Ketterman, Helen. 2002. Armadillo tattletale. Ill. by Keith Graves. New York: Scholastic, Inc. (recommending a book that begins with "A")
recommended for: grades K through 3rd

This poses a good read for young ones who understand the lure of tattling and telling tales. "In the bare bones beginning," Armadillo looked different than he does now: he had ears as tall as a jackrabbit’s and wide as a steer’s horns. So of course he could hear everything his neighbors said to each other.

After he receives repeated warnings to not tell tales, Alligator takes it into her own claws and jaws to correct the situation, and from that point on, Armadillo has had the tiny ears that he has today.

The illustrations in this picture book were done with acrylic paint, ink and colored pencil, and the results allow for sharp drawings as well as mood-setting shades of color. Each of the animals involved in the tale come to life through Mr. Graves’ work.

The everyone-wins ending will provide rich material for discussing the evils of eavesdropping and tattling, and children will remember the lesson for some time to come.

Key words: tattletale, courtesy, respect

Fox, Mem. 2007. Quienquiera que seas. Ill. by Leslie Staub; trans. by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy. New York: Red Wagon. (a picture book published in 2007)

recommended for: grades K through 3rd

A simple, clear message in a very visual vehicle: wherever you are, little one, all others in the world share much that is the same. Children are encouraged to feel sameness rather than the instinctive difference that distance and race and religion often engender.)

The original English version, published in 1997, gained many positive reviews as Ms. Fox has done with many of her books. The Spanish translation is a sound one, as would be expected from Ms. Ada. While few would quibble about the message, in either language; while all would agree that the illustrations with double-page spreads and gold, hand-carved frames are fabulous; some might question the power of the message line. Horn Book (March 1998) calls the text "vapid," and I felt that the "vague, feel-good terms" (Horn Book) were not up to Fox's usual brilliance. Her message is passionate, but the result is less than moving. But as School Library Journal (October 1997) phrases it, "Within the covers of the book, the artist has created an art gallery that represents in color, shape, and texture, the full range of human experience."

Key words: ethnicity, multi-culturalism, empathy, brotherhood

Marcus, Leonard. 1998. A Caldecott celebration: six artists and their paths to the Caldecott Medal. New York: Walker and Company.

An interesting and compelling look into the various processes that authors / artists go through to begin with an idea and come out with an award winning picture book for children. These stories include Robert McCloskey (Make way for ducklings, 1942 winner); Marcia Brown (Cinderella, 1955 winner); Maurice Sendak (for the 1964 Where the wild things are); William Steig (1970's Sylvester and the magic pebble); Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji from 1982); and David Wiesner's 1992 wordless winner, Tuesday.

While older readers will take the most away from reading this book, even the youngest will understand and remember elements that demonstrate the remarkable skill, patience and indeed, excellence, that are required to produce picture books of this caliber. Marcus' descriptions and pieces of conversations he held with the authors make an indelible impression on the those who have thought that making a children's picture book is surely an easy undertaking.

I look forward to sharing this with my elementary readers as we explore the Caldecott (and other) Award winning books. I always speak of the day when they too may author a book, and with this title in mind, we can all be more aware of the stars we are shooting for: ad astra per aspera, indeed.

Key words: artists, study, research, awards, aclaim, personal fulfillment

Yolen, Jane. 2006. Count me a rhyme: animal poems by the numbers. Photographs by Jason Stemple. Homesdale, Penn: Boyds Mills Press. A 2007 selection of the Texas 2x2 reading list.

recommended reading, looking: grades 2 through 4

A collection of "many" beautiful photographs of animals in the wild provide a backdrop for poems that express both the nature and attributes of the animals at the same time they mirror the mood of the photographs. In addition to the number words ("one," "two," and so on) the athor adds associated words and numerals (both arabic and roman) as well as related number words ("four" and "quartet"). The sound and feel of the poems coupled with the extremely sharp and clear photos makes for an excellent and enjoyable read.

The sharp, high-resolution photography is itself catching. Double-page spreads allow the book to make the most of the space. The poetry Yolen creates for each poem is itself a photograph -- and a sensory experience as well. The sound and movement of the poems echo and mirror the animals in the photographs beautifully.

The mid-elementary students who are able to sit, focus on a page, and think through the material will enjoy this book the most. Read-alouds will be something I look forward to -- feeling and hearing and tasting the poetry with my students will be a remarkable experience.

Key words: animals, poetry, counting, rhymes