5183 Fall 2025 Information Resources and Services for Children discussion

Reading Responses 4 (Wk7:): Folklore  

Part 1: Add all the required children's books that you read for this week to the Goodreads group bookshelf. This week you read SIX traditional literature books.  

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, just add the title with your response.  

Part 2: Choose a book that you read this week EXCEPT FOR Cinderella. Answer to the following questions in the comment area. 
1. A citation for the book, formatted in APA format. (Add a book cover/link to the book in the comment area, if possible.) 
 
2. A brief annotation (no more than two sentences) for the contents of the book. 

3. Evaluate your picture book based on Betsy Hearne’s article “Cite the Source: Reducing Cultural Chaos in Picture Books”. According to Hearne’s source note countdown, where does the book fall into? Your answers to #3 should be about 100 words. 

In what ways could acknowledging the Chinese origins of the story help readers better understand the cultural values reflected in The Empty Pot?

Stone Soup

1. Muth, J. J. (2003). Stone soup. Scholastic Press.
2. Three monks stop to stay the night in a mountain village amidst their pilgrimage to find doors locked and windows shut against neighbors and guests. The monks set out to make stone soup for dinner and as villagers become interested in making soup from only water and stones, they bring food from home to add to the pot and a community soup is made. At the end of the story, the town opens their arms to their guests and more importantly each other.
3. This book scores a 1 (model source note) on Hearne’s source note countdown because of the included author’s note that gives information about the roots of the folktale, the setting this book is in, and the changes he made to the story to reflect the culture the story now exists within. The author’s note is very detailed about acknowledging the origins of the folklore as having roots in Europe and also the existence of related stories in Jamaca, Korea and the Philippines. He tells us that he took the traditional form of the folktale and set it in China. He dives into how this retelling mirrors the Buddha story tradition of tricksters (reflected as the three monks in this book) spreading enlightenment (in this case, community, collaboration and gratitude). The author explains some of the cultural context of the motifs he used in the illustrations, all which add a richness to the story and the setting.

Grimm, J., Grimm, W., & Blume, K. (1986). Rapunzel. F. Coppenrath.

This is a Rapunzel retelling, navigating the classic fairy tale with rich, Renaissance-style oil paintings that give the story a timeless depth. The detailed illustrations and words work together to create a visually stunning and emotionally resonant version of the traditional tale.

Paul O. Zelinsky’s Rapunzel falls near the top of Betsy Hearne’s “source note countdown,” as it clearly cites its origins in both the Grimm Brothers’ version and earlier Italian sources like Petrosinella by Giambattista Basile. Zelinsky provides a detailed author’s note explaining how he adapted and combined elements from these tales, showing transparency and respect for the story’s lineage. This careful acknowledgment aligns with Hearne’s call for accuracy and responsibility in retellings. By crediting his sources, Zelinsky helps readers understand the cultural evolution of Rapunzel and models scholarly integrity in picture book storytelling.

1. Riordan, R. (2014). Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods. Disney-Hyperion.
2. Have you ever wondered how Zeus became the King of the Gods? Or why Poseidon is always grumpy? This book spills all the godly drama! Told by the Rick Riordan character Percy Jackson, it's a fun, comprehensive, and hilarious peek into the major Greek myths. Percy can make those ancient stories totally accessible and relatable for even the most reluctant modern day readers.
3. Categorizing this book using Betsy Hearne's "Source Note Countdown" is a unique situation here because this book isn't based on one single traditional literature story. It's pulling from a massive amount of classical Greek literature. While it doesn't have a large bibliography at the back, it definitely isn't a "Nonexistent Source Note" (#5).

Riordan is very clear about basing his stories on Greek myths, and even lets the reader know in the introduction that he's adapting established stories from many different sources, which keeps it out of the "Background-as-Source Note" (#4) category. The author is fully transparent about this book being a modern adaptation of Greek mythology told by Percy Jackson. The conversational and funny way of telling the stories still respects the oral traditions of the traditional literature element. Since everyone knows the source is classic Greek mythology, and Riordan uses all the original names and plots, the book scores closest to a “Well-Made Source Note” (#2).

The Origin of Day and Night
Rumbolt, P. (2020). The origin of day and night. Inhabit Media.
This is the story of a fox and a hare who must work together to survive. Can they share their magic and find a balance?
I was saddened to discover my "source note" for this book fell into the fourth category. To some degree, it could be accredited in the third category. The online summary of this book describes it as an Inuit tale that has been passed down orally for hundreds of years. it is further described as a traditional animal tale that gives young readers a window into Inuit mythology. Unfortunately, the actual book makes no mention of where or how this tale began. It is worth mentioning however in the fine print on the CIP page, the book mentions being possible in part thanks to the Government of Canada. So while it is a good story, and beautifully illustrated, it lacks a strong source of origin.

