Archive for the ‘Caldecott Award’ Category
One Fine Day
Hogrogian, Nonny. One Fine Day. Simon and Schuster, 1998. 32 pages. Tr. paper $9.99 ISBN-10: 0-02-043620-3.
Genre
Armenian, Folktale, Picture Book
Subject(s)
Greed, Foxes
Summary
Originally published in 1971, Nonny Hogrogian’s One Fine Day is a children’s classic. This is a beautifully illustrated story about a young fox who steals a drink of milk and then suffers the loss of his tail because of it. Through determination and a willingness to work with others, this fox finally rights the wrong he committed at the beginning of the story and gets his tail back.
Evaluation
One Fine Day is a beautiful picture book, filled with bright colors and beautifully expressive characters. The story is repetitive and simple, making it a good choice for younger children. Ages 0-8
Significance
Even though most of us no longer live in rural settings where trade and barter are common, the setting and the premise of this story seem almost timeless. One Fine Day has a very simple cumulative plot, but through repetition and accumulation, the story develops a rhythm that younger listeners will love.
Award
Annotation
A very thirsty fox takes a chance and steals a drink of fresh milk, only to find himself tail-less and dependent on the help of others to get it back.
Link
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Selznick, Brian. The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Scholastic Inc, 2007. 544 pages. Tr. $24.99 ISBN-13: 978-0-439-81378-5.
Genre
Historical Fiction
Subjects
Automatons, Boy Inventors, France, Georges Melies, Orphans, The 1930’s
Summary
Hugo Cabret’s life has shrunk to completely and anonymously fit inside a busy Paris train station. Recently orphaned, Hugo lives in the small clock keeper’s apartment supplied by the train station for his Uncle who is employed there. When his abusive uncle fails to return after several days, Hugo hopes to escape but realizes he has nowhere to go. So instead he assumes his Uncle’s job and obsesses over an automaton his father was restoring at the time of his death.
Hugo’s world starts to expand when he meets a girl and her uncle who also work at the train station, albeit under more normal circumstances. Through an amazing and many layered roller-coaster of a mystery, the reader learns of the interconnected secrets of the characters in this story, along with historical facts about the beginning of the French film industry of the 1930’s. Ages 9 and up
Evaluation
Told through both narrative and illustration, this book mixes elements of the picture book, graphic novel, and flip book to produce a unique reading experience. Children who enjoy reading will find this book fascinating, while more reluctant readers will welcome the breaks in narration and appreciate the visual clues supplied by the graphics.
Significance
This fictional novel brings many aspects of 1930’s France to life for the reader. Learning through both image and narrative, this story immerses the reader into the historical time period, resulting in more interest in the story.
Awards
ALA Notable Children’s Books for Middle Readers
Annotation
Hugo’s world has shrunk to the size of a Paris train station. Orphaned and alone, Hugo must learn to ask others for help if he is to survive.
Link
Snowflake Bentley
Briggs Martin, Jacqueline. Snowflake Bentley. Illustrated by Mary Azarian. , 1998. 32 pages. Library Binding $17.00 ISBN-13: 978-0-395-86162-2.
Genre
Biographies, Narrative Non-Fiction
Subject(s)
Bentley, Wilson Alwyn 1865-1931, Meteorologists, Snowflakes, Vermont
Summary
In this charming biography, children learn about Wilson Bentley, a small farm boy from Vermont who never gave up on his fascination with snowflakes. Bentley went on to spend the next five decades studying snow and was finally able to prove scientifically that no two snowflakes are alike. Author Jacqueline Briggs Martin brings Bentley’s passion to life in the pages of her book, which includes many sidebars that are packed with interesting information.
Evaluation
Whether for use in the classroom or picked up by children on their own, Snowflake Bentley is a great introduction to the scientific method. While this book is visually appealing to all ages, children from about 9 and over will find the text and introduction to the scientific method most interesting.
Illustrator Mary Azarian’s homespun images remind the reader of Bentley’s self taught, rural life, not a coincidnece as Azarian lives in Vermont and has been making Vermont inspired wood block prints since 1969. Her work has a genuinely old-timey country feel, which helps to set the stage for telling the story of Wilson Bentley’s life. Ages 9-12
Significance
The biography of Wilson Bentley helps young readers to look for and find inspiration in unusual places. In the case of this story, a fascination with snowflakes leads to a small but important scientific discovery.
