# 41- My Tattoed Dad (2009)

My Tattoed Dad (2009)

Daniel Nesquens

Illustrated by Magicomora

Translated by Elisa Amado

"Reading his tattoos is more fun than reading any book ever written."

This collection of stories shared between father and son is beautifully illustrated with tattoo-like art. On the front cover, the main character's father is drawn, adorned with many images. The back cover shows a view of the tattoos on his back. Pages inside tell the story of the relationship between father and son, each chapter revealing a new connection between one of Dad's tattoos and a story. These inventive tales are accompanied by vignettes of related tattoos and full page illustrations.

The details in this story challenge many stereotypes. For example, the father is described cooking samosas and is often absent for periods of time. His mother explains to the main character that his father has "ants in his pants," and the close relationship between father and son is evident throughout the stories. This book may also call into question stereotypes of tattoed people.

Readers will want to examine the detailed illustrations closely and appreciate the winding serpents, magical birds, firecrackers and other images pictured. I'm interested in reading the Spanish version of this text.

# 40- Time Flies

Time Flies (1994)

Eric Rohmann

Caldecott Honor

Rohmann's wordless picturebook takes readers through an experience rich with imagination. The realistic paintings start out in dark tones, taking the reader into an elegant museum with dinosaur skeletons on display. A white bird swoops through the museum, witness to the startling changes that transform the pages. Readers will want to take their time on each painting and follow this small guide, representative of modern fowl, throughout the journey in the following pages.

The bones become flesh and blood dinosaurs that wander into a prehistoric landscape of mountains surrounding a lake for several full page spreads. This bright green landscape is eventually replaced by the somber tones of the museum, and the skeletons return to their places.

After many field trips to museums with prehistoric skeletons, I am glad to have come across this book. Next time we visit a museum, I will pull this book out and share Rohmann's sense of wonderment with students.

# 39- I Love My Hair

I Love My Hair (2001)

Natasha Anastasia Tarpley

Illustrated by E.B. Lewis

This story about embracing oneself is beautifully depicted with surreal scenes balanced with realistic images of family. Keyana, the African American girl in the story echoes her mother’s words throughout the text. Her mom tells her that “you can wear any style you choose,” and soon after the book is taken over by surreal images that appear to be from the child’s imagination. Her mother says she can “spin her hair” into fine thread, and the image depicts the little girl sitting before a spinning wheel with her hair connected to it in a long thread. Her hair becomes part of the scenery in a garden depicting corn rows on another double page spread. Lewis has created a set of surprising images to accompany the empowering narrative.

The narration includes the “clicky-clacky” sound that Keyana's beads make as she moves, and the girl proclaims that she can “let my hair be free, do what it wants.” Endpages feature images in primary colors of the combs, clips and rubber bands used to style hair.

# 38- Uptown

Uptown (2007)

Bryan Collier

Collier uses collage in this book about Harlem, which he published and illustrated. Using collage, he portrays scenes in the neighborhood with highly textured images. The newspaper that a man holds out is made with a cutout of actual newsprint, and small photo cutouts are framed and hung on a wall in the main character’s home. The Apollo theatre, Savoy ballroom, barbershop and brownstones that look like chocolate bars to the boy narrator show up on some of the pages.

The narrative depicts the sense of pride and belonging that the main character feels, and images in the illustrations elaborate on the simple phrases. References to jazz in the narrative are echoed by the piano and sheet music in the illustrations.

# 37- Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride

Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride (2009)

Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney

This vibrantly illustrated book echoes the voice projected by historical figure Sojourner Truth, following her from her early days as a slave named Belle to a vocal feminist with her own name.

Illustrations are sketches that portray movement and intimate close-ups with the main character. In each scene Sojourner’s posture mirrors the confidence that the narrative describes. She lifts her arms up expressively before a crowd on one page. The warm yellow palette and sound effects highlight the force with which Sojourner shares her ideas with her society. This story’s narrative also echoes African American dialect of the period, as well as including some of Sojourner’s famous quotes. She proclaims, “Ain’t I a Woman,” and the narration gives this powerful statement context that can be interpreted by children.

Students will enjoy learning about Sojourner Truth’s beaming personality and the injustices she suffered in this picturebook. Teachers can introduce or contextualize the word “abolitionist” using this text. Particularly interesting is the portion about how Olive Gilbrert documented her story, which was published in 1850 as “The Narrative of Sojourner Truth, A Northern Slave.”

# 36- A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

A Library for Juana:

The World of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (2002)

Pat Mora

Illustrated by Beatriz Vidal

After appreciating the poetry of Sor Juana as a college student, I was ecstatic to find this book. Mora tells the story of the inquisitive Juana as a child, always reading and questioning her world.

On the first page, young Juana is pictured surrounded by books, with images from her books floating above her. Like many picture biographies, the story tells an overview of the poet’s life. Juana “cared more about her books than her looks,” as a child, spending her time reading and writing plays, songs, riddles, and rhymes. Mora includes a glossary of Spanish terms and an author’s note with additional information.

