I have so many sticky notes hanging out of the pages of this book, I don't know what to focus on. I had been in no rush to read this book. Had I only realized! Poor Despereaux, a true misfit. How many of us can identify with that at one time or another?
DiCamillo's ability to pull the reader into the story and make the reader part of the story is captivating. Each time she spoke directly to the reader I stopped, quite unconsciously, to think about what she was asking me or telling me. I even looked up the word "perfidy" when she told me to! The whole play between dark and light, used literally and figuratively throughout the book, is a splendid venue to introduce figurative language to readers. She makes it simple and obvious without becoming repetitive or condesending. The theme of consequences invites this story to be a read-aloud for older students, who, somehow, forget that they are subject to such things. Pre- teens and young teens would love the story, though they might be unlikely to admit it. The play between good and evil, the power of love, the impact of each small event on the lives of so many others; these are just a few of the themes this age group would revel in. And of course, the happily ever after ending that is not equivalent to everybody got what they wanted. It's a bit more realistic. It's perfect.
I was left with just one question at the end. How was Roscuro able to talk to Mig in just the right pitch to be heard? At first I thought maybe Mig was supposed to be rat-like, but she wasn't smart enough to be sneaky. I'm sure it was obvious, but I missed it. Any suggestions?
Sunday, February 25, 2007
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Piggy Monday A Tale About Manners written and illustrated by Suzanne Bloom
Suzanne Bloom is fabulous. My preschoolers are big fans of her Is This the Bus For Us, Gus?. My family just got Piggy Monday A Tale About Manners and we love it! When I first looked at the cover, I thought it would scare my chidlren, 4 and 6. That they would be afraid of turning into pigs themselves. Quite the contrary.
The book begins with a class of children who are teasing, being rude, talking in class, etc. As their behavior deteriorates throughout the day, they begin growing pig snouts, hooves, and tails, until they are all little pigs. The Pig Lady comes to the rescue and reminds them of their manners. As they begin to use manners, their pig parts disappear and they become polite young children. By the end, they are all complementing each other, reminding each other of the proper way to say things and do things, and saying please and thank you.
The illustrations are fabulous inspiring fits of laughter from my children as the students tear apart the classroom and acquire one pig part at a time. The story is in verse which always attracts the attention of young listeners and the dedication, "to that sparkling class who inspired this tale" was a great topic of conversation afterwards - "Did this really happen?" "Are there really kids who don't have any manners?" "Kids can't turn into pigs!"
A few days after reading this book my children were arguing over some precious toy they both desperately needed at the same time and I looked in the doorway and said, "I see a pig tail ... and an ear!" My children stopped arguing immediately and started looking at each other for their pig parts. They rolled in a fit of laughter and actually apologized to each other without being told to!!!! It was terrific! Later that night my husband forgot to say please and my son was quick to say, "Be careful Daddy, you're going to get a pig tail." Humor is such a great way to remind children to make good choices, rather than getting angry or frustrated. The kids catch each other and because of the fabulous imagery from the illustrations, they can't help but laugh at the thought.
I'm so glad I did not judge this book by its cover.
6 comments:
I agree with you about how the author talked directly to the reader. I even looked up perfidy when she told me to too!
I'm not sure why Mig was able to hear Roscuro. To tell you the truth, I didn't really even think about it after reading that chapter, but it's an interesting question. Maybe she could hear him because they were somehow destined to meet and were a likely pair? I would love to know what other people think about this.
When I was reading your post about how the author brought the reader into the story, I was thinking, That's exactly what I was thinking! I caught myself doing the same thing. I was "answering" the author's questions. That was definitely a way to engage the reader.
I also think the "power of love" theme is evident in this story. Who doesn't do somethinthey shouldn't, maybe even a little stupid, when he/she is head over heels in love?
I was not too excited about reading this book either, which is also what I said on my post. It's not something I would normally go and buy from the bookstore. I was very happy to have read something like this, though, which is very different from what I normally read.
You have done a terrific job summarizing the major themes of the Tale of Despereaux. The use of light and dark by DiCamillo is reminiscent of Shakepeare's use of light and dark in Romeo and Juliet.
As for why Miggery Sow could hear Rocuro, if I remember correctly, Roscuro was on her shoulder talking directly into her ear. Perhaps proximity to the ear canal is the answer?? This would be a perfect deeper level thinking question for students!
Wasn't it funny that Mig could say "I want.." repeatedly and warm the heart of the princess by sharing with her in the dungeon how she wanted her ma. That seemed to be the moment of bonding between Mig and the princess. The rats had become the fools of the dungeon and Despereaux its master. And the ending wound up so neatly with a bowl of soup. Who would have predicted such an ending?
I was captivated by the use of figurative language as well. DiCamillo used this language to portay the competing forces that are evident in so many realms. The balance between light and dark, good and evil, etc. are themes that masters of literature have integrated in their stories for thousands of years. This story would provide teachers of young readers an opportunity to discuss the interplay between competing forces that dominates literature they read. This discussion could be extended into real-life situations in which people compete for power and how this desire has caused conflict. The Tale of Despereaux is rich with opportunities for engaging classroom discussion.
Due to its different approach, I also liked how DiCamillo spoke directly to me as the reader, to nudge me along and make sure I was paying close attention. As with many others, I also went and looked up "perdify" in the dictionary, because as a reader, I subconsciously felt that "Well, if she is telling me I better do it, then I better do it! She knows this story and what I need to get out of it!" Even though it is a simple thing to do, having the author act as the narrator "talking" to me was a fresh twist on composing a story. Even though this is not my favorite DiCamillo book, I am glad I dove into the book with an open mind to her artistry as a storyteller. She took me somewhere that normally I would not find engaging to read if I had sampled just the first chapter alone.
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