shows how applying the scientific method, Ester came to a conclusion and found a solution to heal the tree with more sunlight. Ester shows how the tree started to get better when sunlight was provided to the tree. Ashely Spires, the author of the book, completed the illustrations (Wikimedia Foundation, 2023). The illustrations used detailed illustrations to show how Ester applied science to heal the tree. The illustrators were colorful and very detailed. The bubble icons used stood out to me the most about the illustrations. The illustration prompts scientific principles.  

 

Motivational Activities:

 After reading the book: The activity in the book of growing the plants from seed could be completed with the class. A list of the steps to grow the seeds can be used for the students to check off as each step is completed. The students can take measurements and record the growth of the plants.

 

When reading the book: An activity can be used to teach the different scientific principles stated in the book. Discuss and/or even make a list of the different scientific vocabulary words and define the words with the students, such as erosion, condensations, etc. The scientific method is discussed in the book; the scientific method could be defined. 

 

Personal comments/ Author background information:

 Fairy Science prompted scientific principles in a way that drew the reader's attention. I liked how the book was presented; the illustration supports the text and gives a visual view of the words in the story. I would use this book in the classroom and do the activity of growing the plant at the end of the book. Ashley Spires is the author and illustrator of the book Fairy Science. Ashley is a Canadian children's author and illustrator with a 2014 best seller for the book The Most Magnificent Thing (Wikimedia Foundation, 2023).

 

 

References:

 

Galda, L., & Liang, L. A. (2016). Literature and the Child (9th ed.). Cengage Learning US. https://reader2.yuzu.com/books/9781305854987

Spires, A. (2019). Fairy science. Tundra Books.

Wikimedia Foundation. (2023a, April 12). Ashley Spires. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Spires#:~:text=Ashley%20Spires%20is%20a%20Canadian%20children%27s%20book%20author,and%20the%202014%20bestseller%2C%20The%20Most%20Magnificent%20Thing.

 

 

Fantasy

 

Summary of the book:

 The Book Uni the Unicorn is about a little unicorn named Uni, who is magical in every way that unicorns are. Uni believed and was absolutely sure that little girls were real, but no one else did. Her friends would laugh at her and tell her little girls were not real, and her parents would smile. Uni knew that far away (but not that far away) there was a little girl, the best little girl that she would become best friends (Barrager, 2019). Uni dreamed of all the magical fun she and the little girl could have, sliding down rainbows, exploring and helping forest creatures in need, and many other fun adventures. Uni did not know that there was a little girl who believed that unicorns were real, and even though her friends laughed at her and her parents just smiled at her, the little girl knew that far away (but not that far away) there was a unicorn strong, smart unicorn waiting to be her friend too(Barrager, 2019).  

 Evaluate Genre/ Illustrations:

The Book Uni the Unicorn does complete the checklist for quality in fantastic literature. The book's story takes place in a fantastic world where unicorns exist. It's believable that the world of unicorns exists, and the characters are believable because they live in the unicorn world and they question rather or not little girls are real, just like the little girl's world questions if unicorns are real. Unicorns in the story are believed based on how the magical unicorn is desired in appearance. When this book is read to children, their imagination may take over, and they may question if unicorns like Uni believe that little girls are real. The illustrator of the book is Brigette Barrager. The illustrations in the book offer sparkle and bright, vibrant colors that children would connect to with unicorns. Uni is illustrated precisely as the text describes her. The illustrations have many details about the unicorn world to draw the reader's attention. Emotion in the pictures matches the text, such as when Uni and the little girl were being teased about being believers or when expressing the fun of different things Uni and the little girl could do together. 

Motivational Activities: 

After reading this book:

1.     Include an activity where the student can write a short narrative describing how they envision the world of unicorns.

2.     Have the students present their envision by drawing what they have described.

3.     Have each student present their narrative and drawing. 

 

While reading the book: 

1.     Stop and have students pay close attention to descriptions given throughout the book.

2.      Before reading a page describing a setting or an item, have the students describe what they see and make a list on the board, then read the description and compare the two descriptions. 

 Personal comments/ Author background information:

 This book is a great way to introduce students to fantasy with great details of characters. This book also shows excellent visual details in the illustrations that use vibrant colors and draws a descriptive description of the words from the story. This book allows students' imagination to carry them to a land of fantasy where unicorns can make wishes come true. This book story would excite a little girl who believes in unicorns, it gives believable context that a world of unicorns exists, and a unicorn named Uni is out there searching for a little girl to be her best friend. Author Amy K. Rosenthal wrote the Book Uni the Unicorn. The book Uni the Unicorn is one book of a series of Uni the Unicorn books written by Amy (Wikimedia Foundation, 2023). Amy has published over 30 children's books and was the only author to have three children's books make the best children's book for family literacy list in the same year (Wikimedia Foundation, 2023). 

References:

Barrager, B. (2019). Uni the unicorn. Random House.

