Not a #Nerdcott Update

It's been a busy week, and I just couldn't quite pull it together for my Caldecott Challenge update, aka my #nerdcott update. Instead here is a Not a #nerdcott update, featuring an appearance by Darth Vader and a reference to a bad but very dear to my heart 80s movie.

Mentioned in the video above:

Up! Tall! and High! by Ethan Long

I posted about Up! Tall! and High! recently here.

Step Gently Out by Helen Frost

Wonderful review over at 100 Scope Notes.

Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett

Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman

Up! Tall! and High! by Long

What it's about: 

Through three simple stories, a cast of colorful birds demonstrate tall, high and up with a touch of early reader humor.

What I love: 

I love that my 6 year old (who can read this book on his own) and my 2.5 year old are both drawn to this one over and over. The language is perfect for early readers, and engaging and clever as well. The extra thick pages are great - especially with a fun flap to flip for each story.

My fans of series like Mo Willems Cat the Cat and Elephant and Piggie are sure to keep this one circulating in my library.


Other Connections:

Visit Ethan Long's website:

Print your own Up! Tall! and High! bookmarks:

The Cats of Early Caldecotts

As I have been reading books for the Caldecott Challenge, I have been documenting my reads with a picture of the cover and of a favorite illustration.

So far I have finished the first 17 years of the award, and I am discovering that many of my favorite illustrations seem to include cats (and snow scenes - but that's another post!).

I went back through my photos, and in no particular order I give you 15 Cats of Early Caldecott winner and honor books:

Can you name the books from whence these cats came? (Truly any opportunity to use the phrase "from whence" is one that should be taken).

Click here if you would like to know the titles.

Caldecott Challenge 1954

1954 Winner and Honor books - missing The Steadfast Tin Soldier
(see the video or pics below)

The beginning of The Steadfast Tin Soldier Video I remember from Elementary School:

1954 Medal Winner: Madeline's Rescue 

by Ludwig Bemelmans

another smoking man

Pop-Up Madeline Book on display at the Minneapolis Central Public Library

Green Eyes 

by A. Birnbaum

The Steadfast Tin Soldier

illustrated by Marcia Brown

written by Hans Christian Andersen

When Will the World Be Mine? 

illustrated by Jean Charlot

written by Miriam Schlein

Journey Cake, Ho! 

illustrated by Robert McCloskey 

written by Ruth Sawyer

A Very Special House

illustrated by Maurice Sendak

written by Ruth Krauss

A little catching up from 1952 with a visit to the 

Minneapolis Central Public Library permanent Milestones Collection:

Skipper John's Cook 

by Marcia Brown

Looking back at photos of my favorite illustrations from 1938-1954, I have discovered I am a sucker for illustrations of cats and snow scenes. 

Favorite 1954 illustration: 

The end pages of Green Eyes

Favorite 1954 line: 

"Oh it's right in the middle --

Oh it's ret in the meedle --

Oh it's root in the moodle of my head head head."

 from A Very Special House

CURRENT CALDECOTT CHALLENGE COUNT: 85

Interested in joining the Caldecott Challenge? More information here.

Caldecott Challenge 1953

1953 Medal Winner: 

The Biggest Bear 

by Lynd Ward

1953 Honor Books:

Puss in Boots 

by Marcia Brown

One Morning in Maine 

by Robert McCloskey 

The Storm Book 

written by Charlotte Zolotow 

illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham

Ape in a Cape: An Alphabet of Odd Animals 

by Fritz Eichenberg

Five Little Monkeys by Juliet Kepes

Chloe and the Lion

written by Mac Barnett

illustrated by Adam Rex

Whoops... how did this get in here?

(Jump to 8:45 in the video above)

Current Caldecott Challenge Count: 78

Interested in joining the Caldecott Challenge? More information here.

Caldecott Challenge 1952

 

1952 Caldecott Medal

Finders Keepers

illustrated by Nicholas Mordvinoff 

written by William Lipkind

 

  

 

1952 Caldecott Honor Books

All Falling Down 

illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham

written by Gene Zion

 

 

 

  

  

Bear Party 

 by William Pène du Bois

  

   

Mr. T. W. Anthony Woo  

by Marie Hall Ets

  

Scads of pets.
Treefulls of Koalas.
One smoking man.

Current Caldecott Challenge Count: 72

Interested in joining the Caldecott Challenge? More information here.