Traditional Literature
Old stories that may have many different versions and authors
Cinder-Elly
By: Frances Minters
Illustrated by: G. Brian Karas
Cinder-Elly lived in New York City with her parents and two sisters, Nelly and Sue. Cinder-Elly couldn’t go to the basketball game that they won tickets to; she had to do chores. Her godmother showed up with a magic cane. She gives Cinder-Elly clothes and glass sneakers. She also turned the trash can into a bike and told Cinder-Elly she had to be home by ten. When she got to the game, she caught the basketball, which led her to meet her Prince Charming, the best basketball player. He invited her to get pizza with him. At ten, she had to leave; she dropped her sneaker. Prince Charming found her with Cinder-Elly’s godmother, and they were together again.
By: Frances Minters
Illustrated by: G. Brian Karas
Cinder-Elly lived in New York City with her parents and two sisters, Nelly and Sue. Cinder-Elly couldn’t go to the basketball game that they won tickets to; she had to do chores. Her godmother showed up with a magic cane. She gives Cinder-Elly clothes and glass sneakers. She also turned the trash can into a bike and told Cinder-Elly she had to be home by ten. When she got to the game, she caught the basketball, which led her to meet her Prince Charming, the best basketball player. He invited her to get pizza with him. At ten, she had to leave; she dropped her sneaker. Prince Charming found her with Cinder-Elly’s godmother, and they were together again.
Lon PoPo: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China
By: Ed Young
This story is about three siblings: Tao, Shang, and Patze. Their mother left them alone to go see their grandma. A wolf came to the house in disguise, looking like a grandmother. The wolf called itself “PoPo.” The children noticed that their grandmother had some odd features, and asked the wolf about them. The wolf came up with various excuses. Eventually, Shang saw the wolf’s true face and came up with a plan. The children decided to go to the ginkgo tree, and they
told the wolf that it must be hungry and should have some nuts from it. They also told the wolf that the nuts have to be eaten right from the tree. They got a basket to haul the wolf up the tree, but they dropped it three times. On the finally drop, the wolf ends up falling to his death.
By: Ed Young
This story is about three siblings: Tao, Shang, and Patze. Their mother left them alone to go see their grandma. A wolf came to the house in disguise, looking like a grandmother. The wolf called itself “PoPo.” The children noticed that their grandmother had some odd features, and asked the wolf about them. The wolf came up with various excuses. Eventually, Shang saw the wolf’s true face and came up with a plan. The children decided to go to the ginkgo tree, and they
told the wolf that it must be hungry and should have some nuts from it. They also told the wolf that the nuts have to be eaten right from the tree. They got a basket to haul the wolf up the tree, but they dropped it three times. On the finally drop, the wolf ends up falling to his death.
Strega
Nona
By: Tomie de Paola
The story took place in Calabria and is about a woman named Strega Nona. She helped everyone in town when they needed her, but soon she needed help because she was becoming so old that she could not take care of her home. A man named Big Anthony went to her house, and she asked him to do chores in exchange for coins, food, and shelter. She warned him not to lay a hand on her pasta pot though. Big Anthony found out that this pot was magical. Strega Nona set off to see her friend Strega Amelia, leaving Big Anthony alone to do the chores. He got the pot, sang the chant Strega Nona had, and it filled itself with pasta. He went into town and told everyone to come to the house for some pasta. He sang the chant to have the pasta stop filling the pot, but he was unaware of the kisses he was supposed to blow to the pot that Strega Nona had done. The pot continued to overflow, and he couldn’t get the pasta to stop appearing. The pasta was heading for the town, but Strega Nona came back just in time. The town was going to hang Big Anthony for almost destroying the town, but Strega Nona had a different idea: she made Big Anthony eat the pasta.
This tale has a humor to it. The lesson is clear: you shouldn’t touch things that don’t belong to you, especially when told not to go near it. Also, when you brag and are looking for fame, the results aren’t always positive.
