Caldecott Medal and Honor Books 2017

 

2017 Caldecott Medal and Honor books

 

Caldecott Medal

Radiant Child, the Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat written and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe

From the Amazon description: “Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique, collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had ever seen. But before that, he was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums, in games and in the words that we speak, and in the pulsing energy of New York City. Now, award-winning illustrator Javaka Steptoe's vivid text and bold artwork echoing Basquiat's own introduce young readers to the powerful message that art doesn't always have to be neat or clean--and definitely not inside the lines--to be beautiful.”

 

You can listen to the book read by the author here (although he doesn’t read it word for word perfectly): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAxpNb6U8Fo

 

Javaka Steptoe, the author and illustrator of this book, was born and raised in Brooklyn. I thought I recognized the Steptoe name. His father, John Steptoe, illustrated two books that were given the Caldecott Honor – The Story of Jumping Mouse, and Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. So it looks like Javaka is carrying on the family tradition. It is said that he was often a model for his father’s book illustrations. Javaka’s award-winning book, Radiant Child, also received the Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature and the Coretta Scott King Book Award from the American Library Association.

 

My opinion: Basquiat was a Brooklyn-born Haitian-Puerto Rican artist whose first public exhibit was in 1980 when he was only 20 years old. Basquiat’s mother is attributed with fostering his love for art, but she suffered from mental illness. Despite this difficult time in his life, he doesn’t let go of his dreams. In his paintings, he puts a crown on his mother as a sign of honor and value. His collage paintings are bright and bold and reflect his heritage. Sadly, he struggled with drug addiction and died at the age of 27.  As you look at any of Basquiat’s art, watch for certain motifs he used throughout his works: a crown represented power or strength and for those who needed to be respected. Eyes represented remembering or understanding. Cars, trucks, and airplanes represented his childhood and a car accident that badly injured him.

 

Author/illustrator Steptoe grew up in the same part of New York City as Basquiat and so was exposed to his work in high school. He even went to one of Basquiat’s art shows. This inspired Steptoe to believe that even he, a young African American artist, had a chance for success. Steptoe used pieces of discarded wood from old Brooklyn Museum exhibit materials, the dumpsters of Brooklyn brownstones, on which to create his illustrations. While I am not personally a fan of modern art, I have lived outside New York City for a time so this book was of interest to me. I have friends who were also born and raised in Brooklyn, and this book gives me a little more understanding of their world.

 

Caldecott Honor books

 

LEAVE ME ALONE! written and illustrated by Vera Brosgol

From the Amazon description: “an epic tale about one grandmother, a giant sack of yarn, and her ultimate quest to finish her knitting. One day, a grandmother shouts, "LEAVE ME ALONE!" and leaves her tiny home and her very big family to journey to the moon and beyond to find peace and quiet to finish her knitting. Along the way, she encounters ravenous bears, obnoxious goats, and even hordes of aliens! But nothing stops grandma from accomplishing her goal―knitting sweaters for her many grandchildren to keep them warm and toasty for the coming winter. Vera Brosgol's slyly clever and unexpectedly funny modern folktale is certain to warm even the coldest of hearts.”

 

Listen to the book read here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFqfFbXRrrA

 

Vera Brosgol is a young Moscow-born artist who moved to the United States when she was five. She has worked on animation projects as well as written graphic novels. LEAVE ME ALONE! is her first picture book and reflects her love of knitting.

 

My opinion: In addition to being a Caldecott Honor book, LEAVE ME ALONE! also was named A New York Times Notable Children’s Book, the National Public Radio Best Book of 2016, the Horn Book Best Book of 2016, and the Huffington Post Best Picture Book of 2016. This book is a modern folktale that will definitely appeal to those who long for some time alone; you know, those introverts among us. Or even for those who love to knit!

 

Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie.

