The Three Little Pigs

Author/Illustrator: Paul Galdone
Genre: Traditional Literature
Awards: None
Grade: PreK-2nd

This book is about three little pigs and a big bad wolf. The three little pigs were sent off on their own when their mom could no longer care for them. They each built a house, one of straw, one of sticks, and one of bricks. The big bad wolf came to each house and threatened to blow it down. He successfully blew down the houses and ate the first two little pigs. When it came to the third little pig who built his house out of brick it was a little tougher. The wolf played tricks on the pig, but the pig outsmarted the wolf in the end.

I would use this book in my classroom for grades PreK through second grade. It is a classic story that every kid knows and loves. It is an easy read for them because most children know what is coming next. This book would be greatly used in a sequencing or cause and effect unit.

Strega Nona

Author/Illustrator: Tomie De Paola
Genre: Traditional Literature
Award: Caldecott Honor
Grade: K-2

This book is about a woman named Strega Nona. She is known for curing headaches, removing warts, and getting young girls husbands.  As she gets older she starts to need help around the house so she hired a man named Big Anthony to help out. She gave him a bed, food, and three coins a day for all his help. The only thing he was advised not to do was touch her pasta pot. He overheard her one day singing to the pot as it made her pasta. He ran to tell the townspeople and they laughed. His day came soon enough that he was able to prove to the townspeople just how magical the pot was. But when it didn't stop making pasta Big Anthony was in trouble.  As Strega Nona arrived home she knew exactly what had happened and what to do.

This story would be great for students in K through second grade. It would keep them guessing what would happen next. This book could be during a lesson plan on sequencing stories.

The Legend Of The Bluebonnet

Author/Illustrator: Tomie DePaola
Genre: Traditional Literature
Award: None
Grade: 1st-3rd

She-Who-Is-Alone was the last of her family to survive during a drought and famine. Her warrior doll was the last thing she owned that reminded her of her family. The people had displayed selfishness for years. The great spirits said the only way to bring rain to their land was to sacrifice the most valued possession among them and spread the ashes. She-Who-Is-Alone knew what she had to do. During the night she went to the hill and made a sacrifice asking the spirits to please accept it. When she awoke the spirits had left a sign of forgiveness.

This is one of my favorite children's books. The vocabulary is focused on middle level elementary students and the legend gets students thinking. I could use this book during a unit on tales, or even during a social studies event though I know it is not a true story.

The True Story Of The 3 Little Pigs!

Author/Illustrator: Jon Scieszka/Lane Smith
Genre: Traditional Literature
Awards: None
Grade: K-4th

This book is about the big bad wolf, I mean Alexander T. Wolf. Alexander believes that he was framed. All he was trying to do was borrow a cup of sugar for his granny's birthday cake. He visited each of the three little pigs and they didn't answer the door. After waiting a few minutes at each door he had to sneeze, and every time the house blew down. After each house blew down, there would be a dead pig laying there, and who can resist a free ham dinner? The third house didn't blow down unfortunately and the pig threatened the wolf's granny. The cops showed up and arrested the wolf. Apparently, a story about a wolf isn't good enough, so the police added a twist.

I would use this book in my classroom to teach students about different perspectives and points of views. Students could rewrite stories from different perspectives. This book is great for upper elementary students. For lower elementary students maybe just for read-aloud purposes.

Hansel and Gretel

Author/Illustrator: Lucy Kincaid/Eric Kincaid

Genre: Traditional Literature

Awards: None

Grade Level: 2nd-4th

Hansel and Gretel's dad and stepmom were too poor to take care of them. The step mother decided they should take them out into the woods and let them take care of themselves. Hansel and Gretel kept finding their way back to the house by using pebbles. They were taken back out to the woods and Hansel used bread comes to make a trail the second time. When it was time for them to head back they realized that the bread crumbs had been eaten. After three days of wondering around they found a house that was made out of sweets. Of course they started to eat it. The witch that lived there invited them in, but little did they know she had her own dark plans. She was going to fatten them up to eat them. Everyday the witch made Gretel make Hansel food in order to fatten him up. Hansel tricked the witch into thinking he wasn't getting fatter. The witch got tired of waiting and told Gretel to get into the oven. Gretel outsmarted the witch and said she didn't know how. When the witch demonstrated how Gretel pushed her in, freed her brother, and they ran home. The woodcutter, Hansel and Gretel's dad, was relieved to see his children. He told them that they sold all of their treasure and that the stepmother had died. 

This book could be read by second graders, but I would use it for third and fourth more often. The words are large and simple for second graders, maybe even first graders. However the content is more for upper elementary students. There are some parts of the book that don't seem appropriate for younger students. I would use this book in my classroom during a unit over fairy tales.