PPBF: The Shark God

And now on to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

The Shark God, by Rafe Martin and David Shannon

The Shark God

Written by Rafe Martin
Illustrated by David Shannon

Arthur A. Levine, Imprint of Scholastic Books, 2001
Ages 4-8, 370L


Themes:
Folk Tales, Culture


Opening:
It was long, long ago that two children, a brother and sister, tried to find someone to help them save a shark.


Synopsis:
The Shark God is a retelling of an ancient Hawaiian fable, Kauhuhu The Shark God of Molokai.
Two children who live in a hard-hearted village save a shark from a slow death. In their excitement, they break a tribal law and are sentenced to execution. Their parents seek help from the powerful and frightening Kauhuhu. With his guidance, the children are freed and reunited with their family.


What I Love:
Master storyteller, Rafe Martin, has made this unusual tale accessible to modern readers and has tweaked the story to center on the children and to include a more concrete ending. With bold color and energetic illustrations, this Hawaiian folk tale leaps off the shelf. Kids will love the heroic nature of the sharks and the magical details.

While I planned to review a contemporary picture book featuring characters from an under-represented culture for Multicultural Children's Book Day, I couldn't resist this striking picture book with its rare tale of adventure and its strong theme of callousness vs. kindness.


Bonus: 

Make a classic bottle catch game from Krokotak.

1. Read Kauhuhu's story in the sacred texts, available on Hawaiian Legends of Ghosts and Ghost-Gods.

2. The University of Hawai'i at Manoa has created a detailed index of Shark god stories, compiled by the Hawai'i State Library.

3. DKFindOut! has created pages of Shark facts, or visit SharkSider for a compendium of sharks, detailed by species.

4. Make a shark-shaped cootie catcher origami with instructions from Easy Peasy and Fun.

5. Support Multicultural Children's Book Day and #ReadYourWorld. Find suggested reading, classroom kits, and more on their website.

6. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

Reviewed by Julie

Reviewed by Vivian

Reviewed by Clar

Reviewed by Patricia

Reviewed by Maria

Reviewed by Joanne

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, January 26, 2018 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: Never Forgotten

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick


Never Forgotten, a new folktale about slavery, hope, and courage

Never Forgotten

Written by Patricia McKissack
Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

Schwartz & Wade, 2011
Random House Children's Books
Kindergarten and up
48pp, 3100 words, 710L

Themes:
Folk Tale, Culture, Poetry


Opening:
BEWARE
The drums speak
A single message—a warning:
Beware
Of pale men riding in large seabirds
With great white wings.
Beware
Of men with the blue of the sky in their eyes,
Who steal upriver
Through the Great Forest mists
And into the Savannah Lands in search of slaves—
Us.
Beware!
Hear the moans and groans of their captives—
Hundreds, thousands stolen.
We rarely speak of the Taken,
But I will, just once,
Because you asked.

Synopsis:
Told in 21 non-rhyming poems, this imagined tale of an African father communicates the pain and longing which must be felt by a parent whose child has been taken from them. The story follows Mufasa, a boy born in West Africa, the eighth in a line of skilled blacksmiths. Mufasa loves his savannah home, but one day he disappears. Back in the village, his father consults with the spirits of Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind. Each in their turn tries to rescue or find the kidnapped boy, but they are powerless to free him from the slavers. In the end, the father receives some consolation, and the glimpses we see of Mufasa show him to be courageous and enterprising, shaping his own destiny as best he can, with the indomitable spirit of a lion.


What I Love:


An interior illustration of
the slave market, by Leo and Diane Dillon

The beauty of this book makes me shiver. The author's note explains how McKissack began researching slavery in the Caribbean and how she crafted a creation tale out of the pieces she unearthed. But her story goes much deeper than a folk tale. She mines the depth of human emotion
and creates layers of story, a cautionary tale to never forget the cruelties of the past. The story seed was a comment she heard in Barbados, that hurricanes are mother Africa searching for her children. She has chosen to tell the story in poetry, harkening back to the oral traditions of Mali, where the Griots kept their people's history intact through storytelling. The words are achingly well-chosen. The text is spare. McKissack makes three thousand words feel like five hundred.

Leo and Diane Dillon have painted decades of stunning artwork. The illustrations for this picture storybook are no exception. The stained glass effect of the watercolors and acrylics is a fitting accompaniment to the poems. The jewel-tones are like sun reflecting off the ocean. Like the rich fabrics of West Africa. Like the vibrancy of the Caribbean Islands. All together, this book is powerful, and lovely, and sad: one that should be read and loved by families everywhere.

Bonus:

1. The International Slavery Museum sheds more light on the stories behind the slave trade in the Carribean. You can also find more at the National Archives.


KiinderArt has instructions for teaching a kente fabric craft.

2. For further reading on slavery in early America, explore the PBS and American Abolitionist websites.

3. Did you know the rich legacy African-American blacksmiths have left to America? Start your search with the Lowcountry Digital History Initiative or the National Park Service. Trace the roots further back to the West African blacksmiths on The Metropolitan Museum of Art's website.

