HIDDEN by Helen Frost

Review by Christi De Leon

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frost, Helen. Hidden. New York: Farrar, 2011. ISBN 9780374382216

2.    PLOT SUMMARY

This book tells the story of two eight year old girls, Wren and Darra. Darra’s dad steals a car, unaware that Wren was in the back seat. Wren hides herself inside of a boat in their garage for awhile, eventually escaping. The two girls end up going to the same camp several years later where tension builds between them. During their stay at camp, they encounter each other during a game called Drown Last, piece together what had happened, discover the truth, and form a meaningful friendship.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Hidden is a verse novel that uniquely tells an emotional story from two alternating viewpoints, Wren and Darra. The vivid details allow the reader to visualize what is taking place as the girls face their individual experiences, and develop a bond at camp a few years later. The entire book is written as thoughts, emotions, actions, and reactions of the two girls. The poetic structure differs for the two points of view, possibly signifying the differences as characters themselves. Free verse was used for Wren’s lines, while Darra’s lines were written in an inventive way. By reading the last word of each long line, the reader gains added insight into Darra’s story as memories from her past unfold. I’m particularly intrigued by the poet’s talent in smoothly making this happen, while not hindering each individual poem in the process. Helen Frost includes a helpful section that explains the two forms of poetry she used in this novel.

Towards the end of the book, a particular pivotal moment was captured for Wren and Darra. Referring to Camp Oakwood, Wren says, “We’ve all left home and school behind, and we can be whoever we want to be.” The poem continues with how both girls love to dance. Their very different paths align just for a moment, but in turn they create a lifelong bond. Overall, the natural emotions of the characters are portrayed, and the true meaning of friendship is defined in this insightful poetic novel.

4.    REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2012 ALA Notable Book

Sylvia Vardell’s “Top 20 Children’s Poetry Books of 2011”

From Booklist: “Like Frost's Printz Honor Book, Keesha's House (2003), this novel in verse stands out through its deliberate use of form to illuminate emotions and cleverly hide secrets in the text.” 

From VOYA: “Many teen readers will identify with Wren and Darra and how events that happened to us when we were younger help shape the person we become.” 

5.    CONNECTIONS

Gather other Helen Frost books to read such as:

Salt: A Story of Friendship in a Time of War. ISBN 1250062895

Diamond Willow. ISBN 0312603835

Gather similar stories to read such as:

Cooney, Caroline B. The Face on the Milk Carton. ISBN 038574238X

Possible Activities:

Discuss how Wren’s point of view differed from Darra’s by finding examples from the story.

Note how each girl’s story follows its individual structure. Have students write about which structure they find to be more favorable and give reasoning.

BOW WOW MEOW MEOW: IT'S RHYMING CATS AND DOGS by Douglas Florian

Review by Christi De Leon

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Florian, Douglas. Bow Wow Meow Meow: It’s Rhyming Cats and Dogs. Orlando: Harcourt Inc., 2004. ISBN 0152163956

2.    PLOT SUMMARY

This book contains twenty-one poems about dogs and cats of all kinds. These poems are in the form of concrete poetry and are intended to be humorous to readers.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

First, a contents page provides a list of the twenty-one poems included. Each poem in this book is uniquely written and crafted in a fun way. The use of rhythm and rhyme is immediately noticeable. Rhymes are used purposefully throughout the book, adding more humor to the poems’ waggish nature. For some poems, it seems as if the poet carefully chose the most unexpected rhyme of all. For instance, to rhyme with “hares” he chose “Frigidaires.” Some poems are arranged into lines and others take odd shapes, such as curls. One poem even uses spots as “o’s” within the text to reiterate that Dalmatians have spots. Overall, these poems bring out lighthearted emotions, causing readers to giggle with delight. Each turn of the page leads to another peculiar surprise for dog and cat lovers.

Illustrations for these poems are comprised of watercolor on primed brown paper bags with collage. One large illustration accompanies each poem by providing a silly, exaggerated visual for readers. Details shown in the illustrations precisely complement the words in the poems.

