Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Chodos-Irvine, Margaret. Ella Sarah Gets Dressed. New York: Harcourt, Inc., 2003.

Ella Sarah has one outfit that she wants to wear and she tells her family it is, “My pink polka-dot pants, my dress with orange-and-green flowers, my purple-and-blue striped socks, my yellow shoes, and my red hat.” As each of her family members try to talk her into wearing something else, she will not hear of it, because she has picked out the perfect outfit. The pictures are simple, but rewarding. The use of bold and bright illustrations helps bring much creativity to this book that just adds the perfect touch. The ending will have everyone laughing; especially those who love to play dress up. The creation of both the illustrations and storyline make this a perfect choice for a Caldecott Medal Honor book.

Show Way

Woodson, Jacqueline. Show Way. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2005.

Woodson traces eight generations in her family, starting it off with Soonie’s great-grandmother being sold into slavery at the age of seven. Soonie’s skills and creativity is past down to each generation that will help each of the girls in their own way. Going from slavery to freedom with this timeline shows readers how life and this family changed throughout history and using the skills that have been given to them. Illustrator, Hudson Talbott, creates each page as if it was a part of the quilt that adds to the words and the history this story is portraying. Talbott uses a contrast between dark and bright colors like pink, purple, and yellow that truly makes each page stand out. The quilt patterns are amazing to look at as they are portrayed throughout the book. When reading this a person needs to take a moment and examine the art that is absolutely remarkable, and adds such a reality to this story. Between the amazing story that is being shared and the creation of each page this book is definitely a deserved Newbery Medal Honor.

The Three Questions: Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy by Jon J. Muth

Muth, Jon J. The Three Questions: Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy. New York: Scholastic Press, 2002.

Muth takes the story of Tolstoy’s about a tsar who asks three important questions. In this simpler version, a boy asks three questions to his animal friends: What is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? When trying to discover the answers to the following questions from his friends and then consulting the wise old turtle, he manages to discover it on his own after saving a panda and her child. The illustrations for this book are done in smooth watercolors that blend very well. They are full page creations that allow the texture of the painting to make the pictures pop out. The shading is done with much detail to create drawings that portray the characters as standing out. Muth ends this story describing Tolstoy and his work. I would definitely recommend this book for readers.

Dahlia by Barbara McClintock

McClintock, Barbara. Dahlia. New York: Fances Foster Books, 2002.

Charlotte, who prefers to play in the mud and climb trees, receives a beautiful doll from her Aunt Edme. The doll, Dahlia, is dressed in beautiful attire, but do not fit into Charlotte and her toy bear Bruno's lifestyle. Charlotte excepting Dahlia begins her adventures of climbing trees and making mud pies and the looks of Dahlia begins to show this. Soon the doll falls out of the tree, and Charlotte is worried so she rushes to clean her and make her better. Aunt Edme soon arrives and wants to see the precious Dahlia. As she is looking at the doll, readers are waiting for her to become upset over this, but her response is totally different. She states, “She needed to be out in the sunshine, and played with, and loved.” The story line and the writing is just one part of this extraordinary book, the illustrations throughout are very detailed, precise, and has a wonderful Victorian appeal to it. The colors are muted, but grabbing to the eye. This book will capture the hearts of all its readers.

I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed by Lauren Child

Child, Lauren. I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed. Cambridge: Candlewick Press, 2001.

Lauren Child did an impressive job with I am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed, with both the writing and the illustrations. Charlie, Lola’s older brother is trying to get her into bed, but her imagination is helping her stall for time. From a whale in the tub to the three tigers needing something to drink, Lola has an energetic mind that will have readers laughing. Child also does a fabulous job with the designs of the layout for each page. The words are printed in different patterns on each page that will intrigue all readers of all ages. The illustrations are bright and eye catching. Some of the pages offer few words, but the illustrations presented tell much more to the story. The one thing I liked about this book is Child discusses things Lola needs to do like brushing her teeth or take a bath, and she uses large illustrations of the items to enhance the words. Like the large bathtub with a whale in it or a large bottle of bubble bath with a sponge. This is great for students to match pictures and words. Also, this can be used as an educational book for any adult to read to their children that have this same conflict, and use this as a fun motivation to teach them the things to do before bed. This is an exceedingly fun read with a good flow to keep reader’s attention.

The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster

1. Bibliography
Juster, Norton.2005. THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW. Ill. By Chris Raschka. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786809140

2. Plot Summary
A little girl tells about the magic that Nanna and Poppy’s kitchen window at their house brings. Everything that happens revolves around this window and the little girl shares her discoveries and the happiness of grandparents.