1. Jules, J. (2013). Never say a mean word again. Wisdom Tales.
2. Samuel, the son of a Muslim vizier and Hazma, the son of a Jewish tax collector become unlikely friends when Samuel's father tasks him with making sure Hazma never says a mean word to him again.
3. This book’s source note is well-made, meaning it falls into the number 2 spot on Hearne’s source note countdown. It is in a large and visible print block at the end of the book, accompanied by an illustration of Samuel, the main character. The author cites the source of this medieval legend, saying she saw it in two Jewish scholarly works. She gives context to the cultural landscape of medieval Spain and how its inhabitants of different faiths lived together. Samuel Ha-Nagrid, who is the father of the fictional main character, was a real person in the time this story takes place and is the original main character of the tale. The author explains that she reimagined the story taking place between two children instead.

Note: I also read "Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China" by Ai-Ling Louie this week. The book was already on the class bookshelf.

1. DePaola, T. (1975). Strega Nona. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

2. When Strega Nona needs help with her potions, cures, and magic, she enlists the help of Big Anthony who, determined to impress the town, accidentally lets loose a flood of pasta from Strega Nona’s magic pasta pot.

3. Unfortunately, this story ranks low on Hearne’s source note countdown as there is no indication of where the source of the story comes from. While the first line of the story gives some context to where the story takes place and the time period it is in, that is the extent of possible source crediting. The front cover of the story touts that it is “an original tale” but the story is classified as a fable which leads me to logically assume it has some origin in traditional Italian folklore. I think the absence of the source note may be explained by the fact that the story was originally published in Italian for an Italian audience but as I researched the story, I was unable to find any information on the translation.

Citation
Kimmel, E. A. (1988). Anansi and the moss-covered rock. Illustrated by Janet Stevens. Holiday House.

Annotation
I enjoyed this West African folktale retelling about the clever trickster Anansi, who uses a magic moss-covered rock to steal food from other animals until he is outsmarted himself. The humor and repetition made the story fun to read, while also teaching lessons about greed and wit.

Evaluation
When I looked at Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock through Betsy Hearne’s source note countdown, I felt it fell into the “generic source” category. Kimmel mentions that it is a retelling of a traditional West African folktale, but he doesn’t provide specific details about the original storyteller, region, or collection. Even though the cultural context is a bit vague, I still felt the book captured the essence of Anansi tales as trickster stories from African oral traditions. Janet Stevens’s illustrations stood out to me because they brought the animals and natural setting to life in a colorful, lively way. I especially noticed how the repetition of the moss-covered rock phrase felt like listening to an oral story, which made it more authentic. While I do think more detailed sourcing would strengthen the cultural background, I found this book engaging, accessible, and a respectful introduction to African folklore for children.

1.Climo, S. (1995). Atalanta’s Race: A Greek Myth. (A. Koshkin, Illus). Clarion Books.

2. Atalanta is a great hunter and a strong athlete, but she does not wish to marry. When her father forces her to, she comes up with a solution--anyone who could beat her in a race could marry her, but the losers lose their lives.

3. I would say that this book would fall in either #1 or #2 on Hearne’s countdown. At the end of the book, there is a detailed author’s note explaining the origin of the myth. According to Hearne, a #1 note includes “the specific source, adds a description for cultural context, and describes what the author has done to change the tale”. Climo’s note explains that Greek myths were told orally for hundreds of years and that Ovid was one of the first to record the story. In addition, Climo briefly explained the ancient Greek customs and religion that are seen in the myth. However, there is nothing about the changes made.

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China

1. APA Citation
Young, E. (1989). Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood story from China. Philomel Books.
2. Brief Annotation
This beautifully illustrated picture book is a Chinese version of the Red Riding Hood tale, where three clever sisters outwit a wolf disguised as their grandmother. Ed Young’s striking watercolor and pastel illustrations bring the story’s suspense and cultural setting vividly to life.
3. Betsy Hearne “Cite the Source” Evaluation (≈100 words)
The "source note countdown" by Betsy Hearne says that Lon Po Po would likely get a 3 or 4. The book does say that it is a Chinese version of the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but it doesn't say much else. There is no information about where the story came from, who first wrote it down, or what oral history it came from. That kind of background knowledge would help people understand the story's cultural roots and give more credit to the source from which it came. There is a lot of cultural background in the words and pictures that give people a lot of information about the culture of China. People can't figure out where the story came from, though, because there aren't any clear source notes. If you added more background information, it would be more real and help people learn.