Awards
Annotation
A young self taught scientist in rural Vermont follows his passion with surprising and beautiful results.
Links
Jacqueline Briggs Martin’s Website
Official Snowflake Bentley Website
Lon Po Po
Young, Ed. Lon Po Po. Penguin Group, 1989. 32 pages. Tr. $16.99 ISBN-13: 978-0-399-21619-0.
Genre
Cautionary Tales, Folktales
Subject
Cleverness, Disguises, Sisters, Wolves
Summary
In this excellently illustrated picture book, Ed Young tells the story of three clever little girls and how they outsmart a hungry wolf. Much like a little red riding hood story, an evil wolf disguises himself as a grandmother. But the eldest of the three little girls soon sees through this ruse and puts a plan into action to defeat the wolf.
Ed Young grew up in Shanghai, China, where one of his strongest memories is of lying on the roof of his house on hot summer nights as his father spun magnificent tales for the children. Clearly the story telling gene has been passed on as Young has become a successful and prolific author and illustrator in his own right.
Evaluation
Lon Po Po is a striking story that will captivate children of all ages. This story is of the folktale variety, featuring young girls as heroines. Also considered a Beast tale,or a tale where animals take on human traits such as talking, children will willingly suspend their belief to enjoy this familiar story. Ed Young’s choice of triptych for many of the images help tell the story for less accomplished readers and lend a general air of excitement and adventure. Ages 7-10.
Significance
Traditional tales are naturals for storytelling and reading out loud. Ed Young’s Lon Po Po lends itself to a group story-time as well as a bedtime tale as well.
Awards
Annotation
Despite their grandmother’s warning, three Chinese sisters neglect to close their door and latch it tight, inadvertently inviting danger into their home.
Links
Flotsam
Wiesner, David. Flotsam. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade and Reference, 2006. 40 pages. Library Binding $17.00 ISBN-13: 978-0-618-19457-5.
Genre
Wordless Picture Books for Children
Subject(s)
Beach-combing, Boys, Photographs, Fish
Summary
David Wiesner’s Flotsam is an eye-catching story about a small boy who finds an old crusty camera at the beach and decides to get the film inside developed. The pictures that are produced show the backwards journey of the camera through a fantastic fairytale-like ocean all the way to the original owner of the camera. The very detailed pictures in this wordless book are captivating for both child and adult alike.
Evaluation
Among the important roles that wordless books can play in reading literacy, the one that stands out is that this type of book gives children the chance to connect visual literacy with literacy in general. Wiesner’s very charming storyline is well developed through thoughtful and detailed images, making it easy for struggling readers to understand and enjoy. Ages 4-8.
Significance
While the story-line in the wordless book Flotsam seems fairly straightforward, it has to be noted that because there are no words that this story is open for a wider interpretation than storybooks with words, making this book an excellent early book for children who are sensitive about giving incorrect answers, children who are reluctant readers and also those who are beginning readers as well.
Awards
ALA Notable Books for Children, all ages 2007
Annotation
A barnacle encrusted camera washes upon the shore of a beach and young curious boy picks it up, not yet knowing the mysteries that are inside.
Links
Officer Buckle and Gloria
Rathmann, Peggy. Officer Buckle and Gloria. Penguin Group USA Inc, 1994. 32 pages. Tr. $16.99 ISBN-13: 978-0-399-22616-8.
Genre
Picture Books for Children
Subject(s)
Child Safety, Humor, Police Dogs
Summary
Peggy Rathmann’s Officer Buckle and Gloria is a school-age appropriate “buddy cop” story about an earnest but somewhat clueless police officer and his comedically sharp partner who is a dog. Officer Buckle is a safety officer who spends his days teaching safety to school children. His lectures are painfully dull and ineffective until he takes on a partner, Gloria a new police dog. Gloria becomes the counterpoint to Officer Buckle’s straightman routine, with humorous and heartfelt results.
Rathmann came to children’s book writing and illustrating after trying on several different careers and colleges. Her work is often inspired by small but comedic moments in her life, which she then uses her creativity to expand upon. In the case of Officer Buckle and Gloria, Rathmann suspects that some antics of her mother’s dog caught on camera may have influenced the storyline.
Evaluation
Rathmann’s slap-stick story is age appropriately funny yet to the point. This story is about teamwork and friendship, ideas which shine through the antics. Ages 4 and up.