By: Tomie de Paola
The story took place in Calabria and is about a woman named Strega Nona. She helped everyone in town when they needed her, but soon she needed help because she was becoming so old that she could not take care of her home. A man named Big Anthony went to her house, and she asked him to do chores in exchange for coins, food, and shelter. She warned him not to lay a hand on her pasta pot though. Big Anthony found out that this pot was magical. Strega Nona set off to see her friend Strega Amelia, leaving Big Anthony alone to do the chores. He got the pot, sang the chant Strega Nona had, and it filled itself with pasta. He went into town and told everyone to come to the house for some pasta. He sang the chant to have the pasta stop filling the pot, but he was unaware of the kisses he was supposed to blow to the pot that Strega Nona had done. The pot continued to overflow, and he couldn’t get the pasta to stop appearing. The pasta was heading for the town, but Strega Nona came back just in time. The town was going to hang Big Anthony for almost destroying the town, but Strega Nona had a different idea: she made Big Anthony eat the pasta.
This tale has a humor to it. The lesson is clear: you shouldn’t touch things that don’t belong to you, especially when told not to go near it. Also, when you brag and are looking for fame, the results aren’t always positive.
Swamp Angel
By: Anne Isaacs
Illustrated by: Paul O. Zelinsky
Angelica Longrider was from Tennessee. She was born extraordinarily tall and built a cabin by the time she was two years old. She became "Swamp Angel" when she was 12 years old, and wagons ended up getting stuck in the swampland. Angelica saved the wagons, and the men then proclaimed that she was an angel. Thundering Tarnation was a black bear that stole everyone's food. Settlers wanted to get rid of the bear, so there was a competition to kill him. The rewards were that the victor would receive its giant bear pelt and the name “Champion Wildcat.” No one seemed to be able to kill him though. Swamp Angel wanted to get the bear but the men teased her and said she should go do some women's work. Swamp Angel was determined. She found the bear, and they wrestled for three days and nights; the two fell into a lake, where the bear pinned her under the water. In her defense, she drank the lake and got out under the bear by making him sneeze. Both sides tired, but they continued to wrestle while sleeping. Snoring caused a giant tree with a beehive to fall down, in which the bear was getting its honey. Another tree ended up falling and killing him. The bear fed everyone whose food got stolen by it. Swamp Angel kept the pelt as a rug and moved to Montana. The bear at one point before the fight was thrown into the sky and left his outline as a constellation.
Within this book are vivid illustrations. Gender roles play an important part in this story. Despite being a female, Swamp Angel outshined the males that tried to get Thundering Tarnation, showing that women don’t always have to do their stereotypical jobs.
By: Anne Isaacs
Illustrated by: Paul O. Zelinsky
Angelica Longrider was from Tennessee. She was born extraordinarily tall and built a cabin by the time she was two years old. She became "Swamp Angel" when she was 12 years old, and wagons ended up getting stuck in the swampland. Angelica saved the wagons, and the men then proclaimed that she was an angel. Thundering Tarnation was a black bear that stole everyone's food. Settlers wanted to get rid of the bear, so there was a competition to kill him. The rewards were that the victor would receive its giant bear pelt and the name “Champion Wildcat.” No one seemed to be able to kill him though. Swamp Angel wanted to get the bear but the men teased her and said she should go do some women's work. Swamp Angel was determined. She found the bear, and they wrestled for three days and nights; the two fell into a lake, where the bear pinned her under the water. In her defense, she drank the lake and got out under the bear by making him sneeze. Both sides tired, but they continued to wrestle while sleeping. Snoring caused a giant tree with a beehive to fall down, in which the bear was getting its honey. Another tree ended up falling and killing him. The bear fed everyone whose food got stolen by it. Swamp Angel kept the pelt as a rug and moved to Montana. The bear at one point before the fight was thrown into the sky and left his outline as a constellation.
Within this book are vivid illustrations. Gender roles play an important part in this story. Despite being a female, Swamp Angel outshined the males that tried to get Thundering Tarnation, showing that women don’t always have to do their stereotypical jobs.
