Caldecott Challenge - 2007 Winners

The year of 2007 had a smaller group of books to choose from. This was also the year that David Wiesner won his 3rd Caldecott Medal with his award winning book, Flotsam. David Wiesner had received the Caldecott Medal twice for his books Tuesday (1992) and The Three Pigs (2002). David also won two Caldecott honors for his books Sector 7 (2000) and Freefall (1989). David Wiesner is known for his beautifully illustrated wordless picture books that are almost photographic they are so detailed. He is considered to be one of the most acclaimed and best-loved picture book creators in the world. Three of the picture books he both wrote and illustrated became instant classics when they won the prestigious Caldecott Medals. He is only the second person in the award's long history to have won three times.

David Wiesner grew up in suburban New Jersey and he was known to many as "the kid who could draw." He went on to become a student at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he was able to  study art full-time. It was here that he discovered that picture books were the perfect vehicle for his work. David Wiesner generally spends several years creating each new book. He creates many versions by sketching and resketching the story until it flows smoothly and the images work the way he wants them to. Sometimes he will create three-dimensional models so that he can add authenticity to his drawings. David Wiesner currently lives with his family outside of Philadelphia.

Caldecott Medal Winner:
Flotsam by David Wiesner
The definition of flotsam means something that floats. In this fabulous wordless picture book, the author/illustrator tells the remarkable story of a camera that has been thrown out into the ocean and the various children that have found it through the years. The detailed illustrations are absolutely amazing done in vivid watercolor paintings. Grades K-4. *****

Caldecott Honor Winners:
Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet by David McLimans
An ABC picture book about amazing creatures before they become extinct. This is a striking work of animals and letters put together for the reader in a zoological adventure that is both for children and adults. Illustrations are created by a mixture of mediums such as: pencil, pen, brush, India ink, bristol board and computer images. This story is probably more created for the awareness of animals with some facts. While this is in picture book format it is actually more appropriate for older readers, Grades 3 and up. **

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom illustrated by Kadir Nelson and written by Carole Boston Weatherford.
This story is based on Harriet Tubman's spiritual journey from a slave in Maryland to a free woman in Philadelphia. This is Kadir Nelson's second Caldecott honor in two years (Henry's Freedom Box). A poetic story about Harriet Tubman that shows her strength, humility and devotion to the underground railroad. The illustrations are paintings in dark hues that portray the darkness during the slavery time. Grades 2-5. ****

Caldecott Challenge - Winners of 2008

The year of 2008 was a big year for the Caldecott. There were four honor books chosen as well as the one of the first fiction book chosen for the Caldecott medal. While I know the 2012 Caldecott has not yet been named, two weeks to go, my choice this year with be Brian Selznick's next amazing picture/fiction book, Wonderstruck. I'm convinced it will win an honor this year for the absolutely stunning black and white penciled pictured 

Caldecott Medal 2008:

The Inventions of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
This story sheds a whole new light on picture books. Hugo is rather a fiction story, 500 pages, but with half of the book full page black and white pencil illustrations. Hugo is a young orphan secretly living in the walls of a train station where he labors to complete a mysterious invention left by his father. The story is narrated in both words and pictures. But the story is not just about Hugo the young orphan, but about the history of film and the story of George Melies, who was one of the first filmmakers. *****

2008 Honor Books:
Henry's Freedom Box: A true story from the Underground Railroad illustrated by Kadir Nelson and written by Ellen Levine
A wonderful biographical story of Henry Brown, the first runaway slave to pack himself into a box to escape slavery and arrive in the land of freedom. He traveled from Philadelphia to Richmond Virginia and made headlines throughout the country. The illustrations were done in pencil, watercolor and oil and truly depict Henry's journey in a box. ****

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
This is a book about transformations from the egg to a chicken, or a seed to a flower, or a caterpillar ot a butterfly. A creative story with die cut and painted pictures with simple text for preschool children. This book also won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award in 2008 as well. ***

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis
This is an autobiographical picture book in a very clever format about the author's life during the Cold War in Czechoslovakia. The story is told in pictures and memories, with drawings and diaries showing his extraordinary journey behind the Iron Curtain. ***

Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems
This adorable picture book is filled with stunning photographs and hilarious drawings and the sequel to another Caldecott honor book, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (2005 honor winner). Trixie, a young preschooler, hurries to school not only to find that another student has her one-of-a-kind Knuffle Bunny. The images are a melding of photography and hand-drawn sketches. *****

Caldecott Challenge - Year 2009

I've been busy pulling all the Caldecott books out of my library this week and it just reminds me of the many amazing books available to us all. This week I even spent time talking about the importance of the award as well as sharing as many books as I can with my third grade students. Next week I'm going to give them the opportunity to choose their favorite book that they think will win the Caldecott Award. They are so excited!

Caldecott Medal Winner 2009

A House in the Night illustrated by Beth Kromes and written by Susan Swanson
A sweet story about a little house in the night. The text is simple and the author was inspired to write this pattern book based on book, The Oxford Nursery Rhyme Book. The illustrations are scratchboard and watercolor in black and white with effects of gold color throughout the story. A wonderful preschool book. ***

Honor Books:
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee
This comic like type book has illustrations that are made from gouche and black prismacolor with text lettering. The story is a simple one about two boys who have the best week ever together during their summer vacation. They learn all about nature, eat banana waffles and play lots of video games. They miss their parents and want to travel to Antartica. A sweet story about friendship and what it really means to be a kid.

How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz I remember when this book first came out. It is a simple book about a young boy and the hours he spends studying his father's world map. He escapes his refugee life for a short time. This story is based on the author's childhood in Kazakhstan where he lived as a Polish refugee during World War II. A powerful short story with the illustrations done in pen and ink, watercolor as well as collage. I think what this story conveys the most is the power of the imagination. Well done. ****

A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams illustrated by Melissa Sweet and written by Jen Bryant This is a picture book biography of William Carlos Williams who traces his childhood events that lead him to become a doctor and poet. It is an extremely creative account of his life through his own poems with stunning mixed media illustrations. The illustrations consist of watercolor, collage and mixed media. The unique artwork leaves room for much interpretation of his poems as well as the life he lived. ****