The Glorious Flight, Across the English Channel with Louis Bleriot by Alice and Marin Provensen
1984 Caldecott Medal
I like learning about history through picture books and this one tells the story of a real early aviator, a Frenchman by the name of Louis Bleriot, the first person to fly across the English Channel.
Told in sweet quant pictures (reminds me somehow of one of my favorite author/illustrators Barbara Cooney) and a simple text. We learn about his family . . . a wife, four children, a cat and a cockatoo; and we hear about his invented airplanes, starting at Bleriot I and ending with Bleriot XI, the one that flew across the English Channel.
I can't really imagine building airplanes, and then flying them, as a back yard enterprise! Sort of like if NASA was being run in a neighbors basement down the street. It's fun to think about a time when that's how things happened and a person who was inspired to figure something like that out with his own ingenuity by trail and error.
Showing posts with label Caldecott Medal Winner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Caldecott Medal Winner. Show all posts
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Lon Po Po
Lon Po Po, A red riding hood story from China by Ed Young
Caldecott Medal 1990
No question, the illustrations are beautiful. I love Ed Young and he has been a prolific illustrator of children's books, and often the author as well (as is the case here.) He has received a Caldecott medal or honor three times! The pictures are a mix of water color and pastels. They have a curious way of being soft and details at the same time. Each page the illustration is divided into panels, I enjoy this reference to Asian traditions. It's not my favorite story, but the pictures are stunning.
This book is not for the faint of heart! He depicts the scariness of the wolf very dramatically and the children in the book look really frightened. Plus, the children manage to use their wits and survive, so it all ends well for the children. . . but not so much for the wolf, and for animal lovers these drawings are also pretty scary.
I appreciate the author dedicating the book this way: "To all the wolves of the world for lending their good name as a tangible symbol for our darkness."
Caldecott Medal 1990
No question, the illustrations are beautiful. I love Ed Young and he has been a prolific illustrator of children's books, and often the author as well (as is the case here.) He has received a Caldecott medal or honor three times! The pictures are a mix of water color and pastels. They have a curious way of being soft and details at the same time. Each page the illustration is divided into panels, I enjoy this reference to Asian traditions. It's not my favorite story, but the pictures are stunning.
This book is not for the faint of heart! He depicts the scariness of the wolf very dramatically and the children in the book look really frightened. Plus, the children manage to use their wits and survive, so it all ends well for the children. . . but not so much for the wolf, and for animal lovers these drawings are also pretty scary.
I appreciate the author dedicating the book this way: "To all the wolves of the world for lending their good name as a tangible symbol for our darkness."
Song of the Swallows
Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi
1950 Caldecott Award
This is a sweet story about a boy Juan and an old man named Julian, the bell ringer and gardener of the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, in California, and the swallows that arrive there every spring. There are illustrations on every page, and then every once in a while big full color illustrations that cover two pages. Two songs are included as well.
I enjoyed it very much. I appreciated the author/artist being well ahead of his time in honoring various ethnic communities in his home state of California in his books for children. I'd like to learn more about him. What I've learned so far is that he was born in the US, to an Italian family. They returned to Italy when he was 7 and he spent the rest of his childhood in Europe. He came to Los Angeles when he was about 22 and lived and painted there for the rest of his life. He was a devote Catholic and the affinity he had for the Mexican American mission communities I think was based in that common heritage. Song of the Swallows is a tender story of friendship and seasons and connection with nature and although it is not a religious story it does have a touch of the sacred in it.
1950 Caldecott Award
This is a sweet story about a boy Juan and an old man named Julian, the bell ringer and gardener of the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, in California, and the swallows that arrive there every spring. There are illustrations on every page, and then every once in a while big full color illustrations that cover two pages. Two songs are included as well.
I enjoyed it very much. I appreciated the author/artist being well ahead of his time in honoring various ethnic communities in his home state of California in his books for children. I'd like to learn more about him. What I've learned so far is that he was born in the US, to an Italian family. They returned to Italy when he was 7 and he spent the rest of his childhood in Europe. He came to Los Angeles when he was about 22 and lived and painted there for the rest of his life. He was a devote Catholic and the affinity he had for the Mexican American mission communities I think was based in that common heritage. Song of the Swallows is a tender story of friendship and seasons and connection with nature and although it is not a religious story it does have a touch of the sacred in it.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Black and White
Black and White by David Macaulay
1991 Caldecott Medal
This is one of those rare books that actually redefines "book" for me. I would put The Invention of Hugo Cabret in this category, and this one.
It starts with a WARNING "This book appears to contain a number or stories that do not neccessarily occur at the same time. Then again, it may contain only one story. In any event, careful inspection of both words and pictures is recommended."
