Caldecott Winners 7-10-09
Summer is the perfect time for families to pull out a good book and read together. Be sure to pack a big bag of books from the library to take wherever you go. It has been discovered that reading to young children is one of the most important things that can be done to stimulate their growth in school. When they hear language they expand their vocabulary and understanding of semantics and structure. Besides, everyone loves to hear a good tale.
What to read? Librarians know best so here are their recommendations for the hottest books of the summer according to the American Library Association.
The Caldecott Medal originated to honor the nineteenth century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. Each year the ALA gives these awards to the artist of the most distinguished picture book for children.
The 2009 Medal Winner is The House in the Night, illustrated by Beth Krommes, written by Susan Marie Swanson (Houghton Mifflin Company).
The ALA describes this book: richly detailed black-and-white scratchboard illustrations expand this timeless bedtime verse, offering reassurance to young children that there is always light in the darkness. Krommes’ elegant line, illuminated with touches of golden watercolor, evoke the warmth and comfort of home and family, as well as the joys of exploring the wider world.
The 2009 Caldecott Honor Books are listed here with annotations from the ALA.
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, written and illustrated by Marla Frazee (Harcourt, Inc.)
In lively, detailed, subtly retro cartoons, Frazee gently pokes fun at adult expectations and captures the unbounded joy of two friends experiencing a parent-free summer adventure.
How I Learned Geography, written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz (Farrar Straus Giroux)
Recounting memories of his family’s flight from the Warsaw Blitz and his years as a refugee during World War II, Shulevitz employs watercolor and ink to depict a boy liberated from his dreary existence through flights of fancy inspired by the map his father buys in the village market.
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)
Sweet’s mixed-media collage and primitive watercolors flow seamlessly with Bryant’s prose to reveal the important bits and pieces of Williams’ ordinary, yet extraordinary, life as a doctor and poet.
Another award that will make you want to run to your library or local bookstore is the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award that is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year. The winner(s), recognized for their literary and artistic achievements that demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage children in reading, receives a bronze medal. Ted Geisel is also known as Dr. Seuss.
The 2008 Medal winner is There Is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems (Hyperion)
Honor books include
First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Roaring Brook/Neal Porter)
Hello, Bumblebee Bat, written by Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne (Charlesbridge)
Jazz Baby, written by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (Harcourt)
Vulture View, written by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Holt).
Enjoy summer reading and know that you are helping your child develop healthy habits for years to come.