Vidal does an excellent job of portraying this artist’s life in a bright palette using watercolor and gouache. The book mentions that the technique is similar to that used for illuminated manuscripts more than 100 years ago, a detail that gives more authenticity to the story and links it with the time period. Illustrations are framed by a white border, portraying the story of the social world that surrounded Sor Juana. One full page spread, also on the back cover, shows a crowd in a marketplace or plaza full of movement and vendors selling everything from fruits and vegetables to calla lilies. Another page shows Juana as a young woman, seated at a tremendous round table with male scholars who asked her questions to prove her intelligence. The pages with text alternate from verso to recto and include elegantly drawn vignettes that add to the narrative.

This is an important story that brings up issues of justice. Though Sor Juana’s poems may be difficult for children to interpret, Pat Mora and Beatriz Vidal have created a biography that younger readers can appreciate.

# 23- Diego Rivera: His World and Ours

Diego Rivera: His World and Ours (2011)

Duncan Tonatiuh

Tonatiuh’s collage illustrations in his version of this famous Mexican muralist and painter’s biography bring the pages alive with texture. Starting with the opening, readers will want to notice how the hair on Diego’s head is a glossy cutout of a photograph of real hair, the way the books on the shelf shine, and how the pants he wears are cutouts of green tweed. Other examples throughout the book abound, each outlined boldly in black marker.

The faces of the people in this book are all profiles, drawn in the likeness of Mayan and Aztec hieroglyphics. I thought of the illustrations of the Popol Vuh. Scenes like the struggle of Mexican independence and an eclectic combination of modern and traditional activities that take place in Diego’s native country are featured in this book, brilliantly relating to modern day life. One double page spread pictures a paper airplane zooming through the air, roller skates, remote controlled cars and planes, and a laptop computers. Like the text, they challenge the reader to imagine what the artist would paint if he were alive today.

Children will easily relate to these engaging illustrations, especially the scene of the Lucha Libre men in the ring and a scene with aliens in outer space.

There is also a glossary of words and references and a more detailed author’s note about Rivera, as well as an image of “The Great City of Tenochtitlán” that was the inspiration for some of the illustrations.

# 35- Tap Dancing on the Roof (2007)

Tap Dancing on the Roof (2007)

Linda Sue Park

Illustrated by Istvan Banyai

Park has written a series of quirky poems written in the Kirean tradition of Sijo poetry, which consists of 3 lines of 16 syllables total. In the endpages, the author explains the format:

Line 1- Introduction to topic

Line 2- Develops topic

Line 3- Twist

The third line is where reader’s expectations are challenged. These twists may include irony, unexpected imagery, or a play on words. Park has also included some tips for writing your own poem.

Banyai’s ink and paint illustrations are a perfect complement to these ironic poems. He has created pages full of movement. For the poem “Long Division,” Banyai has included a child hanging off of a division sign and elaborates on the concept, adding a child cutting numbers and carrying away a huge slice of an oversized cake. As in much of his art, the illustrator uses a black and white palette with colors to accent parts of the illustrations.

Teachers will find some science connections in some of the twists in the poems. “Tide Line” is an example, along with “Frog,” where Park asks the creature if it wonders what happened to its tail and readers must infer about the meaning.

# 34- Bones: Skeletons and How They Work (2010)

Bones: Skeletons and How They Work (2010)

Steve Jenkins

The bone-colored, textured cutouts in this picturebook stand out among expository texts. I marveled at the diagrams on these glossy pages, which feature animal, dinosaur and human bones, along with an appendix of even more meticulously constructed cut and torn paper diagrams that are labeled. An example is a cross section of a bone. More detailed information is also available in this section.

What is most useful about this book in my opinion is how the author/ illustrator explains why each bone helps the animal survive. Jenkins asks the reader questions like “Where do you think this bone belongs” that get children thinking like scientists. It illustrates perfectly why a frog’s bones are shaped for jumping and other examples. The concept of symmetry is also explained within the context of skeletal structure.

There is a marvelous 4-page spread showing a snake’s skeleton, with all 400 pairs of ribs. Another foldout section features each of the 206 human bones on the outside with all of them put together when the reader opens up the pages. The pages with skulls feature the actual sizes.

This book is artfully written and illustrated to capitalize on childrens’ natural curiosity, creating an engaging scientific experience.

# 33- José! Born to Dance (2005)

José! Born to Dance (2005)

Susanna Reich

Illustrated by Raúl Colón

Tomás Rivera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award

This biography of Mexican dancer José Limón tells a story of one creative artist’s quest to find his passion. What I most enjoy about the story is how José practices and develops many different talents in his life, such as drawing and playing the piano, before he finds his passion for dance.

José grows up during the civil war in México and after his family is forced to hide in the cellar for three days and three nights, they immigrate to the U.S. He grows up dreaming about being an artist an “is famous for his pictures of trains” among his siblings.

As a young adult, José grieves the death of his mother, works in a factory, and dreams of living in New York someday. When he moves there and takes a job as a janitor, however, José becomes discouraged by the works of art he sees in museums and grows lonely. It is when a friend invites him to see dancers that he finds his true passion and “became what he was born to be.”

