Life

School is the greatest mourning for kids. Waking up everyday to the early mornings, still a little drowsy and unwilling to get up is horrible. This dilemma was always a problem for me. I remember waking up everyday and having to wake up at 6 in the morning to take the bus. It was the worse time ever but after the end of the school year, something inside of me just wanted to get up and shout "yes!" Children in elementary and I mean all children reach that point in the year where everything is wrapping up and wonder if it was actually all that bad because when summer comes around there is nothing to do and the child is left wondering "when do we go back to school?" It is funny to think that even through adult hood we have those thoughts in mind. At first we are unwilling to go somewhere or do something and then when it is all said and done we wish we could relive the whole experience all over again. It only goes to show that through all experiences children and adults are so much like whether it is admitted or not.

Writing a story

I began working on the prompt in which you have to create your own children's story and it has been quite a task. It is a picture book with 30 pages. It is a really fast read with some great twist that children would love. Since, the story is fast paced and quite short, the pictures seem to tell alot more about the characters personality than the text does. I really enjoyed working on this book, although, it seemed to take forever to draw each and every picture. I named the story "Monsters, Please Go Away!" because that is something alot of young children wish the monsters would do. In the book, the whole plot takes place during the night within a young girl's bedroom. Everynight she has to deal with silly creatures that love to create mischief of all sorts. She eventually has to learn from her cousin the secret in to getting rid of those monsters once and for all.

Where the WIld things Are

This book, Where the Wild things Are, is an interesting tale that shows the reader the mischievous ways of Max who wears a wolf costume. Maurice Sendak, at first, hoped to create this story based on horses but later switched it when he realized he could not draw horses. In the book and in discussion, we touched base on how the pictures seem to get larger and larger when Max enters his own world. This could represent his frustration at his mother at the highest level. But as he begins to miss home, the pictures begin to shrink and Max comes back to civilization. The story is quite interesting especially how relates little boys to wolves just like that of Peter Rabbit relating bunnies to little boys. The animal instinct comes out of each character as well as the understanding once reality has struck them.
Another interesting thing about Where The Wild Things Are is the fact that Disney thought about making in to an actual movie, however, it never got passed the preview test. Here is a clip of that idea.

Field Trips

In Kindergarten, I am sure everyone remembers the trips to the zoo. When I was younger, I always would get ready the night before. I would pack my own lunch with extra goodies to snack on and set out my clothes for the new day to come. There were times I could not even sleep at all because I was so excited. Field trips were special days. When I went to the zoo all the animals were quite amazing but my favorite animal of course was the grizzly bear. Field trips were the things I remember from elementary that seem to stand out from every thing else. They were the times that I was able to go out and explore and learn something without the big boring text book or boring talk set forth in class. Field trips to anywhere, whether to the museum, to the zoo, or even to a ranch, they are all things I can look back on and know how much joy it had brought to me at one point in life. While downtown in Houston, I noticed that exact same expression on kids faces as they ran around down town park and enjoyed their child hood, a child hood I once had.

Cat in the Hat

While taking psychology last semester, there was one thing pointed out about Dr. Suess's Cat in the Hat. Like Sigmund Freud's idea, the Cat in the Hat has the Id, the Ego, and the superego. The id would be the cat who drives the young kids in to destroying the house and making a mess through out the whole story. The super ego would be the fish who continues to remind the kids that there should be no visitors when there mother is out and of course the kids who watch all this stuff going on are the ego because they have to choose to follow the cat or the fish. The Cat in the Hat is just a ray of imagination of two young kids who make the best of a rainy day. Dr. Suess's writing allows children to gain a vocabulary and learn to read with a fun and exciting story. Also according to an article online it states:


The Cat in the Hat is a hard-hitting novel of prose and poetry in which the author re-examines the dynamic rhyming schemes and bold imagery of some of his earlier works, most notably Green Eggs and Ham, If I Ran the Zoo, and Why Can't I Shower With Mommy? In this novel, Theodore Geisel, writing under the pseudonym Dr. Seuss, pays homage to the great Dr. Sigmund Freud in a nightmarish fantasy of a renegade feline helping two young children understand their own frustrated sexuality.

The story opens with two youngsters, a brother and a sister, abandoned by their mother, staring mournfully through the window of their single-family dwelling. In the foreground, a large tree/phallic symbol dances wildly in the wind, taunting the children and encouraging them to succumb to the sexual yearnings they undoubtedly feel for each other. Even to the most unlearned reader, the blatant references to the incestuous relationship the two share set the tone for Seuss' probing examination of the satisfaction of primitive needs. The Cat proceeds to charm the wary youths into engaging in what he so innocently refers to as "tricks." At this point, the fish, an obvious Christ figure who represents the prevailing Christian morality, attempts to warn the children, and thus, in effect, warns all of humanity of the dangers associated with the unleashing of the primal urges. In response to this, the cat proceeds to balance the aquatic naysayer on the end of his umbrella, essentially saying, "Down with morality; down with God!"

After poohpoohing the righteous rantings of the waterlogged Christ figure, the Cat begins to juggle several icons of Western culture, most notably two books, representing the Old and New Testaments, and a saucer of lactal fluid, an ironic reference to maternal loss the two children experienced when their mother abandoned them "for the afternoon." Our heroic Id adds to this bold gesture a rake and a toy man, and thus completes the Oedipal triangle.

Later in the novel, Seuss introduces the proverbial Pandora's box, a large red crate out of which the Id releases Thing One, or Freud's concept of Ego, the division of the psyche that serves as the conscious mediator between the person and reality, and Thing Two, the Superego which functions to reward and punish through a system of moral attitudes, conscience, and guilt.

Referring to this box, the Cat says, "Now look at this trick. Take a look!" In this, Dr. Seuss uses the children as a brilliant metaphor for the reader, and asks the reader to re-examine his own inner self.

The children, unable to control the Id, Ego, and Superego allow these creatures to run free and mess up the house, or more symbolically, control their lives. This rampage continues until the fish, or Christ symbol, warns that the mother is returning to reinstate the Oedipal triangle that existed before her abandonment of the children. At this point, Seuss introduces a many-armed cleaning device which represents the psychoanalytic couch, which proceeds to put the two youngsters' lives back in order.

With powerful simplicity, clarity, and drama, Seuss reduces Freud's concepts on the dynamics of the human psyche to an easily understood gesture. Mr. Seuss' poetry and choice of words is equally impressive and serves as a splendid counterpart to his bold symbolism. In all, his writing style is quick and fluid, making The Cat in the Hat impossible to put down. While this novel is 61 pages in length, and one can read it in five minutes or less, it is not until after multiple readings that the genius of this modern day master becomes apparent.

Peter Rabbit

I know during class Dr. Robinson mentioned that the pictures are illustrated so that the reader can view everything in the eyes of Peter Rabbit, which is quite interesting. The viewpoint of a little bunny shifts focus in to actually seeing that he is a little boy. The pictures are quite subtle and show no alarm. However, the alarm could be shown in the text. Another thing mentioned was about morals. I beleive Beatrix Potter allows both, the adults and children, to get a moral out of the story. For the adults, they get the message that you must let your boys be boys but children still get a moral also. On the last page, there is a picture of the three sister bunnies eating blackberries and it looks like they are enjoying them. While Peter is stuck in bed, sick, the other bunnies are eating the goodies they gathered. As a child, I remember that was punishment enough. Just to see the other siblings get treats while sick is punishment. Throughout the story, the mother doesn't say anything but I believe silence is worse than talk. Silence doesn't tell if the mother is angry or if she is just okay with him being a boy. When my parents used the silence treatment on me as a kid, it was the worse, especially since children love to receive attention. Overall, Peter Rabbit is a book filled with more morals for both the adult and child to gain.

