From: Maia Cheli-Colando <maia_at_littlefolktales.org>
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:13:49 -0800

I have not yet read the honor books for 2010, but I am delighted with The Lion & the Mouse as a Caldecott selection. The furry mammals' facial expressions are so evocative -- so imperfectly perfect, as real, living creatures are. I particularly like the rising lion image just after he sets the mouse free. Speaking of expressions, it is interesting that the humans' are blocked - while we all understand that the humans are causing the problem, Pinkney neither demonizes them nor changes the focus to a human lens.

I wonder how much the elegance of a given book's preparation plays into the Caldecott choice? Not only are Pinkney's illustrations gorgeous, and the way he (I assume) integrated the text into the images exquisite, but the quality of the paper together with the bold choice of making a textless cover* lift the book up yet another notch or three. I am always thrilled when hardcovers are treated this way; I wish more were -- making them objects of art in and of themselves. So kudos to everyone involved!

I do wish that My Abuelita had been part of the Caldecott group this year; the illustrations are so tasty, and I know this book my son will read again and again (he's getting it for his birthday shortly). My daughter and I were just reading it with glee - very yummy. I'm glad it won the Pura Belpre, and I hope librarians will rush to order it alongside the Caldecott titles. :)

Maia

* Also, I love Pinkney's humor. Is the lion on the cover terrified by the mouse, or...?

-- Maia Cheli-Colando Arcata, Humboldt Bay, California -- blogging at http://www.littlefolktales.org/wordpress -- -- or drop in on Facebook! --

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Received on Wed 27 Jan 2010 02:13:49 PM CST