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Thursday, January 31, 2008
Cinderella's Never Alone
SO I found this youtube video with Barlow Girl singing Never Alone with Cinderella. I know this isn't the classic version (the first one) but i feel like it gives a good message. A message I think kids would benefit from hearing; they are never alone.
Even though this is a Christian song singing about how God is always with you, it portrays how if you believe something is in your heart, it will never leave you. For little ones, this message can be very uplifting. I believe Cinderella never gives up hope as she sits in ashes and dust keeping after her evil stepmother and sisters. Even when she is doubtful, a fairy comes to her rescue, or a pumpkin, or mice. Above all, her Prince rescues her even when he is not by her side. Because she loves him and he loves her, it gives her hope that they will always be together and therefore, never alone.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Cinderelli, Cinderelli!! *whistles*
I have to say Cinderella has dissappointed me this week. I have never heard the Catskin versions until this class, and quite frankly I'd be ok if I never read them again. The fact of having the father as the villain, yet he "loves her too much" just paints a VERY unpleasant picture in my head. Thankfully she gets away but I feel like the Catskin Cinderella's act very airheaded and naive when it comes to escaping. For example, Donkeyskin wants to escape from her father but when he gets her all the treasure, she is lured right back to accepting his marriage proposal. And what a great help the fairy godmother is too! psh! And what about planting her ring in the cake? I don't know, but I get a manipulative vibe from these Cinderella's.
Strangely, I like the fact Cinderella is passive and waits for her prince to rescue her in the Cinderella versions. I guess it has been engraved in my brain from the Disney movie of Cinderella, that it seems too weird to here it any other way. I like how her good nature and joyful personality in bad times rewards her even greater than she imagined. To me, when I am in a situation where there is nothing I can do to help myself, it always seems hopeful to think that something good will come of it!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Berenstain Bears- TOO MUCH PRESSURE
These books, no doubt, were one of the few series that came alive to me as a kid. I remember this Country Bear Family as if they were real. Their pointy fingernails, grins, and most of all their normal family issues. Things that every family goes through; these bears went through it all. I picked this one specifically because as a college student, my schedule can become too hectic too fast.
"The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Pressure" tells us of two little bear children who want to do soccer, ballet, baseball, horseback riding, and still have time to watch TV and play like the other children. But before they know it, it takes a toll on their stiff little bodies and momma starts to CRY! Something I think every woman does when things get too busy we can barely keep sane. This story struck me because even as young as kindergarten, children are starting to get busy! I remember those days, I wanted to do every activity on the planet. But oh what a sacrifice for family, energy, and sanity. Being too busy makes us unhappy. This story not only relates to children but also adults, teaching us a very valuable lesson. Being happy sometimes just means to sit around with the people we love- doing absolutely nothing.
"The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Pressure" tells us of two little bear children who want to do soccer, ballet, baseball, horseback riding, and still have time to watch TV and play like the other children. But before they know it, it takes a toll on their stiff little bodies and momma starts to CRY! Something I think every woman does when things get too busy we can barely keep sane. This story struck me because even as young as kindergarten, children are starting to get busy! I remember those days, I wanted to do every activity on the planet. But oh what a sacrifice for family, energy, and sanity. Being too busy makes us unhappy. This story not only relates to children but also adults, teaching us a very valuable lesson. Being happy sometimes just means to sit around with the people we love- doing absolutely nothing.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Hansel and Gretel
Wow. Talk about scary fairy tales. This was one of the few I don't remember reading when I was a kid. The witch house made of candy rings a bell, but the other stuff was new to me!
I wanted to write about Hansel and Gretel because this fairy tale popped out to me..and not in a good way. The amount of cannibalism, death, and scary characters seem to override the beautiful dove's, shiny red shoes, and candy houses.
Not that I am any extreme feminist, but the whole mother/stepmother associated with evil and manipulation seems a bit harsh. Women are usually a child's primary caretaker. What are little boys and girls thinking after reading this story?? Hopefully not..."I just hate my mom." In a few versions, the mother figure does not die, but how quickly the children turn on the mother and live so "happily" with just the father puzzles me. Family is stressed, however, it is not valued. It is also interesting that in most of the versions, it is the mothers idea to get rid of the children, and the father is pressured to consent. It's like the table has turned from the "Man as the head of the house" to the woman, but it is negatively portrayed. But as far as the wife's BRIGHT IDEA to rid the kids because of a famine, it's seems like there could've been another solution.
ON the other hand, I can see how this story would imply adventure on the children's perspective because of the candy house, the huge ogre's, and the magical trees and dove's. And we can't forget; the bad guys always lose!
There are many other things I could mention about this fairy tale, but if one day, Lord willing, I have children of my own; I would be selective with this fairy tale for sure.
