Gemma Mangino

Professor Kalas

ECE 260-1001

05 October 2017

Folklore Evaluation

Folklore Evaluations

Author: Janet Stevens

Title: The Emperor’s New Clothes

Publisher: Holiday House

Summary: Two rascals sell a vain emperor an invisible suit of clothes.

Evaluation

Plot: Two foxes tricked an emperor pig into buying “magical” clothing. They demanded to pay

up front for this clothing. The emperor agreed because the foxes claimed that the magical

clothing would be able to show who was stupid in his kingdom and who was smart. If the

subjects were able to see the clothing they were smart, if they couldn’t they were to be deemed

stupid and fired. So, the foxes presented to weave magical clothing when in reality they made

nothing. The emperor wanted to see how they were doing but was afraid that he wouldn’t be able

to see the clothing so he sent others to go see the lion. Afraid of losing their jobs and called

stupid they lied and claimed the cloth was beautiful. When the emperor went to go see for

himself he agreed because he was afraid to be called stupid and fired as well. So, he proceeded to

put on the “clothing” and everyone claimed that he looked magnificent. However, as he was

marching around outside with his new clothes on, a little bear exclaimed that he was naked. Soon
everyone agreed and the emperor was ashamed but continued to march through his kingdom

because after all, it was still his kingdom.

❖ Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.) Rate: 4 Comment: This story

isn’t very believable due to the talking animals and magic clothing. However, it is

possible to be tricked by people.

❖ Major dramatic question (clear early in books?) YES, YES (but slow emerging) NO

Comment: The major dramatic question is evidential in the middle of the story and soon

easy to identify. The question is will the emperor realize that he was tricked.

❖ Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) Rate: 7

Comment: The tension and conflict are clear within the storyline and the conclusion is

satisfactory because in the end the emperor did finally realize his mistake, but stoo9d

proud because he accepted his mistake.

❖ Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence,

understatement, unexpected insights, line in sand, etc.) Rate: 7 Comment: The

vocabulary wasn’t too challenging and the dialogue was well written, however, there is a

line in the sand because of inferring and assuming that a person is “stupid”.

❖ Pacing Rate: 8

❖ Character (dynamic protagonist, character “ring true” [including cultural

considerations], etc.) Rate: 8

❖ Setting (detail, texture) Rate: 9

❖ Theme (absence of overt didacticism?) Rate: 9 Comment: The theme was clear at the

beginning of the story and should be easy to identify through the actions of the

characters.
❖ Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) Rate: 7

❖ Is it a well-rounded piece? Rate: 7

❖ OVERALL RATING (10 high; 1 low) Rate: 7

Author: Edith Nesbit

Title: Jack and the Beanstalk

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Summary: After climbing to the top of a huge beanstalk, a boy uses his quick wits to outsmart a

giant and gain a fortune for himself and his mother.

Evaluation

Plot: There was a boy, Jack, and his mother who lived by themselves and they were very poor.

One day his mother told him to go sell their cow at the market for money. Jack said he would try

to sell it to the highest bidder. On the way to the market, Jack encountered a man who offered to

sell him magic beans for the cow. Jack was amazed and agreed. He should his mother and she

was very upset with him and threw the beans out the window. Later the next morning Jack woke

up to find a giant beanstalk outside his room. He was excited and curious so he began to climb.

When he reached the top he found a whole new land that appeared eerie. He met a fairy that told

him he must go to the house at the top of the hill to fulfill his dreams. So, he approached the

house and met a woman who told him to go away because she claimed her husband was a giant

and would eat him. He convinced the woman to let him in and he hid. He then saw the giant with

a chicken that could lay golden eggs. Jack then stole the chicken and went home. Later he

returned to steal gold and a magic harp from the giant, but he was soon caught. So, he ran away

from the giant and down the beanstalk. The giant followed him, but Jack’s mother cut the

beanstalk down and the giant fell and died. Then Jack and his mother lived happily ever after.