Colón’s textured paintings feature images that give the reader a sense of being enclosed with his use of lines. In the background of the illustrations that alternate from verso to recto, the round shapes of José and other characters are always framed by photograph frames, a blackboard, and several doors, walls and windows. The somber colors in most of the book portray the main character’s times of suffering, and color enters when José finds joy in his creative endeavors.

The endpages include a historical note about Limón, as well as a bibliography. Teachers and students may enjoy using some of these resources to compare the narrative story with facts and discuss the author and illustrator’s interpretations.

# 32- Grandfather’s Journey (1993)

Grandfather’s Journey (1993)

Allen Say

Biography

Caldecott Medal

Allen Say’s Caldecott- award winning book provides a view across generations of the experience of a love for two worlds. The autobiographical story follows the life of Say’s grandfather starting at the point in his life where he leaves his homeland of Japan for the United States, “wearing western clothes for the first time.”

Say draws our attention to the clothing initially and uses attire to symbolize the constant transitions from one culture back to the other. Underneath a portrait of Say’s own mother, the text reads, “But the village was not a place for a daughter from San Francisco.” The illustration depicts this as well as the intergenerational conflicts, picturing an older woman dressed in traditional Japanese garb and Say’s mother in the foreground, wearing American clothing.

The mood of the story is related through light and shading and the formal layout of the pages of Say’s tribute to his grandfather. Watercolor illustrations are framed elegantly with a thin black border extend the narrative, offering sharply contrasting images and text that portray the displacement sometimes felt by the characters and the events of the story. On page 26, a tranquil image of a soldier figure contrasts with the words “Bombs fell from the sky and scattered our lives like leaves in a storm.” Some images stand alone, such as the origami boat representing the travel from country to country that appears in the endpages and on the back cover of the book.

Students will enjoy discussing the relationship between words and images in this elegant book. Immigrant children may identify with feelings of displacement as well as the love for both countries prevalent in “Grandfather’s Journey.” They may be inspired to write their own or their parents’ experiences with two worlds. It is also interesting to note the circular narrative structure as characters go between places they love.

# 31- Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters (1994)

Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters (1994)

Authors: Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick L. McKissack

Illustrator: John Thompson

This picturebook, set in 1859, contrasts the lives of slaves and masters in this story rich with historical information. The McKissacks have included features that bring the story alive, such as the dialects, rhymes and song lyrics, recipes, and details about herbs, all of which are explained either in the text of the story or in the glossary of terms included at the end of the book.

The acrylic paintings in this richly historical book are complementary to the text, giving a realistic portrayal of events described in the story. In one image slaves are depicted scrubbing a floor from a bird’s eye perspective, a view that a master might have of them. The gravity of their chores and the depth of their troubles is also portrayed in this moving image.

The text is primarily presented in Times New Roman font, and the layout of the book is formal and mirrors the many formalities between slaves and their masters described in the book. The back cover of the jacket features the Big House with the white family in front of it with the slave quarters and the slave family pictured directly underneath. Elegant red chapter titles are Tuscan Italian, an ornamental typeface introduced in 1859.

Everything about this text is extensively researched and thus an excellent representation of two distinct perpectives. Dialogue and details in the book provide a plethora of discussion points in relation to the study of American history, providing a juxtaposition of two worlds in close proximity.

# 30- The Three Little Pigs (1989)

The Three Little Pigs (1989)

James Marshall

Marshall offers a refreshing take of this traditional tale, making the experience his own with his trademark illustrations and dialogue rich with idioms. Using a bright palette of watercolor and pen, Marshall demonstrates each pig’s personality with rich visual detail. In the opening spread, the reader gets a hint of this as the three pigs march out of their childhood home. The pig who later lays in a hammock inside a swaying home of straw is first in line here, shoe and shirtless with his bag slung over his shoulder while the third pig is elegantly dressed with both feet on the ground.

Readers will want to spend time viewing the whimsical homes of the three pigs and paying attention to the movement and mood portrayed through Marshall’s artwork. Yellow represents opportunity, as each building material is transported in a something bearing this color. Movement is evident in the scatter of straw and sticks in the destruction of the first two houses, and subtle details like a wavering scarf and curtains blowing bring life to the pages.

English language learners will be able to examine idioms in context through the narration of this familiar story, such as “mind your own business” and the concept of being “put out.”

Though the first two pigs are devoured by the not-so- threatening wolf in this version, the book jacket shows a stage and gives a view from both audience and performer’s perspective. This may provide some reassurance to younger readers.

View the cartoon version: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joll62WS9H4

# 29- Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A story of the Young Jimi Hendrix (2010)

Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A story of the Young Jimi Hendrix (2010)

by Gary Golio

Illustrations by Javaka Steptoe

In this biography about the childhood of Jimmy Hendrix, Javaka Steptoe features several closeups that portray the astute musical personality of the artist. In the endpages of the book, Steptoe explains how he got to know Jimmy. “You have to do things they did, see the things they saw,” he relates, telling readers how he visited the elementary school the musician attended and picked up an electric guitar.