Books I read this week:
From the Chapter 7 bibliography (3 different categories):
1. Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young – (Folktale / Fairy Tale)
2. How Chipmunk Got His Stripes by Joseph Bruchac & James Bruchac – (Pourquoi Tale)
3. Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti by Gerald McDermott – (Myth / Trickster Tale)
Additional Traditional Literature:
4. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe – (Folktale / Cinderella Variant)
5. The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton – (Legend / Folktale Collection)
Fractured Fairy Tale:
6. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka – (Fractured Fairy Tale / Humor)

1. Citation
Young, E. (1989). Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood story from China. Philomel Books.

2. Annotation
This Chinese version of the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale tells the story of three sisters who outsmart a wolf that comes to their home disguised as their grandmother. The book’s illustrations, painted in muted tones and divided into panels, create a dramatic and suspenseful atmosphere that complements the story’s tension and clever resolution.

3. Evaluation
According to Betsy Hearne’s “Cite the Source: Reducing Cultural Chaos in Picture Books,” Lon Po Po falls in the upper range of the source note countdown. Ed Young credits the story as a Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood and treats the tale with cultural care through both text and art. Although the book does not include an extensive source note detailing the specific origin of the folktale, Young’s adaptation reflects an authentic Chinese setting through traditional clothing, architecture, and visual style. His illustrations and retelling preserve the moral themes and oral storytelling qualities of traditional literature. While a more detailed citation of sources could strengthen cultural transparency, the book demonstrates respect for its cultural roots and effectively introduces young readers to a well-known story through a Chinese cultural lens.

Tonatuih, D. (2020). Feathered serpent and the five suns: A Mesoamerican creation myth. Abrams books.

Humans were not easy to make! Go with Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, on his long, wild journey to create humans.

Author Duncan Tonatiuh does an excellent job of citing his sources, earning a score of one on Betsy Hearne's evaluation scale. The back contains an author's note in which he gives a quick history of the origin of the feathered serpent name and story. He states there are multiple versions of this creation story, but he focused on the Five Suns story, noting that these original stories come from the Aztec codices. He also discusses the Nahuatl language, its origin, and how it is still spoken today, including a page of Nahuatl words, their pronunciation, and meanings. The final page contains six cited biographies that contain information about the creation myth. The art is beautiful, the story is engaging, and the sources are viable.

The Ugly Duckling

1. Pinkney, J., & Andersen, H. C. (1999). The ugly duckling. Morrow Junior Books.

2. Jerry Pinkney’s vibrant adaptation of Andersen’s classic follows an outcast duckling’s journey of enduring hardship and loneliness from family, peers and all he meets, but ultimately transforms into a beautiful swan. Elaborate watercolor illustrations and accessible narrative style makes this a moving tale for young readers about self-discovery and acceptance.

3. Hans Christian Andersen first published “The Ugly Duckling” in 1843, making the story over 180 years old. It has remained a staple of children’s literature for generations and is retold in many cultures as an tale of transformation and hope. Jerry Pinkney’s The Ugly Duckling does not include a formal source note clarifying the story’s origins or adaptation choices, which according to Betsy Hearne’s “source note countdown” places it in the “5. The nonexistent source note” category. According to Hearne's guidelines, ideal picture books adapting folktales or classics should provide clear notes about the original source, its variations, and the adaptation process to reduce cultural confusion and honor the tradition authentically. Adaptations of traditional tales are expected to offer detailed, transparent source notes to honor and clarify their roots, while original tales are rated with more leniency on this scale, as they do not adapt external sources.

Munsch, R.(1980). The paper bag princess. Annick Press.

In this humorous twist on the traditional fairy tale, Princess Elizabeth sets out to rescue Prince Ronald after a dragon destroys her castle and kidnaps him. Wearing only a paper bag, she outsmarts the dragon through cleverness and confidence, ultimately realizing she doesn't need the prince after all.

According to Betsy Hearne's "source note countdown," The Paper Bag Princess falls near the bottom of the scale, since it is a fractured fairy tale rather than a direct retelling of a specific traditional tale. Munsch's story is an original creation that draws on familiar fairy tale motifs such as the princess, dragon, and rescue but it deliberately subverts them to challenge gender stereotypes. Because it is a parody or reinterpretation rather than a retelling of an identifiable folktale, it does not require a cultural source note. Instead, its strength lies in how it uses fairy tale conventions to empower the heroine and critique traditional roles.

1. Maier, B. (2021). The Little Blue Bridge. Scholastic Press.

2. This fractured folktale from The Three Billy Goats Gruff takes readers into unexpected twists of events that follow imaginative and creative Ruby’s attempt at crossing the creek for blueberries with other boys. Intelligent Ruby, who is deemed too small to cross, finds herself up against the creek bully, Santiago.

3. The Little Blue Bridge by Maier would score a 2, the well-made source note, according to Betsy Hearne’s source note countdown. Maier has an author's note at the end of the book where she cites the specific source of this fractured folktale. Maier explains how the story has Norwegian ties, its history within that culture, and the traditional transitions of The Three Billy Goat Gruff, from which this story was adapted. Maier describes the original folktale, the authors and their many translations over the years, and how these led to her original work. Although Maier is detailed in her author's note about what inspired her writing, she omits the reasons for writing her book and never explains how she specifically changed it or what inspired that change.