The Little Red Hen
Rewritten by: Elizabeth Lane
Illustrated by: Guy Francis
The hen asked the pig, cat, and duck to help her turn a seed into bread, but none of them would help her. When the bread was made, they all wanted to have a piece. She ended up telling them that they couldn’t have any because they didn’t help her. She gave the bread to her children.
Rewritten by: Elizabeth Lane
Illustrated by: Guy Francis
The hen asked the pig, cat, and duck to help her turn a seed into bread, but none of them would help her. When the bread was made, they all wanted to have a piece. She ended up telling them that they couldn’t have any because they didn’t help her. She gave the bread to her children.
The
Magic Porridge Pot
Rewritten by: Madge Tovey
Illustrated by: Roxanne Ressler
A daughter and her mother are in poverty and don’t always have food available for them to eat. The girl went to an old woman’s house on her quest for food in the woods. The woman gave her a magic porridge pot and some magic words so she could use it. Now, the mother and daughter always had something to eat. One day, when the girl left the house, her mom used the pot, but she didn’t say the correct magic words. The pot overflowed, but the girl came home and got it to stop on time.
Rewritten by: Madge Tovey
Illustrated by: Roxanne Ressler
A daughter and her mother are in poverty and don’t always have food available for them to eat. The girl went to an old woman’s house on her quest for food in the woods. The woman gave her a magic porridge pot and some magic words so she could use it. Now, the mother and daughter always had something to eat. One day, when the girl left the house, her mom used the pot, but she didn’t say the correct magic words. The pot overflowed, but the girl came home and got it to stop on time.
The
Lightening Thief
By: Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson was a demigod (part human and part god), and Grover was his best friend. Before he knew that he was a demigod, strange things were happening to him; to him, they seemed like visions he was having because he was fighting strange looking creatures. When he questioned others about the events, they told him they didn’t know what he was talking about.
Percy lived in New York with his mom, Sally, and his step-dad, Gabe. He didn’t like his step-dad, and he didn’t know who his real dad was. One day, while he was with his mom, Grover showed up, and he didn’t look like he normally did; he had hooves. Something was chasing them, so his mom said that Percy would have to go to the camp she really didn’t want to send him to; it was a camp for half-bloods. On their way, a monster attacked Percy’s mom, and he feared that she was dead.
Later, Percy found out that Poseidon is his real father. There was a battle going on between Zeus and Poseidon. Zeus claimed that Poseidon had stolen his master bolt. It was Percy’s job to go on a quest and retrieve it to stop the feud. He got to choose Grover and Annabeth, one of the girls at the camp, to go with him. Inevitably, they were to travel to the Underworld because they believed Hades had stolen the bolt. They faced many trials getting there, like escaping Medusa’s gaze. They also come across Ares, who wanted them to get his shield for him, which they did.
The Underworld proved to be just as tricky. When they finally got to Hades, he accused Percy of stealing his helmet as well as the bolt. Percy, Grover, and Annabeth escaped the Underworld, only to find out that Ares had tricked them; he had possession of the helmet and had stored Zeus’ bolt in the backpack he had given Percy, which appeared in the Underworld. Ares took the items from a boy that Percy knew from camp. Eventually, in a duel with Ares, Percy won and gave the items back to their owners.
This book would be good for children who enjoy myths and gods. This is a longer book, but a lot of action occurs within it. One lesson in this book is that not everything may be as it seems, and people that one trusts may not always actually be trustworthy.
By: Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson was a demigod (part human and part god), and Grover was his best friend. Before he knew that he was a demigod, strange things were happening to him; to him, they seemed like visions he was having because he was fighting strange looking creatures. When he questioned others about the events, they told him they didn’t know what he was talking about.
Percy lived in New York with his mom, Sally, and his step-dad, Gabe. He didn’t like his step-dad, and he didn’t know who his real dad was. One day, while he was with his mom, Grover showed up, and he didn’t look like he normally did; he had hooves. Something was chasing them, so his mom said that Percy would have to go to the camp she really didn’t want to send him to; it was a camp for half-bloods. On their way, a monster attacked Percy’s mom, and he feared that she was dead.