Steptoe used acrylic on plywood and created a collage to capture the sound, vibrations, look and feel of the guitars. Each spread in the book is a full page bleed rich with sounds and colors that elaborate on the details offered by Golio in the text. Some of these spreads are vertical, giving the reader a sense of Jimi’s ever-changing life and how he “moved around a lot.”

“The sounds of life were calling out, and Jimmy Hendrix wanted to answer them,” Golio narrates, pointing out the everyday sounds that Jimmy heard as music and imitated in a variety of ways. The author also points out Jimmy’s musical inspiration, such as gospel, jazz, blues, and Muddy Waters. Readers will want to listen Hendrix’s music, as well as to these influential styles and artists to gain a better sense of the artist’s experiences.

The endpages of the book feature additional information about Jimi, as well as insights into the creative processes of both author and illustrator.

# 28- My Diary from Here to There/ Mi diario de aquí hasta allá (2002)

My Diary from Here to There/ Mi diario de aquí hasta allá (2002)

Amada Irma Perez

Illustrated by Maya Christina González

The vibrant oil paintings in My Diary from Here to There complement Perez’s vivid autobiographical account of her experience immigrating to the U.S. from Juárez, México. The text is rich with introspective details about the author’s hesitancies about moving, a change that children from a variety of backgrounds will relate to. Common themes like temporary separation from family members, fears about learning a new language, as well as the reassuring details like how the landscape looks “exactly the same on both sides” provide important discussion points.

Illustrations by Maya Christina González offer children a view of people with brown skin tones portrayed in a modern way that they will find easy to relate to. González’s growing body of work offers glimpses into worlds that Latino children will understand.

# 27- Jingle Dancer (2000)

Jingle Dancer (2000)

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Illustrated by

In this carefully crafted picturebook, Smith and illustrators collaborated to create a realistic experience marked by sound and culturally accurate imagery.

Smith relates that she and the illustrators made sure to verify that every last detail in the book was tribally specific and thus an accurate portrayal of Native American life. The dream catcher and Muskogee basket pictured in the background of the story are examples of illustrations that were modified in these efforts. Smith mentions that she wanted tribal peoples of a variety of shapes and colors to appear in the text as well. She provided illustrators with a box full of images to reference.

Watercolors in warm tones depict a modern tribal town and the sense of community apparent in the characters’ lives. Tribal women of varying generations are portrayed as nurturing parts of Jenna’s community. She borrows only one row of jingles from each woman, so that she can dance for them without silencing their own experience as tribal dancers.

# 26- Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu, (2003)

Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu, (2003)

Ted Levin

Levin has created a beautifully realistic watercolor experience for readers in this historical tale about Hiram Bingham’s search in 1911 for Vilcapampa, the lost city of the Inca. Instead the explorer, with the help of a small Quechua boy as his guide, comes across the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in Perú.

The endpapers encountered as the reader opens the book’s cover depict the lush greenery of the forest, and each watercolor and pencil full-page spread provides a new perspective of the enchanted scenes that Bingham explores. The artist’s cool tones depict scenes rich with depth and perspective, picturing vibrant iris mountains, grey stone ruins, and a sky highlighted in a warm orange hue. As we accompany Bingham on his journey, readers marvel at the sites constructed by the Inca and wonder how they were constructed alongside the explorer. We, too, are led by his young guide who utters phrases in Quechua to discover something other than what Bingham was searching for. The boy is featured smiling in a square frame on the back cover of the book, his bright red clothing contrasting with the lush greenery behind him.

In the author’s note, Levin shares that the most exciting part of working on the paintings was the challenge of re-creating Machu Picchu as it must have looked under 500 years’ worth of vegetation. Students will enjoy taking the journey through the picturesque imagery in this text, highlighted with pieces of the Quechua language and rich with historical detail and a sense of awe. A study of factual information about the Inca, Machu Picchu, and Bingham’s exploration can deepen the experience for older readers.

# 25- Tico and the Golden Wings, (1964)

Tico and the Golden Wings, (1964)

Leo Lionni

I learned about Tico and his golden feathers while reading Vivian Gussin Paley’s Girl with a Brown Crayon. This is a LIonni text I have overlooked until now, and Paley’s preoccupation with his loss of identity as Tico gives away his feathers to appease his friends made me curious to inspect the text further. Some view Tico as a representation of Paley, a teacher with many distinctions that set her apart from her peers.

Lionni uses a darker palette of greens and blues to create Tico and his bird friends, all of whom share the same soft black feathers. Tico, who is wingless, dreams of some day soaring with a set of golden wings until one day his wish is granted. His friends scorn him for wanting to be better than them, and Tico ends up gifting away his golden feathers one by one to people in need. For Tico the experience of giving brings him pleasure at the end, when he is again accepted as part of the flock.

The golden wings and feathers are illustrated beautifully with a golden tone that sparkles on the page even in less expensive versions of the text, symbolic of their value for Tico and those he helps. Though Tico gets his friends back by conforming, it seems that the experience of sharing that the feathers introduced the bird to was what ultimately brought him happiness.

# 24- The Lightning Thief, the Graphic Novel (2010)

The Lightning Thief, the Graphic Novel (2010)

Rick Riordan

Adapted by Robert Vendetti

Art: Attila Futaki

Color: José Villarrubia

This graphic tale brings Riordan’s novel to life in new ways for intermediate readers. I appreciate this illustrated version, which cuts straight to Percy’s first encounter with Mrs. Dodds, who he thinks is simply one of his teachers. The novel takes much longer to get to the action.

The graphic format allows for Riordan’s more subtle details to be depicted through imagery for the reader. We understand that though Percy has difficulty reading, the Greek names in his book pop out clearly to him. Shadows of a centaur early in the book hint at the life forms that readers will encounter throughout Percy’s epic journey of self-discovery.

The artists have beautifully depicted the underwater scene where Nereid, a “spirit of the sea,” gives Percy 3 pearls to smash when he is in need of assistance. Nereid is a glowing princess among the blue hues reminiscent of twilight tones. Water and foam are also pictured throughout the text and on the book jacket, symbolizing Percy’s connection with the ocean.

It would be fascinating to investigate the differences between this text and the original novel, guiding students to think about the choices made in condensing the events of the book for graphic format. The illustrated version of the novel seems to have been influenced by the movie, depicting the lotus flower treats distributed to the teenagers while at the casino that make them lose track of time.

Students can better appreciate the modern depiction of the many mythological characters in the novel through a study of Greek myths as they read the text. This version may appeal to more reluctant readers. Its compact size is less daunting and more action-driven than the original novel, which can be slow at times.

# 22- Ocean’s Child (2009)

Ocean’s Child (2009)

David Díaz

Díaz’s warm pastel tones capture the beauty and tone of sunset as this story takes readers through a journey of watching the animals of the polar region prepare for nightfall. The painted images in this book echo the comforting tone of the text as a mother and her young child travel by boat to view the animal scenes on each page.

Among my favorite images in this story are the northern lights, the glowing, textured moon and the full page spread of a polar bear and her cubs. The yellow tone that surrounds both images shows the warmth that the moon, the bears, and other figures in the book radiate.

This book is a perfect bedtime story, taking readers through the “sea of quiet dreams” in the story.

# 21- Hip Hop Speaks to Children: a celebration of poetry with a beat (2008)

Hip Hop Speaks to Children: a celebration of poetry with a beat (2008)

Edited by Nikki Giovanni

Illustraters: Kristen Belouch, Michele Noiset, Jeremy Tugeau, Alicia Vergel de Dios, and Damian Ward

This celebration of poetry and song includes audio CD and features a range of artists of color, from Kanye West, Queen Latifah and Tupac Shakur to Gary Soto, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Langston Hughes.

In her introduction to the poetry collection, editor Nikki Giovanni provides historical information about the beat and spoken word, starting with a description of Roman opera performed in the square, mentioning poetry slams, and discussing the artistic barriers brought on by funding issues in schools.

Giovanni cautions young readers about modern rap videos, saying, “Don’t be fooled by the rap videos out there that exaggerate and show bad behavior. Those videos can be embarrassing and are not real.” She compares modern forms of poetry with opera, distinguishing hip-hop and operatic vernacular as “bold, boastful, and brave… because each makes us throw back our heads with laughter, not hang our heads in shame.”

The team of artists featured provide variety in the illustrations, with each page’s illustrations providing a context for students to relate to the poems featured.

This book is a goldmine for teachers, featuring a plethora of important artists that one may not otherwise place alongside each other. The endpages feature a table of contents that refers to the audio CD (some poems are read by the poet!), historical background about poetry and music, along with background information about editors, illustrators, and other contributors.

# 20- Snowflake Bentley (1998)

Snowflake Bentley (1998)

Jacqueline Biggs Martin

Illustrated by Mary Azarian

Caldecott Medal

This award-winning book features a narrative biography alongside an informative piece about Wilson Bentley, a pioneer photographer who specialized in micro-photography. The narrative text tells of the passion that Willie felt for observing, illustrating, and then photographing snowflakes throughout his life. The story includes the voices of his loving parents, who purchased the microscopic camera that he dreamed of having as well as the skeptical neighbors who laughed at his ideas. On a panel on many of the pages the reader will find additional information about Bentley told in a more informative tone.

Azarian’s framed ink and watercolor illustrations appropriately look like woodcuts for this biography set in the 19^th century. The informative panels are decorated with unique snowflakes, and most of the pages are covered in snow to represent Willie’s passion.

# 19- Fortunately (1993)

Fortunately (1993)

Remy Charlip

Ned flip-flops from good to bad fortune at each page turn in this whimsical story. The colors alternate to show the changes in this series of full page spreads, with bright pastel backgrounds showing the good fortune and black and white illustrations that show the negative turns in the story. Illustrations add depth to the simple narrative in this imaginative tale.

# 18- Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella (2007)

Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella (2007)

Paul Fleischman

Illustrated by Julie Paschkis

This multicultural celebration re-tells a traditional tale while exposing students to images from around the world. Upon opening the bold red cover, readers are greeted upon opening the book with endpages featuring a world map labeled with the places that the illustrations take place in, some of which include the West Indies, Japan, Appalachia and México. On the back cover a framed illustration of a golden sandal with a pointed toe is featured, hinting that this is not your average Cinderella tale.

