Picture Books

Marcus, Leonard S. 1998. CALDECOTT CELEBRATION. New York: Walker and Company. ISBN: 0802786588.

The prestigious Caldecott Award is bestowed annually to an American children's book author who has most significantly contributed to children's literature through illustration during the previous year. Caldecott Celebration provides an introductory look into the history of the award and the secrecy that surrounds the selection of the winner, arousing curiosity about the process. Then the reader is introduced to six award recipients in a go behind the scenes look at the creation of some of the most notable children's books created. These brief biographies include amusing quotes from the authors and a lighthearted look at the adventures and inspirations that lead to the award winning books, including how Robert McCloskey (Make Way for Ducklings) learned to think like a duck by living with sixteen of them. The artwork includes original rough sketches as well as the finished art allowing readers to see how each work progressed and how illustrations changed over a period of fifty years. This is an enjoyable book for an aspiring illustrator who wishes to share in the experiences of other artists or for any reader that wishes to learn more about the world of picture books.

A lone traveler explores a path through a small fishing village and discovers a wrecked sailboat resting high on the cliffs above the sea. A mysterious old man greets the traveler and tells him that long ago the waves cast the boat on the cliffs during a storm. The traveler is not convinced. The old man smiled and began to share another tale, one of a young boy's obsession to conquer the sea and beyond. Was the adventure real, did the boy imagine the tale while delirious and lost at sea or was it merely old fisherman's lore? The dark, haunting pictures in this book create an ominous mood that has the reader anticipating a supernatural adventure. The foreboding skies and the power and lure of the sea are vividly portrayed as the small vessel is tossed about violently during a storm but then nature rests and the boy is surrounded by mystical golden hues in the bay across the reef. The boy believes himself a conqueror and yet the artwork reveals he is small in comparison and, like all sailors, at the mercy of the temperament of the wind and sea.

Kathi Appelt gentles readers with the soft lilt of the Creole dialect in this charming, southern lullaby. The poem is melodious and rich with description to transport the sleepy reader into the thick Louisiana air and surround him with the songs of night. The bayou is transformed into a feast for the senses, as muddy waters become chocolate, cotton sheets smell of the sun and the night creatures croon a lullaby. (Don't you worry ma petite, Your pirogue's safely moored, Atop the water chocolat, Amid the reeds ashore.) Visions of "water driftin' slowly down to meet the sleepy sea", set a slow, relaxed tone and tell the reader it's time "snuggle down and dream a bayou dream". The jewel-toned pictures appear to glow on the velvety black background with warmer colors around family and home and the royal blues, purples and greens for the creatures of the night (King Armand, king of the bullfrogs). This is a perfect bedtime read aloud book.

Once upon a time there were three saucy pigs that got tired of reliving that same old fairy tale so they left the wolf scratching his head and took out for a new adventure. In this lively version of an old favorite, the three pigs decide to take their fate in their own hands by climbing out of the storybook pages and taking a look around. The first bit of business is to fold up the wolf and create a nifty new airplane. (Wheeeeeee!) Then it is on to other stories to rescue those who may be getting the raw end of the authors pen. The drawing style changes from the traditional representational storybook figures into three-dimensional characters with emotion filled expressions conveying their delight as they explore the "real" world. At one point the reader is even spotted by one of the ornery rascals. But he is quickly distracted when the other two coax him into Hey Diddle Diddle, where the drawing changes again into the more naïve nursery rhyme style. Then they are off to rescue a black and white dragon that is in great peril as a young prince sets out to slay him but he regains his color when he leaves his old fate behind. Together the newfound friends create their own story, one that allows them to have the treasured fairy tale ending. They live happily ever after.

Three monks, Hok, Lok and Siew, wander through the mountains of China discussing cat whiskers, the color of the sun and giving. After posing the puzzling question, they set out to determine what exactly makes one happy. A bell from below draws their attention to a village at the base of the mountains where famine, floods and war have made the people suspicious of strangers and even of their neighbors. Windows and doors close to them as they enter the village but the undaunted monks gather in the center and decide to teach all watchful eyes to make stone soup. A spirited girl is the first to approach and eagerly offers to share a large pot from her home. Faces appear in windows as curiosity grows in the villagers. One by one they go to learn about stone soup and more importantly they learn the secret to happiness. The watercolor artwork in this book creates a transcendental setting that encourages readers to ponder the secrets to life and supports the change of tone throughout the story. The early grays and blues cast a solemn, dreary mood over the village. The first sign of bold color is the young girl in sunny yellow signifying the beginning of a climactic change. As the villagers come together their world is filled with bright colors to reflect the festive, joyous mood that comes with happiness.