I’ve mentioned before that I have wonderful memories of being read to as a child. Some of the best times at my job are when I’m reading to a group of kids , and all of them are draped over my lap or leaning against my shoulders. I read to kids all day long, and I always hold out hope that I’m creating memories that will continue to draw them to books and reading. The books that my students love are the ones that tap into their view of the world, that recapture what it really feels like to be a kid. They love books that make them laugh, and books with detailed illustrations to get lost in. Sometimes, those books win awards, and sometimes they don’t.
In my library school courses in children’s literature, we read our way through the books that have won the American Library Association’s most prestigious honors (namely the Caldecott and Newbery). My classmates and I energetically discussed these books, wrote about them, admired their illustrations and deconstructed their texts. And they’re beautiful books. Most of us have wonderful memories of sitting on someone’s lap and reading Make Way For Ducklings or Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.
The problem is that those awards are chosen by grown-up librarians and academics who study children’s literature. Often, I excitedly choose an award-winning book for its stunning illustrations, and find that kids just are not having any of it. There are too many words, or not enough, or the book is too long, or it seems to have been written for adults rather than young children. I’ve put together my list here of books that my students have loved, and the ones that only occupied them for a minute or two. I’ll keep adding to this list, and would love to hear any suggestions.
Yes
Marina, Ludwing Bemelmans
Monkey with a Toolbelt,Chris Monroe
The Owl and The Pussycat, Edward Lear
Hop on Pop, Dr. Seuss
Snow Music, Lynn Rae Perkins
Big Pumpkin, Erica Silverman (both the kids and I have memorized this one).
Abiyoyo, Pete Seeger
When Sophie Gets Angry, Molly Bang
Peter’s Chair, Ezra Jack Keats
No
All the World, Liz Garton Scanlon: I LOVE this book, and I’m still hoping I can win them over with it.
The Hello Goodbye Window, Norton Juster (too many words!)
A Chair for My Mother (ditto)
Madeline, Ludwig Bemelmans
I’m the Best Artist in the Ocean, Kevin Sherry
