Three Little Cajun Pigs by Mike Artell and Illustrated by Jim Harris

Bibliography:
Artell, Mike. 2006.Three Little Cajun Pigs .Ill. by Jim Harris. NewYork: Peguin Group (USA). ISBN: 0-8037-2815-8

Plot Summary:
Three Cajun pigs named Trosclair, Thibodeaux, and Ulysse – who was called Boo by his brothers – were told by their Mama that it is was time for them to go and find a place of their own. So they packed their bags and went off to find a place to build their houses.
This is the way this version of the classic children’s tale of The Three Little Pigs begins. The story line is similar to that of the original pigs, however these pigs live in “South Loo-siana” and the villain is an alligator rather than a big bad wolf. This gator is as sly and wily as the wolf is in the original tale.
The gator, Claude engages the use of his tail to “whack” the houses of straw and sticks that Trosclair and Thibodeaux had built. Rather than huffing and puffing as the wolf did, Claude “he hiss and puff and wiggle a little and whack – that gator done flip his tail hard, and the straw house goes flying all over the yard.”
Trosclair and Thibodeax fled to Boo’s house made from bricks. Boo was busy making a big pot of roux in the fireplace when Ol’ Claude the gator came calling. Claude’s tail had gotten pretty sore from whacking the others pigs’ houses down, so he asked the three Little Cajun Pigs to let him in, to which they replied, “No! Not by all dem hairs dat we got on our chin.” (Artell 2006)
Claude decided to try to get to the pigs through the chimney. He got part way down, but got stuck just about the time his tail fell into the pot of roux. Once he freed himself, he was hurting pretty bad and left the house walking pretty funny. Now Ol’ Claude was at home on the bayou with an ice pack on his tail, and he’s not going to bother those pigs anymore.

Critical Analysis:
Hysterical! This is a wonderful version of the classical Three Little Pigs. Mike Artwell’s Cajun spin is priceless. Thank goodness he starts with a glossary of Cajun words, pronunciations; and a note on “the rhyming scheme for Three Little Cajun Pigs emphasizes the second, fifth, eighth, and eleventh syllables. Example: In SOUTH Loo-si-AN-a, where GA-tors grow BIG Live T’REE Cajun PIGS and an OL’ mama PIG.”(Artell 2006) Once you start reading you will quickly jump into character, laughing and smiling the whole time you are reading this book. People around you will stop to listen because it is so entertaining. Mike’s rendition truly had the Cajun persona dead-on. The language is truly something to experience, that children and adults will never tire of reading multiple times. This should be in everyone’s library.

Jim Harris did a great job on illustrating these characters. The Cajun flair was evident in the pigs’ faces, clothes, instruments, and bayou. Did you find the little brown mouse that was in every picture but four? You have to search to find him peeking over the lily pad in the bayou or hanging off the end of Trosclair’s tail running to his brother’s house of sticks after Ol’ Claude the gator whacked his house with his tail. Jim’s website goes into detail about each picture and clues on his design for them. The full-color artwork was prepared using watercolor and pencil on Strathmore rag bristol. Please check out his website which also has information on his books, tips for writers, tips for illustrators, activities for kids and more.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-A hilarious version of the familiar tale. The pigs are named Trosclair, Thibodeaux, and Ulysse (also know as Boo), and their antagonist is Ol' Claude, the alligator of Petite Rouge infamy (Dial, 2001), who finishes off the straw and stick houses with a flap of his tail: "`Oh piggy,' say Claude with dat big gator smile,/`Could I come inside of you house for a while?'/Dat's when Trosclair shout, `No! I won't let you in;/Not by all dem hairs dat I got on my chin.'" The gator is let off easy at the end: he is nursing a burnt tail from an encounter with Ulysse's "roux," but is rescued by the pigs from becoming gumbo. Harris's amusing watercolor-and-pencil illustrations mirror the text with lan; they are full of funny details that beg to be looked at again and again (the little mouse is also back). Front matter includes a glossary of some Cajun words and a note about the rhyme scheme that facilitates reading the story aloud. Although Cajun variations on folktales are becoming plentiful, this one should not be missed.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews
The team behind the award-winning Petite-Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood (2001) now turns their talents to the story of the three little pigs. Harris's playful and detailed watercolor and pencil illustrations heighten the quirky humor of Artell's rhyming verse, which is characterized by heavy, but accessible, Cajun dialect. The pigs, Trosclair, Thibodeaux and Ulysse, no sooner build their respective houses of straw, sticks and brick then they are set upon by Ol' Claude, the gator who "hiss and puff and he make his face frown, / He wiggle a little and turn hisself roun'." With mighty swipes, Claude demolishes the first two homes with his tail, but when he squeezes down the chimney of the brick house, he is stymied by a roux bubbling beneath him. Figuring the alligator has learned his lesson, the pigs finally cover the pot, allowing Claude to escape. This retelling of the traditional story is Cajun both in language and lesson. Emphasizing devotion to family and extending others the benefit of the doubt, it also conveys the very Cajun notion that there are few situations that cannot be improved with a big pot of gumbo among friends. (Glossary) (Picture book. 4-8)

