AUTHOR CONNECTIONS:
A pre-eminent author in the field of children's literature, Natalie
Babbitt creates unforgettable fantasy stories that linger long in readers' minds.
As a child growing up in Ohio, Babbitt dreamed of illustrating, not writing books.
Her childhood also consisted of listening to her mother read aloud fantasy classics
such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Babbitt savored Lewis Carroll's
language and admired Sir John Tenniel's pictures, which she asserts were "beautiful
and funny at the same time." A fan of myths, fables, and fairy tales, Babbitt
crafts stories that incorporate elements of this genre. She has also illustrated
several notable picture books and an impressive collection of poems by Valerie
Worth. Tuck Everlasting, however, stands as Babbitt's evocative contemporary
touchstone, whose popularity among readers of all ages will likely last forever.
For more author information, see Internet
Public Library Youth
http://www.ipl.org/youth/AskAuthor/babbitt.html
CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:
 Literary
devices such as simile, metaphor, and personification abound in Babbitt's lovely
fantasy. The teacher will first create a giant "graffiti" bulletin board in the
classroom. Second, as students listen to the audiobook of Tuck Everlasting,
they will write down and illustrate on the graffiti wall, many of these writerly
devices they identify. Continue with this activity until the end of the audiobook.
Students
will find and read passages throughout the book that describe details of the Foster
house and the Tuck house, too. Discuss how the distinctly different houses mirror
the two families' attributes. Have each student re-create both houses and their
different settings. Encourage students to be imaginative in their choices of media:
Three-dimensional models, watercolor paintings, dioramas, Sculpy clay structures,
and recycled material houses are several suggestions. Display the projects, along
with type-written passages of the two houses, in a prominent all-school area for
others to appreciate.
The
thunderstorm scene in which Mae Tuck escapes from jail creates excitement and
drama for listeners. Working cooperatively in small groups, students will produce
their own sound recordings of a thunderstorm. Groups will brainstorm and experiment
to capture the cacophony of sound effects associated with late summer thunderstorms.
Sounds might include cracks of lightning, low rumbles of thunder, gusts of wind,
the pitter-patter of raindrops first falling, the ping of steady rainfall, and
so on. Play each group's recording for the entire class; pair the recordings with
oral readings from the story.
Ask
the music teacher to assist in obtaining a recording of George Handel's Suite
from the Water Music. As students listen to the suite, they will create original
watercolor illustrations of one of their favorite scenes from Tuck Everlasting.
Mat artwork attractively; exhibit in the hallway for other classes to admire.
See Web site below for biographical information on this famous German Baroque
composer.
Students
will research the life and accomplishments of Juan Ponce de Leon, the Spanish
explorer who set out in 1513 in the New World to discover the Fountain of Youth.
In light of the outcome of Tuck Everlasting, have students imagine the
historical effect of Ponce de Leon actually discovering the Fountain. Let students
write about their feelings of whether they think drinking the water is or is not
a good idea. Allow their essays to spawn lively discussion about this notion.
INTERNET CONNECTIONS:
 Folklore,
Myth and Legend
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/storfolk.html
This part of a superb Web site will assist students who want to learn more
about the genre of traditional literature. The Web pages may better prepare students
who want to write their own modern fairy tales, fables, or tall tales using the
old forms, but with twentieth-century content that echoes today's changing values.
FOR FURTHER
LISTENING AND READING:
  AMERICAN
TALL TALES by Mary Pope Osborne - a wild ride from sea to shining sea in this
classic collection of larger-than-life heroes from Davy Crocket to Paul Bunyan.
UNABRIDGED AUDIO CASSETTE AND CD, and book
available from Audio Bookshelf.
AMERICAN
FAIRY TALES compiled by Neil Philip; fresh and inviting, the collection of stories
sparkles with American spunk and spirit. Listeners will delight in tales by Carl
Sandburg, Washington Irving, and other raconteurs. Find this UNABRIDGED
AUDIOBOOK and book on our "Audiobooks By Title" Page.
THE
MOUSE AND HIS CHILD by Russell Hoban. A witty adventure for mature
listeners to move into after Tuck Everlasting. Both unabridged audiobook
and book available from Audio Bookshelf.
GREEK
MYTHS as created and told by Jim Weiss; captivating stories about King Midas,
Perseus, Hercules among others will entertain and inform listeners, ages six years
and older. UNABRIDGED AUDIO CASSETTE OR CD available from Audio Bookshelf.
The
Devil's Storybook (FSG, 1974) by Natalie Babbitt
The
Devil's Other Storybook (FSG, 1987) by Natalie Babbitt
Her
Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales (Scholastic,
1995) by Virginia Hamilton
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