Alice in Wonderland review

In chapter three, the Dodo held caucus race and everyone ran randomly in the circle to dry their bodies. However, the caucus race did not have any rules and the Dodo claimed that everyone was winner. He forced Alice to give something to the animals as prizes and gave Alice’s thimble back to her as her prize. In chapter 4, Alice was mistaken as the housemaid by the rabbit. She went to his house to fetch his gloves and fan. However, Alice drank some magic portion and became so huge that she cannot get out of the house. Many symbols are used in these chapters. The rabbit resembles “time” and “authority” because Alice was afraid of him and obeyed what he said. The changes of Alice’s size mean that the painful transition from childhood to adult. The house represents domestic repression that teenagers try to get rid of. Although Alice’s SIZE became bigger, she was still afraid and obeyed the White Rabbit’s command to go his house to get the gloves and fan. This fact may mean that although the teenagers grow at their physical side, they may not really grow inside. Alice didn’t really grow in this chapter. We can see how she grows up in other chapters.

It is my first time to read this book, Alice in Wonderland. My impression of this book is not so clear. I forget most of its plots. When I read this book, I think it funny because everywhere is full of magic power. However, I never think that it will mean something for readers to think. Though the course, I begin to think what everything means in this book. For example, the caucus race means something unfair. Everyone just follows what the Dodo said and they don’t know why they should do so. They keep running until the Dodo stops the race. They don’t have the beginning and end. They also don’t have the right direction to follow. The Dodo makes the decision, when should they stop, when should they start, who give the prize, and where the prizes come from. It’s not fair for Alice to give the prize and give everything to the winners form her. However, Alice didn’t understand the rules in this world. What she can do just follow what they said. She didn’t know if she didn’t obey their command, what would happen. I think it means that in the real world, people may be repressed by the government. People did what the government said and they never think of fighting with the government. Maybe they want to fight, but they were not so powerful to win the government. No one wanted to sacrifice to combat the government. They all knew that the government was too bad to people. However, they were not brave enough to fight for their life.

For the chapter 4, I am responsible for this chapter. I found that the repression is very clear in this chapter. Alice didn’t understand the rabbit very much and she obeyed what he said. I learn that Alice didn’t grow up in her mind. She was still a kid and the rabbit for her like an adult. She thought she had to do what he asked. When Alice drank the bottle and became huge, she JUST became huge at physical side. She was still afraid of the rabbit. Alice can’t leave the house because she was too big and the house limited her movement. I think it is also one kind of repression. The government set the rules and people should obey. The government didn’t respect people and just made use of people. It reminds me that the government took the people’s money to build some facilities. They should say they spend money to so something meaningful for people. How could they say so? They took people’s money and returned to people in another way and said they did something for people! It is very unfair! If they really want to do something good for people, they should not take people’s money to build those facilities and then keep taking people’s money! However, I found something interesting in this story. Bottles can make Alice larger and Cakes can make Alice small. I guess this is one kind of rule. When Alice noticed this rule, she can decide whether she wants to become larger or small. I remembered there was a BIG puppy. He was the only normal animal in this chapter. What he acted is just like the dog in real world. Although the puppy is big for Alice, she still tried hard to escape from him because she didn’t know if she stayed there, the puppy would attack her or not. I think this book bring me lots of things to think. Although I have not finished it, I would try my best to read it as much as possible. 

The Emperor and the Kite

Book Title: The Emperor and the Kite
Author:Jane Yolen

Illustrator: Ed Young

Summary: Djeow Seow was the princess in ancient China she was very tiny. Her father never noticed her and he just focused on other sons and daughters. Djeow Seow played with her toy every day. One day, her father was captured by bad men and her brothers and sisters didn't know what to do. Djeow Seow sent food to her father every day. The monk gave her some hints and she came out with an idea to save her father. She made a huge kite to save her father and she did it! In the end, her father knew her importance and cherished her more.

Analysis:
1.Character
   Protagonist: Djeow Seow
   Antagonist: evil guys
   Foil character: her father, brothers and sisters
2.Setting
   Backdrop setting
3.Narrative Point of View
   Omniscient narrator
4.Plot
   Dramatic Plot
   (The climax is the emperor was captured by evil guys and how Djeow Seow saved her father.)
5.Conflict
   The emperor was captured by evil guys and he needed someone to save him. However, the tiny daughter Djeow Seow saved him instead other normal sons and daughters.
6.Theme
  Everyone is very important.

