MOUSE MATCH: A CHINESE FOLKTALE by Ed Young

MOUSE MATCH: A CHINESE FOLKTALE by Ed Young

Book Review: Traditional Literature
MOUSE MATCH: A CHINESE FOLKTALE by Ed Young

Bibliography
Young, Ed. 1997. MOUSE MATCH: A CHINESE FOLKTALE. Harcourt Brace & Company. Singapore. ISBN 0152014535

Plot Summary
The mouse parents of a beloved mouse daughter are searching for the greatest and most powerful suitor for her. The much flattered sun politely refuses for it can be blocked by a cloud. The cloud can be scattered by the wind; the wind can be stopped by the mountain; the mountain can slowly be crumbled by mice. When the mouse daughter becomes a bride, the mouse family learns that to find an answer they had not only to look- but also to see.

Critical Analysis
This story is a variant of the MOUSE BRIDE, an ancient Chinese tale. In this story, the moral lesson of finding value in what is already familiar is taught. Diversity is recognized in this folktale by the openness of the mouse parents to their mouse daughter in regards to her marrying an animal of another race. This is portrayed by the silhouettes of a various suitors that meet the mouse parents. The story is constructed as an accordion book that opens into an 18-foot mural. Brown hues are used in a collage with pastel and watercolor illustrations. On the reverse side on this mural one will find striking white Chinese calligraphy on a black background.

Review Excerpts
“Young presents a Chinese variant of the "Mouse Bride" tale to demonstrate the importance of recognizing the value of what is in one's own backyard”. From School Library Journal

“It's a polished, effective presentation, for lap-sharing or story hours, and evidence that Young continuously redefines his role as a picture-book creator”. From Kirkus Reviews

Connections

1. This story lends itself to dramatic play by the use of silhouette stick characters to retell the story while a narrator reads the book. Students may act out the roles of the sun, clouds, wind and mountain.

2. Compiling moral lessons learned from this story and other Chinese folktales by Ed Young could be copied and illustrated by children to keep in their private collections. The students can also discuss these moral lessons in class and correlate to issues in their lives.

*Other Chinese folktales by Ed Young
Young, Ed and Tracey Adams. THE LOST HORSE: A CHINESE FOLKTALE. ISBN 015205023X
Young, Ed. TERRIBLE NUNG GWAMA: A CHINESE FOLKTALE. ISBN 0529054442

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BIGFOOT CINDERRRRRELLA by Tony Johnston

BIGFOOT CINDERRRRRELLA by Tony Johnston

Book Review: Traditional Literature
BIGFOOT CINDERRRRRELLA by Tony Johnston, Illustrated by James Warhola

Bibliography
Johnston, Tony. 1998. BIGFOOT CINDERRRRRELLA. Ill. by James Warhola. G. P. Putnam’s Sons. New York. ISBN 0399230211

Plot Summary
BIGFOOT CINDERRRRRELLA is an ultimate opposite version of the traditional Cinderella story. In this version, the odoriferous Bigfoot prince is searching the old-growth forest for his horrendously hairy Bigfoot woman to have as his bride. His bride must love nature and “No pick flowers!”. Meanwhile, back in the depths of the forest, there lived a Bigfoot woman, her two daughters, and stepdaughter, Ella. The stepsisters despise Ella and roar at her so much that she is known as Rrrrrella. They torture Rrrrrella, who is a nature lover, by combing her fur and sticking wildflowers in it. Every year the Bigfoot prince hosts a great fun-fest. This year, the putrid prince decrees that whichever woman can roll him off a log and into the river, will become his wife. Unable to attend the logrolling festivities with her stepsisters, Rrrrrella wishes aloud that she could go. Her wish is soon granted by her Beary Godfather. He transforms her fur into a matted mass and provides her with enormous bark-clogs for her humongous feet and warns her to return before sundown! Rrrrrella arrives at the fun-fest just in time to logroll with the Bigfoot prince. Grunting with all her might, Rrrrrella spins the log, gives a mighty twist and - floop! – the prince takes a nosedive into the river! Rrrrrella has not a moment to spare before sundown. As she runs into the woods, she is transformed into her old, combed, and flowery self. The prince lurches from the water only to wonder, “Where my stinking beauty go?”. By the story’s end, the prince not only locates his Bigfoot woman but also finds that she is the Bigfoot woman of his dreams!