1. Brown, M. (1961). Once a mouse...A fable cut in wood. Anthem Books for Young Readers.

2. This book is a retelling of an ancient Indian fable in which a hermit transforms a frightened mouse first into a cat, then a dog, then a tiger in order to protect it. The tiger becomes arrogant which leads to his downfall as the hermit changes him back into a mouse.

3. When comparing to Betsy Hearne’s Cite the Source countdown, Once a Mouse lands firmly at level 1 because there is a clear and specific source note. Brown notes that the story is an ancient Indian fable from the Hitopadesa and gives context to its purpose and history. Her illustrations and style preserve the cultural tone of the original tale as well. By explicitly naming the source and culture, Brown prevents the “cultural chaos” Hearne warns about and shows how traditional tales can be retold for new audiences while preserving cultural respect and integrity.

Kellogg, S. (1988). Johnny Appleseed. Library Learning Resources.

Kellogg's Johnny Appleseed follows the life of John Chapman, as he ventures through life loving apples, planting them, and sharing them with people. All while recounting stories of his adventures while living on the land.

Kellogg's Johnny Appleseed scores a 1 in Betsy Hearne's Cite the Source Countdown. Though the evidence of where the story originated is not at the beginning, the author dedicated an entire page at the end of the book about John Chapman's life and history. Kellogg takes time to note the changes he made to the story, details about the time periods he added in, and the myths that have come out in Johnny Appleseeds tale as time as passed. This helps the reader understand what’s real and what’s added, which is exactly what Hearne looks for in a score of 1.

Emberley, R. (2009). Chicken little. Roaring Brook Press.

Chicken Little retells the tale of a panicked chicken who thinks the sky is falling after being hit on the head. Consequences follow as the barnyard friends blindly follow each other without asking questions.

Emberley's Chicken Little, though a cute and well-known fable will unfortunately fall as a #5, Non-Existent, in Betsy Hearne's Cite the Source Countdown. This is a great book for teaching children not to just follow your friends, but to make your own decisions and to ask questions before going along with the crowd. As far as the Source Countdown, there are no claims to the original source, and in Chicken Little's case, not even a vague mention of a source. The book would no longer be accepted as literature for children.

Kimmel, E. A. (1995). Anansi and the talking melon. Live Oak Media.

Anansi and the Talking Melon is a West African folktale where the spider, Anansi, tricks the animals and the king by hiding inside a melon and making them think it can talk.

Kimmel's Anansi and the Talking Melon is another tale in which we see friends following each other blindly. In Anansi's story, the friends do ask more questions but ultimately do not do much investigating. In Hearne's Cite Source Countdown Anansi and the Talking Melon would score a #5. I was able to find that it was a West African folktale as I was looking for the book online, and the citation in our textbook lists it as from Africa. Other than those pieces of information, the source note was non-existent within the text.

Lowell, S. (2000). Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella. N.Y.N.Y.

This fractured-fairytale retelling of Cinderella follows Cindy in the wild west as she wants to go and meet Joe Prince.

Lowell's Cindy Ellen is a fun fractured tale of a wild west Cinderella. Cindy Ellen wants to go to the rodeo and square dance to meet Joe Prince just like her stepsisters. The fairy godmother appears and makes it happen with a stagecoach, beautiful boots with diamond spurs, and a pretty dress. When looking at Hearne's Cite Source Countdown, I was once again disappointed as I would have to place this story at a #4. The end of the book does cover Cowboy lore and how things have developed and changed in the rodeo over the years, but not the origin or mention of the story Cinderella.

1. Wisniewski, D. (1996). Golem. Clarion Books.

2. Desperate to protect the Jewish people of Prague people, a rabbi brings to life a creature made of clay-Golem. Through intricate cut-paper illustrations, the book explores themes of power, responsibility, and the consequences of creating something beyond one's control.

3. Golem by David Wisniewski is a retelling of the Jewish legend of a clay creature brought to life to protect the Jewish people in Prague. According to Betsy Hearne's cite source countdown, this book would be classified under number 1. The book ends with a detailed note on the origins of the story and the cultural significance of the legend, offering insight into the rabbis associated with it and the Jewish belief system that inspired these mystical tales. However, the language and presentation of this note may be more suited for older readers and may not engage younger audiences to explore the extra information. That said, the phonetic guides to unfamiliar words are helpful and will likely benefit most readers.

