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The modern fairy-tale retelling that I connected the most with is the remake of "Rapunzel". I connected most to this retelling because I liked how Rapunzel saved herself at the end and displayed a strong sense of self-agency. I also liked how she would leave the tower and return home, without the witch catching her. It's like she got to experience independence and freedom without fearing the risk of being put under a curse, her self-assurance was refreshing to see especially as a female protagonist in a children's story.

Quotes:

1) "But was Rapunzel frightened? Oh no, not she! If the witch could use her hair to get in, Rapunzel could use it to get out. So one day, she did."

2) "Rapunzel climbed out of the tower for the last time, and she never worried about a witch's curse again. But were the witches frightened? Oh yes, indeed!"

Questions:

1) Do you wish you had grown up with children's stories and movies that displayed female protagonists saving themselves like in this version of Rapunzel? If so, why (or why not)?

2) How do you think this version of Rapunzel highlights the bigger theme of standing up to abusive adults and taking back your sense of identity?

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The modern retelling that I connected with the most was "Reading Beauty". I connected with this story because I too have an affinity for reading and books. I enjoyed the way that Lex fought against the curse by looking for books that she could read to find solutions for herself. She fought for her own freedom basically and continued on caring for others while dealing with her own problem. Which allowed her to help the witch, and save her, with the knowledge of reading that Lex had. The story showed a lot about strength that you could have at a young age when it is for something that really matters to you.

Quotes: 1) "Without it's books, their world grew bleak, consumed by dark and gloom. Lex watched the shadows spreading from the windows in her room."

2) "Wait! Can it be... that you can't read? Don't worry! I will teach you."

Questions: Was the witch actually jealous about how well read the princess was?

Was the princess cursed because the witch simply couldn't read?

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Reading Beauty really spoke to me because the art work is so pretty and I love reading, especially as a child.

"Without it's books, their world grew bleak, consumed by dark and gloom." I think this is true for present times too, books are so important for everyone to grow. With many book bans, children miss out on some great books that are beneficial to a childs development.

This page stuck out to me because although the fairy was trying to harm Lex. She still was kind and wanted to teach the fairy how to read.

Can this book be harmful in a way by promoting instant forgiveness without thinking or talking about it first?

I wonder if children reading this book notice it is based on Sleeping Beauty?

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I picked repunzel because I liked how in this story repunzel got herself out of the tower. I connect to this because I’ve also had to get myself out of multiple situations where I was by myself. Something I found interesting was how repunzel had animal friends who would help her get back into the tower. As well as how she cut off her own hair after the witch told her she would curse her hair if she left the tower. A question I had is how did repunzel feel after she cut off her hair while the witch was climbing down the tower? Did repunzel ever feel scared in the forest by herself with no other people near her?

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Samantha Verdugo: It's Not Little Red Riding Hood

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Samantha Verdugo: It's Not Little Red Riding Hood

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I noticed that there was a lot of diversity in this story, from the sister being in a wheelchair to the color of the characters' skin. You can definitely tell that this children's story was written recently, as stories back in the day might not have had such diversity.

Throughout the story, the narrator tries to tell the fairy tale how it was originally written, including "guiding" the character to do their "original roles." Little Red, however, tries to challenge it by asking questions like, "So just a recap, you want me to wander off into the woods when you know I don't know my way around?"

Questions:

Why is this story written in this overstimulating manner, from the images to the characters to the actual writing itself?

Why is it that many stories that are rewritten today are made with a happy ending, taking away the grotesqueness and horror from the original?

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The modern retelling I chose was “Its NOT Little Red Riding Hood.” I connected with this because of all the hidden gems it had like the Magic Mirror, Cinderellas glass slipper, the tortoise and the hare, Humpty Dumpty, Captain Hook, and Three Little Pigs reference. I found it interesting how they were all included in the text as a character taking the place of the characters that aren’t there. I noticed that the main protagonist Red was talking to us like if she was breaking the fourth wall. This story is very interactive with the audience and is like shooting a movie. I also enjoyed the fact red isn’t just some little girl who obliviously goes into the woods, she is well aware that she is a young girl going alone with dangerous that are out in the woods.

QUOTES:

1. "So just a recap you’re sending a CHILD, carrying a GIANT basket, into the WOODS, all ALONE?”

2. "So just to recap, you want me to wander off into the woods when you know I don't know my way around? Sweet Jelly as long as we’re in the same page."

Question:

1. Does Reds sister being blue have any type of representation as she’s the opposite color of red and isn’t the one traveling into the woods? What would be her name.

2. Does this story tell kids to not follow what they are being told to do? What is the lesson you think it’s trying it is trying to convey?

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I connected with The Three Billy Goats Gruff because it reminded me of how people sometimes have to stand up for themselves, even when they’re scared. The story is simple, and it carries a strong message about courage and fairness. I also liked how the goats worked together in their own way. It made me think about how we all handle challenges differently, depending on our strengths.

2 Details:

- The way the smallest goat bravely crosses the bridge first really stood out to me. Even though he was scared, he still takes that first step.

-The moment when the biggest billy goat finally faces the troll and knocks him off the bridge was powerful. This felt like a release of all the tension and fear the other two goats had built up.

2 Questions:

- How might this story reflect the idea of fairness or justice in today’s world? More specifically when it comes to standing up to people who abuse their power?

- What could the troll represent in a more modern context, and how might the goats’ actions show different ways of dealing with conflict or fear?

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Sleeping Beauty;      Jennyfer Martinez 

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Sleeping Beauty;      Jennyfer Martinez 

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I really enjoyed the diversity shown in the book, especially since the main character and their family were portrayed to be avid readers who were drawn as people of color. I also felt connected to this story as it was similar to the traditional “Sleeping beauty” and had elements of “Beauty and the Beast” while still incorporating a space theme. Which I thought was pretty cool and interesting.

When the parents are speaking to their daughter and explain  why the curse was placed on her, they later also mention their reasoning as to why they took the books away  ,”That’s why we hid the books away,her mother said dejected, “for any book could cut you, and you need to be protected”. It’s makes me think of  the image of the sacred child as the parents are undervaluing their daughter, and not fulling understanding her capabilities someone as someone who can help find a solution.

Another detail that really stuck with me is the mention of being awaken by a true loves kiss. The mention of a true loves kiss breaking a curse isn’t new as it is frequently mentioned in many books and movies, but the kiss is always shown to come from a romantic partner. I really enjoyed seeing the imagery of her dog being the one to lick the witch and him being the one to break the curse with his love.

Was the witch an outcast in their planet and was that maybe another reason she was quick to cast ill judgement onto why she was not invited to the party?

What do the children reading this book think about the way the character resolve the problem do they agree morally or do they think the witch should’ve been punished as she did do something that was bad?

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The fairy tale that I chose was Rapunzel. This connected to me because as I child I would always see princesses being saved by a prince or a man and then they live a happily ever after. But, there were two princesses that I loved which are Elsa from the movie Frozen and Merida from the movie Brave, those two princesses are very strong and independent in their movies. While listening to Rapunzel by Bethan Woollvin, I expected the original movie Rapunzel, but it wasn't. In this storybook Rapunzel is very clever and independent girl and going outside and exploring as a way of freedom. And she actually sneaked out of the tower on her own without any help and I like seeing movies/ stories of girls/women doing things on their own to escape from their problems.

Quotes:

1. " But was Rapunzel frightened? Oh no, not she! If the witch could use her hair to get in, Rapunzel could use it to get out. So one day, she did" (Rapunzel). This shows that Rapunzel was not scared of the witch, she was very brave plotting her escape to get out of the tower. And very smart on using her hair to get herself out. While in the storybook Rapunzel is brave, the Rapunzel that I knew in the movie was scared about the other mother being heart broken in the beginning of the movie where she wanted to see the stars but didn't because her other mother would say the outside place is dangerous. There's a big difference within the storybook and the movie.

2. "But were the witches frightened? Oh yes, indeed!" (Rapunzel). While hearing this line, I found this part very amusing only because you can see Rapunzel on a horse that she met in the forest, hunting the other witches which were in the wanted posters, running away. Rapunzel looked very brave and determined during this part to me because she had smiled and looked happy in a way of hunting the witches.

Questions:

1. How come there wasn't a movie based off this storybook? Like Rapunzel escape by herself and defeating the witch on her own?

2. Throughout this storybook, why didn't Rapunzel just leave without going to back to the tower with the witch? Like with the horse that she met in the forest, going back to a different place?

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1. A detail that struck me was how Rapunzel was saddened to think about her return to the castle. She had been brave and escaped, yet she understood that she was ordered to return. However, it also appears that Rapunzel understands that “it is a shame about that witch.”(Woolvin). This specific detail is foreshadowing for what is to come.

2. The picture attatched stood out to me because it displays a devious Rapunzel. Which, is vastly different from the version of her that we were initially presented with. She went from being obedient to adventurous then mischievous. Rapunzel has a plan to get rid of he witch, but is carrying through it all, sneakily.

