Fairy Tale Fridays: The Ugly Duckling

Special Thanks to my Personal Faery Friend for the Button Art: Ye Olde Faery Shoppe

I am going to make a confession:  I have never really cared for this week's selection, The Ugly Duckling written by Hans Christian Andersen!  HOWEVER, I think I may have just changed my mind!!  As I was reading Andersen's original tale, I came to realize that I have never read it before.  I have read different versions and I have appreciated the moral of the story, but the story itself has never really struck a chord with me.  I don't know why the longer version filled with more misery appeals to me.  Maybe it is the stage of life that I am in?  Maybe it is my better understanding of individuals (and myself!) because of what I do during my "day job?"  Maybe it is because I am now a parent and have a whole different outlook on life?  Maybe it is just because it was the original story told more for adults than for children?  Maybe I just like more morbidity?  Whatever the reason may be, The Ugly Duckling literally blossomed in my eyes on my latest read and has become one of my new favorites! 

Every family tends to have a black sheep among them and the little duckling family is not an exception.  This black sheep tends to be different from the rest of the crew.  S/he tends to stand out because of these differences.  S/he may even be a target of bullying.  Afterall, even in the henyard it was said of the duckling, "He's big and he doesn't look like everyone else!  And that's reason enough to beat him." 

Just as in the case of the duckling, all we really want is to be accepted for who we are.  Acceptance is important to each and everyone one of us.  We want to fit in.  We want to do more than survive.  And, eventually, we do find this acceptance.  We all blossom into our own version of the beautiful swan.  It just takes a while and may be a long, hard journey.  BUT, in the end, it is completely worth it!

For those of you who work with adolescents, the original version of The Ugly Duckling could be a great story to share and discuss with them.  This tends to be some of the more difficult years.  This is the time that those differences among us shine bright; yet, it is the time that this age group wants the differences to be dimmed because they want to be just like everyone else.  I say . . . Let those differences shine!  It is these times (hard they may be!) where we must accept and love ourselves so we may become the beauty in the future.  Afterall, we must remember "Such happiness I did not dream of when I was the ugly duckling." I firmly believe that all of us can have this chance at happiness!

What message did you take away from The Ugly Duckling this week?

UPCOMING TALES:

Friday, April 2nd:  The Goose with the Golden Eggs by Aesop

Friday, April 9th:  Little Red-Cap by Brothers Grimm (aka Little Red Riding Hood)

Friday, April 16th: New, modern version of a classic tale 

Friday, April 23rd:  The Butterfly by Hans Christian Andersen

Sunday Synopsis: March 21, 2010

DISCUSSIONS:

• The Stand Read-A-Long
• Fairy Tale Fridays:  Rapunzel

REVIEWS:  None

CURRENTLY READING:

• The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (reading with my son!; page 64 of 186)
• The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (page 18 of 509)
• The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova (audio; disc 5 of 17)

BOOKS RECEIVED:  None

REVIEWS TO COME:

• The Maze Runner by James Dashner
• Magic Tree House #4:  Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne
• The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan*
• Magic Tree House #3:  Mummies in the Morning by Mary Pope Osborne
• Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale 
• Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
• The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
• Across the Endless River by Thad Carhart
• Magic Tree House #2:  The Knight at Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Magic Tree House #1:  Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
• Only in New York, Darling by Virginie Sommet
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• The Shimmer by David Morrell
• Royal Blood by Rona Sharon
• The End of the Beginning by Avi
• Matchless by Gregory Maguire
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Daniel X: Watch the Skies by James Patterson & Ned Rust
• King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
• Arthur's Audio Favorites Volume 2 by Marc Brown
• A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi
• Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker
• George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl
• Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure The World by Tracy Kidder
• Fool by Christopher Moore
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
• The Little Island by Golden MacDonald and Leonard Weisgard
• Black and White by David Macauley
• Mei Li by Thomas Handforth
• Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
• Rocky Mountain Snow Ghosts by Patti Hurst
• I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
• Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary
• Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary
• The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
• Survival of the Fittest by Jonathan Kellerman
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
• S is for Save the Planet by Brad Herzog
• The Ugly Duckling by Jerry Pinkney

AROUND THE BLOGOSPHERE:  It's been another crazy week and I've been working on getting caught up on many things outside of the online world!  I'm sure I will have many things to share in future weeks, but nothing this time!  :(

FINAL THOUGHTS:  I made myself a pact that I've got to get caught up on many things that I have been lacking on since I moved almost a year ago.  No more procrastinating!!  I'm hoping once I get caught up on those things, I will have more time to devote to my blogging.  Wish me luck!!