1. O'Connor, G. (2012). Hades: Lord of the dead. First Second.
2. In this graphic novel, you will hear the story of Hades, but also of Demeter and Persephone. Readers will discover how the seasons change in classic Greek mythology.
3. My book is a #1 on Hearne's source note countdown. Directly after the end of the book, O'Connor puts an author's note where he discusses how this book came to be and how he altered his book after reading the Abduction of Persephone. Persephone is never mentioned after her kidnapping, but for his story, he made her a main character. This note provides context for the original myth for readers. Lastly, O'Connor even puts a bibliography with annotations. This includes the story collection he referenced for the Abduction of Persephone. These brief annotations note what he used the source for and what it is.

1. Phelan, M. (2016). Snow White: A graphic novel. Candlewick Press.
2. In this adaptation of the classic fairytale, Phelan blends themes of noir and classicism to rewrite Snow White’s story. Samantha “Snow” White, at odds with her manipulative stepmother, finds community and overcomes her circumstances alongside a group of street children.
3. I would place this book as a #5 on Hearne’s source note countdown list. The book’s content may be suitable for older children, as its story deviates from the fairytale in style and message. The book does not contain an explicit source note or commentary from Phelan as to how he molded the original Snow White fairy tale to give us Samantha “Snow” White’s story. From this absence of the author’s purpose, cultural chaos arises. Readers of this graphic novel could have a difficult time differentiating between its traditional elements, Phelan’s invented components, and his engagement with source traditions to tell a greater story.

#1. Brett, J. (1989). The Mitten. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers.

#2. The Mitten is a Ukrainian folktale that illustrates a young boy named Nicki losing one mitten his Baba had just knitted for him. On his adventure outside, many of the forest animals found comfort in his lost snow-white, soft, and cozy knitted mitten.



#3. This book exemplifies the model source note (#1) according to Hearne’s source note countdown because Jan Brett (the author) included a detailed description of what cultural context inspired her to translate and illustrate this story as well as the modifications she made to the story. The author even explains how she connected with someone with Ukrainian heritage named Oksana Piaseckyj, who helped her translate the different versions of the story. After hearing the different versions, she disliked the idea of having a hunter shooting the animals; therefore, she changed that. Jan Brett stated she also visited the Ukrainian section of New York City to find out more about their culture for details that would be included in the story, such as the clothing, the houses, and their traditions.

Kimmel, E. A. (1999). Little Red Hot. Children's Press.
Little Red Hot

2. Little Red Hot is a creative retelling of the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, it stars a Texan girl who loves hot peppers. When her grandma isn't feeling well, she bakes her a hot pepper pie that will "knock those cold germs right out of her".

3. According to Hearne’s source note countdown, I would rank Little Red Hot a 2, “Well-Made Source Note”, using this scale. The book clearly references the source material of little Red Riding Hood, while changing the setting to a Texas based tale. The author stays true to the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, while adapting the story to fit the new setting they have imposed. I did not feel I could score this book a 1, or “Model Source Note” because there really is not any mention or explanation of the why the author chose to these changes to the original tale.

1. Scieszka, J. (1989). The true story of the 3 little pigs (L. Smith, Illus.). Penguin Books.
2. This humorous retelling of the classic fairy tale presents the story from the Wolf’s perspective, offering a clever twist on the traditional narrative. Through witty text and expressive illustrations, it challenges readers to consider bias and differing points of view.
3. I was saddened to find that this book falls into the lowest category of Hearne's countdown. The author does not explain the origins of the original tale in an author's note or in the narrative, merely saying "everybody already knows the story of the three little pigs." This fractured tale challenges the classic telling of the three little pigs from a story about preparation to a conflicting point of view about being misunderstood. While the book’s purpose is humorous and inventive rather than scholarly, including even a brief note recognizing the traditional story could have strengthened its transparency and educational value for young readers and teachers.

Books I read this week:
1. Cinderella by Kinuko Y Craft
2. Cinderella; an Islamic Tale by Fawzia Gilani
3. Hades: Lord of the Dead by George O'Connor
4. Rapunzel by Paul Zelinsky
5. The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkey
6. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

The Frog Prince, Continued
Scieszka, J. (2003). The frog prince, continued. Live Oak Media.
The princess kissed the frog, turning him back into a prince, and they were supposed to live happily ever after. After marrying, the prince is unhappy and wants to turn back into a frog so he decides to search for a witch to help him.
I believe my book would fall into source note 5: the nonexistent source note. There is no mention of the source this story is from, it mentions The Frog Prince in the summary as it is a fractured fairytale for it but there is nothing about a country or culture it could have originated from. It isn't a rewrite of The Frog Prince’s story but instead a continuation of it, however it could still be important to note of and inform readers of the origin of the story that they based it on.

1. Elya, S. M., & Martinez-Neal, J. (2017). La Princesa and the pea. Putnam Pub Group.

2. A cultural retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's the Princess and the Pea. A prince wants to get married; however, his overbearing mother has high expectations and will only allow a "worthy" princess to marry her son.

