Children's Books discussion
The Picture-Book Club
>
July 2023 and Beyond: Caldecott Books of the 2020s
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
Keeping in mind that Caldecott is for the illustrations, do you agree with the awards? Are there any other books published that year you feel were more worthy and why?
(PS Since this will be a long and ongoing thread with many titles, to help make the thread a little easier to navigate, please use a "spoiler" tag for longer reviews to help keep the thread more concise. Thanks!)
Caldecott Medal and Honors 2021
Winner: We Are Water Protectors
Honorees:
The Cat Man of Aleppo
A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart
Outside In
Me & Mama
Caldecott Medal and Honors 2022
Winner: Watercress
Honorees:
Wonder Walkers
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre
Have You Ever Seen a Flower?
Mel Fell
Caldecott Medal and Honors 2023:
Winner: Hot Dog
Honorees:
Berry Song
Knight Owl
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement*
Ain't Burned All the Bright*
*Please note that these are not "picture books" as we define them for purposes of the club (that is, books generally 32 pages for elementary-aged or younger audiences). I will be skipping them at this point in time. But, you are welcome to read them if you would like to do so and post comments (spoiler tags would probably be good since it's somewhat off our picture book focus even though they are certainly part of the Caldecott discussion). Thanks.
Mod
Mod
I have read and enjoyed The Cat Man of Aleppo but also have some issues with the fact that this is yet another book that seems to celebrate feral cats and that there is not really any mention regarding spaying and neutering these cats, just feeding them.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
message 5:
by
Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs
(last edited Jul 24, 2023 08:30AM)
(new)
Mod
I hope that, later when you get a chance, you, Kathryn, can share with us what your children think of the works that you read with them. And, of course, anyone else who has or works with children, please let us know what they think of these books!!
I did find this:
How to read a picture book, the Caldecott edition
by Robin Smith
Sep 11, 2013 | Filed in Articles & Opinion
1. Look at the cover. Feel the cover. Imagine the sticker.
2. Take the paper jacket off and check out the inside cover. I am sure there is a word for this part of the book, but I only have my non-librarian training to fall back on. Note whether the inside cover is is different from the paper jacket or the same. (I am looking at Frog Song right now, and the enormous frog on the inside cover made me burst out laughing. Such a contrast from the serious red jacket frog.)
3. Now, examine the end pages. Those are the pages that are glued onto the hard cover. Sometimes the endpapers are illustrated or decorated, sometimes they are simply solid heavy paper. Note that. Are the back endpapers the same as the front? Do the choices make sense? Is anything important going to be covered when the book is processed in the library? (If so, this book is in Serious Jeopardy. A moment of silence for one of my favorites during MY year.)
4. Title page is usually next for me. Decorated? Plain? I am never sure who decides on endpapers and title page design, but these are important decisions. If it's dull, I take note. Since the title page often has a lot of white space, this is when I usually notice if the paper choice works for the book.
5. Read the book all the way through without reading the words. I know. But this has to be essentially a visual experience. Does it hold up with no words? (This is NOT to say the words don't matter, it's just important — at least to me — to see how the book works without words.) LOOK AT THE PICTURES VERY SLOWLY. This was the hardest part for me when I started reading and evaluating picture books. You just don't want to miss any detail. Read from left to right, paying very close attention to the page turns. Pay attention to white space and pacing.
6. Read the book with the words. Do the pictures play well with the words? Do the illustrations extend the text? How does the illustrator tell her story? (I know, I know, most Caldecott winners are men, but maybe the feminine pronoun will subliminally influence the committee.) How does line, color, texture, white space, etc. tell the story? Is the art consistent from page to page? Always notice the page turns.
7. Go back and check every single gutter. The Caldecott committee members take a pinky swear to examine every damn one of them. Does the art match up across the gutter? Is a main character sliced in half by one? If something "gets lost in the gutter," murmurs of disappointment will cause the chair to sigh deeply. The nominator of the book might wipe away a tear.
8. Caldecott committee members get seven nominations each. That's all. (Look at our fun and fabulous preliminary list. Only seven could remain for our mythical committee member when December rolls around.) So, for a book to move forward in an individual committee member's mind, it has to "beat out" all the others that have been submitted and suggested. So, things get serious at step 8. It's here that a reader has to look at that part of the criteria that talks about things that detract from the illustrations: "Such other components might include the written text, the overall design of the book, etc." I refer you to my rant last year.
