Cinderella

To look at the regional differences between stories of Cinderella provide an in-depth look at the cultural and moral aspects of fairy tales written (or collected) so many years ago. My favorite of the tales was Donkeyskin. As the girl asked for the dresses so diligently, believing they would save her from a paternal love so awkwardly declared, she often reminded me of the typical fairy tale. 3 requests made and 3 dresses given to her promptly. When she begins living in the hut in a far away town it seemed unlikely that somone would not have seen her prior to the prince, given that it was said she tried on these 3 dresses every single Sunday. I loved the stories and the fact that the father comes to realize the error of his ways in many of them and the original, diligent paternal love is restored. I enjoyed reading these stories far more than many of the others, because as the Cinderella tale progress there are far more opportunities to vary from the traditional storyline known throughout the United States.

Little Red Riding Hood

I was astonished to reread a childhood story and find such a deeper meaning in many parts of the story. The cartoon we watched in class really opened up my eyes to the more seductive and possibly more startling side of Little Red Riding Hood that often doesn't come up in conversation. The many variations of this story were only more proof that the story isn't told for its content but valued much more for its morals and understanding. The versions of the story that portray Little Red as an innocent virgin are so different from those giving her an independent and self-actualized characterization. As in Ronald Dahl's version of Little Red, she not only realizes the wolf is playing grandmother, but she shoots him with a pistol from her knickers. This Red Riding Hood is showing society an entranceway to the new world that has begun to encompass them so quickly.

OUTSIDE READING LIST

Book 1: Fox in Socks
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book? Yes
Posting Date and/or Number: 2/12/08

Book 2: Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book? Yes
Posting date and/or Number: 2/19/08

Book 3: Wacky Wednesday
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book: Very Much So!
Posting date and/or Number: 2/27/08

Book 4: Holes
Author: Louis Sachar
Picture book: No.
Posting date and/or Number: 3/4/08

Book 5: Homecoming
Author: Cynthia Voigt
Picture Book: No.
Posting date and/or Number : 3/28/08

Book 6: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Picture Book: No
Posting date and/or Number : 4/2/08

Book 7: What My Mother Doesn't Know
Author: Sonya Sones
Picture Book: No.
Posting date and/or Number : 4/9/08

Book 8: The Virginity Club
Author: Kate Brian
Picture Book: No.
Posting date and/or Number:4/11/08

Book 9: Downsiders
Author: Neal Shusterman
Picture book: No.
Posting date and/or Number: 4/14/08

Book 10:
Author:
Picture book:
Posting date and/or Number:

Where The Wild Things Are

I've just read the book "Where The Wild Things Are," by Maurice Sendak. I just wanted to start off my post by noticing how intricately the illustrations are drawn. I enjoyed reading this book and I can see why it is an award-winning piece. As I read, I began to see where the underlying issue was as I saw a young child stray to a land far away from the misunderstanding of his parents; a land filled with things wilder than he. Just as a child would like to assume candy for every meal would be amazing, consequences would follow as the child became sick and needed nourishment. In the story, Max goes to a place where he believes he can behave the way he wants to without fear of punishment. Unfortunately, as with most childhood dreams, the moment comes to pass as Max realizes he is not only hungry, but missed his family. Although Max portrays the story over the time period of more than a year, the entire event is miscontrued through childhood exaggeration and it becomes obvious at the end of the book that in reality the events take place in a matter of hours. Max comes to realize that even though his parents punish him, they love him very much and there really is "no place like home." I couldn't help but put in that cliche when I read that he missed the people that cared about him most. In a way, this book could easily be a message to children thinking of running away, or also just a resource for parents who want their children to understand the reason they are punished and that there will still be a "meal" waiting when they come around.

First Post!

Okay I actually made it work! :]