The Caldecott and Newbery Awards

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) awards both the Caldecott and Newbery Awards. The Newbery Award is the oldest of the two, the idea for the award was proposed in 1921. The award is intended to honor original American literature which is determined to be named distinguished as a contribution to children's literature. Other books may be given the status of "Honor Book". The Caldecott Award came to be in 1937 because of concerns that artists who created picture books were just as deserving of recognition. Other books may be given the status of "Honor Book".
Is one a better award than the other? I fail to see a way to compare the two awards. The Newbery Award is focused on the text of the story. Does the text present issues of theme or concept, plot, characters, setting, and style that are distinguished in their conveyance as well as respectful toward children as the audience? Illustrations, if included with the text, are not considered unless they detract from the text.
The Caldecott Medal considers the illustrations to see whether they can convey the theme or concept, story-line, and characters. Flotsam, the newest award winner, is a book devoid of text yet still conveys a wonderful and engaging story-line. The other components of the book may be considered if they detract from the illustrations.
I personally think to compare the two reduces the effectiveness that each award brings. One does not compare apples to oranges, except to point out they are both fruits. One cannot compare a Caldecott to a Newbery Award winning book except to point out they are both examples of children's literature. These awards help librarians, teachers, parents and especially children to seek out and find those books which are examples of excellence in their categories.

The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax

The Cat in the Hat and The Lorax, two stories written by Dr. Seuss

I must admit I had never been a Dr. Seuss fan until I began to teach young readers and could appreciate his contribution to children's literature. I came from a generation that were still reading Dick and Jane and had been subjected to the stilted, controlled text within each story. (Sometimes I wonder how I came to love reading!) The Cat in the Hat is a wonderful, refreshing take on controlled text. Theodore Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) made quite a different story with only 225 basic vocabulary words.

In the story the children struggle with the desire to have fun as well as the desire to please their mother. The fish is their conscience characterized, repeatedly reminding them that the cat should not be in the house. The question posed as the end of the story is thought provoking and worthy of discussion as it asks, "Should we tell her about it? Now, what should we do? Well. . .What would you do, If your mother asked you?" It would be interesting to have children answer that question. As one can see, there is a moral struggle in should one tell the truth, or since there is no evidence, is it better to not mention what happened at all? I'm pretty sure I know what most children will choose (if they are honest.)

The Lorax is another of Dr. Seuss' stories. There are many concepts introduced within the text such as pollution, conservation, greed and mismanagement of natural resources. The reader is left at the end with the hope that the one Truffula seed may be used to once again renew the forest of Truffula trees and herald the return of the Lorax and his friends. The Lorax was not well received in 1971. Environmental awareness was in its infancy with The Clean Air Act having just been passed in 1960s. Was this a topic for our young impressionable children? Dr. Seuss wrote a book that was published before its time. This is a book that would be better received today, didactic as it is. Our population is more aware of environmental issues, recycling occurs more often and movies that discuss environmental issues are given awards. Yes, Dr. Seuss was ahead of his time but perhaps he tried to gently show the world, through its children, that change must occur.

There is a Theodore Seuss Geisel Award now presented every year to both the author and illustrator of the "most distinguished American book for beginning readers" What a tribute to the man who showed us that with limited vocabulary, rhyme and nonsense words books can be produced that are entertaining and provide encouragement for beginning readers.

John Henry, a story by Julius Lester

John Henry by Julius Lester

This is a story of an incredible man named John Henry. He, of course, is a larger than life folk hero who is portrayed as a very strong man, much in the tradition of Paul Bunyan. While Paul was a hero out west, John Henry was in the eastern United States building roads and a tunnel through the Allegheny Mountains. Was John Henry a real man? No one knows for sure, but his story has been sung about and retold by many.

The author Julius Lester tells the tale in such a way that you cheer John Henry's attempts and subsequent success. The language of the story is rich and I was humored by such phrases as, "the wind was out of breath trying to keep up with him" and "it was as hard as anger". Lester paints a picture with words of a larger than life man who is able to tackle seemingly impossible jobs. I loved the end when it states, "Dying ain't important. Everybody does that. What matters is how well you do your living." What a very important lesson to give to the reader!

Lester has written many other books such as: Day of Tears, To Be A Slave, The Autobiography of God: A Novel, Black Folktales, Dressed Like Freedom. Further collaboration with Pinkney can be found in these titles: Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales and Sam and the Tigers: a retelling of "Little Black Sambo". He has received the Coretta Scott King Award for Day of Tears and Honors for The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit and This Strange New Feeling. I have not read any other selections by Lester but would like to see if his other books are as enjoyable and rich in language as John Henry.

John Henry, an illustrated book by Jerry Pinkney

John Henry by Julius Lester and pictures by Jerry Pinkney

I think Pinkney's illustrations in the book John Henry are wonderful examples of art in a child's hands. The illustrations are colorful and rendered with pencil, colored pencils and watercolor. Each picture is rich in detail. These are the types of illustrations you look at again and again to find more within the picture. Pinkney does a wonderful job of showing the reader the action in the text. You can see how John Henry is larger than life by the perspective used in some of the illustrations. Texture and movement are quite evident as John Henry swings his mighty hammers.

