2016 New York Times Best Seller Picture Books
Woollvin, B. (2016). Little Red. London, England: Two Hoots.
Summary: A classic fairy tale of Red Riding Hood who is not so naive as her other tales in former story books. Red is clever, speechless on some pages, and obviously knows how to take care of herself. Repetition of the phrase " but not this little girl", adds to the minimal use of color choices that make a big impression in the book.
Response: Kids will be glued to the page and will offer their inferences on their own.
Response: Kids will be glued to the page and will offer their inferences on their own.
Brown, M. W. and Robinson, C. (2016). The Dead Bird. New York, NY : Harper.
Summary: Children come together to care for an animal that has died. Their love for life and the remembrance of familiar burial practices is evident in the text. The new illustrations give life to the book and appropriate for very young readers.
Response: The story reminded me of our life in the country and what we did with our animals that passed on. We buried them in the same fashion as the story and brought back memories.
Check out more books and images of illustrator Christian Robinson!
http://theartoffun.com/books/
Olshan, M., and Blackall, S. (2016). A Voyage in the Clouds: The (Mostly) True Story of the First International Flight by Balloon in 1785. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Summary: Historical fiction of the English Channel voyage/flight in a picture book. Dr. John Jeffries and Jean-Pierre Blanchard are two antagonistic characters that eventually gave in (under the circumstances they endured) to their friendship and lived to tell the story of their journey across the open waters.
Response: I can understand why Sophie Blackall is a highty sought after illustrator. Her picture books are a joy to view while reading to children.
Read how modern astronauts recreated the English Channel flight.
https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/across-the-channel-by-balloon-11414318/
Bogart, J. E., & Smith, S. (2016). The White Cat and the Monk: A Retelling of the Poem "Pangur Bán". Toronto, Canada: Groundwood Books.
Summary: An old Irish poem is retold as a short picture book much like a graphic story book with panels that separate to show the next scene in the page. The characters have familiar daily rituals that connect them both peacefully contemplating meanings of life.
Response: Paying tribute to a moment in time, this peaceful book is pleasant to read in our chaotic society we live in today.
Blog site with both Irish and English version of Pangur Ban:
http://ireland-calling.com/pangur-ban/#translation
Summary: An old Irish poem is retold as a short picture book much like a graphic story book with panels that separate to show the next scene in the page. The characters have familiar daily rituals that connect them both peacefully contemplating meanings of life.
Response: Paying tribute to a moment in time, this peaceful book is pleasant to read in our chaotic society we live in today.
Blog site with both Irish and English version of Pangur Ban:
http://ireland-calling.com/pangur-ban/#translation
Desmond, J. (2016). The Polar Bear. New York, NY: Enchanted Lion Books.
Summary: A young girl immerses herself in The Polar Bear book of facts from weather conditions polar bears endure, habitat, mating, and hibernation. The character experiences each and every step imagining she is there actually with the polar bear. Jenni Desmond captures the readers attention with her accurately displayed pages.
Response: Polar bears are fascinating creatures. To see their everyday lifestyles and daily tasks for survival, it is no wonder why you can see the passion Jenni Desmond has for these lovely animals.
Polar Bear Documentary by National Geographic
Summary: A young girl immerses herself in The Polar Bear book of facts from weather conditions polar bears endure, habitat, mating, and hibernation. The character experiences each and every step imagining she is there actually with the polar bear. Jenni Desmond captures the readers attention with her accurately displayed pages.
Response: Polar bears are fascinating creatures. To see their everyday lifestyles and daily tasks for survival, it is no wonder why you can see the passion Jenni Desmond has for these lovely animals.
Polar Bear Documentary by National Geographic
Young, E. ( 2016). The Cat From Hunger Mountain. New York, NY: Philomel Books.
Summary: A fable about having everything except humility which the tale tells of a young Lord Cat who experiences his own famine and demise. As famine strikes the Lord's village, he realizes that his actions and how blessed he really is in the scheme of life after he is informed of where the riches really lie.
Response: Collages are no easy task, however, Young has created his collages with mixed media which adds to the complexity of the picture book. Very stunning and intriguing.