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925 is a story about a young man’s life in the perspective of Nick Carraway. Nick Carraway is a young man from Minnesota who moves to New York in hopes of learning about bond business. He lives in West egg where most of the rich people who have no connections with others live. Nick is next door to Jay Gatsby who is a wealthy individual who throws extravagant parties. Jay Gatsby is a bit of a mystery throughout the book until the story begins to unravel. There are some key elements in the story that serve as a symbol of the depression of the 1920’s and the views that are classified through each character. In the book, Fitzgerald captures the era of the 1920’s and the jazz culture as well as the hollowness portrayed by the upper class people. F. Scott Fitzgerald does this by splitting New York by the East Egg, representing the old aristocracy and West Egg, representing the new rich. The Green Light in the book represents the hopes and dreams Gatsby associates with Daisy and the American dream. However, as much as he reaches out for the light he never actually gets to touch the light. With the splendid story of a love that could never take place, and a dream that never is reached, the story leads to twists and questions that are better left unsaid to you read the book. However, it is a saddening story of what could never be due to the strong love of one character and the shallowness of another. America. Hopes. Dreams. They are all broken in the realistic tale of American society in the 1920’s.

Picture Books

Picture Books are popular books in this era. Books with a very few words and vivid pictures that describe the intention and/or purpose the book brings about. Picture books are more popular with children but it doesn't mean adults do not love the books also. According to Wikipedia, picture books serve two functions: 1) they are read to young children by adults and 2)children read to themselves once they learn to read. The pictures in the books can be symbols of what the character is feeling, what is going to happen, and so forth. The Little Golden Books are quite extraordinary picture books. In 1942, SImon and Schuster began publication on these books for a little amount of cost. I remember having some of these books in my collection as a kid. They include titles such as The Poky Little Puppy and Madeline. Another type of picture book is from Dr. Suess,including various titles such as "Cat in the hat", "One Fish,Two Fish, Red Fish,Blue Fish", "Green Eggs and Ham" and many other well known titles. Picture Books are my favorite type of reading because with only a few words that are used the message still tends to get across with no confusion whatsoever.The books have a lot of symbols in the pictures whether it is in the size of an object or the color of the item. Anything could be used to discover a hidden meaning within the illustrations that are drawn.

The Simpsons

It appears to me that people of all ages love the Simpsons. No matter what age or gender, children from as early as two years old love the Simpsons. The dysfunctional family with their many adventures appeal to the mass media. Sometimes, the show can teach morals and values to children in an unusual way. Like any other show, you have the bad guys, like Mr. Burns and Sideshow Bob. You also have religious fanatics like Rev. Lovejoy, Ned Flanders and his family. And you also have the wild, not so ordinary characters including Homer Simpson. This show broadcast as early as 1989 starting as a comic book and then later debuting on the Tracy Ullman Show. During the 1990s when George H. W. Bush was president he remarked,"We're going to strengthen the American family to make them more like the Waltons and less like the Simpsons." With the conservative nation about during this time period, nothing stopped the Simpsons from becomig popular amongst adults and children. Even until today the Simpsons is well known and continues to produce merchandise that everyone tends to love even if it is just a little.

Party

Birthday parties seem to be a major deal when you are a little kid. In those regards, you must have the most bounciest moon walk, coolest cake, and outstanding entertainment. I remember having a clown show up to my 5th year birthday party. It was exciting to have a clown ride up to the pavement in a little tiny car. How do they do that? Anyways it was a blast. Kids love to have parties especially when there is a theme like Batman, strawberry shortcake, or anything of that sort. When I was back at home, my little cousin had a party at Chuck E. Cheese's and right on his face I could see the happiness. To be that young and to enjoy every minute of your birth date is quite excitingto see.

Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, and word searches were always a great challenge for me as a child. However, I found out that the more I worked on them, the more knowledge that I gained. Eventually, I was doing a word search in less minutes than when I started. I remember one time in fifth grade, we had a race where whoever finish the word search first would get a prize at the end of the week. Needless to say, I was always the first one to finish. The teacher decided though to challenge me and make me wear a glove on my left hand, which I would use to write with. Although, I was not first I still finished in third place. Word searches are exciting for young children because it is like a scavenger hunt of that sort, always looking for what is not visible within the eyes but hidden deeply inside or around something.

The Giver

The power found within the individuals in the story is taken away from them due to their orderly behavior and conduct. Because they want to be safe, they end up losing something that we all have- uniqueness. They lose their individualism and become more like machines. They know not of the meaning of love and create a baby like a machine creates goods. The black and white world without any color is seen as sameness. In a way, while reading the Giver, two thoughts came into my head. One, it is very much like th emovie Pleasantville and two, it is like Ayn Rand's Anthem. Pleasantville could be compared to this because the people in that town live in a perfect community with no color but that begins to change when a little color begins to enter their eyes. To me, color is happiness. When you think of color, it represents joy and happiness, which is why many bold colors are used in cartoons. Like Anthem, the individual in the Giver knows that the way they live is wrong. Jonas, who becomes the receiver knows that at some point in life everyone should be able to feel pain as well as pleasure.In Anthem, the community is much like the community in the Giver where the government chooses the jobs they will place upon you and everyone is given a number. This way takes away their identity. To be able to have feelings of all sorts is a gift that should not be taken away and even though at times it may hurt, we must feel it in order to know the experience.

Pop Up Books

When I was younger, I remember the excitement I use to get when I read a pop up book. The pictures and illustrations were amazing and had many colors that grabbed my attention. Not only did pop up books bring me into the story but it gave a real, new way of seeing things in what would happen in each step of the story. Pop up books have been popular since I was younger and I don't think that young kids ever get tired of them. While searching the net, here is a few clips I found on pop up books. They are very much entertaining. Every little kid I have met loves them.

Kids Stuff

While I was younger, I grew up with all the latest fads from the 90's. The below list includes all those fashionable items that kids craved. It ranges from food, cartoons, movies, toys, and so forth. The kids of today have changesd drastically compared to what we considered great.

1. Bobby's World


2. Skip it


3. Kool Aid


4. Lion King


5. looney toons


6. super soakers

7. hungry hungry hippo


8. yo yos


9. Pixie Sticks


10. tom and jerry


On the opposing side, this is what kids like nowadays.
1. High School Musical


2. Hannah Montana


3. McDonald's


4.family guy


5. video games


There is soo much more to add to this list but the differences are amazing,. Kids now days are more glue to the tv, either eating or seating in front of the tv playing video games.

Imagination

Imagination is a creative mind that we feed with different aspects of life. They are aspects of life that can not happen in reality. As children, we create castles, ships, fortresses, and so much more that we will never be able to obtain. Why is that when people get older they lose their imagination? Imagination is how we can let our dreams come true. Dreams that are impossible but seem quite delightful. Imagination serves children's happiness in to seeing the beuaty of life rather than the harsh realities of the real world. When I was younger, things felt happier, filled more with color. But once you enter your adult stages of life that color slowly is disappears. You are now stuck with the realities of life which is sad to say. Where is our imagination and where does it go? Could we blame the TV for destroying our childhood? Or do we blame ourselves for becoming close minded about things that exists in our mind? Imagination. Where would we be if there wasn't anyone there to feed our minds with our new worlds? Where will the children be when all imagination is taken away? We have to start now and allow the children to play, create, act silly, and jusst be a kid. There is always time to grow up and become an adult, but there will never be a time to go back to childhood. Imagine. Create. Believe.

