Rabbit's Snow Dance

-

Rabbit's Snow Dance

Bibliography
Bruchac, James, Joseph Bruchac, and Jeff Newman. Rabbit's Snow Dance. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012. Print. ISBN 0803732708

Plot Summary
This tale begins in a forest during a summertime with a very impatient rabbit wishing it would snow. Rabbit desired for the weather to change so he could use his big feet to walk over the snow to eat leaves and buds. Rabbit had the idea of using his special song and drum to make it snow like in winter. The other animals tried to stop him, but Rabbit would just not listen. He sang his special song until the snow was so high he could reach all the leaves and buds.
Rabbit did not see all the trouble he was causing for the other animals he kept singing till he was tired and fell asleep at the top of the highest tree. The sun melted all the snow and while Rabbit slept. When he finally woke he was caught by surprise. He fell from the top of the tree and his beautiful tail got caught through the branches as he hit the ground. Rabbit noticed most of his tail was gone and could see that bits and pieces were on the branches of the tree. Rabbit learned his lesson, but since then Rabbit has had a short tail.

Critical Analysis
This traditional Native American fable adapted by James Bruchac and illustrated by Jeff Newman is delightful and charming. The main character, a selfish and impatient rabbit, uses an Iroquois drum and a special song to get the weather to change. He has no reasoning and does not listen to the animals that warn him. This story holds many lessons for youngsters on patience, balance, moderation, and consideration over others.
The illustrations are fun and colorful. Love how the cover of the book illustrates the rabbit with a beautiful tail and a drum it automatically captures attention. The pictures clearly show the plot of the story unfolding from the rabbit running to find his drum till the tragic event where he loses his tail. The drawings are simple, but one can see the emotions that are taking place. This sketch style story is a creative way of retailing a Native American folktale.

Review Excerpts
Goodreads Review, “A hip and hilarious fable perfect for wintertime.”
Kirkus Review, “Kids who are looking forward to a snow day may give Rabbit’s chant a try, but hopefully, they will know when to stop.”
Booklist Review, “The telling is sprightly, and Newman’s ink-and-watercolor artwork makes an ideal companion. An appealing addition to folktale shelves.”

Connections
Great story to show children to be patient and you do not always get what you want. A book that contains a great lesson for kids to listen and be considerate of others. Good book when children are learning about the seasons as well. Other books with similar message:
Andreae, Giles. Giraffes Can't Dance. ISBN 0439287197
Thurber, James. Many Moons. ISBN 0152518738

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

-
Image
BIBLIOGRAPHY Raschka, C. (2015). A ball for Daisy (1st ed.). New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade Books. ISBN: 978-0-375-85861-1    PLOT SUMMARY The story begins with a scruffy brown dog named Daisy and her favorite red toy ball. Throughout the story one can see how fond Daisy is of her toy. She does not go anywhere without it that she even sleeps with it. When one day daisy’s owner decides to take her to the park, everything seems to be going well until a brown dog appears and accidentally pops Daisy’s red toy ball. Daisy can be seen to slowly understand that her toy has been destroyed and becomes sad. Daisy misses her toy, but when her owner decides to take her to the park once again Daisy finds herself a new favorite toy along with a new friend. The brown dog’s owner had brought daisy a blue toy ball that Daisy was quick to love just as much as her previous one.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS Raschka’s wonderful wordless picture book is great for small chil...
Read more

Children’s Literature in Action: A Librarian’s Guide By Sylvia M. Vardell Chapter Four Reflection

-
Children’s Literature in Action: A Librarian’s Guide By Sylvia M. Vardell Chapter Four Reflection  Chapter four begins introducing some of the most noted authors in poetry such as Shel Silverstein and Jack  Prel utsky. This is because it is difficult to be a known author  for libraries today lack books in this genre due to a shortage of poetry  in children's literature. There are numerous types of poetry and as a librarian  it is  our job to select   quality poetry and making sure to get several co pies of them.     Poetry is a wonderful  genre  for its writing that expresses feelings and thoughts. There are many types of poetry as well from Mother Goose,  rhymes , verse, jingles, and even songs.    Librarians must promote poetry to children and build a positive experience .  Many children as Vardell states "...have negative associations with the very word "poetry" based on prior school experience...
Read more

Module 6

-
Cynthia Bolanos Flores Cultural 6 Does My Head Look Big in This? Bibliography Abdel-Fattah, R. (2014). Does my head look big in this? London, England: Scholastic Childrens Books. Plot Summary Main character Amal is a 16 year old Muslim school girl. She has a happy household in which her mother wears a headscarf. As a high school student no one expected for her to want to wear a hijab. Amal wanted to show that she was proud of her faith and was inspired to follow what she believed in.   Though, the students are not as accepting about her choice. Critical Analysis One can see the obstacles that people of this culture face throughout the story. Amal knows she does not look like an Anglo. She is aware of misconceptions people have towards people of her culture. It is amazes me how there are women all over the world use head coverings, but due to appearances Amal encounter cultural backlash. Amal is spunky, but not everyone is equipped to deal with the bullying she h...
Read more