From the Amazon description: “This poetic, nonfiction story about a little-known piece of African American history captures a human's capacity to find hope and joy in difficult circumstances and demonstrates how New Orleans' Congo Square was truly freedom's heart.
Mondays, there were hogs to slop,
mules to train, and logs to chop,
Slavery was no ways fair.
Six more days to Congo Square.
As slaves relentlessly toiled in an unjust system in 19th century Louisiana, they all counted down the days until Sunday, when at least for half a day they were briefly able to congregate in Congo Square in New Orleans. Here they were free to set up an open market, sing, dance, and play music. They were free to forget their cares, their struggles, and their oppression. This story chronicles slaves' duties each day, from chopping logs on Mondays to baking bread on Wednesdays to plucking hens on Saturday, and builds to the freedom of Sundays and the special experience of an afternoon spent in Congo Square. This book includes a forward from Freddi Williams Evans (freddievans.com), a historian and Congo Square expert, as well as a glossary of terms with pronunciations and definitions.”

 

You can listen to the story being read here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ciW_a94yVs

 

Carole Boston Weatherford is an African-American author who began writing poetry at a very young age, being inspired by Dr. Seuss and Langston Hughes. She feels her calling is "to mine the past for family stories, fading traditions and forgotten struggles." She also wrote Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom which is a Newbery Honor book. Many of her books reflect her desire to present the truth about people and events of her heritage. Other fine examples of her work are Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins, and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, both of which I own and love.

 

R. Gregory Christie is a highly regarded illustrator, winning many awards for his work. He also illustrated Book Itch! Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore, and Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal  which I also own. Christie actually has a bookstore very near me. I might just have to go!

 

My opinion: In this book, couplets count down the days of the week until Sunday. Although the book does present the harsh lives of slavery, it is appropriate still for younger children. A definite contrast is portrayed between the labored life during the week of the slaves and the exuberant dance and music of the freedom of Sunday afternoons. The author notes that jazz originated from the African rhythms first celebrated in Congo Square.

 

Du Iz Tak? written and illustrated by Carson Ellis.

From the Amazon description: “Du iz tak? What is that? As a tiny shoot unfurls, two damselflies peer at it in wonder. When the plant grows taller and sprouts leaves, some young beetles arrive to gander, and soon—with the help of a pill bug named Icky—they wrangle a ladder and build a tree fort. But this is the wild world, after all, and something horrible is waiting to swoop down—booby voobeck!—only to be carried off in turn. Su! With exquisitely detailed illustrations and tragicomic flair, Carson Ellis invites readers to imagine the dramatic possibilities to be found in even the humblest backyard. Su!”

 

You can listen to the book being read here exactly as written: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXfUyZEuz1A

 

And you can listen to the book being read here by a grandfather for his grandchildren, complete with his version of the translation of the words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhNhyv7BThk

 

Carson Ellis, the author and illustrator of this book, is a Canadian-born American illustrator. She has illustrated children’s picture books, album art for folk art bands, and even wallpaper! She also is the illustrator for some of the Mysterious Benedict Society series titles.

 

My opinion: The fun thing about this book is that it is written in an imaginary bug language. The story tells of the microcosm of a small square in the insect world as season changes to season over time. This would make a fun read before an ecosystem study of the backyard. The adorable illustrations are done in gouache and ink, with lots of detail and yet a lot of open white space. A nonfiction book that comes to mind to go along with this would be Backyard by Donald Silver, part of the One Small Square series. Honestly, at first I didn’t like Du Iz Tak?, but the more I read it, the more delightful I find it. A made-up language of bugs? Why not? After all, we praise Tolkien for his imaginary world and language; why not one about bugs for children?

 

They All Saw a Cat written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel.

From the Amazon description: “the cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws . . . In this glorious celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, Brendan Wenzel shows us the many lives of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see. When you see a cat, what do you see?”

 

You can listen to the story being read here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ4OjYER_nk

 

And here’s a cute song created about the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt_kCPXyHPc

 

Brendan Wenzel is from upstate New York. He is a committed conservationist and works with organizations who seek to protect wild places. His picture books seem centered around animals and critters, and he often portrays a message about perspective and differing viewpoints.

 

My opinion: The illustrations in this book are a variety of colored pencil, oil pastels, acrylic paint, watercolor, charcoal, Magic Marker, good old number 2 pencils, and even a MacBook. And yet, it all comes together delightfully and actually appropriately since his message in the book is one of the diversity of perspective each of us has. The repetitive phrasing is perfect for little ones to enjoy. Also interesting is the introduction to the varying vision capabilities of animals. A nice nonfiction book to accompany this would be Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World by Steve Jenkins.

