Published by Creston Books

 

Summary: In a village by the sea, a woman and her child wait for their fisherman husband/father to return. Near the baby’s cradle is a hole in the wall.  Inside that hole is a cricket who is painting a picture of a fisherman on the sea.  The fisherman in the painting is dreaming about his family at home, waiting for his return.  An author’s note tells about her father, a Vietnamese refugee, who made his living as a fisherman, and her mother, who raised their nine children while he was away.  Ages 4-8.

Pros: A deceptively simple tale that moves inward from the sea to the tiny cricket in the hole then back out again. The illustrations are gorgeous and evoke a feeling of home, while showing details of the Vietnamese culture.  Each picture presents a unique perspective.  The author’s note adds an interesting dimension to the text and illustrations.

Cons:  I didn’t find the cover as appealing as the illustrations, so it took me awhile to get around to reading this book.

I haven’t seen these on many Caldecott lists, but they were still among my favorites this year, for one reason or another.  I got the list down to six, but couldn’t eliminate any more.

Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld.  Published by HMH Books for Young Readers.

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsgBILWhk18&feature=youtu.be

Everything about this book is simply perfect.  Cute characters (and really, they’re a stick and a stone, so well done, Tom Lichtenfeld), catchy rhymes, and a message of friendship–a perfect 10.

How the Sun Got to Coco’s House by Bob Graham.  Published by Candlewick.

This story travels around the world, then ends up in Coco’s house and yard.  Just right for showing young children a big, beautiful world, and how they are a part of it.

Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall.  Published by Greenwillow Books.

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfKu59BvgGQ&feature=youtu.be

Don’t label.  Told in a way even the youngest kids will get.

The Red Bicycle: The Extraordinary Story of One Ordinary Bicycle by Jude Isabella, illustrated by Simone Shin.  Published by Kids Can Press.

Can one person make a difference?  Yes!  And talk about paying it forward, this bicycle just keeps on giving as it moves from one incarnation to the next.

How to Read a Story by Kate Messner, illustrated by Mark Siegel.  Published by Chronicle Books.

I found myself recommending this book to teachers all year–as an introduction to independent reading, as a mentor text for expository writing, and as an engaging story to illustrate the joys of stories.

Everybody Sleeps (But Not Fred) by Josh Schneider.  Published by  Clarion Books.

A bedtime story that will also make adult readers chuckle.

During this last week of 2015, I’m going to post lists of my favorite books in different categories.  This is the time of year when there’s a lot of buzz about what books will get Newbery and Caldecott honors. When I look at the lists of possibilities, these five are the ones I liked best, not only for the illustrations (which is the sole criteria for the Caldecott), but for the whole package.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson.  Published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

When I reviewed this in April, I liked it, and since then, it’s continued to grow on me.  The collage details of the city are evocative of Ezra Jack Keats.  The grandmother turned out to be one of my favorite characters of 2015.

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle and Rafael Lopez.  Published by HMH Books for Young Readers.

Every page could be its own vibrant, colorful poster.  The book trailer is what really convinced me this is Caldecott worthy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lruQabrUco

A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat by Emily Jenkins and Sophie Blackall.  Published by Schwartz and Wade.

I reviewed this back in February, and ever since, it’s been one of my favorites.  There’s been a lot of controversy over the depiction of slavery (Google “Fine Dessert Slavery” if you’re not familiar with this), but I stand by my original impression of this as a book that entertains and teaches on many levels.

Float by Daniel Miyares.  Published by Simon and Schuster

There have been some great wordless picture books this year.  And there have been some beautiful artistic depictions of water this year.  This one had both.

The Moon Is Going to Addy’s House by Ida Pearle.  Published by Dial Books.

Okay, I admit I have a weakness for cut-paper illustrations.  These pictures amaze me.  Plus, the text and illustrations perfectly capture the feeling of a child’s world.