Fairy Tale Fridays: Rapunzel

Special Thanks to my Personal Faery Friend for the Button Art: Ye Olde Faery Shoppe

I apologize for the lateness in posting Fairy Tale Fridays today.  I typically post on Thursday evenings, but I unfortunately, have had a major spam attack this week and I was trying to clean up that mess.  I still have a lot of work to do, so I want to apologize now for being so late in responding to last week's posts!  I will get around to them very soon!  Now, on to this week's selection . . .

For today, we are discussing the classic tale of Rapunzel!  This is one of the few Grimms' tales that I believe actually has a true happy ending . . . that Rapunzel and her man lived happily ever after!  Of course, that would be after she was deserted, left to bear twins on her own, and the king's son had his eyes poked out by thorns thanks to the lovely enchantress!!  Despite the usual violence, this story leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside, giving you hope that things can work out in the end.

I recently have read a modern take on this story and will be sharing it in a future week.  It is graphic novel titled Rapunzel's Revenge written by Shannon & Dean Hale.  I want to leave you with a little sneak preview of my thoughts . . . I loved it!!  Have you read this tale yet?

UPCOMING TALES:

Friday, March 26th:  The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson

Friday, April 2nd:  The Goose with the Golden Eggs by Aesop

Friday, April 9th:  Little Red-Cap by Brothers Grimm (aka Little Red Riding Hood)

Friday, April 16th: New, modern version of a classic tale 

 

 

The Stand Read-A-Long

Join me for a read-a-long of The Stand by Stephen King during the month of April.  As I mentioned earlier in my interest post, I have often referred to The Stand as one of my all-time favorite books.  It has actually been 10+ years since I read the book, and I feel it is about time to re-read the book and see if this books "stands" up to the test of time.

In my original post, it was requested that I post a description of the book.  What I remember of the book is excellent character development, characters that you love to love and characters that you love to hate.  I remember the ultimate battle between good and evil.  I remember a scenario that seems almost real, almost too plausible, and just a bit too realistic.  But, that is from old memories!  Allow me to also give you the official description from Stephen King's website:

"One man escapes from a biological weapon facility after an accident, carrying with him the deadly virus known as Captain Tripps, a rapidly mutating flu that - in the ensuing weeks - wipes out most of the world's population. In the aftermath, survivors choose between following an elderly black woman to Boulder or the dark man, Randall Flagg, who has set up his command post in Las Vegas. The two factions prepare for a confrontation between the forces of good and evil."

The Stand is a LONG book (my personal copy has 1153 pages!), so we will be taking the entire month of April to read this book!  I will be posting discussion questions throughout the month, the first being at the beginning of the month to kick off the read-a-long.  Each time, Mr. Linky will be provided to post your own personal link, to share your thoughts, and for others to stop by and contribute to discussions centered around this book.  

If you are interested in participating, write an introduction and post the permalink in the Mr. Linky below.  Then, pull out that old dusty copy for a re-read, support your local library and check out a copy from there, or even hit your area bookstore to buy a copy of your own.  

I look forward to reading this King classic along with you next month!!

Sunday Synopsis: March 14, 2010

DISCUSSIONS:

• Fairy Tale Fridays:  Your Childhood Favorite

SPECIAL EVENTS:  This week I participated in Share a Story, Shape a Future!  Below you will find all the posts I wrote in honor of the event.  