Pinkney received a Caldecott Honor in 1995 for this book. He has received the Honor for this award before: Mirandy and Brother Wind (1989), The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South (1990), The Ugly Duckling (2000) and Noah's Ark (2003). I surely hope Pinkney is not the "Susan Luci" for the Caldecott Medal. Hopefully, he will receive the medal soon. He has won The Coretta Scott Kind Award for Goin Someplace Special (2002), Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman (1997), Mirandy and Brother Wind (1989), Half a Moon and One Whole Star (1987) and The Patchwork Quilt (1986). He has won Honors for this award three times as well. Pinkney is quite the prolific illustrator. I am familiar with some of these illustrated stories of Pinkney's and have enjoyed his art. The use of Pinkney's illustrations would make art concepts come alive for students.

Makoto, The Smallest Boy: A Story of Japan, a book by Yoshiko Uchida

Makoto, The Smallest Boy: A Story of Japan by Yoshiko Uchida

This is a story written in 1970 that today is still a timeless story. Boys and girls around the world can relate to the struggles and desires of Makoto. In the story the main character of Makoto is tired of being the smallest boy in class. He does not play sports well and is usually on the losing team. With the help of his neighbor, Mr. Imai, he decides that drawing is something that he likes to do. Mr. Imai cautions Makoto that he must draw every day and one day he will sit down to draw and will forget about everything and thus create the finest picture he has ever done.

Makoto begins to sketch, day after day, all sorts of different things until he has ten sketch pads full. He shows Mr. Imai his sketches and the neighbor gives Makoto his old box of oil paints and brushes. Makota uses these paints to create several pictures of the temple, one of which he shows in the school Hobby Show. Makoto is surprised to find his painting receives the "Best in Class" award and he finally feels he is able to be good at something.

In this story Uchida introduces the reader to Japan. There are no stereotypes in the book, mainly aspects of the culture as presented as part of Makoto's life, although one must keep in mind the age of the book. Women do not run around in kimonos and tea is not always taken. Instead, an image is presented of modern day Kyoto (during 1970s) and the lives of its craftsmen and their families. The main focus of the story is Makoto's persistence and subsequent reward.

I have never read any books by Uchida before but I have found her to be quite the prolific author. It was hard to find her more recent work in my local library. I do know that she has written titles such as: A Jar of Dreams, Journey to Topaz: A Story of the Japanese-American Evacuation, Desert Exile: The Uprooting of a Japanese-American Family, The Bracelet, The Magic Purse, Samurai of Gold Hill, Sea of Gold, Takao and Grandfather's Sword, Lone Wolf and Cub-Sword of Vengeance, The Magic Listening Cap: More Folk Tales from Japan, Journey Home

Moses, When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, A Coretta Scott King Award Book

Moses, When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford

This was truly a superb book, both the text and illustrations told the wonderful story of Harriet Tubman, a famous conductor of the Underground Railroad. In the story Harriet is a slave who decides to run away instead of being sold. Harriet's flight is recorded as well as her special relationship with God. Moses led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt and Harriet became, with her trust in God, the Moses for her people.

This book illustrates how one person can make a difference in the world. Harriet was able to free as many as three hundred slaves. She changed so many lives. The Coretta Scott King Award is inscribed with "Non Violent Social Change - Peace - Brotherhood". We are amazed at the story of Tubman, who did so much for her people with only her faith in God, no violence was required.

This book also received a Caldecott Honor Medal. (I'm sure if Flotsam had not been published the same year this book would have definitely been awarded the Caldecott Award as well.) The illustrations by Nelson are realistic and convey Harriet's struggles as well as her emotions. My favorite illustration is that of Harriet asleep in the woods. You see the animals of the woods around her, as if sent by God for protection. The image of Harriet on the front cover shows her absolute trust and faith in God. This is an important story as it tells of our nation's past and the issue of slavery as well as the story of the unselfish love and courage of one woman to free her people.

I have not read any other books by Carol Boston Weatherford. I feel she did a wonderful job of placing the reader in that time of our nations' history. She makes you feel as if Harriet is not alone on her journey, she has God with her always. Weatherford makes history come alive. I look forward to reading more of her work.

Bridge to Terabithia, a children's book and a feature film

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson

What a powerful book about friendship! Jess and Leslie, two children from vastly different worlds become the best of friends. They escape to a make believe world of Terabithia. The two personalities complement each other as Jess accepts and respects Leslie for who she is and teaches Leslie about life in their rural town. Leslie, in turn, teaches Jess about the world all around and especially their own world of make believe.

This story has a very moving ending. I am not ashamed to admit I cried through the tragedy and loss of Jess' friend. Anyone who has lost someone close to them can identify with Jess' reaction in the situation. His disbelief, anger and ability to disconnect with reality are strategies he uses to cope. We finally see Jess able to understand and move beyond, with help from the memory of Leslie. What a wonderful book to help children deal with the issue of death and the loss of a special friend.

I also reviewed the movie, a recent release. I liked the movie but I am sure I would have liked it more if I had not read the book previously. The book focuses on the relationship between Jess and Leslie, their escape into Terabithia seemed secondary. In the movie the imaginations of the world of Terabithia seemed to be the primary focus. The special effects crew surely outdid themselves with such fantastical characters, but that is not the focus of the book. Many parts of the movie were not part of the book. Janice Avery becoming friends with Jess? No way! Not ever, couldn't happen! Jess' father was portrayed differently as well. He seemed more harsh with Jess in the movie, in the book he seemed preoccupied. I wonder how authors feel about the treatment of their characters in movies. Are they pleased with the results or, are they disappointed? How much control do they have?

I enjoyed Bridge to Terabithia and I would like to read some more of her work, especially her medal and honor selections such as: Jacob Have I Loved, The Great Gilly Hopkins, and The Master Puppeteer. Her characters in Bridge to Terabithia were strong and true, very believable. I would like to see if that trait is evident in her other books.