From: Sarah Prielipp <sprielipp_at_sagchip.org>
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:48:20 -0500

I have not had a chance to check out the Newbery Medal and honor books yet, but I have looked at the Caldecott Medal and honor books. Thanks to our book subscription service, we had all three of the Caldecott honorees prior to the announcement, but our library only has one or two of the Newbery honorees (also received via same subscription service).

AMOS MCGEE evoked such a quiet, gentle mood that I think it was easy to overlook the complexity of the illustrations and how they enhanced the plot. The illustrations seemed to take the reader back in time; they reminded me of picture book illustrations from when I was a child, not today's picture books. Yet they work with the story. Amos's soft red nose as he catches a cold, the animals' concern, and the pages of illustrations that continue the story wordlessly work together to tell this story of friendship. One committee member describes the book as "timeless" on the ALA's website, and I think that captures the essence of the book and its illustrations. This is a story that will stand the test of time, and each reading allows the reader to find something new.

INTERRUPTING CHICKEN is a much "louder" book in its tone and colors, and I thoroughly enjoyed the plot. I must admit that I missed that Little Chicken was not properly portrayed as a female chicken! The exasperation of the father, though, was so lovingly portrayed and the daughter's constant interruptions remind me of read-alouds with my own children, albeit not always so creative in their additions.

I haven't had a chance to look at DAVE THE POTTER as a student has it checked out.

Sarah Prielipp, MLIS Tribal Librarian Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 7070 E. Broadway Mt. Pleasant,MI 48858 989.775.4519 sprielipp_at_sagchip.org Find books and more: www.youseemore.com/saginaw
Received on Fri 21 Jan 2011 03:48:20 PM CST