From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse_at_wisc.edu>
Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:51:17 -0600

"The Lion and the Mouse" deserves the 2010 Caldecott Award because it's the most distinguished illustration in an original children's book published in the U.S. during 2010. Not because Jerry Pinkney deserves a Caldecott Award. However "deserving" an artist or writer (think: Newbery) might be going on into the awards season, it's the eligible book the committee must consider. The Caldecott Award isn't a lifetime achievement award, although as 2010 Newbery Chair Katie O'Dell is quoted as telling Rebecca Stead, "I have news for you that will change your life." We might agree that Jerry Pinkney also deserves lifetime achievement awards, and he's already begun to collect more than I can list if I mention only the Regina Medal and the Hope Dean Award. The Caldecott honors eligible books in a particular year, and during this particular year, most of us knew that "The Lion and the Mouse" was at the top. Someone has referred to the elegant production of this Caldecott winner. Before opening the book, notice the desi gn of the spine information. As you turn the pages, sense the choice of paper stock. These are only two of the design elements honoring Pinkney's masterful watercolors and sly creature personification as befits an Aesop talking fable as well as about a dozen other reasons for making this Caldecott Award book especially deserving.

Peace, Ginny

Ginny Moore Kruse CCBC Director Emerita gmkruse_at_wisc.edu
Received on Mon 01 Feb 2010 09:51:17 AM CST