Genre One Picture Books

Book One:
Bibliography:
Marcus, Leonard S. 1998. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTIST AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. New York, N.Y.: Walker and Company. ISBN: 0802786588

Plot Summary:
Readers are first given a simple history of what the Caldecott Medal is and how it came about. Marcus guides readers through brief accounts of each winners road to the award. Readers are able to see how the winners created their books and illustrations. The artists included are Robert McCloskey, Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Chris Van Allsburg, and David Wiesner. In this book one can see how each artist did not come up with a winner right away, that it took revising and editing a few times.

Critical Analysis:
Marcus is able to capture and hold the audience's attention with the stories of each artists. In reading their stories one can become so enthralled with the artist's and their stories that you want to read all of their books. The artists' stories are captivating, Marcus is able to hold your attention by making the artists seem like real people.

By showing raw illustrations and how they arrive to the final product makes a connection between reader and writer. Such as Van Allusburg's illustrations the view points and using his wife to pose for the monkey drawings brings in a little humor.

Review Excerpts:
A concise introduction provides historical background for the award, the rationale for its name, the selection process, and the influence of the honor on the lives of the recipients. The Horn Book

This book is a celebration of the American awards for children's literature and children's book illustration. Its purpose is to record the distinguished books recognised by these awards for over 80 years and to remind librarians and educators of this collection. Caldecott Awards

Connections:
This book can be used to educate students on what the Caldecott Award is and how it came about.

To illustrate the process of writing/illustrating; revising and editing before final draft.

Book Two:

Bibliography:
Juster, Norton. 2005. THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW. Michael Di Capua Books: Hyperion Books for Children. Illustrator: Chris Raschka. ISBN: 0786809140

Plot Summary:
A beautifully written book that tells a story of the relationship between a young girl and her Nanna and Poppy. The book takes you through the day at the grandparents house. It is through the little girl's view that one learns about the endless opportunities that the window offers besides just looking out. She describes the peek-a-boo games they play and the faces they make at each other. She also tells the importance of the kitchen and the interaction that happens in there. In the end when she her parents pick her up the window is where they blow their goodbye kisses. Although her grandparents house has a lot of windows it only has one special window the Hello, goodbye window, one that she hopes to have when she becomes a Nanna.

Critical Analysis:
This is a book that was simply written but tells an elaborate story of the bond between grandparents and their grandchild. It is a story that many can easily relate to.

The illustrations are also very simple that it looks as if the little girl telling the story as the one doing the illustrations. Which makes it easier for a child to make it their own.

Review Excerpts:
A little girl loves going to her Nanna and Poppy's house because their kitchen window is a magical portal to a world of discovery and imagination in a delightful story that celebrates childhood and the love of family. Boston Globe-Horn Book Honors (Awards)

The first picture book by the author of the classic "The Phantom Tollbooth" tells the story of a little girl who finds a magic gateway in the kitchen window of her grandparents' house, and the voyage of discovery she takes. Scholastic

Connections:
Have students illustrate a special time they spent with their grandparents.

Book Three:

Bibliography:
Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY:A CAUTIONARY TALE. New York, NY.,Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN: 0786818700

Plot Summary:
This picture book tells the story of a little girl who goes to the laundromat with her father. In the process of helping her father with the laundry Knuffle Bunny gets thrown into the wash. When the two leave the laundromat the little girl realizes that she doesn't have her bunny. She cannot talk therefore cannot tell her dad that she doesn't have her bunny. So she tries to express it through her fits and going boneless. Yet, it only causes frustration between her and her father. Once arriving home the mother immediately notices the bunny is missing so they race back to the laundromat to find Knuffle Bunny. Upon finding the bunny, Knuffle Bunny becomes her first words.

Critical Analysis:
Willems creates a tale that can be enjoyed by all ages. Parents and kids alike can relate to the tale. Children are able to relate to Trixie and her frustration of not being able to communicate with their parents. Children can also understand the importance of a "binky" like Knuffle Bunny and how it is treasured. The parents are able to relate to the experience of the father and his frustration of a child throwing a fit, but not understanding why. Yet what joy when they do figure out why the child is throwing a fit.

The black and white photographs of New York as the back drop with the brightly colored cartoon characters add a unique style to the book. The cartoon characters although not realistic bring a sense of playfulness to the book.


Review Excerpts:
The cautionary part of this story by the creator of The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! (rev. 5/04) is more for parents than for preschoolers, but there's plenty here for kids to embrace. The Horn Book

A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text.–Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI

Connections:
Can be used to have students create a story with illustrations of a time when they had a hard time communicating with their parents.

Can be used to incorporate more of Williems books.