Reflection: This story is very special for me. Its design is different and the plot of the story is very touching. I love its ending. When the emperor realized how important Djeow Seow was and he cherished her more. Sometimes I may think my parents don't love me so much and I'm not very important to them. Though this story, I know that every parent love their children. Maybe they are sometimes too busy to take care of children. They still love their children. I also learn that if I think I'm not so important, I can do something to make me become better. Or I can change my thought because everyone is important in this world. Don't compare to anybody. I'm the best!

The Milkmaid and her milk

Book Title: The Milkmaid and her milk
Author:Carol Bamett

Summary: Marsha was a milkmaid and she dreamed the most beautiful blue dress. She planned to sell milk, buy chicks, grow these chicks, sell hens and buy the dress. Then, she would go to the party and get along with the nicest guy at the dance. She dreamed about that and she kept dancing very quickly. Suddenly, her fell down and her milk fell to the ground. Her dream was destroyed.

Analysis:
1.Character
   main character: Marsha
   foil character: her friends, her cows, hens, horse
2.Setting
   Backdrop setting
3.Narrative Point of View
   Omniscient narrator
4.Plot
   Dramatic Plot
   (The climax is Marsha fell down and her milk fell, too. She couldn't make her dream come true.)
5.Conflict
   It seemed like that Marsha planned everything well and she could get the most beautiful dress. However, she should fall down! She couldn't get her dress.)
6.Theme
  Proverb "Don't count your hens too early"

Reflection: This story is cute and funny. Marsha was a girl who dreamed about the most beautiful dress. She made a plan and she could get the dress in the end. However, she fell and her dream destroyed. In the end, she learned that don't count your hens too early. Its ending surprised me a lot because I never think it may hide a proverb in the story! I also learn that we should have a plan before we do everything, but we can't rely on our plan too much. We have to face many kinds of incidents that we never think of. As a result, don't count on your plan too over because you never know that something may occur suddenly. 

The Gingerbread Man

Book Title: The Gingerbread Man
Author:Addison Wesley
Illustrator: John Sandford

Summary: The gingerbread man showed from the oven and the woman chased behind him. He met the farmer and the farmer chased behind him. Then, he met the dog and the dog chased behind him. He met the crocodile and he asked him to help him pass the river. The crocodile agreed, but he ate the gingerbread man in the end.

Analysis:
1.Character
   protagonist: The gingerbread man
   foil character: the woman, the farmer, the dog
   antagonist: the crocodile
2.Setting
   Backdrop setting
3.Narrative Point of View
   First-person narrator 
4.Plot
   Dramatic Plot
   (The climax is the crocodile ate the gingerbread man. He didn't help the gingerbread man.)
5.Conflict
   It seemed like that the gingerbread man could pass the river successfully, but the crocodile ate him in the end instead of helping him.
6.Theme
  Adventure

Reflection: This story is very short and funny. It's easy for children to read. It also teaches children some meaning. The author's design makes the dialogue repeated and it brings fun to the children. Children will think it very funny and want to keep reading. The dialogues are very simple and the words are not difficult for children to understand. I like this story. Although it is very short, it still makes me interested and gives me some happiness. 

Jethro Byrde Fairy Child

Book Title: Jethro Byrde Fairy Child
Author:Bob Graham

Summary: Annabelle's dad says she'll never find fairies in cement and weeds. But Annabelle does. She finds a tiny fairy child, Jethro Byrde, and his family, who are on their way to the Fairy Travellers' Picnic. They spend a magical afternoon together. Annabelle does them a favor and they have tea time together. Jethro Byrde's family have to go the picnic, but Annabelle can't go with them. In the end, when Annabelle sleeps, fairies pass by her window. 

Analysis:
1.Character
   main character: Annabelle, Jethro Byrde
   foil character: Annabelle's family and Jethro Byrde's family
2.Setting
   Backdrop setting
3.Narrative Point of View
   First-person narrator 
4.Plot
   Dramatic Plot
   (The climax is that Annabelle meets fairies and has something interesting with them.
5.Conflict
   Jethro Byrde's family have to go to the picnic, but Annabelle doesn't go with them. Annabelle wants to stay with them more time. However, they just have to say goodbye to each other.
6.Theme
  Adventure on fairies

Reflection: I think the story is so special because its theme is unbelievable in real world. Moreover, the design is special as well. Some pages leave  space, but some don't. No space left makes me feel that I'm in the story and do things with them. Some spaces left make me think about the content. I hope I can have the adventure like Annabelle's in the future. I believe it will be amazing! I like this story because it's a comedy and brings readers lots of happiness and imagination. It helps me leave the real world for a while. I love it!