From: Steven
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 11:48:07 PST

I'm also glad to see a biography (or at least a book about a real person) win the medal. I homeschool my two children, and reading biographies aloud to my two kids (ages 8 and 11) is a big part of our history "studies." It's always been true that the ones with memorable visual presentations ("Wilma Unilimited," "Starry Messenger," and Diane Stanley's books to name a few) really strike a chord with the kids. The inventive illustrations give them another element to respond to, process, and remember...they learn more than the facts, they get a real feel for the person. There's a huge difference in their responses between a book like "Snowflake Bentley" (which they also loved) and a David Adler "Picture Book of..." (two months later they can't remember anything about the person). So "Bentley's" win (and "Duke's" honor award) is especially welcome news if only because it calls attention to the many high quality biographies for young kids that are now available.

-------------------------------------------------------Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library 1595 Burns Street West Linn, OR 97068 ph: 503e6x57 fax: 503e6'46 e-mail: steven at westlinn.lib.or.us
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Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library 1595 Burns Street West Linn, OR 97068 ph: 503e6x57 fax: 503e6'46 email: steven at westlinn.lib.or.us
Received on Thu 04 Feb 1999 01:48:07 PM CST