Connections:

Other versions/variants of The Three Little Pigs:

Wiesner, David. The Three Pigs.ISBN-10: 0618007016; ISBN-13: 978-0618007011
Kellogg, Steven. The Three Little Pigs. ISBN-10: 0064437795; ISBN-13: 978-0064437790
Trivizas, Eugene. The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig. ISBN-10: 068981528X; ISBN-13: 978-0689815287
Pichon, Liz. The Three Horrid Little Pigs. ISBN-10: 1589254236; ISBN-13: 978-1589254237

Websites with Activities, Games and Lesson Plans: Children’s Engineering Activity
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/engineering/three_little_pigs.html
Literacy Curriculum Unit www.pdesas.org/module/content/drc/UnitPlanPrint.aspx?id=4570
Jim Harris http://www.jimharrisillustrator.com/

Awards:
Mike Artell, Aurthor.
PETITE ROUGE - A Cajun Red Riding Hood was named by the National Association of Elementary School Principals as its 2009 Read Aloud Book of the Year. PETITE ROUGE has also become a musical theatre production which has been staged at many theatres across the U.S. and in England. Mike’s astronomy book titled, STARRY SKIES, was named a Best Science Book For Children by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Mike’s books have also been named “Pick of the Lists” by Publisher’s Weekly, “Top 100” by Curriculum Administrator Magazine and “Teacher’s Choice” by Learning Magazine.

Jim Harris, Illustrator.

Publisher’s Weekly Top 10 Bestseller List 1997 TEN LITTLE DINOSAURS
Colorado Book Awards 1997 TEN LITTLE DINOSAURS
Colorado Children’s Book Award 1998 TEN LITTLE DINOSAURS
Colorado Children's Book Award Nominee 2001 SLIM AND MISS PRIM
Children’s Choice Award 1998 TEN LITTLE DINOSAURS
Arizona Young Readers Award 1994 THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS
PBS Reading Rainbow 1994 THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS
Colorado Book Award 1994 GOOSE AND THE MOUNTAIN LION
Arizona Young Reader’s Award Finalist GOOSE AND THE MOUNTAIN LION
Colorado Book Award Finalist RAPUNZEL
Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award Finalist 1996 THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS
Western Writers of America Spur Award 1999 SLIM AND MISS PRIM
Western Writers of America Storyteller Award Finalist 1998 JACK AND THE GIANT
New York Society of Illustrators Awards of Merit 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991
New York Society of Illustrators Silver Medal 1991
Communication Arts Award of Excellence 1987
Storytelling World Honor Book 2002 PETITE ROUGE
Book Sense 76 Top 10 Pick 2001 PETITE ROUGE
National Society for Social Studies/Children’s Book Council Notable Children’s Book 2002 PETITE ROUGE
Louisiana Young Reader’s Choice Award 2004 PETITE ROUGE
Mockingbird Books 2006 THE TROUBLE WITH CAULIFLOWER
OneBookAZ 2010 THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS/LOS TRES PEQUENOS JABALIES

Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora, Illustrated by Raul Colon

Bibliography
Mora, Pat. Tomas and The Library Lady. Random House International,1977. ISBN 0375803491

Plot Summary
This is the true story of how a librarian had an impact on a young boy. Tomas was the son of migrant workers who traveled between Texas and Iowa. Traveling and moving can really be hard on young children. Tomas enjoyed listening to the stories that his grandfather would tell them. When they were in Iowa his grandfather suggested that Tomas go to the library and bring new stories back to the family. Here is where Tomas’s love of books began and turned into a lifelong career later in his life. Tomas was hesitant to enter the library when a tall lady asked him to come in and have a drink of water. She then asked him what kind of books he would like to read and their journey together began. Tomas transferred himself into the stories of dinosaurs and tigers. Seeing his enjoyment of the books the librarian checked out two books for Tomas to take home with him. During their summer together the librarian shared books with Tomas and Tomas taught her Spanish. Tomas became the storyteller to his family. When it was time for his family to go back to Texas Tomas cam to tell his friend goodbye. His mother made her a gift of Pan Dolce and the librarian gave Tomas a book to take with him. He left his friend with sadness and a new word – Adios!

Critical Analysis
This book is a must in all libraries around the world. As a teacher/librarian you never know when you might make that lasting impression that will change a life. The simple text and the pictures make it easy to see the life of Tomas understanding the frustration of having to leave his home. The multicultural aspects of Tomas’s family was depicted with the bond that this family shares. It is important to know about how his grandfather inspired Tomas with his stories and built the foundation for him to become a storyteller. With his love of stories and the help of a kind librarian Tomas was fueled with the passion to learn more. This is a rags to riches success that needs to be shared with all.