Response: Collages are no easy task, however, Young has created his collages with mixed media which adds to the complexity of the picture book. Very stunning and intriguing.
Mooresville Public Library (Mooresville, Indiana) presents a book trailer featuring the children's picture book, "The Cat From Hunger Mountain," by Ed Young.
Gottesfeld, J. and McCarty, P. (2016). New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
Summary: The historical fiction children's book gives a glimpse of a time in Anne Frank's life during a time of war. The illustrations by McCarty represent the chestnut tree Anne Rank once wrote about in her poems, hence the "chestnut" brown ink.
Response: The fine details of the illustrations compliment he text beautifully. Capturing the readers attention to a dismal time and place but will be forever remembered by the tree saplings planted around the world.
Read more about the stories of Anne Frank:
http://www.annefrank.org/
Summary: The historical fiction children's book gives a glimpse of a time in Anne Frank's life during a time of war. The illustrations by McCarty represent the chestnut tree Anne Rank once wrote about in her poems, hence the "chestnut" brown ink.
Response: The fine details of the illustrations compliment he text beautifully. Capturing the readers attention to a dismal time and place but will be forever remembered by the tree saplings planted around the world.
Read more about the stories of Anne Frank:
http://www.annefrank.org/
Tonatiuh, D. (2016). The Princess and the Warrior. New York, NY: Abrams Books for Young Readers.
Summary: The Princess is courted by various suitors, only to finally fall in love with a warrior. He promised to be by her side forever. Although word had gotten to the Princess that Popoca had died. The news was untrue and the tale of her falling into a deep sleep only to have her warrior remain by her side is where volcanoes have been created in honor of their memory.
Response: The unique tale of wondrous volcanoes intrigues even the youngest reader. I also enjoyed reading the pronunciations printed at the back of the book
The Princess and the Warrior by Duncan Tonatiuh | Book Trailer
Asim, J., & Lewis, E. B. (2016). Preaching to the chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis. New York, NY: Nancy Paulsen Books.
Summary: The tale of John Lewis beginnings before becoming a prominent civil rights leader. His home preaching eventually will lead him to bigger and greater audiences who will become captivated by his speeches just like his chickens on the farm.
Response: Lewis' illustrations are done in water color and gouache. Watercolor is usually unforgiving but Lewis' expertise in this type of media tantalizes the senses.
Meet the illustrator and hear about his background, struggles many children face today, and how he overcame those adversities.
Summary: The tale of John Lewis beginnings before becoming a prominent civil rights leader. His home preaching eventually will lead him to bigger and greater audiences who will become captivated by his speeches just like his chickens on the farm.
Response: Lewis' illustrations are done in water color and gouache. Watercolor is usually unforgiving but Lewis' expertise in this type of media tantalizes the senses.
Meet the illustrator and hear about his background, struggles many children face today, and how he overcame those adversities.
Video from Reading Rockets. Lewis's interests in fine arts & illustration led him to coin the term "artistrator" to describe his work. Lewis's illustrations have been described as "uniquely captivating" have earned him the Coretta Scott King Award & a a Caldecott Honor. (22 min.)
Weatherford, C. B. (2016). Freedom in Congo Square. New York, NY: Little Bee Books.
Summary: The countdown begins at the beginning of the week. This children's picture book depicts a time when slaves worked hard and were rewarded with a joyous comrade at Congo Square at the end of the week. African music resounded with dancing and a sense of freedom was savored.
Response: Leading to a path of freedom was difficult and I can't even imagine what life was like back then. Reading these stories of hope and finding happiness through it all is uplifting.
Catch up on the most current happenings with Carole Boston Weatherford:
https://cbweatherford.com/
Summary: The countdown begins at the beginning of the week. This children's picture book depicts a time when slaves worked hard and were rewarded with a joyous comrade at Congo Square at the end of the week. African music resounded with dancing and a sense of freedom was savored.
Response: Leading to a path of freedom was difficult and I can't even imagine what life was like back then. Reading these stories of hope and finding happiness through it all is uplifting.
Catch up on the most current happenings with Carole Boston Weatherford:
https://cbweatherford.com/
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