Ox-Cart Man
By: Donald Hall
Illustrated by: Barbara Cooney
Medal Winner
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
Also read and recommended by: Sherry Early
Another of my Top 10 picture books—this one is exquisite. The simple but intriguing text combined with Barbara Cooney's splendid illustrations transport the reader to early America and how a family prepares and plans for the entire year.
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
