Comments on: Picture Books Revisited http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2010/10/23/picture-books-revisited/ A Mock Newbery Blog Tue, 16 Apr 2013 01:12:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Kate http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2010/10/23/picture-books-revisited/#comment-7380 Kate Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:16:47 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=796#comment-7380 Oh, Jonathan! You beat me to the punch - er, keyboard. I was just signing on to put DUST DEVIL into the mix. The language here is quite playful and Tall Tale-y. It is possible that the "humor" of it may not attract votes like more serious titles, but to my ear there is a segment or two that are really unique and distinguished. And the challenge of keeping picture books/easy readers/transition chapter books balanced in the consideration against the "strong novels and non-fiction" is so difficult, I agree! Oh, Jonathan! You beat me to the punch – er, keyboard. I was just signing on to put DUST DEVIL into the mix. The language here is quite playful and Tall Tale-y. It is possible that the “humor” of it may not attract votes like more serious titles, but to my ear there is a segment or two that are really unique and distinguished. And the challenge of keeping picture books/easy readers/transition chapter books balanced in the consideration against the “strong novels and non-fiction” is so difficult, I agree!

]]> By: Jonathan Hunt http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2010/10/23/picture-books-revisited/#comment-7198 Jonathan Hunt Wed, 27 Oct 2010 03:52:04 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=796#comment-7198 Another one I'd like to see is DUST DEVIL by Anne Isaacs, illustrated by Paul Zelinsky. I think there are some strong picture book texts, but I don't know that there is one that separates itself from the pack enough to build consensus around it in opposition to strong novels, nonfiction, etc. Another one I’d like to see is DUST DEVIL by Anne Isaacs, illustrated by Paul Zelinsky. I think there are some strong picture book texts, but I don’t know that there is one that separates itself from the pack enough to build consensus around it in opposition to strong novels, nonfiction, etc.

]]> By: Judith Van Alstyne http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2010/10/23/picture-books-revisited/#comment-6948 Judith Van Alstyne Sun, 24 Oct 2010 03:59:42 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=796#comment-6948 FLORA'S VERY WINDY DAY by Jeanne Birdsall, illustrated by Matt Phelan. Yes, I know it will already have a nice, shiny, gold Caldecott sticker on the cover, but I wouldn't mind seeing a silver Newbery sticker next to it! It is simply a perfect book. However, the more I think about it, it is entirely too dependent on the two illustrations that begin the story, and the two that end it. Booklist probably says it best: "The story’s sense and wit are most fully expressed in the text, but the characters’ actions and emotions are most memorably portrayed in the artwork." Couldn't distinguished writing include knowing when to be silent? Not for the Newbery criteria, I know... Well, we wouldn't want too much of the beautiful watercolor cover covered up with stickers anyway. I'll settle for just the Caldecott Medal. And so, I'll second SNOOK ALONE for my picture book contender. You could read that aloud in the dark and still get blown away. But, Mr. Eyring, I'm sure glad we don't have to! FLORA’S VERY WINDY DAY by Jeanne Birdsall, illustrated by Matt Phelan. Yes, I know it will already have a nice, shiny, gold Caldecott sticker on the cover, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a silver Newbery sticker next to it! It is simply a perfect book. However, the more I think about it, it is entirely too dependent on the two illustrations that begin the story, and the two that end it. Booklist probably says it best: “The story’s sense and wit are most fully expressed in the text, but the characters’ actions and emotions are most memorably portrayed in the artwork.” Couldn’t distinguished writing include knowing when to be silent? Not for the Newbery criteria, I know… Well, we wouldn’t want too much of the beautiful watercolor cover covered up with stickers anyway. I’ll settle for just the Caldecott Medal.

And so, I’ll second SNOOK ALONE for my picture book contender. You could read that aloud in the dark and still get blown away. But, Mr. Eyring, I’m sure glad we don’t have to!

]]> By: DaNae http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2010/10/23/picture-books-revisited/#comment-6946 DaNae Sun, 24 Oct 2010 03:53:45 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=796#comment-6946 I really love Bonny Becker's Bear and Mouse books. Her newest, BEDTIME FOR BEAR, once again melds just the right consonants and vowels into a satisfying tale of friendship despite ego. I really love Bonny Becker’s Bear and Mouse books. Her newest, BEDTIME FOR BEAR, once again melds just the right consonants and vowels into a satisfying tale of friendship despite ego.

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