9. At this point, the initial reading is over and the real fun begins.
Robin Smith is a second-grade teacher at the Ensworth School in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a reviewer for Kirkus and The Horn Book Magazine and has served on multiple award committees.
message 6:
by
Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs
(last edited Jul 01, 2023 07:58AM)
(new)
Mod
(Iow, they weren't the main appeal to me.)
I simply said "Both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Deserves the accolades. Don't miss the author's and illustrator's notes."
Mel Fell also got four stars from me:
"Definitely entertaining! And the design 'gimmick' is both well-supported by, and integral to, the text, *and* makes the book appealing for rereading.
(And it sneaks in some information about forest critters, especially kingfishers.)
I would have loved this as a child and both my inner child and I do now."
Where exactly [month/year] does one time-travel to to begin Project Caldecott at the proper place?
Mod
"Aww.... I love the voice of the child. She narrates what she feels, what crosses her mind, even random bits like "stores are boxes filled with people." Art is wonderful. It even makes me smile to think of rainy days, which does not come naturally to me I promise.
If you liked the child's voice, read the classics by Ruth Krauss, A Hole is to Dig and its companions."
I only gave We Are Water Protectors three stars: "This is a very pretty book, but I don't see it making an impact on people's habits."
Mod
I only gave Knight Owl two stars. Perhaps unfairly. "Cute, but. I'm tired of knights. I'm tired solutions that don't make sense. And, honestly, even when I was a little kid the idea of a dragon being satisfied with pizza would have made me sigh and want to dis-recommend the book to everyone." I've requested it; I'll try again, esp. to appreciate the illustrations.
Mod
Actually, that is pretty much the same (and even at times more the case) with the British counterpart as well, with the Kate Greenaway books, as many of the books are not traditional picture books and that the winner of the Kate Greenaway book for 2023 is actually a pretty lengthy graphic novel, Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear (which I do highly recommend).
Mod
https://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardssc...
Cheryl, thank you, I think you're right that they do somewhat consider the text even though the illustrations are the primary focus (see #3)
--------------------------------------------------
CRITERIA
1. In identifying a distinguished picture in a book for children,
a. Committee members need to consider:
Excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed;
Excellence of pictorial interpretation of story, theme, or concept; of appropriateness of style of illustration to the story, theme or concept; of delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting mood or information through the pictures.
b. Committee members must consider excellence of presentation in recognition of a child audience.
2. The only limitation to graphic form is that the form must be one which may be used in a picture book. The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound or film equipment) for its enjoyment.
3. Each book is to be considered as a picture book. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the illustration, but other components of a book are to be considered especially when they make a book less effective as a children's picture book. Such other components might include the written text, the overall design of the book, etc.
Note: The committee should keep in mind that the award is for distinguished illustrations in a picture book and for excellence of pictoral presentation for children. The award is not for didactic intent or for popularity.
------------------------------
In the "Definitions" section, I found this striking: 1. A "picture book for children" as distinguished from other books with illustrations, is one that essentially provides the child with a visual experience. A picture book has a collective unity of story-line, theme, or concept, developed through the series of pictures of which the book is comprised.
2. A "picture book for children" is one for which children are a potential audience. The book displays respect for children's understandings, abilities, and appreciations. Children are defined as persons of ages up to and including fourteen and picture books for this entire age range are to be considered.
I am curious as to why the age of fourteen is the cut-off? It really seems that there are not many "picture books" for children much over elementary-age, unless we are considering graphic novels -- speaking of which, I'm surprised more graphic novels haven't been honored. ("This One Summer" won in 2015...I'm trying to remember if there have been others recently.) It seems that the type of storytelling through illustration for older children in longer books is very different (esp. something like Hugo Cabret) vs. a 32 page picture book for children aged 4-7.
Mod
And, Cheryl, thanks for asking what my children think of the books. I have let them know that there are adult readers of picture books in my book group who are interested in their opinions as the target audience and they are excited that grown-ups are interested in hearing their perspective. I'll share what I can soon :-)
Mod
Would love to have you time-travel and join our discussion :-) The first one covers years 1938-1942. We called them "Quarterly Caldecott" discussions and did five years together every quarter. Here's the link to the first one, January 2014:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I loved Knight Owl! The illustrations were so darn cute. I didn't like how Christopher Denise switched from hand drawn to digital but his little owl is reminiscent of his Redwall characters. The message was very sweet and a lot of fun. Autographed copies of his books are so expensive but this is one I would buy and give as a gift to a small child if I could.We Are Water Protectors is a nice story but the illustrations don't stand out for me.
Mod
The thought may be that by age 14 most youth are ready, if motivated, to read adult works? Remember too that there wasn't a separate YA category a hundred years ago; kids would read Dickens, Pilgrim's Progress, Gulliver's Travels, etc. as soon as they could decode them... or just stop reading.
But then: https://bookriot.com/ya-librarians-he... Yay for librarians for recognizing that 20th century teens needed their own books and their own places.
Mod
That's a good point (and, yay, because I agree that picture books aren't just for preschool age or even just for early elementary age) I guess I was just thinking that art in books that are 32-pages with primarily full-page illustrations is a bit apples to oranges compared to something like "Hugo Cabret" where there is so much more text, maybe just black-and-white illustrations, etc. BUT if we are looking at a book for children (to include up to age 14) with exceptional artwork that helps tell the story, then it totally makes sense.
(Also, thanks for the link!)
message 17:
by
Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs
(last edited Jul 05, 2023 06:01PM)
(new)
Mod
Don't miss the back matter and the endpapers. This book is definitely for slighter older children, and also for teens & adults. And, yes, the art is worthy of Caldecott recognition.
Mod
Mod
Hope you are feeling better.
Mod
Mod
I think The Cat Man of Aleppo was really powerful. The illustrations, while not a personal favorite style of mine, really reflect the tragedy and humanity in the story, the heartache and hope. It tries to show the city as it was, what it became, and what it might return to being. The cats are full of personality. I love cats, and volunteered for years at a cat shelter, so this book really spoke to me. The way his efforts with the cats led to further expansions to help other animals as well as children orphaned or struggling due to the war is so inspiring. If you can't get the book, at least look up the articles about him online. Wow!
I also really liked Outside In. It's a lovely reminder that we are part of nature -- even if we remove ourselves from it, it will find a way to touch our hearts if we let it. The illustrations reflect how we can forget to see nature (shades of gray) and how it is always there (colors) and enriches our lives.
I thought Me & Mama was a really sweet story and, as a mom, it touched my heart. The illustrations are nice but I'm not sure they really captivated me. I like art, but, other than an Art History class in college, I've never studied it much so I may be missing some finer points of the technical abilities displayed here but for me the art was just fine, nothing wow.
Ditto for A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart. I appreciate the heart in the poem, and I feel the artwork reflected that, especially in the variety of facial expressions conveying the varying emotions in the poem, but I couldn't really see why the art was "exceptional" as compared to other books I've read that have a similar style. I did note that this was the illustrator's first picture book, so that is impressive she got a Caldecott Honor right away. If I have time, I might try to see if I can find some articles as to why the books were chosen.
Mod
Includes back matter, important endpapers, and stunning art.
---
All I could say about Watercress is: Both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Deserves the accolades. Don't miss the author's and illustrator's notes. 4 stars.
---
My 4* review for Berry Song is idiosyncratic: Would that there were fewer humans so that more of them could live amongst nature like this. I'm actually glad that I don't have any grandchildren, and hope I never will; this is absolutely not the time to be bringing innocents into the world. But if I did know little 'uns, I would share this appealing and inspiring book with them.
message 23:
by
Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs
(last edited Jul 17, 2023 02:00PM)
(new)
Mod
---
I gave A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart 5*s. Gorgeous. Made me cry, both with anger and with hope. I can't pretend to fully understand the emotional landscape of a young African-American male, given that I'm a senior white female, but these talented artists make me feel a bit closer to their experience.
What is wrong with America that we have to remind each other that Black Lives Matter? Of *course* they do! Damn.
message 24:
by
Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs
(last edited Jul 17, 2023 02:00PM)
(new)
Mod
And the details of the setting, clothing, stickers, and other artifacts made me feel as if I'd spent time in that community, even though I never have been anywhere near it.
Also, simple-seeming design choices, like the use of white space for example, impressed me. The art supported the message perfectly, imo.
Mod
So, we've got poetry, we've got free range kids getting fresh air and exercise, we've got imagination, and we've got illustrations apparently done with the technique that made Eric Carle so beloved. And now I've decided it's a four star book after all.
message 26:
by
Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs
(last edited Jul 22, 2023 02:49PM)
(new)
Mod
I knew absolutely nothing about Mrs. Till. This ... gives us a lot of information on her and on the modern Civil Rights movement. And on how far we have yet to go. ...