• Share a Story, Shape a Future Day 1:  The Many Faces of Reading
• Writing About Reading:  Day 1
• Share a Story, Shape a Future Day 2:  Literacy My Way, Literacy Your Way
• Writing About Reading:  Day 2
• Share a Story, Shape a Future Day 3:  Just the Facts:  The Non-Fiction Book Hook
• Writing About Reading:  Day 3
• Share a Story, Shape a Future Day 4:  Old Favorites, New Classics
• Writing About Reading:  Day 4
• PLEASE Vote For Me!
• Share a Story, Shape a Future Day 5:  Reading For The Next Generation
• Writing About Reading:  Day 5

REVIEWS:  None, BUT I do have another one written and ready to post this week!

CURRENTLY READING:

• The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova (audio; disc 2 of 17)
• The Maze Runner by James Dashner (page 58 of 374)

BOOKS RECEIVED:

• The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova (giveaway received from Beth's Book Review Blog!)
• 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill (library sale)

REVIEWS TO COME:

• Magic Tree House #4:  Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne
• The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan*
• Magic Tree House #3:  Mummies in the Morning by Mary Pope Osborne
• Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale 
• Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
• The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
• Across the Endless River by Thad Carhart
• Magic Tree House #2:  The Knight at Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Magic Tree House #1:  Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
• Only in New York, Darling by Virginie Sommet
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• The Shimmer by David Morrell
• Royal Blood by Rona Sharon
• The End of the Beginning by Avi
• Matchless by Gregory Maguire
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Daniel X: Watch the Skies by James Patterson & Ned Rust
• King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
• Arthur's Audio Favorites Volume 2 by Marc Brown
• A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi
• Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker
• George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl
• Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure The World by Tracy Kidder
• Fool by Christopher Moore
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
• The Little Island by Golden MacDonald and Leonard Weisgard
• Black and White by David Macauley
• Mei Li by Thomas Handforth
• Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
• Rocky Mountain Snow Ghosts by Patti Hurst
• I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
• Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary
• Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary
• The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
• Survival of the Fittest by Jonathan Kellerman
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
• S is for Save the Planet by Brad Herzog
• The Ugly Duckling by Jerry Pinkney

**Those marked with an asterik(*) have reviews written and are scheduled to post!

AROUND THE BLOGOSPHERE:  I have really spent the majority of my time this past week staying up-to-date on all the Share a Story, Shape a Future posts.  I'm hoping to get caught up on my Reader (especially with all the new sites I've added this past week!) and will have a lot to share next week.  In the meantime, I recommend you check out my posts noted above for some awesome link love and resources!!

FINAL THOUGHTS:  This week has been one filled with a ton of emotion!  I have had a blast with Share a Story, Shape a Future, even being shortlisted for the big 50 book multicultural giveaway sponsored by Reading is Fundamental; however, I also received some very bad news as well.  My grandfather, the man who has had a large impact on my personal reading, received a phone call this week indicating that his cancer has returned and spread.  For now, we wait . . . and though I am a patient person, I am having a hard time with the waiting game!  Whatever the case may be, I will say that I believe this week has been an inspiration to me in regards to my writing on this site.  I wrote more than I have in a very long time (maybe ever!) this last week and I have begun writing more reviews.  I am hoping this will be a turning point for me in writing, but know that with the personal stuff going on at the same time, it may be difficult for me to post.    So, here's to hoping to continued inspiration and most importantly, healing!!  Please keep my grandfather in your thoughts as he continues to fight his battle!

Writing About Reading: Day 5

This is the last writing event for Share a Story, Shape a Future.  As I was perusing the questions, I discovered that the same questions were posed for Day 4.  I really don't have much to write for these, so I wanted to throw the two remaining questions out to my readers to get your opinions.  My kids are too young to be at the stage of these questions, but will be there shortly.  You may be able to help me and provide me with some ideas as we approach it!!

Do you have a favorite chapter book for reading with kids of different ages (e.g., 4, 9, 13)?


What book(s) has your child recommended to you that you have loved?

Share your answers and continue to spread the literacy love beyond the week of this event!!

[image credit: Share a Story Logo created by author/illustrator Elizabeth Dulemba.]

Share-A-Story, Shape-A-Future Day 5: Reading For The Next Generation

Special Thanks to Susan Stephenson of The Book Chook for the art!

