Finders Keepers
By: Nicolas (pseud. Nicholas Mordvinoff)
Illustrated by: Will (pseud. William Lipkind)
Medal Winner
Reviewed by: Sandy Hall
Recommended age: Ages 4-8
Also read and recommended by: Tanya Arnold
Finders Keepers, written by Nicholas Mordvinoff and illustrated by William Lipkind (Will and Nicolas) is a rollicking tale of two dogs that fight over the ownership of a bone but in the end realize that they have a common "enemy" and because of that, end as friends. Better to share the bone than to lose it all together. Just this morning, my little granddaughter was melting down because her little friend was playing with her toy. Hopefully, as the morning goes on, she will learn it's better to share. And this scenario plays out in all of our households, so children will be able to relate. The story teaches a lesson without being "preachy," and the repetitive sequence so typical of quality children's books is fun.
All of the illustrations in this picture book are done with black drawings accentuated only with bright red and tan colors. Some of the pages even have a red or tan solid background. There is lots of movement and facial expressions and even a touch of humor as the dogs get funny haircuts by Mr. Hairtrimmer.
All Falling Down
By: Gene Zion
Illustrated by: Margaret Bloy Graham
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
So many things fall—petals, rain, apples, even Daddy's book when his head begins to nod. This quiet, reflective book is illustrated with pastel colors. There is a surprise ending when Daddy tossed the baby in the air.
From The Newbery and Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books (1995)
Bear Party
By: William Pène du Bois
Honor
Reviewed by: Jeannette Tulis
This is the story of a group of Koala bears who get into an argument with one another. The solution is to have a costume party with masks so no one will know who the other bears are. It is such a fun solution and the costumes for each bear are most charming. The children to whom I have read this story aloud delight in identifying what each costume is as each is illustrated with much detail and telling accessories. During the party, friendships are formed and quarrels are forgotten. But after the party when costumes are abandoned, the quarrels begin anew. What is the solution? Let the children listening propose what they might to to bring peace to these silly bears! Then read the solution and laugh together and be reminded of how good it is to live in kindness and harmony with each other.
Feather Mountain
By: Elizabeth Olds
Honor
Reviewed by: Sandy Hall
Recommended age: Ages 4-8
Why are sea gulls white, or sandpipers tan? Based on an Iroquois legend, Feather Mountain by Elizabeth Olds tells the story of the origin of the feather "dressings" of various birds. The birds were happy as they were, no feathers and pink, until they heard the turtle whisper to the frog, "They are not as beautiful as we are," and until they heard the insects laughing at them because they had no covering. The turkey buzzard, "not handsome, but...very wise and good" offered to go to Feather Mountain to get feathers for the birds. And feathers he got, of every color imaginable, and brought them back for the birds.
Elizabeth Olds, the author and illustrator of this story, was a master of lithography and used that technique in the illustrations of this book. Every other page is in color with some of the pages exploding in feathery hues. And in the end, "All the birds looked at themselves in the water and sang, 'We are warm and we are beautiful.'"
Mr. T. W. Anthony Woo: The Story of a Cat and a Dog and a Mouse
By: Marie Hall Ets
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
"The cobbler of Shooshko sat at his bench, nailing soles on a pair of old shoes. A-clink a-clank a-whungk, whank. A-clink a-clank a-whungk, whank. 'Meola!' he called. 'Please come away! Why must you always be bothering Mr. T. W. Anthony Woo?"
Meola was a cat, Mr. T. W. Anthony Woo was a mouse, and Rodigo was a lively dog. They all lived with the kindly cobbler. Much to the cobbler's distress they loved to tease each other. But when the cobbler's interfering sister came to stay, and made their life a misery, they learned the importance of standing together.
Mrs. Ets is one of those rare and gifted people, a born storyteller. Mr. T. W. Anthony Woo is not only amusing, it is full of wisdom and ageless delight. Like all the best stories, it seems at once familiar and yet completely new. Mr. T. W. Anthony Woo is a story not only to read but to read aloud, and to tell again and again.
It is another rare and fortunate occurrence that Mrs. Ets is a natural and original an artist as she is a writer. The pictures for Mr. W. T. Anthony Woo are exactly right and could not have been made by anybody else.
From the dust jacket
Skipper John's Cook
By: Marcia Brown
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
This is a book for laughter—the rollicking tale of Si, who shipped as cook with Skipper John.
Up to that time the crew of the Liberty Belle had eaten
Beans in the morning,
Beans at night,
And in between—BEANS
What Si and his dog George did about this is the story.
In Provincetown it was very common for boys to go to sea very young. One even shipped as a sea-cook at eight. We hope he gave the crew more variety than Si!
From the dust jacket
