Folklore Book File # 1 (Ages 0-7)

Author: James Marshall

Title: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Summary: Goldilocks known by her neighbors for being a sweet child, but in reality this little
girl does exactly what she pleases by inviting herself into the bears home and sampling their
food, chairs and beds. What does she decide to do when she is caught in the act?
Evaluation: The reinvention of this classic story has a cute and modern twist to its original. The
bright and bold illustrations, along with the contemporary touches make this a must read!
Plot: 1-10= 9
Comment: Goldilocks in this version of the story is made out to be fearless and makes the reader
wonder what in the world she is thinking in helping herself to the bear’s home!
Major Dramatic Question: 1-10= 9
Comment: In reading this I am questioning what will happen when Goldilocks is caught in the
act?
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1-10= 9
Comment: The tension and conflict is clear in this story for the main character Goldilocks.
Style and Language: 1-10= 8
Comment: The style and choice of language is pretty simple and makes it an easy read.
Pacing: 1-10= 9
Character: 1-10= 9
Comment: The character is completely spelled out as bold!
Setting: 1-10= 10
Theme: 1-10= 8
Other Considerations (mood, tone etc.) 1-10= 9
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1-10= 9
Comment: It is a cute and humorous take on the original story.
Overall Rating: 1-10 = 9
 Folklore Book File # 2 (Ages 0-7)
Author: Jon J Muth
Title: Stone Soup
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Summary: This book is about three monks that fool a selfish town into believing that they can
make delicious soup out of stones. But when the monks convince the town that they can make
soup from stones, the town people come together and find out how much they have to share and
how much more they receive in return.
Evaluation: What a beautifully illustrated book with an equally beautiful message about how
when people work together things can change for the better. I would share this book with any
child as it teaches the gift of giving.
Plot: 1-10= 9
Comment: The plot is clear and teaches a lesson in working together and having a giving heart.
Major Dramatic Question: 1-10= 9
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1-10= 10
Comment: I loved the conclusion of this book! The monks left the town with a lot more than a
recipe for stone soup.
Style and Language: 1-10= 9
Comment: The language and word choice of this book is to the point and yet defined.
Pacing: 1-10= 9
Character: 1-10= 9
Comment: The monks are portrayed as simple people, although their character leaves a lasting
impression on the town.
Setting: 1-10= 9
Theme: 1-10= 10
Comment: The theme of this story is clearly, “two heads are better than one”.
Other Considerations (mood, tone etc.) 1-10= 9
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1-10= 9
Overall Rating: 1-10 = 9
Comment: This story reminded me that each of us has our own talents and working with one
another is better than walking through life alone.
 Folklore Book File #3 (Beginning Reader)
Author: Lily Toy Hong
Title: Two of Everything
Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company
Summary: Mr. Haktak digs up a pot in the yard, puts his coins purse in it and brings it home to
show his wife. When Mrs. Haktak looks inside the pot her hair pin falls in it and out comes to
coin purses and two hair pins. The pot is magic and produces two of whatever is dropped into it.
Evaluation: This is a cute story about the underlying lesson that sometimes you can have too
much of a good thing! I enjoyed this book and its subtle lesson.
Plot: 1-10= 8
Major Dramatic Question: 1-10= 8
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1-10= 9
Comment: I like the way that the Haktaks came to the conclusion that they could only handle one
husband/wife.
Style and Language: 1-10= 9
Pacing: 1-10= 8
Comment: The pacing of the book seemed appropriate for the mood that was being reflected.
Character: 1-10= 9
Setting: 1-10= 9
Comment: The setting portrayed made me understand the poverty level of the Haktaks and just
what this pot meant to them.
Theme: 1-10= 8
Other Considerations (mood, tone etc.) 1-10= 8
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1-10=8
Comment: This story did a good job on allowing the reader to feel what the characters were
going through.
Overall Rating: 1-10 = 8
Comment: I think this would be a great book for an older reader in order for the child to fully
understand what the message of the story is.

 Folklore Book File #4 (Ages 0-7)
Author: Jerry Pinkney
Title: The Lion & The Mouse
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Summary: This book is a fantastic wordless version of one of Aesop’s greatest fables that no act
of kindness is wasted as a mouse is spared by the lion, only to have the favor returned to the lion
by the mouse himself.
Evaluation: This wordless book, with its marvelous illustrations paints a picture of an unlikely
friendship and a lesson in kindness that needs no words to do so.
Plot: 1-10= 10
Comment: I was not only concerned about the outcome of the mouse but the lion as well.
Major Dramatic Question: 1-10= 10
Comment: I was questioning why the lion let the mouse free and how would the mouse return
the favor.
