"Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" by Doreen Cronin

Cronin, Doreen (2000). Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

Pictures by Betsy Lewin

2001 Caldecott Honor Book

This story of some cows demanding better treatment from their farmer and speaking also on behalf of the hens is so funny! Thanks to the typewriter, the cows and some other farm animals use the power of words to make much needed changes in their situations!!

The farmer also decides that the typewriter will help him voice his concerns and demands! Finally, a compromise is reached thanks to that same typewriter, but all has not ended there. The ducks get in on the actions, too!

The artwork is deliberately done with strong, primitive lines to convey the simplicity of the farm, which contrasts greatly with the sophisticated deeds being done through the typewriter, and that is part of the hilarity of it all!

This is one of my favorite books just because it brings a huge smile to my face and it lightens whatever load I tend to have each time I come across it!

"In the Night Kitchen" by Maurice Sendak

Sendak, Maurice (1970, 1995). In the Night Kitchen. New York,NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Challenged Book

Yes, I can see why this book was challenged and even withdrawn from some libraries!

It is, however, a very innocent story about a child dreaming in the night. Mickey dreams about floating into the night kitchen and falling into some batter, then he is baked. He then explodes from the cake and falls into some dough which he fashions into an airplane. Then he falls into a giant bottle of milk, and finally wakes in bed fully clothed and refreshed!

I think the only problem that some people find is that in the dream, the child Mickey loses his clothes and is almost-anatomically-correctly drawn and is floating around in his birthday-suit in free abandon! The fact that there are three male cooks in the "night kitchen" might be a problem also to some... But I only saw a wonderfully illustrated fantastical and dream-like story that is sure to delight a child who sees no wrong!

The artwork is very much in the style of Sendak with all its incredible detail and fantastical visual imagery. There is always something new to find in each illustration!

This book is a wonderful opportunity to star an interesting and perhaps necessary conversation!!

"The Man Who Walked Between the Towers" by Mordicai Gerstein

Gerstein, Mordicai (2003). The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. Brookfield, CT: Roaring Book Press.

2004 Caldecott Medal Book

I had never heard of the French aerialist Phillipe Petit, but Gerstein's introduction forced me to become intrigued!

Gerstein's use of a concise amount of words encased in very detailed illustrations brought Phillipe's story to me in a very imaginative way! The story centers around the World Trade Center and how Phillipe made a tight-rope journey between the buildings brings in 1974. There is an inevitable sad tone to the story because of what we now know happened 27 years after Phillipe completed his historic journey.

The Twin Towers came back to life for me. I began to imagine how alive everyone inside the buildings must have felt while they were awaiting Phillipe to finish his daring feat with his feet! Beautifully designed and created in honor of the fallen towers, Gerstein's book is one I am glad to have purchased for my personal collection...

"The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg

Van Allsburg, Chris (1985). The Polar Express. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

1986 Caldecott Medal Book

I must admit I saw the movie before I ever read the book. The movie was very surreal to me and it had a very serious tone despite the fantastical characters and the other-worldly feats being accomplished.

As I read the book and examined the artwork, the same "magical" tone came through, despite the fact that the book is much, much shorter than the movie. The additions to the movie stay very true to the author's intent and only add to the whole central theme.

The theme is centered on the need for a strong belief in the Christmas spirit of charity and goodwill through the eyes of a child, and this is indeed concretely symbolized by the gift of the single sleigh bell that is central to the story. This book is successful in conveying this abstract idea without delving into the real meaning of Christmas for Christians.

The artwork is beautiful and haunting, which lends itself well to the whole tone intended!

"Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin" by Lloyd Moss

Moss, Lloyd (1995). Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

1996 Caldecott Honor Book


Oh, the swirly-twirly illustrations of the major instruments of the orchestra coming together to make a communal sound are such a delight!! The addition of the two cats, a dog, and a mouse enjoying the sights and sounds of music is so adorable! That the animals naturally do not get along at first can be seen, but the power of music and the example of all very, very different instruments coming together to make one beautiful artistic creation can be seen quite clearly!

I really love all the detail the art has, all the musical, rhythmical flow of the words within the art, and the aesthetically enjoyable fun that leaps from the pages!! This is a must-have book for music teachers, yes, but also for anyone in love with music and how much power it has to move mountains with a single beautiful note!

"Arrow to the Sun" by Gerald McDermott

McDermott, Gerald (1974). Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale. New York, NY : Puffin Books.

1975 Caldecott medal Books

The artwork in this lovely book is perfect for expressing the American Indian tale retold by Gerald McDermott.

The tale of the boy who had the Sun as his father is retold simply, but it is done very well. It is done in the traditional folktale style that makes the retelling more authentic to its source.


I enjoyed the artwork very much since it seems very authentic to the Pueblo art I have seen during summer travels with my family.

I was also enchanted by the tale the art represented. I had never heard the tale before, but was surprised to find many common elements with the Christian story of the Son of God.

"Arrorro, Mi Nino" by Lulu Delacre

Delacre, Lulu (2004). Arrorro, Mi Nino. New York, NY: Lee & Low Books, Inc.

2006 Pura Belpre Honor: Illustration

I met Lulu Delacre and spoke to her briefly about this book at the ALA conference in Washington D.C. She was so approachable and very excited while talking about motherhood and the common songs we shared with our children as we have reared them. I, too, grew up with these songs that Delacre has selected for her illustrated book, and so they take me back to the days of my childhood and the days when my three children were welcomed into our world!

The songs and chants selected for the book are musical staples in the hispanic world! I was so glad to find out that Delacre had made sure to create a CD to accompany the book, since you really can't appreciate an oral tradition in only print! The CD pieces are each so beautiful. From a music teacher's perspective and a Latina reared with these songs and chants, the CD is superbly done! The book's design is beautiful to say the least, and Delacre's art is just memorizing! It is so soothing and rich in detail; she is a true artist! I brought the book and CD from the Washington D. C./ ALA trip and am so very glad to have done so!