Book Review: Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and other Wily Characters by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Andre Carrilho

McKissack, Patricia C. 2006. PORCH LIES: TALES OF SLICKSTERS, TRICKSTERS, AND OTHER WILY CHARACTERS. Illustrated by Andre Carrilho. New York, NY: Schwartz and Wade Books. ISBN 0-375-93619-X.

Plot Summary: This anthology of African American porch lies, a variant of the trickster genre, presents ten stories that are entertaining and engaging while also teaching a lesson or moral. “The Devil’s Guitar” is based on the Robert Johnson legend where Johnson sells his soul to the devil in order to gain fame and fortune as a guitar player. In this version, a young man impersonates Johnson and is quite surprised when the Devil shows up for his soul. He must then convince the Devil that he is not Johnson and in doing so, realizes that, like Baum’s Dorothy, he need not travel far from home to find his heart’s desire.

“By the Weight of a Feather” involves a n’er-do-well groom with cold feet who, after spending the night before his wedding among spirits (reminiscent of Dickens), discovers that his soul has been saved by one good deed (one feather), turns his life around, and lives ‘happily ever after’ with his bride. Other stories in the anthology include “Change,” about the creative use of a hundred dollar bill, “Aunt Gran and the Outlaws,” which involves a hunt for gold and the infamous James Brothers, and “Cake Norris Lives On,” (Parts One and Two), a story where floors and an elevator take the place of Dante’s levels of hell.

This anthology is not only a delight to read but also thought provoking and offers a fascinating glimpse into the African American oral tradition. Each story contains a lesson or a moral presented in an entertaining and engaging format and is accompanied by a brief description of the tale’s origin and the individual storyteller. After reading this book, one is left wishing for a summer evening after the dishes are done, a whitewashed porch, a glass of fresh lemonade, and a good story.

Critical Analysis: Falling under the category of literary tales, McKissack has presented new tales using the motifs and style of the traditional folk story. Though based on the African oral tradition, these stories are the original creation of McKissack based on her memories of her childhood spent on her grandparents’ porch. The stories’ structure follows the rhythm and wisdom of the African American storytellers of the American South. The characters are archetypes of good and evil representing the best and worst of humanity and are somewhat stereotypical and symbolic. The plots are simple and follow a linear storyline with a satisfying if somewhat predictable conclusion. Each story leaves the reader with a moral lesson or at the very least the inspiration to become a better person.

Settings vary from story to story depending on the plot and include a haunted house, heaven and hell, and the home of a rich spinster. The settings are integral to establish the plot but do not dominate the story. The messages imparted in these tales reflect the desire of people to make sense of the world around them and to understand universal truths. The style of McKissack’s writing draws on the African American oral tradition and it is this rhythm that makes these stories ideal to be read out loud. Being porch lies, the main motif is trickery, with each protagonist ultimately prevailing over a cunning antagonist. African American history is interwoven in the stories, including references to the Civil War, the Ku Klux Klan, and the impact of the Great Depression on the African American community. The author employs elements of African American dialect (idiomatic expressions) such as ‘cause instead of because and s’pose instead of suppose. The pervasive use of nicknames reflects both the African influence as well as the nature of slavery in the antebellum South.

The black and white illustrations by Andre Carrilho are caricatures which exaggerate features yet allow the reader to identify with the characters and settings. The illustrations show strong African American characters, proud of their heritage, and often have a jazz-like quality that fits well with the Depression-era settings. Cultural markers reflect both the African and African American influence on the genre and include the aforementioned idioms and use of nicknames, the significance of family and religion, and a justifiable wariness and deference when dealing with whites (for example Link’s relationship with Mis Crickett).

Reviews:

Winner of the Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Book (2006), ALA Notable Children’s Book (2007)

Random House: “A worthy successor to McKissack’s The Dark Thirty. Side-splittingly funny, spine-chilling spooky…”

School Library Journal: “Great fun to read aloud…(these) stories make for great leisure listening and knowing chuckles.”

Booklist: “Surprising twists and turns that are true to trickster tradition…Great for sharing, on the porch and in the classroom.”

Connections:

Ask the children if they have heard any stories told by their friends or relatives. Have them share these stories with the group. Have the librarian/teacher share a story from their own childhood.

This book has been adapted into a play by Ron Himes and Linda Kennedy. It is performed by the St. Louis Black Rep in and around St. Louis and the Midwest. Research local storytellers and invite one to come to your school or library to make a presentation.

Compare a story from this book with a trickster tale from another culture. Example: Native American trickster tales like How Rabbit Tricked Otter and How Coyote Stole Fire or African trickster tales such as The Cat and the Rat or How Chameleon became a Ride. Use a graphic organizer to examine similarities and differences.

