Illustrator: John Parra
Target Ages: 5 and up
Genre: Semi-Biographical Folk Tale
Publisher Summary:
In New Orleans,
there lived a man who saw the streets
as his calling,
and he swept them clean.
He danced up one avenue and down another
and everyone danced along—
The old ladies whistled and whirled.
The old men hooted and hollered.
The barbers, bead twirlers, and beignet
bakers bounded behind that one-man parade.
But then came the rising Mississippi—
and a storm bigger than anyone had
seen before.
This is the inspiring story of a humble man, and the heroic
difference he made in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
First Lines:
In the Quarter,
there worked a man
known in New Orleans as Marvelous Cornelius.
“Mornin’.” He saluted the silver haired man with the
Times-Picayune tucked under his arm.
“Greetings.” He waved to the couple
with the baby on the balcony.
“Ma’am.” He nodded to the woman
shaking rugs out at her front window.
Memorable Lines:
Cornelius rose.
He dried his eyes.
For his spirit and will were waterproof.
Inspirational Quote:
“Even if it’s called your lot to be a street sweeper, go out
and sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Handel
and Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of
heaven and earth will have to pause and say, “Here lived a great street sweeper
who swept his job well.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
Evaluation:
There are several things about this semi-biographical
picture book that stand out. I love that
the main character is a garbage man, which is a job rarely acknowledged, much
less celebrated. Instead, it is often
derided for its unsavoriness. I
appreciate the author acknowledging such an underappreciated, yet vital occupation.
He incorporates sound words, like “bang” and “whizzing,” and
rhythmic lines, like “behind his back/between his legs/into the truck.” Repetitive
phrases are used like “washed away” and “bag after bag” to build momentum. Alliteration and rhyme add to the lyrical
rhythm as well with lines, such as “tango-ing up Toulouse, Samba-ing down St.
Peter. Rumba-ing up Royal.” Together, these elements create an exciting
read-a-loud experience.
John Parra textured paintings are full of rich colors and
animated action. Young readers gain a
glimpse of the architecture and character of the city.
Even though the subject was a real person, the author takes
artistic liberties with his story.
Cornelius did have calls for his driver, but in the story they have more
rhythm and flair: “Woo! Woo! Woooooo!” “Hootie Hoo! Hootie Hooooo!” “Rat-a-tat-TaT!” Also, Cornelius was a showman, but Bildner
uses hyperbole to accent this trait. For
instance, he “front flipped to the curb and flung the bags over his head” Eventually, they land in “a perfect pyramid
inside the hopper’s mental mouth.” To emphasize the vibrant life of the New
Orleans community, the people are dancing, playing instruments, and hollering
right along with Cornelius.
Hyperbole and figurative elements are also used to describe
the storm that creates “a gumbo of mush and mud.” The trash and ruins are depicted as being
“high as the steeple stop St. Louis Cathedral,” and he laments it will take
“millions” of people to clean up. Each
reference drives home the destruction of the storm.
This memorable modern folk tale celebrates an ordinary man
doing his part to make his community an extraordinary better place. It is a beautiful illustration of Martin
Luther King Jr.’s inspiring words to do your job—no matter who lowly by
society’s standards—with the gusto of a great artist.
I highly recommend Marvelous
Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the
Spirit of New Orleans.
Activities and
Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:
- Literature: Read examples of traditional folk
tales. Identify the characteristics of
these tales. What elements of Cornelius’
story line up with these characteristics?
- Writing: Use this book as a mentor text for creating a
folk tale. Students can identify someone
who does an important, but undervalued job in the community. Using hyperbole, alliteration, and
repetition, embellish and elevate the person’s contribution.
- Sounds: For younger children, help them practice identifying
the words with the same beginning sounds. Brainstorm additional words with the
same sound. For older children, teach
about alliteration. Allow them to
practice writing their own alliterative lines.
- History: Gather some newspaper articles about
Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath.
Discuss the impact of the natural disaster on the community.
- Science: Read about hurricanes. Identify the difference between a hurricane
and a tornado.
- Comparison: Look up some of the sources on the real
Cornelius. Compare what the articles
reveal about his character to the story elements. Which are real? Which are fictionalized?
- Social Studies: Discuss the important role that trash
collectors have on the community.
Brainstorm what would happen if all of them went on strike, and there
was no one to remove trash from our neighborhoods and businesses.
- Community Service: Identify ways to give back to the
community. As a group, pick up trash
around the school grounds, neighborhood, or other public area. Show your trash collectors some appreciation
by bringing out a small gift when they come around like a cold drink or gift
card to a coffee shop.
- Figurative Language: Identify examples of hyperbole. Create
hyperbolic statements together or independently. For older children discuss the purpose and
role of hyperbole in literature.
Historical
Connections:
Hurricane Katrina
Visit HERE for more Perfect Picture Book Recommendations.