Later, Percy found out that Poseidon is his real father. There was a battle going on between Zeus and Poseidon. Zeus claimed that Poseidon had stolen his master bolt. It was Percy’s job to go on a quest and retrieve it to stop the feud. He got to choose Grover and Annabeth, one of the girls at the camp, to go with him. Inevitably, they were to travel to the Underworld because they believed Hades had stolen the bolt. They faced many trials getting there, like escaping Medusa’s gaze. They also come across Ares, who wanted them to get his shield for him, which they did.
The Underworld proved to be just as tricky. When they finally got to Hades, he accused Percy of stealing his helmet as well as the bolt. Percy, Grover, and Annabeth escaped the Underworld, only to find out that Ares had tricked them; he had possession of the helmet and had stored Zeus’ bolt in the backpack he had given Percy, which appeared in the Underworld. Ares took the items from a boy that Percy knew from camp. Eventually, in a duel with Ares, Percy won and gave the items back to their owners.
This book would be good for children who enjoy myths and gods. This is a longer book, but a lot of action occurs within it. One lesson in this book is that not everything may be as it seems, and people that one trusts may not always actually be trustworthy.
The
Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece
By: Anthony Manna
When the girl in the story's mother died, she was considered to be an orphan, even though her dad was still alive. Her dad married a new woman that had two daughters; they weren't nice to the girl. The poor girl went to where her mother was buried and spoke to her, asking for help. She got a response and was told to go back home. When she did, parts of the land and sky, which looked like spirits, gave her presents, including shoes and a dress. She found out that the prince was coming to a church, and the step-mom expected him to love her daughters. After the step-mother and her two daughters left, the orphan went to the church by herself, dressed in the garments that she was given. She caught the prince's attention, but she left before he could speak to her. The second time at the church, the prince's guards had put wax on the floor for when the orphan tried to run away. The trick worked, and the orphan lost her shoe in it. Then, the prince wanted to know who the shoe belonged to. Many girls tried to wear the shoe, but it was the orphan's; she tried it on, which resulted in the marriage of her to the prince.
This is an interesting version of the classic tale. It would allow children to understand that not all stories are told in the same way; different cultures and places have their own ideas on how the story should be told. Also, a major lesson within this story is, despite all odds, one can rise to the occasion and be the victor.
By: Anthony Manna
When the girl in the story's mother died, she was considered to be an orphan, even though her dad was still alive. Her dad married a new woman that had two daughters; they weren't nice to the girl. The poor girl went to where her mother was buried and spoke to her, asking for help. She got a response and was told to go back home. When she did, parts of the land and sky, which looked like spirits, gave her presents, including shoes and a dress. She found out that the prince was coming to a church, and the step-mom expected him to love her daughters. After the step-mother and her two daughters left, the orphan went to the church by herself, dressed in the garments that she was given. She caught the prince's attention, but she left before he could speak to her. The second time at the church, the prince's guards had put wax on the floor for when the orphan tried to run away. The trick worked, and the orphan lost her shoe in it. Then, the prince wanted to know who the shoe belonged to. Many girls tried to wear the shoe, but it was the orphan's; she tried it on, which resulted in the marriage of her to the prince.
This is an interesting version of the classic tale. It would allow children to understand that not all stories are told in the same way; different cultures and places have their own ideas on how the story should be told. Also, a major lesson within this story is, despite all odds, one can rise to the occasion and be the victor.
Town Mouse, Country Mouse
By: Jan Brett
This story started by showing the town mice living extravagantly, but they had to worry about the cat living in the house, so they decided to go to the country for a while. The country mice had to work hard to get food, lived in a basic home, and had to avoid the owl; they wished that they could live in a town. The two pairs of mice met each other and decided to trade houses because they thought each other had a better life. Both mice pairs had difficulties because these experiences were new for them (ex: cat, owl, rain, getting stuck, mouse trap). Each pair ran home, but barely escaped the cat and the owl. The cat and owl ran into each other while chasing the mice. The cat then asked the owl if it wanted to trade places.
