5360
Children’s
Literature
Assignment #1
Sandra C. Rios
Shape
Smith uses different 2-D geometric flat shapes for
each character. The monkey has a large round
head, while the donkey (jackass) has more sharp
edges: pointy ears . The donkey decides to read the
book, and as the hours pass we’re able to see his
reaction by the “movement” and shape of his ears.
The author also uses rectangular and straight
edges on the couch and book. The frames on the
wall also have geometric shapes.
Mirror, Mirror :
A Book of Reversible Verse
by: Marilyn Singer
Illustrated by: Josėe Masse
Composition
This book has a fantastic twist to the
classic fairytales we know. These reverse
poems are a cleverly written as they
share the perspectives of two different
characters. Two sides to the story. Each
reverse poem has its own illustration on
the opposite page. The illustrations’
color, lines, and shapes are added with
great detail, thus “mirroring” its poem.
The overall composition of the book ,
grabs our attention as we turn the pages
anticipating the next fairytale
adventure.
Texture
The three pigs has been retold countless
times with the same plot. Wiesner adds his
own personal twist to this classic tale.
After being “blown away” by the wolf the
pigs set off on their own adventures into
various stories. The author begins the story
with 2-D cartoon characters and then adds
3-D qualities to the story as the pigs travel
through the stories, they become more
realistic than the wolf and other characters
in the story. The pigs fly on a paper airplane
into other classic stories we know. The pigs
encounter “floating page frames” of stories
and land into other stories. Eventually
bringing a dragon with them to intimidate
the wolf, thus changing their destiny.
This is Not My Hat
by: Jon Klassen
Lines
This story about a small fish who
steals a hat from a very big fish,
and thinks he’s gotten away with
it. The author uses a dark
background to show the bottom
of the ocean. The illustrations give
that collage feel of cut and paste.
The seaweed are big, tall and
close together. Which makes it a
good hiding spot for the little fish.
Color
This story is mostly black and white, highlights the main character,
Olivia in pops of red which is seen on every page. Like the color ,
Olivia is an energetic little pig. The author takes you through Olivia’s
busy day: playing, jumping, and dressing up. She goes to the beach
and museum where she sees her favorite painting, a ballerina.
Unlike the rest of the story, this painting is realistic. Perhaps,
highlighting what Olivia loves.
PLOT
Children can relate to this story’s plot. It is about
a boy named Max, who mischievous and is sent
to his room without supper. To deal with his
anger, Max ‘s mind takes him into another world,
the jungle. He goes through many adventures
with “wild things.” Although they are “wild,”
Max is able to control the creatures. They even
made him king. He too sends them to bed
without supper. He realizes he misses home and
tells them it’s time to go. The wild things want
him to stay. Upon his return, there waiting for
him was his supper. Many children can connect
to Max’s feelings throughout the story.
The Legend of the Bluebonnet
retold and illustrated
by: Tomie De Paola
Culture
This tale is about an orphaned Native American
girl named She-Who-Is-Alone, only has a doll to
remember her family by. The author’s
illustrations portray the Native American culture
through the characters ‘ hair: long and pulled
back in braids, their clothing: fringe and use of
earth tone colors, their skin tone, and the
teepees. It tells of the origin of the bluebonnet,
the Texas state flower. The author describes what
She-Who-Is-Alone sacrifices to the Great Spirits to
end the drought. The people gather and sing to
the Great Spirits. Through his illustrations and
story, De Paola maintains the traditions and
customs of the Native American people.
Character
This story is about a boy named Bobby who thinks he
has the worst teacher ever. In his eyes, she is a
monster literally. Ms. Kirby gets upset with Bobby’s
paper airplanes in class. Brown illustrates what
Bobby sees: a dragon, with green skin, big teeth, and
long claws. She yells, stomps and roars. Just proving
to Bobby that she is a monster. Bobby sees her at the
park and feels awkward. The ice-breaker, the wind
blows, and Bobby catches her hat. As Bobby and Ms.
Kirby talk, she seems different and “transforms”
becoming more human-like. However when at school
Ms. Kirby still corrects behavior and the monster
comes out.
Mirror, Mirror :
A Book of Reversible Verse
by: Marilyn Singer
Illustrated by: Josėe Masse
Illustration
Masse uses painterly techniques to bring
each illustration to life with the use of vivid
colors and detail. The readers’ find
themselves closely examining each picture
with the turn of every page. The characters
are close to the classic characters we know.
Since the illustrations are a reflection of the
text , it makes it obvious to the reader which
character is telling their side.
The Paper Bag Princess
by: Robert Munsch
Illustrated by: Michael Martchenko
Theme
When we read fairy tales with a Prince and
Princess, the hero is usually your Prince who
rescues the princess, and ends happily ever
after. In this story, Munsch reverses the
roles. The Prince is carried away by a
dragon. Despite his smug attitude on the
first page, the Princess becomes the heroin
and sets off to get her Prince back. She
confronts the dragon and rescues her
Prince, but is rejected by him because she is
dirty. His opinion of her didn’t matter to
her, and as we see at the end she decides to
live happily ever after on her own and that’s
ok. Theme: “Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder.”
Setting
The setting begins where it typically does, at the three little pigs’
houses: straw, sticks, and brick. When the wolf is ready to blow
the brick house, the three Little Pigs escape the story. They fold
up the page into a paper airplane, and land into other fairytale
pages. These pages depict the different “settings” they will be
landing in. As characters join them, the dialogue changes to
thought bubbles. In the end they rescue a dragon and take him
and his rose to live in the brick house. The dragon protects them
from the bad wolf and the live happily ever after.
Style
Wiesner uses the Cuban setting to bring in
his own style. The story opens with her
name, Martina Josefina Catalina
Cucaracha, setting the stage for what’s to
come. Martina is ready to be married and
her Abuela offers her some advice, “un
consejo.” Throughout the story, the
author uses Spanish words and pairs them
with English translations. “Martina
Josefina Catalina Cucaracha” repeated as
each suitor comes to ask for her hand.
The detailed and colorful illustrations on
each page keeps the reader entertained
and engaged.

Brown, Peter. My Teacher Is a Monster!: No, I Am Not. N.p.: n.p., n.d.

Deedy, Carmen Agra., and Michael Austin. Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban
Folktale. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree, 2007.

DePaola, Tomie. The Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas. New York: Putnam,
1983.

Falconer, Ian. Olivia. New York: Atheneum for Young Readers, 2000.

Klassen, Jon. This Is Not My Hat. Somerville, MA: Candlewick, 2012.

Munsch, Robert N., and Michael Martchenko. The Paper Bag Princess. Toronto: Annick,
1980.

Sendak, Maurice. Where the Wild Things Are. New York: Harper & Row, 1963.

Singer, Marilyn, and Josée Masse. Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse. New York,
NY: Dutton Children's, 2010.

Smith, Lane. It's a Book. New York: Roaring Brook, 2010.

Wiesner, David. The Three Pigs. New York: Clarion, 2001.