3. According to Hearnes source note countdown I would have to rank La Princesa and the Pea somewhere in the middle. This is a cultural/bilingual retelling of a classic fairy tale. While I could not find much of a source note by the author for this book, there is a glossary of terms, and the illustrator of the book does discuss used traditional elements of her culture to influence the drawings and tell the story of the princess and the pea with a Latin twist.

1. Huck, C. S., & Lobel, A. (1989). Princess Furball. Greenwillow Books.

2. To escape an arranged marriage to an ogre, a princess disguises herself by wearing many furs and travels to a distant kingdom. While there, the princess relies on her own capabilities to win the heart of the prince - the man she chooses for herself.

3. Princess Furball is based on the Brother's Grimm tale "Allerleirauh" (or "All-Kinds-of-Fur" in English). The author changed a few elements from the original tale (like the incest part), but remains true to the original theme of the story. Plus the illustrations are just fantastic and accurate to the ambiguous medieval time period that the Brother's Grimm typically set their fairytales. After reading Hearne's criteria, I believe that Princess Furball falls into the #2 category, a well-made source note! This was one of my favorite books when I was younger, and it will always be one that I keep on my shelves.

1. Galdone, P. (2001). The little red hen. Clarion Books.

2. The little red hen needs help to do the chores. Dog, cat, and mouse learn a lesson about the benefits of helping others.

3. Through my own investigation, I found that The Little Red Hen is a European folktale that was handed down orally until it was written down in the 1800s. However, Galdone’s edition of the tale makes no mention of the history or origin of the story. On the hardback edition, it merely states that it is a Folktale Classic. The only other hints that this is a folktale is that it is shelved with other folktales and fairytales in the 398.2 area and that the storyline is vaguely familiar. For this reason, I would rate this book a 5 on Betsy Hearne’s rating scale, having a non-existent source note. This is unfortunate, as this edition is well-told and has engaging illustrations. Adding specific source notes and cultural context would be beneficial for readers and teachers.

Books I read this week that were already shelved:
Cinderella by Marcia Brown
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs

1. Willems, M. Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs: As Retold by Mo Willems. (2012). Balzer + Bray, Harper Collins.

2. Following the familiar fairytale structure of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, this hilarious creative story shows some of the obvious flaws of the socially unaware Goldilocks as she enters the home of the very hungry Mama Dinosaur, Papa Dinosaur, and foreign exchange visitor dinosaur from Norway.

3. This is a fun story to retell. The author and illustrator of this book, Mo Willems, clearly does not claim the original fairytale to be his. But even in the title it states that this is a retelling of a classic fairytale story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The Willems character Goldilocks is described in the book as "not the type of little girl who listened to anyone or anything" and despite multiple warnings to avoid the giant mysterious empty home of the very hungry dinosaurs who intend to eat delicious little girls, she of course decides to go in. Kids will find this story to be hilariously entertaining and the target audience is perfect as a read aloud for an elementary audience. They will chuckle all of the warnings, and since the story line is classically familiar they will practice making predictions about what will be the fate of Goldilocks in this retelling.

According to Hearne's source note countdown, this book is a 4. The plot structure of the story stay true to the original format of the classic traditional fairytale story and it is advertised in the title itself that it is a retelling, but there is no information about the original source.

Hansel and Gretel

1. Lesser, R. (1999). Hansel and Gretel (P. O. Zelinsky, Illus.). Puffin Books.

2. Two children from a poor family were abandoned in the woods because their parents could not afford to feed them; while trying to find their way home, they came across a house made of bread, pancakes, and candy. Unfortunately, the house was owned by a wicked child-eating witch.

3. This story falls under level 2 in Betsy Hearne's Source Note Countdown. The source note for Lesser's retelling of Hansel and Gretel informs the reader that the story came from the Bothers Grimm 1912 Children's and Household Tales publication, which stylized the original oral story. Although many retellings have been published since, Lesser's story is based on the 1810 and 1812 Grimm versions. The source note specifies that the 1810/1812 versions were accessed through a 1975 German publication titled The Oldest Collection of Tales by the Bothers Grimm. The note is a full page located at the end of the book. Unfortunately, because the note does not describe the specific changes made by Lesser, it does not qualify for a level 1 ranking.

1. Shaskan, T. (2012). Honestly, red riding hood was rotten: The story of little red riding hood as told by the wolf. Picture Window Books.

2. Everyone knows the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, but few have heard the Wolf’s side of the story. The Wolf may not be as sinister as we were told to believe, and Little Red Riding Hood may not be of the upmost character after all.

3. I would place Honestly, Red Riding Hood was Rotten: The Story of Little Red Riding Hood as Told by the Wolf between a two and three on Hearne’s countdown. There is an author’s note at the end of this fractured fairytale that prompts readers to consider the differences between the Wolf’s tale and the original fairytale. In the note, Shaskan encourages readers to create their own versions of classic fairytales. The author also provides helpful information and glossary terms for character, narrator, point of view, and version. While I think this author’s note is a great addition to the end of this book, providing food for thought for readers, there is no mention of the cultural origins of the fairytale. This is the only reason I have ranked this story between 2 or 3 because Heare’s places much importance on the cultural significance of a story being highlighted.