Poems

Poems can be of any topic, which are so easy to grasp. They could be filled with non sense, lyrics, a story, or anything of that sort. Poems for children, however, tend to focus on the joy in life like Robert Louis Stevenson's poems. However there are those who focus more of the gloominess in life like Christina Rossetti's poems. Poems of all sort serve some purpose as to why it is written. They are the voice for the poets who use this artful skill to write a poem that reaches out to everyone. It is wonderful to see that nature, creature that do not exist, people who go on journeys, and so much more, can exist within one poem. Poems are indeed great.

Horton Hears a Who

Recently, I saw the move Horton hears A who, which brought a new way of seeing things. As a kid's story, it teaches the young that individualism is okay, standing for what you believe should not be used against you, and imagination only brings about creativity. With the hilarious, Horton, and his belief that he does hear a voice on a tiny speck, he takes on a journey in search for a safe place to put the flower, which the speck resides. Horton now has the role as the protector for he controls whether or not this community survives. Although only Horton can hear the voices, he believes even though the other animals believe he is mad. The movie had a great moral that was very much touching in the sense that no matter if people do not seem to be visible to one person that doesn't mean that they shouldn't receive equal treatment. In a way, I saw as social justice. The Kangaroo representing the government of people and the Who's representing the small voice of the people who are not heard. Horton is extremely well fitted for a good family night at the movies.

Nasty Endings

Nasty Endings By Dennis Pepper
This tale of horror stories with twisted endings and filled with ghosts, ghouls, and spirits embeds delusions we all fear as children. However, at the same time, we just can not get enough of these horrific tales. It is a collection of tales by Roald Dahl, Ray Bradbury, T.H. White, John Christopher and many more well known authors. There are stories that include weird sweet shops, deadly coffins, real lions in the nursery, and other weird supernatural beings. Nast Endings, as the title may have it, is indeed filled with surprises that will catch the reader off guard and completely awestricken by the strange endings that occur. The collection gathered by Dennis Pepper is the type of tales that are chilling and eerie, but a wonderful reading for the younger audience and entertaining those willing to read on a dark and rainy night.

Joyous days

Chocolate bunnies, Easter eggs
little colored Peeps
a whole day of Easter is on its way.

Children have egg hunts and play
in their sunday church clothes.
Laughter and joy fill the sunday afternoon
as sugar rushes through.
Easter is on its way.

Singing songs together
in a peaceful way
Here comes Peter Cotton tail
surely he will read a tale

Sun is glistening high above
clouds are whiter than a dove
Easter is today!

Easter, Easter hear me mister
Easter is today
Today, today we shall play
Today, today is the day
Easter is today

A child's Ambition Begins at an Early Age

My little cousin, 2 years old, jams out to a popular spanish rock band, Mana. At this age, he possesses a strong passion for music and uses the shoe swatter,depicted in the video as a guitar. Could it be that children know what their passions are, their desires, what they are going to feel strongly towards in years to come? At two years old, everyday he asks my mom for the DVD. It may sound something like this "Mana, Put on Mana." Mom says, "No more Mana. We already watched it three times." My little cousin says, "Mana!" Mom puts in DVD and time after time the same response. He begins dancing around, playing his own version of a guitar, and singing along to the lyrics which he has remembered by heart. It is funny to watch as he makes his expressions and you can see he loves the music with its rythyms and beats, crafted lyrics, and beating drums. Sometimes I forget that this little boy, only 2 years old is even two. I remember asking him one time, "so do you like mana." His response was "I love it!" He cracks me up everytime and to see his desire and ambitions towards music makes me feel completely ambitious in what I do.

What is the Message?

Subliminal Messages Last semester, I took a Psychology class and we talked about subliminal messages found within music, movies, and advertisement. So for a while, I spent a great deal of time looking up banned cartoons that were knocked off air due to the content of the show. In Popeye, during a time when WWII was going on, the stereotypical image of Japanese soldiers were portrayed in this banned cartoon featuring Bluto and Popeye. “I am in the army now” is what is called. Disney also features a few clips that relates to the Sigmund Freud’s idea of sexuality. Children may not seem to notice the hidden messages found inside of all of the shows they may watch, but is evidently visible especially when you begin to pay closer attention. If only you could see how marketers strike the youth, you may begin to wonder if the decisions your own children make is in fact their own or the works of all those changing or shaping the minds of your children.

Scandinavian Legends and Folktales

Book 8
Title: Scandinavian Legends and Folktales [Hali Becomes a Poet]
Author: Gwyn Jones
Picture Book? (Yes or no): No
Posting date and/or number: March 10, 2008

Hali becomes a poet introduces the story that is set in Iceland. Hali is a young man who wishes to write a poem for one of the greatest poets in the land but as he tries to write even one sentence he fails time and time again. One night he is driven to sleep, but is visited by Thorleif, the poet, who tells him the ways of being a poet. He gives him a verse to remember and tells him to remember the verse and he will be granted honor through out the land if not Thorleif would still praise him for he tried to contribute something to his memory. As Hali wakes up, he begins to write the verse he heard with passion and he is given honor and wealth like Thorleif promised him. The story is a Scandinavian tale that allows the reader to enter a new realm of thoughts and ides that sweep the story. However, like many other stories it is through dreams that inspire the mind to think outside the box and create something unique.

What to do to Educate your Own Children

I have thought of having my own kids time and time again. Although it may not be now, I do know that when I do have children, I want them to have all the knowledge that I can provide for them. Here is a list of all the fun ways, which I hope to teach my kids, not just educationally, but with morals and values attached.

Playing School- Playing school before they are in school will help them expect what they are going to experience in the real world. By getting a chalk board a few lesson plans such as one focused on counting, alphabets, etc, it would allow them to have a better understanding of the way things are like.

Word of the Day- By showing my children a larger vocabulary, it will benefit them essentially. I hope to create picture images, draw a picture with the word and the action of the word. For example if the word was Courage I could provide a symbol that gives an image for the definition. (for courage it could show a fist held tightly)

Reading- I would read to my children by vividly enacting the parts of the books or become the character. :)

Going to the Zoo- By going to the zoo, I would be able to teach them the various types of animals that exist as well as provide a fun fact that they can know about the animal. For example: Do you know the difference between a centipede and a millipede? One has 100 feet which is what centi means and milli means 1000.

Buying educational Videos- I would let them watch the videos and then question them about what they saw. "Where did (insert character name) go?"


I have numerous teaching techniques that would explore their minds and allow them to learn everything necessary in expanding their horizons. It is just a great way to learn not only about them but about myself. To have kids that look up to you for advice and knowledge is just amazing.

Monsters

Raise you hands above your head
Scream your lungs out right in bed
Mom is watching every move
As you try to prove

monsters! monsters! in the closet
Mom kisses you on the cheek
says good night honey you need your sleep
Lights go off what do you see
The dark dim moonlight creeping in
Scritch! Scratch! of the tree
leaning against my window pane
Whish! goes the wind in the midst of the night

Closet opens slowly apart
AAAAHHH!! I scream please end the fright
Mom comes back back in, we are at the start
Honey she says there is nothing there

the closet opens, out pops a monster
Green, hideous, a little bit tiny
It is all so whiny
Mom grabs a shoe
Puts it over the monster and Splat!
just like that
Worries over now at last

Good night Sweety there is nothing to fear
Lights go out
What do I see
Darkness, darkness all about
Mom forgot about the monster, monster under the bed!
But I lay down, count to three
monster, monsters are just all in my head

Princess and the Goblin

Darkness versus the Light

The Princess and the Goblin is a story of a young girl’s journey through a search of her spiritual maturity. The grandmother and the goblins are very significant figures in the book. The grandmother who shines her bright light that leads her pigeons home represent the light, the spiritual guidance that Irene looks upon when she feels lost and afraid. The faith and belief she has developed guides her through the caves in search of Curdie. Curdie and Lootie who do not believe are not able to see the grandmother. The concept mentioned in class about “seeing is believing” fits in part with religion where some people must have idols or a statue with the religious figure in order to worship. However, the grandmother states that as long as you believe then you are able to see. There is no need to see everything all the time but you must believe that it is there and only then will you be able to see. At one point in the story Irene starts to think of Grandmother as only a dream in which this case she is unable to find her when she climbs the stairs. To understand the search of spiritual guidance in Irene’s adventure helps the reader interpret the necessity it is for her. Her grandmother is the light. The goblins on the other hand are the dark, evil underground. They only come out at night and hate the new arts that are mentioned. They represent the darkness that we tend to life like at some points. The darkness leaves us feeling lost and uncertain of what to expect. Could it be that Curdie gets lost in the caves because he has lost his own direction? By Irene leading him out of the cave, she is his light, in some ways. She is the one that helps him find his direction and get through the troubles he faces amongst the goblins. The princess and the Goblins is a story filled with many symbols that take in part of the need for spiritual healing.

Sleeping Ugly

Book 7
Title: Sleeping Ugly
Author: Jane Yolen
Picture Book? (Yes or no): Yes
Posting date and/or number: March 3, 2008

In Jane Yolen’s, “Sleeping Ugly”, the characters in the story are quite at ease. The picture illustration brings a sense of humor to the classical fairy tales and in fact teaches students and children that beauty is not necessarily everything. Like many fairy tales, there is a beautiful princess named Miserella. It is funny because she brings misery upon other people even with all the beauty she has and also it is the opposite of Cinderella who we knew to be kind and helping. Miserella ends up getting lost in the forest because her horse even knows of her badness that she has from within and abandons her. Miserella runs into an old woman where she kicks her foot and demands that she takes her home. The old woman is a fairy who leads her to Plain Jane’s house. Plain Jane is much nicer and kind from within but she lacks the beauty from the outer interior. Eventually due to Plain Jane’s niceness, she is granted three wishes and with that, she uses two wishes to save Princess Miserella from the old fairies magical curses she puts on her. One curse was to make toads fall out of her mouth and the other was turning her foot to cement. After all the fighting and bickering between the fairy and Miserella, the fairy accidentally puts a sleeping curse on all of them, which only a prince can remove by kissing the “sleeping beauty”. The story is quite different from the usual fairy tale but does add a sense of humor and wit to the story, as well as, the good old usual moral, which in this case was to “Let sleeping princesses lie or lying princess’s sleep, whichever seems wisest.” It is in fact a play on words that does get the whole point and adds to the humor of the story.

Ghostly Stories

Ghostly Stories



In children’s ghostly stories, the shrieks and screams are none other but a playful, fun fright that we all enjoyed as kids. I remember reading Scary Stories to tell in the Dark and other urban legends as a child. They were all quite spooky, but just as much as kids enjoy Halloween; they also enjoy the fun scare of a creepy book. In Ghosts! Ghostly tales from folklore by Alvin Schwartz, he takes old spooky legends and makes them into some funny parody of the real or legends that have been spread around through out. Although as I read through this story, some of the stories were a little creepy but with the added pictures and the funny faces that portrayed the ghosts, it made the stories light hearted and just a fun spook for children to get around Halloween. Ghost stories are one of the most popular genres of children book and include authors like R.L Stine. We all love the pumping heart and unexpectedness we experience as we flipped the page to find out the ghost is right behind YOU!

Children's Guide to Morality

As a young child, these are some of the many rules I remember being taught throughout elementary school and at home.

1. Do not lie.


2. Obey your mom and dad.


3. Do not steal or take things that are not yours.


4. If you do not have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all.


5. Don't talk to strangers.


6. Respect your elders.



7. Listen at all times.


8. Clean up after yourself.


9. Don't talk back.


10.Do your best at all times.


Along with these rules, at school I also remember saying a motto or creed known as:

The Learner's Creed

I believe in myself and my ability to do my best at all times.

Just for today:

I will listen

I will see

I will speak

I will feel

I will think

I will reason

I will write



I will do all these things with one purpose in mind:



to do my very best and not waste this day



for this day will not come again.



~Ernestine Mitchell

This creed was remembered and allowed all students to focus in on what the teacher taught with out us , students, ever realizing it. I am just surprised how I am able to take in every bit of information without even knowing how it is shaping me.

Alice In Wonderland (Lost Identity)

Throughout Alice's adventure, she is pressed with the same question, in many different forms, including one of my favorites,"Who are you?" Unsure where she is and who she is, she must face this mad world, trying to figure out what is what and how everything works. The way I see it is this dream world is our world. It is a world where we can not explain many of the actions that take form. It is a world filled with many surprises that we do not understand, but we live through them. Every single time we are much like Alice, questioning the world around us. In fact, we are sometimes driven by questions as Is there a god? What is the meaning of life? Where do we come from? and Why? All these questions with no direct answer leaves us with a little uncertainty of this world and we may conclude it to be quite mad. As Alice begins to grow in size as much as any of us do, it is still uncertain if our mind develops the sense we want it to. We are still left quite puzzled about the life we live and the actions that take place. We are lost in identity. Identification serves our main purpose in life but figuring it out may be very hard to do. Throughout the book Alice, at times, finds it hard to say who she is. How can you actually determine who you are? Are you smart, dumb, pretty, ugly, modest, etc? It is hard to tell especially with the many changes that come with age. In a way the various items eaten by Alice which make her grow and shrink is like her uncertainty. The identity she sets herself to be in the end allows her to gain control of her dreamland and realize that she can take action to end this impractical world. In a way it sends the message of controlling your own life and set things in order for yourself because like the many creatures who tried to label Alice, she had to figure out where her place was for herself. Our world is mad in many ways and the many events that occur may be quite impractical in one's own eyes but very practical in another's. The own identity is the most important aspect and where we stand in this life is all up to us taking control of it.

Papa, Please Get the Moon For Me

Book 6
Title: Papa, pleasae get the moon for me
Author: Eric Carle
Picture Book? (Yes or no): Yes
Posting date and/or number: February 23,2008


In papa Please get the moon for me, Monica sees the moon and hopes to have it for her own. She reaches for it but can not get it. She asks her father for the moon, which he goes out of his way to get. He grabs a long ladder and takes it to the top of the mountain where he asks the moon to shrink size for him. After this, the father takes the moon to his daughter where she is able to play with it until it disappears. In a way it is like taking from your parents without any appreciation for their willingness to go out of their way. It is taken for granted until it disappears. When we see it reappear we understand the importance it holds in the world. The moon is better left up high where it is able to grow and grow. Sometimes it is impossible to have everything we wish to attain.

