Sissy has simply had it with her two-year-old brother, Chooch. As little ones often do, Chooch likes to help, but his version of helping ends up makinSissy has simply had it with her two-year-old brother, Chooch. As little ones often do, Chooch likes to help, but his version of helping ends up making a mess or causing problems or distractions. These actions are shown as Sissy watches on, growing angrier each time. Things come to a head when he ruins her clay pinch pot. She scolds him, and her parents, in turn, reprimand her. When Sissy flees to her bedroom, Chooch follows her there, offering comfort. Sissy's parents have calmed down and try a softer approach with her, revealing evidence of how she once helped and pointing out that Chooch looks up to her as a teacher. Containing some Cherokee phrases, which are explained in the back matter, this picture book is relatable for any culture since it's fairly common to resent a younger sibling, at least initially. But it's also culturally rich due to the various activities in which the family engages and the inclusion of Cherokee phrases. Although I had not read it before the YMAs, I can certainly see its strengths. The illustrations, created with watercolor, gouache, printmaking, collage, and digital, are easy on the eyes. The fact that both the author and the illustrator are Cherokee makes the book even more special. The illustrator doesn't hesitate to lavish attention on simple scenes; for instance, the opening double-page spread shows a close-up of Chooch looking at and reaching for his birthday cake adorned with two candles. The next page pulls away from that close-up to show the family gathered around the table while Chooch sticks his hand into the cake. In yet another scene, Chooch is heading down a hill on his tricycle while his father, who is backlit and in the dark, is working on the bicycles. Readers will predict that there's going to be some sort of a collision. The double-page spread in which Chooch touches Sissy's face as a gesture of comfort is particularly touching, and it's likely to prompt a pause or a double-take on the part of readers. Not only is the color palette chosen by the artist warm and comforting, but there are important cultural references within the artwork: the picture of Sequoyah above Sissy's dresser, the colorful ribbon bands on her dress, the floral patterns, birds, and broken arrows in her grandmother's mural. Even the back matter pages contain significant artwork in the form of a packet of seed corn and a crawdad. That double-page spread showing a friend gigging for crawdads is resplendent with the pinks, reds, and oranges of sunset as fireflies. The directions of the black gigs or spears, one held by a friend and one leaning up against Chooch while he looks down at the water and the crawdad he's holding, clearly ready to drop it back into the water, draw readers to the center of the page where what's important is happening. There really is so much to appreciate about this quiet picture book, and repeated readings helped me enjoy it even more. ...more
This gifted storyteller takes readers back in time to Tehran, Iran, to the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, and then, briefly, to 2022. Those readers who onlyThis gifted storyteller takes readers back in time to Tehran, Iran, to the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, and then, briefly, to 2022. Those readers who only know about the revolution in Iran from news stories or concerns about hostages will have their eyes opened to the effects of political events and change on various individuals, particularly two young women. While clearly the Shah of Iran was problematic, his successor, Ayatollah Khomeini, and his followers instituted draconian restrictions on women. Through the eyes of two unlikely friends, readers are given a glimpse of this turmoil and the protests against both leaders. Ellie, a privileged child whose mother claims to have descended from royalty, meets Homa, when she and her mother are forced to move to a seedy neighborhood after the death of Ellie's father. Ellie is drawn to the warmth and comfort provided in Homa's home, and the two girls have a strong connection that seems unlikely to break. But fate intervenes, Ellie's financial situation improves, and they drift apart, only to be reunited during their senior year of school. Homa is politically active, involved in fighting for the rights of women while Ellie remains on the sidelines, interested in other pursuits. A careless comment or two leads to Homa's betrayal and arrest for her activities, something about which Ellie feels guilty for decades. This story of friendship, loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness contains several reflective passages that will prompt readers to question some of their own decisions as well as being suffused with rich descriptions of the foods, scents, and sounds of Tehran. So vivid are these that readers' mouths will be watering for a taste of what's being described here. It's hard not to think about those individuals such as Homa who are willing to speak truth to power and stand up for what's right, no matter the cost. I loved every word of this important story. Pair this one with the excellent Only This Beautiful Moment by Abd Nazemian, which covers similar terrain. ...more
This one is a 4.5 for me, and I'd be hard pressed to choose between whether I am most moved by the powerful text or the evocative oil paintings that aThis one is a 4.5 for me, and I'd be hard pressed to choose between whether I am most moved by the powerful text or the evocative oil paintings that accompany it. Essentially, the book is an homage to the resilient, powerful, and unforgettable Black Americans who made their mark in history. Starting with "the unforgettable" feats of Jesse Owens, and then moving to "the undeniable" facts of slavery and individuals brought to this continent against their will, Kwame Alexander powers through the centuries of American history with lines that herald both the bleak and the bright moments of stars who shone somehow throughout the years of oppression--artists, writers, dancers, soldiers, protesters, musicians, athletes, and offers hope that all these examples with inspire future generations who can build a better world on the shoulders of those who came before them. Almost all of the individuals featured in the illustrations and highlighted in the text's tribute have been omitted from the history texts used in schools, but Alexander would push against that erasure or omission and challenge his readers to learn more about those who are "unflappable," "unafraid," and "unlimited" while never forgetting events that were "unspeakable." The ever-present