Then, each two page spread is devided into four sections. And in each section a story is told in pictures and a few words. The top left hand corner . . . the story is about a train and a boy riding on the train. The lower left hand corner is a story about a family--- two parents, two kids and a dog. The top right hand corner there are a bunch of people waiting at a train station. The lower right hand corner the story is about an escaped convict and some cows.
These four stories move forward each in their own frame with no particular need for one another. BUT. . . . like the warning says. . . invite CAREFUL inspection.
I read this to Makayla and we over spent our reading time by a good 30 minutes with out even being the slightest bit aware of it. The experience of this book is wonderfully absorbing and fun. We finished it and immediately tried to sell it to everyone else in the house!
1991 Caldecott Medal
This is one of those rare books that actually redefines "book" for me. I would put The Invention of Hugo Cabret in this category, and this one.
It starts with a WARNING "This book appears to contain a number or stories that do not neccessarily occur at the same time. Then again, it may contain only one story. In any event, careful inspection of both words and pictures is recommended."
Then, each two page spread is devided into four sections. And in each section a story is told in pictures and a few words. The top left hand corner . . . the story is about a train and a boy riding on the train. The lower left hand corner is a story about a family--- two parents, two kids and a dog. The top right hand corner there are a bunch of people waiting at a train station. The lower right hand corner the story is about an escaped convict and some cows.
These four stories move forward each in their own frame with no particular need for one another. BUT. . . . like the warning says. . . invite CAREFUL inspection.
I read this to Makayla and we over spent our reading time by a good 30 minutes with out even being the slightest bit aware of it. The experience of this book is wonderfully absorbing and fun. We finished it and immediately tried to sell it to everyone else in the house!
Duffy and the Devil
Duffy and the Devil retold by Harve Zemach, pictures by Margot Zemach
1974 Caldecott Medal
This is a folk tale in the rumpelstiltskin vein. Duffy makes a deal with the devil--- he'll do her spinning and knitting for her for three years, but at the end of three years, he gets to take her away. . . unless she can guess his name. Since Duffy doesn't in fact know HOW to knit or spin, and has hired herself out to do exactly those things, she ends up entering into the bargain!
I liked the story, it has colorful language, including some fun words that I'd never heard before, but just SOUND like what you supoze they meant. It all ends well, and with a hilarious twist that both my children (ages 10 and 7) had a huge laughing fit over!
1974 Caldecott Medal
This is a folk tale in the rumpelstiltskin vein. Duffy makes a deal with the devil--- he'll do her spinning and knitting for her for three years, but at the end of three years, he gets to take her away. . . unless she can guess his name. Since Duffy doesn't in fact know HOW to knit or spin, and has hired herself out to do exactly those things, she ends up entering into the bargain!
I liked the story, it has colorful language, including some fun words that I'd never heard before, but just SOUND like what you supoze they meant. It all ends well, and with a hilarious twist that both my children (ages 10 and 7) had a huge laughing fit over!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
2004 Caldecott Medal
I love this book. First of all, I'm partial to street performers and circus arts and this story features Phillipe Petit, the french tight rope walker, and his famed high wire walk between the towers of the World Trade Center in 1974.
I think I had heard of this man on a tight rope between sky scrapers in NYC, but to hear the details of it was SO much better than this single image of a man walking a wire.
First of all the towers were 1/4 mile high. The tallest buildings in New York City.
Second of all he didn't just walk between the towers. He was out there for almost an hour, walking dancing, running, and even kneeling in a salute. He even lay down to rest.
Finally, it was completely against the law and when he came off the wire he held out his hands for handcuffs, but this was only after the police had been shouting at him for an hour!
The towers were not quite complete when he did this. He dressed up as a construction worker and some how got a 440 pound reel of cable to the top floor, carrying it up the last 180 stairs to the roof. Other friends were on the other tower. They tied a thin strong line to an arrow and shot it across to Philippe, 140 feet away. They worked all night to secure the cable.
The pictures include two fold out pages giving the feel of how NYC must look from 1/4 mile up--- for Phillipe, "happy and absolutely free"; and what Philippe must have looked like from the street--- "It was astonishing. It was terrifying and beautiful. A quarter mile up in the sky someone was dancing."
I love this part:
"Officers rushed to the roofs of the towers. 'You're under arrest!' they shouted through bullhorns. Phillipe turned and walked the other way. Who would come and get him?"
You'll be glad to know that when the case came to court he was sentenced to perform in the park for the children of the city!
OK, so this would be a GREAT story under any circumstances. But this book was written in 2004 after 9/11 and the towers he walked between are already gone. The poignancy of this gives the story a deeper context that makes it a very memorable story, and kicks it into my "favorites" category!