The Five Little Monkeys with Nothing to Do

Book 5
Title: Five Little Monkey With Nothing to do
Author: Eileen Christelow
Picture Book? (Yes or no): Yes
Posting date and/or number: February 22,2008

In the Five Little Monkeys with Nothing to Do, the little monkeys are off from school during the summer, only to find out the boredom that they are seldom to face. With that mama assigns the monkeys a whole bunch of chores, which they obediently follow for their grandmother’s visit, without any fight. This teaches young kids how to help out their mothers around the house. The illustrations in the story, also shows children that working together can get the task accomplished a lot faster. The pictures serve an important factor. The faces of the monkeys convey happiness and pure delight. The five monkeys are able to clean their room, scrub the bathroom, dust the rugs, pick berries, and clean themselves up. However, the book also shows that just because the task has been done once, does not necessarily mean that it is completed. In this case, cleaning is an on going job they will have to work with. At the ending when grandmother comes to visit and notice that the house is messy, mother again notes to the kids that “but whoever did has plenty to do”. The last page illustration is quite funny for that is the way kids would point fingers at each other. This story just teaches kids that taking responsibilities is a needed basis in life, especially around the house.

Books in Time

When you think of children stories from the past to the present, the content of the story is centered around the events that go on within our world. Literature is always changing. Today's literature focuses on individuality and conquering obstacles. However, books from the past taught morals and how to stay in order. What has led to changes in the way we think is the growing diversity amongst our nation. In the US, diversification and educating the youth on other cultures has opened up new perspectives on how to view things rather than just one way. It is the issues that enter stories which include poverty, racism, war, and crime that lead children to develop their own aspects of stories and create another way to visualize the realities that our real world is faced with.

Educating the Young with TV

Unlike, education in the past, the means of increasing our intelligence levels is evident within our children's TV shows. By emphasizing on the content and using colorful images to represent numbers, alphabets, colors, shapes, and sizes, cartoon producers are successfully brightening the levels of intelligence for the new, future generation to come. Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and Barney, use music and morality to keep the children's attention. It is increasingly educating children as young as 1 year old. The outcome is surprising. At the early age of two, my little cousin, who tunes into PBS, is able to announce his age and interpret what C-A-K-E spells. He is also able to remember things that happened a week or two earlier, as well as, answer questions, such as, "What is your name?" By providing such programs to the youngsters and advancing the levels of learning, within a few years, our future generation will be smarter and much more capable of starting a more efficient, improved education system. However, it is up to us, the generation of today, to encourage the learning of our young and keep them interested in learning.

Star Angel prt. 4

I wondered how those humans thought, how did they live each day, and what made them interested in us? I wanted to be human. As much as I despised them, I wanted to see and feel what they did. The next night came fast and I stayed up all night until the star angel arrived. "Well little cub, do you have your wish." "Yes I do. I wish I was human." The star angel looked at me with shock. "Are you sure?" "Yes, I said." "Very Well." With that she turned me into a human. I felt odd. I looked at my paws but did not see my paws. I looked down at my claws but there were no claws. I looked into the mirror and I was completely horrofied. I was one of them. I would live amongst them for a week and then use my last wish wisely. I left a note on the table for mama and everyone else. It said, "Dear mama, I am leaving for a week on a trip that will be quite an adventure. I will be back shortly. Please don't worry too much. Love, Billy." And with that, I was off. I was off to the big city. When I entered the city, the noise was unabearable. "Beep. Beep. Move out the way why don't ya." I couldn't believe it. There were signs and big pictures of these humans and products all over. There were moving things they hopped in to and the tallest looking shelter space to exist. I was simply awed. Where would I go and where would I stay? I did not know but it was going to be a new experience. My stomach growled and I knew I had better catch something to eat. Maybe I would stop by the harbor and pick me out some good, yummy fish. And so I walked down this strange city, not knowing one bit of information, and not knowing what to expect, but there I walked until the days end. The night would be one surely unforgettable.

Bluebeard

Outside reading list
Book: 4
Title:Bluebeard
Author: Charles Perault
Picture Book? (Yes or no): No
Posting date and/or number: February 16,2008

In Bluebeard, a rich man who has a respectable lady neighbor, asks for one of her two young girls hand in marriage. However, suspecting something to be wrong with this man, both girls argue back and forth for the other to marry this man. It is known that he has been married several times. The man then takes them out for a party which they get acquainted with him. After this the youngest of the girls is convinced that he is not at all a bad man. They marry each other and he is sent on a trip. Before this, the girl is given the keys to the house and she is forbidden to enter but one room. Because of her curiosity, she enters the room and finds the dead bodies of his previous wives. When Bluebeard discovers she has been in the room, he tries to kill her but she is saved by her two brothers. The main point of the tales is not to be so curious about what people tell you not to be curious about because it could cause you your life.

Betty Boop

Betty is one of the first cartoon characters to potray a woman's sexuality. Her character wears high heels, short skirts, and garters , which is a change to the other characters drawn within this time period. In the cartoon you may also notice some of the male characters trying to sneak peeks of her while she strolls around minding her own two sense. Women in this time period were becoming more aware of their liberties and freedoms. They were sometimes known as flappers. In the 1920's around the time this cartoon was made, Betty Boop was considered to be a sex symbol. With her girlish qualities but with some mature features. She was the ideal flapper. In this version of Cinderella, you may notice how Betty Boop is like the typical version of Cinderella. The Prince is level headed and acts so gallantly until the angel knocks him over the head. In the song she sings " I am just a poor Cinderella". This statement shows the audience what they are suppose to feel for Cinderella. She is just a young girl kept away from the grand ball, who works hard in domestic work and is given a chance by the fairy godmother to attend the ball. Betty Boop not only enacts this fairy tale but she brings in her sex appeal in the role of Cinderella.

The Science of Fairy Tales

I found this article today. It was very interesting how fairy tales could have some scientific truth to them. It seems as though the authors could have known a good deal of their science and math. Rapunzel is able to lift a prince by her hair, Ariel loses her voice, Aladdin is able to ride a flying carpet; all of these are proven to be scientifically accurate. According to Chris Gorski, he states "that some fairy tales are more grounded than others." They show what appears to be imagination and fantasy to be works of a greater truth.

Chris Gorski
American Institute of Physics
LiveScience.com Mon Feb 11, 4:05 PM ET

Kids of any age love to read fairy tales because the storyline never limits the possibility that anything could happen. Curses, spells, and handsome princes reign in worlds beyond the reader’s imagination.

But are the most magical moments from some of our favorite stories actually possible? Basic physical principles and recent scientific research suggest that what readers might mistake for fantasies and exaggeration could be rooted in reality.

So suspend your imagination for a moment, and look at the following fairy tales as a hard-core scientist might.

Rapunzel

In the Brothers Grimm story of Rapunzel, a witch holds a beautiful young woman captive in a tower. Rapunzel is blessed with a lovely singing voice and long, long blond hair. One day, her voice enchants a prince passing through a nearby forest. They fall in love, and Rapunzel lets down her hair so that the prince may use it to climb the tower to meet her. This chain of events begs readers to ask a question. Can human hair support the weight of another person?

On average one strand of hair can support about three and one-half ounces, or about the weight of two candy bars. Each strand of dark hair is generally thicker, and therefore stronger, than blond hair.

But, alas, Rapunzel must make do with blond locks. Given that blondes generally have about 140,000 hairs on their heads, her hair should easily support the weight of many, many princes. However, there is more to this story.

If Rapunzel simply let down her hair and the prince started climbing immediately, her hair would not break, but it might rip out. Also, the rest of her body might not be able to support the weight. Thankfully, there are strategies that she can use to help reduce the strain on her head and body.