With each turn of a page a different version of Cinderella is presented within colorful frames featuring designs in white against bold, jewel-toned backgrounds befitting of a princess. At the end of the story, all of the embodiments of Cinderella and the Prince meet up with their partners, each wearing the traditional wedding garb of their cultures. The festival at the end features food from many cultures, including “cookies and custards,” “beef stew and lamb stew,” and “mangoes and melons.”

Teachers may include this book in a study of the many versions of this traditional tale available, or enjoy it on its own.

# 17-Dear Mrs. LaRue, Letters from Obedience School (2002)

Dear Mrs. LaRue, Letters from Obedience School (2002)

Mark Teague

This postmodern story is told from the perspective of Ike, a dog who has been sent to a canine academy for “behavioral problems.” This tongue-in-cheek story is introduced through a cutout of a newspaper article from the “Snort City Register.” The contrast between Ike’s letters and the images depicted in the acrylic illustrations create a comical experience for readers.

This text would be a great way to introduce point of view while offering students examples of letter writing format. Students will point out the differences between the despairing tone of the letters and the story that the pictures tell. Ike’s exaggerations are depicted in black and white to reflect his perspective.

# 16- Hansel and Gretel (2009)

Hansel and Gretel (2009)

Rachel Isadora

The cut and torn paper artwork in this picturebook depict a fresh take on this traditional fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. Isadora's artwork is reminiscent of that of Eric Carle. Bright, textured shades of blue, orange, yellow, green and red make the night background and the white pebbles central to the story pop out. Instead of the dark, mysterious forest the children travel through what appears to be a rainforest alive with lizards, chimps, and other creatures.

The tale retains many of the traditional aspects of the story, including the cat sitting on the roof and the bone that Hansel uses to trick the witch. The witch in this edition is particularly treacherous, with green skin, red eyes, claws, and a long dress made of torn black paper.

Children and teachers will enjoy comparing the artwork and traditional features of this tale to other versions.

# 15- Blackout (2011)

Blackout (2011)

John Rocco

The shiny word “Blackout” stands out against the matte blue background of the night cover, just as the experience of a power outage reminds characters and readers to appreciate each others’ company.

This story from the perspective of a young girl starts on a hot summer night. The illustrations view characters from outside their windows, showing the normal routines of urban family life. The blackout gets people outside and interacting, and images depict a variety of activities going on just outside the apartment complex, such as children playing in the water from a fire hydrant and an ice cream cart giving away free ice cream. Families of different ethnicities are pictured in this book.

Rocco’s illustrations during the blackout feature colorless images representative of our loss of color perception with the absence of light. The yellow tone of the flashlight provides a reminder of the glowing light emitted by the electric applicances that are useless for these few moments. This contrasts with the joyous interactions that occur during the power outage.

Students will enjoy sharing their own tales of power outages and other occasions when they found themselves enjoying the company of loved ones.

# 14- Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar (1983)

Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar (1983)

Masaichiro & Mitsumasa Anno

Illustrated by Mitsumasa Anno

I enjoy connecting math to literature, but have often found that many are simplistic for many intermediate students. This book was an exciting find for me, with its beautiful watercolor and pen illustrations that captures the interest of readers before explaining the mathematical concepts in numeric and pictoral form. Though this text explains the advanced concept of factorials, the images make it comprehensible for a wide range of readers and may inspire intermediate students to continue understanding the world with numbers.

The story unfolds with a delicately painted jar, which the authors invite us to look into. The ship painted on the jar foretells the journey that readers are led through. The math starts with an island, which is divided into two countries and then into mountains, kingdoms, villages, and so on. Readers will want to linger on the illustrations of the various homes depicted in the pictures.

Whether introducing the concept of multiplication or to explain factorials, this book is inspiring and artful literature connection to mathematics.

# 13- Cuckoo/ Cucú (2000)

Cuckoo/ Cucú (2000)

Lois Ehlert

This eloquently narrated folktale features paper cutout images in bright colors paired in striking contrast. The birds in the story are constructed using metallic brads, so that the reader imagines the ways in which the characters can be moved around, perhaps inspiring them to make their own models. Ehlert uses a metallic silver tone to highlight parts of the illustrations. A few of the full page spreads look much like papel picado, depicting scenes in the story.

This bilingual text features English on the top of each page with a translation in Spanish underneath that captures the message well.

The heroine, a bird who sacrifices her beautiful plumage to save her people, shows readers that “no se puede juzgar un pájaro por su plumaje/ You can’t judge a bird by its feathers.”

# 12- El Otro Lado (2005)

El Otro Lado (2005)

Istvan Banyai

In this Spanish version of Banyai’s picturebook, I was pleased with the witty translations and plays on words. The sign that reads “Pets” is translated as “+ cotas.” Another such quirky detail includes the sign on the coffee shop that reads “El mejor café del rumbo” (The best coffee in the world), which replaces “mundo” the Spanish word for world with a term for a route or area. This translates to "The best coffee around/ in the neighborhood."