Take one story in the collection and create an illustrated flow chart. This can be done together or as a small group or independent activity. Perhaps the teacher/librarian can model one as a large group activity and then have the children choose another for their flow chart.

Have the children write their own trickster tale once they understand the purpose and structure. Provide them with a worksheet to guide their writing (who is the trickster, is it a person or an animal, what is the trick, who gets tricked, what is the lesson or moral, what is the title). Choose two or three and have the students read their tale to the group or class.

Book Review: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands by Kadir Nelson

Nelson, Kadir. 2005. HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS. Illustrated by the author. New York, NY: Viking Penguin. ISBN 0-8037-2850-6.

Plot Summary:
This picture book is a visual representation of the spiritual. There is more than one version of the song; the version used in this book focuses on the rain, the moon, the stars, the clouds, the oceans, the seas, and ends with you and me and everybody. The illustrations reinforce the lyrics and range from a child’s simple picture to realistic depictions of activities such as fishing and swimming to more dreamlike images of the sunrise and the earth and moon. The emphasis on family unity is juxtaposed with world unity quite seamlessly, and taken as a whole, the book is an uplifting and inspiring vision of an idealized global community.

Critical Analysis:
There is not a typical plot, no dialogue, and no named characters. The settings are significant as they show interaction between parents and children in varied venues. The role of the male in the family is emphasized as the father/father figure is seen with the children at a beach, fishing, working on a crossword puzzle, etc. The author chose to use San Francisco as the representative city. This is significant because of the known diversity and tolerance of that city. The theme of family unity and ultimately world unity is woven throughout the book. The concept that God is watching over the children and their families and that they are “in his hands” is a very comforting idea for a child, especially in this highly mobile society where the nuclear family is no longer the norm for many children.

The illustrations effectively represent the lyrics and are drawn from varied perspectives. One especially beautiful image is of a father and son looking up at the moon in awe. The way the artist oriented the two, with the artist’s perspective looking up at the father and son from a lower point, serves to create an almost three dimensional image; the reader can almost feel the immensity and power of the universe from this one illustration. The cultural markers are distinctive. The illustrator shows his pride for his African American culture by exaggerating the features in some of the pictures and including elements such as hairstyles, skin color, and facial expressions that convey a sense of racial pride to the reader. It is important for children to see positive images of their own culture, race, or ethnicity and it is equally important for children of other races and ethnicities to see this positive portrayal of black culture and family structure. Finally, Nelson’s use of a rainbow on the page which states “He’s got everybody, everywhere in his hands” sends a symbolic yet clear message of tolerance and appreciation for diversity.

Review Excerpts:

School Library Review: “Nelson's vibrant signature illustrations rendered in pencil, oil, and watercolor breathe new meaning and life into this favorite Sunday school spiritual in which families, communities, and forces of nature are celebrated with lively images and inspiring scenes.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “The popular spiritual finds new life as a picture book celebrating diversity and community.”
Kirkus Reviews: “…a springboard to celebrate family togetherness…Moving, reverent, spiritual indeed.”

Connections:

Other books illustrated and/or coauthored by Kadir Nelson: Ellington Was Not a Street (winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration, 2005), Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Henry’s Freedom Box

Any of Mr. Nelson’s books would make a great display for Black History Month.

If money is available, the library can purchase an original piece of art by Kadir Nelson and have it framed and displayed (prices from $250+) The Collection Shop, www.thecollectionshop.com

Involving Families: This book lends itself to this strategy and would be an excellent book to use with a family reading program involving parents, grandparents, siblings, and extended family. “Connecting parents and kids via picture books is a natural activity for promoting…early literacy development” (Vardell, 68).

Geography Skills: This book lends itself to teaching and reinforcing geography skills. The librarian could use a large world map. Using pushpins, the children could identify oceans, rivers, mountains, San Francisco (the city used in the book), continents, etc.

Once the story has been read, the children can sing the song. To make it even more fun, the students could be given (or make) percussion instruments and play along. If a musician (guitar player, keyboard player) were available, it would become an even richer and memorable aural experience.

Follow Up: This book could be paired with a related poem. Here is an example by Frederick St. Pierre:

God's Dawn

The morning is awake, bright and blue,
New light from the heavens shines for you,
Birds, Bees, Clouds and Trees, yes fresh
morning dew,
All nature works to wake for you
Open your eyes and look out far,
Catch last night’s fleeting star,
Behold God's new day upon your eyes,
Save the thought my child,
Start to rise,
Let your happiness reflect your soul,
Live and learn, a young child's goal

2002. Under a Quicksilver Moon. International Library of Poetry. ISBN-0-7951-5065-2.