Nathan Harshman, Assistant Professor of Physics at American University in Washington, DC, suggests Rapunzel would be safer and more secure if she tied her hair around something before lowering it. “The whole idea is that you can use the friction of the hair against itself in the knot, and whatever it is tied around will support the weight of the prince.” That is a much better idea than making Rapunzel’s scalp the anchor point.

The Little Mermaid

In the Disney version of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, Ariel (the mermaid) asks a witch to make her human because she has fallen in love with a human prince. The witch bargains with Ariel and takes her voice in exchange for performing the transformation. For a considerable part of the story Ariel cannot speak, which is a problem because the prince can only recognize her by her incredibly beautiful singing voice. Later, she recovers her voice and wins the love of the prince (sorry to spoil the ending).

In the story, Ariel loses her voice because of a curse. However, a less skilled sorceress could use a different method to silence a singing mermaid. Scientists have figured out a way to bend sound waves around an object and, can even prevent the escape of all sounds created inside a given area (important for keeping a transformed, singing mermaid from being heard).

Recently, Steve Cummer, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University announced that it is theoretically possible to create such a sound shield. Building on research demonstrating how light waves can be bent around an object to make it appear invisible, Cummer and his collaborators used mathematical analysis to show how to do the same thing with sound. They established that it is possible to create a material that bends sound waves around walls, pillars, or any enclosed area, where the sound waves emerge as if nothing had been in their way. It would be like someone in the bedroom being able to hear what someone in the living room said, but as if there were no wall between them.

A side effect of this discovery is that sound waves generated inside the enclosed area would never escape. If the witch had been extremely clever, she could have built this material, and there would have been no need for a curse. Or maybe she did, and a transparent sound shield based on these principles was what enveloped Ariel until her love for the Prince melted it away, finally releasing her melodious voice for the Prince to hear.

1,001 Arabian Nights

One of the most exciting objects found in fairy tales is the flying carpet. In tales from a wide variety of cultures, including 1,001 Arabian Nights, these tangled tapestries take flight to carry people vast distances. Flying carpets are clearly impossible, right?

Three scientists recently published a paper in the journal Physical Review Letters showing that there are conditions under which a carpet could fly. They used the basic laws of physics to show that a small, thin carpet could fly if the air were vibrating at the right frequency, much like how a piece of tissue paper floats softly to the ground when it is dropped. Their calculations showed that small waves of air in repeated fast pulses could steer a carpet at a speed of around one foot per second.

Don’t expect to see Aladdin flying by anytime soon, but the scientists write that all of their conditions “are within the realm of possibilities in nature and in technology. Making a heavy carpet fly would, of course, require a much more powerful engine, and our
[calculations] suggest it will remain in the magical, mystical, and virtual realm as it has existed for millennia.”

Perhaps some fairy tales are more grounded in reality than others. Or maybe these precious stories are exactly what we thought they were. An idea is fertilized by the imagination and expanded beyond what seems possible. Or maybe science has come so far over the years that scientists are looking beyond the problems of the physical world and into the imaginations of children for their inspiration.

What could be next? Perhaps a scientific debate over the temperature at which porridge is considered “just right.”

• Top 10 Beasts and Dragons: How Reality Made Myth
• The Surprising Realities of Mythical Creatures
• The Science of Sea Monsters

This article was provided by Inside Science News Service, which is supported by the American Institute of Physics.

• Original Story: The Science of Fairy Tales

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Star Angel prt 3

This Being was magical. She wore fancy garments that seem to sparkle. "Good Day, Billy". she said. "It is such a wonderful night. Wouldn't you say?" The first thought that entered my brain was how did she know my name. I did not answer her questions. She looked at me and smiled. "Billy, Billy, Billy, I know you wished upon the stars and I have to say that I am your star angel . I couldn't believe it. Here standing in front of me was my answer. She would bring back my home, my wilderness, my freedom. Terry began to toss and turn in her sleep. Momma and Grandma were snoring loudly. But I was right awake. "Well", I said. "If you are a star angel can you grant me a wish". "Why of course little cub". "I will give you three wishes." "Now remember use them wisely". I couldn't believe it, three wishes. All I needed was one but here in front of me was my chance to have three. Terry awoke. "Billy are you awake?" "Who are you talking to?", she said in her drowsy voice. She rubbed her eyes and couldn't believe the sight. "Wh..Wh.. What is that?" "I am a star Angel", the beautiful creature stated. "I have come to grant three wishes." Terry looked at me and I looked her. What were we going to wish for? The star angel looked up in to the sky and said "Hurry, make your first wish, I haven't got all night." "Okay, I said, I want to be back at home with all my family." "If that's what you want, you got it", she said. And with a snap of a finger, we were all back in our cozy little home. It was wonderful. "Oh my, the star angel said, I need to get out of here. The sun will rise soon. Goodbye little cubs. I will be back tomorrow night." And with that she was gone. Mama and Grandma woke up from the slumber with a confused face upon them. "How did we get back to our home?" Mama said. "Oh we don't know mama." Terry and and I said as we both looked at each other. The next night I knew exactly what I wanted and it was going to take of those humans. It will allow them to understand how bears are not meant to be locked away for amusement and trees should not be cut down. This wish was going to be a big one.

The Nightingale and The Rose

Outside reading list
Book: 3
Title:The Nightingale and the Rose
Author: Oscar Wilde
Picture Book? (Yes or no): No
Posting date and/or number: February 6,2008

In the Nightingale and the rose, the young student is miserable at first because a girl he likes would not dance with him all night unless she gets a red rose. The student knows all about secrets of philosophy but for the need of a red rose he knows not. In his attempt to locate one, he fails. In one part he states "If I bring her a red rose she will dance with me to dawn. If I bring her a red rose I shall hold her in my arms, and she will lean her head upon my shoulders, and her hand will be clasped in mine. But there is no red rose in my garden. She will have no heed of me and my heart will break." The student's sorrow is very well known but the character of the girl seems to show a sense of need in order to allow her companionship to the student. She is materialistic. A nightingale who overhears this story is touched by the love the student has for the girl. The nightingale states "Surely love is a wonderful thing. It is more than emeralds, and dearer than fine opals..." Within the context, the nightingale seems to value love and knows it to be something quite rare and precious for a merchant can not sell love. In the nightingale's attempt, he takes a journey looking for a red rose. When he can not find a red rose for the student he asks the tree for one but the tree he meets only contains white roses. This tree leads him to another tree who only produces yellow roses. This tree then directs him to a tree who does bear red roses but is not able to make any bloom for the year. The nightingale desperate to have a red rose for the student begs the tree to give at least one red rose. However, the consequence of such a gift is only bearable if the nightingale sings in the moonlight and stains it with his heart's blood. The nightingale must sing with his breast against a thorn all night long for the tree. With the bird's great passion for the sense of love, he is willing to sacrifice his heart and life for the young man. "Yet love is better than life, and what is the heart of a bird compared to a heart of a man?" This question shows the value of love to the bird. He believes that love should be put before life, which he is willing to do. When the nightingale sings to the tree one last time, the student listening remarks by calling the nightingale "selfish" and unwilling to "sacrifice herself for others". Later in the text we will see the truth. For it is he who is unwilling to sacrifice his philosophy for love and it is the girl who is unwilling to look pass the jewels and materials that are offered to her. The nightingale risks her life while she sings of what love is to her. Love is "perfected by death" and "love that dies not in the tomb". This is love that survives eternity, no matter whether deceased or not, the love shall always be there. While she finally makes her last note, th color is stored within the rose, but by then the nightingale is already dead. The student finds the red rose the next day and takes it to the girl but to learn that she has found a date with the chamberlain who has given her jewels which she seems to value a lot more. She even says "I'm afraid it will not go with my dress". This statement seems to parallel with the statement the boy mentioned about the nightingale's art of music. Music which is like beauty that hides so many truths. In this case, beauty hides the girls selfishness and unwilling to sacrifice anything. When the boy is talking about the nightingale he responds by saying "what a pity it is that they do not mean anything." Music like beauty could mean nothing if there is no love or passion transpired within these arts. In the end the boy caught with the practicality of life returns to his philosophy saying that "love is silly" for it does not bear truth. The Nightingale and the rose expresses the value of love from the nightingale's perspective as well as the love from the girl and maiden's perspective, each one showing a different type of love to bestow.