Spanish speakers will delight in these small details of Banyai’s experience, and I can only wonder about the translations into other languages.

# 11- The Other Side (2005)

The Other Side (2005)

Istvan Banyai

In this graphic story, Banyai takes the reader through different perspectives, distinct spins on different stories. The jacket of the book , when turned inside out, is a reflection of the front view of the cover. The inside of the flap features an image of a boat falling off of a map is reversed, and the paragraph teases readers to discover the twists in perspective offered by the artist. Some examples of these shifts are a view of an audience member to a view from backstage, and the view from above a pool that switches to a surprising view up from beneath the water.

With a simple palette of black and white illustrations with accents of yellow and red hues, Banyai surprises with his imagery. In order to fully experience the journey, it’s important to spend time examining the precise details on each page and assimilate the images before moving on.

Words are used sparsely in this text, mainly to show the labels on signs and a few sound effects. Some have cautionary phrases, such as the billboard that reads “The grass is always greener on the other side.”

# 10- R.E.M. (1997)

R.E.M. (Rapid Eye Movement) (1997)

Istvan Banyai

The title and images on the cover of this book hint at Banyai’s dream-like story featuring literary characters we are all familiar with. The prince and princess, snowman, and image of Winnie the Pooh hint at the fairytale references in the story.

The gigantic feet alongside the figures and the eyes that pop out against the pitch black of the back cover and endpages suggest that there is a larger being manipulating these miniature icons, or simply dreaming up stories for them to act out.

In the opening, a drop of water morphs into a little blue boy reminiscent of Harold of “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” setting the stage for the imaginative stories that follow. Many readers are sure to find a connection to their childhood literary experiences, and it is important to give the eyes time to appreciate the subtle surprises in the lines of the artwork in this book.

Banyai’s bright palette pops against the pastel tones of the backgrounds in this playful book.

# 9- Re-Zoom (1995)

Re-Zoom (1995)

Istvan Banyai

This book shares the same format as “Zoom,” and again takes readers through a range of perspectives. Images like the subway and the view from an airplane repeat themselves in new ways in this sequel. The blonde boy at the end of the book made me wonder whether he was the same daydreaming boy from the pages of “Zoom.”

Banyai disperses iconic figures throughout his works. In “Re-Zoom,” characters from the Ramayana sit alongside a black-and-white image of Alfred Hitchcock riding an elephant in one scene.

# 8- Zoom (1995)

Zoom (1995)

Istvan Banyai

Banyai takes readers through a journey full of surprises in this wordless picturebook. Viewers will want to examine each page meticulously in order to understand the situation and make inferences about the characters and settings featured before moving on. When they do, the delightfully jarring shifts in perspective will cause further reflection of prior observations.

On each recto panel, Banyai transports the reader through different settings and social groups, each time defying the reader’s previous view of the world he has created. There are stories within stories here portrayed in the pictures that become part of grander illustrations with the turn of a page. Readers will have an inside view of the inside of a toy village, follow a letter addressed to an aboriginal tribal chief, watch a lonesome cowboy, and see the world from a pilot’s perspective. Ink and vibrant colors adeptly portray this shifting world.

Readers may enjoy using the changes in perspective as inspiration for writing, asking themselves what kind of story the various characters might relate.

# 7- Arnie the Doughnut (2003)

Arnie the Doughnut (2003)

Laurie Keller

This story features a dramatic doughnut who convinces the man who buys him not to eat him. Keller’s story delivers the comical detail of her former books, along with humor unique to postmodern picturebooks. For example, the powdered doughnut is a lady who exclaims, “Oh, I am so greasy!”

I found myself empathizing with Arnie, wondering how he would escape his fate. The whimsical story and illustrations can be appreciated by readers of all ages.

During a recent interview, Laurie Keller mentioned that she includes references to prior books in all of her works. Could the teeth picketing outside of the doughnut shop be a throwback to “Open Wide?”

# 6- Magic Trash, A Story of Tyree Guyton & His Art (2011)

Magic Trash, A Story of Tyree Guyton & His Art (2011)

J.H. Shapiro

Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

This book brings to mind the phrase “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” telling the story of Tyree Garden, a painter and sculptor who used trash and color to create art.

Brantley-Newton uses mixed media to illustrate Guyton’s biography. The coollages include text in the framework of buildings, cutouts of brand names and images, keys, buttons, bottle caps, and other realia. Like Guyton, the artist has “zapped fun into amazing junk that others tossed away.”

The narrative in this story has the potential to inspire students to continue developing their talent throughout their lives. Tyree experiences shifting neighborhoods, riots, as well as taking on many forms of employment (soldier, car part inspector, firefighter). Though his parents warn him that being an artist is “not a job,” Tyree persists and decorates his street as an adult. The endpages feature actual photographs of the polka dotted house in the illustrations alongside a picture of the artist.

# 5- Open Wide (2003

Open Wide (2003)

Laurie Keller

Teeth have always been a topic of interest, folklore, and sheer terror for many children. There are numerous tales about the Tooth Fairy, but few that emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing in an engaging way. This is why I love this book so much!