I wanted to write about Hansel and Gretel because this fairy tale popped out to me..and not in a good way. The amount of cannibalism, death, and scary characters seem to override the beautiful dove's, shiny red shoes, and candy houses.
Not that I am any extreme feminist, but the whole mother/stepmother associated with evil and manipulation seems a bit harsh. Women are usually a child's primary caretaker. What are little boys and girls thinking after reading this story?? Hopefully not..."I just hate my mom." In a few versions, the mother figure does not die, but how quickly the children turn on the mother and live so "happily" with just the father puzzles me. Family is stressed, however, it is not valued. It is also interesting that in most of the versions, it is the mothers idea to get rid of the children, and the father is pressured to consent. It's like the table has turned from the "Man as the head of the house" to the woman, but it is negatively portrayed. But as far as the wife's BRIGHT IDEA to rid the kids because of a famine, it's seems like there could've been another solution.
ON the other hand, I can see how this story would imply adventure on the children's perspective because of the candy house, the huge ogre's, and the magical trees and dove's. And we can't forget; the bad guys always lose!
There are many other things I could mention about this fairy tale, but if one day, Lord willing, I have children of my own; I would be selective with this fairy tale for sure.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Fairy Tale Fantasies
FOR the past couple of days I have been racking my brain trying to "creatively" come up with something to write in my blog for childrens lit. Suprisingly!...I had nothing..and still had nothing until about 12 seconds ago, when my hopeless romantic self had to peek out and say hello.
Reading fairy tales like "Snow White," "Cinderella" and all the other classics with perfect princesses in them, I was suprised to find this subject not brought up as much as I thought. Like any young girl first learning about Bell and the "fairest one in all the land," I formed a version of my very own happily ever after that has stayed with me to this day. It goes something like this...
Once upon a time, there was a good little girl named Emily. She grew up knowing that one day her prince charming would wisk her away with his natural charm and good looks. Never thinking twice, she will accept him and their first kiss will be magical. From that moment on, their life together will be nothing short of bliss and romantic walks.
Well..I guess you figured where I got that idea from?! The moment I read my first happily ever after, I have kept hoping one day he'll come for me. (Which is not looking like any time soon by the way) =) But as much as I know that this imaginary man won't ever be perfect, I personally enjoy with all my heart the excitement of imagining it! Girls are you with me?! My point being, is that we all know that those fairy tale Knights in Shining Armor aren't really REAL, they can be inside my head and that's all I need to keep my hope until the day I really do find my handsome Prince.
Reading fairy tales like "Snow White," "Cinderella" and all the other classics with perfect princesses in them, I was suprised to find this subject not brought up as much as I thought. Like any young girl first learning about Bell and the "fairest one in all the land," I formed a version of my very own happily ever after that has stayed with me to this day. It goes something like this...
Once upon a time, there was a good little girl named Emily. She grew up knowing that one day her prince charming would wisk her away with his natural charm and good looks. Never thinking twice, she will accept him and their first kiss will be magical. From that moment on, their life together will be nothing short of bliss and romantic walks.
Well..I guess you figured where I got that idea from?! The moment I read my first happily ever after, I have kept hoping one day he'll come for me. (Which is not looking like any time soon by the way) =) But as much as I know that this imaginary man won't ever be perfect, I personally enjoy with all my heart the excitement of imagining it! Girls are you with me?! My point being, is that we all know that those fairy tale Knights in Shining Armor aren't really REAL, they can be inside my head and that's all I need to keep my hope until the day I really do find my handsome Prince.
Outside Reading List
Book 1: The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Pressure
Author: Stan and Jan Berenstain
Picture Book? Yes
Date: January 27th, 2008
Book2: If you Give a Moose a Muffin
Author: Laura Joffe Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond
Picture Book? Yes
Date: Feb. 3, 2008
Book 3: The Foot Book
Author: Dr. Suess
Picture book? Yes
Date: Feb 7, 2008
Book 4: How Do I Love You?
Author: P.K. Hallinan
Picture Book? Yes
Date: Feb 14, 2008
Book 5: The Rainbow Fish
Author: Marcus Pfister
Picture book? Yes
Date: Feb 17, 2008
Book 6: She's All That- Poems About Girls
Author: Selected by Belinda Hollyer
Picture Book? No
Date: March 21, 2008
Book 7: Chasing Redbird
Author: Sharon Creech
Picture Book? No
Date: March 30, 2008
Book 8: Johnny Kellock Died Today
Author: Hadley Dyer
Picture Book? No
Date: April 15, 2008
Book 9: Chocolate Fever
Author: Robert Kimmel Smith
Illustrator: Gioina Fiammenghi
Picture Book? No
Date: April 20, 2008
Book 10: Snot Stew
Author: Bill Wallace, drawings by Lisa McCue
Picture Book? No
Date: April 23, 2008
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