Coretta Scott King Award: Ellington Was Not A Street

Ellington Was Not A Street (2004)
written by Ntozake Shange
illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration 2005

Without many words on each page, this book does an excellent job of getting the point across through words and illustrations! With the reoccurring words, "it was not always this way", the author Ntozake Shange makes the reader want to know what else was not always that way. Shange intertwined famous African Americans who changed the world throughout this moving picture book. If a reader is unsure who the person is all they have to do is turn to the back of the book for information about the famous African American, such as The Clovers, one of the earliest African American vocal groups. During a time when people were being solely judged by the color of their skin, the young girl in the story recounts the men who visited her home to help make changes to America and demonstrate the importance African American culture and history.

This book was awarded a Coretta Scott King award for its illustrations in 2005. The illustrations are life-like in a way were the reader feels as if they are looking through a window into the home. The facial expressions of the characters makes the reader feel as if they were in the room with The Clovers listening to them perform. The little girl is pictured on all pages, except for one page, and the readers eyes are drawn to her spirit as a character in the book.

I was drawn to this book will visiting the public library last week. On the cover is a delicate young African American girl who reminded me of a student I had last year. As I flipped through the pages, I became captivated by the illustrations and writing style. This is now a another title that will be added to my personal library. In a simplistic writing style, Shange is able to relay a powerful message that needs to be heard by not only students, but every individual. When I think I have it too hard, I think back to those numbing times and picture the little girl on the front cover wearing a blue dress, and my troubles do not seem so bad. How it must have felt for an individauls skin color to dictate their lives?

Diveristy Chapter Book: Deaf Child Crossing

Deaf Child Crossing (2002)
written by Marlee Matlin

Sign language has intrigued me since I took American Sign Language as my foreign language class during my undergraduate time at WKU. Spending an entire summer session with a professor who was deaf was a humbling and enchanting experience. Since then (summer of 2007), I have been continuing my sign language journey, and even incorporate it into my classroom. When I ran across the book, Deaf Child Crossing written by Marlee Matlin, I knew I had it was a must read! Some may know Marlee Matlin as an Academy Award Winner who is deaf. This book is written with pieces of her own childhood woven throughout.

The book stars around Megan and Cindy, two nine-year-old girls who are B.F.F.'s (best friends forever). Megan is deaf, but uses hearing aids that allow her to hear some very high pitched sounds. She is an extreme extrovert who never meets a stranger. Purple is the color of just about every item in her bedroom and closet. To top it all of, she has a dog named Apples who she taught to understand sign language. On the other hand, Cindy is quiet and reserved, a regular introvert. Shy and soft-spoken, the clutter and disorganization of Megan overwhelms her throughout the book. As any tow B.F.F.'s, Megan and Cindy have their ups and downs throughout the book. Both are able to learn from each other very valuable lessons and skills. Megan teaches Cindy how to sign and speak up for herself, while Cindy teaches Megan it's okay to ask for help and she is not always right. There are tears, laughter, and suspense felt by not only the characters, but also the reader!

I would suggest this is a must read for everyone in the education community. Many times I tend to think of diversity as culturally. This vibrant book reminds all of us that the deaf community does not see being deaf as a handicap, but does require extra patients, understanding and respect from hearing individuals. I have not had the pleasure of having a deaf student in my classroom. If the opportunity presents itself, I feel I will be more aware after reading this book from the view of a nine-year-old child. I intend for this to be one of the first books I share with my class next school year.

Marlee Matlin has written more books about deaf children, and I cannot wait to read them!

Diveisty Picture Book: The Other Side

The Other Side (2001)
Written by Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by E.B. Lewis