Tomas Rivera, a migrant worker whose desire to learn led him to a career as a writer and educator. He died in 1984, while serving a the Chancellor of the University of California at Riverside. The campus library now bears the name of the boy who was encouraged to read by a librarian in Iowa.

Review Excerpts
Amazon.com Review
Sometimes you read a story and it almost seems too nice. This book may seem to be one of those at first, but the difference is that this story is true! Tomás and the Library Lady is the wonderfully illustrated tale of Tomás Rivera and the kind librarian who helped him learn to love books. Tomás started his life as a migrant worker and, when he died, was a university chancellor. (The UC Riverside library now bears his name.)
This tribute to Tomás and his mentor reminds us of the power of stories and those dedicated librarians who have changed the lives of so many people. (Recommended for ages 4-8; it's great for new English readers and is also available in Spanish.) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4? Tomas Rivera, who at his death in 1984 was the Chancellor of the University of California at Riverside, grew up in a migrant family. Here, Mora tells the fictionalized story of one summer in his childhood during which his love of books and reading is fostered by a librarian in Iowa, who takes him under her wing while his family works the harvest. She introduces him to stories about dinosaurs, horses, and American Indians and allows him to take books home where he shares them with his parents, grandfather, and brother. When it is time for the family to return to Texas, she gives Tomas the greatest gift of all?a book of his own to keep. Colon's earthy, sun-warmed colors, textured with swirling lines, add life to this biographical fragment and help portray Tomas's reading adventures in appealing ways. Stack this up with Sarah Stewart and David Small's The Library (Farrar, 1995) and Suzanne Williams and Steven Kellogg's Library Lil (Dial, 1997) to demonstrate the impact librarians can have on youngsters.?Barbara Elleman, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover

Awards
1997 Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature Commended Title
Notable Books for Children,1997, Smithsonian
1998 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award
1998 Teachers' Choices Award from the International Reading Association
1998 Skipping Stones Multicultural Book Award
1999-2000, Texas Bluebonnet Master List Title
1999-2000, Nebraska Golden Sower Nominee

Connections
Curriculum Activities – Teachers/Librarian Resources and Teaching Strategies www.patmora.com/ideas.htm#tomas

Books
Ada, Alma Flor. Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English.Rayo; Bilingual Edition, 2001. ISBN-10: 0688170676 ISBN-13: 978-068-8170677

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd

Bibliography
Brown, Margaret Wise, and Clement Hurd. Goodnight Moon. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1947.ISBN 0694003611

Plot Summary
Children love routine and familiarity. Goodnight Moon is a perfect example of this security. The colors of the first page immediately grab the interest of the listener. Baby bunny saying goodnight to his room settles him to begin the ritual of bedtime. Little bunny’s routine is showing safety, security, and love in repeating, “goodnight” which allows him to work himself into the journey of sleep. This story should be read slowly allowing the child to add their routine and ending with a kiss and whispered, “Goodnight”.

Critical Analysis
The simplicity of the story and pictures is priceless. The details of the pictures should be observed and allow the child to discuss what they see. It is easy for the reader and the recipient to feel the comfort of the bedroom. Who does not associate bedtime with a soft fluffy animal for the nighttime security of not being alone? The story flows with sweet poetry and is easy for young children to remember. Great start for beginning reading and observation. Timeless classic!

Review Excerpts
This story is about going to bed and saying goodnight. It tells about all the things in the room and the author says goodnight to each thing. This book also has rhymes in it.
I like this story because it has nice pictures. My favorite part is when it says, "Goodnight nobody." That made me laugh because that page was blank. I think it is a nice story. This story reminded me of going to sleep at home in my bed.
If you like quiet stories that make you feel good, you should read Goodnight Moon.
LA is a student in Ms. Barrett's 1st Grade Class
2001-2002

Amazon.com Review
Perhaps the perfect children's bedtime book, Goodnight Moon is a short poem of goodnight wishes from a young rabbit preparing for--or attempting to postpone--his own slumber. He says goodnight to every object in sight and within earshot, including the "quiet old lady whispering hush." Clement Hurd's illustrations are simple and effective, alternating between small ink drawings and wide, brightly colored views of the little rabbit's room.
Finding all of the items mentioned throughout the book within the pictures is a good bedtime activity--a reappearing little mouse is particularly pesky. By the end of the little rabbit's goodnight poem, the story has quieted to a whisper, and the drawings have darkened with nightfall. As you turn the last page, you can expect a sleepy smile and at least a yawn or two. (Picture book)

From Publishers Weekly
Just in time for gift-giving season, the two hardcover staples for every nursery Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, illus. by Clement Hurd are now available in a handsome fabric-covered shrink-wrapped cardboard sleeve as A Margaret Wise Brown Gift Set. In addition, an oversize board book edition of Goodnight Moon makes the great green room larger than ever, allowing readers to trace with ease the tiny mouse that appears in each spread. (Sept.)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


"...Rhythmic, gently lulling words combined with warm and equally lulling pictures make this beloved classic 'an ideal bedtime book'." -- The Christian Science Monitor

Awards
Goodnight Moon did not receive any awards; however her book Little Island was the recipient of the Caldecott Medal, 1947.

