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Caldecott Medal
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From: HUMMING RK <HUMMINGRK>
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 1997 17:01:11 EST
Kathleen Horning brings up an interesting change in children's picture books that I have noticed when she metions the award of the Caldecott Medal for
"Smokey Night" by Eve Bunting and David Diaz. Children's picture books used to be more innocent in their approach. While older children have always enjoyed them, especially folktales and fairytales in picture book format, the stories rarely addressed serious issues. "Pink and Say" and "Smokey Night" both show the growth in the genre's ability to handle tough issues.
It's no wonder that older children are drawn to picture books and want them to address more challenging issues. Most children spend at least a few hours in front of TV and videos each week. They are visual learners. These picture books help trigger learning--especially for middle schoolers. And they serve a short attentiion span . . . hopefully leading to a long discussion!
One more thing to think about. Nonfiction. Look at the unbelievable burst of creative nonfiction being published for older children right now. DorlingKindersley
(with the great Cross-Sections series), Alfred A. Knopf (with their Eyewitness Books), and all of David MacCauley's nonfiction works come to mind. But I'm sure all of you have your favorites. What are they?
Lee Sullivan Hill
Received on Thu 06 Nov 1997 04:01:11 PM CST
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 1997 17:01:11 EST
Kathleen Horning brings up an interesting change in children's picture books that I have noticed when she metions the award of the Caldecott Medal for
"Smokey Night" by Eve Bunting and David Diaz. Children's picture books used to be more innocent in their approach. While older children have always enjoyed them, especially folktales and fairytales in picture book format, the stories rarely addressed serious issues. "Pink and Say" and "Smokey Night" both show the growth in the genre's ability to handle tough issues.
It's no wonder that older children are drawn to picture books and want them to address more challenging issues. Most children spend at least a few hours in front of TV and videos each week. They are visual learners. These picture books help trigger learning--especially for middle schoolers. And they serve a short attentiion span . . . hopefully leading to a long discussion!
One more thing to think about. Nonfiction. Look at the unbelievable burst of creative nonfiction being published for older children right now. DorlingKindersley
(with the great Cross-Sections series), Alfred A. Knopf (with their Eyewitness Books), and all of David MacCauley's nonfiction works come to mind. But I'm sure all of you have your favorites. What are they?
Lee Sullivan Hill
Received on Thu 06 Nov 1997 04:01:11 PM CST