The book The Other Side tells the story of two young girls, one white and one black, who live out in the country. Between their houses is on old, wooden fence. Each of the girls' mothers tell them not to go on the other side of the fence. The story is told from the point of view of Clover, the young black girl, who wonders why Annie sits on the fence everyday. Annie just sits there and watches Clover play with other young black girls. One day Clover goes up to the fence, and Annie says "Hello". They both discuss how each of their mothers will not let them cross the fence. The decide that they could sit on the fence since their mothers never said they could not. For the entire summer, Clover and Annie sat on the fence. One day Clover's friends ask if they wanted to jump rope. Both of the girls hopped of the fence, and Annie and Clover jumped rope. I am reminded of my very best friend when I was six years old. Her name was Erica and we played everyday, rain or shine. We played outside, at my house, or at her house. Never once did our parents oppose to the friendship. I can only imagine how lonely and sad my childhood would have been without Erica. I am fortunate that a "fence" did not separate our beautiful friendship. This is a wonderful book describing how life was like in the 50's. Based on the illustrations and clothes worn by the characters, I inferred this was the time period of the book.  It amazes me that even to this day, 60 years since then, that situations are still faced by children like Clover and Annie. Perhaps if we incorporate more books of this caliber, we can help children to see past labels and skin color. This is a book that shows diversity in a way that can be understood by a young reader. Instead of waiting for Black History Month, teachers and LMS need to use these books regurally in the curriculum.

Caldecott #5 Moses: When Harriett Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Moses:  When Harriet Tubam Led Her People To Freedom (2006)
Written by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Caldecott Honor 2007

I have read many books about Harriet Tubman throughout the years; however, this was the first time I had the privilege to read such an inspiring book. Illustrator, Kadir Nelson, has a way of making the reader feel as if they were right with Harriet in the book. All the illustrators used at the beginning of the book seem very dark, until Harriet reaches freedom in Philadelphia. It was amazing to me that she walked ninety miles from Maryland to Pennsylvania with only her will and the help of God. I had known Harriet was a spiritual woman, and the books I had previously read discussed this issue; however, this book is written in such a way, using bolded font for the voice of God, that I found myself flipping the pages as fast as I could. She then returned to help other slaves escape to freedom not just once, but nineteen times! Never once did she loose a passenger on the Underground Railroad. Not only was this book awarded a Caldecott Honor, but it also received a Coretta Scott King Award. I have always looked past skin color to see the real person, and I believe that is why I was drawn to this book. Even today, after slavery has ended, there is still so much racism that exists in the world for many cultures. This book shows the reader, especially me, that if Harriet Tubman can walk ninety miles for freedom, that my trials and tribulations no not seem so bad. I am not beaten on a daily basis, nor am I told to marry a man I do not love. Harriett Tubman is a wonderful example of perseverance and powerful role model.

Caldecott #4 Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

Knuffle Bunny:  A Cautionary Tale (2005)
Written and Illustrated by Mo Willems
Caldecott Honor (2006)

I think just about anyone could relate to this children's book. I know that I sure can! I have a yellow, worn out blanket that I have had since the day I was born. "Woobie" as I call it, went everywhere with me, much like Knuffle Bunny went with Trixie. My brother had a stuffed dog pillow that went everywhere with him. As children, the majority of us have had a security blanket or stuffed animal we hated to let go. The way in which the book was illustrated was amazing. The use of actual pictures for the setting made the cartoon characters jump of the page. I loved how Knuffle Bunny and Trixie both had huge, wide eyes throughout the book, and Trixie's parents had little black dots for eyes. This is most certainly one of the most creatively illustrated children's books I have seen. It is crystal clear why it was named a Caldecott Honor winner. I would not have thought that the real-life pictures would have mixed so well with cartoon illustrations. My favorite part of the book is when the entire family is running back to the laundry mat to find the lost Knuffle Bunny. The man's expression on the stoop of the building is priceless; along with the mother's tongue sticking out. The cartoons are drawn in a way where the expressions of the characters are true to real life. I enjoyed Mo Willems' book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, so I was pleased to find that he has also had written and illustrated this book as well. I had seen this book in the school library before, but I never checked it out for my students. I will now be on the look out for other Knuffle Bunny tales.

Caldecott #3 The Hello, Goodbye Window

The Hello, Goodbye Window (2005)
Written by Norton Juster and Illustrated by Chris Raschka
Cadelcott Medal Winner 2006

