Reading for fun, not just to be done

Hansel and Gretel by author and illustrator James Marshall is a story about two young children who's parents try to abandon them in the forest due to a famine preventing the family to have much food. The children ate a lot and the greedy mother didn't like the idea of having to feed them. The first attempt to leave the kids in the woods is a failure due to hansel's quick thinking to drop peplos behind him to mark the trail back to the house. The parents shocked by the children's return take them on yet another abandonment trip into the woods. This time a white bird leads the two children to a small witches cabin decorated with candy. The witch attempts to trick the children into becoming her next meal but doesn't succeed as the kids put her in the over and escape. This book can teach young children about the importance of never giving up as well as the art of prediction making while reading books. The most common goal of the story is to not trust strangers especiall...

A young boy is left behind to protect the sheep from wolves while his dad went into the city. The boy thinks it’s funny to yell to the town that there is a wolf. Repeatedly he lies about a wolf being there just to get the whole town to run to the field and go searching for the wolf. He finally learns his lesson when this father returns and there is actually a wolf taking the sheep. The town was conditioned by the boy’s lies don’t respond to his pleas for help and the sheep are gone. Not only are the sheep gone but each time the boy called for help, each of the towns people lost something of their own. The illustrations in this book definitely help the reader particularly young ones see the emotion in both the young boy and the frustrated town people. This fable can be used to teach young children to be honest or it could come back and bite them. I would read this book to a kindergarten or first grade class to teach the value of honesty.

This traditional literature children’s book can be used to teach young children the value of hard work and dedication. Three pigs build shelters to hide from a big bad wolf, two of them decide to take it easy and build a quick shelter so they can play. The third wolf takes his time and builds a brick house with hard wok. In the end the big bad wolf tears down the two flimsy houses and the well built one prevails. Young children through the pictures and story can understand the importance of hard work.

This Aesop fable is brought to life by Jerry Pinkney. His stunning watercolor illustrations depict the emotions as well as the realistic characteristics of the characters. He also incorporates other animals in the story to add background and realism. This story teaches young children the value of returning the favor of good deeds.   A sleeping lion once angered by a disturbing mouse is later rescued from a poachers trap by the same mouse. This leads to a great friendship and life lesson taught to young readers.

Another one of Jerry PInkney’s wonderful illustration pieces. The ugly duckling in tis book is portrayed greatly by Jerry Pinkney, he maintains a realistic quality to his pictures while explaining the story so well. He takes the words of the story and makes them grab the reader’s attention.   This story takes in the reader by showing the journey of acceptance one little bird took. This story can be related to so many children who are just starting something new, or are trying to be something that they just aren’t. This can teach young students the value of being yourself and not try to be who you aren’t, stay true to yourself and don’t be afraid to take risks and one day you will blossom into something beautiful.

This fairy tale teaches young children to stay on the safe path and don’t take risks that aren’t safe and don’t pay off. The illustrations in this book are smoother and more cartoon like than the traditional little red riding hood books I am used to seeing. I like this version of the story because of the illustrations being clearer and less gritty than older versions. I feel as if young children would be more drawn to and follow this version better than others.