drumbeat of hope is threaded carefully through this poem with its repetition and stinging words even while acknowledging the horrors of racism and oppression. While many students of African-American history will easily recognize the individuals in the drawings, for those who are less familiar with them, information about each one is provided in the backmatter with discussion of those figures and the historical events being depicted. No matter how many times I read this book, I am filled with emotion--guilt, discomfort, hope--and emerge from the pages determined to work even harder to right the wrongs in our country. Nelson's decision to place his artwork against abundant white space makes each piece stand out, and there are several images that elicit a gasp from readers. The final double-page spread featuring youngsters whose skin represent a wide array of shades and tones celebrates the possibilities of the future. There are tears of gratitude and acknowledgement in the eyes of those youngsters. I can't imagine anyone looking at these pages and not feeling moved. It almost goes without saying that this picture book would be an essential title in a collection devoted to the civil rights movement and social justice or this country's history....more
This one is a 4.5 for me, and I can see why it won the Caldecott Medal over some of my other choices, which were honor books. It seems that I might haThis one is a 4.5 for me, and I can see why it won the Caldecott Medal over some of my other choices, which were honor books. It seems that I might have been the last person on the face of this planet to read this picture book. That isn't from reluctance since I always enjoy Sophie Blackall's work, but it took forever for the book to be restocked by my book supplier. My patience was rewarded as this extraordinary picture book took me back in time as a lonely lighthouse keeper goes about this daily tasks while hoping for affirmation from the woman he loves that she's ready to join him. When she joins him, life gets even better, and even better still once they have a child. The little family enjoys their time in the lighthouse and the important work that they do, but then they must leave when a machine that can do his work more efficiently replaces the man. I loved the repetitive use of "Hello!" throughout the story and how the displaced family doesn't move very far, just in sight of the lighthouse. There is so much rich material to discuss here, including modernization and the link between humans and nature. The breathtaking illustrations, created with Chinese ink and watercolor, are filled with all the colors found in the ocean, and the illustrator has succeeded in bringing each page to life, mimicking fierce and choppy waves, fog so thick that it is hard to see the lighthouse or anything around it, and small and large moments in one family's life. Since the lighthouse's exterior has been cut away on some pages to allow readers to see the spiral staircase leading to the top and each of the little rooms inside the lighthouse, readers will feel as though they are being given an intimate peek into one family's daily existence. The additional information about lighthouses that has been provide by Blackall as part of the back matter will certainly serve to make most readers want to visit or learn more about lighthouses. I came away quite impressed with everything about this picture book. ...more
I didn't have a copy of this one before the ALA awards were announced so I didn't have it on my radar as a contender. Although it might not necessarilI didn't have a copy of this one before the ALA awards were announced so I didn't have it on my radar as a contender. Although it might not necessarily have been my personal choice for the Caldecott, I can certainly see the appeal of this picture book. As those of us who live in the West know all too well, the weather can change quickly. As a little girl hurries home from school, light snow changes to a blizzard, and she can barely see. The ground is quickly covered by the flakes, but she presses on. When she stumbles upon a wolf cub, seemingly lost in the snow because the rest of the pack has moved on, she carries him back to the others since he clearly cannot make it on his own. Guided by the pack's howls, she succeeds in her mission but then must try to make her way home. Exhausted, disoriented, and terribly cold, she lies down in the snow, not too far from home. But the wolves return her kindness by following her and howling to alert her searching family as to her location. Young readers will learn an important lesson from the actions of the girl and the wolves in this nearly-wordless picture book. The pen and ink and watercolor illustrations are striking, and the image in which she kneels in the snow, nearly spent but knowing she must somehow make it back home over the long distance she has just traveled, will break readers' hearts. When the wolves unexpectedly come to her rescue, their hearts will be mended again. While it might not have been wise to venture into wolf territory under those blizzard conditions, what else could she do? Young readers will simply adore this and may also enjoy the fact that the story starts before the title page. ...more
The very first Caldecott Medalist--in 1938--this picture book is more text than illustrations. While it might not be my favorite among all the books tThe very first Caldecott Medalist--in 1938--this picture book is more text than illustrations. While it might not be my favorite among all the books that have received this special distinction, I enjoyed reading it for its historical value and for those detailed black and white drawings. The author spent a great deal of time pulling text from the King James version of the Bible--the one I grew up using--and looking for mention of animals in the Old and New Testament. The illustrator then interpreted the passages and the animals in the way that she thought fit best. Readers will be treated to exquisite images of Isaac's camels, the ravens that fed Elijah, the animals rescued in Noah's ark, the shepherds who heard of the Christ Child's birth, and the swine whose husks the prodigal son wished to eat. While this book won't be to everyone's taste and many modern readers will long for color on the book's pages, I'm not sure if color might distract from the illustrations' details. Students of children's literature will surely want to read this and consider the evolution of the artwork in children's picture books over the decades. This is actually not my first encounter with the book as I remember it being part of my personal collection when I was a child. ...more