http://www.oscarwildecollection.com/

Walt Disney's Potrayal of our Fariy Tales

Walt Disney's movies go beyond the scope of our imagination. They make fantasies come true with the whiff of magic we forsee in all the movies. It is interesting to see that the characters in most of the movies are less crude and grotesque. You do not see people cutting off the heels of their feet or toes or evil step sisters eyes getting pecked out by doves like in some Cinderella tales. You do not hear the the evil step mother trying to take Snow White's heart out and eat it for dinner. In some ways the story comes to life through more of a child related theme. However, I did notice that death is a theme through most of the Disney movies. They show sadness and grief, romance, and of course the happily ever after scene. The Lion King seems to be the most upsetting of the movies I know because of the lost of a father figure. Tragedy and misconstrue that runs through all our stories have been altered within Disney's creations for the audience it hopes to reach.

Cinderella Tales Vs. Ella Enchanteed

VS.

In the tales discussed in class, I noticed a lot of differences between Cinderella and Ella. Cinderella seems to be more naive and willing to take all the abuse from her stepmother and step sisters. Also she seems to be more trusting to everyone around her. In Cinderella, we also notice that the father is absent most of the time. However, the father, in some tales, seems to show a loving, caring, nature towards his daughter. In one tale, the father pushes a lady off the cliff who advises him to marry his daughter. In another tale we notice that even though the father loves his daughter, he is easily manipulated by his wife.

However in Ella, the father seems to be more crude. He is willing to marry Ella off in order to gain back some of his wealth he lost. Unlike Cinderella, Ella has a curse bestowed upon her that makes her obey every command. But if it wasn't for the curse, Ella is the type of character that will not tolerate her step mother's or step sister's or anyone's commands. She fights the curse and takes other actions while serving the commands. When Hattie, her step sister, makes her pick a boquet of flowers for her, Ella makes sure to add a little mischief in doing so. She slips a bogweed in the boquet to make Hattie tell the truth. The audience notices that Ella is free spirited and takes in things for her own well being. She is even able to learn many different languages which she shows the prince. The prince doesn't show her everything she knows. She is the one showing the prince. Cinderella is a tale where she meets the prince and immediately falls in love with him and marries him thus living happily ever after. She doesn't even put up a fight. It is like this is who you are going to marry because he said so type attitude. Ella kind of has to grow on to the prince. She even admits that at first how she didn't love him but with time she begins to gain some emotions towards him. Both tales, of course, end up happily ever after, but Ella is, in fact, a much stronger character, while Cinderella is more obedient and naive. Cinderella is the image that would have been expected of women. While Ella is more ambitious, willing to take action, and fight for something she really wants.

Candy

Candy is my favorite treat
It makes me oh so sweet
When I think of lollipops
I can not help but drop
Candy is my favorite treat
It makes me oh so sweet
When I think of chocolate bars
I feel like I'm from Mars
Candy is my favorite treat
It makes me oh so sweet
Sugary, Yummy, Tangy feat
All the qualities that I meet
When I end up going to sleep
My tooth begins to hurt
Mommy calls the dentist
Oh, what a menace
Apple a day he says
Keeps the doctor away
Time to go home and pass my days away
Ice cream now is my favorite treat
It makes me oh so sweet
Cold, yummy, and indescribable
Nothing to complain about
it makes me shout Hurray
Though I must say fruits and vegetables are quite the delight
keeps me far from the mighty fright O yay!!

Star Angel Prt.2

As grandma told her stories, she paused and again the loud THUMP was heard. We all gathered at the window to look outside. To our surprise, we saw these beings covered in these weird looking garments. They were cutting down trees. Mama decided to go outside and see what all the commotion was about and the two creatures turned pale as a ghost. They ran off and this time there were ten of them. These creatures that seem to have no real purpose here brought terror to our family. We were taken in and were gawked by thousands of people. We stayed in this place that wasn't our home and it was very nice at first. Days went on and Mama would tell us it would be okay. In our hearts, we knew it would. Well, at least, I did. Terry cried every night hoping for her freedom, hoping to go back to the home we knew and every night Mama said it is gonna be alright. I knew it would. One night while the others were asleep, I saw a real bright star that shun with such astonishment. I couldn't help but make a wish, make a wish to see the wilderness, the wilderness where we lived. I looked up at it and something spectacular happened. The star began to get closer and closer and before I could say a word, there standing in front of me was this magical being. At this moment, I knew our lives were about to turn around.

The Ugly Duckling

Outside reading list
Book 2
Title:The Ugly Duckling
Author: Hans Christian Anderson
Picture Book? (Yes or no): Yes
Posting date and/or number: January 30, 2008

In the story, "The ugly Duckling", the author introduces a beautiful setting. It compels to the senses. "The air was sweet, the corn stood tall..." All of this is indeed an example of a setting that seems so serene and enlightening. However the story takes on a shift when a mother duck watches as her eggs hatch. The diction thus changes and develops a character that is said to be "clumsy". The little ducklings are hatched and "look as much as they liked". The curious little ducks are in fact intrigued about their surroundings. Within the dialogue of the mother duck's talking, you can tell that she is responsible and caring for all her ducklings because she makes sure to count each and everyone one of them. When she realizes that one has not yet hatched, she continues to wait on even though she is tired of waiting. In the story, it has introduced more characteristic of the ugly duckling. It is to show us what to expect. "But then she settled back down to keep the last egg warm beneath her feathers." In this text, the duckling already convinces the reader that it is late and slow witted. It is unlike the other eggs because it is "the biggest egg of all". The story already shows signs of differences even though we have not yet met the ugly duckling. When the ugly duckling finally hatches, the mother notices the differences right away, but like any other mother, she continues to treat the ugly duckling as her own. She is no longer convinced he is a turkey like she was told because the ugly duckling is able to swim. The mother's affection for her young is very loving. She accepts him for what he is.
In the story not only does the setting introduce us to the ugly duckling but so does the narration. "What an odd-lookig fellow that last one is!We certainly don't want him around here." Already we have heard voices of others. It shows how some others can be very cruel to the way your outer appearance looks because even though the little duckling is very much respectful and obedient, his looks seem to be the target of others. Because of his ugliness, he is bitten by a chicken and the actions of others are released based upon his physical attraction. The actions of everyone around the duck expresses cruelty and remarkable sadness amongst the little duck. Because of all the mean comments the little duckling is faced with, the self image is ruined by himself and he reflects upon all the remarks, thus believing he is ugly. In one part of the story, the dog doesn't even say anything but runs off and yet already he believes his looks drove the dog away. However, as the little duck develops within the story and grow into a lovely swan, he is very vashful and not as mean like everyone is. "He was very, very happy and not proud at all, for a good heart is never proud." This sentence shows us that he is not thick headed and even though the now lovely swan is flattered, he still understands how it is to be ugly and picked on for his appearance. This character goes from complete sorrow to complete happiness throughout the book. In this story, to describe his happiness, personification is used. "The lilacs bent their branches down to the water to greet him." Everything changes and the swan, as beautiful as it is, has more appreciation to the happiness that he is feeling rather than the beauty that covers his exterior.
This story shows every reader that you shouldn't judge people on their looks or by their appearance because their is beauty from within. You have to accept everyone for what they are because we don't want to break their spirit, their lives, their self image of themself. We want to be able to make another happy for what they are no matter if they may seem like the most ugliest person or thing, they can, in fact, be the most beautiful to exist.

Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White

In both "Little red Riding Hood" and "Snow White", there were two things I noticed about the two girls. First of all, they were both perceived as two young beautiful girls, naive, generous, and completely trustworthy to the dangers that surrounded their worlds. These two stories captured what girls were suppose to be molded like in those days. As for the antagonist, the wolf and evil stepmother, they stood for everything that was evil and they served a crucial outcome. The evil step mother was lavished in riches and seemed to have power, which was unlikely to be possible at that time due to the limited rights associated with women. As for the wolf, I believe he represented the typical happenings that young girls were succumbed to experience. For example, it may have been normal for a young girl to get raped by a grown man and just pretend like nothing ever happened. It would be that way because the girl would hide her scars so that she could not be blamed for her misfortunes. The wolf could also symbolize Red Riding Hood, herself. Could it be that she felt superior to her granmother? She did eat her flesh in one tale. So when the grandmother is visited by the wolf and is eaten, why couldn't this be Red? She could have simply blocked out her own memory and created a story that only she could believe. Is it possible that Little Red Riding Hood had a dark side that she fought within her inner self. In some ways, the stories fit hand in hand. They both tell a story that seems to convey the perfect ideal model of a perfect, virgin girl, who is willling to take the colors of the world and avoid the darkness that really exists. In Snow White, she can also be seen as the evil step mother because she marries the prince and it could show how there is the good and bad of each and every person. The stories alike are not just fairy tales, but in fact, a dreary awakening to darknesses and imperfections to just one person. Whether it seems to be two different character, it could just be the good versus the evil that lives within all of us.

Star Angel

It was a cold, winter night. The wind blew fiercely in the little town of Bearsville. The bears were gathered around their warm, cozy fireplace and grandma told stories of old times. The bears were delighted by grandma's stories. They always seem magical and yet real at the same time. It was grandma's gift. In the kitchen, mom baked cookies that sent a wonderful smell to the two young bears noses. "Mmmmm", said Terry, as she tilted her head upward and took a deep breath. "Those cookies smell so good", replied Billy. "Can we have one", both of them called out to mom. Before she could answer, there was a loud THUMP that came from outside. All of them sat in confusion. What could it have been? Everyone sat in silence, unsure whether to take a peek or resume back to what they were doing. After a minute or two, thinking it was just a tree limb that fell, everyone went about their business. Grandma began her story again. "Now children, in the old days, when i was a little bear, I went on a journey with my papa. We went to a place where their was said to be weird looking creatures, creatures that looked funny and very unusual. I saw them once. The creatures had hardly any fur and they walked on two legs. The weirdest thing is that they didn't talk like us at all. They wore fabrics that covered them from head to toe and oddly they feared us as much as we feared them. It was a complete shock for my papa and I."

The Little Red Hen

Outside reading list
Book 1
Title:The Little Red Hen
Author: Jerry Pinkney
Picture Book? (Yes or no): Yes
Posting date and/or number: January 21,2008/ #1


The Little Red Hen is a story of morality. In the story, the little red hen discovers wheat seeds, which she decides to plant. After asking all the animals including the pig, goat, dog, and rat to help her plant, harvest, thresh, and so on, she finally is entitled to take care of everything for herself. Without any complaints of any sort, she works until she finally manages to create the perfect loaf of bread which sends the freshly, baked breads' aroma across the barn. The animals now, after the hen's hard labor, wish to help eat the bread. However, the story shows that you can not just get a reward for doing nothing, you must actually work for it. The hen is smart enough not to share her bread with any of them since they were to lazy to give a hand when she needed one. The story exposes to the audience that in order to get anything you want,you must be willing to work for it. Things just don't fall in to your lap, especially if you choose to be lazy. The farm animals are the image of what happens when you don't show any desire of accomplishing a task and, of course, the red hen is a symbol of the working class.

Sunrise Sunset- Bright Eyes

Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset
Swiftly go the days
Sunrise, sunset, you wake up then you undress
It always is the same
The sunrise and a sun sets
You are lying while you confess
Keep trying to explain
The sunrise and the sun sets
You realize and then you forget
What you have been trying to retain
But everybody knows it's all about the things
That get stuck inside of your head
Like the songs your roommate sings
Or a vision of her body as she stretches out on your bed
She raises her hands in the air
Asks you "When was the last time you looked in the mirror?
Cause you've changed, yeah, you've changed"
The sunrise, the sunset, you're hopeful and then you regret
The circle never breaks
With a sunrise and sunset, there's a change of heart or address
Is there nothing that remains?
For a sunrise or a sunset, you're manic or you’re depressed
Will you ever feel ok?
For a sunrise or a sunset, your lover is an actress
Did you really think she'd stay?
For a sunrise or a sunset, you're either coming or you just left
But you're always on the way
For a sunrise or a sunset, you're either coming or you just left, but you're always on the way
Towards a sunrise or a sunset, a scribble or a sonnet, they are really just the same
To the sunrise or a sunset, the master and his servant have exactly the same fate
It's a sunrise and a sunset, from a cradle to a casket, there is no way to escape
The sunrise and a sunset, hold your sadness like a puppet, keep putting on the play

But everything you do is leading to the point where you just won't know what to do
At that moment you may laugh but there is someone there who will be laughing louder than you
So it's true, the trick is complete, you become everything you said you never would be
You're a fool; you're a fool!

Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset, sunrise and the sunsets
Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, the sunsets, the sunrise, the sunsets
Sunrise, sunset, go home to your apartment, put the cassette in the tape deck and let that fever play
Sunrise, sunset, where are you Arienette?
Where are you Arienette?



The band Bright Eyes has remarkable lyrics that bring very deep thoughts and emotions. In the song, sunrise, sunset, he mentions how everything is "the same". Everyday you go through life with no changes. We live within a system that continues to display the same things day after day and continue through the same routines. However as time passes on, we begin to realize how nothing actually stays. He states that the master and the servant have the same faith and of course, we know its death. He says, "Is there nothing that remains." He could be talking about life and death also. In some ways it sounds as though we only live to die or put a play on for the world to see. It is like William Shakespeares, "As you like it", where he explains that life is but stages that we go through eventually leading back to the beginning.The sunrise and sunset is personified as the life given and taken that makes up our circle and eventually the circle comes back to its starting point.

Writing

When you lose direction, look for inspiration. When you have lost hope don't fear, I will help you cope. When the world is mad, I will make you glad. Fear not what your mind has to offer because it is filled with numerous surprises. Expressing, captivating memories, capturing moments filled with delight; these are all things we carry among us. Create a story. Express yourself. It isn't that hard. We all have a story to tell and any moment you feel the doubt, think back and remember what things make up you. Your mind, the power to subside to any unusual circumstance. Your mind, a wonder. A wonderful mind that makes every individual so unique. Your mind, a story that needs to be told. Share your thoughts, my friend, it's alright. We all have a story to tell.