As I read this book, I could picture my parents house in the country. With the large windows that go from the ceiling to the floor, and the wide wrap-around porch. My parents cannot wait to be grandparents! The Hello, Goodbye Window create grandparents that I believe will resemble my parents one day. The illustrator, Chris Raschka, created the illustrations in a way that makes the reader feel like a child again visiting their own grandparents. The bright, colorful illustrations immediately put a smile on my face from the very first page. Each page is filled with illustrations that look like a kindergartners finger painting artwork hanging on the refrigerator. It was some what intriguing that the facial features of the characters seemed distorted (for the lack of a better word). It allows the reader to imagine what they character may look like in their own minds, which allows the reader to personally connect to the story. One of the aspects of the story I truly enjoyed was the way in which the story was written. It is written from the perspective of a small child. In my mind, I imagined a five or six year old boy. The story never says whether the child is a boy or a girl, so I think boys and girls alike would enjoy the story. Even if a reader does not have a set of grandparents with a hello, goodbye window, I believe they can connect to the strong bonds that the author, Norton Juster, has created. I enjoyed this book so much, I shared it with my parents. They too could imagine the same scenarios in their minds as I had. I did not have grandparents with a hello, goodbye window, nor the bond between grandparent and grandchild. This book did allow me to picture the wonderful advantage that my children will have with my parents in the future. This book will certainly be purchased for classroom and personal use!

Caldecott #2 The Lion and the Mouse



The Lion and the Mouse (2009)
Written and Illustrated by Jerry Pickney
Caldecott Medal Winner 2010

 This was the first book I have read by Jerry Pickney...or looked at since their were hardly any words! I enjoyed how Pickney used illustrations that looked like sketches on some pages, and how he incorporated the use of water colors. I read on the last page that when illustrating the book he staged the book in the African Serengeti of Tanzania and Kenya. I believe that can be seen through the illustrations, or at least the reader can tell it is set in a jungle. The page of the book before the lion is captured by the rope trap, I liked the change of direction of the picture. The reader feels as if they are sitting high up in a tree watching the lion walk toward the trap. Not only does the story teach a priceless moral lesson to the reader, but also Pickney provides breath-taking illustrations to enhance one of Aesop's Fables. Teaching primary students, I am always looking for books that teach lessons and also allow them to interpret the illustrations. I can see myself using this book in a whole group or small group setting of students to teach many reading strategies. As I flipped through the pages, I began to realize how important books with no words can be in the classroom. As I said before, this is the first book by Pickney I have read. I am very interested in finding other titles for other parts of this blog. I am almost mesmerized when looking at the illustrations, and I understand why it was awarded a Caldecott Medal. This story reminds me of the farm where my parents live. When I was younger I would 'explore' through acres of woods and play in the creek. There were never any lions, of course; but I can remember beginning to appreciate the wonders of nature. Watching hawks soar through the air, listening to birds sing, and backing slowly away from a garden snake by the creek. As I read this book, it took me back to those days. Now, I want to put on my 'farm clothes' and hiking boots an explore the way I did as a child.

Caldecott #1 A Sick Day for Amos McGee

A Sick Day for Amos McGee (2010)
written by Philip C. Stead
illustrated by Erin C. Stead
Caldecott Medal 2011



 A Sick Day for Amos McGee is a heartwarming tale of a zoo keeper and his certain animal friends at the zoo. I can certainly see why this book was awarded the 2011 Caldecott Award. The illustrations are simple, but you can't help but smile when you look at the pages (the elephant is especially wonderful!). The colors used by the illustrator, Erin E. Stead, are beautifully used in an understated manner. I believe this is what makes the illustrations pop off the page. Some picture books stories require the use of bright, vibrant colors to set the tone for the book. The colors used in this book made me feel relaxed and comforted. Since the book was about Amos McGee, the zoo keeper, becoming sick, I thought the colors used were very appropriate for the stories content. I had not previously read this book and I am glad that I have now. It has been added to my list of "Books to Buy" for my classroom library. I teach 2nd grade and this is a book they would snatch off the shelf. Amos's animal friends, the elephant, the tortoise, the penguin, the owl, and the rhinoceros are illustrated with such detail that I felt that would jump of the page! This is one of the reasons I know my students will enjoy the book. Not only is it grade level appropriate, but also the students can enjoy the illustrations. This story reminded me of when I was in the third grade and my best friend had the chicken pox. She was not at school for several days, and I felt lost without her. I asked my mom everyday when she would be back at school, and she tried to comfort me. She suggested that I send her pictures and letters in the mail because I could not go to her house because I had not yet had the chicken pox. I felt the same way the animals did when Amos McGee got the sniffles and could not come to work. I am interested in finding other titles illustrated by Erin E. Stead so that I can see if she uses the same technique in all her children's book illustrations.