I know that it has been a couple of days since Share A Story, Shape a Future wrapped up the final day of the blogging literacy event.  However, I did a post for every other day and I was not about to miss the last day either . . . even if I may be a couple days late!!  There have been so many great ideas, tips, stories, etc. shared this week.  I like to share what I think about everything and I also like to keep a record of it myself when I am feeling the need for inspiration.  I can simply refer back to it right here on my own blog instead of trying to remember where it was I found it at.  I have the majority of the posts and articles referenced right here, including who wrote them, so it is an easy reference to me!  I hope that you have enjoyed my posts and I look forward to seeing you all involved again next year for the third annual event, Share a Story, Shape a Future!!  Afterall, it is my favorite blogging event of the year!!  :)

Without further ado, let's explore the final day together . . . .

In Need of Chocolate writes Let the Sillies Out:  Reading to Babies and Young Children.  This is a great article that gives practical ideas of bringing out the silly in reading to your kids and making your storytime more active and exciting.  She also shares a GREAT list of books to help you along the way!!  Some of our family favorites are on this list, but there are many that I've added to my library list to check out!!

Melissa at Book Nut is Kicking it Up a Notch:  When Children are Stuck in a Reading Rut.  I absolutely love the ideas shared in this post about kids who are reluctant readers or even those who may be in a reading slump.  My favorite idea . . . using graphic novels to help bridge the gap!  I am personally reading more and more of these and absolutely believe they have a lot more to offer than many realize.

Great Kid Book takes on the topic How do I help my child learn to love reading if I am not a great reader myself?  I think this is a wonderful and much needed topic.  We do not want to keep the cycle of illiteracy compounding from generation to generation, so these tips are very practical ideas for all of us!  I would add one more idea to the list . . . practice reading a book before reading it to your child!  If you struggle with reading yourself, don't read the story for the first time with your child.  Your child will see you struggle and your fears, anxieties, and frustrations will be modeled to your child.  Practicing the story can help you to become more comfortable and put you at ease, making the experience a much more comfortable one for all involved!

Am I a failure if I don't read with my kids? is explored by Moms Inspire Learning.  My favorite thing about this article is the fact that we as parents are constantly juggling responsibilities, but it can be greatly beneficial to ALL if everyone gets involved in a child's reading.  Dawn shares some wonderful ideas and I highly recommend you check this one out!!

Do you have a little girl who only wants to read books about princesses?  If so, you've got to read Learning Parade's Princess Books?  Give Me A Break!   This post moves beyond just the princess books and gives a link to a list of book hooks, to move beyond that one genre your child is currently obsessed with.

Getting Kids Reading discusses combining gaming and reading in Getting your video-kid reading.

Literacy Toolbox writes Resisting the Urge to Create a Reading Superstar.  She encourages us to get back the basics of reading aloud to our children and letting them lead their reading.  From a mother's perspective worried about the pressure associated with reading, I loved these words!!

Children's writer and middle school teacher, Kate Messner takes on the topic of whether or not kids should take on more difficult reads in The Problem with Great Expectations:  Should kids be pushed to read more difficult books?  This is a great post with some great tips, including book recommendations for readers of only graphic novels and the Twilight series!

The PlanetEsme Plan writes After the Love Has Gone:  Read-Aloud for the Young and Restless.  In this post, great ideas are shared for reading aloud for ALL ages.  Research shows that reading aloud contributes to academic success beyond the pre-reader years.  If you are past this age and need some ideas to keep the read-aloud going, you really need to click over!!

A Year of Reading asks parents to Trust That Your Child Will Make it Through That Reading Phase, speaking from experience!

MotherReader gets honest in Reading is Boring (Sometimes).  This post is awesome and I highly recommend it not just for its honesty, but for the pure and genuine view of a parent . . . to know that you are not alone in this instance and that is just okay!!!  Brilliant!!

And, last but not least, we don't want to forget about another of my favorite kidlit sites, Jen Robinson's Book Page.  She was the host for the final day of Share a Story, Shape a Future and is always posting up-to-date news in the field of children's literacy, including book reviews, helpful tips, resources, and so much more.  Be sure to check her out!!