4. African storytelling techniques made their way to the islands. Read about Caribbean folklore history from Stabroek News. You'll find familiar folktale characters on RealJamaica and read about living storytellers who are carrying on the tradition at CaribbeanBeat.

5. TeacherVision has compiled lesson plans for teaching African folktales. Use the sample stories from the AnikeFoundation or some of those found on VictoriaFalllsGuide.

6. Brown Bookshelf has posted an enlightening and encouraging interview with the author. And you'll find a powerful interview with the illustrators on Kirkus.

7. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library. 

Reviewed by Clara

Reviewed by Joanna



Reviewed by Susanna

Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Lindsey

Reviewed by Joy via Jilanne





Reviewed by Kirsten

Reviewed by Beth



Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, March 31, 2017 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick


Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion, by Alex T. Smith

Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion

Written and illustrated by Alex T. Smith

Scholastic Press, 2015
Ages 4-8, AD740L


Themes:
Fractured Folk Tale, Bravery


Opening:
"This is Little Red. Today she is going to be gobbled up by a lion."


Synopsis:
The story takes place somewhere in Africa and in this twisted tale, Little Red must take medicine to her Auntie Rose who has contracted a terrible case of the spots. Clever Red is not part of the hungry lion's very-clever-plan. Nor is having his mane tied in bows, getting his grotty teeth brushed, or being reprimanded for his bad manners. The solution to a lion problem may be easier than you think, but can this naughty lion change his ways?

What I Love:
I love the setting and the bright colors and the quirky, cartoon style. The story is not just an African Red Riding Hood. The cheeky humor is not just slapstick or over-the-top nonsense. This is a well-thought-out, well executed twist on an old classic with a terrific ending. The first of Alex Smith's books I've read, but not the last.

Bonus: 


Reese's peanut butter lions from Hungry Happenings

1. Learn more about Alex with interviews from Wee Red Writer, Arena Illustration, and One Word At A Time

2. Want more info? here's the Kirkus review of this book.

3. It's hard to resist lions made from Reese's peanut butter cups like those found on Family Fun cupcakes.

4. This book was shortlisted for the North Somerset Teachers Book Award.

5. Want more silly tales with an African flavor? Try Tinga Tinga Tales. Website, App, TV show. It's buckets of fun.

6. Enjoy more traditional folk tales from various countries in Africa free from the Fairy Tales of the World online collection.

6. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.



Reviewed by Julie

Reviewed by Stacy

 

Reviewed by Susanna

Reviewed by Wendy

 

Reviewed by Catherine

Reviewed by Joanne

 

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, September 30, 2016 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: Jackrabbit McCabe and the Electric Telegraph

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick



Jackrabbit McCabe & the Electric Telegraph
A tall tale by Lucy Rozier and Leo Espinoza

Jackrabbit McCabe & the Electric Telegraph
Written Lucy Margaret Rozier
Illustrated by Leo Espinoza

Schwartz & Wade, 2015
Ages 4-8, 40 pp, AD 930L


Themes:
Tall Tale, Inventions


Opening:
"This here's the story of Jackrabbit McCabe who was born to run.
At birth, his legs were so long, they looped like a pretzel and his father had to add an extra axel to the baby carriage."


Synopsis:
From the author's website:
Jackrabbit McCabe & the Electric Telegraph is a tall tale. With his extra-long legs, Jackrabbit McCabe can outrun anything on the American frontier: horses, trains, and even twisters. So of course, everyone in the town of Windy Flats always counts on his speed when a message has to get out pronto.
Then something new comes to town: the telegraph, which can send Morse code messages with the speed of electricity. At first, no one believes the newfangled contraption can deliver a message quicker than Jackrabbit. . . But in a race between man and machine, who will be left in the dust?


What I Love:
 I loved tall tales as a kid. I guess I still do. The twang of the text kept me turning pages. The humor in the illustrations made even the stretchiest truths seem plausible.

The story of Jackrabbit McCabe is intended for elementary kids, but I think there's definitely room in a slightly older classroom for a modern folktale. I love how this book will likely entice readers to want to learn more about the 19th century, the invention of the telegraph, and the history of communication without actually presenting much fact.


Bonus:
1. Lucy Rozier recommends the History Channel feature on the telegraph.
2. For more tall tales from around the country, check out American Folklore.
3. Visit the Morse Code exhibit at the White River Valley Museum. Can't travel to Washington? Visit
the virtual Crypto Museum.
4. Have fun sending code to your friends courtesy S. C. Phillips website.
5. Crayola offers a quick morse code puzzle worksheet.
6. For older readers, Prof. Tom Perera offers step-by-step instructions for building a simple telegraph.
7. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.



