CALDECOTT AWARD

Frog Went A-Courting by John Langstaff and illustrated by Feodor Rojankovsky

1956 Caldecott Winner

Langstaff, J. (1955) Frog Went A-Courting. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

The quaint simplicity of this book touches the heart strings of young love. Since this book is also a song passed down from generation to generation, it has a gaiety and bounce that makes it easily memorable for young children. Furthermore, the innocent rhyme and sweet disposition of the harmonious country critters shows us just how simple love and happiness can be for us, young and old. Langstaff took an oral ballad and charmed our hearts, but Rojankovsky's hand drawn illustrations could be used to connect a children's art class to the "before computer animation" drawings. This would also work well during "Rodeo/Go-Texan" week, but of the guitar and cowboy boots genteel nature of the story. Lastly, the illustration and alteration between lively color and the complacent green reminds the audience of the one costly price of color print in 1955.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

1964 Caldecott Winner

Sendak, M. (1963) Where the Wild Things Are. New York, NY: Harper Collins Children's Book.

When this book hit the Hollywood screens, a rejuvinated love for all things weird and scary bounced back into the imaginations of children. Sendak's illustration captured the young and dauting spirit of "Monster Max." Though he's not quite the Mel Gibson "Mad Max" of the 1980s sci-fi fame, Wild Max's zest in becoming the scariest, most terrible, untamed monster there is definitely mimics the bravery needed to face any monster, science fiction or fantasy. I can envision using this book in a kindergarten class, where teaching successful character building traits and cultivating imagination reigns supreme. The wood-grain like texture of the illustrations and sharp teeth/claws on every monster adds the cool and tough factor needed to rope in even the most mischievious of boys, who just DON'T want to sit still for story-time. Furthermore, I think Sendak's book would also work as a great teaching tool in a social studies class. The instructor could entice his class to study a globe to find the perfect location for Max's Monster island. Also, a science instructor can relate it to the study of dinosaurs and other prehistoric monsters in an almost "Jurassic Park Meet Wild Things: Search for the Island King" scavenger hunt. Is it a dinosaur or wild thing?

The Owl Moon by Jane Yolen with illustrations by John Schoenherr

1988 Caldecott Winner

Yolen, J. (1987) The Owl Moon. New York, NY: First Scholastic.

All English/Language Arts teachers desperately need to have a copy of this book to teach figurative language--NO SUBSTITUTIONS! Yolen's choice of rhyme and rhythm intermingles itself with the enriching examples of similes, metaphors and imagery with seamless ease. Using this picture book as a way to introduce imagery, poetry, figurative language, plot summary, you name it! Additionally, this book could aid as a wonderful teaching tool for character building (i.e. bonding, courage, vulnerability, etc.) and the importance of following rule and procedures. The allure of the night has mesmerized us all, sometimes for the better and other times because of childhood fears. The adventure seeking soul of a young boy on his first owl hunt with his father pulls the reader into the nocturnal mystery of nature.

Sam, Bangs & Moonshine written and illustrated by Evaline Ness

1967 Caldecott Winner

Ness, E. (1966). Sam, Bangs & Moonshine. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

This book took me back to my childhood because I told a lot of inventive stories that added to my quirkiness. Easily, Sam and I could have shared so much “moonshine” together that the best child psychologist would join the realm of our universe versus deciphering the madness in our stories. Evaline Ness delivers the nutrients of imagination & creativity in this delightful story. The end-papers invite the reader out to shore signaling the adventures of a fisherman's daughter, who has the most inventive imagination. The illustrations evoke a dreamlike state, with minimal color and slight distortion of concrete lines. The watercolor shading snatches the reader’s attention to the allure and mystery of a dreary, wintry day facing the harbor! Inevitably, young children will sell their teachers a bottle of "moonshine" when unnecessary. This book will work well as reinforcement of DESIRED behavior. Use it during a kindergarten circle time, on a day where a child sipped some "moonshine" and everyone knows it!

Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin! by Lloyd Moss with illustration by Majorie Priceman

1996 Caldecott Honor Book

Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin teaches the proper etiquette and members of an orchestra. A wonderful concept book about the numerical organization for musical instruments--i.e. solo, trio, quintet and so forth. The illustrations and words curve and bend like notes on a sheet of music. With the rhyme and rhythm of the text, the audience can feel the beat of the musical score just by reading the words. As long as the reader raises and lowers their voice appropriately, the crescendo and decrescendos, the musical score has morphed into a literary opera! All jokes aside, this book would work wonderfully in a cross-curricular activity with the band and ELA classes. I can further envision presenting this book, the chamber ten orchestra included, to an elementary school for music appreciation day. My imagination already notices the awe and inquisitive stares of the youthful audience as they zin and bend on the music adventure of Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin!