Book Review - A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION...by Leonard Marcus

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Marcus, Leonard S. 1999. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. New York, NY: Walker and Company. ISBN 0802786561


2. PLOT SUMMARY

Readers are given a chance to go behind the illustrations of six different artists spanning six different decades. We are allowed to see preliminary sketches and read about the methods and "madness" behind the images.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

One would surmise that the illustrations are the whole story. However, the writing adds much to the enjoyment of this book, going behind the scenes and allowing the reader to, in effect, "walk" into the art studio. In many ways, reading about the illustrations and the process in getting there is much more interesting than the illustrations themselves.


In this book, the reader finds interesting facts about the illustrators; such as the information that McCloskey (MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS) gives a true story about a family of ducks in Beacon Hill and actually lived with sixteen ducks to find out more about them; or that Marcia Brown (CINDERELLA)actually cut out her illustrations and used them like dolls as she arranged them on a page.


It is interesting to see how much work actually goes into the drawing process. Anatomical studies and research and multiple attempts are par for the course, not simply sitting and sketching.

This book is not necessarily light reading, but it is interesting to see the scene behind the scenes.



4. REVIEW EXCERPTS


* Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Filled with witty anecdotes and pithy observations, Marcus’s approach to examining the works of six Caldecott Medalists will be of as much interest to adults as to picture book readers."


* Starred review in BOOKLIST: "A lively, informative introduction to each book and its maker. A beautifully made book, this will serve as a fine resource for children interested in illustration and for teachers researching author/ illustrator studies."



5. CONNECTIONS


* An obvious connection would be to pull books by the six artists discussed here and look at the illustrations, comparing and contrasting the different styles.

* Most children are excited to draw. My school could have the "Cubacott" awards (my school is Cuba Elementary), handed out to the "best" artistic rendering of a story.

Book Review - THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS - Mordicai Gerstein

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gerstein, Mordicai. 2007. THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. Brookfield, CN: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 0761328688



2. PLOT SUMMARY
In 1974, a trapeze artist, Philippe Petit, strung a cable between the twin towers and performed for over an hour.



3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The illustrations are the centerpiece of this story. The writing is sparse and simple, but the images are sweeping and dramatic. The shading of the night scenes conveys that vividly. It is interesting how Gerstein kept moving the perspective from the on-lookers to Philippe himself. This gives the readers a chance to be not only part of the action but simultaneously viewing it. The fold-out of Philippe walking between the towers is majestic and scary and beautiful all at the same time. The point of view is a real knee-knocker!

In some ways, this is a difficult book to read. 2001 is a long time ago, especially for those who were not born at the time of the attacks on the twin towers. Good and bad are black and white issues for many of these children, so it may not be so difficult with the younger kids. Confusion about how and why and when needs to be addressed with those who are a bit older and may have heard about what happened on that day or have a relative somehow connected to this sad day.


4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Truly affecting is the book's final painting of the imagined imprint of the towers, now existing "in memory"-linked by Philippe and his high wire."

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "With its graceful majesty and mythic overtones, this unique and uplifting book is at once a portrait of a larger-than-life individual and a memorial to the towers and the lives associated with them."



5. CONNECTIONS
* This is a good opportunity to talk to children about ethics. Philippe knew that what he was doing was wrong, but he did it anyway. Was this wrong? Would you or have you ever done something you knew was wrong at the time?

* Most children are aware of the attack of September 11. Does the book make them sad or are they glad to know more about the towers themselves and something "good" that happened there?

* The children are amazed by stats and figures. Have the children line up and "make" the 28 foot pole that Philippe used. The space between the towers was 140 feet. How long is that?

Book Review - DOOBY DOOBY MOO by Doreen Cronin

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cronin, Doreen. 2006. DOOBY DOOBY MOO. Ill. by Betsy Lewin. New York, NY: Atheneum. ISBN 0689845073

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In this follow-up to her highly successful book CLICK CLACK MOO, Doreen Cronin again teams up with illustrator Betsy Lewin as they go back to the barnyard for loads of fun. Duck is up to his old tricks, preparing the animals for a talent show. The cows and sheep sing, the pigs dance, and Farmer Brown is none the wiser.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Geared toward ages 3 - 7, Cronin's books appeal to children where it matters most...animals. Anthropomorphism reigns supreme in Cronin's books, and this one in no exception.

The illustrations are crude and child-like in a way. Lewin uses bold, dark strokes to outline her characters and then uses a watercolor technique to add pigment. The illustrations look like they come straight from the art room. Her animal drawings are spot on but it is her caricature of humans that really brings the laughs. Farmer Brown's disguise when he keeps an eye on the animals is really, really funny.

Lewin depicts the characters perfectly and the humor of Cronin's words are intensified by Lewin's brushstrokes. Each page is an illustration on a blank, white canvas. But Lewin uses deep, dark blues to highlight a night scene or a darkened theater. The dramatic change when turning the page captures the reader's eye.

This is a fun, simple book in which children can participate, further enhancing their interest.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Comical watercolor illustrations provide the punch lines to many jokes within the well-paced text."

* Starred review in BOOKLIST: "The clever, deadpan story is fun, but the droll illustrations, strong strokes of black lines washed with watercolors, ratchet the comedy up a notch or two."

5. CONNECTIONS

* Great for read-alouds. Children will love to make the animals sounds and sing along with the cows!

* Good to pair with the other books in this series...CLICK, CLACK, MOO or GIGGLE, GIGGLE, QUACK, etc.

* If this book was read to the children in kindergarten or first grade, follow-up in second grade and compare with other Betsy Lewin illustrated books such as the COWGIRL KATE AND COCOA books:

Silverman, Erica. COWGIRL KATE AND COCOA: PARTNERS. Illus. by Betsy Lewin. unpaged. CIP. Harcourt 2006. ISBN 0-15-202125-6.

TWU Course

This site has been created to post reviews required for a Texas Woman's University course entitled "Literature for Children and Young Adults".