Three Little Vikings

1. Woollvin, Bethan. (2022). Three little vikings. Peachtree.

2. This book is a modern take on the classic fairy tale "The Three Billy Goats Gruff". In Woollvin's retelling, she replaces the goats with three young Viking girls who use their intelligence and teamwork to defeat a troll that their chief tries to tell them doesn't exist.

3. When evaluating this book, even though I loved reading it and I think it's a neat feminist retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, it's probably a 2 on Hearne's countdown. The background lets you know that it's Viking/Nordic inspired but there is no note about that culture or the origin of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. I even looked at the author's description to see if she had studied or lived in a country where Nordic culture is prevalent, but couldn't find any evidence of that. The background of the Viking village and the girls existence in it is very telling of what the culture values, there’s just no explicit note anywhere in the book honoring the original tale or Nordic culture.

Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti
Citation
McDermott, G. (1972). Anansi the spider: A tale from the Ashanti. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Annotation
This West African folktale follows clever Anansi the spider, whose six sons each use their unique gifts to rescue him from danger. The story explains how Anansi’s likeness came to be placed in the sky as a constellation.

Evaluation - Betsy Hearne
According to Betsy Hearne’s source note countdown, Anansi the Spider would fall around Level 3-4. McDermott credits the story as coming from the Ashanti people of Ghana, but doesn’t cite a specific storyteller or oral source. While the book captures the spirit of a traditional trickster tale through its bold art and simple language, the lack of a detailed source note winds up leaving readers without context for the story’s cultural meaning or transmission.

Read this week:
Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert D. San Souci
Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story by Tomie dePaola
The Rainbow Serpent by Dick Roughsey
Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti by Gerald McDermott
Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young
The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton

1.Muth J. (2005) Zen shorts. Scholastic Press

2. The story of how three children became friends with a panda named Stillwater. Using short Japanese Buddhist meditation stories, Stillwater helps the children reflect and think about current situations.


3. Evaluate your picture book based on Betsy Hearne’s article “Cite the Source: Reducing Cultural Chaos in Picture Books”.

According to Hearne’s source note countdown, I would rank Zen Shorts at a 3.5. There are no notable sources in the story itself, however the information listed in the author's note provides specific information on the inspiration and source material for the book. Muth begins by informing the reader of the meaning of “Zen” and stating its origin meaning from Japanese Buddhist culture. Muth then goes on to explain where he originated the panda’s name Stillwater as who he pulled inspiration for that character, as well as the Uncle Ry character, from. Muth also notes where the 3 stories told in the stories originated as well as noting the variation across the versions of the stories noting that he selected the story versions he felt would resonate with younger readers more. Seeing as how source material is mentioned and properly states- is is hidden back in the authors note therefore earning the 3.5 ranking.

1. Aardema, V. (1975). Why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears (L. Dillon & D. Dillon, Illus.). Puffin Books.

2. King Lion calls the counsel to find out the meaning of the long nights they discover that Mosquito is the cause of all the trouble with his outlandish tales and the consequences of how lying can impact others.

3. I would rank Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears in either #4 or #5 on Hearne's "Cite the Source" countdown. Within the book, there is not a description or indication of where this story originated, which is why I believe it falls into the level 5 category; however, based on the artwork, cover, and online description this story is set in Africa (maybe West Africa). The author dedicated this book to Marcia VanDuinen stating that they heard this story first but there is not more information as to where or by who this person first heard the story.


Other books read this week:
Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert D. San Souci
The Korean Cinderella by Shirley Climo
The Princess and the Pea by Sue Arengo
Cinderella and the Glass Flipper by Janet Perlman
The Ugly Duckling by Jerry Pinkney

The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit

Lester, J. (1987). The tales of uncle remus: The adventures of brer rabbit. Birch Tree.

This collection of stories originally told by enslaved African people in the South follows the funny adventures of Brer Rabbit.

1. McDermott, G. (1972). Anansi the spider: A tale from the Ashanti. Henry Holt and Company.
2. This Ashanti folktale from West Africa tells how a clever spider, Anansi, is saved by his six sons, each possessing a unique skill. The story celebrates wit, cooperation, and the origins of the moon’s light as a reward for family unity.
3. Based on Betsy Hearne’s “Cite the Source: Reducing Cultural Chaos in Picture Books,” Anansi the Spider would fall around level 2 on Hearne’s source note countdown. The book acknowledges its Ashanti origins and includes an author’s note referencing the oral storytelling tradition of Ghana, showing cultural respect and partial citation. However, McDermott does not provide specific informants, textual sources, or direct translations from oral tellers, leaving the adaptation open-ended. Despite this, his art style and respectful tone preserve cultural authenticity and highlight the importance of honoring folklore roots rather than claiming them as original creations.