2004 Caldecott Medal
I love this book. First of all, I'm partial to street performers and circus arts and this story features Phillipe Petit, the french tight rope walker, and his famed high wire walk between the towers of the World Trade Center in 1974.
I think I had heard of this man on a tight rope between sky scrapers in NYC, but to hear the details of it was SO much better than this single image of a man walking a wire.
First of all the towers were 1/4 mile high. The tallest buildings in New York City.
Second of all he didn't just walk between the towers. He was out there for almost an hour, walking dancing, running, and even kneeling in a salute. He even lay down to rest.
Finally, it was completely against the law and when he came off the wire he held out his hands for handcuffs, but this was only after the police had been shouting at him for an hour!
The towers were not quite complete when he did this. He dressed up as a construction worker and some how got a 440 pound reel of cable to the top floor, carrying it up the last 180 stairs to the roof. Other friends were on the other tower. They tied a thin strong line to an arrow and shot it across to Philippe, 140 feet away. They worked all night to secure the cable.
The pictures include two fold out pages giving the feel of how NYC must look from 1/4 mile up--- for Phillipe, "happy and absolutely free"; and what Philippe must have looked like from the street--- "It was astonishing. It was terrifying and beautiful. A quarter mile up in the sky someone was dancing."
I love this part:
"Officers rushed to the roofs of the towers. 'You're under arrest!' they shouted through bullhorns. Phillipe turned and walked the other way. Who would come and get him?"
You'll be glad to know that when the case came to court he was sentenced to perform in the park for the children of the city!
OK, so this would be a GREAT story under any circumstances. But this book was written in 2004 after 9/11 and the towers he walked between are already gone. The poignancy of this gives the story a deeper context that makes it a very memorable story, and kicks it into my "favorites" category!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Golem
Golem story and pictures by David Wisneiwski
1997 Caldecott Medal
This is a haunting story about the persecution of the Jews in Prague in the laste 1500's. A time when violence against the Jews was common place. Jews were forced to live in walled in ghettos and forbidden the protection of the law.
This story tells about a rabbi who created a giant out of clay, the Golem, and brought him to life to protect the Jewish people.
The book also has a detailed "afterward" (directed at adults not children) telling more about the history of the time.
The detailed paper cut illustrations are absolutely beautiful.
It's not a light read and my 10 year old said he didn't like it. The story on the other hand is RICH in discussion topics. . . everything from religious persecution, to the power of humans to create things that are beyond our power which then "come alive" and cause destruction, to the history of the Jewish people, to the closing line "Perhaps, when the desperate need for justice is united with holy purpose, Golem will come to life once more."
1997 Caldecott Medal
This is a haunting story about the persecution of the Jews in Prague in the laste 1500's. A time when violence against the Jews was common place. Jews were forced to live in walled in ghettos and forbidden the protection of the law.
This story tells about a rabbi who created a giant out of clay, the Golem, and brought him to life to protect the Jewish people.
The book also has a detailed "afterward" (directed at adults not children) telling more about the history of the time.
The detailed paper cut illustrations are absolutely beautiful.
It's not a light read and my 10 year old said he didn't like it. The story on the other hand is RICH in discussion topics. . . everything from religious persecution, to the power of humans to create things that are beyond our power which then "come alive" and cause destruction, to the history of the Jewish people, to the closing line "Perhaps, when the desperate need for justice is united with holy purpose, Golem will come to life once more."
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship retold by Arthur Ransome, pictures by Uri Shulevitz
1969 Caldecott Medal
I'm a storyteller and one of the highest compliments I can give a story is "I want to tell this one." This is a story I've always wanted to tell a version of, and this is a good retelling. It's a traditional tale and you'll find it in the non-fiction part of the library in the 398's along with lots of other wonderful folk tales.
Uri Shulevitz has won Caldecott Honor's quite a few times. . . four times to be exact. (Snow, The Treasure, How I Learned Geography, plus this one). He uses line drawings with water color washes that have a nice balance of simplicity and fine detail.
In this story you have The Fool of the World as the hero (always a good start!), a flying ship (not bad either), and a whole passel of comrades for the journey with names like Swift Goer--- a fellow who goes about with one leg tied up beside his head because if he uses both legs he'll just plain go too fast! Or The Listener: "I can hear him snoring. And there is a fly buzzing with it's wings, perched on th windmill close above his head." (all this 100's of miles away of course).
In a stunning display of magical skills and team work of course the day is saved!
My 7 year old AND my 10 year old both enjoyed the story.
1969 Caldecott Medal
I'm a storyteller and one of the highest compliments I can give a story is "I want to tell this one." This is a story I've always wanted to tell a version of, and this is a good retelling. It's a traditional tale and you'll find it in the non-fiction part of the library in the 398's along with lots of other wonderful folk tales.