Caldecott Medal and Honor books 2018

 

2018 Caldecott Medal and Honor books

 

Caldecott Medal

Wolf in the Snow written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell

From the Amazon description: “A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home? Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Here is a book set on a wintry night that will spark imaginations and warm hearts.”

 

You can listen to the book being read here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIdyzXrHqTM

This is the best one I could find. Seems like a teacher doing the story. The book is almost a wordless book, and she lets the pictures tell the story.

 

And a video of the author telling more about the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrINnl8S0Qg

 

Matthew Cordell is an American author/illustrator of children’s picture books, poetry and novels. In addition to receiving the Caldecott Medal for this book, he has also been honored with the Best of the Year selections by the New York Times, the Washington Post, and The Boston Globe. He has worked with other authors such as Gail Carson Levine, Philip C. Stead, and Rebecca Kai Dotlich. Another book he wrote that looks interesting to me is Hello Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers. I’ve requested that one from my public library.

 

My opinion: This is a satisfying story of friendship, a frightening situation resolved by helping one another. The book is almost completely wordless except for some “sound” words like Bark! or howl… which actually provide a good opportunity to talk about a very big word: onomatopoeia. Because the book is mostly wordless, it appeals to little ones. I can imagine how reading this book to my little 2 ½ year old grandson would be enjoyable. He would probably copy the way I read those words. The book lets the pictures tell the story, so “reading” it is different each time. Then young children can also develop their own version of the story. The illustrations were created with pen and ink with watercolor. Two interesting features of this book are the five full-page wordless illustrations set before the title page, which introduce to the reader the characters of the little girl, her family, and the wolves. Also, behind the dust jacket on the actual front and back covers are more vignettes of illustrations that further enrich the story line. I’ve never noticed an author do this before. Although the book seems like it would be best for very young children, I noticed one person on an Amazon review stated that she used this book with a class of older autistic students to help them develop and practice their story-telling skills. The story features many emotions a young child feels in frightening situations but ends with family, safety, warmth.

 

Caldecott Honor books

Big Cat, Little Cat written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper

From the Amazon description:

There was a cat
who lived alone.
Until the day
a new cat came . . .And so a story of friendship begins, following the two cats through their days, months, and years until one day, the older cat has to go. And he doesn’t come back. This is a poignant story, told in measured text and bold black-and-white illustrations about the act of moving on.

 

You can listen to the story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUopy9-lz_w

Elisha Cooper, the author and illustrator, has written nonfiction books as well as children’s picture books. He was a Maurice Sendak Fellow in 2016, a residency program for illustrators. He also won the Robin Smith Picture Book Prize in 2020. Many of his picture books have one-word titles. Interesting!

My opinion: The black line drawings on white background as well as the very simple text are perfect for this story which gently tells of the normal life cycle of animals. At the beginning, the black cat is the little one, but after the big white cat “goes away,” the black cat is then the big cat and he gains a new friend, a little white cat. I think unless a child has experienced the loss of a pet, the concept would be a little above a little one’s head. But if your family has experienced this kind of loss, this book could be reassuring and bring understanding and hope.

And now I’m going down “rabbit trails” to request other books by this author/illustrator from my public library! As much as I love and gravitate to the older books, I am finding some delightful newer illustrators and enjoying their books very much!

 

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James

From the Amazon description: The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother’s hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices. A fresh cut makes boys fly. This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber’s chair—a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. The fresh cuts. That’s where it all begins. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror.

 

You can listen to the story read by the author here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkkBGf2aALw

 

Derrick Barnes is the first African-American male creative copyrighter hired by Hallmark Cards. He also won the Kirkus prize twice, the first to do so. Barnes has also written novels for middle school age. His goal for writing as stated in an interview is “that there aren't enough books about kids of color by people of color. ‘I want to leave behind a body of work my children can be proud of, but I also want to change how children see themselves in this world. I want to thwart those negative images and make sure they know they are loved.’"