1. Arni, S. (2011). Sita's Ramayana. (M. Chitrakar, Illus.). Groundwood Books.

2. Sita is kidnapped by the demon king, rescued by her husband Rama, forced to prove her purity after having been held captive, and last but not least, exiled while pregnant and forced to raise her children alone in the woods. This is a retelling of the classic tale, but it is from Sita's perspective instead of Rama's.

3. I think this book did a good job of retelling this story through the appropriate cultural lens. The author and illustrator are both Indian, and the artist specializes in traditional Patua folk artwork. Because of this, I'd say that Sita's Ramayana falls at a level four according to Hearne's standards. Samhita Arni, the author, and Moyna Chitrakar, the illustrator, do a great job of combining the original story with traditional folk illustrations to help reclaim the narrative for Indian culture. It is very clear about the original culture of the story, and the author finds Chitrakar to illustrate the book to make it even more true to its original culture. It is also quite clear that this is a retelling and not the original story itself. For these reasons, I think it's a level four.

Other books I read that I couldn't add to the bookshelf because someone beat me to it:
- Little Stone Buddha by K. T. Hao
- My Grandfather's Overcoat by Jim Ayelsworth
- The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

1. Elya, S. M. (2017). The three billy goats buenos (M. Ordóñez, Illus.). G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers.

2. This lively retelling of the classic The Three Billy Goats Gruff , blends English and Spanish in playful rhyme. Three billy goats must outsmart a hungry troll to reach the delicious grass on the other side of a bridge, leading to an unexpected and unlikely friendship that adds warmth and humor to the story.

3. According to Betsy Hearne’s source note countdown, The Three Billy Goats Buenos falls near the middle range. While Elya acknowledges the traditional Norwegian folktale as inspiration, the book does not include a detailed source note or cultural background. However, her bilingual adaptation clearly builds from a well-known Western folktale, adding cultural depth through Spanish language and modernized rhymes rather than altering the core plot. The twist of an unlikely friendship between the goats and the troll gives this version a fresh, compassionate tone that distinguishes it from the original. Though it could benefit from a stronger author’s note, the adaptation remains respectful, creative, and an engaging way to introduce multicultural storytelling in early childhood settings.

Duncan Tonatiuh


The Princess and the Warrior by Duncan Tonatiuh

Citation: Tonatiuh, D. (2016). The princess and the warrior: a tale of two volcanoes. Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Annotation: The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes is a retelling of an ancient Aztec legend about Princess Izta and the warrior Popoca, whose love and tragedy begin the story of two volcanoes in Mexico. Through artwork inspired by Mixtec codices and the integration of Nahuatl words, Tonatiuh weaves cultural authenticity with visual storytelling to bring this story to life.

Based on Hearne’s article: I would give this book a level one model source note. It clearly identifies the story’s Aztec roots while providing cultural and linguistic context through illustration and text. At the end of the book there includes an author’s note explaining his research and adaptation process. While he doesn’t cite a specific original text, his transparency and acknowledgment of multiple traditional tellings align with Hearne’s call for cultural respect and clarity in folklore retellings. This book is a good example of honoring the cultural oral storytelling from before us. Hearne’s framework provides an essential tool for evaluating the cultural responsibility of works like this one. By acknowledging the levels of documentation, educators and librarians can guide readers toward stories that honor their cultural sources respectfully. This article helps build a foundation in discussions of multicultural representation and ethics in children’s literature and is a very good source to use.

My list of books I read:
Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story by Robert D San Souci Illustrated by David San Souci
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe
Twinderella, A Fractured Fairy Tale by Corey Rosen Schwartz
Young Zeus by Brian G. Karas (myth)
Love and Roast Chicken: A Trickster Tale from the Andes Mountain by Barbara Knutson
(folktale)
The Princess and the Warrior by Duncan Tonatiuh (epic)

Goldilocks and the Three Bears
1. Marshall,J. (1988). Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Dial.

2. Goldilocks is a girl who always did exactly as she pleased. Despite multiple warnings, she enters the home of the three bears only to eventually get scared off.

3. The book does not really mention the country of origin. Of course, this version of the story originates from the same country. Goldilocks is a British story from the nineteenth century and this version comes from the same place. At a glance, this is fairly close to the original version of the story. The only difference is special emphasis is placed on Goldilocks exhibiting bad behavior by entering the bears' home without permission and breaking Baby Bear's things. It otherwise follows the original story fairly closely so I would give this about a 4 on Hearne's standards. It does not get into exactly how this version differs from the original but it is a fun, charming take on the material regardless.

Other books I read that were already added:
Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
Chicken Little by Rebecca Emberly
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka