Winter is Here and That Means Parcc Preparation!

Winter is Here and That Means Parcc Preparation!
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The Magical World of Fantasy in Children's Literature...

The FANTASY genre of children's literature is one of the most beloved types of children's literature.  It takes us away from reality and allows us to live through these MAGICAL characters.  Many of these fantasy pieces center around a certain THEME and allow the reader to experience the ADVENTURES of overcoming obstacles and finding a solution that usually allows for good to triumph over evil.

The THEME that connects these three pieces of literature is one that never grows old...
 

Personal effort and strong moral character can overcome fear and selfishness, allowing good to triumph over evil.

 

Dahl, R., & Schindelman, J. (1964). Charlie and the chocolate factory. New York: A.A. Knopf.

In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie’s inner strength of character allows him to last longer than the other children who are greedy and selfish and eventually he comes to win the entire chocolate factory. Charlie's poor background and seemingly hopeless life changes when he finds the golden ticket and in the end his good moral foundation opens the door to realizing his dreams and changing hopelessness to hope and then to success.

Book Trailer: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Dahl, R., & Burkert, N. (1961). James and the giant peach: A children's story. New York: A.A. Knopf.

In James and the Giant Peach, James escapes his abusive caregivers who are selfish and mean-spirited.  His lonely existence comes to an end when he escapes on a magical giant peach that lifts up into the sky on an adventure of sorts. While on board the peach, he finds good friends and together they fight evil forces.  When the peach returns to land, James is greeted by friendly faces and his evil caregivers are seen for the evil beings they truly are.  James finds happiness after all.

Book Trailer: James and the Giant Peach

Baum, L., & Denslow, W. (1956). The Wizard of Oz. Chicago: Reilly & Lee.

In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy escapes from something she doesn't want to face, landing in a magical place of Oz where there is an ongoing battle of good versus evil.  She longs to get back home and the characters she meets along the way struggle with finding something inside themselves they feared they didn't have but along the journey, found they had it all along.  One of the concepts of fantasy literature is to create characters that are impossible to believe yet at the same time, completely believable.  The Scarecrow is looking for brains, the Tinman is looking for a heart, and the Lion is looking for courage yet all through the adventure these beloved characters display intelligence, caring nature, and courage but their fears and self-doubts keep them from believing they can be who they want to be. In the end all of the characters accomplish their goals. Dorothy is able to return home after realizing that she had the power to do so all along, much the same as with her three companions. 

Movie Scene: The Wizard of Oz -Nothing but a coward

Join me on a magical journey through the world of fantasy and adventure that never gets old...