The following review is in partial fulfillment of the requirements for LS5603.20, Genre 2—traditional literature.
1. Bibliography
Martin, Rafe. 1992. The Rough-Face Girl. Ill. by David Shannon. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0-590-46932-0
2. Plot Summary
Author Rafe Martin calls The Rough-Face Girl an Algonquin Indian Cinderella. In his retelling, there is an Invisible Being who lives in the village, and who is said to be great and rich, powerful and handsome. All of the women of the village want to marry him, but his sister says that only the girl who has seen him will be acceptable as a wife. The Rough-Face Girl’s two proud sisters talk their father into giving them new clothes so that they can go and marry the Invisible Being. When his sister questions them, she realizes that they have not seen him and rejects them. When the Rough-Face Girl (so named because she tended the fire all day and was scorched and burned by it) asks for new clothes as well, her father has nothing left to give except some broken shells and his old moccasins. The Rough-Face Girl accepts them gratefully and goes to the Invisible Being’s wigwam, noticing the beauty of nature as she walks. When she is able to answer questions asked by the sister of the Invisible Being, he himself comes into the wigwam. He tells her to bathe in the river and she does, which causes all of her scars to disappear. She dresses in beautiful clothing and marries the Invisible Being and “they lived together in great gladness and were never parted.”
3. Critical Review
The Rough-Face Girl meets the criteria of traditional literature in that it is an old story with no known author. In the author’s note, Martin says that it was originally part of a longer traditional story of the Algonquin. As is usual in traditional literature, character development is limited. The Rough-Face Girl represents selflessness and honesty, while the sisters demonstrate pride and deceit. In the end, selflessness and honesty are rewarded. The story has a typical folklore beginning (Once, long ago….) and ending (“They lived together in great gladness and were never parted.)
The Rough-Face Girl is a well-written story. Martin makes use of figurative language (“…many stars came glittering out like a fiery veil….”, “…her voice was swift as lightening and strong as thunder.), believable dialogue, and unexpected insight (when the two beautiful sisters say that anyone could tell that they have seen the Invisible Being because they are beautiful, the reader realizes that it is true that beauty is often equated with virtue.)
David Shannon’s illustrations for The Rough-Face Girl are beautiful. They are almost surrealistic in style, very detailed, but dream-like, which emphasizes the long-ago-and-far-away aspect of the story. It is interesting to see how Shannon manages to paint something invisible by using elements of nature. There is a funny aspect to one of the pictures where the Rough-Face Girl is walking through the village on her way to the tipi of the Invisible Being. The villagers are making fun of her because of her ragged appearance, and even the dog appears to be laughing. Shannon’s illustrations definitely add to the appeal of this book.
4. Review Excerpts
Booklist: “Shannon’s dramatic, full-color paintings are striking and often rich in atmosphere….Given the beauty of the story, the strength of many of the illustrations, and the current interest in comparing variants of folktales from different cultures, libraries will find this a well-used picture book.” (Reviewed Apr. 15, 1992)--Carolyn Phelan
Kirkus Reviews: “a strong, distinctive tale with art to match.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “Shannon paints powerful, stylized figures and stirring landscapes, heightening their impact with varied use of mist, shadows and darkness. His meticulous research is evident in intricate details of native dress and lodging. …the drama of these haunting illustrations--and of Martin's respectful retelling--produce an affecting work.”
School Library Journal: “…a splendid read-aloud.” -- Susan Scheps
5. Connections
The Rough-Face Girl would be easily adapted to a reader’s theater script, with minimal props required.
Read other Cinderella variants from around the world. There is a partial list with brief descriptions of each book at http://childrensbooks.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=childrensbooks&cdn=parenting&tm=62&gps=172_901_1021_429&f=00&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.ala.org/ala/booklinksbucket/multicultural.htm
The website also has suggestion for activities, including using a map and marking the countries or areas from which the stories come.
1. Bibliography
Martin, Rafe. 1992. The Rough-Face Girl. Ill. by David Shannon. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0-590-46932-0
2. Plot Summary
Author Rafe Martin calls The Rough-Face Girl an Algonquin Indian Cinderella. In his retelling, there is an Invisible Being who lives in the village, and who is said to be great and rich, powerful and handsome. All of the women of the village want to marry him, but his sister says that only the girl who has seen him will be acceptable as a wife. The Rough-Face Girl’s two proud sisters talk their father into giving them new clothes so that they can go and marry the Invisible Being. When his sister questions them, she realizes that they have not seen him and rejects them. When the Rough-Face Girl (so named because she tended the fire all day and was scorched and burned by it) asks for new clothes as well, her father has nothing left to give except some broken shells and his old moccasins. The Rough-Face Girl accepts them gratefully and goes to the Invisible Being’s wigwam, noticing the beauty of nature as she walks. When she is able to answer questions asked by the sister of the Invisible Being, he himself comes into the wigwam. He tells her to bathe in the river and she does, which causes all of her scars to disappear. She dresses in beautiful clothing and marries the Invisible Being and “they lived together in great gladness and were never parted.”
3. Critical Review
The Rough-Face Girl meets the criteria of traditional literature in that it is an old story with no known author. In the author’s note, Martin says that it was originally part of a longer traditional story of the Algonquin. As is usual in traditional literature, character development is limited. The Rough-Face Girl represents selflessness and honesty, while the sisters demonstrate pride and deceit. In the end, selflessness and honesty are rewarded. The story has a typical folklore beginning (Once, long ago….) and ending (“They lived together in great gladness and were never parted.)
The Rough-Face Girl is a well-written story. Martin makes use of figurative language (“…many stars came glittering out like a fiery veil….”, “…her voice was swift as lightening and strong as thunder.), believable dialogue, and unexpected insight (when the two beautiful sisters say that anyone could tell that they have seen the Invisible Being because they are beautiful, the reader realizes that it is true that beauty is often equated with virtue.)
David Shannon’s illustrations for The Rough-Face Girl are beautiful. They are almost surrealistic in style, very detailed, but dream-like, which emphasizes the long-ago-and-far-away aspect of the story. It is interesting to see how Shannon manages to paint something invisible by using elements of nature. There is a funny aspect to one of the pictures where the Rough-Face Girl is walking through the village on her way to the tipi of the Invisible Being. The villagers are making fun of her because of her ragged appearance, and even the dog appears to be laughing. Shannon’s illustrations definitely add to the appeal of this book.
4. Review Excerpts
Booklist: “Shannon’s dramatic, full-color paintings are striking and often rich in atmosphere….Given the beauty of the story, the strength of many of the illustrations, and the current interest in comparing variants of folktales from different cultures, libraries will find this a well-used picture book.” (Reviewed Apr. 15, 1992)--Carolyn Phelan
Kirkus Reviews: “a strong, distinctive tale with art to match.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “Shannon paints powerful, stylized figures and stirring landscapes, heightening their impact with varied use of mist, shadows and darkness. His meticulous research is evident in intricate details of native dress and lodging. …the drama of these haunting illustrations--and of Martin's respectful retelling--produce an affecting work.”
School Library Journal: “…a splendid read-aloud.” -- Susan Scheps
5. Connections
The Rough-Face Girl would be easily adapted to a reader’s theater script, with minimal props required.
Read other Cinderella variants from around the world. There is a partial list with brief descriptions of each book at http://childrensbooks.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=childrensbooks&cdn=parenting&tm=62&gps=172_901_1021_429&f=00&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.ala.org/ala/booklinksbucket/multicultural.htm
The website also has suggestion for activities, including using a map and marking the countries or areas from which the stories come.
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