Reviewed by Jarm

Reviewed by Julie



Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Amy

Reviewed by Joanna

Reviewed by Stacy







Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, June 3, 2016 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: The Seven Chinese Brothers

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

The Seven Chinese Brothers,
by Margaret Mahy and Jean and Mao-sien Tseng

The Seven Chinese Brothers
Written by Margaret Mahy
Illustrated by Jean and Mou-sien Tseng
Scholastic, 1990
grades K-3, reading level 4.8


Themes:
Folk Tale, Siblings


Opening:

"Once upon a time, when Ch'in Shih Huang was emperor of all China, seven remarkable brothers lived together on a beautiful hillside. They walked alike, they talked alike, they even looked so much alike that it was to tell one brother from the brother next to him. All the same, each brother had something special about him. Each brother had one amazing power that was all his own."

Synopsis:
This folk tale mixes fact and fiction as it sets this magical family in the very real setting of the Qin dynasty. Seven brothers want to help repair a hole in the Great Wall. When the first brother is arrested and threatened with execution, the second takes his place. The story progresses as each brother in turn substitutes himself for the previous brother. Because of their incredible powers, like super-strength, iron bones, and fireproof skin, the brothers are able to cheat the executioner each morning. But it is the seventh son who is able to rescue the entire family and give the emperor's army their just reward.


What I Love:
I love Margaret Mahy's retelling. She is a master wordsmith and a mischievous storyteller. I always feel like the author is smirking as she spins a tale. The watercolor art is beautiful, fine contemporary illustrations with a definite nod to traditional Chinese design.




Bonus:

courtesy aliexpress

1. Celebrate Chinese New Year with crafts from Rachel on MalMal.

2. Order instructions for a Kirigami Great Wall of China from Amazing Pop-Ups.
3.  Cook up Emeril's Szechuan Style Spareribs from Food Network.
4. Spin a tale. Grace Lin twists this story into her own version, titled Seven Chinese Sisters. Read her website for ideas and activities, then try writing your own.
5. Professor David K. Jordan has posted a fabulous treasury of Chinese folk tales with explanations for English-speaking readers as well as a trove of links to Chinese history and culture.
6. Check out these and other Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

Reviewed by Patricia

Reviewed by Joanna

Reviewed by Vivian

Reviewed by Barbara

Reviewed by Diane

Reviewed by Penny

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for February 27, 2015 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: Clever Jack Takes the Cake

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Clever Jack Takes the Cake,
by Candace Fleming and G. Brian Karas

Clever Jack Takes the Cake
Written by Candace Fleming
Illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Schwartz & Wade, 2010
Grades 1-3, Reading Level AD600L
40 pp, 1384 words



Themes:
Friendship, Folk Tale, Birthday





Opening:
One summer morning long ago, a poor boy named Jack found an invitation slipped beneath his cottage door. It read:

His Majesty the King 

cordially invites 

all the children of the Realm

 to 

the Princess's Tenth Birthday 

Party

tomorrow afternoon

in the Castle Courtyard

Synopsis:
Lowly Jack is invited to the princess's birthday, but he has no present to bring. Selling his few possessions, resourceful Jack gathers the ingredients he needs to make the perfect birthday cake. On his way to the castle, poor Jack and his cake are menaced by an assortment of characters, from four-and-twenty blackbirds to a greedy troll. Disappointed Jack must eventually face the princess empty-handed. It will take all his cleverness to keep the party from being a total loss.

What I Love:
What can Candy write that we will not adore? Not much. Here is a new tale, traditionally told, which satisfies the ache for fairy tales in a refreshing way. The author twists in the familiar in this subtractive tale (the opposite of cumulative?), but she ends up with a story which is anything but ordinary: A story about resourcefulness and the charming ability children have to bear up under adversity and to build friendship in unlikely ways.

Brian proves he is a superlative illustrator with his deceptively simple art. He transports us to a time and place with the sparest of details. He captures the characters emotions with a flick of the pen. From Jack to the dancing bear, I just want to hug them all! Adorable, without being cutesy!

Bonus:

1. I hope you don't have to sell your possessions to cook up Paula Deen's Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake.
2. TeachingBooks lists some lesson plan ideas for this book on their site.
3. The sound quality on this you tube clip is poor, but this young man's performance of Clever Jack is almost as much fun as reading the book!
4. Jules interviews Candace about Clever Jack right after its initial publication, and an gives an overview of Brian's career on 7 Imp.
5. I recently learned about the Appalachian Jack Tales heritage from E Dulemba. Learn more about Jack in traditional folklore or read the Dance Among Thorns, the original Jack tale. Candy's book has a more European flavor, but it definitely carries on the Jack Tale tradition.
6. Color a traditional Jack and the Beanstalk coloring page from Super Coloring Pages.
7. Here's an  eclectic mix of Perfect Picture Books which would be fun to read together. Find them at your local library.

A resourceful heroine
Reviewed by Jennifer

Elizabeth O. Dulemba's
bilingual Jack Tale

Reviewed by Julie

Crazy folktale adaptations
Reviewed by Clarike

Another birthday story
Reviewed by Beth

A journey book
Reviewed by Miss Marple

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for November 7, 2014, available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.