Ox-Cart Man
By: Donald Hall
Illustrated by: Barbara Cooney
Medal Winner
NOT REVIEWED
In October he backed his ox into his cart and he and his family filled it up with everything they made or grew all year long that was left over.
Thus begins a lyrical journey through the days and weeks, the months, and the changing seasons in the life of one New Englander and his family. The ox-cart man packs his goods—the wool from his sheep, the shawl his wife made, the mittens his daughter knitted, and the linen they wove. he packs the birch brooms his son carved, and even a bag of goose feathers from the barnyard geese.
He travels over hills, through valleys, by streams, past farms and villages. At Portsmouth Market he sells his goods, one by one—even his beloved ox. Then, with his pockets full of coins, he wanders through the market, buying provisions for his family, and returns to his home. And the cycle begins again.
Donald Hall has created a gentle story, evoking a quiet time in American life that is irrevocably past. Using a special method which resembles the early American technique of painting on wood, Barbara Cooney has captured the sense of peace of early nineteenth century New England and the bustle of Portsmouth Market.
From the dust jacket
Ben's Trumpet
By: Rachel Isadora
Honor
Reviewed by: Sherry Early
Also read and recommended by: Sandy Hall
This Caldecott Honor book has the most beautiful black and white illustrations of musicians from the jazz era and a little boy who imagines himself playing the trumpet with them. The illustrations capture the feeling of jazz music and African American jazz musicians and the city, probably New York City, where its origins lie. Rachel Isadora was a professional ballet dancer in her youth before a foot injury redirected her interests into art and illustration. I think because of that experience as a dancer she has a feel for music and for the souls of musicians. That feeling comes through in the artwork in Ben’s Trumpet.
The story is rather simple. Ben, a young Black boy in the city loves to listen to the music coming from the Zig Zag Jazz Club near his home. He especially loves the trumpet, and he imagines that he is playing his own trumpet. When the other boys make fun of him and tell him that he doesn’t have a real trumpet, Ben is embarrassed and quits playing his imaginary trumpet. But the trumpeter from the Zig Zag Jazz Club comes to the rescue and becomes Ben’s mentor.
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The Garden of Abdul Gasazi
By: Chris Van Allsburg
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
Sometimes that very thin line between illusion and reality is not as clearly defined as we would like it to be. It certainly wasn't the day that Alan Mitz stumbled into the garden of Abdul Gasazi. For in this bizarre and eerie place — where strange topiary trees loomed — the evil visage of Gasazi casts its shadow. And even after Alan escaped, the spell of Gasazi still seemed to penetrate into his everyday world.
In this extraordinary, unusual, and unique picture book, a young artist explores both the real and surreal worlds with incredible deftness. In doing so, he has created exquisite and beautiful images that will continue to haunt readers long after they have left the enchanted garden of Abdul Gasazi.
From the dust jacket
The Treasure
By: Uri Shulevitz
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
Three times a voice speaks to Isaac in his dreams, telling him to go to the capital city and look for a treasure under the bridge by the royal palace. Feeling a little foolish, but determined to see if the dream is true, Isaac sets out on his long journey. Where his journey takes him, and what he finds there, provides a heartwarming ending to this new retelling of a time-honored folktale. Isaac's story is vividly depicted in glowing illustrations that capture the spirit of the tale and invest it with a subtle enchantment.
From the dust jacket