 

Gordon C. James, illustrator, is an African-American artist of both children’s books and fine arts. His work is rich in color and beautiful captures the spirit of his heritage. I have another book illustrated by him, Campy: The Story of Roy Campanella.

 

My opinion: This book, Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, not only is a Caldecott Honor book, but also is a Newbery Honor Book, a Coreta Scott King Author Honor Book, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book, an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award Boook, an Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Book, and a Society of Illustrators Gold Medal Book. Wow! That’s amazing and not the usual. The oil paintings are bright and colorful and nicely capture the emotions of the story. What young boy doesn’t feel more grown up being in a barber chair and enjoying the attention, as well as that new confidence feeling after a good cut? The only thing I didn’t appreciate was the boy’s confidence that his new haircut would get him some attention from a cute girl in school. I understand that but not sure I would want my five-year-old grandson to be encouraged about that. 😊

 

A Different Pond written by Bao Phi and illustrated by Thi Bui

From the Amazon description: ” an unforgettable story about a simple event - a long-ago fishing trip. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi deliver a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son - and between cultures, old and new. As a young boy, Bao and his father awoke early, hours before his father's long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao's father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. Thi Bui's striking, evocative art paired with Phi's expertly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture books six starred reviews and numerous awards.”

 

You can listen to the story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td59o8PUKjY

 

Bao Phi, the author, is a performance poet, a Vietnamese-American, who grew up in Minneapolis. His published works are mainly poetry, and A Different Pond is his first children’s book.

 

Thi Bui, the illustrator, is a Vietnamese-American graphic artist who came to the United States in 1978 as part of the “boat people fleeing from Southeast Asia. All of her work reflects her heritage.

 

My opinion: This book is an immigrant story which celebrates family history and helps a child reader to understand a sense of family heritage and better understand his parents’ experiences. The illustrator used photos of Bao’s family from his childhood to realistically portray the Vietnamese immigrant’s home of the story with graphic-style illustrations. The sweet relationship between father and son is beautiful as they share the experience of fishing together. I was hoping there would be a little more information given by the father about his own childhood on “a different pond,” and was disappointed about that. One reviewer said the book is an “important opportunity for empathy and gratitude.” I agree.

 

Grand Canyon written and illustrated by Jason Chin

From the Amazon description: “Rivers wind through earth, cutting down and eroding the soil for millions of years, creating a cavity in the ground 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep known as the Grand Canyon. Home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals that have lived and evolved within its walls for millennia, the Grand Canyon is much more than just a hole in the ground. Follow a father and daughter as they make their way through the cavernous wonder, discovering life both present and past. Weave in and out of time as perfectly placed die cuts show you that a fossil today was a creature much long ago, perhaps in a completely different environment. Complete with a spectacular double gatefold, an intricate map and extensive back matter.”

 

Listen to the book read here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtQYZ1fsGnQ

 

And an interview with the author here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dt77y2eIpk

 

My opinion: The illustrations are done in pen and ink, watercolor, and gouache. The book features a beautiful foldout double page which displays the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. Also throughout the book are several cutouts to explore. The book is obviously full of evolutionary content on almost every page, so that’s an issue for me. It is a beautiful book though to show the beauty of this national treasure. And an unusual nonfiction Caldecott book when most seem to be fictional. I do like another nonfiction book by Chin entitled Gravity, which is a simple explanation on the topic.

 

Caldecott Medal and Honor books the year 2019

 

Caldecott Book Reviews 2019

Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall and illustrated also by Blackall.

From the Amazon description: ”Transports readers to the seaside in timeless, nautical splendor!
Watch the days and seasons pass as the wind blows, the fog rolls in, and icebergs drift by. Outside, there is water all around. Inside, the daily life of a lighthouse keeper and his family unfolds as the keeper boils water for tea, lights the lamp's wick, and writes every detail in his logbook.
Step back in time and through the door of this iconic lighthouse into a cozy dollhouse-like interior with the extraordinary award-winning artist Sophie Blackall.” 

You can watch the book being read aloud here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jos3gkJ9Jg4 

And listen to questions and answers about the book done by the author here in these four videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWrQpW8ROiI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-Cj8gXwu_0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWmCN8EmxsI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-oN0_R5ce0 

If you would like, you can purchase a pack of 100 bookmarks featuring this book here from the American Library Association store: https://www.alastore.ala.org/content/hello-lighthouse-bookmark 

Sophie Blackall is an Australian illustrator based in Brooklyn. She is the illustrator of another Caldecott Medal, Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear. She has worked together with authors such as Jacqueline Woodson, Aldous Huxley, Jane Yolen, and Polly Horvath. She also has written and illustrated books such as The Baby Tree and Are You Awake. Blackall has received many awards including the New York Times Best Children’s Book of the Year, Ezra Jack Keats Award for Best New Illustrator, and Horn Book Honor. Before writing this book, she visited several lighthouses, “climbing spiral staircases, poring over keepers’ logbooks, and gazing happily out lantern room windows.” 

My opinion: This book is full of historically-accurate details of the lighthouse. The illustrations are done in Chinese ink and watercolor and beautifully portray the steadiness and stability of the lighthouse in the midst of all the changes in weather and over time. The lighthouse is always in the same location on the two-page spreads to portray that constancy. There are cutaway illustrations that show the interior of the lighthouse with lots of detail. When you think about a lighthouse, you think about the usual circular shape as you are inside looking up. To highlight that, Blackall adds some circle vignette illustrations on various pages. So clever! The front and back inside covers give lots more information in picture and text about lighthouses. At the end, there is a nice surprise of a foldout page which shows the lighthouse from two perspectives on the front and back of the page. The repetition of the first few lines from the beginning to the end bring the book to a satisfying finish. The beams of the lighthouse calling out “hello, hello” beg for an answer. As some reviewers of this book have stated, the lighthouse is a symbol of dependability in a world full of changes, something every child needs.

Alma and How She Got Her Name, written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

From the Amazon description: "What’s in a name? For one little girl, her very long name tells the vibrant story of where she came from — and who she may one day be. If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name? Alma turns to Daddy for an answer and learns of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers; Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. As she hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all — and realizes that she will one day have her own story to tell. In her author-illustrator debut, Juana Martinez-Neal opens a treasure box of discovery for children who may be curious about their own origin stories or names." 

You can listen to the book being read here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBmNmwsEz_g

The story is read by a US Senator who was a Spanish immigrant, so you’ll get the correct pronunciation of the Spanish names. And the book has been published in both English and Spanish. 

The author/illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal is an American immigrant who grew up in Lima, Peru. She follows the footsteps of her father and grandfather as an illustrator. Her debut book as both author and illustrator, Alma and How She Got Her Name, is a Caldecott Honor book. Most of her books reflect her Peruvian heritage. She has won several honors in addition to the Caldecott: Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration and Robert F. Sibert Medal. 

My opinion:  The illustrations are delightfully done in graphite, colored pencils and print transfers, and are monochromatic on a cream-colored handmade textured paper. How wonderful! The pink stripes on Alma’s clothing are repeated on the front and back inside covers and are also the bright spot on every page, highlighting her and her importance. What child doesn’t question their name at some point? I was named after my mother’s best friend. Two of my grandsons have as middle names their grandfather’s name. My niece has my grandmother’s name. These names give identity and should be shared with children. Again, as many other Caldecott Medal book portray, the theme of this book is belonging, heritage, and family lineage. One noted drawback for me in this book is the reference to the great-aunt Pura who “believed that the spirits of our ancestors are always with us. When you were born, she tied a red string around your wrist: a charm to keep you safe.” I’m sure this is probably a belief of the author’s Peruvian background.

A Big Mooncake for Little Star, written and illustrated by Grace Lin

From the Amazon description: “Tells a whimsical origin story of the phases of the moon, from award-winning, bestselling author-illustrator Grace Lin. Pat, pat, pat...Little Star's soft feet tiptoed to the Big Mooncake. Little Star loves the delicious Mooncake that she bakes with her mama. But she's not supposed to eat any yet! What happens when she can't resist a nibble? In this stunning picture book that shines as bright as the stars in the sky, Newbery Honor author Grace Lin creates a heartwarming original story that explains phases of the moon.”

You can watch the story being read aloud here complete with space music in the background: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNp11Ba6-CU

Grace Lin’s website gives activities to accompany her books, this one included: https://gracelin.com/A-Big-Mooncake-For-Little-Star/#activities

Lin even includes a recipe to make mooncakes to accompany the reading of the book: http://www.gracelinblog.com/2018/09/mooncake-recipe.html

Grace Lin is the daughter of Tawainese-American immigrants. She also wrote the 2010 Newbery Honor book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, which is an Asian version of the Wizard of Oz. Many of her books both authored and illustrated seem to reflect her heritage. Including the Caldecott Honor Book award and the Newbery Honor Book award, she has also received the Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature Honorable Mention and the Texas Bluebonnet Award. Lin has also written and illustrated the Ling & Ting series, the Pacy series, and the Children’s Fairytales series, none of which I have read.

My opinion: This is a delightful mother/daughter story. The love shared between mother and daughter is commendable. The story tells like a modern folktale which explains the origin of the phases of the moon. The story takes place in outer space and the illustrations are painted in gouache on a black background of rag watercolor paper to portray the setting. The mother and daughter are wearing black clothing with bright yellow stars. The story reflect Lin’s love for the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, her favorite Asian holiday. It traces the waning phases of the moon from new to crescent – and then mother and daughter start all over again, just like the phases of the moon do. The daughter’s lack of self-control to resist eating the mooncake reminds me of the Frog and Toad story about the temptation of the cookies. What little child – and adults for that matter – have not struggled with that! I love the daughter’s honesty to admit that she ate the mooncake and the mother’s forgiveness and patience to make another one. On every page, the daughter has her little white stuffed bunny – a nice touch. All of my grandsons have such a treasured stuffed animal. I did enjoy this book as a modern folktale with truly beautiful illustrations!

The Rough Patch written and illustrated by Brian Lies

From the Amazon description: “Brian Lies has created a beautiful, accessible, and deeply personal story about friendship, loss, and renewal. The Rough Patch was awarded a Caldecott Honor and features stunning paintings from the award-winning creator of Bats at the Beach. Evan and his dog do everything together, from eating ice cream to caring for their prize-winning garden, which grows big and beautiful. One day the unthinkable happens: Evan’s dog dies. Heartbroken, Evan destroys the garden and everything in it. The ground becomes overgrown with prickly weeds and thorns, and Evan embraces the chaos. But beauty grows in the darkest of places, and when a twisting vine turns into an immense pumpkin, Evan is drawn out of his isolation and back to the county fair, where friendships—old and new—await. A deeply hopeful and positive book, The Rough Patch was awarded a Caldecott Honor and is a story about love, loss, and hope, and the healing power of friendship and nature.”

You can listen to the book being read aloud here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0sTq69IUiM

Brian Lies is an American-born author/illustrator. In his growing up years, he was always drawing and interested in learning art. His illustrations have been seen in many books over the years, as well as in children’s magazines such as Spider, Ladybug, and Babybug. He is known for his uncanny ability to show the faces of animals expressing emotion. Thus, this book and the emotions of loss on the face of the fox truly fulfill that reputation.

My opinion: This book is one I would highly recommend for young children on loss and grief. The illustrations are done with acrylics, oils, and colored pencils. There are full-page spreads with lots of backyard details, vignettes surrounded by white space to highlight each one, and pages that are almost empty. I love the variety of that. The book shows such a range of emotions from the happiness of friendships shared, to the quiet loss, to the anger, to the little thread of hope that winds its way into the heart, to finally love renewed. Being one who has experienced deep grief myself in the loss of my husband, I find this book very satisfying. The role of nature in the healing process is valuable as well. It reminds me of another picture book, Helen’s Victory Garden, by Helen Wilbur in which Lily gets permission to plant a Victory Garden at a house where the Bishops’ son has died in WW II, and slowly the garden helps Mrs. Bishop recover from her grief. That’s another picture book that addresses grief for children and that I highly recommend.

