Blog #27 The Six Fools

Blog #27

The Six Fools
Adapted by Joyce Carol Thomas
Illustrated by Ann Tanksley
Harper Collins
2006
30 pages

Multicultural: African American Folklore

                In this story, the author used stories that she collected from the Deep South to put together this tale. It is a story of a man who falls in love with a woman. While she goes to fetch in something to drink, she gets sidetracked. Her mother goes to check on her to see what is taking her so long and gets sidetracked daydreaming with her daughter. Finally the father comes down to check on the women, but he ends up getting sidetracked as well. The young man comes down to see what has distracted the family, and he proclaims that he’s never seen anyone as foolish as they. He then says that he will travel for a year to search for three bigger fools than them to prove his point. You’ll just have to read the book to find out if he does!

                The illustrations look to be rendered with acrylic. They have a folk art feel and display bright, bold colors. There is no negative space in the book due to double-paged spreads throughout. Even the words are overlaid on bright blocks of color.  The folk art style of the illustrations perfectly reflects the folk tale origins of the story. 

                I think that this book is most appropriate for lower to middle elementary students due to its simplicity in vocabulary and storyline. For younger grades it would have to be read aloud. A way to use this in the classroom for older students would be to have them research oral folktales and present an oral folktale from their heritage.

 To learn more about Joyce Carol Thomas, click on her name to go to her website.