The illustrations are framed in the book and expanded on the story just from the way it was set up; it had multiple panels that would show what a variety of the characters might be doing at the same time as the main characters. A lesson that it could teach children is that it’s okay to do different things, as it will be experience; things should be tried before an opinion of it is formed.
By: Jan Brett
This story started by showing the town mice living extravagantly, but they had to worry about the cat living in the house, so they decided to go to the country for a while. The country mice had to work hard to get food, lived in a basic home, and had to avoid the owl; they wished that they could live in a town. The two pairs of mice met each other and decided to trade houses because they thought each other had a better life. Both mice pairs had difficulties because these experiences were new for them (ex: cat, owl, rain, getting stuck, mouse trap). Each pair ran home, but barely escaped the cat and the owl. The cat and owl ran into each other while chasing the mice. The cat then asked the owl if it wanted to trade places.
The illustrations are framed in the book and expanded on the story just from the way it was set up; it had multiple panels that would show what a variety of the characters might be doing at the same time as the main characters. A lesson that it could teach children is that it’s okay to do different things, as it will be experience; things should be tried before an opinion of it is formed.
There
Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose
By: Lucille Colandro
Illustrated by: Jared D. Lee
The old woman swallowed a rose, lace, glitter, candy, jewels, hearts, and a card. The narrator suggested that they didn’t know why through repetition and rhyming. At the end, she blew a kiss and the things she swallowed flew out of her for Valentine’s Day.
By: Lucille Colandro
Illustrated by: Jared D. Lee
The old woman swallowed a rose, lace, glitter, candy, jewels, hearts, and a card. The narrator suggested that they didn’t know why through repetition and rhyming. At the end, she blew a kiss and the things she swallowed flew out of her for Valentine’s Day.
Fractured Fairy Tales
Traditional stories that have been changed and twisted
The Frog Prince Continued
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Steve Johnson
The prince and princess actually didn’t live happily ever after. They were unhappy, so the prince went to a witch to turn him back into a frog. The witch wouldn’t help him. He went to more witches, who were the witches from other popular fairy tales, but none of them helped him. Eventually, he came to Cinderella’s godmother, who turned the prince into a carriage. He was now upset because he said he could be with the princess instead of being a carriage. At twelve, he turned back into a prince. The prince went home and kissed the princess, turning her into a frog. Now, they lived happily ever after.
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Steve Johnson
The prince and princess actually didn’t live happily ever after. They were unhappy, so the prince went to a witch to turn him back into a frog. The witch wouldn’t help him. He went to more witches, who were the witches from other popular fairy tales, but none of them helped him. Eventually, he came to Cinderella’s godmother, who turned the prince into a carriage. He was now upset because he said he could be with the princess instead of being a carriage. At twelve, he turned back into a prince. The prince went home and kissed the princess, turning her into a frog. Now, they lived happily ever after.
The
Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
By: Eugene Trivizas
Illustrated by: Helen Oxenbury
Three young wolves are told by their mother that they’ll need to move out and make their own homes. She warned them about a pig, which might cause them trouble. On the way to build their houses, they came across animals that are willing to give them supplies, such as a kangaroo, a beaver, a rhinoceros, and a flamingo. Their first house was made of bricks, their second house was made of concrete, and their third house was made of padlocks, iron, and barbed wire. The Big Bad Pig managed to knock them all down using a sledgehammer and dynamite, among other things. The wolves’ final home was made of flowers, but the pig did not destroy the home. Instead, he reflected on all of the things he had done and decided to become a good pig.
Both the wolves and the pig realized that it’s better to get along with everyone. Also, this story lets children know that it’s okay to try something different (such as using flowers instead of heavy materials to make a house). It also shows that more fun can be had when everyone is nice to one another. Sharing is also taught when the wolves tell the pig that he can stay with them.