This informative story about dental care takes place in a school for teeth. The endpages feature a labeled diagram of all of the teeth in the mouth, and the story explains important points of dental care. All of this in an engaging comic format!

Keller has painted on the shiny cutouts of photographed teeth of different shades, giving them a life of their own in her informative story that covers everything from bacteria to good dental habits. The author cleverly transmits information in a variety of ways. One page features a hand-written (mistakes and all) report written on notebook paper about Primary Teeth by “Sally Incisor.” The many diagrams and puns in this book make it a text that adults and children will want to inspect closely!

# 4- Me and You (2010)

Me and You (2010)

Anthony Browne

This refreshing portrayal of the traditional tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” features a Goldilocks depicted in wordless panels of sepia tones in the verso sides of the pages, with her fiery orange hair standing out from behind her hood. Her story follows Goldilocks as she runs after a white balloon through various urban landscapes.

On the recto side of the book appears the tale from the perspective of the young bear. The bears are wearing pastel colored sweaters and live in a house, whereas the Goldilocks lives in a colorless apartment and in panels reminiscent of graphic stories. His story is brightly depicted, and as Goldilocks enters his home, the color illuminates the pages once again. She does everything that the traditional fairytale depicts, ending up asleep in the little bear’s bed.

When the bears encounter her, they look like wolves, and Goldilocks runs out of the bright home back to her mother’s arms. In this image, her bright red hair covers her shoulders. The reader is left to consider the lesson that Goldilocks learned about her own life with her mother in this final scene depicting her return to her own surroundings.

# 3- Biblioburro, A True Story from Colombia (2011)

Biblioburro, A True Story from Colombia (2011)

Jeanette Winter

Luis, a book lover living in rural Colombia, decides to share his love of books by creating a travelling library on the backs of burros named “Alfa” and “Beto”. He and the burros must cross streams and confront an armed bandit to reach the children. When they arrive, Luis has the children put on pig masks and reads them a story before allowing them to choose and borrow a book from the bag on one of the burros. During storytime, images from the story float in blue pastel-colored bubbles above the childrens’ heads.

The paintings are set against a white background in this beautifully illustrated biography of Luis Soriano, who made weekly visits to share his collection of books with 300 people in rural Colombian villages.

The story and illustrations capture the love for reading and sharing of literature implicit in many of Winter’s books, which include The Librarian of Basra. These texts lend themselves to a study of literacy across cultural groups and settings. I can't wait to read Monica Brown's version!

Here's a video to share with students as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuTswmx9TQU

# 2- The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors (2009)

The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors (2009)

Chris Barton

Illustrated by Tony Persiani

This brilliant picturebook about the inventors of Day-Glo offers an inspiring story with several science and social studies connections.

The storyline follows brothers Joe and Bob through their experimentation with neon colors and emphasizes their persistence in improving the product they developed throughout their lives. Initially, Joe used their discovery to create illusions for his magic shows, and Bob thought of more practical uses for the colors that could pay his medical bills after an accident thwarted his dreams of becoming a doctor. Barton later reveals important uses for day-glo and fluorescent colors, including a variety of uses during World War II.

Persiani’s strategic use of neon color in the book mirrors the brothers’ enlightenment as each discovery is made. The first pages engage the reader by depicting impossible scenes like neon green pyramids and a bright orange Statue of Liberty, then going on to explain the discoveries made by the Switzer brothers. The drawings look like 1950s cartoons and feature a black and white palette. Neon images in the digitally created scenes highlight the discoveries and various uses of fluorescence and Day-Glo.

The endpages feature bright neon yellow, orange and green tones that appear throughout the book, as well as a section explaining the differences and basic scientific principles behind fluorescence and Day-Glo. There is also a link to an animation about how regular, fluorescent, and daylight fluorescence work: www.charlesbridge.com/day-glo-animation.html

Children will be inspired to explore their surroundings and make the best of the situations they find themselves in just as the Switzer brothers did. Teachers will enjoy the delightful science connection in this book, and will want to point out how Joe’s original idea began as he read his favorite magazine, Popular Science.

# 1- Floating on Mama’s Song/ Flotando en la canción de mamá (2010)

Floating on Mama’s Song/ Flotando en la canción de mamá (2010)

Laura Lacámara

Illustrated by Yuyi Morales

The beautifully illustrated bilingual story holds an important message about acceptance. The mother in this story has the gift of song, however neighbors complain that their animals go missing when she sings.
Each time she sings, the people, animals and things around her are uplifted- literally! This detail is symbolic of her voice’s effect on those around her, and Morales’s depiction of the mother’s hair floating even when she is silent is a dreamy reminder of her talent for singing.
Perhaps the most enchanting part of this book are the brilliant pastels that make up the surrealist images that Morales has illustrated. The details that most caught my eye were the bright fuscia tone of the bougainvilleas spilling over fences as they do in México, as well as the multi-toned mangoes. I also noticed beautiful images of animals hidden in the clouds- perhaps reminiscent of the village animals that floated away from their owners? Yuyi Morales has created another masterpiece using acrylic paints, along with family photos, buttons and other bits of realia to bring the story alive.