4.    REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From School Library Journal: “A definite contender for 'best in show'."

From Booklist: “In this winning collection, both clever and silly, Florian again shows how much fun poetry can be.”

5.    CONNECTIONS

Gather other Douglas Florian books to read such as:

Beast Feast: Poems & Paintings. ISBN 0152017378

Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings. ISBN 1416979786

Gather other poetry books about animals to read such as:

Lewis, Patrick J. National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar! ISBN 1426310099

Prelutsky, Jack. Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant and Other Poems. ISBN 0060543175

Possible activities:

Pair with a related nonfiction book, such as a book about canines or felines.

Have students write their own concrete poem about a pet or favorite animal.

Read this book as part of a lesson on rhyming words.

RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS: A YEAR IN COLORS written by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

Review by Christi De Leon

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce. Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books, 2009. ISBN 9780547014944

2.    PLOT SUMMARY

This book follows a red bird among the seasonal changes that occur throughout the year. Each season is depicted by its many colors. The colors are described with examples that focus on the senses.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book was written with astounding creativity, as it portrays the changing of the seasons by bringing color to life. We experience each season through a series of poems. The colors, actually written as words, are elaborated in a way that heightens the senses. The placement of short lines creates a natural rhythm. Rhyme is used occasionally, as if each rhyme effortlessly fell into place without straying from the overall flow. For example, “In summer, white clinks in drinks.” Figurative language is used in abundance. Among these choices is the simile appearing at both the beginning and the end that reads, “…each note dropping like a cherry into my ear.” Everywhere in between, a new emotion is captured as the colors have feelings of their own. The red bird seems to bring the poem together from start to finish, flying through all of the different surroundings.

Paintings of mixed media on wood and computer illustrations were applied to complement the poems in an appealing way. The use of color is especially important, since the poems are focused on the colors of the seasons. The illustrator did an exceptional job of representing every detail throughout the book. A noticeable detail is the crown. A crown is worn by some of the characters, the red bird included. As a reader, I wonder if there is a purpose to the crown or if it is simply an added detail.

4.    REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2010 Caldecott Honor Book

From The Horn Book: "Sustaining the playfulness of the text and its sense of awe, mystery, and beauty, the illustrations contribute gracefully to the celebration."

From Kirkus Reviews: "A charming inspiration to notice colors and correlate emotions."

From Booklist: "As the title implies, the colors that surprise on every page, do sing."

From School Library Journal: “This is an important book both for its creativity and for its wisdom.”

5.    CONNECTIONS

Gather other Caldecott winning books illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski to read such as:

Logue, Mary. Sleep Like a Tiger. ISBN 0547641027

Gather other Joyce Sidman books to read such as:

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night. ISBN 0547152280

Possible Activities:

Integrate into a lesson about the four seasons.

Have each student pick a color from the book and create a corresponding list poem using technology.

RAPUNZEL by Paul O. Zelinsky

Review by Christi De Leon

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zelinsky, Paul O. Rapunzel. New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 1997. ISBN 0525456074

2.    PLOT SUMMARY

This book is a retelling of a German folktale in which a young girl with long, gorgeous hair is kept in a lonesome tower. When the sorceress wants to enter the tower, she calls for Rapunzel to let down her hair. A prince notices and decides to enter the tower the same way, eventually marrying her. When the sorceress discovers this, she cuts off Rapunzel’s long hair and sends her away to live alone again. After being tricked by the sorceress, the prince ventures off to find Rapunzel. In the end, the prince reunites with Rapunzel and his two children.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This familiar, emotional tale takes place long ago in a forest. After a brief, somber background about her parents, the story continues by telling how baby Rapunzel is forcefully taken away by the sorceress. Time passes quickly as Rapunzel lives alone inside of a high tower for many years. A prince eventually finds Rapunzel using her hair, wins her love, and promptly marries her. The sorceress cruelly chops off Rapunzel’s locks, sends her away to live alone again, and blinds the prince. On his journey, the prince finds Rapunzel and his two children. Rapunzel cures his blindness as two of her tears fell into his eyes. Motifs are integral to this story, and the reader can joyfully accept the magic that takes place when the prince gets to see his family upon finding them.

