2016
Caldecott Medal and Honor Books
Caldecott
Medal book
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear written by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall.
From the Amazon
description: “In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a
veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and
rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and
he took the bear to war. Harry Colebourn's real-life great-granddaughter tells
the true story of a remarkable friendship and an even more remarkable
journey--from the fields of Canada to a convoy across the ocean to an army base
in England. And finally to the London Zoo, where Winnie made another new
friend: a real boy named Christopher Robin. Before
Winnie-the-Pooh, there was a real bear named Winnie. And she was a girl!”
You can listen to the story read aloud here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b8kICewJ9c
And listen to an interview with the author
here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfj9ZkD0dN8
Lindsay Mattick is the great-granddaughter of
Captain Harry Colebourn. This story has been part of her family for
generations. She is Canadian.
Sophie Blackall is an Australian illustrator
based in Brooklyn. She is also the illustrator of another Caldecott Medal book,
Hello Lighthouse. She has worked together with authors such as
Jacqueline Woodson, Aldous Huxley, Jane Yolen, and Polly Horvath. She has
written and illustrated books such as The Baby Tree and Are You Awake.
Blackall has received many awards including the New York Time Best Children’s
Book of the Year, the Ezra Jack Keats Award for Best New Illustrator, and the Horn
Book Honor award.
My opinion: This is a must-have book for any
child who loves Winnie-the-Pooh. I had never known the background of the
creation of the character Winnie. The illustrations are lovely and sweet, done
with Chinese ink and watercolor on hot-press paper. The front cover shows Harry
and Winnie, and the back cover shows Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh to
tie the story together. Under the dust jacket are soldiers marching led by the
bear. Blackall also tucked in several other surprises in the illustrations: a
message in the signal flags and details in the map of the zoo. Fun! See if you
can find them!
Caldecott
Honor books
Trombone Shorty written by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and illustrated by Bryan Collier.
From the
Amazon description: “’Who’s that
playing out there?’ Bo Diddley asked the New Orleans crowd. It was a small
child who’d been nicknamed ‘Trombone Shorty’ because his trombone was twice as
large as he was. Trombone Shorty was lifted in the air and carried through the
audience until he reached the stage with Bo Diddley. He has been onstage ever
since. Hailing from the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, where music
always floated in the air, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews didn’t always have
the money to buy an instrument, but he did have the dream to play music. This
is the story of how he made his dream take flight. Today, Troy
Andrews is a Grammy-nominated musician who tours the world with his band,
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. He continues to inspire hope for the next
generation in New Orleans and for music lovers everywhere.”
You can listen to the book being read here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxsh96E9HHk
Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews wrote this autobiographical
picture book; he is a Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist. Andrews is
committed to “preserving the musical heritage of New Orleans” and mentors young
musicians. Some of his music can be listened to free on youtube which might be
fun for kids before reading the book.
Bryan Collier is a four-time recipient of the Caldecott Honor
Award. He has also won the Coretta Scott King Award six times. Some of the
books he’s illustrated are: Trombone Shorty, Dave the Potter, Martin’s Big Words, and Rosa, all of which I own and enjoy.
My opinion: Collier’s illustrations for
this book are done in his signature style with pen and ink, watercolor and
collage. Trombone Shorty’s love of the music of New Orleans comes through
clearly in the story of his life presented here. This book is an inspiration to
young musicians to pursue their dreams.
Waiting written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes.
From the Amazon description: “Five friends sit happily on a
windowsill, waiting for something amazing to happen. The owl is waiting for the
moon. The pig is waiting for the rain. The bear is waiting for the wind. The
puppy is waiting for the snow. And the rabbit is just looking out the window
because he likes to wait! What will happen? Will patience win in the end? Or
someday will the friends stop waiting and do something unexpected? Waiting is a
big part of childhood—waiting in line, waiting to grow up, waiting for
something special to happen—but in this book, a child sets the stage and pulls
the strings. Timeless, beautiful, and deeply heartfelt, this picture book about
imaginative play, the seasons, friendship, and surprises.”