The text of this is an incredible (free-verse) poem, an ode to an extremely brave & determined woman....
I gave Bear Came Along only 3*. Read my review, and Erin's (linked w/in mine) to see why.
Mod
...The bits of history & culture fit into the story seamlessly. The prints, on the dresses, endpapers, backgrounds, and chickens (!look at those chickens!!) are wonderful.
This might appeal to fans of Patricia Polacco's Polish heritage stories, as both authors are focused on the joy of family traditions and hope for the next generation.
I also gave 4* to The Undefeated
... isn't a successful book for white littles. What it is, is an illustrated poem, for black* families, older children, and classrooms....
I have a bit of a problem with the emphasis on black entertainers and athletes. That reinforces the stereotype that some bigots believe, that black people are good at those things but aren't good at science, or business, or public service, or being good neighbors....
Mod
I really appreciate the 'hidden' message ... Not only is it all worth it to go through the negative experiences in order to have the positive ones, but the negative ones actually inform and enrich the boy's creativity. (note the raindrop sounds!!) One doesn't write Blues songs about happy families, after all, and jazz, too, is most resonant & effective when its artists have had heavy experiences.
And of course the art is what really shines here. It's almost a wordless book... perfect for the Caldecott.
Mod
Mod
Thank you so much for sharing that! So interesting! I was especially intrigued by the idea of looking through first illustrations-only without reading any text, then reading back through again with text. How well does it tell the story without text, then how well does it reflect the text. Intriguing. (Unfortunately, I already read through my stack and will be posting reviews shortly, but next time I have new Caldecotts to read I will try that approach. I don't think I have the temperament to do that with every newly published picture book I check out so I probably won't play pretend I'm on the Caldecott committee though it's fun to think about.) I noted also (which helps answer our questions above) that in the last step the text is somewhat to be considered along with the book in its entirety though is not first and foremost (which makes sense given it's an award for illustrations).
Mod
Mod
You know, I have been thinking about this since I read your update to Message 5 earlier today and, while I realize I do not have the temperament for reading every book of 2023 in this way (for me, it's always been words first, illustrations second) the idea has captured my interest and I do think it would be fun to do a sort of Mock Caldecott later this year with the kids. I know there are several Mock Caldecott lists with the expected contenders listed and we could pull from that and try to read them in the manner Robin Smith indicates. We could also note our favorite books from 2023 if they aren't part of the Mock Caldecott and give a shout out as to why we feel they should have been considered. I doubt we will be completest about it (especially given libraries sometimes do not get the new books in right away) but it would be fun to do what we can. Thank you again for sharing the info :-)
Mod
Have You Ever Seen a Flower? I think it's one of those books that is trying too hard. Most children do not need to be told by adults how to see and relate to nature. Bring the child to nature, but let them relate to it in their own way, without explaining what you think the connection is or what they should see. (view spoiler) The artwork is kinda groovy and I like the way the little girl and the flower reflect one another, but I honestly don't think I would have given it a second look on the library shelf were it not for the Caldecott nod. Obviously, many others disagree so don't let my review dissuade you from reading it.
Wonder Walkers. This is lovely. I really enjoyed Micha Archer's collage illustrations in Prairie Days so it's nice to see the Caldecott attention here. I think I might have liked it better as a wordless picture book because, while I appreciate the wondering aspect of the children as they explore nature, some of the questions just felt too nonsensical even for me (view spoiler) But, the illustrations are really lovely and definitely worth checking out. My kids liked this one, too.
I didn't check Watercress out again but I do think it was the worthy winner.
Hot Dog. I can see why this won the Caldecott, even though the illustration style (particularly of the people) is not my personal favorite and I wouldn't have picked it as my favorite book from the 2023 group. Even so, I was immersed in the story and felt the heat and oppression of the city, felt the relief of escaping to the seaside, felt the joy and freedom of the pup and his person as they enjoyed the sand and surf. The transition from seaside back to city, from hot day into bearable night, is also well-done. The details, the humor, are all spot-on. (Love the rock-seal the dog encounters and the rock art that the lady makes!) We are in the middle of a heat wave right now, and I love the ocean, so I appreciated the few minutes that this book transported me to a favorite, much cooler, place.
