EECE 441: Children’s Literature: Content and Methods
Spring Semester 2003
Pam Werre, Asst. Professor
Folktale Portfolio and Comparison Paper
DUE: February 26, 2003
Purpose of the Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to become familiar with folktales, fairy tales, legends, and
myths from a variety of cultures, regions, and countries. A second purpose is to examine two
illustrated versions of the same folktale and examine the similarities and differences. For this
assignment you will compile an annotated bibliography of folktales, fairy tales, legends, and
myths and write a detailed comparison of two illustrated versions of the same folktale. Students
will share their analysis of the versions of the illustrated folktale with the class (if time permits).
The Assignment
1. Compile an Annotated Bibliography of Folktales, Fairy Tales, Legends, and Myths.
Spend some time browsing, searching for, and examining traditional folktales, fairy tales,
legends, and myths of all types. All 25 must be illustrated picture storybooks. You can
and should use the collections in the MSUM library, the Concordia College library, and the
local public libraries. Most of the books will be located in 398 to 398.8 call number ranges.
However, you should also search the online catalog of the library you are using. Sometimes
these books are located in other call numbers or areas of a library collection. Ask a
reference librarian for assistance if you are having trouble locating folktales or fairy tales
from a particular country or region.
Select 25 illustrated picture storybooks of particular interest for your annotated
bibliography. You may choose a theme as you select your books. For example, variants of
two or three well-known tales such as Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding
Hood, folktales with animal characters, creation stories, folktales with female heroes, or
trickster stories. Or, you may simply choose 25 folktales, fairy tales, legends, or myths that
you personally like.
Include in the 25 books, two from each of the following continents:
 Africa
 Asia
 Europe (including Scandinavia and Russia)
 North and South America (US, Mexico, Canada, Latin America and South America).
Refer to the last page for instructions on how to write your bibliography and
annotation for each book.
2. Compare Two Illustrated Picture Storybooks of the Same Folktale. Locate two picture
storybooks that retell the same folktale but are illustrated by different artists. Begin by listing
the two books and write a one-paragraph summary of each book. Then write a three to fivepage analysis of the two books. Compare the similarities and differences in the versions of
the tale. Carefully examine the illustrations of the two books and discuss how the
illustrations influenced your response to the book. Consider the artistic elements that we
1
have discussed in class and that you have read about in your textbook and in the reserve
readings. Reading book reviews of your two books or background information on the
illustrator may help with your comparison and analysis.
Consider the following elements as your write your analysis of the two folktales. You
do not need to write about each of the following elements, but include those that
influenced your evaluation of the book.
 Use of line and color
 Artistic style
 Choice of media
 How movement is depicted
 Composition (where objects are placed)
 Formality of the text (placement of text and illustrations)
 Use of borders and/or frames
 Appropriateness of illustration style to the tale.
3. Scan in one illustration from the two folktale versions you compared. Select an
important or representative illustration from each book and include them in your paper. You
should be able to fit both illustrations on one page. Label the illustrations with the title of the
book and the name of the author and illustrator.
4. Submit your paper following these specifications:
 Include the name of the paper (Folktale Portfolio and Comparison Paper) and your name
at the top of your paper.
 Double-spaced with 1-inch margins all around. Single-space your annotations to save
space and paper.
 Use a 10 or 12-point font.
 Use modified MLA style of citation. Follow the method of citation and annotation on the
following page.
 Brief introduction for your annotated bibliography. Tell me if you chose a theme for
your collection (folktales with animal characters, creation stories, folktales with female
heroes, or trickster stories) or if you simply chose folktales that you liked and why they
appealed to you.
 Annotated bibliography of 25 folktales, fairy tales, legends, and myths. All 25 must be
illustrated picture storybooks. Include two from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and
South America. Follow the method of citation and annotation on the following page.
Single-space your annotations to save space.
 3-5 pages comparing the two illustrated picture storybook versions of the same folktale.
 1 page with 2 scanned images (1 for each of the two versions of the folktale you
compared).
Illustrator Paper Assignment
2/12/16
2
How to Create an Annotated Bibliography
Using a Modified Version of MLA Style
1. Create an alphabetical list of the folktales, fairy tales, legends, and myths you have
selected. These should be in alphabetical order by author’s last name and should include
all necessary bibliographic information in a modified MLA style. If no author is given,
alphabetize by the title of the book. For this paper, I would like you to include the name
of the illustrator for each title and the country/continent of origin. If the book does not
indicate the country of origin, check the record for the book in the online catalog and
look at the subject headings. This will often tell you the country of origin.
2. Write a brief annotation of the book. The annotation should include the genre of the
book (folktale, literary folktale, legend, or myth). Indicate if the tale is a version or
variant of a tale (such as Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast) and any other interesting
characteristics of the book. Include a brief summary of the book and any motifs or
archetypal characters or patterns you identify while reading the book. You may reference
the illustration style or method if particularly interesting. You can also indicate if the
book was a Caldecott medal winner or Caldecott honor book. In short, write a
description that captures the essence of the book and any important characteristics or
features of the book.
Follow the examples below to help you write the annotated bibliography.
Andersen, Hans Christian. The Little Mermaid. Illustrated by Michael Hague. New York: Holt,
1981. [Denmark/Europe].
This literary fairy tale is illustrated with oil paintings in gold, purple, and green to set the
stage for this tragic tale of a young mermaid’s sacrifice.
Brett, Jan. The Mitten. Illustrated by Jan Brett. New York: G.P. Putnam, 1989.
[Ukraine/Europe].
This traditional folktale tells the story of a young boy who loses his mitten in the snow
and how all the animals of the forest crawl into the mitten and make it their home. Beautifully
illustrated in typical Jan Brett style with Nicki’s search for the mitten featured in the richly
decorated borders on each page.
De Paola, Tomie. Strega Nona. Illustrated by Tomie De Paola. Englewood Cliffs: PrenticeHall, 1975. [Italy/Europe].
De Paola’s use of simple line drawings and a primitive style of illustration serve to retell
this humorous literary folktale of Stega Nona and her pot that keeps cooking pasta. This was
a Caldecott honor book.
Goble, Paul. The Gift of the Sacred Dog. Illustrated by Paul Goble. New York: Macmillan,
1980. [America/North America].
A traditional Native American tale of how the Great Spirit sends the sacred dog, horses,
so the people can hunt buffalo. Goble’s colorful illustrations capture the spirit of this Native
American folktale.
3
Grimm, Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm. Rapunzel. Retold by Barbara Rogasky. Illustrated by
Trina Schart Hyman. New York: Holiday House, 1982. [Germany/Europe].
This traditional tale is brought to life with the richly framed illustrations depicting
characters in traditional German costumes and with houses and towers in the traditional
German style.
Hodges, Margaret. Saint George and the Dragon. Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. New
York: Little Brown, 1984. [England/Europe].
Trina Schart Hyman’s dark and somber framed illustrations capture the solemn mood of
the legend of Saint George and the dragon.
Louie, Ai-Ling. Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China. Illustrated by Ed Young. New
York: Philomel, 1982. [China/Asia].
This traditional tale is the Chinese version of Cinderella. Presented by Ed Young in a
series of misty illustrations in a series of block panels to give the effect of a series of Chinese
screen panels. The use of color, imagery, and symbolism are effective in conveying this
ancient tale.
4