Uri Shulevitz has won Caldecott Honor's quite a few times. . . four times to be exact. (Snow, The Treasure, How I Learned Geography, plus this one). He uses line drawings with water color washes that have a nice balance of simplicity and fine detail.
In this story you have The Fool of the World as the hero (always a good start!), a flying ship (not bad either), and a whole passel of comrades for the journey with names like Swift Goer--- a fellow who goes about with one leg tied up beside his head because if he uses both legs he'll just plain go too fast! Or The Listener: "I can hear him snoring. And there is a fly buzzing with it's wings, perched on th windmill close above his head." (all this 100's of miles away of course).
In a stunning display of magical skills and team work of course the day is saved!
My 7 year old AND my 10 year old both enjoyed the story.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Cinderella or The Little Glass Slipper
Cinderella or the Little Glass Slipper freely translated from Charles Perrault and illustrated by Marcia Brown
1955 Caldecott Medal
My 7 year old daughter is seriously into princesses. Personally, I'm more inclined towards the active heroine in a story, so please understand that is my bias! The story of course will be familiar, but it is definitely refreshing to hear an interpretation that is directly translated from one of the first written sources. Pleasantly free of the very strong Disney stamp that is currently on the story!
The illustrations are line drawing with simple washes of color. Nothing too extraordinatry, but they carry the story well. The goodness of Cinderella comes across in text and pictures. . . although I find it a little funny that someone of such "good" character could also be deceitful with her step sisters when they arrived home from the ball (yawing and rubbing her yes as if she had just waked out of a sound sleep!)
I can't really rave about this book, but if you love Cinderella stories it should definitely be on your list.
1955 Caldecott Medal
My 7 year old daughter is seriously into princesses. Personally, I'm more inclined towards the active heroine in a story, so please understand that is my bias! The story of course will be familiar, but it is definitely refreshing to hear an interpretation that is directly translated from one of the first written sources. Pleasantly free of the very strong Disney stamp that is currently on the story!
The illustrations are line drawing with simple washes of color. Nothing too extraordinatry, but they carry the story well. The goodness of Cinderella comes across in text and pictures. . . although I find it a little funny that someone of such "good" character could also be deceitful with her step sisters when they arrived home from the ball (yawing and rubbing her yes as if she had just waked out of a sound sleep!)
I can't really rave about this book, but if you love Cinderella stories it should definitely be on your list.
A Tree Is Nice
A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry, illustrated by Marc Simont
1957 Caldecott Medal
I agree, a tree IS nice! This is a sweet celebration of trees. Makes me want to go out and plant one. Makes me want to go out and plant one with each of my kids. And I'd read it to the wee kids in our Outdoor Explorer (environmental education) program as well. Makes me want to think about all my favorite trees. We have a great one in our yard that my husband Holmes transplanted from the woods when he first moved there. It's a willow oak, and for years we called it "The Shade Tree" but it was a joke. It cast enough shade for a pair of dogs if they were strategic about where they lay down, and that was about it.
Now it really IS a shade tree, and the most EXCELLENT climbing tree as well. And during our summer camp sessions there are sometimes a half dozen kids or more all climbing at once.
This is a quiet book but I think it's still doing exactly what was intended when it was published more than 50 years ago! I was pleased to see that in the book jacket notes about the author she talked about spending a lot of time searching out a nursery where they could buy a Ombu tree---- a tree that grows rapidly to enormous size. They found one and planted it, and Ms. Udry reports it "grew nicely."
I like an author who lives their story!
1957 Caldecott Medal
I agree, a tree IS nice! This is a sweet celebration of trees. Makes me want to go out and plant one. Makes me want to go out and plant one with each of my kids. And I'd read it to the wee kids in our Outdoor Explorer (environmental education) program as well. Makes me want to think about all my favorite trees. We have a great one in our yard that my husband Holmes transplanted from the woods when he first moved there. It's a willow oak, and for years we called it "The Shade Tree" but it was a joke. It cast enough shade for a pair of dogs if they were strategic about where they lay down, and that was about it.
Now it really IS a shade tree, and the most EXCELLENT climbing tree as well. And during our summer camp sessions there are sometimes a half dozen kids or more all climbing at once.
This is a quiet book but I think it's still doing exactly what was intended when it was published more than 50 years ago! I was pleased to see that in the book jacket notes about the author she talked about spending a lot of time searching out a nursery where they could buy a Ombu tree---- a tree that grows rapidly to enormous size. They found one and planted it, and Ms. Udry reports it "grew nicely."