Critical Analysis
This story has dramatic qualities due to the definite personalities of the Bigfoot prince and Bigfoot family of women. This social variation of the traditional Cinderella story adds an element of surprise and whimsy to the original tale. Dialog such as “No pick flowers!” and “Where my stinking beauty go?” add interest to this humorous story. There is an extra bonus of an environmental lesson contained within this read-aloud. The illustrations draw the reader into the Bigfoot community by the large, brightly painted scenes in rich greens, browns, and gold.

Review Excerpts
"What becomes a Bigfoot most? This silly twist on a favorite fairy tale clears up that question (and more) with humor and style." From Publishers Weekly

"It's hilarious fun with a message for all ages." From School Library Journal

Connections
This story would be an excellent compare and contrast along with other Cinderella versions and variants.

Other Cinderella stories with social variations include:
Ketteman, Helen. BUBBA, THE COWBOY PRINCE. ISBN 0590255061
Louie, Ai-Ling. YEH SHEN: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM CHINA. ISBN 0698113888
Steel, Flora Annie. TATTERCOATS: AN OLD ENGLISH TALE. ISBN 0878881093


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PORCH LIES: TALES OF SLICKSTERS, TRICKSTERS, AND OTHER WILY CHARACTERS by Paticia C. McKissack

PORCH LIES: TALES OF SLICKSTERS, TRICKSTERS, AND OTHER WILY CHARACTERS by Patricia C. McKissack

Book Review: Traditional Literature
PORCH LIES: TALES OF SLICKSTERS, TRICKSTERS, AND OTHER WILY CHARACTERS by Patricia C. McKissack, Illustrated by Andre Carrilho

Bibliography
McKissack, Patricia C. 2006. PORCH LIES: TALES OF SLICKSTERS, TRICKSTERS, AND OTHER WILY CHARACTERS. Ill. By Andre Carrilho. Schwartz & Wade. New York. ISBN 0375836195

Plot Summary
In the twilight of the warm summer evenings, family, friends, and neighbors gather to share tall tales or porch lies, "tales of humor and exaggeration told to listeners of all ages gathered together on the porch,". Grab a cool glass of lemonade, a comfy spot and prepare to listen to ten folktales about slicksters, tricksters and other wily characters from decades gone by.

Critical Analysis
McKissack transports the reader to the past when radio shows and porch lies were an evening’s entertainment. Tales deep in African American history range from rib-tickling humor to cool-prickly spookiness. The reader is mesmerized by the super-sized tales that show humanistic qualities of goodness, mercy, courage, and love. The author has memorialized these porch-spun tales of old in a manner that leaves the reader wanting more.

Carrilho provides black and white, full-page illustrations that complement the stories. These illustrations portray many of the characters in shadowy silhouettes, which are elongated in an eerie, off-balanced manner thus providing harmony between the text and pictures. The overall effect of the illustrations provides an excellent, yet sometimes disturbing visual to the reader.

This book is clearly meant to be shared with older children (9 years old and up) due to the several tales that include the devil, death and dying, and the background knowledge needed regarding history of the KKK and the James Brothers (Frank and Jessie).


Review Excerpts
“These 10 literate stories make for great leisure listening and knowing chuckles.” - School Library Journal
“…the nine original tales in this uproarious collection draw on African American oral tradition and blend history and legend with sly humor, creepy horror, villainous characters, and wild farce.” Booklist. (Starred Review)

Connections
Encourage readers to share tales that have been told by their parents or grandparents.
Discuss what important lessons are learned by each character in the story.
Compare and contrast various characters in the book.

Other folktales for children:
McDermott, Gerald. ZOMO THE RABBIT: A TRICKSTER TALE FROM WEST AFRICA. ISBN 0152010106
Kharif, Sharia. COON TAILS. ISBN 0976911728
Cole, Joanna. BEST-LOVED FOLKTALES OF THE WORLD. ISBN 0385189494

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