Questions:

1. Do you think Rapunzel was brave for escaping? Or, do you think she was being defiant to the witch?

2. If you were in Rapunzel’s position, what would you do?

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The modern fairy tale I gravitated towards was "Reading Beauty". Sleeping Beauty was never one of my favorite stories growing up, but the title change peaked my interest. After listening to the audiobook, I found more value in this rendition. I find value in incorporating the subject of books and reading, especially towards children! I loved that instead of Lex being saved by a prince, she utilized her self-agency to take matters into her own hands. And even after confronting the fairy, she used her knowledge to teach her how to read. This allows children to feel encouraged to read and emphasizes the value in helping others in need.

Quotes:

1. ""A wall of thorns around her home! Nice try, but she can't hide." A garden book helped Lex Cook up a homemade herbicide.""

2. "Lex started off with How to Fly and then How to Find a Fairy, and stories gave her courage when the trip got rough and scary."

Questions:

1. I liked that the story ended with Lex and the fairy becoming friends, but is there a particular reason why the story didn't end with Lex just getting justice? Is this due to the social norms of our present?

2. Is the main message of this story promoting reading or kindness?

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The story connected with is “Reading Beauty”. I connected with the story because Lex did not let fear define her. She could have followed her parent’s advise about not picking up another book in her life in order to maintain safe, however she did not want to live in fear and instead she decided to stand up for herself and confronting

Quotes:

“That’s why we hid the books away”, her mother said, dejected, “for any book could cut you, and you need to be protected”

“Wait! Can it be… that you can’t read? Don’t worry! I will teach you!

Questions:

Why her parents thought it was more important to protect her instead of being courageous and confronting the fairy to remove the curse?

Do you think Lex’s actions of confronting the fairy on her own was the right thing to do?

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It's NOT Little Red Riding Hood - Mariza Rios

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It's NOT Little Red Riding Hood - Mariza Rios

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The modern fairytale that I connected with was It's NOT Little Red Riding Hood. What connected it to me was the fact that the decisions were being made by the narrator of the story and Little Red was going with it. Two details that stuck out to me were 1. how the story ending was more of a happily ever after and not something tragic and 2. the fact that there were different characters from other fairytales in it, such as Captain Hook "filling in" for the Big Bad Wolf.

Questions:

1. Is the title "It's NOT Little Red Riding Hood" because Little Red wore a blue hood instead and it's showing that things don't define who you are?

2. Did the narrator want the story to end badly? Was it to have more "drama" occur to make the story more interesting?

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Not Little Red Riding Hood. I really liked this story and was drawn to it because of how it breaks the 4th wall a bit and also is just so chaotic. I like how it challenges traditional storytelling and the way it's the characters themselves changing the story. To ME it reminds of like when children ask "why?" to everything and sort of come up with their own reasons or realities. One specific detail that stuck out to me was when miss Little Red was like "So just a recap you want me to wander off into the woods when you know I don't know my way around?" It cracks me up because it's being self-aware and it's the child being the one to have reasonable question to directions. Another part that I liked is when Little Red also says " just to recap you wanted to tell a story about a girl who takes a walk in the woods and gets eaten by a wolf?" I think it was just a simple clean-cut way to bring light to how dark the original story is. Questions: What would be one story you would rewrite to be as opposite as possible? Do you think children would learn more from these comedy ridiculous stories or the traditional kind?

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The idea of modernizing Sleeping Beauty with a new take about a young independent girl wanting to spread her love of reading really stuck out to me. It is interesting to see wat things from the original story they decided to change to fit this new one.

One moment that stuck out to me was the reason for why the fairy was so angry in the first place. They didn't know how to read. While seeming like a simple fix, its an issue that I feel like many children end up facing at one point or another. This lets kids relate to the fairy in some way.

Another moment that stuck out to me was the way the main Character tricked the Fairy near the end. She pretended to be asleep and solved the problem on her own. This is a big difference to pretty much every other take on Sleeping Beauty where the princess ends up being a damsel in distress that needs to be saved.

What ways have we tried to make villains in children's stories more understandable and relatable?

How have we worked so show more diverse characters in children's media without falling into stereotypes and cliches?

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Reading Beauty

What connected me to this text was the fact that I could relate to the witch because I sometimes do act out upon anger. When all someone needs to do is just take the time to ask why I’m acting the way I am, which is exactly what happened with the witch. If someone had just took the time to ask, her why she was acting out then they would’ve quickly found out that it was because she didn’t know how to read.

“ wait! Can it be… That you can’t read? Don’t worry! I will teach you!” - she found out the reason the witch was mad and even offered to help her fix it.

On the same page, something that caught my eye was why the witch was very unhuman compared to everyone else throughout the book?

Why has the setting been placed in a very futuristic time where they have robots at servants but yet they’re still such a thing as a king queen, and princess, which is very old-fashioned.

They have made the princess and her family black as well as mostly everyone else in the story, they have also gave them modernized clothing and isn’t wearing a princess dress and such, what is the purpose of this and does it pertain to any social values?