I like an author who lives their story!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
My Friend Rabbit
My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann
2003 Caldecott Medal
A very likable book about a well meaning rabbit, told by his friend mouse. "My friend Rabbit means well. But whatever he does, where ever he goes, trouble follows." The story is told in both text and pictures. I like that in a picture book, when the pictures don't just "illustrate" the story, but carry the story line all by themselves in part. I looked up Eric Rohmann's website and he said this: "This book also began with many words and as I made the images I saw that the silliness was best left to the pictures." Glad he figured that out!
His website is a fun visit: Eric Rohmann - Author & Illustrator - My Friend Rabbit
I like the pictures in the book a lot. They are hand colored relief prints and I'm partial to that bold "wood block print" look.
In the end you just like the two characters a lot, and their friendship. Rabbit is plucky, "Not to worry, Mouse. I've got an idea!" Mouse is loyal. "But Rabbit means well. And he is my friend."
2003 Caldecott Medal
A very likable book about a well meaning rabbit, told by his friend mouse. "My friend Rabbit means well. But whatever he does, where ever he goes, trouble follows." The story is told in both text and pictures. I like that in a picture book, when the pictures don't just "illustrate" the story, but carry the story line all by themselves in part. I looked up Eric Rohmann's website and he said this: "This book also began with many words and as I made the images I saw that the silliness was best left to the pictures." Glad he figured that out!
His website is a fun visit: Eric Rohmann - Author & Illustrator - My Friend Rabbit
I like the pictures in the book a lot. They are hand colored relief prints and I'm partial to that bold "wood block print" look.
In the end you just like the two characters a lot, and their friendship. Rabbit is plucky, "Not to worry, Mouse. I've got an idea!" Mouse is loyal. "But Rabbit means well. And he is my friend."
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
2008 Caldecott Medal
2007 National Book Award Finalist
This book gets a very large WOW! distinction from me. Everything about this book totally captivated me and it is fair to say I have never ever seen or read a book like it.
2008 Caldecott Medal
2007 National Book Award Finalist
This book gets a very large WOW! distinction from me. Everything about this book totally captivated me and it is fair to say I have never ever seen or read a book like it.
The book is more than 525 pages long. Let me just remind you that the Caldecott award is for picture books. The award is actually granted to the illustrator. Most Caldecott awards go to typical picture books that are written for young children. This is a middle school novel. BUT 284 pages of it are PICTURES. It is the coolest book ever. The introduction asks us to close our eyes and imagine we are in a movie theatre, the curtain opens as we zoom in on the sun rising. . . in Paris. . . to a train station. . . we enter the station, crowded with people. . . The book IS like a movie.
And then every once in a while, there are a couple of pages of text. The pictures aren't illustrating the text. The pictures TOGETHER with the text tell the story. There is a whole case scene in the book that is told only in pictures, for example. So, it's part movie, part graphic novel, part conventional novel. But the pictures and layout aren't like a typical graphic novel. It's not cartooney. The pictures are full double page pencil drawings.
So, the novelty of the actual physical book is exciting. . . but that is not the only thing it's riding on. The illustrations and layout are wonderful. But it's a good story too! It tells the story of a real film maker from France in the early days of film; but through the eyes of a boy named Hugo Cabret and his friend Isabelle who are entirely the authors invention. The story has mystery and magic in it. And the characters are completely fascinating.
Hugo comes from a family of clock makers. His uncle maintains all the clocks in the train station. When Hugo's father dies in a tragic fire, he is taken in by his uncle, who has a serious drinking problem. Turns out that clock makers are often magicians. Both require the same level of intense dexterity. Hugo learns magic and makes magic. Before his father died he was working on repairing a mechanical man who sat with pen and ink and was about to write. Hugo tries to take up this work and succeeds in repairing the automaton. And then discovers it's maker.
I have told more people about this book than any other I've read recently, because it is so unusual and because I think so many people would enjoy it.
In fact, my son Jabu who is 10, and a bit of a reluctant reader and tends towards things like Captain Underpants in his reading choices, loved it. My DAD age 92 who absolutely NEVER EVER reads fiction saw it on the table while Jabu was reading it, and read the entire book cover to cover in one sitting! Dad's normal fair in the reading dept. is economics, global warming, world health issues. . . but he thought it was excellent. I also loved it. If three readers who are as different from one another in their reading inclinations all loved this book, that right there is an amazing testimony!
Highly recommended!
Here is a cool interview with the author from the National Book Award site:
The National Book Foundation
Here is a cool interview with the author from the National Book Award site:
The National Book Foundation
The author has a second book in this same style. I ordered it from the library, but there are 39 people in line ahead of me! Can't wait to see it though!
