Folklore

This week in my children's literature class, we are studying folklore...yay!  I would say the majority of what I read and have read since I myself was a child are fantasy and folklore themed books.  They are just so, well,  magical, and they are the only books that really seem to transport me out of my own reality into a fabulous imaginary one where there are princesses and trolls and gnomes and such.  But, many authors and marketers attempt to label books folklore that don't really make the cut.  They are just big liars.  One good way to know if something is genuine folklore is if somewhere on the cover or on the title page in the book it says, "retold by" rather than just "by".  For example, on the cover of Jack and the Beanstalk below, you can see that it says, "retold  and illustrated by Stephen Kellog."  That is what you should look for, although it can still be confusing.  Like on the Rapunzel cover below.  It only says "Paul O. Zelinsky" and nothing else.  But if you were to look inside the book, you would see it says, "retold by".  So no worries, I'm not showing you "fake" folklore :)

I thought I would share the books I have chosen to read and annotate, as they are all really good and would be great to reread yourself or read aloud to any children you might happen to know.

1. Rapunzel, retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

This is a classic story, and is illustrated beautifully.  Plus, with the new Disney movie out (Tangled), interest in Rapunzel is soaring!  It would be nice to demonstrate where those geniuses at Disney got the idea for the movie...

2.  Jack and the Beanstalk, retold and illustrated by Stephen Kellog

This is also a classic.  Yet I hadn't even remembered all of the aspects of the story, so I was especially glad to reread this one.  Any story with a ogre, golden eggs, and magical kingdom in the sky is destined to be a good one.

3.  Little Red Riding Hood, retold and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

I think we all know this story from birth.  But it is still so fun to read aloud, and this version is full of beautiful, detailed illustrations.

4.  Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Northwest, retold and illustrated by Gerald McDermott

This is a great retelling of the Native American legend describing the birth of the sun.  It is nice to incorporate Alaskan stories into any literature curriculum so that kids can learn more about the cultures around them.

5.  The Sleeping Lady, retold by Ann Dixon

This is a great story and has unique and original illustrations.  I have always loved this Alaskan folktale, as I look at Mount Susistna, or Sleeping Lady, nearly everyday (it is across the inlet from my house and visible from nearly everywhere in Anchorage).

These are just a few really good examples of beautifully illustrated folklore.  I hope you enjoy, and be sure to comment if you have any favorites you think I should read.

Good Reading and Good Eating...

I am getting sick.  I knew it was inevetable, since everything else about the beginning of this semester is going so well, so I am not too surprised.  My eyes are achy and itchy, my nose is plugged one moment, running uncontrollably the next, and my throat is raw, though I continue to cough and make it worse.  Yay!  Today is the only day each week that I work the floor at REI (interact with customers rather than unloading the new shippment and stocking it) and of course I barely have a voice at all.  We will have to see how that goes.

In other news, I have been reading children's literature since the beginning of the semester for one of my classes, and have about 45 more titles to read.  It is so fun!  I forgot how good so much of it is, and it gives me some fiction to read/reread while still technically doing homework!  Love it!  Currently I am reading Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott.

Little Women is the first actual novel written for children in the United States that became a classic piece of literature.  I am embarrassed to say that although I have seen the movie, I do not believe I have ever read the book.  This has been the case with a few books so far, including Charlotte's Web.  Who did not read Charlotte's Web as a child?!  In the case of both books it hampers my excitement to start the books, because I think I know the story, but then once I start reading I am drawn into the story and able to imagine it my own way without the movie characters getting in the way.

For any of you wanting for something to read, I highly recommend going back and reading some children's literature.  I am compiling a list of Newberry winning, Honor mentioned, and otherwise just good old children's books from all the way back to 1922.  When it is done, I will post it on this blog.  For now, I'll include a list of what I have read so far, hopefully peaking your interest to read one or two of them, or to read  them out loud to your kids.  With the exception of Little Women, all the books I have listed today would be great for read aloud to kids 4 and up.

Children's Literature Completed Thus Far:

1.  Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White

This one surprised me with how meaningful the story is and how inspiring the characters are.  If you have not read this as an adult, you must!  But bring tissues, it is a tear jerker!

2.  Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM, by Robert C. O'Brien

Again, this is a story that I first experienced through the movie based on the book, The Secret of NIHM.  But the book is so much fun to read, in fact there were points when I literally could not put it down!

3.  Holes, by Louis Sachar

This book I actually read before I saw the movie, but I reread it anyway - it is always a good read.

4.  The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks

This one I haven't reread yet (need to find a copy - Titlewave doesn't have it), but I remember loving it when I was in elementary school.

And those are what I have read (or need to get read up on soon).  Charlotte's Web, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM, and Holes, are all excellent read aloud books, so for those of you with kids, try it out!