The Caldecott Medal is awarded each year to the most distinguished illustrations in books for children. The first Caldecott Medal was awarded in 1938. The award is given to the artist, who may or may not be the author of the book. A book can be considered for the Caldecott and Newbery Awards, cannot win both awards in the same year. Ralph Caldecott was an influential children's illustrator who worked in England in the 19th Century. His illustrations are known for their humor and ability to create a sense of action in the stories he illustrated. The illustration on the Caldecott medal is taken from his illustrations of the book "The Diverting Story of John Gilpin."
Caldecott Medal
Flotsam
by David Wiesner
Flotsam is a fascinating account of a young boy's discovery during an ordinary trip to the beach. A box containing an underwater camera washes up on the shore. Its contents reveal a collection of photographs taken with various children from beaches around the world. The photos date many years back and show children who have discovered the same camera, and each child adds a picture of themselves holding the picture of the previous children who have discovered the camera. In each photo, each child is holding a picture of a child holding a picture, of a child holding a picture... The boy adds his picture, then tosses the box back into the ocean. The box continues to travel around the world via the ocean, it washes up on shore and the story begins again.
Suggested Grade Level: K-3
Wordless Picture Book
Lexile: NP
Stephanie Karker
Flotsam by David Weisner
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznick
The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a story told in words and pictures. Brian Selznick tells the story of Hugo, a boy who lives in the Paris train station and works on keeping the clocks running, through words and pictures. It is a unique read as you need to follow the story of the picures, much like a movie, when the words are not present - instead of the illustrations accompanying the text of the story, they replace it. When Hugo finds a machine he uses his dead father's notebook to try to fix it. There are many compilcations along the way and Hugo meets several interesting people on his way to fixing the machine (an automaton) and figuring out exactly what it does and what it means. An adventurous story that keeps you wondering.
Suggested grade level: 3-6
Reading level: 5.6
Lexile: 820
Jessica Schmitz
Zen Shorts
by Jon J. Muth
Michael, Karl and Addy become friends with their new neighbor Stillwater, a Panda bear. Each of the children goes to visit Stillwater on different days and each of them has a wonderful time with him. Abbey brings the bear a gift and Stillwater gives her one in return, he tells her about his Uncle Ry who gave his last robe to a robber who broke into his house. Uncle Ry had such a big heart that he wished he had had something better to give the "poor man." When Michael goes to visit Stillwater he finds the bear sitting in a tree and they talk about luck, good and bad, and how one can never be sure how luck is going to turn out. What may seen to be good luck may turn out to be something altogether most unfortunate. Stillwater tells Michael a story to explain this idea. When Karl goes to Stillwater's house loaded, he is loaded with pool tools and in a bad mood because of an argument that he had with his brother that morning. After having a wonderful time together, the little boy simply cannot let go of the anger that he has for his brother. Stillwater tells him a story and shows him what a waste of time and energy it is to carry resentment and anger around with you long after the cause of the disturbance is over.
This story is a simple story with a big messages. I loved the tranquil art work!
Suggested grade level: K-2
Reading level: 2.4
Lexile: 540
Reviewed by Arlette Leyva