Virginia Lee Burton wrote Mike Mulligan in 1939. As with all her books, it was written to entertain her two sons. Her boys loved cars, trucks and machines of any kind. Their influence was in all her writings.Virginia Lee Burton also illustrated her books, which won her a Caldecott award for the book "Little House."
Mike Mulligan is a story about a man who owns a steam shovel named Mary Anne. Steam engines were prior to gas or diesel engines Once the diesel or gas engines became popular, the steam engine died out,and Mary Ann became useless. Mike considers dumping her in a junk yard, but instead opts to keep her. He travels around the little towns trying to find work. Eventually, Mike comes to a small town where they are getting ready to build a new town hall. Boldly Mike informs the township that he and Mary Anne can dig the cellar of the town hall in one day. The selectmen are skeptical, but Mike assures them that if the selectmen allows Mary Anne the chance, and they fail, they don't have to pay him.
So the next morning, at dawn he begins A crowd starts to show up to watch Mary Anne and Mike work. Mike tells the crowd that they more people who watch the faster and better Mary Anne will work So more and more people show up. At sunset, the cellar is dug but Mary Anne has dug herself in a corner. Mike forgot to leave a way out of the cellar. One selectman says that Mike won't get paid unless he can get out of the cellar by sunset, How they resolve this issue is credited in the book to a neighborhood boy who made the suggestion when Burton was stuck.
In the end, everyone is happy. Especially Mike and Mary Anne.
This is an excellent book for ages 4 to 6. It is a classic in every sense of the word. It is mentioned in Beverly Cleary's Ramona the Pest book. Ramona's kindergarten teacher reads it to the class, and afterwards, Ramona raises her hand and asks how Mike Mulligan went to the bathroom, causing a class discussion that leaves the teacher at a loss.
Mike Mulligan is a fun book to read. Read it yourself and find out!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
The Five Chinese Brothers
The Five Chinese Brothers is a story based on an old Chinese folk tale. The story is about five brothers who look exactly alike. Each brother has a unique talent The tale begins with the first brother, who is able to suck down the ocean and hold it in his mouth. A little boy asks if he may go along with him while the brother does his fishing. The first Chinese brother is reluctant, but eventually says the boy may go provided he comes when called The little boy promises and they go off together. Once at the ocean, the brother carefully sucks down the water The little boy runs around the ocean bed, searching for pebbles and interesting objects Eventually the first Chinese brother grows tired and tries to signal the little boy back But the little boy ignores him. Finally, the first Chinese brother cannot hold the water anymore, and spews it back drowning the little boy.
When the first Chinese brother returns to his village, he is arrested, and tried for murder. He is found guilty and sentenced to death. The day before he is due to be executed, he asks permission to visit his mother.. Permission is granted and the first Chinese brother returns home. The next morning, the second Chinese brother returns in his place When they try to behead the brother, the axe breaks. The second Chinese brother's neck is made of iron. The executioner tries three more times to execute the brother, but is unable to do so because each brother replaces the other and his unique talent prevents the execution. In the end, the officials decide because they are unable to execute the brother, that he must be innocent. They let the last brother go, and he returns to his village to live out his life with his brothers and mother.
The book was written by Claire Huchet Bishop and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. At one point the book came under some criticism because it was consider racist, perpetuating the myth that all Chinese look alike. But this story is a Chinese folktale, so that argument has gone by the wayside, although in the 1970's some libraries and schools pulled it from their shelves
I especially liked the story within the story. While the child who dies is called naughty and disobedient, he still receives justice in the form of a trial for his "murderer." Also, although the brother is condemned to die, he is allowed to go home and visit his mother the day before his execution. Within this story is taught the idea of honor, loyalty, obedience and respect, along with a healthy dose of self preservation.
It is fun story to read, probably for children between ages 4-9. But children of all ages can enjoy it.
I still do!
When the first Chinese brother returns to his village, he is arrested, and tried for murder. He is found guilty and sentenced to death. The day before he is due to be executed, he asks permission to visit his mother.. Permission is granted and the first Chinese brother returns home. The next morning, the second Chinese brother returns in his place When they try to behead the brother, the axe breaks. The second Chinese brother's neck is made of iron. The executioner tries three more times to execute the brother, but is unable to do so because each brother replaces the other and his unique talent prevents the execution. In the end, the officials decide because they are unable to execute the brother, that he must be innocent. They let the last brother go, and he returns to his village to live out his life with his brothers and mother.