❖ Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.) Rate: 4 Comment: The

fictional part of the plot isn’t believable, but stealing can be relatable to reality.
❖ Major dramatic question (clear early in books?) YES, YES (but slow emerging) NO

Comment: The major dramatic question is evidential in the story as it progresses. The

question is if Jack will be able to get away with stealing without being caught by the

giant.

❖ Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) Rate: 9

Comment: There is plenty of tension and conflict in this book and the conclusion is

somewhat satisfactory because even though Jack was able to get away with the stuff he

stole, he shouldn’t have been stealing in the first place.

❖ Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence,

understatement, unexpected insights, line in sand, etc.) Rate: 9

❖ Pacing Rate: 8 Comment: The pacing was good, but a little slow for this particular

folklore story.

❖ Character (dynamic protagonist, character “ring true” [including cultural

considerations], etc.) Rate: 7

❖ Setting (detail, texture) Rate: 9 Comment: The setting was well detailed in the book and

the illustrations were created to keep the interest of its audience.

❖ Theme (absence of overt didacticism?) Rate: 7

❖ Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) Rate: 8

❖ Is it a well-rounded piece? Rate: 7

❖ OVERALL RATING (10 high; 1 low) Rate: 8

Author: Christopher Noel

Title: Rumpelstiltskin

Publisher: Rabbit Ears Books

Summary: A strange little man helps the miller’s daughter spin straw to gold for the king on the

condition that she will give him her first-born child.

Evaluation

Plot: There was a man who lived with his daughter. They lived near the king and the miller

claimed that his daughter could spin straw into gold. The king seemed impressed so he requested

the daughter to spin straw into the gold of she’d die. The daughter cried until a little man climbed

into her window. He offered her help and asked what she would give him for his help. She gave

him her necklace and he began to spin the straw into gold. The king grew greedier and asked for

more. The girl then gave the little man her ring and he spun more gold. The king then asked for

even more gold. Then the little man said he will only spin gold for her if she gives him her first

child. She agrees to his condition and he spins more gold. Soon the girl marries the king and has

a child. The man comes for the child but she refuses to give up her child. He then claims that if

she could say his name she could keep her baby. He gave her three days to remember his name.

She couldn’t remember and on the third day wandered into the woods. She then unexpected

spotted the man and hid. He was chanting around the woods shouting his name. That night he

came to visit her and asked for his name. She said “Rumpelstiltskin”. He was shocked and let her

keep her baby.

❖ Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.) Rate: 4

❖ Major dramatic question (clear early in books?) YES, YES (but slow emerging) NO

Comment: The major dramatic question was evidential in the middle of the plot. The

question was if the girl would find out his name.

❖ Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) Rate: 9

Comment: There were clear conflict and tension in this plot. The conclusion was

satisfactory because the conclusion had a positive ending and answered the major

dramatic question.

❖ Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence,

understatement, unexpected insights, line in sand, etc.) Rate: 9 Comment: The style and

language were appropriate for the age group and there was no understatement or line in

the sand.

❖ Pacing Rate: 9 Comment: The pacing was good for this book because it didn’t prolong

the story and was able to keep the attention of the audience.

❖ Character (dynamic protagonist, character “ring true” [including cultural

considerations], etc.) Rate: 7

❖ Setting (detail, texture) Rate: 8

❖ Theme (absence of overt didacticism?) Rate: 9 Comment: The theme was easy to

identify at the beginning of the book. The theme was greed.

❖ Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) Rate: 9

❖ Is it a well-rounded piece? Rate: 8

❖ OVERALL RATING (10 high; 1 low) Rate: 8

Author: Julia Seal

Title: Little Red Riding Hood

Publisher: Barron’s Educational Series

Summary: Little Red Riding Hood knows that danger lurks in the dark woods but goes to visit

her grandmother that lives in the woods.

