Fantasy- Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are 

Maurice Sendak 

Haper Collins Publishers: 1964

ISBN: 0-06-025492-0

I remember reading this book growing up. I felt it was perfect story to write about this week because it is a perfect example of fantasy fiction and a great story to show to children. In Where the Wild Things Are,  Max was sent to his room for causing mischief in the house. Somehow, his room grew into a forest where he ran into these Wild Creatures! What happens on his adventure? Does he ever find his was home? Find out and read this classic fantasy tale!

I would rate this book an eight out of ten because the author's attention to detail. His use of space is genius. Once Max is sent to his room, the pictures get bigger and bigger till his imagination is at its fullest. Once he returns home, the pictures get smaller and smaller till he is back in his bedroom. The tale also peaks any child's imagination, whether they are a girl or a boy. Please go to your local library and read this classic tale! It is definitely a Danielle Must Read and needs to be in a teacher's library for young children. 

Fantasy-- Emperor's New Clothes

The Emperor's New Clothes 

Hans Christian Anderson 

Illustrator: Virginia Lee Burton 

Houghton Mifflin Company 1977
ISBN: 0-395-28594-1

The Emperor's New Clothes is a story that is retold and passed down by generations. This version in particular was written by Han Christian Anderson, a famous children's book author. This version was written in 1977 and has much attention to detail. In this version, the Emperor loves his clothes. Instead of talking to any citizens from the town, he prefers to say he is changing into new clothes. One day, he asked two people to make him new clothes. The men who were pretending to weave never made any clothes at all. The Emperor and the Minstrel got tricked into thinking they could not see the clothes! Will the Emperor ever get new clothes? What will happen when he finds out he will not get a new outfit? Find out and read this version of The Emperor's New Clothes!

I would give this version a 5 out of 10. The story, retold by Hans Christian Anderson, was very captivating to read. I would say this book is a great piece of authentic literature to read to the class because it was a story that could challenge young readers. The reason why I gave it a 5 is because the pictures are not very colorful. There is a lot of white space, which does not feel like a good choice to me. Because the pictures are very small, it is not a good book to show children because they might loose their attention span. While the colors are very attractive to young readers, the fuzziness of the pictures makes them very hard to look at. If you were to get this book, buy the book for the story retold by Anderson. 

Fantasy- Rosie's Magic Horse

Rosie's Magic Horse 

Russell Hoban and Queatin Blake 

Candlewick Press: 2012 

This is a magical story that will excite children.  Rosie's Magic Horse is a story about a girl named Rosie who finds an ice-pop on the ground. She decides to put this leftover ice-pop in her cigar box full of other ice-pop sticks. One day, they talk about banning together to become a horse in the middle of the night. One day, Rosie heard her parents saying during dinner that they needed money to pay the bills. After dinner, Rosie fell asleep when she was taken on a magical journey by a horse! What will happen? Will the horse help her find her dreams? Find out by reading this wonderful fantasy!

I would give this story a seven out of ten. While this story used beautiful colors and pretty pictures for the child to like, the story was short and disjointed. Somehow, she can get money for her parents just by riding a magical horse in her sleep! Even though the pictures are drawn with such character and the story is humorous, the story makes no sense. I would say this is not the best fantasy story to read to your child. While I am not a fan of the story itself, the pictures are very captivating to a child and that is why I gave this book such a high score. Look for this book at a local library near you! 

Realistic Fiction- Aunt Flossie's Hats

Aunt Flossie's Hats 

Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard 

Paintings By: James Ransome 

Clarion Books: 1991

I decided to stick with African American Literature this week and this one was particularly interesting. It was about two children who go to grandma's house and eat cookies, eat crab cakes, and try on grandmother's old hats! These hats contain memories. What memory hides behind each hat? Find out and read Aunt Flossie's Hats! 

I would give this story a four out of ten. While the hats have memories, the stories are not as entertaining for young children. The colors in the story are not very vibrant and it the story feels long. I would say that Goin' Someplace Special was the best realistic fiction I read this week. Please look for this book at a local library near you! 

Realistic Fiction- Goin' Someplace Special

Goin' Someplace Special 

Patricia C. Mckissack and Jerry Pinkney

Simon and Schuster: 2001

ISBN: 0-689-81885-8

Goin' Someplace Special is a story that intrigued me when it was sitting on the library shelf. As you can see from the picture above, she is happy and ready to go somewhere. In this story, 'Tricia Ann asked her mom if she can go to her special place all by herself. Her grandmother says she is old enough to go by herself. As she is travelling to her special place, different laws get in the way. Will she ever get to her special place? Find out by reading Goin' Someplace Special. 

I would give this book a 10 out of 10. This is a Danielle's MUST read!The book honestly caught me off guard because it deals with Jim Crow laws and African American history. I thought this book was written in the 1960's, but it was written in 2001. I believe the book was written to explain this issue to young children in the best way possible. The story was easy to follow and the main character "Tricia Ann is very charismatic. This is a must read for young children and should be in a teacher's library!