Connections
Enter the World of Margaret Wise Brown
Celebrate 100 Years of Margaret Wise Brown http://harpercollinschildrens.com/Parents/gamesandcontests/features/goodnightmoon/

Companion Books
Brown, Margaret Wise, and Clement Hurd. The Runaway Bunny. Harper Collins; revised edition, 2005. ISBN-10: 0060775823 ISBN-13: 978-0060775827

Brown, Margaret Wise, and Clement Hurd. Goodnight Moon 123/Buenas Noches Luna 123: A Counting Book/Un Libro Para Contar.Rayo; Bilingual Edition, 2007. ISBN-10: 0061173258 ISBN-13: 978-0061173257

Flotsam by David Wiesner

Bibliography
Wiesner, David. Flotsam. New York: Clarion Books. 2006. ISBN – 10: 0-618-29457-6 ISBN-13: 978-0-61849457-5

Plot Summary
What is flotsam? Anything that is washed ashore in the ocean.
This is a story about a day at the beach told through the Eye of a boy. Each picture offers the reader the opportunity to imagine the story from his or her own perspective. The boy is prepared to spend the day exploring his surroundings. While inspecting a crab he is deluged by a wave and discovers a barnacle-encrusted underwater camera that has washed ashore. He quickly discovers that it has film in it and rushes to have it developed. By the look in his Eye you know the pictures must be magical. You have just entered an underwater mystery when looking at pictures of an octopus’s living room, a turtle with a village on its shell, aliens on vacation, and a puffer fish as a hot air balloon offering rides to the fish. There are also pictures of girls and boys who have taken their own pictures by the ocean in different parts of the world and from different eras. He takes his picture on the beach and throws the camera back into the ocean where it is carried by the ocean to another beach in another part of the world to be once again found by a girl. The adventure continues.

Critical Analysis
This is a wordless book that tells its story descriptively and realistically through the beautiful watercolor pictures. This is truly David Wiesner’s style. His pictures allow the reader to feel, see, smell, and imagine what the young boy is coming into contact with. Told through the eye of the boy you can feel the treasure troves and form your own observations with the same excitement that he is experiencing. The magic of the pictures pulls you into the story wanting to search and find the hidden treasure. This book is rated for 4-8 year olds, but is a great addition to any age collection. Use this book for science classes to enforce the power of observation and imagination. Every time this story is told through someone’s eyes, the story will be different and that is the magic of this timeless book.

Review Excerpts
"Filled with inventive details and delightful twists, each snapshot is a tale waiting to be told." School Library Journal

"In Wiesner's much-honored style, the paintings are cinematic, coolly restrained and deliberate, beguiling in their sibylline images and limned with symbolic allusions. An invitation not to be resisted." Kirkus Reviews

"Like Chris Van Allsburg's books and Wiesner's previous works, this visual wonder invites us to rethink how and what we see, out in the world and in our mind's eye." Booklist

Awards and Praise
Winner of the 2007 Randolph Caldecott Medal
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2006
A Booklist Editor's Choice 2006
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2006
A Horn Book Fanfare Title
A Child magazine Best Book of the Year
A Parenting magazine Book of the Year
A Nick Jr. Best Children's Book of 2006
A Book Sense Children's Pick, Autumn 2006
A Washington Post Top 10 Picture Book of the Year
A Parents' Choice Award Winner
A 2006 National Parenting Publications Gold Award Winner
New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing
Chicago Public Library, Best Books of the Year
An Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner 2007

Connections

Scholastic.com – Teaching Resources June/July PreK-12
Ocean Life Activities
Computer Lab Favorites – Create a Postcard

Companion Books

Wiesner, David. Tuesday. Sandpiper. 1997. ISBN-10: 0395870828 ISBN-13: 978-0395870822

Burns, Loree Griffin. Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion. Sandpiper.2010. ISBN-10: 10-0547328605 ISBN-13: 978-0547328607

Welcome!

Hi! My name is Cher Loving and I am a TWU graduate student working on a masters in Library Science. Public schools are my focus. This blog is a requirement for LS 5653 Mulitculural Literature for Children and Young Adults. It was originally created for LS 5603 Literature for Children and Young Adults. I hope you enjoy these wonderful book reviews. I will be spending the summer enjoying my favorite hobby - reading. Let the adventures begin!