Dog-Gone Books!

If you’re a kid who’s a dog lover, or know one who is, this post is for you.

Did you know that when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark made their famous journey across America, they brought along a canine companion?  They did, and the Newfoundland named Seaman accompanied the Corps of Discovery all the way to the Pacific Ocean.  The big black dog provided not only companionship, but he proved to be a valuable hunter, an alert sentinel, and more.

I talked about this delightful book in a previous post, but it’s worth a second mention.  Little kids will love following the antics of this lovable pooch in this wordless book.

George is happy living a quiet, peaceful life with his humans.  However, one day, a lively little dog named Zippity enters their lives.  Can George learn to tolerate this nonstop newcomer?

Now I know why these are called the dog days of summer…

The Books Are Coming!

The books I so painstakingly selected and ordered this past winter have been making their appearance in recent weeks, and they are still coming!  Even though so many duties await my attention, I am unable to resist open the boxes to take a peek at the treasures within.  (It’s a thinly veiled reason that all arrivals must be inspected for defects and damage.  We know better.)

The books I have feasted my eyes upon thus far have not disappointed.  Here are a few I would like to share with you:

Callie introduces us to her twin brother Charlie, who has autism.  She describes not only the difficulties he encounters, but all the areas where he excels.  Just in time for Autism Awareness Month, this book is sure to open the eyes of young readers and listeners to this disorder.

Katherine Paterson, teaming up with her husband John, has done it again.  Rewriting a story originally penned in 1910 by Eden Phillpott, the duo has created a fantasy masterpiece.

I am not normally a big fan of wordless books, but I am making an exception here: not only because this particular one is this year’s winner of the Caldecott Medal, but because it is a beauty.  Words are not necessary to share Daisy the dog’s every emotion.  Check out this book and see for yourself.

Back to the books!

Award-Winning Books by First-Timers

This year’s Newbery and Caldecot Medal winners have something noteworthy in common: they are the creations of a first-time author and artist!

The year is 1936.  Abilene is twelve years old.  She is used to drifting around the countryside with her dad, but now she finds herself alone–and her father is the one sending her away.   Arriving in Manifest, Kansas, a nondescript little town where her dad once lived, Abilene is determined to find out more about him–and uncovers more than one mystery surrounding the community and its inhabitants.

Amos McGee lovingly cares for the animals in the zoo where he works.  He knows what each one needs and wants, and makes time to visit them all.  However, one day, Amos wakes up with a bad cold, and can’t go to work.  His animal friends, learning that he is sick, decide to return the care that Amos has given them over the years and visit him at home.  Erin E. Stead’s woodcuts, in muted tones with an occasional splash of red, complement her husband’s gentle story of a beautiful friendship.  This first-time illustrator is an artist to watch, and the Steads’ book has all the makings of a classic.

And the Winners Are…

Congratulations to this year’s winners of the John Newberry and Randolph Caldecott Medals!  Awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature and the most distinguished picture book for children, they are:

The Depression-era novel, written by first-time novelist Clare Vanderpool, tells the story of 12-year-old Abilene Tucker, who spends the summer in Manifest, Kansas, and becomes involved in solving a longstanding local mystery.

This gentle tale of the special relationship between a zookeeper and the animals in his care is also the creation of newcomers to the scene, author Philip E. Stead and illustrator Erin E. Stead, a husband-and-wife team who live and work in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

I look forward to many more quality books from these promising new members of the literary community.  I’m already making room on my shelves…