 Thank You, Omu! written and illustrated by Oge Mora

From the Amazon description: “In this remarkable author-illustrator debut that's perfect for fans of Last Stop on Market Street and Extra Yarn, a generous woman is rewarded by her community.
Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu's delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself? Debut author-illustrator Oge Mora brings to life a heartwarming story of sharing and community in colorful cut-paper designs as luscious as Omu's stew, with an extra serving of love. An author's note explains that "Omu" (pronounced AH-moo) means "queen" in the Igbo language of her parents, but growing up, she used it to mean "Grandma." This book was inspired by the strong female role models in Oge Mora's life.”

Oge More is an artist of colorful collage and teller of warm loving stories. This young artist was born to Nigerian immigrants to the United States. This book by More has won the following honors in addition to the Caldecott Honor:2019 Coretta Scott King award, John Steptoe New Talent Illustrators Award, 2019 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award, Boston Globe Best Children’s Book of 2018, the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award finalist and many others. So you know it’s good! You can read an interview with her here: https://www.artofthepicturebook.com/-check-in-with/2018/10/15/pm2gtdumqdmzg4qb8ffnwkgu9rbcc0

My opinion: The repetition of specific words and lines are a delightful draw to this story that little ones love in picture book stories. “Knock knock,” “Mmmmmm, stew!” “Thank you, Omu!” are all repeated each time a new person comes to the door for a taste of Omu’s stew. Mora’s collage illustrations are made with layers of paint, print scraps, old book clippings are so interesting. Not my favorite kind of illustrations but fascinating at the same time. They are reminiscent of Eric Carle’s illustrations cut from various painted papers he produced. The story is sweet, displaying generosity, community, unselfishness, and ultimately the kindness returned to Omu. A wonderful story about sharing! Sweet!  

 

 

 

Caldecott Medal and Honor books for the year 2020

Caldecott Medal

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson.

This book is also a 2020 Newbery Honor book and the winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.

From the Amazon description of this book: “Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. Robust back matter at the end provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more.”

 

You can watch the book being read aloud by the author to a group of students here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cHIWtl8PNk

 

Alexander is an accomplished, award-winning poet and author of 35 books, most of which seem to be centered around African Americans.

 

Kadir Nelson is a painter, illustrator and author. He has been a Caldecott Honor recipient twice (Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad in 2008, and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom in 2007– both favorites of mine) and won the Caldecott Medal for his illustrations in this book, The Undefeated.

 

My opinion: Definitely makes an inspiring statement about African-American history and those who overcame so much. Includes the statement Black Lives Matter, which seems appropriate for the year 2020, but in this case without the violence of the movement. More on the inspiring side. The illustrations are oils on panel and are striking! One thing I liked about the words in this book are the repetitious use of the prefix “un” as in unforgettable, undeniable, unflappable, unafraid, unspeakable, unlimited, undiscovered, unbelievable, unbending, underdogs, uncertain, unspoken, untitled, and the undefeated. Those adjectives capture the poem’s meaning. I also like the facial expressions throughout the book and how they change from somber, hurting, determined, and finally hopeful and happy as the last page shows young black Americans smiling.

 

Caldecott Honor

Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris, illustrated by LeUyen Pham.

From the Amazon description of this book: “A cheerful and action-packed adventure about the importance of friendship and community from a successful author and illustrator duo! Once there was a river flowing through a forest. The river didn't know it was capable of adventures until a big bear came along. But adventures aren't any fun by yourself, and so enters Froggy, Turtles, Beaver, Racoons, and Duck. These very different animals take off downstream, but they didn't know they needed one another until thankfully, the river came along. This hilarious picture book and heartfelt message celebrates the joy and fun that's in store when you embark together on a ride of a lifetime.”

You can watch a video of the author reading and commenting on the story here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW9OYd5bcTI

And an interview with Morris here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--wyfRojEGA

Richard T. Morris is a more recent author. Morris also wrote Fear the Bunny, Sheep 101, This is a Moose, Two Brothers One Tail and Bye Bye Baby. He is an E.B. White Award Honoree and a Midwest Bookseller Choice Award winner.

LeUyen Pham was born in Vietnam and came to the US for art school. She has illustrated over 80 books including the Freckleface Strawberry series and the graphic novel series Real Friends (I have not read these yet). Bear Came Along is her first Caldecott award.

