Mirror Mirror

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Singer, Marilyn. 2010. Mirror Mirror. Ill. Jose'e Masse. New York: Penguin. ISBN 9780525479017

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Mirror Mirror by Marilyn Singer is an illustrated picture book of reversable verse.  Each two page layout presents a classic fairy tale told from two points of view with the second poem a mirror image of the first starting at the last word and ending at the first or the original poem. The unique format of reverse verse is entertaining and surprising.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The unique format of this work makes the poems both exciting and highly entertaining.  The familiar fairy tales told from two different perspectives give the reader an excellent from of reference to draw upon while reading.  Singer uses short poems full of imagery in order to paint a picture of a story and help to convey meaning. The language selection helps to tell the tales from both sides.  Careful consideration is paid to punctuation in each version of the poem to enhance clarity and meaning.

Enhancing Singer's poems are the wonderful painted illustrations by Jose'e Masse.  The use of light and dark to convey the two sides to the accompanying poems are lovely.  The bright colors enhance the pictures fairy tale appeal.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(s)
Starred review- School Library Journal
Starred review- Booklist
Starred review- Kirkus
2011 Bluebonnet book club selection
An ALA Notable
Cybil Award in Poetry
nominee for the Texas Bluebonnet Award

5.  CONNECTIONS
*Have children discuss point of view and two sides to each story
*Try your hand at writing a reverse verse poem
*visit the author's website http://www.marilynsinger.net/
*explore point of view in fairy tales (lesson plan @ http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/activities-projects/explore-point-view-fairy-30148.html)
Read more books by Marilyn Singer
Rewrite a fairy tale from a different point of view either in verse or short story form.

 

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Scieszka, Jon. 1989. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by. A. Wolf. Ill. by Laine Smith. New York: Viking Press.  ISBN 0670827592

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by. A. Wolf by Jon Scieszka is a retelling of a classic fairy tale from the perspective of the Big, Bad Wolf.  Al (the wolf) claims that it was all just a misunderstanding about allergies and a cup of sugar.  Of course, there were still the two pigs that were eaten, but you don't let good food go to waste.  Do you?

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jon Scieszka uses the elements of traditional literature in a fun way to tell a classic tale from a new first person perspective.  The characters take on a dramatic shift with the pigs being evil and the wolf portrayed as a framed, misunderstood creature who was just trying to do something nice for his granny. 

The plot, while similar to the classic version of the story has twists and action which drive the story.  Unlike the original, Scieska has added a quest for a cup of sugar to help explain the wolf's motive for visiting the pigs. 

The setting is simply stated at "back in Once Upon a Time time" lending to the vague, generalization of traditional literature and allows for children to set their own time and place.

The illustrations by Lane Smith use dark colors including lots of brown.  Most illustrations are framed to create snapshots of story moments.  Further, Mr. Smith's illustrations depict elements of news stories and further the idea of the wolf being framed by the third pig and police.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Designed with uncommon flair, this alternative fable is both fetching and glib.- Publishers Weekly
It's the type of book that older kids (and adults) will find very funny - School Library Journal

5. CONNECTIONS
*Read more fractured fairy tales
*Compare and contrast point of view and perspective
*Create a reader's theater or use the one found at http://www.timelessteacherstuff.com/readerstheater/TruePigs.pdf