The Funny Little Woman
By: Arlene Mosel
Illustrated by: Blair Lent
Medal Winner
NOT REVIEWED
This is the delicious story of a little woman in Old Japan who liked to make dumplings out of rice and also liked to laugh, "Tee-he-he-he." One day, a dumpling rolled through a hold and when the woman tried to catch it, she found herself on a very strange road under the earth.
There, the majestic statues of the gods tried to hide her from the wicked oni. But she just couldn't help laughing—and giving herself away.
What happened and how the oni had the last laugh—unfortunately for them—makes a tale for retelling and for relooking at Blair Lent's luminous picture, in which every detail is exquisitely imagined to create a wonderfully satisfying world. And of course a tale for laughing, "Tee-he-he-he."
From the dust jacket
Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti
By: Gerald McDermott
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
Anansi the Spider is one of the great folk heroes of the world. He is a rogue, a mischief maker, and a wise, lovable creature who triumphs over larger foes.
In this traditional Ashanti tale, Anansi sets out on a long, difficult journey. Threatened by Fish and Falcon, he is saved from terrible fates by his sons. But which of his sons should Anansi reward? Calling upon Nyame, the God of All Things, Anansi solves his predicament in a touching and highly resourceful fashion.
In adapting this popular folktale, Gerald McDermott merges the old with the new, combining bold, rich color with traditional African design motifs and authentic Ashanti language rhythms.
From the publisher
Hosie's Alphabet
Illustrated by: Leonard Baskin
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
Hosie was three when he asked his father to draw this alphabet for him. He helped choose the creatures in the book, and his mother and his brother helped him with the big words.
From the dust jacket
Snow-White and The Seven Dwarfs
Illustrated by: Nancy Ekholm Burkert
Honor
Reviewed by: Sara Masarik
Also read and recommended by: Sherry Early
Born in 1977, I grew up on the “original” Disney princesses and Snow White was my favorite. I did have the benefit of knowing that the Disney movies were just “modern” versions or interpretations of Old World fairy tales. Published in 1972 and awarded a Caldecott Honor, I am shocked that I do not remember ever having seen this particular version of Snow-White before. This is gorgeous!
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When Clay Sings
By: Byrd Baylor
Illustrated by: Tom Bahti
Honor
Reviewed by: Lara Lleverino
Written in verse and with illustrations inspired by prehistoric native american pottery, this book prompts the reader to ask a lot of imaginative questions. The story posits possible scenarios for pieces of found pottery and the stories "they say" (without really clarifying who "they" are) including possible primal-indigenous religious uses.