We also reread Berry Song which is probably my absolute favorite of all the 2020s Caldecotts so far.
I also introduced the kids to Knight Owl and they both thought it was so much fun and loved the style of illustrations and how they felt at once quite old-timey yet whimsically expressive and humorous. My youngest also pointed out that he liked that it is a little, young owl who is so brave and figures out how to save the day (yay for kid power, er, owlet power!) Both my kids thought Knight Owl was way better than any of the 2023 Caldecott books we read. So, that is the clear winner in the kid-votes in my household. I like it a lot, too.
Mod
For a favorite artist that, I feel, deserves a nod: Elly MacKay.
For 2021, I would give a shout-out to The Blue House.
I'll have to think more about 2022 and 2023--there are several on the GoodReads Mock Caldecott I haven't read yet. Also several four- and five-star books on the Mock Caldecotts for those years for me, but I'm not sure the artwork is necessarily that outstanding above what was selected by the actual Committee. For now, I will just say Farmhouse (!!!) but perhaps the Committee felt Sophie Blackhall had been honored enough already?
I loved Knight Owl. Christopher Denise illustrated a couple of Redwall picture books that might be good for Kathryn's boys. The illustration style is similar but now he uses digital. Christopher and Annika Denise live not so far away.Farmhouse is lovely. The illustrations make the book.
message 37:
by
Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs
(last edited Jul 25, 2023 03:35PM)
(new)
Mod
And MacKay has done some lovely work, for sure.
Mod
And MacKay has done some lovely work, for sure."
I hope you'll enjoy it. It really struck a chord for me, but maybe that's because I read it when the ups and downs of moving to a new house/state were still recent memory.
Mod
That is definitely NOT supposed to be taken into consideration. Each year, each book is supposed to be judged on its own merits, not on whether the author/illustrator has won the award in past years. I also, along with many others, believe that Farmhouse was overlooked by the committee.
Mod
Hot Dog
The pencil and gouache illustrations in a breezy, free-wheeling style helped to capture the heat of the city and the coolness of the beach. Partly lyrical poem and partly wordless panels.
Knight Owl
My favorite of these books.
The excellent story is accompanied by large, appealing illustrations; making this book a great candidate for a story time. The juxtaposition of the very small owl with the very large human knights is hilarious. The deliberate anachronisms are also quite humorous: the flyers for "Squire's Pizza" tacked up next to a poster advertising "Knighthood in just two weeks!"
Berry Song
I had no idea there were so many different varieties of berries! I only ever see strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries in the grocery store. I am also familiar with blackberries, huckleberries and boysenberries. But beyond that, I need to do more research.
This is a lovely story with dreamy, misty illustrations.
Mod
I seem to remember reading that somewhere, too. Just wondered if maybe it played into the decisions, even if somewhat subconsciously... Farmhouse seemed like such a perfect candidate even if not for a win at least to be a contender.
Mod
I do think that often (even though that is not supposed to be the case), authors and illustrators who have already won the Caldecott, the Kate Greenaway, the Newbery and the Carnegie will get an easier nod towards winning than somebody entirely new or who has never won before.
Mod
Mod
Will be great having you aboard for the discussion, Cheryl! :-)
Yes, hoping all those interested in the Caldecotts will also jump over to August's discussion of the UK equivalent, the Carnegie Medal for Illustration (formerly the Kate Greenaway Medal).
Mod
Watercress
This story is based on the author's memories of her own family. The Chinese-American author/MC has to deal with her feelings of shame and embarrassment of her family--for their collecting watercress from the side of the road (in front of everybody!) and for their necessarily frugal ways. She is very anxious to be able to "fit in" with her American friends and neighbors, and does not want to be viewed as different. An excellent book for revealing the feelings of the children of immigrants. Beautiful paintings by award-winning Jason Chin.
Wonder Walkers
A very beautiful book with lyrical text asking such questions as, "Do mountains have bones?" and "Are trees the sky's legs?" The gorgeous illustrations are collages made from tissue paper and patterned paper the author/illustrator created with her own homemade stamps. No digital manipulation of these great paintings.
Unspeakable
A moving history of a tragic event in Oklahoma history. Floyd Cooper's illustrations are beautiful and very expressive, and they deserve all the accolades that they garnered.
