Grandma's Gift

Grandma's Gift
written and illustrated by Eric Velasquez

2011 Pura Belpre Illustrator Award Book

Elementary

Eric is excited to be spending his Christmas vacation with his Grandmother in El Barrio.  He knows they will be busy getting ready for the holidays.  Along with Christmas preparations, Eric's teacher has given him an assignment to write a report on a famous painting by Diego Velazquez.  Traveling to the museum to view the painting is an exciting adventure, but not as exciting as what Eric discovers when he locates the painting.  The experience gives Eric's grandmother an idea for a perfect Christmas gift for Eric.

This book honors the special relationship between a grandparent and a grandchild.  It also celebrates the Puerto Rican culture by introducing a Spanish speaking family of African descent.  Spanish is introduced as Eric translates for his grandmother throughout the story.  The illustrations are realistic and help the reader visualize the story.  The end pages of the book look like a gift with a large bow, quite fitting for the book.

To learn more about Eric Velasquez, you can visit his Web site from the following link:

http://www.ericvelasquez.com/

Interrupting Chicken

Interrupting Chicken
written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein

2011 Caldecott Honor Book

Elementary

It's bedtime and the little red chicken insists on a bedtime story.  Papa agrees to read a story, but becomes frustrated when the little red chicken keeps interrupting the stories.  The little red chicken has heard the stories before and feels compelled to tell the characters what is about to happen.  Finally, the little red chicken reads a story for Papa.  Is anyone ready for sleep yet?

This book received the Caldecott honor award for its illustrations.  There are three distinct styles of illustrations throughout the book.  When Papa is reading, the illustrations primarily consist of bold, vibrant colors which completely fill the page.  When chicken interrupts the story, the illustrations show the storybook in muted colors and little red chicken jumping into the story with her bold, vivid colors.  And finally, when it is little red chicken's turn to tell the story, the illustrations resemble a child's illustrations.  Each of the styles work well together to create this charming tale.

Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night

Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night
by Joyce Sidman
illustrated by Rick Allen

2011 Newbery Honor Book

Tween

This Newbery Honor book is a collection of twelve beautifully crafted poems about what occurs during the nighttime.  Each poem has a unique style and uses various approaches to convey the beauty of nighttime.  Rick Allen's illustrations are created with a unique process of relief printing.  The illustrations were actually printed in layers using sheets of linoleum and then hand colored with gouache.  The results are stunning.  A glossary and facts about each poem are included for those readers who are eager to learn the science behind poetry. 

                       Wordle - Created by Eileen Corbett  http://www.wordle.net/

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin
written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

2011 Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Book

Elementary

Charlie and his cousin (primo), Carlitos, exchange letters and learn about each others' lives.  Although Charlie lives in America and Carlitos lives in Mexico, they discover that their lives are similar in many ways. 

Students reading this book will relate to the activities that Charlie and Carlitos discuss in their letters.  They will also appreciate the engaging illustrations.  Tonatiuh emphasizes some part of each illustration with a unique textured appearance.  Pages that illustrate Carlitos' letters also include labels of Spanish words.  This will be a learning experience for English speakers and will help define these new words.  For those who need further explanation, there is a glossary in the back of the book.

Ballet for Martha

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring
by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
illustrated by Brian Floca


2011 Sibert Honor Book

Elementary

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring explains how the ballet, Appalachian Spring, was created.  Many artists came together to combine their talents and produce this unique performance.  Martha Graham, a dancer, Aaron Copland, a musician, and Isamu Noguchi, an artist were the key figures in the process.  Appalachian Spring was performed for the first time in 1944 and has since become an American favorite.

This informative book not only teaches how great works of art come about, it also leads readers to discover the beauty of different art forms and the magic that can happen when they all come together.  The bibliography and notes are evidence that this book was a product of extensive research.

Below is a You Tube Video created by RoyalDukeJam. Enjoy Aaron Copeland's Appalachian Spring.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDRWdNn_nLk

Dave the Potter, Artist, Poet, Slave

Dave the Potter, Artist, Poet, Slave
by Laban Carrick Hill
Illustrated by Bryan Collier

2011 Caldecott Honor Book

Elementary



Dave had a special eye for seeing what things could become and an artist's touch that brought his visions to reality.  With no formal training, Dave's talents were remarkable.  Dave's life was restricted by the fact that he was a slave, but he is remembered as a potter, artist, and poet.

This book tells a beautiful story of a man whose freedom of expression was not stiffled by his physical bondage.  Laban Carrick Hill uses expressive language to tell Dave's story, and this book is another form of art.  Bryan Collier's illustrations take the reader far beyond the written words.  His water color collage images take the reader back to South Carolina in the 1800s.  The middle page of the book folds out to reveal Dave's hands shaping clay in various stages.  The book also offers historical background and photographs of Dave's pottery as well as an extensive bibliography and useful web sites.

Turtle in Paradise

Turtle in Paradise
by Jennifer L. Holm

2011 Newbery Honor Book
2011-2012 Texas Bluebonnet Book

Tween

 

Turtle is an 11 year old girl growing up during the depression.  Turtle and her single mom often struggle to get by.  Turtle is sent to live with family when her mother's live-in housekeeping job does not allow children.  Turtle arrives in Key West and is immediately surrounded by family members she has never met before and lots of adventure.  Archie, one of Turtle's mother's boyfriends tells Turtle that everyone has a dream.  Turtle thinks all of her dreams have finally come true, and maybe they have, just not at all like she had planned.

This is such an enjoyable book.  It is no wonder that it is a 2011 Newbery Honor book.  Jennifer Holm did a marvelous job of developing these unique characters.  Despite their quirky nicknames, they were such a likable group.  The plot was fast moving and unpredictable with plenty of twists and turns along the way.  In my opinion, the prevalent theme was one of the strongest points of the book.  "Don't take what you have for granted, it may be exactly what you have been searching for all along."  Historical details are well woven into the book, it was educational without feeling forced at all.  The author's notes at the end of the book are quite informative as well.