Reading Response: Traditional Literature

 Tales Our Abuelita Told: A Hispanic Folktale Collection 

Campoy, F. Isabel and Ada, Alma Flor. Tales Our Abuelitas Told: A Hispanic Folktale Collection. Illustrated by Felipe Davalos, Vivi Escriva, Susan Guevara, and Leyla Torres. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006. 118 pages. Tr. $19.99, ISBN 978-0-689-82583-5.

Tales Our Abuelita Told: A Hispanic Folktale Collection retells twelve different stories based on Hispanic folktales. Written in third person, Campoy and Ada do a good job in using simple text to tell various stories. Behind each story, the authors provided an "about" section to give the readers an origin of the folktale that the story is about. Through the power of text and images we are able to ascertain what values are relevant and how geography played apart to some cultural influences. This collection strives to celebrate and conserve Hispanic culture. 

The "about" section text gives the reader a background to the history behind the folktale. The image above gives the reader the ability to clearly see Arabic influence in Hispanic culture. The application of multiple shapes and colors draws the viewer into a rich use of lighted color pallets. The reader can see that the utilization of the above image gives us a visual of the characters' body language and is reflective of the culture of the tale's origin. Based on the image we can see happiness and comfort. With the use of some Spanish language text and full length illustrations, this book creates an opportunity to interconnect us with the characters and their history.

Verdict: I suggest this book for 3rd graders and above. The use of simple language and full page images tells interesting and valuable stories that give a look into Hispanic culture. The mini history lesson at the end of each story allows for a way to cite sources and history references that add to the validity of this book. 

Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection

Dembicki, Matt. Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection. Chicago Review Press, 2021. 248 pages. Tr. $29.95, ISBN 978-1-68275-273-9.

In this graphic novel text, 24 Native storytellers from different nations were paired with 24 comic book artists to retell folktales that involve the "trickster". In this retell, Native American tradition says that the trickster takes on many forms in order to cause mischief and steal from others. The decision to retell these stories through comic strip style gives this story collection a unique element. The use of Native storytellers allows this collection to create an opportunity for cultural accuracy. In the somewhat graphic images we are able to see various styles and imagery that generate a special perspective of each story through the lens of multiple artists. 

If you look at both images above, it is clear that these are very different illustration styles. The top image uses watercolor and a hazy texture to give attention to the details of the characters. While the bottom image uses an almost cartoon/superhero quality that puts an emphasis on clear and precise lines and shapes. It is relevant to note that the editor does include a note in the text that states that there was nothing changed without permission from the Native storytellers. This is evidence to display the illustrator's scholarship and attention to authenticity. The source note comes in the form of information of all the contributors is in the end of the book which adds to its cultural authenticity. 

Verdict: While I did enjoy the use of multiple illustration styles, I think this collection would have benefited by providing the reader with more information on each Native storytellers' nation or tribe along with each story instead of lumping them all at the end of the book.  This retell is appropriate for grades 3rd - ninth. 

References 

Dembicki, M. (2016). Trickster. Fulcrum Publishing. ‌

F. Isabel Campoy, & Alma Flor Ada. (2006). Tales Our Abuelitas Told. Atheneum. ‌