Love, Louise
The Hello Goodbye Window; Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie
The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka
2006 Caldecott Medal
Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie by Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Both of these books feature a girl and her visits to her Grandpa and Nanna. The Hello, Goodbye Window got the award, but at our house we LOVE Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie even more! Sourpuss and Sweetie pie discusses the very relevant topic of rapid mood changes in young people! My seven year old daughter has asked us to read it multiple times each day for the past couple of weeks!
Both feature these wonderful loose colorful illustrations by Chris Raschka. And a really fun connected loving relationship between the grandparents and kid. There is humor and wisdom which is a combination I favor. I'd recommend both books, but especially Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie!
2006 Caldecott Medal
Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie by Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Both of these books feature a girl and her visits to her Grandpa and Nanna. The Hello, Goodbye Window got the award, but at our house we LOVE Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie even more! Sourpuss and Sweetie pie discusses the very relevant topic of rapid mood changes in young people! My seven year old daughter has asked us to read it multiple times each day for the past couple of weeks!
Both feature these wonderful loose colorful illustrations by Chris Raschka. And a really fun connected loving relationship between the grandparents and kid. There is humor and wisdom which is a combination I favor. I'd recommend both books, but especially Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie!
Friday, November 11, 2011
A Sick Day for Amos McGee
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, Illustrated by Erin E. Stead
2011 Caldecott Medal
The illustrations in this book are pencil drawings combined with blocks of color. It's a sweet whimsical story of an old man zoo keeper and his daily visits with various animals in the zoo. He runs races with the (who never lost), played chess with the elephant (who thought and thought and thought before a move, etc. When he gets a cold, the animals take the bus to his house and return the favor.
I might have passed this by if I'd not known it was a medal winner. But it is warm story of devotion in friendship and the bonds that that creates.
2011 Caldecott Medal
The illustrations in this book are pencil drawings combined with blocks of color. It's a sweet whimsical story of an old man zoo keeper and his daily visits with various animals in the zoo. He runs races with the (who never lost), played chess with the elephant (who thought and thought and thought before a move, etc. When he gets a cold, the animals take the bus to his house and return the favor.
I might have passed this by if I'd not known it was a medal winner. But it is warm story of devotion in friendship and the bonds that that creates.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The House in the Night
The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson, pictures by Beth Krommes
2009 Caldecott Medal winner
A lovely picture book with black and white etchings that are simple yet detailed. Each page has gold highlights but no other colors. The illustrations are very pleasing. The text is simple in a "house that Jack built" kind of way. But unlike One Fine Day which also has that familiar pattern, this book has that emotional resonance and poetry that I look for, and the illustrations definitely support that deepening of the simple text in an important way.
My daughter Makayla (age 6) liked the pictures when she "read" it herself (with out reading) and liked hearing me read it as well.
I'm not sure if this is a book that will stay in my mind and insist people read (time will tell!). But I definitely enjoyed it.
2009 Caldecott Medal winner
A lovely picture book with black and white etchings that are simple yet detailed. Each page has gold highlights but no other colors. The illustrations are very pleasing. The text is simple in a "house that Jack built" kind of way. But unlike One Fine Day which also has that familiar pattern, this book has that emotional resonance and poetry that I look for, and the illustrations definitely support that deepening of the simple text in an important way.
My daughter Makayla (age 6) liked the pictures when she "read" it herself (with out reading) and liked hearing me read it as well.
I'm not sure if this is a book that will stay in my mind and insist people read (time will tell!). But I definitely enjoyed it.
Kitten's First Full Moon
Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
2005 Caldecottt Medal Winner
"It was Kitten's first full moon. When she saw it, she thought , There's a little bowl of milk in the sky. And she wanted it."
I read this aloud to Makayla (age 6) and she loved it. She absolutely loved that the kitten thought the moon was a bowl of milk.
The story continues, describing all the different ways that Kitten tries and tries and tries to get that bowl of milk. The black and white drawings have a bold line and simplicity, and do a GREAT job of conveying a full range of emotions on the face of this little kitten.
By the end of the story, and all her efforts to get this big bowl of milk in the sky, Kitten is "wet and sad and tired and hungry." So, she head back home, to find a big bowl of milk waiting for her. "Lucky Kitten!"
It's a sweet book. I like it and recommend it. Especially for little ones. But with enough substance to be pleasing to me as well!
2005 Caldecottt Medal Winner
"It was Kitten's first full moon. When she saw it, she thought , There's a little bowl of milk in the sky. And she wanted it."
I read this aloud to Makayla (age 6) and she loved it. She absolutely loved that the kitten thought the moon was a bowl of milk.
