Caldecott Challenge - 2006

Moving right along to the year 2006, there were many winners this year in comparison to the previous year of 2007. I felt there was a great collection of books chosen with illustrations in various mediums. Among the picture books chosen, poetry and biography each had a winner too.

Caldecott Medal Winner:

The Hello, Goodbye Window illustrated by Chris Raschka and written by Norton Juster.
This is a very colorful and energetic picture book that is dedicated to the special relationship between grandparents and a grandchild. Norton Juster is also the author of The Phantom Tollbooth, an all-time classic. This is his first picture book. This story is written like a song but in the voice of a little girl who goes and visits her Nanna and Poppy. You can feel the happiness of this little girl in every page. A sweet story. **

Caldecott Honor Winners:
Rosa illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Nikki Giovanni
Award-winning poet, writer, and activist Nikki Giovanni’s expressive text combines with Bryan Collier’s striking collage images retell the story of this historic event from a wholly unique and original perspective. Collier used watercolor and collage illustrations in yellow and sometimes dark hues to portray the times in Alabama. A powerful story for students grades 3 and up. I have to say this is one of my favorite biographies on Rosa! *****

Zen Shorts by John Muth
This is a wonderful story probably more as a read alone so that it can be discussed in great depths with the young reader. The illustrations are actually drawn in two different styles, vibrant watercolors and ink drawings. The purpose of these two styles is to show the difference between the actual story and  the story within a story. The story is unique in that is introduces readers to a Zen approach to the world. There are three siblings who are visiting a new neighbor, a panda. One by one, the children visit the panda, named Stillwater, enjoying his company and listening to him tell a brief tale that illustrates a Zen principle. Each time, there is a link between the conversation shared by Stillwater and his visitor and the story he tells. Because of the popularity of this story the author has created two others Zen Ties and Zen Ghosts. Grades K-4. ***

Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride by Marjorie Priceman
This is another very unique story about the history of the first hot-air balloon by the Montgolfiers of France in 1783. The first passengers on this balloon were none other than a duck, a sheep, and a rooster. The flight lasted eight minutes, reached a height of 1500 feet and traveled a little more than two miles. The vibrant illustrations make this such an enjoyable story to read. A must for every library. Grades K-3. ****

Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems illustrated by Beckie Prange and written by Joyce Sidman.
This is a beautiful collection of poems in many different poetic forms that provide a look at some of of the animals, insects, and plants that are found around ponds. The author combines science facts and poetry to describe pond life through the different seasons. This is really a celebration of the beauty that ponds and wetlands provide for us daily. The colorful illustrations are done in woodblock and then hand colored with watercolors. Grades 3-5. **

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. ****

Caldecott Challenge -Years 2011 & 2010

So as I begin my Caldecott challenge quest, I have decided to start backwards with the most recent winners from 2011. The 2012 winners will be announced on Monday, January 23, 2012. I hope you will enjoy the journey with me. I will put an asterisk next to my favorite books that I believe are worth purchasing for any home or library. Sometimes there will be books that I might not be able to get my hands on right away so I once I get them I will review them in other posts. For this particular post I was unable to review one of the honor books for 2010.

The 2011 Medal Winner was one of my personal favorites: A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead and illustrated by his wife Erin Stead. This is a wonderful book about friendship with illustrations that bring the story to life.  The story is about a Zookeeper, Amos McGee, who takes time to care for his favorite animals. Suddenly he comes down with a cold and can't come to work to care for his friends the animals. They are so distraught that they decide to hop a bus and go visit Amos at home. Erin Stead's fine pencil prints are delicate in soft flat colors. The illustrative technique is woodblock-printing. The story shows the bonds of friendship and loyalty. A wonderful story for grades Pre-K-3. ***

Honor books for 2011:
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Bryan Collier. This is a wonderful interpretation in poetic form about Dave the Potter. an important American artist, who was also a slave. We know about Dave the potter because of his poetry that he would sometimes write on the side of his pots. The pain of his life can be shared through his poems. It is estimated that over seven decades Dave made approximately forty thousand poets. With unbelievable watercolor and collage-like illustrations this book gives us a glimpse of Dave's life. Recommended for grades K-3.