Evaluation

Plot: A little girl that lives with her mother decided she wanted to go visit her grandmother. Her

mother warned her to be careful in the woods. So, the little girl is on her way with a basket of

goodies to go see her grandmother, when all of the sudden she hears a voice behind her. She

wasn’t aware that it was a wolf. The wolf asked her where she was going and she replied to her

grandmother's house. It suggested that she should pick some flowers for her grandmother. She

thought that was a good idea and began to pick flowers. Then she encountered a woodsman and

he asked her what she was doing and she replied picking flowers for her grandmother. She soon

made it to her grandmother's house and soon realized it was the wolf imposing as her grandma.

The wolf tried to eat her but the woodsman heard the commotion and saved the little girl. She

then found her grandma safe in the closet. They then had cookies and tea together safe from the

wolf.

❖ Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.) Rate: 4 Comment: The

believability of this book isn’t very high, the only thing that could relate to reality is an

impersonation.

❖ Major dramatic question (clear early in books?) YES, YES (but slow emerging) NO

Comment: The major dramatic question is evidential in the book in the beginning. The

question is if Little Red Riding Hood will be safe.

❖ Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) Rate: 9

Comment: There are clear conflict and tension in this storyline. The conclusion is

satisfactory because the ending is positive.

❖ Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence,

understatement, unexpected insights, line in sand, etc.) Rate: 8 Comment: The language

and style of this book are appropriate for the age range and doesn’t have any line in the

sand encounters.

❖ Pacing Rate: 9 Comment: The pacing is fairly quick, but doesn’t rush the plot.

❖ Character (dynamic protagonist, character “ring true” [including cultural

considerations], etc.) Rate: 8

❖ Setting (detail, texture) Rate: 7

❖ Theme (absence of overt didacticism?) Rate: 6

❖ Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) Rate: 8

❖ Is it a well-rounded piece? Rate: 8

❖ OVERALL RATING (10 high; 1 low) Rate: 8

Author: Ai-Ling Louie

Title: Yeh-Shen A Cinderella Story from China

Publisher: Philomel Books

Summary: A young Chinese girl overcomes a wickedness of her stepsister and stepmother to

become the bride of a prince.

Evaluation

Plot: There was a girl who wasn’t very pretty. She lived her stepmother and stepsister who

treated her poorly. She then encountered a magical old man who granted her gold slippers for a

holiday dance approaching soon. She took the gold slippers to the dance and she transformed

into a beautiful girl and danced with the prince. But suddenly she lost one of her gold shoes

while running home. She cried because she lost the one thing that made her pretty. The prince

searched for her by allowing the girls of the village to try on the slipper. Everyone tried on the

slipper but the only foot it fit was the girl's foot. She then presented the other shoe and they were

happy they found each other. They soon after got married and lived happily ever after.

❖ Believability (absence of coincidence, sentimentality, etc.) Rate: 5 Comment: The

fictional part of the book is not believable, but the treatment of the girl could be

believable.

❖ Major dramatic question (clear early in books?) YES, YES (but slow emerging) NO

Comment: The major dramatic question was clarified in the beginning of the book. The

question was if the girl would finally be treated right and if the prince would find her.

❖ Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) Rate: 9

Comment: There are obvious conflict and tension in this book and the conclusion is

satisfactory because the ending is positive and answers the major dramatic question.
❖ Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language, dialogue, cadence,

understatement, unexpected insights, line in sand, etc.) Rate: 8

❖ Pacing Rate: 6 Comment: The pacing was a little slow for this story and dragged out the

plot.

❖ Character (dynamic protagonist, character “ring true” [including cultural

considerations], etc.) Rate: 9 Comment: The characters were well developed and

included cultural diversity.

❖ Setting (detail, texture) Rate: 9

❖ Theme (absence of overt didacticism?) Rate: 9

❖ Other considerations (mood, tone, etc.) Rate: 8

❖ Is it a well-rounded piece? Rate: 8

❖ OVERALL RATING (10 high; 1 low) Rate: 9