You can
listen to the book read here by the author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89bZv8tEOx4 Henkes even treats the children in the class
to impromptu drawings.
And check
out the author’s website here for lots of ideas to accompany his books: https://kevinhenkes.com/
Kevin
Henkes, the author and illustrator of this book, is Wisconsin-born and raised.
He has won many awards for his books over the years. In 2020, he won the
Children’s Literature Legacy Award, given to authors whose books have made
outstanding contributions to children’s literature. And rightly so! Some of his
other books include: Kitten’s First Full Moon, All Alone, and Clean Enough.
He has written both picture books and novels.
My opinion:
The illustrations are lovely and quiet, done in brown ink, watercolor paint,
and colored pencils. Lots of creamy white space and soft colors tell the
simple, gentle story. Do you like to wait? Most of us don’t, and young children
especially will identify with this story. It’s lovely!
Voice of Freedom, Fannie Lou Hamer: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Ekua Holmes.
From the
Amazon description: ” Stirring
poems and stunning collage illustrations combine to celebrate the life of
Fannie Lou Hamer, a champion of equal voting rights.’I am sick and tired of
being sick and tired.’ Despite fierce prejudice and abuse, even being
beaten to within an inch of her life, Fannie Lou Hamer was a champion of civil
rights from the 1950s until her death in 1977. Integral to the Freedom Summer
of 1964, Ms. Hamer gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention that,
despite President Johnson’s interference, aired on national TV news and spurred
the nation to support the Freedom Democrats. Featuring vibrant mixed-media art
full of intricate detail, Voice of Freedom celebrates Fannie Lou Hamer’s life and
legacy with a message of hope, determination, and strength.
You can
listen to the book read aloud here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF-4xKmHiSo
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.
Ekua Holmes creates colorful illustrations in mixed-media.
This book is her debut as a children’s book illustrator with illustrations done
in collage on paper. Check out her website here: http://www.ekuaholmes.com/
My opinion: This is definitely a book for older children. The
story Is told with poems. The hardships of Hamer’s life are told including
severe beatings, bullets shot into her home, and unjust treatment through her
life. I was glad to read this book and learn about this brave lady. Her legacy
lives on.
Last Stop on Market Street written by Matt De La Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson.
From the Amazon description: “This award-winning modern
classic—a must-have for every child’s home library—is an inclusive ode to
kindness, empathy, gratitude, and finding joy in unexpected places, and celebrates the special bond between a curious
young boy and his loving grandmother. Every Sunday after church, CJ and his
grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a
car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the
bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each
question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the
beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them. This
energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective
only grandparent and grandchild can share, and comes to life through Matt de la
Peña’s vibrant text and Christian Robinson’s radiant illustrations.
You can listen to the book being read here by the
illustrator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoPS0Ok5YiI
Matt De La Pena, the author of this book, also specializes in
novels for young adults. I have not read any of those. Last Stop on Market
Street also won the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator
Honor Book.
Christian Robinson is an illustrator and animator who was
raised by his grandmother, thus his identification with this story. Much of his
work is influenced by his African American heritage. He has illustrated many
renowned authors as Cynthia Rylant and Julie Fogliano. He even illustrated the
reissue of Margaret Wise Brown’s book The Dead Bird. The art for this
book, Last Stop on Market Street, is created with acrylic paint, collage, and a
bit of digital manipulation.
My opinion: I love the comradery of this little boy and his
grandmother. He asks so many questions! I know how that is, living with three
little grandsons. This story is simply told and appropriate for little ones. Grandmother
finds the good in everyone, and the beauty of her surroundings. She says, “Sometimes
when you’re surrounded by dirt, C.J., you’re a better witness for what’s
beautiful.” We need that mindset so much today. Some have criticized this book
for the improper grammar spoken by grandmother and grandson; I don’t see that as
a problem. It just reflects the dialect of the characters.