The story continues, describing all the different ways that Kitten tries and tries and tries to get that bowl of milk. The black and white drawings have a bold line and simplicity, and do a GREAT job of conveying a full range of emotions on the face of this little kitten.
By the end of the story, and all her efforts to get this big bowl of milk in the sky, Kitten is "wet and sad and tired and hungry." So, she head back home, to find a big bowl of milk waiting for her. "Lucky Kitten!"
It's a sweet book. I like it and recommend it. Especially for little ones. But with enough substance to be pleasing to me as well!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday; Art & Max, both by David Wiesner
Tuesday by David Wiesner
1992 Caldecott Medal Winner
Art & Max by David Wiesner
caldecott author
David Wiesner as I've mentioned before has won the Caldecott Medal THREE times (and has a couple of Caldecott Honor books as well) so, after reading Flotsom and The Three Pigs I was eager to see some of his other books. Here are two more. . .
David Wiesner enjoys fantastical journeys of various sorts. Tuesday is another almost wordless visual story involving things fantastical. Mainly, frogs lifting off the pond and flying on their lily pads, all through one Tuesday night.
The next Tuesday it appears to be flying pigs. And in fact it is those very flying pigs that inspired The Three Pigs story (also a Caldecott Medal winner.)
Art & Max I was especially curious about since I'd watched a video interview of the author talking about his creative process with this book. It features two lizards, both artists, one more established one a student and it's a grand and fanciful exploration of different art media.
1992 Caldecott Medal Winner
Art & Max by David Wiesner
caldecott author
David Wiesner as I've mentioned before has won the Caldecott Medal THREE times (and has a couple of Caldecott Honor books as well) so, after reading Flotsom and The Three Pigs I was eager to see some of his other books. Here are two more. . .
David Wiesner enjoys fantastical journeys of various sorts. Tuesday is another almost wordless visual story involving things fantastical. Mainly, frogs lifting off the pond and flying on their lily pads, all through one Tuesday night.
The next Tuesday it appears to be flying pigs. And in fact it is those very flying pigs that inspired The Three Pigs story (also a Caldecott Medal winner.)
Art & Max I was especially curious about since I'd watched a video interview of the author talking about his creative process with this book. It features two lizards, both artists, one more established one a student and it's a grand and fanciful exploration of different art media.
Fun Stuff. I recommend this author in general.
One Fine Day
One Fine Day by Nonny Hogrogian (author and illustrator)
1972 Caldecott Medal
Inspired by an Armenian folk tale, this is a cumulative story about a fox who helps himself to an old woman's milk, get's his tail chopped off as a result, and then goes through a series of efforts in order to repay the old woman so she'll sew his tail back on. (Which does eventually happen.)
It's the kind of "add on" story, like the house that Jack built, that kids would enjoy saying along with the story as the story builds. The pictures are particularly pleasing in a bright, happy, colorful sort of way.
I found it to be a "nice" book, but nothing earth shattering. I go for a little more substance in the story line, so it's not something I could count as a favorite.
1972 Caldecott Medal
Inspired by an Armenian folk tale, this is a cumulative story about a fox who helps himself to an old woman's milk, get's his tail chopped off as a result, and then goes through a series of efforts in order to repay the old woman so she'll sew his tail back on. (Which does eventually happen.)
It's the kind of "add on" story, like the house that Jack built, that kids would enjoy saying along with the story as the story builds. The pictures are particularly pleasing in a bright, happy, colorful sort of way.
I found it to be a "nice" book, but nothing earth shattering. I go for a little more substance in the story line, so it's not something I could count as a favorite.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Flotsam; The Three Pigs---A couple of books by David Wiesner:
Flotsam by David Wiesner
2007 Medal Winner
The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
2002 Caldecott Medal
Let's just start with the fact that David Wiesner has won THREE Caldecott medals and TWO Caldecott Honors. He's good! I haven't gotten my hands on the other medal and honor books he's written yet, but I look forward to doing exactly that!
FLOTSAM is a wordless picture book of a sophisticated nature. Many wordless picture books are designed for people too young to read. Not this one. Older children and adults will also enjoy Flotsam. The illustrations, depicting a boys exploration on the beach, are detailed and fine, and there are lots of them--- some pages have more than a dozen frames.
If you love exploring on the beach and finding little animals and trash and treasures, you will resonate with the boy in this book. He's taking a close examination of a crab when a wave knocks him over. When he sits up again, he sees an ancient underwater camera that the wave washed up. And here the adventure begins. I'm not giving any of the rest of it away. It's cool. It's magical. This book is worth chasing down.