Interrupting Chicken written and illustrated by Davie Ezra Stein. This is an absolutely hilarious story that presents Chicken Little with her papa at bedtime. Her papa is trying to tell Chicken Little a story so that she can go to sleep but Chicken Little keeps interrupting the story and telling the ending instead. The story is not only hilarious but will bring big belly laughs from both children and adults as Chicken Little continues to tell the end of her father's stories before he even gets to them. While the illustrations are not my favorite, the story is just fabulous and a must read to all children who know about fairy tales. Recommended for Preschool - 2nd grade. ***

2010 Caldecott Winner:
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
This is a wonderful rendition of Aesop's Fable, The Lion and the Mouse. This wordless picture book with watercolor illustrations are just striking. Jerry Pinkney is one of children's literature most honored artists. And in this classic tale we learn that no act of kindness ever is wasted. Recommended for Pre-school - 3rd grade.  ***

Honor books for 2010:
All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon
This poetry book is about all the world to see. "It is here, it is there, it is everywhere. All the world is right where you are. Now." A charming story with watercolor illustrations shows a multicultural family sharing a day that begins at the beach and ends under the stars. Recommended for Preschool-2nd grade.

Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski.
Unable to review at this time.

The Caldecott Challenge

I'm excited to participate in something new this year, it is called the Caldecott Challenge created by some great librarians. It looks like a lot of fun! And did I mention it is going to be stress free. I am going to try to read as many Caldecott award and honor book winners from the beginning, 1938 to be exact. I think this could be close to 300 books.  I will be posting my findings here as I read my way through them all, or as many as I can get my hands on. I'm going to start backwards, beginning with the winners of 2011. I can already tell you that one of my all-time favorite stories which happens to be a Caldecott Medal winner is Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. It was my favorite book as a child and still my favorite book as an adult. I continue to read this classic with my students every year.  But who knows maybe something else will capture my heart.

A little history on the Caldecott Medal. The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott (1846-1886). Randolph Caldecott was one of a group of three influential children's illustrators working in England in the 19th century. His illustrations for children were unique to their time in both their humor, and their ability to create a sense of movement, vitality, and action that complemented the stories they accompanied.

It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. This year's winner will be announced on Monday, January 23rd.

So my challenge begins, please follow me on this journey.

Meet Doreen Cronin - Author Extraordinaire

Doreen Cronin, is the author of many #1 bestselling picture books. These would include a Caldecott honor book Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type. She is a prolific author with a great sense of humor. Two of her most recent publications include: M.O.M and The Trouble With Chickens.

M.O.M is a picture book that is actually more for the adults in the house than the kids. While it has fabulous comic like illustrations that are appealing to the eye, it really reads with an adult sense of humor. The book could be considered for the older picture book crowd. M.O.M is a Mom Operating Manual, batteries not included, of course. It is a manual on how to take care of mom. To sum it all up, basically it tells you how to avoid damage to your mother’s well being.

“It is widely accepted that mothers are the most advanced human models on the planet. They are capable of superhuman energy, strength, patience and creativity. They come in many shapes and sizes. They have various talents, skills, like cooking, singing, sewing, Olympic athleticism, and neurosurgery.”

Cronin defines mom as a female parent, a lady of authority or utterer of “Because I say so.” But most important mom is the definition of a complex machine who runs full speed on little fuel and almost no sleep whatsoever also WONDER WOMAN! Brilliant!

The book continues to talk about the type of mother you might have, well rested (not too many of these are around) to barely upright but still functioning mom. Care and maintenance of a mother, the daily basics include, sleep, nutrition, exercise and water short for SNEW. Who knew? The book also points out that each mom has her own dress code and of course there is no override button on this one. The author’s advisement to all, keep comments to yourself, especially important for dads.

But really the adults will get the biggest chuckle out of this book. It is hilarious but at the same time a book that can help children understand their mothers and how to please them? Biggest message of the book, moms are indispensable and if you take care of mom she’ll take care of you.

The Trouble with Chickens another recently released book is a fabulous read aloud or a wonderful chapter book for grades 2-4^th. This is another hilariously written story written from the point of view of a rescue dog with great black and white illustrations.  J.J. Tully, a retired search and rescue dog, has just recently retired to a lovely farm and enjoying the good life. Suddenly one day he has been asked to come out of retirement to find an annoying chicken’s missing baby chicks.  The mother hen fears that her missing chicks have been kidnapped and are being held hostage inside the house. J.J. Tully decides to take the case on with the reward being a hamburger. Unfortunately the case isn’t an easy one. This is a great comical mystery that keeps the reader wondering until the very end. Hopefully this is a first in a series of many more hilarious J.J. Tully Adventures.

Thank you Doreen Cronin for your fabulous sense of humor and wonderfully written books for all ages. I personally can’t wait to see what you will publish next.

Check out her website for more information on this great author: http://www.doreencronin.com

Doreen Cronin's Books:
Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type (Caldecott Honor Book)
Duck for President
Dooby Dooby Moo
Thump Quack Moo
Wiggle
Bounce
Stretch
Rescue Bunnies
Diary of a Worm
Diary of a Spider
Diary of a Fly
Click, Clack, Splish, Splash
Click, Clack, Quackity, Quack
Trouble with Chickens
M.O.M