Robert MunschLEE 214: Author/Illustrator Study Project

Tammy Fleming

Introducing…

www.robertmunsch.com

Robert Munsch, born 6-11-1945 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, is a beloved Canadian author of children’s books. After graduating from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Art degree, he pursued his post graduate studies at Boston University, gaining a Master of Arts degree in Anthropology in 1971. Munsch’s education did not stop there. He also gained a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University.

Initially, Munsch had decided to become a Jesuit priest but changed his career path toward writing stories for children. He started off working at day care centers and orphanages. In 1975 he decided to move to Canada. He worked in the preschool at the University of Guelph, Ontario. Munsch also lectured at the university and was eventually promoted to assistant professor in the Department of Family Studies.

Robert Munsch is all about storytelling. His illustrative and animated style of telling stories grabbed the attention of his first audience in 1972. According to Munsch a perfect story takes 200 tellings in order to become perfect. He can take days and years perfecting his tale before performing it in front of a larger audience. Robert then started taking his imaginative style to paper and thus became a renowned author for children’s books.

For an autobiographical snapshot, visit Munsch’s website:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a4r_rU6mXA

An interview with

Author Biography

Munsch’s story characters are taken from his real life experiences, especially from the children he meets while storytelling in different places. For example his story Ribbon Rescue was inspired from a girl who came to hear his story wearing a ribbon dress. Another story called Light House was inspired by two children named Amanda and Jeremiah whom he met in Pontiac, Michigan. His own children have also played important roles in his stories. Munsch has written many books which have been translated in various languages. His first books Mud Puddle and The Dark were published in 1979. His most notable work is the book entitled Love you Forever which was published in 1986. This book became an international bestseller and sold 6,970,000 copies and 1,049,000 hardcover copies.

His characters are mainly children who challenge the typical stereotypes with their charming, full-of-life and somewhat obstinate ways. He is a very

contemporary writer of children’s stories using words such as ‘pee’ and ‘underwear’ in his stories. While most people are okay with it, some have their reservations about his use of such colorful language; the children, however, are perfectly content with his storytelling ways. Some of his books have also been made into the animated series named Bunch of Munsch.

Robert Munsch was a drug addict and alcoholic but went through successful rehabilitation. He has also talks openly about being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. He has recently suffered from a severe stroke which affected his ability to talk normally. He has mostly recovered, though, and continues to perform live. His writing has halted while he works toward a complete recovery.

Munsch, R. (2011). Give me back my dad! Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2011). Moose. Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2010). Put me in a book. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2010). Too much stuff! Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2009). Down the drain. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2009). Roar! Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2008). Just one goal. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2008). Look at me! Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2006). I’m so embarrassed! Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2006). No clean clothes. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2005). The sandcastle contest. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2004). Boo! Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2004). Smelly socks. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2003). Lighthouse. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2003). Zoom. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2002). Makeup mess. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2002). More pies. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2002). Playhouse. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2002). Ribbon rescue. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2001). Up, up, down. Markham: Scholastic Canada.

Partial Bibliography

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7fyiahPAB8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1q7sJUkLck

Click on the YouTube links to listen to RobertMunch’s stories

Munsch, R. (2000). Aaron’s hair. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (2000). Mmm, cookies. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (1999). Andrew’s loose tooth! Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (1999). We share everything! Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (1998). Get out of bed. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (1998). The fire station. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1998). Wait and see. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1997). Alligator baby. Markham: Scholastic Canada.Munsch, R. (1996). Stephanie’s ponytail. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1995). From far away. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1994). Where is Gah-Ning? Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1992). A promise is a promise. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1992). Moira’s birthday. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1992). Purple green and yellow. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1991). Good families don’t. Toronto: Doubleday CanadaMunsch, R. (1991). Show and tell. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1990). Something good. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1989). Pigs! Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1988). Angela’s airplane. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1988). Millicent and the wind. Toronto: Annick Press

Partial Bibliography

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgoxk78Fg7s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvqVaHoxW4Q

Munsch, R. (1987). I have to go! Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1986). 50 below zero. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1986). Love you forever. Willowdale: Firefly Books Ltd.Munsch, R. (1985). Thomas’ snowsuit. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1984). Mortimer. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1983). David’s father. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1982). Murmel murmel murmel. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1982). The boy in the drawer. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1980). The paper bag princess. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1979). Mud puddle. Toronto: Annick PressMunsch, R. (1979). The dark. Toronto: Annick Press

Partial Bibliography

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8qNMM9Gjis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fncEQOmn92E

Awards & Honors

Robert Munsch was made a member of The Order of Canada in 1999.

Robert Munsch received a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame on September 12, 2009.

Robert Munsch Public School was opened in his honor in 2009.

Juno Award 1985

Ruth Schwartz Award, 1986

Canadian Booksellers Association Author of the Year, 1991

CBA Libris Award, 2001

Publishers Weekly All-Time Best Selling Children’s Book List

New York Times’ Best-Seller List

Summary & AnalysisThe Paper Bag Princess

Love You Forever

Pigs

The Paper Bag Princesshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIPrb-sA6Uo

Summary

Princess Elizabeth plans on marrying Prince Ronald, who is practically perfect. However, a dragon arrives who destroys her kingdom, kidnaps Ronald, and burns all her clothes so that she has no choice but to wear a paper bag. Elizabeth follows the dragon and Ronald, and seeking to rescue her fiancé, challenges the dragon to burn forests with fire and to fly around the world. The dragon completes the tasks but after flying around the world a second time becomes tired and falls asleep. Elizabeth rescues Ronald, who is ungrateful and tells her to return when she looks more like a princess. Elizabeth realizes that she is better off without Ronald and sets off into the sunset to live her own life.

