Button Up! Wrinkled Rhymes by Alice Schertle, Pictures by Petra Mathers
The stars of this collection of illustrated poems are the clothes children wear – from shoes and jammies to swimsuits and Halloween costumes. Schertle’s perky rhymes, told from the point of view of each item, pair nicely with Mather’s amusing images. Talking clothes – clever indeed!
Ever wonder how a book is made? Tara Books, an independent book publisher based in India, has created a short video showing the making of Do!, their newest picture book that combines an introduction to basic verbs with tradition Warli pictogram art. I think for any book lover or artist, watching the care and skill that goes into creating these beautiful books by hand is so inspiring.
Each year in January, the American Library Association gives the Randolph Caldecott Medal to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children that year.
This year, the 2010 Caldecott Medal goes to Jerry Pinkney for his beautiful wordless picture book, The Lion and The Mouse. Congratulations, Jerry!
Read Barbara Elleman’s Top of the Shelf book review of The Lion and the Mousehere.
The Carle Museum sends their congratulations to Katherine Paterson, the new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature! In the next two years during her term, she’ll work to promote children’s literature and literacy across the country. Paterson, who has made tremendous contributions both with her award-winning books and service to the children’s literature community, is a perfect choice for the job. You can read more about Paterson and her new position in this wonderful New York Times article by Motoko Rich here.
We were lucky enough to host previous ambassador, Jon Scieszka, here at The Carle for an educator appreciation night and booksigning last year. Scieszka had teachers and librarians howling in their seats with stories of his own teaching days and childhood memories while Mo Willems doodled cariactures of him in the audience. And in case you were wondering, yes, Scieszka really did wear his ambassador medal the whole time.
Although fairly new, the position of National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature does so much to relate to children and create lifelong readers. We are looking forward to the work Katherine Paterson will do as ambassador and wish her the best of luck. Congratulations!
Breathtaking images of the two main characters appear on the front and back jacket, stirring the imagination to explore further. Using the African Serengeti as background, Pinkney gives depth to the ancient Aesop fable through expressive bodies and faces rendered in eye-riveting watercolor-and-pencil illustrations. The few words – animal sounds craftily incorporated into the pictures – allow viewers to immerse themselves in the spectacular art.
We were lucky enough to host previous ambassador, Jon Scieszka, here at The Carle for an educator appreciation night and booksigning last year. Scieszka had teachers and librarians howling in their seats with stories of his own teaching days and childhood memories while Mo Willems doodled cariactures of him in the audience. And in case you were wondering, yes, Scieszka really did wear his ambassador medal the whole time.
