Fantastic Phenomenal Fiction! Chapter 6 and Class Review

Fantastical Literature

Today was a great day in class because the group that presented the fantastical literature genre project did an awesome job of conveying the key points and characteristics of fantastical literature in a clear and exciting way!

The main characteristics of fantastical literature/key points:

-Story of the impossible, expressed as if it were possible

-Imaginative

-Rooted in folktales and legends

-Most contain a deeper truth that is relatable to today's society

-More complex settings and relationships

-Characters are believable but in unrealistic predicaments

-Metaphors

-Scientific literature and magical elements --> 2 key sub genres

I really enjoyed the group's activity that twisted the known game of Candyland into an assessment of fantastical literature to demonstrate our understanding of the topic.  The inclusion of the wings and all the props included as if it were really Candyland!

Chapter 1 Review: Children's and Adolescent Literature

That's All, Folks! Chapter 5 and Class Review

Folklore

Folklore is a genre that is often misinterpreted.  Many people limit it to the cultural stories passed down both physically written in text and orally, but folklore spans a much broader horizon than just that.  Folklore is more than just those cultural stories, but also songs, rhymes, tales, and fables.  In reading this chapter and class discussion, my limited knowledge of folklore expanded and I was given a clear definition of what it actually was.

The quality of folklore is measured by the following characteristics:
-Sounds like spoken language
-Rich natural rhythms
-Reflects cultural integrity of early retellings
-preserves simple structure of oral stories
-artistically excellent illustrations
-illustrations reflect the narrative
-illustrations reflect cultural heritage

The plots of folklore are generally shorter and the moral is straightforward and easy to recognize.  The settings are vague, and the emphasis is on the heroic characters.

Picture That! Picturebooks - Chapter 3 Review and Class Discussion

Picturebooks come in many different formats, ranging from wordless and solely pictures to pictures with corresponding words.  Many would not consider wordless picture books 'reading' but though the omission of corresponding words, wordless picture books do encapsulate the fundamentals of reading.

During this chapter and class presentation, I recognized that picture books do not need to be categorized solely by their format.  Picturebooks span multiple genres and content areas, all the while having flourishing illustrations to go along with the text, if any.

I also didn't know that picture books are usually around 32 pages.  I figured that picture books did not have a set page span; that the length of the book was up to the author to decide, the illustrator to follow, and the publisher to produce.  I think what surprised me most when learning about picture books was their general format.  I did not think in depth about the similarities between picture books, but when they war pointed out and expanded upon, I did realize those commonalities:page length, signature openings, double page spreads, etc.

I think that, regardless of the grade level, picture books are valuable resources to the classroom because it not only expands children's literature knowledge, but also exposes them to different formats and artistic styles that are prevalent both today and throughout previous years.