Realistic Fiction: At the Crossroads

At the Crossroads

Rachel Isadora

Mulberry Books: 1994

ISBN: 0-606-06192-4

At the Crossroads, by Rachel Isadora, is a book about children who wait for their father to come home from the mines. It is realistic fiction because it depicts children who live in the coal mining district. In this book, the children get ready for the day, they go to school, and come home singing , "Our fathers are coming home today". All of the children wait at the crossroads for their fathers to come off the bus home, but they wait all night! Will their father's ever come home? Find out by reading At the Crossroads by Rachel Isadora. 

I would give this book a 5 out of 10. I would say it is a good read for any parent who wants to read a book to their child about a life of a coal mining family. Any child that lives in a coal mining family and experiences their dad leaving from time to time should definitely read this book. I would say coming from a person who grew up with parents who work in businesses, my view on this book was different. I felt bad for the kids and I wished that they did not have to wait for their fathers all night long. It is appealing to children who have difficulties dealing with this issue. The pictures are very graphic for children and are bright in color. The story just made me feel sad and empty, but any child who is going through this might feel a sign of hope. If this book fits your needs, find it at your local library near you! 

Traditional Literature- The Ugly Duckling

The Ugly Duckling 

Jerry Pinkney 

Morrow Junior Books: 1999

ISBN: 0-68-815932-X

The Ugly Duckling is a story that has such a beautiful message. Like all of the other pieces of traditional literature that I have blogged about this week, this is the best Danielle must read! In this story, Mama duckling has laid six eggs. Five of the eggs hatched in one day, but the sixth egg took a day more. When the sixth duckling hatched, he looked different than the rest. He was ugly to the rest of the ducks. As he grew older, the other ducks would constantly bully him. What would happened to the Ugly Duckling? Would the other ducks ever respect him? Please read the Ugly Duckling to find out more!

I would give this version a nine out of ten. As you can see by the cover of the story, it has vibrant colors and is beautifully drawn. While the other stories were not written very well, this story uses descriptive language and beautiful imagery. It is an appealing story for children with a beautiful message. It also won the Caldecott which makes perfect sense. The way Pinkney drew the birds has much appeal to children. My only criticism is that sometimes it is hard to see where the ugly duckling is on the page because of the complexity of the pictures. I believe he used paint to draw his illustrations which gives the pictures texture. It is definitely a good book to read to your children and will definitely keep them interested to want to read more books. 

Traditional Literature- Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Goldilocks and the Three Bears 

Retold by: Jim Aylesworth 

Illustrated by: Barbara McClintock 

Scholastic Press: 2003

I decided to do another common children's story this week and this one turned out to be a great Danielle must read! In this tale, Goldilocks asked her mom if she could pick flowers.  Her mom let her go, but said do not go into the forest where the bears are. As Goldilocks walked to pick the flowers, she ran into a beautiful butterfly. She then followed the beautiful butterfly into the woods! She then found a beautiful house in the woods and went inside. What was inside the house? Did the bears ever arrive to disturb her visit? Please read this version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears! 

I would give this story an 8 out of 10. This version is close to the original story and the pictures are very appealing. The story is predictable and has a great lesson to teach. The Illustrations by Barbara McClintock have a Cartoon look to them, which adds some humor to the story. While the story is very long, it is a tale that can make a child laugh. Please find this version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears near you! 

Traditional Literature- Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood 

Trina Schart Hyman
Holiday: 1983
ISBN: 0-8234-0653-9

We all remember the story of Little Red Riding Hood. There are so many versions to this story, but some versions are better than others. This version, retold and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, is a caldecott winner and written in 1983. In this story, Little Red Riding Hood is asked by her mother to deliver gifts to her grandmother who is feeling ill. She tells her to please remember to walk to her grandmothers house as quickly as she can and do not stray from the path. While Red Riding Hood walks to her grandmother's house, she is stopped by a wolf. She tells him where her grandmothers house is and he beats her there. What will happen to her grandmother? Will Red Riding Hood ever make it to grandmother's house? Please read this version of the story to find out! 

I would give this version of the story a 6 out of 10. Even though it won a Caldecott, the story is not written with the best quality. It is definitely considered authentic literature because there is a lot of text on a page and it would be hard for a beginning reader to understand. While the pictures are very detailed and are colorful, the story told is almost too graphic. In this version, it talks about the grandmother and Red Riding Hood being gulped up by the wolf. The worst part of the story is the end when the hunter cuts open the wolf and takes his remains home. I feel as though there must be a better version to this story and I would not suggest reading this to your child. My suggestion is to show your child the pictures because they are very intriguing and you can tell your own version to this story.