By: Eugene Trivizas
Illustrated by: Helen Oxenbury
Three young wolves are told by their mother that they’ll need to move out and make their own homes. She warned them about a pig, which might cause them trouble. On the way to build their houses, they came across animals that are willing to give them supplies, such as a kangaroo, a beaver, a rhinoceros, and a flamingo. Their first house was made of bricks, their second house was made of concrete, and their third house was made of padlocks, iron, and barbed wire. The Big Bad Pig managed to knock them all down using a sledgehammer and dynamite, among other things. The wolves’ final home was made of flowers, but the pig did not destroy the home. Instead, he reflected on all of the things he had done and decided to become a good pig.
Both the wolves and the pig realized that it’s better to get along with everyone. Also, this story lets children know that it’s okay to try something different (such as using flowers instead of heavy materials to make a house). It also shows that more fun can be had when everyone is nice to one another. Sharing is also taught when the wolves tell the pig that he can stay with them.
The
Three Pigs
By: David Weisner
The pigs have their traditional houses of straw and sticks. When the wolf comes to get them, they crawl out of the book’s paneling. They decide to explore the many different panels that are before them that accompany different books. In one of the panels, they find a dragon and bring it out with them to save it from being slain. Once they’ve had their fun, they put their story panels back together but scramble some of the letters on the pages. The dragon also comes into their panel and scares the wolf away.
This was an interesting twist on “The Three Pigs” story. It creates an unexpected adventure for the pigs and the reader. It takes the story beyond what it originally was meant to be.
By: David Weisner
The pigs have their traditional houses of straw and sticks. When the wolf comes to get them, they crawl out of the book’s paneling. They decide to explore the many different panels that are before them that accompany different books. In one of the panels, they find a dragon and bring it out with them to save it from being slain. Once they’ve had their fun, they put their story panels back together but scramble some of the letters on the pages. The dragon also comes into their panel and scares the wolf away.
This was an interesting twist on “The Three Pigs” story. It creates an unexpected adventure for the pigs and the reader. It takes the story beyond what it originally was meant to be.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
The story is told by Alexander T. Wolf, also known as Al. The wolf was in the process of making his grandma a cake when he ran out of sugar, but he did have a "sneezing cold." He went to the pigs’ houses: one made of straw, one made of sticks, and one made of bricks to get some sugar. He sneezed the first and
second houses down, where he found both of the pigs to be dead, so he ate them. The third pig said a mean comment about the wolf’s grandma. The cops came, and the reporters, who were there, didn’t want to make a story about someone needing sugar, so they changed the story to make the wolf look like the bad
guy.
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
The story is told by Alexander T. Wolf, also known as Al. The wolf was in the process of making his grandma a cake when he ran out of sugar, but he did have a "sneezing cold." He went to the pigs’ houses: one made of straw, one made of sticks, and one made of bricks to get some sugar. He sneezed the first and
second houses down, where he found both of the pigs to be dead, so he ate them. The third pig said a mean comment about the wolf’s grandma. The cops came, and the reporters, who were there, didn’t want to make a story about someone needing sugar, so they changed the story to make the wolf look like the bad
guy.
A Wolf at the Door!
By: Nick Ward
Billy, the goat, came to Little Bear’s house, saying that a wolf was chasing him. The three pigs, Little Bo Peep and the sheep, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Goldilocks also came one by one to the house. The bear’s father opened the door at the final knock. The door opened and it was Little Wolfie, not the big, scary wolf everyone was describing. The little wolf did have ascary older brother though.
By: Nick Ward
Billy, the goat, came to Little Bear’s house, saying that a wolf was chasing him. The three pigs, Little Bo Peep and the sheep, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Goldilocks also came one by one to the house. The bear’s father opened the door at the final knock. The door opened and it was Little Wolfie, not the big, scary wolf everyone was describing. The little wolf did have ascary older brother though.