One of the things I love about the book is the way the illustrations, and really the whole story, show the process of LOOKING. For example you see the hermit crab, huge, in sharp focus, looking startled. . . with the boys eye in the background. Then you see the boy stretched out on a blanket in the sand, a magnifying glass held up to his face (and making his eye enormous) and the hermit crab in his hand. If you are someone who loves this kind of LOOKING (and I do!) there is a lot of happiness seeing that process shown from various perspectives. You are pulled into the boys LOOKING and actually experience the story.
Highly recommended. All ages.
THE THREE PIGS is also totally clever and cool (though I'd have to say Flotsam would easily be my personal favorite.) This story begins with the usual "Once upon a time there were three pigs who went out into the world to seek their fortune. The first pig decided to build a house, and he built it out of straw."
I was thinking, "huh, I'm surprised that David Wiesner would want to do this story. . . " but then when the world huffed and puffed and blew the house in the little pig says "Hey He blew me right out the story!" and the pig actually sails OFF the page, and the wolf is supposed to be eating him up. . . but he's gone!
The rest of the book features pigs scrambling around doing their own thing IN BETWEEN the PAGES of the book. . . and then OTHER books! This is so clever it's hard to explain! Which would be a good reason to give this man a medal! Heck the pigs even fold a paper airplane out of one of the pages in the book and fly away on it for a few pages. Ingenious and fun. In both books, for different reasons, the sheer intelligence of this author-illustrator's artistry impress me!
Here is a you-tube video of the artist talking about his most recent book. Seems like a very interesting man who likes to challenge himself! Art and Max by David Wiesner - YouTube
And here's an interview with the artist talking about getting the news of winning the Caldecott for the Flotsam and talking about his creating process: David Wiesner interview - YouTube
Love, Louise
2007 Medal Winner
The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
2002 Caldecott Medal
Let's just start with the fact that David Wiesner has won THREE Caldecott medals and TWO Caldecott Honors. He's good! I haven't gotten my hands on the other medal and honor books he's written yet, but I look forward to doing exactly that!
FLOTSAM is a wordless picture book of a sophisticated nature. Many wordless picture books are designed for people too young to read. Not this one. Older children and adults will also enjoy Flotsam. The illustrations, depicting a boys exploration on the beach, are detailed and fine, and there are lots of them--- some pages have more than a dozen frames.
If you love exploring on the beach and finding little animals and trash and treasures, you will resonate with the boy in this book. He's taking a close examination of a crab when a wave knocks him over. When he sits up again, he sees an ancient underwater camera that the wave washed up. And here the adventure begins. I'm not giving any of the rest of it away. It's cool. It's magical. This book is worth chasing down.
One of the things I love about the book is the way the illustrations, and really the whole story, show the process of LOOKING. For example you see the hermit crab, huge, in sharp focus, looking startled. . . with the boys eye in the background. Then you see the boy stretched out on a blanket in the sand, a magnifying glass held up to his face (and making his eye enormous) and the hermit crab in his hand. If you are someone who loves this kind of LOOKING (and I do!) there is a lot of happiness seeing that process shown from various perspectives. You are pulled into the boys LOOKING and actually experience the story.
Highly recommended. All ages.
THE THREE PIGS is also totally clever and cool (though I'd have to say Flotsam would easily be my personal favorite.) This story begins with the usual "Once upon a time there were three pigs who went out into the world to seek their fortune. The first pig decided to build a house, and he built it out of straw."
I was thinking, "huh, I'm surprised that David Wiesner would want to do this story. . . " but then when the world huffed and puffed and blew the house in the little pig says "Hey He blew me right out the story!" and the pig actually sails OFF the page, and the wolf is supposed to be eating him up. . . but he's gone!
The rest of the book features pigs scrambling around doing their own thing IN BETWEEN the PAGES of the book. . . and then OTHER books! This is so clever it's hard to explain! Which would be a good reason to give this man a medal! Heck the pigs even fold a paper airplane out of one of the pages in the book and fly away on it for a few pages. Ingenious and fun. In both books, for different reasons, the sheer intelligence of this author-illustrator's artistry impress me!
Here is a you-tube video of the artist talking about his most recent book. Seems like a very interesting man who likes to challenge himself! Art and Max by David Wiesner - YouTube
And here's an interview with the artist talking about getting the news of winning the Caldecott for the Flotsam and talking about his creating process: David Wiesner interview - YouTube
Love, Louise
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The Lion and the Mouse
The Lion and the Mouse
By Jerry Pinkney
2010 Caldecott Medal Winner
This is a wordless picture book, by one of my favorite illustrators, Jerry Pinkney. It's a retelling of an Aesop's fable. The pictures are luscious, and I've always liked this fable about a lion catching a mouse and letting it go.; and the mouse returning the kindness.
I enjoyed it. Makayla (age 6) enjoyed it too.
Love, Louise
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