Fairy Tale Friday: The Twelve Dancing Princesses

It is Fairy Tale Friday. All bloggers are welcome to link up their fairy tale themed posts.  

The Twelve Dancing Princesses has been a beloved fairy tale for centuries.    There are a few things in common in most versions.  First, there is a male protagonist who is a commoner.  He may be a soldier coming back from war, a shepherd, or other laborer.  Generally, this man has shown himself to be worthy by being come combination of these character qualities—hard working, generous, brave, cunning, and patient.   Surely, it gives hope to the masses that they can ascend their current humble stations with the right qualities and some luck.  Luck usually comes in the form of a wise woman who has some magical powers.  She offers clever advice and a magical item (flower or cloak, for instance).  The mystery of the daughters' nightly activities is likely rooted in the universal parental experience of letting go and lacking control over what your children are doing.   It also reflects a fascination with the underworld or otherworld.  This underworld is often cursed but ironically is a source of beauty and riches.   Making a quest into the underworld goes back to ancient times when heroes like Gilgamesh and Odysseus journeyed there.   Fairy tales capture our imagination because of their ability to appeal to the collective hopes, dreams, and fears of humanity. 

The Twelve Dancing Princesses (by Marianna Mayer):

This picture book version is my favorite!  The first thing that drew me to it is the stunning paintings by K.Y. Craft that grace each page.  The text is framed with a nearly full page illustration on one side and a small window picture on the other.  A border beautifully connects everything together.   This version is the more detailed, developing the male protagonist (a former shepherd and eventual castle gardener) well and providing time for the love to grow between him and one of the princesses.  He does not reveal the secret to the king.  Instead, he willing attempts to consume the drink that will attach him to the underworld kingdom forever because he thinks it will please his favored princess. Her act of stopping him (which is an act of true love) breaks the spell.  The only part I don’t like is the addition of the fortunate teller.   Ruth Sanderson’s version is a condensed version of Mayer’s.  It is also beautifully illustrated.   

The Twelve Dancing Princesses (by Jane Ray):

The pictures in this version are also amazing, but the style is very different from Craft’s depiction.   The colors are vivid, and the details are delicate.  This version is based on the Grimm’s fairy tale.  A soldier comes upon the castle hoping to solve the mystery.  Using a cloak provided by a wise woman, the soldier solves the mystery and tells the king.  The free spirited daughters’ admit it is true.  They had been outwitted. The girls are defying their father to have fun after hours.  The narrative ends with the eldest daughter (now queen) decreeing that she and her sisters should go dancing as often and late as they wish.  There is the sense that the girls felt too confined by their father’s rules, so they were rebelling (rather than being cursed).  John Cech version is very similar.  The pictures are nicely done in more muted colors.  Background information on this fairy tale is provided on the final page.    

The Twelve Dancing Princesses (by Rachel Isadora):

This version relates the story in its simplest form, making it ideal for the youngest readers.  The text is straightforward and concise.  The African setting causes it to stand out from the others which have more of a traditional western European appeal.   The characters dress in traditional African garb.  The energetic illustrations are done with paint and collage paper, offering a distinctive look and feel.  

Fairy Tale Friday is a weekly link-up co-hosted by Literary Transgressions and Books4Learning.  Join in by clicking on the linky below.  

Picture Book: Salt in His Shoes (by Deloris and Roslyn Jordan)

Summary of Salt in His Shoes:  

Michael loves to play basketball!   Every Saturday he follows his older brothers to the park in hopes of playing.  There is only one problem:  Mark, the tallest boy on the court.  He taunts and bullies Michael.  One Saturday as Michael tries to make the winning shot, Mark’s long arms knock the ball away, causing the other team to win.  Michael is discouraged.  He talks to his mother about the game loss and his desire to be taller.  She suggests they put salt in his shoes and say a prayer every night, and before he knows it, he’ll be taller.   He agrees to her plan.  That night, his mother prays over him, just as she does all her children.  She asks God, “Please help Michael to be the best he can be and to give his best in all that he does.  And Lord, could you make him just a little bit taller tomorrow than he is today.”

Michael wears his salted shoes everywhere he goes, even church.  He eats healthy meals.  Instead of going to the park on Saturdays, he practices hard at home.  Most of all, he does not forget to pray each night before bed.  After a few months, Michael still hasn't grown.  He misses playing ball at the park with the guys.  His father encourages him, “You are a good player, son.  And you already have everything it takes to be a winner, right in here [taps him on the chest].”  Inspired, Michael dashes off to join the game already in progress.  When he gets on the court, he makes the winning shot!  He is so ecstatic that he runs all the way home!  After that day, his mama stops putting salt in his shoes, “but Michael [does] not stop being patient and working hard and praying.” 

Today, Michael is six-foot-six inches tall.  He is the basketball star—Michael Jordan. 

Evaluation:

Fortunately, because I heard Salt in His Shoes read aloud, I did not see the cover which reveals it is about Michael Jordan. There was a collective “wow” gasp in the room at that revelation on the final page.  This book especially resonates with children and adults because it is a true story of a world-famous athlete.  This narrative highlights character qualities, such as perseverance, faithfulness, patience, and hard work.  Children will be encouraged to see that a superstar like Michael Jordan had to work hard and overcome obstacles.  Salt in His Shoes was written by Michael Jordan’s mother, Deloris Jordan, and his sister, Roslyn M. Jordan.  The text is well-written and appealing.  My favorite part is when his mother prays over him, asking God to help him grow physically and develop personally.  Prayer and hard work are both clearly credit for Michael’s success.  Kadir Nelson’s illustrations capture the era and culture as well as the tone and emotions.  I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.