The book was written by Claire Huchet Bishop and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. At one point the book came under some criticism because it was consider racist, perpetuating the myth that all Chinese look alike. But this story is a Chinese folktale, so that argument has gone by the wayside, although in the 1970's some libraries and schools pulled it from their shelves
I especially liked the story within the story. While the child who dies is called naughty and disobedient, he still receives justice in the form of a trial for his "murderer." Also, although the brother is condemned to die, he is allowed to go home and visit his mother the day before his execution. Within this story is taught the idea of honor, loyalty, obedience and respect, along with a healthy dose of self preservation.
It is fun story to read, probably for children between ages 4-9. But children of all ages can enjoy it.
I still do!
Friday, March 11, 2011
The story about Ping
The Story about Ping is a charming story about a duck named Ping. Ping lives in China on a boat with "Wise Eyes" on the Yangzte River.
Each morning, the man who owned the boat would release Ping and his many family members. They would play, swim and eat all day long. At the end of the day Ping would hear the man call out,"La La La La Lei".
That would be the signal for the ducks to go back to the boat. Ping hurried to avoid being the last duck going up the boat ramp, because the last duck always recieved a spank across the back from the stick that the boat owner carried.
But one day Ping is upside down in the water, and doesn't hear the call until it is too late. Rather than be the last duck on the boat, Ping hid. What happens next is a series of misadventures that teach Ping it is better to get his spank than to miss the boat. <Sorry about the pun!>
Marjorie Flack wrote the story in 1933. Kurt Wiese illustrated it beautifully with simple but elegant drawings. One of the things I liked about this book is that it is a nice way to introduce another culture to children. They will enjoy looking at the boats that float along the Yangtze in China and read about the fishermen. I think they will especially enjoy the part about the boat boy, who practices swimming in the river with a barrel on his back.
Those of us old enough to remember the Captian Kangaroo show will be interested in hearing that Captain Kangaroo used to read it once a week on his show for many years. It was also featured on Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop.
I believe children up to the age of 7 or maybe even a little older will enjoy this story. They will be able to relate to Ping being afraid of being of being punished. They will also enjoy the pictures of Ping as he swims and frolicks in the water.
Although this is one of the books that might be percieved as "old fashioned", try not to look at it that way. Look at it as a simple, enjoyable story that teaches in its quiet way, a lesson. Ping certainly learned that a spank is not the worse thing that can happen to a duck on the Yangtze River.
La-la-la-la-Lei!
Each morning, the man who owned the boat would release Ping and his many family members. They would play, swim and eat all day long. At the end of the day Ping would hear the man call out,"La La La La Lei".
That would be the signal for the ducks to go back to the boat. Ping hurried to avoid being the last duck going up the boat ramp, because the last duck always recieved a spank across the back from the stick that the boat owner carried.
But one day Ping is upside down in the water, and doesn't hear the call until it is too late. Rather than be the last duck on the boat, Ping hid. What happens next is a series of misadventures that teach Ping it is better to get his spank than to miss the boat. <Sorry about the pun!>
Marjorie Flack wrote the story in 1933. Kurt Wiese illustrated it beautifully with simple but elegant drawings. One of the things I liked about this book is that it is a nice way to introduce another culture to children. They will enjoy looking at the boats that float along the Yangtze in China and read about the fishermen. I think they will especially enjoy the part about the boat boy, who practices swimming in the river with a barrel on his back.
Those of us old enough to remember the Captian Kangaroo show will be interested in hearing that Captain Kangaroo used to read it once a week on his show for many years. It was also featured on Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop.
I believe children up to the age of 7 or maybe even a little older will enjoy this story. They will be able to relate to Ping being afraid of being of being punished. They will also enjoy the pictures of Ping as he swims and frolicks in the water.
Although this is one of the books that might be percieved as "old fashioned", try not to look at it that way. Look at it as a simple, enjoyable story that teaches in its quiet way, a lesson. Ping certainly learned that a spank is not the worse thing that can happen to a duck on the Yangtze River.
La-la-la-la-Lei!
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