Have You Ever Seen a Flower
I liked the colored pencil illustrations, and I liked the contrast between the gray city and the colorful country. The concepts of using all five senses to "see" a flower was inspired. I did have issues with a couple of things however: a queen bee will never be seen inside a flower, she is too busy laying eggs in the hive. The worker bees are the ones who gather nectar and pollen. And the final suggestion that one may have really been a flower (in a former life?) was way too out there for me. For I believe the verse in the Bible, Hebrews 9:27, which states: "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment..." I don't believe in reincarnation or multiple lives as multiple things.
Mel Fell
This was my favorite book of this bunch.
I think I loved this story almost as much as I loved Snail Crossing. This story is full of humor and action and also has a little bit of a twist. First of all, in order to read the book, the reader has to hold the book sideways/longways. So each double page spread is the length of the book from front to back. Mel, the little bird decides it's time for her to start flying. So she walks off the end of a branch and falls--past many other tree-dwellers--squirrels, owls, bees, spider, slug, ants--all of whom try to stop or slow Mel's fall. However, she lands with a splash into water at the base of the tree. At this point, the reader is instructed to turn the book 180 degrees to continue reading. At the end of the story, the reader is informed that the little bird is a kingfisher. The author's illustrations in pencil, colored pencil and acrylic paint perfectly capture the action and the personalities of Mel and the other animals.
Mod
I liked the colored pencil illustrations, and I liked the contrast between the gray city and the colorful country. The concepts of using all five senses to "see" a flower was inspired. I did have issues with a couple of things however: a queen bee will never be seen inside a flower, she is too busy laying eggs in the hive. "
Good catch!
And, I agree, the interactive element of Mel Fell is very clever.
Mod
We Are Water Protectors
I loved the illustrations--they were an excellent match for the text, and were great in depicting the Native culture and their concerns for the environment.
The Cat Man of Aleppo
I loved this lovely, heart-warming story. The illustrations do a great job of showing the reader the desperation of the animals, the war damage of the city, and the kind-heartedness of Alaa as he feeds the many cats. Notes from the authors and illustrator at the back add even more information and context.
Outside In
I did like the celebration of all things outdoors, and the concept of the outdoors coming inside as well. I liked the loose and free flowing watercolor and powdered graphite paintings. I was amused to read that the illustrator created some of the lines with dried flower stems and thread soaked in ink.
Me & Mama
I liked how the child narrator compared her mother's things (cup, toothbrush, rain boots) with her own. I thought the appealing acrylic paintings did a very good job of mirroring and extending the text. The mother/child relationship was lovingly depicted and would be a good model for parents reading the book to their children.
A Place Inside of Me
The young narrator simply listed emotions that are shared by all people, regardless of ethnicity. The illustrations did a good job of reflecting the various emotions that were written about.
The UndefeatedThis is wonderful! What took me so long to read it? It's a beautiful poem, affirming Black history- the bad and the good. It's a tribute to those who came before and those who are here today carrying on in spite of the past. This isn't for little little kids but I think elementary age kids can certainly handle it. They will learn about the past, the present and have hope for the future. There are a few lines that I assume get this banned :There are a couple of illustrations that might be disturbing for children who recognize what is happening: African captives packed in to a slave ship during the Middle Passage ("this is for the unspeakable"). Other unspeakable pictures follow but nothing is explicitly stated. Because I DO know my history, I recognize the little girls from the Birmingham church bombing in the 1960s and the more recent murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. There's a hopeful note to the text though too showing Martin Luther King, artists, musicians, writers.
Backmatter includes author's note and biographies of the people in the illustrations/
The illustrations are gorgeous and this book should be in every classroom library.
Mod
(Author writes black, not Black nor African-American.)
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Children's Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Undefeated (other topics)Mel Fell (other topics)
Farmhouse (other topics)
Farmhouse (other topics)
Knight Owl (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Christopher Denise (other topics)Elly MacKay (other topics)
Michaela Goade (other topics)
Ruth Krauss (other topics)
Starting in July, this thread is open for continuing our discussion with the Caldecott Medal and Honor books of the 2020s. We will start with the year 2021 and can, of course, go through 2023 for now, but the thread will remain open so that it can continue to expand.
For a list of all Caldecott winners, see here:
https://abqlibrary.org/caldecott/all
There's a printable "Caldecott Award & Honor Checklist" here:
https://abqlibrary.org/caldecott/chec...
Our discussion of the 2020 Winner and Honors can be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Happy Reading!
UPDATE: The 2024 and 2025 Caldecott books are being discussed on this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...