Picture Book Review Genre 1 - A Caldecott Celebration

1. Bibliography
Marcus, Leonard S. 1998/2008. A caldecott celebration: seven artists and their paths to the caldecott medal. New York: Walker Publishing Company, Inc. ISBN 9780802797032

2. Plot Summary
This book paints a picture of seven Caldecott Medal winning artists including a brief biography of each, how their winning books came to be, and what the prize meant to them. There is one winning artist profiled from each decade that the prize has been awarded. The book includes Robert McClosky, Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Chris Van Allsburg, David Weisner, and Mordicai Gerstein. In this updated reprint that was published in 2008, Mordicai Gerstein is added to include a winner from the aughts. There is also a nice preface in the 2008 expanded edition that points out the fact that David Weisner has won two additional Caldecott Medals since the first printing. In addition to the artists' profiles, Marcus includes information about who Randolph Caldecott was, how the prize is awarded, and a complete list of Caldecott Medal winners through 2007.

3. Analysis
This book really gives the reader an inside perspective on just exactly how much hard work really goes into creating an award winning book. Since the Caldecott Medal is awarded to the artist, the pictures of the works in progress in this book are especially intriguing. To see the little "dummies" with rough sketches and how they are transformed into works of art is amazing and inspirational to any budding artist. Take, for example, Maurice Sendak who took over seven years to write Where the Wild Things Are and even wrote "ABANDON!" at the end of the dummy before finally deciding to make a finished product.

The true magic of this book is conveyed through the rough sketches, hand written notes, and personal anecdotes from each of the artists. One thing I found interesting was that Marcus chose to focus on author/illustrators, meaning that each artist profiled also wrote the book. One can learn from this book that the illustrating process is intertwined with the writing process, in that they both take several steps, including numerous revisions, before the final product can be published.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal Starred Review - "Teachers, librarians, and parents will find a source of inspiration here."
Booklist Starred Review - "A beautifully made book."
Publishers Weekly Starred Review - "With Marcus's sure hand guiding the tour, readers will find cause for celebration."

5. Connections
*Of course, readers of this book should read each of the profiled Caldecott winning books.
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey ISBN 9780670451494
Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper by Marcia Brown ISBN 9780689814747
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak ISBN 9780060254926
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig ISBN 9781416902065
Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg ISBN 9780395304488
Tuesday by David Wiesner ISBN 9780395870822
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein ISBN 9780312368784

*Children can write and illustrate their own story following the process of drafts and revisions before making a final product.

*Art teachers could use this book to inspire children to use different media to produce illustrations for a story.

Picture Book Review Genre 1 - Knuffle Bunny

1. Bibliography
Willems, Mo. 2004. Knuffle bunny: a cautionary tale. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9780786818709

2. Plot Summary
In this "cautionary tale," a toddler named Trixie goes on a trip to the laundromat with her father and her favorite stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny. Everything goes smoothly, and Trixie is pleased to help her father until...Trixie's beloved stuffed animal goes missing. She tries desperately to tell her father what has happened, but she can't get the message across. Not until they get back home does Trixie's mother realize that Trixie has returned without Knuffle Bunny. A frantic search of the laundromat ensues, and Knuffle Bunny is recovered to Trixie's delight. She even speaks her first words: Knuffle Bunny!

3. Analysis
In this very easy to read book, Willems does not waste time on mundane details. It is straight to the point, and the story is laid out with a few words on each page. Not to say it isn't well written; it is. The choice of words is deliberate and comical, from the name Knuffle Bunny to Trixie's baby talk (aggle flaggle klabble!) to the description of Trixie going "boneless." The illustrations are a perfect match for the story. Willems's colorful cartoon drawings imposed on top of sepia tone photos of Brooklyn create a work of art for parents and children alike to enjoy. I especially loved the faces of the people on the street on the trip back home when Trixie is making such a scene. Most parents have seen those looks before when their children have thrown tantrums in public. The relatable story of having a favorite item misplaced will resonate especially with young children, as will the difficulty Trixie has communicating her problem to her father.

4. Review Excerpts
Caldecott Honor Book
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Award Winner
School Library Journal Starred Review - "A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text."
Booklist Starred Review - "Even children who can already talk a blue streak will come away satisfied that their own strong emotions have been mirrored and legitimized, and readers of all ages will recognize the agonizing frustration of a little girl who knows far more than she can articulate."

5. Connections
*Author study on Mo Willems - Compare and contrast Willems's books and illustrations, especially Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity and the soon to be published Knuffle Bunny Free: an Unexpected Diversion.
*Springboard for writing - Older children can write their own "cautionary tale" about a favorite item of theirs or their little brother or sister.
*Art - Imitate Willems's style of putting cartoon drawings atop black and white or sepia toned photos - camera and computer required.

Picture Book Review Genre 1 - Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

1. Bibliography
Taback, Simms. 1977/1999. Joseph had a little overcoat. New York: Viking. ISBN 9780670878550

2. Plot Summary
In this adaptation of an old Yiddish song, Taback tells the story of Joseph and his ever-changing article of clothing. Joseph begins with a coat that gets "old and worn," so he decides to cut it into a vest. The vest gets cut down and transformed, and so on and so on until he is left with nothing. Never to fret, though, Joseph is happy to make a book about his little coat and shares that "you can always make something out of nothing."

3. Analysis
Taback's artwork beautifully illustrates Joseph's story (in his likeness) with whimsical images of traditional Jewish culture. Each time Joseph cuts down his clothing, there are cleverly placed die cuts in the shape of the next piece of clothing. They excite the reader to guess what the article of clothing will become next. With a mixture of watercolor, gouache (a type of water based paint), pencil, ink, and collage, Taback's comical and vibrant illustrations seem to jump off the page. I especially liked the photographs of faces peeking out of the windows of the buildings in the city. There are also little tidbits hidden in each page such as newspapers, letters, wall-hangings, etc. that can transform the story into another whole reading experience when closely examined.

The repetition used in this story engages the reader to see what Joseph will make next and what he will be doing after he makes it. Young children can recite the words along with the reader to feel included in the reading experience. Older readers can enjoy a sort of "scavenger hunt" in finding and reading all the little "extras" on the pages. The explicit theme of making "something out of nothing" is cleverly carried throughout the book from page to page as Joseph's ingenious ideas and Taback's clever die cuts continue to stimulate the reader's own imagination. This book can be enjoyed over and over again by readers of all ages.

4. Review Excerpts
Caldecott Medal Winner
School Library Journal - "The rhythm and repetition make it a perfect storytime read-aloud." and "bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit."
Booklist - "a true example of accomplished bookmaking."

5. Connections
*Music! Readers young and old can learn the folk song so nicely included at the end of the book. Learn it on the piano, violin, recorder, or just sing it acapella.
*Children can write about a time when they reused something or turned trash into treasure. No ideas? How about hand-me-downs, art projects with used paper towel rolls, etc.
*In El Paso, Texas - View the recycled fashion "Trashion" exhibit at the downtown library where trash is transformed into fashion by El Paso Community College students.