Analysis

Robert Munch has offered a story that appeals to readers of all ages; the protagonist in the story appeals to a wide spectrum of readers and the issues presented are applicable to a varied audience. Although the storyline is linear and straightforward, it presents an opportunity for deeper analysis as the undertones of critical literacy call to the reader. Like many other Robert Munsch books, the Paper Bag Princess expands students’ awareness and broadens their understanding of social relationships. Although there is a resonate theme in this book, this story does not appear to be overly contrived or specious in its intent. The Paper Bag Princess is an original story that introduces readers to unique characters and situations and stretches the reader to look through an alternate perspective and allows them to think about the world around them and the relationships they cultivate.

Love You Foreverhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ES-fp2fdzk

Summary

The story details the cycle of life through chronicling the experiences in the life of a young son and his mother throughout the course of the boy's life, detailing the exasperating behavior exhibited by the boy throughout his youth. In spite of her occasional aggravation caused by her son's behavior, the mother nonetheless visits his bedroom nightly to cradle him in her arms and sing a brief lullaby promising to always love him. After her son enters adulthood and leaves home, his elderly mother occasionally sneaks into his bedroom at night to croon her customary lullaby. However, she gradually grows old and frail, and her grown son visits his feeble, sickly mother for the final time, singing an altered rendition of her lullaby in reciprocation of the unconditional love that she had showed to him, vowing to always love her. After returning home, in a scene implying the death of his mother, he cradles his newborn daughter and sings his mother's signature lullaby for her, implying that the cycle will continue.

Analysis

Love You Forever, an all-time favorite and renowned story written by Robert Munsch, exudes the qualities of outstanding children’s literature. It is a work of integrity in that the genre, plot, characters, style, theme, and illustrations come together to constitute a satisfying whole. It deals with the significant truths of the human experience as the characters are true to life and the insights implied are accurate and wise. The language chosen by Robert Munsch is poetic and precise, allowing the reader to connect to the text on an emotional level. It speaks to the relationships that are most meaningful in one’s life, promoting reflection and contemplation, suggesting that reader examine their understanding of the world. Robert Munsch has written an exemplary story of compassion, drawing in readers of all ages who end the story reveling in rumination and introspection.

Pigshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v65uw0mels

Summary

Megan and her family live on a farm and she is tasked to feed the pigs before she leaves for school. She is warned by her father not to open the gate, but she does, of course. The results are hilarious as the pigs help themselves to coffee and the newspaper at the breakfast table, follow Megan to school, and ride home by way of the school bus. The story ends when the pigs are safely back in their pen. Megan vows never to let anymore animals out of their pens – well, at least the pigs!

Analysis

Pigs is truly an appealing book for the inquisitive child. The child protagonist is a curious girl who may not always understand the consequences to her actions. Children, by nature, can relate to this character and can empathize with her choices. Pigs is original piece of writing that introduces readers to unique characters and situations from diverse viewpoints. The plot is imaginative but connects to familiar settings and characters experienced by young readers. It offers discernible themes of independent thought and imposition of judgment while contextualizing them in a child-friendly and relatable way. The themes are subtle and do not attempt to overtly teach, allowing the child to enjoy the humor-filled story for its entertainment value yet affords the opportunity to engage them in deeper and more complex conversations pertaining to the aforementioned themes. Robert Munsch has, once again, offered readers a compelling story that fulfills the criteria of outstanding children’s literature.

Literacy ActivitiesAdditional Writing Activities for the Paper Bag Princess Sensory/Descriptive: Describe the dragon. How did it look, smell, feel, and sound? Be sure to use at least two adjectives for each sense to describe the dragon. Target: Grade: 2 Imaginative/Narrative: What do you think Prince Ronald would have done if Elizabeth were the one captured by the dragon? Write a story about what would have happened if things had been the other way around. Target Grade: 3 Analytical/Persuasive: Princess Elizabeth rescued Ronald by outsmarting the dragon and making him so tired that he fell asleep and she was able to rescue Ronald. What if this had not worked? What are some things that Elizabeth could have told the dragon to convince him to let Ronald go? Target Grade: 4 Practical/Informative: Pretend you are a news reporter reporting on this event. Write an article about the events of this day. Be sure to include all the facts. Target Grades 2-4

 Oral Language/Writing Activity for the Paper Bag Princess:Dragon Braggin’

This is a simple activity that doesn’t require props or extensive preparation - just an imagination! In the book, Elizabeth gushes about the dragon’s abilities and asks him to show them off. Ask your students to show off too! Have students pretend to be the dragon and complete the following sentences:

With my fiery breath, I would… With my wings, I would fly to…I am so smart that I can… I am so fast that I can…I am so fierce that I can… I am so hungry that I could eat…

Target Grades: 1-2

Personal ReflectionIn my opinion, Robert Munsch is an honest writer in that he remains true to his passion – children; his work isa derivative of his interactions with the children whom he meets. His books are quirky and fun, exactly the type of content to which children are attracted. I chose to study the work of Robert Munch because of my Canadian heritage and personal connection to the themes presented in many of the stories he has written.

Munsch’s work meets the criteria of quality literature outlined in Temple, Martinez & Yokota (2011). His well crafted stories motivate children to read and present worthy models of writing. They offer children delight, mystery, charm, humor, and companionship; they invite children to play with language and engage in imaginative, creative thought whilst promoting critical literacy. The illustrations contained within Robert Munch’s stories appeal to children’s sense of aesthetics and cultivates their “visual literacy” (Temple, Martinez & Yokota, 2011, pp. 5). Furthermore, such quality works of literature nurture children’s appreciation of author’s craft. I would highly recommend the use of Robert Munch’s work in the classroom as he provides a platform for engaged and purposeful learning, not to mention the fact that reading his books are just plain fun!