Dust Devil

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Isaacs, Anne. 2010. Dust Devil. Ill. by Paul Zelinsky. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books. ISBN 0375967221

PLOT SUMMARY

In this tall tale, author Anne Isaacs continues the story of Angelica Longrider, first introduced in Issacs’s Caldecott Award Honor Book, Swamp Angel.  

This exaggerated narrative is set in Montana during the first half of the 19^th century.  The story attributes buttes, the Grand Canyon, geysers, and other natural features to Angelica’s larger-than-life antics.  In addition to her other accomplishments, Angelica tames a wild horse named Dust Devil.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Dust Devil is a perfect example of a tall tale.  It contains an extravagant main character, hilarious activities, and engaging dialogue.  Angelica is a heroic character who represents goodness.  Although there are several conflicts throughout the story, the main conflict consists of Angelica attempt to rescue the town from villain Backward Bart and his Flying Desperadoes.  

The setting of the story is identified as Montana, but little description is provided beyond that.  Like other tall tales, Dirt Devil has the message of good triumphing over evil and explains the origins of features that are well known to many (the Grand Canyon, for example).  Isaacs’s writing style gives a decidedly Old Western feel to the story.  The text will remind the reader of the narration of an Old Western movie.  This book is most appropriate for ages 5-9.  Younger children will be overwhelmed by the detailed story.

Paul Zelinsky’s illustrations were painted in oils on cedar, aspen, and maple veneers.  The hyperbolic illusrations match the hyperbolic nature of the story.  Zelinsky’s illustrations of the Desperadoes are especially amusing as he is able to make them incredibly ugly.  Children will enjoy looking at Zelinsky’s inclusion of even the smallest details.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in Booklist:  “[A] handsomely designed, thoroughly entertaining stand-alone sequel.”

Starred review in Publishers Weekly:  “Will have kids howling.”The New York Times Book Review:  “Precise and witty illustrations.”

CONNECTIONS

This book would be a perfect introduction to a geography or history lesson on Montana or Western expansion.

Jack and the Giant Barbecue

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kimmel, Eric. 2012. Jack and the Giant Barbecue. Ill. by John Manders. Las Vegas: Amazon Publishing. ISBN 0761461289

PLOT SUMMARY

After his father’s death, Jack learns that a giant stole his father’s prized barbecue recipe.  With this information, Jack begins an expedition to rescue the recipe.  Along the way, he encounters a helpful jukebox. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This variation of the traditional “Jack and the Giant Beanstalk” story is set in Texas.  The main character, Jack, is a typical hero who saves his father’s barbecue book.  The other characters consist of Jack’s mother and the giant.  This fairy tale features a “happily ever after” ending typical to the genre.  

The story contains other characteristics typical to the genre as well.  For example, Jack has a definite quest (rescuing his father’s recipe) and is able to resolve the conflict easily.  The theme of good triumphing over evil is also very prevalent in this story.  

John Manders has created a set of alluring illustrations using gouache and colored pencil.  He uses bright colors which renders an entertaining feel to the pictures.  His illustrations support the whimsical and silly aspects of the story.   

Kimmel’s style honors the original story, but he is puts his own uniquely Texan spin on it.  The setting of this story is crucial to the subject matter.  A story about barbecue set in Maine just would not have the same effect.  Young Texan children (and their parents) will enjoy being able to relate to the decidedly Texan feel to the book.  There are many references throughout the story that will go over children’s heads.  For example, the jukebox in Jack’s restaurant at the end of the story plays “Hank, Patsy, Willie, and all the greatest country hits.”  Nevertheless, children will enjoy the story and their parents will too!

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal:  “[Children] will enjoy the vivid language and larger-than-life elements.”

Booklist: “The story is made for reading aloud and sharing the giggles.”

CONNECTIONS

Other variations of traditional stories include:

Kimmel, Eric. The Three Little Tamales.  ISBN 0761455191

Ward, Jennifer. There Was an Old Pirate Who Swallowed a Fish.  ISBN 0761461965

Huff & Puff

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Rueda, Carol. 2012. Huff & Puff. New York: Abrams Appleseeed. ISBN 1419701702

PLOT SUMMARY

In this story, Rueda retells the traditional story of “The Three Pigs” with a sweet twist at the end.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Rueda’s version of “The Three Pigs” is a simplified and engaging story for young readers.  Rueda has eliminated extraneous narration and provides an abridged version of the story.  The focus of this book is the illustrations.  Because so much of the text has been removed, the reader must get most of the information from the illustrations on each page.  For example, Rueda does not explicitly tell what each house is being built from, but the reader can identify the building materials from the page. 

Although the wolf is mentioned in the text, he is not included in the illustrations.  The illustrations were created with pen, ink, and watercolor on paper.  In addition to the black of the ink, Rueda mostly uses the colors tan and pink, with blue and yellow accents throughout.  Rueda’s strong use of lines gives movement and shadows to the pictures.  The pigs are quite adorable and endearing. 

The most unusual aspect of this story is the hole on the pages where the wolf is huffing and puffing.  This feature creates an interactive reading experience.  Young children will enjoy blowing through the hole to blow the house down – my daughter definitely did!

Overall, this book is a great introduction to the original tale.  It is very simplified and perfect for very young children (2-5 years).

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booklist:  "Simple but wonderfully expressive.”

Kirkus Reviews:  “A good chance for youngsters to relish enacting the wicked role while still getting a friendly reconciliation at the end.”

School Library Journal:  "Very young readers will get a kick out of taking the wolf’s part, and their parents will appreciate that the scariest bits of the original tale have been omitted."

CONNECTIONS

Other books involving the story of “The Three Pigs” include:

Gay, Marie-Louise. The Three Little Pigs.  ISBN 088899639X

Wiesner, David. The Three Pigs.  ISBN 0618007011