From: steven engelfried <stevene>
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 11:45:01 -0800

I was really impressed with the Sibert selections. Only one big name non-fiction author (Murphy), and two books in less common formats ("Pedro" and "Penguins") that might easily have been overlooked. "My Season with Penguins" is deceptively powerful. I've read many photo essay books to my kids about people who work with nature . National Geographic has a nice series that includes diver Sylvia Earle, dolphin expert Kathleen Dudzinskey, and Diane Fossey, among others, plus we've read several of Laurence Pringle's (Batman, Jackal Woman, etc.). Penguins stands out, though, because of the way she uses the scientific journal format. We see it all through her experiences. When she brings in background information it's always directly related to the work she's doing that day. For instance, she shows Shackleton's hut in an illustration as part of the view, but doesn't go into detail until the day she actually observes some penguins
"inspecting" it. Her observations are scientific, but at the same time personal. She describes the feet of Adelie penguins in some detail, with an excellent illustration alongside, but finishes the entry with "I love to look at penguin feet," which somehow adds so much. My kids at least are attracted to science careers partly because they think it's important, but also because they get such joy from nature, and Webb captures both very well. The reading experience is more one of observing nature along with the author, rather than having an author imparting information directly to the reader. Looking back through the book I realize she knows a ton about penguins and must have crafted the book very carefully to create this experience for readers.

- Steven Engelfried, Young Adult Librarian
  Deschutes Public Library System
  545 NW Wall Street Bend, OR 97701
  ph: 541a7p72 fax: 54189)82
  e-mail: stevene at dpls.lib.or.us
Received on Wed 07 Mar 2001 01:45:01 PM CST