3. Critical Analysis

In this first person point of view, a fun-loving girl tells of her experiences while staying with her grandparents. Children will enjoy this story that is wrapped around the kitchen window and the happiness grandparents can bring. This book is one to be read over and over again.

The Hello, Goodbye Window was awarded the Caldecott Meal for best picture book illustrations. Raschka creates work that is vibrant and eye catching. After reading each page a person will want to take just as much time looking over the art and enjoying the energetic colors. With the creative writing plus the capturing illustrations, this book will bring many smiles on children’s faces.

4. Review Excerpts
Caldecott Medal
BOOKLIST: “Two well-known names come together in a book that speaks to the real lives of children and their experiences.”
School Library Journal: “Perfect for lap-sharing, this book will find favor with children and adults alike.”

5. Connections
* A good book to use for children visiting their grandparents or other relatives for the first time.
*Ask children to write about experiences from their grandparents or other close relatives.
*Other related books that are also Caldecott Medal Winners
Gerstein, Mordecai. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. ISBN 0761317910
Rohmann, Eric. My Friend Rabbit. ISBN 0761315357

Side by Side: Five Favorite Picture-Book Teams Go to Work by Leonard S. Marcus

1. Bibliography
Marcus, Leonard S. 2001. SIDE BY SIDE: FIVE FAVORITE PICTURE BOOK TEAMS GO TO WORK. New York: Walker & Company. ISBN 0802787797

2. Plot Summary

Leonard Marcus uses five author-artist teams that have produced several books and discusses the collaboration that they go through to complete the task. For each team he picks one book that has been published and talks about the responsibilities of each to create the book. Even with the focus on one book, he includes the history of the team and gives plenty of information regarding their careers.

3. Critical Analysis

The understanding of the amount of collaboration by five author-artist teams is explored in this well written book by Leonard Marcus. He provides plenty of information about the process by selecting an individual book and showing readers how collaboration amongst the teams created a well developed book. The stories vary from one another, but it shows how different types of collaboration can work successfully depending on what is best for the team.

The illustrations throughout the book included enough information to be a separate book. Marcus provided material like thumbnail sketches, notes, and dummy pages that made the book more interesting. He also provided funny anecdotes and comments on pages to bring out there character. The combination of the well written text with the extension of the illustrations, this book is one children will love to hear and read.

4. Review Excerpts
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Fascinating look at the collaborative process involved in creating picture books…”

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: "Enriched by many quotations and a lively text, each of the tales includes several informative examples of sketches and dummies as well as references to rewriting, all of which provides inspiration and food for thought for aspiring picture book creators."

5. Connections
*Similar Books
Cummings, Pat. TALKING WITH ARTISTS: VOLUME 1. ISBN 0027242455
Salisbury, Martin. ILLUSTRATION CHILDREN'S BOOKS: CREATING PICTURES FOR PUBLICATION. ISBN 0764127179
*Invite children to pair up and write their own picture book as a team. Each child being responsible for either the illustrations or the text can help teach collaboration and hard work.

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

1. Bibliography
Henkes, Kevin. 2004. KITTEN’S FIRST FULL MOON. USA: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0060588292

2. Plot Summary
A little kitten sitting outside the house notices a small bowl of milk in the sky. She then attempts to reach the bowl by chasing after it. When the kitten then decides to climb a tree and spots a bigger bowl of milk on the ground. After diving into the lake with a reflection of the moon she heads home. When arriving home it ends happily with the discovery of a real bowl of milk is sitting on the porch.

3. Critical Analysis

Kevin Henkes does a wonderful job creating a story that has one kitten focused on a bowl of milk. The writing is direct and organized in a way that will keep children waiting anxiously for the kitten to reach her goal of finding the milk. After several attempts, the kitten finally returns home to find a bowl sitting on her front porch.

The illustrations come alive with the black and white coloring and an outlining done in heavy black. Circles are used in images throughout the pages, for example, the moon or the kitten’s eyes. Children will be enthralled with the make up of the simple, but eye catching illustrations. Children will enjoy the humorous events the kitten endures, while escaping into the dazzling illustrations.

4. Review Excerpt(s)
2005 Caldecott Winner (best illustrations)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The rhythmic text and delightful artwork ensure storytime success”

5. Connections

*Other picture book by Kevin Henkes
LILY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE. ISBN 0688128971
WEMBERLEY WORRIED. ISBN 0688170277
*Similar books
Lehman, Barbara. THE RED BOOK. ISBN 0618428585
Willems, Mo. KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE. ISBN 0786818700