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1-10= 10
Comment: The tension ran high in this book, even without words. Its conclusion was
heartwarming.
Style and Language: 1-10= 9
Comment: I rated the style and language a 9 even though there were no words because the style
of illustrations was worth 1,000 words.
Pacing: 1-10= 9
Comment: The pacing of the pictures made the story tension filled.
Character: 1-10= 9
Setting: 1-10= 9
Comment: The setting was very realistic which made me feel as the reader a part of the story.
Theme: 1-10= 10
Comment: The theme of “unlikely friendship” is completely spelled out in this book.
Other Considerations (mood, tone etc.) 1-10= 10
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1-10= 10
Overall Rating: 1-10 = 10
Comment: This is one of the most powerful wordless books I have come across and I will share
it with my class!
 Folklore Book File # 5 (Beginning Reader)
Author: B.G. Hennessy
Title: The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Summary: A bored shepherd thinks nothing ever happens in his town so he decides to stir things
up by crying that a wolf is after his sheep. All of the town’s people come running, but this trick
doesn’t work for long….
Evaluation: This book is a clever take on the classic story with funny and bright illustrations and
added touches to the wording that kept me engaged throughout the whole story. The moral of the
story is clearly understood but it wasn’t added by the author.
Plot: 1-10= 9
Major Dramatic Question: 1-10= 9
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1-10= 9
Comment: The conclusion was a cute take on this story where the sheep in up in the trees rather
than in the wolves stomach.
Style and Language: 1-10= 9
Comment: I liked the added verbiage when the sheep “BAAAAA” and “Munch, Munch,
Munch” and the wolves see nothing but “Lunch, Lunch, Lunch”.
Pacing: 1-10= 9
Character: 1-10= 9
Comment: This main character is someone that I think all readers can relate to.
Setting: 1-10= 9
Theme: 1-10= 10
Comment: The theme is very clear in this story although the author doesn’t come out and say it.
Don’t lie or people won’t believer you when you really need help.
Other Considerations (mood, tone etc.) 1-10= 9
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1-10= 9
Overall Rating: 1-10 = 9
Comment: I really enjoyed this version of a classic story and would definitely recommend it!
 Folklore Book File # 6 (Beginning Reader)
Author: William H. Hooks
Title: The Three Little Pigs and the Fox
Publisher: MacMillian Publishing Company
Summary: This is a story of the Three Little Pigs who were not so little at all. In fact, they got
so big for Mama Pig’s house that they each had to make their own way. Mama Pig instructed the
pigs to follow three simple rules to keep themselves out of harm’s way. The first two pigs forgot
to follow Mama Pig’s requests and so baby pig ends up being the hero.
Evaluation: This book is a cute and different take on the original story of the Three Little Pigs.
It has an underlying lesson about listening to and following a mothers directions.
Plot: 1-10= 8
Comment: The plot is whether or not the Three Little Pigs can make their own way while staying
out of trouble.
Major Dramatic Question: 1-10= 7
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1-10= 9
Comment: I enjoyed the conclusion when the little sister pig saves her brothers and returns them
all to Mama Pig’s house on Sunday.
Style and Language: 1-10= 7
Pacing: 1-10= 7
Comment: The book seemed a little slow as if I was waiting awhile to get to the conclusion.
Character: 1-10=9
Comment: I enjoyed the sister pig’s character and that she became the unlikely hero.
Setting: 1-10= 8
Theme: 1-10= 7
Comment: I like that there was didacticism to a certain extent, although it seemed repetitive at
the end which took away from the story.
Other Considerations (mood, tone etc.) 1-10= 8
Comment: The mood of this book reflected one of fear.
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1-10= 7
Overall Rating: 1-10 = 7

 Folklore Book File # 7 (Ages 0-7)
Author: J. and W. Grimm
Title: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Publisher: Barrons Educational Series
Summary: This book retells the tale of the beautiful princess whose lips were red as blood and
skin as white as snow. Snow White’s step mother (the Queen), asks the question, “Mirror, Mirror
on the wall who is the fairest of us all?” She gets the same answer she desires until one day when
Snow White turns 7 and the mirror answers, “Snow White”. The Queen sends a huntsman to kill
her and this where the fairy tale begins.
Evaluation: This is one of my favorite fairy tales as it is full of so many emotions including,
jealousy, anger and fear to name a few. In the end, when true friendship is tested, good prevails.
Plot: 1-10= 10
Comment: This story has a strong plot that keeps the reader wondering if the Queen would be
successful in killing Snow White.
Major Dramatic Question: 1-10= 10
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1-10= 10
Comment: The tension in this story ran high as Snow White was fleeing from the evil Queen and
the huntsman.