Significance
With her subtle and light touch, school children may not even notice they are receiving an excellent lesson about teamwork, safety and friendship. Ages 4-8.
Awards
ALA Notable Books for Children, 1996
Annotation
Officer Buckle sure knows a lot about safety, but his lectures are a bit of a yawn. See what happens to his lectures when he gets a new partner named Gloria!
Links
Owl Moon
Yolen, Jane. Owl Moon. Illustrated by John Schoenherr. Penguin 
Group, 1987. 32 pages, Tr. $16.99 ISBN-13: 978-0-399-21457-8.
Genre
First Person Narratives, Picture Books for Children
Subject(s)
Great Horned Owl, Father and Daughter, Forest, Moonlight
Summary
Under the full moon, a little girl and her father go searching for owls in the woods. Her father makes an owl call and the two walk and wait, excited to see what will happen. Written by Jan Yolen, this book was inspired by her husband’s interest in birding. Yolen is a resident of a small town in Western Massachusetts, where one can easily imagine a winter forest under the moonlight and the silhouette of an owl in the branches.
Evaluation
This beautifully illustrated story is a great way to show young children the magic of the nighttime world without having to actually bring them out in it. This book has clear crisp illustrations by John Schoenherr, who was besides being an illustrator, was a highly regarded naturalist and science fiction illustrator. Ages 4-8
Significance
Owl Moon tells the story of a father and his daughter on a late night adventure in the woods. While the reader only knows that the small child is a girl by reading Yolen’s thoughts on her blog, the androgynous nature of the child makes it easy for almost any child to imagine a midnight walk in the woods and the almost magical experience of sighting an owl.
Award
Annotation
On a cold winter’s night a father and his daughter hike into the New England woods to find an owl in the silvery moonlight.
Links
The Snowy Day
Keats, Ezra Jack. The Snowy Day. Penguin Group USA Inc, 1962. 32 pages. Tr. $9.00 ISBN-13: 978-0-670-65499-0.
Genre
Picture Book for Children
Subject(s)
African American Boys, Snow, Urban Landscapes
Summary
One winter morning Peter, a young boy wakes up to see his urban neighborhood covered in a blanket of snow. After breakfast, Peter goes outside to experience this new landscape, an adventure in his very own neighborhood transformed by Winter’s icy touch.
Evaluation
Ezra Jack Keats’s Caldecott winning book regarding the simple pleasures of a snowstorm in the big city is a classic book that parents will enjoy sharing with their children over and over again.
Significance
Historically speaking, The Snowy Day is an important book, as it was one of the first illustrated children’s books to feature a young African-American boy as a main character. While Keats himself was not African-American, his experiences in growing up in multi-cultural New York City gave him a rich full background of experiences with which to decorate the pages in this book with not only a wonderful story, but also a magnificently illustrated landscape in which the story unfolds. Ages 4-6.
Award(s)
Annotation:
Young Peter wakes up one morning to find his city covered with a blanket of snow. Exploring this new reality with a child’s eye and fantastic attention to detail, the author follows Peter on his simple yet satisfying adventure.
Link(s)
My Grandfather’s Journey
Say, Allen. Grandfather’s Journey. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade and Reference, 1993. 32 pages. Library Binding. $16.96 ISBN-13: 978-0-395-570357-7.
Genre
Realistic Fiction, Picture Books for Children
Subject(s)
Japanese Americans, Sea Travel, Homesickness
Summary
Allen Say’s Grandfather’s Journey is somehow a haunting, nostalgic, sad, almost happy and visually hyper-realistic (despite being produced with watercolors) story all at the same time. In this very personal memoir of sorts, Say reveals many of his family secrets and also many insights into the human condition in general as they cross and re-cross the Pacific Ocean, generation after generation, between California and Japan.
Evaluation
Say’s work is notable for taking the difficult and messy business of living and presenting it in all its glory on the page of a picture book. His work has just the right intensity to intrigue young readers without completely scaring them away.
Significance:
Children who read this book become familiar with ideas about identity, family and belonging. This is an excellent book to use as a tool for discussions around immigration and the familial issues that arise around it. Ages 4-8.
Awards
Horn Book Award, Picture Book, 1994
Annotation
Tracing the journey of his grandfather, a young man travels back and forth between Japan and California, never feeling quite at home and always missing the land last visited.
Link(s)
An interview with Allen Say.
Award Winning Books are Fun to Read 