Traditional Literature

The Three Pigs

By: David Wiesner

Traditional Literature

Illustrated by: David Wiesner

            This book is a twist on the traditional story of The Three Little Pigs. Instead of each pig dying when the wolf came, they jumped out of the story. After all of the pigs jumped out they started visiting other stories. They visited, Hey Diddle Diddle and a story about a dragon with a golden rose. When they went into each story they took the cat from Hey Diddle Diddle and they also took the dragon. The story ended with the three pigs and their new friends from the other stories all living together in the last pigs brick house. Overall, I enjoyed this story because it was unique and different. I would recommend this to an age appropriate classroom.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

By: Beatrix Potter

Traditional Literature

Illustrated by: Not Listed

            This all time classic is one of my favorites. The story of being “naughty” and barely getting away is something all children adore to hear. The story starts off with Mrs. Rabbit telling her children to be good and to stay away from Mr. McGregor’s garden because their father died there. Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail all went to the lane and gathered black berries but bad Peter went to Mr. McGregor’s garden. Here Mr. McGregor chases Peter with a hoe into the garden house and he barely escaped under the white picket fence. Overall, this story is one that every child should be exposed to, I would recommend this to an age appropriate class. 

The Mitten

By: Jan Brett

Traditional Literature

Illustrated by: Jan Brett

            This Ukrainian folktale is about a boy named Nicki who wanted to have his grandmother (Baba) make him white wool mittens. His Baba was against the idea because she feared Nicki would misplace them in the bright snow. She however, agreed to the task and made the mittens for him. He started to climb a tree and one of his new gloves fell out. The clever animals took advantage of his misplacement and a collection of mole, snowshoe rabbit, hedgehog, owl, badger, fox, bear, and meadow mouse all crammed inside of the mitten. When the bear sneezed everyone flew out of the mitten and Nicki grabbed his glove. This is a very comical story that many children and adults would enjoy.

The Frog Prince Continued...

By: Jon Scieszka

Traditional Literature

Illustrated by: Steve Johnson

            This enchanted story has a twist on the not so happily ever after. The princess that kisses the frog is not so happy with her choice in a slimy man. After and argument the frog prince runs away into the forest to look for a witch that will turn him back into a frog. The first witch he comes upon is the one from Sleeping Beauty, so he runs quickly away. The second witch is from Snow White and she wants him to eat the rest of the apple, so he runs away. The third witch is from Hansel and Gretel and he knew he could be eaten so he ran deeper into the woods. He finally stumbled upon Cinderella’s fairy godmother that agrees to turn him back into a frog. Unfortunately she turns him into a frog carriage. When the clock strikes twelve, the carriage turns back into a frog prince. The frog prince runs as fast as he can back to his princess and when they kiss they both turn into frogs. I enjoyed this story but the illustrations were a bit too dark and gruesome for my taste. Overall, this is a unique take on the traditional story.

Anansi and The Moss-Covered Rock

By: Eric A. Kimmel

Traditional Literature

Illustrated by: Janet Stevens

            This is a story about a condescending spider named Anansi who stumbled upon a magical rock. When any one that approaches the rock says, “Isn’t this a strange moss-covered rock,” they pass out. After Anansi her self has experienced it a few times she decides to take her friends to the rock and steal their food from them when they are unconscious. She takes the lion, the elephant, the rhinoceros, the hippopotamus, the giraffe, the zebra and even the little bush deer that out smarts him. The little bush deer was watching Anansi tricking all of the other animals and decides to trick Anansi into saying the magic words. When Anansi passes out the little bush deer gathers all of the animals whose belongings were stolen and they take their hard work back. I enjoyed this book and the moral of the story. Overall, I would recommend this book to a young group of children. The illustrations were beautiful.

The Jolly Postman or Other People’s Letters

By: Janet and Allan Ahlberg

Traditional Literature

Illustrated by: Janet and Allan Ahlberg

            This is a quirky take on the idea of fictional fairy tale characters receiving mail brings a new depth and dimension to the stories. The postman visits the three bears and gives them an apology note from Goldilocks, he gives the wicked witch a supplies ordering catalog, the giant receives a post card from jack, he gives Cinderella a copy of her book, the big bad wolf gets an legal eviction notice for grandmas house and finally, Goldilocks receives a birthday card with one pound from Mrs. Bunting and Baby. The story ends with the mailman riding away on his bicycle. Overall, I absolutely love this interactive story. I am planning on purchasing it for my own collection; this is my favorite book from the reading assignment.

*Goldilocks and The Three Bears

By: Caralyn Buehner and Mark Buehner

Traditional Literature- Fairy Tales

Illustrated by: Caralyn Buehner and Mark Buehner

         This was very cute take on Goldilocks and the three bears. The plot was the same, but with a modern twist discussing a monster, alien, and wild beast. In this story Goldilocks was very peppy girl; she jumped rope and spoke with a rhythm that is not used in the normal text. The story unravels with Goldilocks destroying the bears house and jumping away when they got back home. Overall, I would use this in a pre-kindergarten or early education classroom.

*A Wolf At The Door

By: Nick Ward

Traditional Literature- Fracture Fairytale

Illustrated by: NickWard

         This is a very predictable story that is well written to help young children predict what is to come on the next page. This book is about a young bear where his friends come into his house one by one trying to escape a horrifying wolf. As the number of friend rapidly increases bears father comes inside and they finally realize that it is just a new young wolf who just moved into their community. They end up all playing together and become good friends. This story is a great book to read to a young(second grade) classroom to help build a sense of community to new students.

*Goldie and The Three Hares

By: Margie Palatini

Traditional Literature- Fracture Fairytales

Illustrated by: Jack E. Davis

         This fractured fairy tale is a continuum of Goldilocks running from the three bears and falling into a rabbit hole (reminder of a Alice in Wonderland). They hares end up stuck with Goldilocks because her foot has swollen too big to get outside of the hole. The hares try everything to get her to leave and in the end she leaves at her own will and papa hare fixes the broken step that Goldilocks tripped on. Overall, this book is very humorous but the length of the book should be considered when reading this to young students.

    

*Yours Truly Goldilocks

By: Alma Flor Ada

Traditional Literature- Fracture Fairytale

Illustrated by: Leslie Tryon

         This fracture fairytale was very cute and interesting to read. The book is about the three Pigs throwing a house warming party for their newly built ‘Wolf proof house.’ The story is played depicted through a multitude of letters between Goldilocks, the Wolf, the three Pigs, Little Red Riding hood and baby Bear. The wolf and his cousin crash the party and mamma bear saves the day by chasing the wolves away. This story is a great way for children to comprehend each letter and predict what is going to come next. I would put this book on my classroom library shelf.

    

*The House that Jack Built

By: David Cutts

Traditional Literature

Illustrated by: Don Silverstein

         This traditional story has a chain of events that carry through all from a house that jack built. A mouse relates to a cat, which relates to a dog and the chain continues until a maiden and man get married. This book is a great book for children who are beginning to read; the short sentences and rhythm of the sentence structure can help a letter sound and recognition. Overall a classic to put on any bookshelf.