From: Jeanatkins at aol.com <Jeanatkins>
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:36:47 EST

Like others here, I'm excited about this year's Caldecott winner and honors. I'm a fan of Beth Krommes's illustrations, especially in The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish, and the House in the Night is gorgeous in a whole other way. Since I love Jen Bryant's writing and William Carlos Williams and always Melissa Sweet, I'm thrilled that A River of Words was recognized. I think Sweet's collages, full of words in many styles and sizes of typeface, match the way Williams sort of clipped word-pictures from the life around him. Bits of old books, star charts, and yellowing paper make a ?river of words? with illustrations that change quickly and are particular, again like William's small detailed poems. I hope teachers use this picture book biography with Sharon Creech's Hate that Cat! which also pays playful homage to Williams among other poets.

And being among those who've been cranky about the under-representation of women in past Caldecott awards, it's very nice not to complain this year.

Jeannine Jeannine Atkins www.Jeannine Atkins.com Views from a Windowseat blog: http://jeannineatkins.livejournal.com/



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Received on Wed 11 Feb 2009 01:36:47 PM CST