From: Kathleen Horning <horning>
Date: Fri, 06 Jun 1997 11:16:17 -0500

As Ginny Kruse announced a few days ago, this month we'll be discussing the picture books written by Charlotte Zolotow.

Ms Zolotow published her first book, "The Park Book," back in 1944 and since that time has published more than 70 picture books, including
"William's Doll," "Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present," and "The Unfriendly Book." One of the distinctive qualities about Charlotte Zolotow's books is her uncanny ability to zero in on the emotions of young children (not always pleasant!) and center a story on the dramatic, every?y occurrences in their lives.

In her 1990 acceptance speech for the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion (awarded annually to an author or illustrator for distinguished service to children's literature), Ms Zolotow said of her books: "Usually what sparks a story in me is something in my adult life that reveals a feeling from my own childhood. Perhaps a feeling of love or hate or loneliness. It's a certain double exposure."

To start off our discussion, I'd like to ask you to comment on any Zolotow books you remember from your own childhood or that you have shared with children in your life. What sorts of "double exposure" experiences have you had with her books?
  For any of you who are as yet unfamiliar with her books, we recommend that you begin with "William's Doll," "Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present," "A Father Like That," "The Unfriendly Book," and her most recent book, "Who Is Ben?" But son't stop there -- keep reading!

K.T. Horning Cooperative Children's Book Center SChool of Education University of Wisconsin-Madison
Received on Fri 06 Jun 1997 11:16:17 AM CDT