January 3, 2002:
Here is a list of the best picture books that I have reviewed during the last
year [2001]:
(Each book made the list because the story and the pictures went so well
together that you often thought about the book after you put it down.)
"The Three Pigs" by David Wiesner
- This outstanding book made the list because it is probably one of the most
creative picture books that I’ve ever seen! Wiesner has the artistic
ability to make these pigs look like they fell out of the book to escape the big
bad wolf! As each pig discovers that he can get off of the page and go
somewhere else, the reader is completely pulled into this incredible adventure.
Wiesner is extraordinary with his talents as an illustrator and a writer.
He easily made my "Best" list and I think he’ll be on yours too!
"The Quilt Maker’s Gift" by Jeff
Brumbeau - This picture book made my list because the story-line is so
wonderful. It’s about a mean, miserly king who only wants more and more,
but never really receives what he wants most - true happiness. He finally
discovers happiness through his encounter with an old quilt maker. He
wants her quilt and she won’t give it to him until he gives all of his earthly
treasures away. He has to go through many struggles with her until he
finally discovers what she is trying to teach him. This wonderful story
also has the most incredible pictures that you find yourself slowly turning the
pages because each is filled with beautiful detail. The illustrations are
done by Gail de Marcken.
"Tale of a Tail" by Judit Z.
Bodnar and illustrated by John Sandford - This story was completely different
from what I thought. Ms. Bodnar borrowed the story from an old tale she
heard from her Hungarian parents, but she changed it a bit and thus begins a
most creative story. So different that one won’t soon forget about how a
bear tried to catch a fish in a very cold lake. The pictures are
filled with winter. You can even see the puff of cold breath from the bear
as he stands in the snowy woods. (This might be a good book in the middle
of the summer because you definitely feel the sense of a cold wintry day!)
"Insectolopedia" by Douglas
Florian - I really wanted to include a poetry book but only if it held the
imagination like the stories do. This one does. The poems have a
magic about them that truly brings out a most creative insect. For
instance, he has one of his poem’s slide around into a wavy line looking just
like an inchworm! But Mr. Florian doesn’t stop there. On the opposite
side of each poem, he has drawn a wonderful illustration of each poem.
"Eye Count, A book of Counting Puzzles"
by Linda Bourke - I’m glad that this creative book made the list even though I
reviewed it at the beginning of 2001. It’s still a most memorable book
because it really makes you think. Each page is full of objects and you
are trying to figure out what these objects have in common. The lesson is
all about homophones and homonyms. For instance, on one page there are
pictures of homophones- a telephone cord, a cord of wood, a blind cord.
Another page has homonyms- a cored apple and a musical chord. You and your
child will find yourself looking at this book again and again!
"Peace" , a compilation of picture
books and short stories edited by Ann Durell and Marilyn Sachs - This book made
the list because of the terrible events of last year. And because it is
truly a remarkable composite of stories about not only our country but includes
many other cultures. There are many award winning authors and the subject
matter concerns all parts of the world.
"Mr. Tanen’s Ties" by Maryann
Cocca-Leffler - This author/illustrator has written a story about a principal
who wears bright, colorful ties until his boss tells him not to wear them.
The story is a simple but powerful message about looking at situations before
wanting to change them because maybe no change is needed. The pictures of
Mr. Tanen and his ties are wonderful!
"The Babe and I" by David A. Adler
and illustrated by Terry Widener - By the time you finish reading this book and
looking at the pictures, you’ll really understand what life was like in the
l930’s in the New York City area. It’s about a boy who lives in the
Bronx during the depression and helps his family by selling newspapers in front
of Yankee Stadium. This is a wonderful story about being a team and
working together to achieve a goal.
"A Day’s Work" written and
illustrated by Eve Bunting - This is an insightful look into the California
immigrant and how these people, who so desperately need work, try to get hired
day after day. Not only does this book help young readers appreciate all
that they have by living in America, but the story teaches honesty in a
wonderful way!
"A Picnic in October" written and
illustrated by Eve Bunting - This outstanding book also made this list because I
believe it epitomizes all that America stands for. It’s about a young
boy who has to go to the Statue of Liberty because his family is taking his
grandparents there for a birthday party. He doesn’t understand why they
have to go there when it’s so cold. But he soon discovers that his
grandparents are celebrating coming to America and wanted to do it at the foot
of this great statue.