Not Your Average Librarians Book Blog - Jessica Martinez

Book 4: Traditional Literature Review: The Lion and The Mouse By Jerry Pinkey Bibliography Pinkney, J. (2009). THE LION AND THE MOUSE. Little, Brown and Co. Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0-329-77131-7 Plot Summary The Lion and the Mouse is a classic fable retold and beautifully illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. The story revolves around a powerful lion and a tiny mouse, unlikely friends whose fates rely on an act of kindness. In the tale, a mighty lion captures a small mouse, intending to make a meal out of it. However, the mouse pleads for its life, promising to repay the lion's mercy someday. Eventually the lion decides to let it go, believing that such a tiny creature could never be of any help to him. Later, the lion finds himself trapped in a hunter's net, unable to break free despite his strength and struggles. Hearing the lion's cry, the mouse rushes to the scene. Using its sharp teeth, the mouse bites through the ropes of the net, setting the lion free. Critical Ana...

Book 3: Traditional Literature Review: Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock by Eric Kimmel Bibliography Kimmel, Eric, Retold. 1988. ANANSI AND THE MOSS-COVERED ROCK. Ill. by Janet Stevens. New York: Holiday House. ISBN  978-0-8234-0689-0 Plot Summary Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock retells a West African folktale about Anansi, a clever spider. In this story, Anansi discovers a magic rock that makes him faint whenever someone mentions it. He uses this to trick the other animals in the forest, stealing their food while they're unconscious. However, Anansi's schemes are noticed by a deer, who teaches him a lesson when he tries to trick her. Ntikuma reveals the truth to the other animals, who become angry at Anansi's deception. In the end, Anansi learns a valuable lesson about honesty and the consequences of his actions. Critical Analysis The story of "Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock" is a classic example of a trickster tale, where the clever protagonist uses wit and sc...

Books 2: Traditional Literature Review: There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly  Bibliography  Taback, S. (1997). There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Viking. ISBN: 978-0-670-86939-8 Plot Summary The old lady swallows a fly followed by the rhyme, “I don’t know why she swallowed that fly, perhaps she’ll die.” Each page has a hole in her stomach to show what she has eaten, which subsequently makes her stomach bigger and bigger. The final animal she eats is a horse, which in fact seals her fate and kills her. The last pages show the animals in mourning and her headstone . The whimsical pages offer readers a hilarious warning of your fate if you eat a horse.  Critical Analysis There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly is a delightful and inventive take on a beloved classic. Taback infuses the story with humor through both the text and illustrations. The silliness of an old lady swallowing increasingly larger animals, coming to an end in a surprising and humorous resol...

Module 2 Book 1: Traditional Literature Review: The Three Pigs by David Wiesner Bibliography  Wiesner, David. The Three Pigs. New York, New York. Clarion Books a Houghton Mifflin Company. 2001. ISBN 0-618-00701-6 Plot Summary The Three Pigs is a unique and imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs." In this version, three pigs build their houses out of different materials just like in the original story: one built with straw, one with sticks, and one with bricks. However, the narrative takes a turn when a wolf blows down the houses, and the pigs are thrown out of their storybook world and into other different fairy tales. As the pigs continue through their journey through different stories, they run into other characters and elements from other classic tales, such as Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk. Throughout their adventures, the pigs eventually learn to take control of their own destiny, using elements from the different stories to...

Picture Book Review: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown Bibliography  Brown, Margaret Wise. 1947. Goodnight Moon .  Ill. by Clement Hurd. New York: HarperTrophy. ISBN 0064430170. Plot Summary Goodnight Moon is the simple bedtime story of a young bunny who wants to say “goodnight” to everything he notices in his room before going to sleep. This book has earned its place as a beloved bedtime classic. Goodnight Moon is a story told in just one hundred and twenty-five words, thus the plot of the book is very simplistic. As the story continues, the rabbit gets more and more tired before finally saying "Goodnight noises everywhere," just as he falls asleep. The illustrations lead the reader to find the calm in their bedtime routine and help readers transition from the busyness of the day to the peacefulness of sleep.  Critical Analysis Goodnight Moon is told in rhyming verse, similar to a lullaby. The story allows opportunities for readers to develop a series of comfortable...

Picture Book Review: Are You My Mother? By P.D Eastman Bibliography  Eastman, P.D. (1960). ARE YOU MY MOTHER? . Ill. by P. D. Eastman. New York: Random House Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780375875199 Plot Summary In Are You My Mother? a baby bird hatches while his mother is out looking for food for him. While she is away the baby bird sets out on a quest to find his mother. Along the way, he encounters multiple animals, vehicles and objects, asking each one, "Are you my mother?". None of whom are his mother. At one point, he begins to wonder, and has to reassure himself that, “I did have a mother…. I know I did. I have to find her. I will. I WILL!”. The baby bird continues his quest to find his mother, when something surprising happens and leads the baby bird back to his home and reunites with his mother. The mother bird then asks, “Do you know who I am?” and the two share a moment of joy and togetherness. Critical Analysis Are You My Mother? Is an emotional quest for a lit...

Picture Book Review: Waiting Is Not Easy! (An Elephant and Piggie Book): Mo Willems  Bibliography  Willems, M. (2014). Waiting Is Not Easy! . Disney- Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9781423199571 Plot Summary Waiting Is Not Easy! is a delightful picture book following good friends Piggie and Gerald as they challenge the concept of patiences and waiting. The story begins with Piggie presenting to Gerald that he has a secret surprise for him. Gerald is excited about his surprise and can hardly wait to find out what it could be. As the story progresses Elephant grows impatient, while Piggie remains happy and patient for the unveiling of the surprise.  Critical Analysis Waiting Is Not Easy! Is filled with humor while maintaining an important storyline of the significance of patiences. This story will leave the reader entertained, as well as intrigued on what the surprise could be. Waiting Is Not Easy! Also highlights that all surprises do not have to be items, but can be th...

  Picture Book Review: Last Stop on Market Street Per SHSU Literature For Children 5360 Bibliography  de la Pena, Matt. 2015. LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET. Ill. by Christian Robinson. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 9780545964524 Plot Summary A young boy named C.J and his grandmother embark on an insightful adventure to Market Street. During their quest together C.J has lots of questions on what he sees and why things are the way they are. His grandmother offers clever responses with positive spins. In the beginning of the story C.J questions why he has to ride the bus and go to church unlike his friends, but with his grandmother’s help he is able to meet different people from all walks of life. Ultimately, with the help of his grandmother who always finds the positives, C.J finds the beauty in things that may not initially appear beautiful. Critical Analysis Last Stop on Market Street does a wonderful job on highlighting different people and their communities. This picture b...