Galda, L., & Liang, L. A. (2016). Literature and the Child (9th ed.). Cengage Learning US. https://reader2.yuzu.com/books/9781305854987

 Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, July 21). Amy Krouse rosenthal. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Krouse_Rosenthal

Poem Literature

Summary of the book 

The poem A House is A House for Me, discusses several things considered houses for animals, people (different cultures), and things (teabags, jelly, etc.). The poem shows that what one considers a house for them may not be what another would consider a house for them. Such as a coop is home for chickens. However, the barn is home to a cow. Regardless of what each animal, person, or thing may consider home, the book poem reminds us that Earth is home for all of us. 

Evaluate Genre/ Illustrations

The poem A House is A House for Me completes the checklist for quality poetry. Poetry is known for introducing new vocabulary to those who read it, and that is just what was presented in the poem A House is A House for Me. The illustrations displayed the different forms of housing that different cultures consider a house, along with different houses, animals, and things considered a house. Children reading the poem can match the new vocabulary with a visual picture of what each house would look like. Even though new vocabulary is introduced in the poem, children (readers) will be able to understand. The Illustration for A House is A Home by Betty Fraser, an illustrator, and freelance illustrator.

Motivational Activities 

After reading this book, include an activity where the children can match the houses mentioned in the poem with what they call home. A motivational activity could be asking questions about what lives in different houses, such as what lives in a coop. Alternatively, reverse it, and ask where chickens live. Asking these questions is an excellent way for the children to become formalized with the new vocabulary words and learn about the different kinds of houses. Another activity is discussing the rhyming in the books and what words rhymed and having the children write a short poem using rhyming words. 

Personal comments/ Author background information

This poem was a great way to educate children about the homes of different things and introduce them to new vocabulary words. The poem was easy to follow; the illustration did a fantastic job visually showing the houses of different things to help connect the children with what the house would look like. I recommend using this poem in the classroom; it shows that houses are made up of different things; however, each house is a home for something. The poem A House Is a Home for Me was written by MaryAnn Hoberman and Illustrated by Betty Fraser. Hoberman was well known for her work with children's poetry. Hoberman has taught literature and rights throughout the country and co-founded a children's theatre group called "The Pocket People". Hoberman was named the Second US Children Poet Laureate; she served from 2008-2011 (Wikipedia,2023). Hoberman has written several children's poems Miss Mary Mack, Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers, The Llama Who Had No Pajamas, along with several others, and published her first children's book in 1957 called All My Shoes Come in Twos (Wikipedia, 2023).

 

 

References

Hoberman, M. A., & Fraser, B. (1982). A House is a house for me. Puffin Books.

(2023, July 13). Mary Ann Hoberman - Wikipedia. En. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ann_Hoberman

Multicultural Literature 

Summary of the book 

The Big Umbrella tells the story that no matter what a person looks like, they are accepted under the umbrella. There is room for people and animals of any cultural background, regardless of appearance. There were people and animals under the umbrella who were hairy, big with big orange feet, and had difficulties walking, so they needed the assistance of a wheelchair; there was room for so much diversity under the umbrella (Bates & Bates, 2023). Everyone was accepted!

Evaluate Genre/ Illustrations

The Illustrations in the book were watercolor pictures, very colorful, and blended well with the pencil illustration (Simon & Schuster,2023). The illustration represented the words in the book well, displaying everyone in different sizes, shapes, appearances, etc. The Big Umbrella avoids stenotypes; everyone, including different able people, is accepted under the umbrella regardless of appearance. The book sends a positive message to children that regardless of how someone appears, theirs always room to accept people for who and how they are. 

Motivational Activities 

After reading this book, including an activity where the children draw or create their big umbrella would be great. It is an excellent way for the children to show everyone welcome under their umbrella. Questions that could be asked at the start of the book are "Do you think there is going to be enough room for all these different people and animals under the umbrella?", Also, after reading the book, the children could be asked, "Was the umbrella happy or sad while helping everyone?", "Did everyone under the umbrella look the same?". Use the book and have the children describe all the different people they see under the umbrella. 

Personal comments/ Author background information

I enjoyed this book a lot. Under the umbrella is a book that should be read in the classroom to educate children that there is always room to accept everyone regardless of how someone appears (or they appear). I liked that the author included someone with different hair colors and even differently-abled people. June Bates wrote Under the Umbrella with her daughter Juniper Bates who was in the sixth grade (Simon & Schuster, 2023). Under the umbrella is one of the author's first books that they published. June Bates is a well-known Illustrator and has Illustrated several books such as the Sam the Man series, Sweet Dreams, and of course, Under the Umbrella, along with many more (Simon & Schuster, 2023). 

 

References

Bates, A. J., & Bates, J. (2023). The Big Umbrella. Paula Wiseman Books.

(2023). The Big Umbrella | Book by Amy June Bates, Juniper Bates | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster. Simonandschuster. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Big-Umbrella/Amy-June-Bates/9781534406582