 

My opinion: The illustrations in this book are so fun and lively. They are done in watercolor, ink, and gouache on hot-press illustration board. The story line follows bear as he gathers friends along the journey down the river. They do well until they find themselves at the very top of a waterfall. Over they go holding on to each other. “So many different animals living their separate lives, but they didn’t know they were in it together until….” This book about friendships and enjoying life together will be enjoyed by young children. I love the author’s use of the word “until” which brings some suspense at the end of one page before you turn to the next page to find out what happens. Delightful!

 

Double Bass Blues by Andrea J. Loney and illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez.

From the Amazon description: “A joyous celebration of family, community, and the unifying power of music, perfect for fans of Last Stop on Market Street. Nic is an aspiring musician whose life spans two different worlds--his suburban school where he wows his friends in orchestra, and the busy city streets of his home where he's jostled by the crowd. Nic makes his way home from a busy day at school with a double bass on his back, the symphony of his surroundings in his heart, and a sweet surprise for the reader at the end of his journey. This is a sweet, melodious picture book about how dedication, music, and family can overcome any obstacle.”

 

You can listen to the book read aloud here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qD70U6EqyM

Delightfully done with commentary and sound effects.

 

The book has acrylic painted illustrations that are rich in color and portray movement and energy to match the story. I like the School Library Journal’s description of this book: “Colorful, full of movement, limited in text but loaded with emotion, this is an ode to the diversity of music and the determination of a talented kid.”

 

Andrea J. Loney won the New Voices Award for Take a Picture of Me, Mr. Van Der Zee!

 

Rudy Gutierrez has won many awards for his illustrations:  Pura Belpré Honor, an Américas Award, a Children's Africana Book Award, and a New York Book Award. Much of his work features Puerto Rican images, based on his own background. He has taught art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn since 1990. His illustrations are even featured on U.S. postage stamps in the Musical Icon series of Jimi Hendrix.

 

My opinion: Although the book is mostly wordless, the words that are in this book introduce the idea of onomatopoeia, very appropriate for a book about music. The book will be enjoyed by any child who is interested in playing an instrument and learning music. The boy’s passion for music and especially his large instrument are inspiring. He sets a goal and has self-discipline and determination to accomplish it. And he doesn’t let the scorn and unkindness of others stop him. This book made me glad I learned to play the flute and piccolo which are far easier to transport!

 

Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Daniel Mintor.

From the Amazon description: “Set at one young boy’s annual family reunion, this Caldecott Honor-winning picture book by Kelly Starling Lyons and Daniel Minter is a rich and moving celebration of Black history, culture, and the power of family traditions. On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there’s nothing like going down home. Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will gather with great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to their family history. All the kids have to decide what they’ll share, but what will Lil Alan do?”

You can listen to the book read aloud by the author here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cHIWtl8PNk

The book not only is a Caldecott Honor book for 2020 but is also on the 2020 ALSC Notable Children's Book List.

Kelly Starling Lyons has written over a dozen books featuring African-American history and culture, including Ellen’s Broom which is a Coretta Scott King Honor book about a young girl who learns the true meaning of freedom during the years of Reconstruction.

Daniel Mintor, the illustrator, is a Georgian-born African-American artist whose work mainly features African Americans such as Sojourner Truth and William “Doc” Key.

My opinion: What stands out to me in this book is the concept of family, especially intergenerational family. And especially in the year of 2020, when so many family gatherings were cancelled. I know our family reunion in upstate NY had to be postponed, and we had been so much looking forward to it! The illustrations were created in acrylic wash. Some of the pages are bright and colorful and others are all in a deep blue hue. The concept of owning their land and its importance is featured. I feel this way, too, about the land where I grew up. Some of it has stayed in our family for two generations now; some of it has been sold as the older generation passed on. In today’s transient society, many have lost that love for “the land.” This book reminds me of another Caldecott book,The Relatives Came by Rylant, in which another family travels to grandparents’ house in the country for a reunion. That book was a Caldecott Honor book in 1986, a whole generation before this book. Interesting how similar the books are. From generation to generation, there is just something satisfying about gathering with relatives. It says you belong!