This book exemplifies artistic talent, consisting of realistic oil paintings. The illustrations have a remarkable, Italian Renaissance style that fit the story flawlessly. A mentionable aspect of this story is Rapunzel’s hair. Her hair was portrayed masterfully with long, wavy locks of red and gold tones.

4.    REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

1998 Caldecott Medal

From The Horn Book: "Simply put, this is a gorgeous book; it demonstrates respect for the traditions of painting and the fairy tale while at the same time adhering to a singular, wholly original, artistic vision."

From Kirkus Reviews: “Exquisite paintings in late Italian Renaissance style illumine this hybrid version of a classic tale.”

5.    CONNECTIONS

Gather other Paul O. Zelinsky books to read such as:

Rumpelstiltskin. ISBN 0140558640

Gather other books illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky to read such as:

Lesser, Rika. Hansel and Gretel. ISBN 0698114078

Possible activities:

With puppets, allow students to practice retelling the story to others.

Assign parts to various students and have them role-play.

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS by James Marshall

Review by Christi De Leon

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Marshall, James. The Three Little Pigs. New York: Dial Books, 1989. ISBN 0803705913

2.    PLOT SUMMARY

This book retells the well-known tale of The Three Little Pigs. Three brother pigs leave home and each build a house of their own. A wolf successfully blows down the first two houses and eats both pigs. The last pig, however, builds a sturdy house and does not fall for the wolf’s plans. Instead, the pig eventually outsmarts the wolf. The pig ends up cooking him in his big pot and eats him up.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This simple version of The Three Little Pigs begins with “Once upon a time” as the pigs set out on their own adventures. Each pig builds a house, and a conflict arises with the wolf. Each time, the wolf repeats, “Little pig, little pig, let me in.” The pig replies saying, “No, no, no not by the hair of my chinny chin chin.” Unfortunately, the first two pigs did not build their houses sturdy enough, and the wolf blows them both down. The third pig, however, takes advice to use bricks from a man and replies with, “Capital idea, my good fellow!” Clearly, the third pig has the most common sense. In the end, the smart pig triumphs over the mean wolf by cooking him and eating him. This story shows us how hard work and a sturdy foundation pays off.

Ink and watercolor painting were used to illustrate this familiar tale. When the pigs are leaving their mother, their eyes and attire fatefully convey their future. For instance, the third pig appears ready to fully embrace opportunity in his business suit and decides to looks back at his mother one last time, unlike the other pigs. The first pig actually has his eyes closed, as if he is about to thoughtlessly walk right into trouble. The colorful and comical art noticeably extends the story. As a humorous side note, it looks like the wolf takes the first pig’s hat and the second pig’s balloon with him on his next pursuit.

4.    REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From School Library Journal: “Marshall brings his own brand of humor to both text and pictures in this retelling of the popular nursery tale. He retains the classic format of the tale, including all of the familiar phrases ("I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in"), but his own asides make the story fresh and lively.”

From Publishers Weekly: "Readers who grin when they pick up this title can be forgiven for correctly anticipating amusing antics within, especially if they are familiar with Marshall's other half-fractured fairy tales (including Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a Caldecott Honor book)."

5.    CONNECTIONS

Gather other James Marshall books to read such as:

Goldilocks and the Three Bears. ISBN 0140563660

Red Riding Hood. ISBN 0140546936

Gather other retellings of The Three Little Pigs to read such as:

Kellogg, Steven. ISBN 0064437795

Seibert, Patricia. ISBN 1577683676

A Kindergartener’s response:

“That wolf was scary. He had sharp teeth and a lot of fur.”

Possible activities:

Read The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! told by Jon Scieszka. Compare and contrast The Three Little Pigs and The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! using a Venn Diagram.

Ask students to construct towers of different materials, such as wooden blocks, foam cubes, and plastic cups. Have students attempt to blow each of them down, just like the wolf did, to discover which structure is sturdiest.