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[CCBC-Net] Caldecott books
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From: Robin Smith <smithr>
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 15:41:19 -0600
Dear all, The really interesting things about committee choices is that we can always be assured that the committee talked about everything--all the criteria from art to art and words together to guttering to word placement to the story...and so many other things too. I have never served on Caldecott, but I have been a part of other committees and I love seeing what is chosen each year by these very smart, very dedicated readers.
So, no matter how I felt about a book when I read it the first time, I look forward to rereading it through the eyes of the committee.
********************
Unfortunately, my copy of the Krommes book is missing from my classroom library, but I remember the amazing illustrations resting near the equally quiet poems. Reminiscent of Wanda Gag and others of the three-color separation period, these amazing spreads of scratchboard art were impressive. I wish I had it on my knee to comment further.
Marla Frazee's art, so recognizable and marvelous is the first thing that drew me to _A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever_ My students have loved her Santa Claus book and, being second graders, have committed Clementine to memory. SO, I knew they would love this one. The story, while hilarious to me, took a little explaining for my little ones. Once they slowed down and read the words AND the pictures, they loved the friendship ("Jamon!") and the relationship with the grandparents. It's fun for kids to be in on a joke and they loved this one.
I was surprised--but not at all unhappy--about _How I Learned Geography's Caldecott Honor_. I had read it to my class earlier in the year and they were captivated by this memoir in pictures and words. We were able to talk about how memories change over time and how we have to rely on our parent's story of our babyhood because we can't remember "that far back." When they saw the hand drawn map in the Author's Note, they actually gasped. This is a quiet book, a different story, but I have read it many, many times now and I hope Shulevitz will write more picture book memoirs of the rest of his childhood.
And _River of Words_. Wow. I just love this book. I did not know if the committee might think it too old, or be concerned about whether children knew who William Carlos Williams was or not. I love Sweet's collages and use of material and Jen Bryant's love of poetry shines through. I love the connection, both in words and illustrations, to Seurat and the surrealists, even though I am not an expert on art. This is wonderful book and would be a great model for kids who want to explore a person's life in art and words. The use of mixed media and collage is stunning. I hope the silver sticker leads children to her other marvelous books.
Wonderful, varied, thought-provoking choices!
Robin
Received on Thu 05 Feb 2009 03:41:19 PM CST
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 15:41:19 -0600
Dear all, The really interesting things about committee choices is that we can always be assured that the committee talked about everything--all the criteria from art to art and words together to guttering to word placement to the story...and so many other things too. I have never served on Caldecott, but I have been a part of other committees and I love seeing what is chosen each year by these very smart, very dedicated readers.
So, no matter how I felt about a book when I read it the first time, I look forward to rereading it through the eyes of the committee.
********************
Unfortunately, my copy of the Krommes book is missing from my classroom library, but I remember the amazing illustrations resting near the equally quiet poems. Reminiscent of Wanda Gag and others of the three-color separation period, these amazing spreads of scratchboard art were impressive. I wish I had it on my knee to comment further.
Marla Frazee's art, so recognizable and marvelous is the first thing that drew me to _A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever_ My students have loved her Santa Claus book and, being second graders, have committed Clementine to memory. SO, I knew they would love this one. The story, while hilarious to me, took a little explaining for my little ones. Once they slowed down and read the words AND the pictures, they loved the friendship ("Jamon!") and the relationship with the grandparents. It's fun for kids to be in on a joke and they loved this one.
I was surprised--but not at all unhappy--about _How I Learned Geography's Caldecott Honor_. I had read it to my class earlier in the year and they were captivated by this memoir in pictures and words. We were able to talk about how memories change over time and how we have to rely on our parent's story of our babyhood because we can't remember "that far back." When they saw the hand drawn map in the Author's Note, they actually gasped. This is a quiet book, a different story, but I have read it many, many times now and I hope Shulevitz will write more picture book memoirs of the rest of his childhood.
And _River of Words_. Wow. I just love this book. I did not know if the committee might think it too old, or be concerned about whether children knew who William Carlos Williams was or not. I love Sweet's collages and use of material and Jen Bryant's love of poetry shines through. I love the connection, both in words and illustrations, to Seurat and the surrealists, even though I am not an expert on art. This is wonderful book and would be a great model for kids who want to explore a person's life in art and words. The use of mixed media and collage is stunning. I hope the silver sticker leads children to her other marvelous books.
Wonderful, varied, thought-provoking choices!
Robin
Received on Thu 05 Feb 2009 03:41:19 PM CST