Style and Language: 1-10= 9
Pacing: 1-10= 10
Comment: In my opinion, the pacing of this book helped add to the tension.
Character: 1-10= 10
Comment: The main character was all you would expect of a sweet and innocent princess, and
minor characters in the dwarfs added so much personality to the story.
Setting: 1-10= 10
Comment: The deep forest setting helped add depth and a spooky mood to the story.
Theme: 1-10= 9
Other Considerations (mood, tone etc.) 1-10= 10
Comment: There were several moods to this story. Some of which are humorous, spookiness and
fear.
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1-10= 10
Overall Rating: 1-10 = 10
 Folklore Book File #8 (Ages 0-7)
Author: Jerry Pinkney
Title: Puss in Boots
Publisher: The Penguin Group
Summary: This story is about a cat who uses trickery and deceit to gain power, wealth and the
hand of a princess for his master.
Evaluation: This story about a cunning cat and his trusting owner is one of an unlikely
friendship. I loved how Puss would do anything in order to better his owner’s life and yet found
myself wondering when the lies would catch up with them.
Plot: 1-10= 8
Major Dramatic Question: 1-10= 9
Comment: The MDQ is evident in the beginning of the story.
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1-10= 8
Comment: There was clear tension as Puss’ deceit kept growing, although I struggled with the
fact that there was never a consequence for their lies.
Style and Language: 1-10= 9
Comment: The vocabulary of the story was appropriate for the story and time told about.
Pacing: 1-10= 8
Character: 1-10=10
Comment: Although I didn’t like that Puss’ lies were never found out, I loved his cunning ability
to make everyone listen to him.
Setting: 1-10= 8
Theme: 1-10= 10
Comment: The theme throughout the book is about a pet’s love for its owner.
Other Considerations (mood, tone etc.) 1-10= 8
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1-10= 9
Overall Rating: 1-10 = 9
Comment: The illustrations in this book really made the story come to life!
 Folklore Book File # 9 (Beginning Reader)
Author: Rachel Isadora
Title: Swan Lake
Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Summary: One of classical ballets based on the legend of a beautiful maiden who is turned into
a swan by an evil sorcerer.
Evaluation: This is a sweet story of true love triumphing over all evil. The author uses easy to
comprehend language which makes this a great reading for a beginning reader.
Plot: 1-10= 10
Comment: The plot is completely understood as soon as Siegfried meets Odette at Swan Lake.
Major Dramatic Question: 1-10= 9
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1-10= 10
Comment: The suspense was high in the story when Siegfried encountered the evil sorcerer Van
Rathbart.
Style and Language: 1-10= 9
Pacing: 1-10= 8
Character: 1-10= 8
Setting: 1-10= 9
Comment: The setting really made the story believable for me. I felt as though the swan princess
really went to the princes’ castle for the ball.
Theme: 1-10= 10
Comment: True love knows no limits or boundaries.
Other Considerations (mood, tone etc.) 1-10= 8
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1-10= 9
Comment: The story brings you from a somber mood to feeling victorious.
Overall Rating: 1-10 = 9
 Folklore Book File # 10 (Beginning Reader)
Author: Paul O. Zelinsky
Title: Rumpelstiltskin
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Summary: A miller tells the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold in order to look
more important in his eyes. The king sends for this girl and locks her in the tower filled with
straw and tells her to spin it into gold before morning or he will take her life. Rumpelstiltskin
appears in the room and begins spinning straw into gold in exchange for the girl’s jewels and
valuables. He then asks for her first born child once she is queen and she goes to great lengths to
prevent this from happening.
Evaluation: I liked this story and its message of a mother’s love for her child, although I thought
the story ended abruptly and it left me wanting a different ending. The illustrations make it a
beautiful picture book and brings the words to life and I enjoyed the authors retelling of this
classic.
Plot: 1-10= 9
Comment: The plot was solid in this story with the girl’s conflict in pleasing her father and the
king, and parting with her most prized possessions.
Major Dramatic Question: 1-10= 9
Other considerations (satisfactory conclusion, tension, clear conflict, etc.) 1-10= 7
Comment: Although this retelling stays true to its original writing, I wasn’t completely satisfied
with the conclusion. I felt that it just ended abruptly.
Style and Language: 1-10= 9
Comment: The word choice and syntax that the author used made it an easier to understand story
and the illustrations complimented the authors writing style.
Pacing: 1-10= 8
Character: 1-10= 9
Comment: I enjoyed the antagonist character in this story and his scheming personality.
Setting: 1-10= 8
Theme: 1-10= 8
Other Considerations (mood, tone etc.) 1-10= 9
Comment: The mood was mysterious and familiar at the same time.
Is it a well-rounded piece? 1-10= 8
Overall Rating: 1-10 = 8