Tapped for the 2001 Caldecott Medal, this picture book relies on detailed, cartoonish illustrations created with ink, watercolor, and pastel chalk to Tapped for the 2001 Caldecott Medal, this picture book relies on detailed, cartoonish illustrations created with ink, watercolor, and pastel chalk to tell the story of this nation's Presidents. The updated version of the book doesn't merely begin with George Washington and end with Barack Obama, but sprinkles details about each of the presidents throughout the book. For instance, the first pages describe the good and the bad things about being President and then highlight some Presidential characteristics including one's name. Astonishingly, there have been six Presidents named James so if that's your name and you have political ambitions, it might be a good sign for your Presidential possibilities. The entire delightful book is like that, filled with interesting anecdotes about Presidential sizes, family trees, personal habits, previous experiences, and even a couple of notes about the foibles or character flaws that led to their demise. Back matter includes an explanation of the Presidents featured in each illustration and a list of the 43 men who have served our country as President, one of whom did so twice for a total of 44. Although the book may not resemble most other picture books cited for the Caldecott Medal, it is outstanding in every respect, lively and memorable and sure to appeal to young readers once they begin examinining its pages. Social studies and political science have never been so humorous and appealing as on the pages of this book. What a neat way to learn about our nation's history, some of its leaders, and be amused at the same time!...more
Juan is fascinated by the swallows that fill the Mission garden in Capistrano, and he becomes even more intrigued when Julian, the mission's elderly bJuan is fascinated by the swallows that fill the Mission garden in Capistrano, and he becomes even more intrigued when Julian, the mission's elderly bell ringer, tells him about the birds' migration to the South for the winter. He also reassures the boy that the birds will return next spring. Juan prepares his own garden in hopes that when the swallows return, they may visit his small house. Throughout the long winter months, Juan looks in the skies for birds, but they are nowhere in sight. finally, with the arrival of spring, the birds also arrive, and he and Julian joyously ring the bells to welcome them back. Most marvelous of all, two swallows nest near Juan's house. The illustrator alternates small sketches in dark tints and tones with double-page spreads simply blooming with color. This is a story that might cause young readers to reflect upon the amazing journeys birds take each year, flying to and from their northern homes to their southern homes. Like me, they will surely wonder how it is that they know to return to certain places. Interestingly, there is no mention of Juan's family, and it would appear that Julian has taken him under his wing when he visits the mission. The book also contains song lyrics and could be a good introduction to a thematic unit on community gardens or migration. ...more
The language in this beautiful picture book is eloquent as it elegantly describes the beauty of Maine in the summer and all the delights of a summer sThe language in this beautiful picture book is eloquent as it elegantly describes the beauty of Maine in the summer and all the delights of a summer spent on one of its islands. It's easy to get caught up in the colorful images and forget that a story is being told here since those images are so perfectly drawn. Many of the images make readers feel as though they are right there along with the characters as they watch the seaplane flying overhead, note the clear skies with the stars beginning to appear in the sky, batten down the hatches for an approaching hurricane, explore the new world left behind by fierce winds, and pack everything up to leave. I could almost smell the salty brine of the ocean and feel the crunch of the sand beneath my feet and vicariously experience the heart-thumping preparation for some sort of unusual weather. I loved how well the author describes how someone feels at the end of a vacation: "A little bit sad / about the place you are leaving. / a little bit glad / about the place you are going" (p. 62). This 1958 recipient of the Caldecott Medal is a lovely visual snapshot of a wonderful time in the life of two youngsters and a time that was, indeed, filled with wonder at the delights of nature. While it is probably too text heavy for today's reading tastes, I still find it evocative and powerful because it captures so well a particular place, and precious moments in time that once gone, can't be recaptured. Perhaps, as another reviewer suggested, sharing it could be accomplished over two or three sessions rather than one. ...more
Popular decades ago when it was first published and then won the Caldecott Medal in 1954, this picture book remains well loved today by an entirely diPopular decades ago when it was first published and then won the Caldecott Medal in 1954, this picture book remains well loved today by an entirely different and more worldly generation of readers enchanted by anything having to do with Madeline. In this book, she and the other 11 girls who live with her and Miss Clavel in the convent in Paris, are out for their usual walk when she slips into the river and almost drowns. When a dog rescues her, the girls all agree that Genevieve, which is what they name the animal, should stay with them. But all the girls fight over Genevieve, and when the school inspectors insist on throwing her out, they search all over the city for her. Once she has returned to her warm new home, the girls find that there are plenty of dogs for each of them. Like many young readers, I enjoyed the rhyming text, the pages with one or two lines, the color-drenched illustrations filled with scenes depicting the city's landmarks, the surprise at the end, and poor Miss Clavel's attempts to get some sleep. The book is a delight from start to finish although readers familiar with the earlier books may find it more enjoyable since they'll have more background on Madeline. The last two pages are marvelously understated, and the endpapers are wonderfully filled with light and carefully chosen colors. Readers will want to pay careful attention to the colors used within the story since some rely on one color against a white background and others are filled with many different colors in light and dark tones and tints that fill the pages completely. ...more
Winner of the 1949 Caldecott Medal, this is a lovely, nature-themed picture book that celebrates generosity. As the weather starts turning colder, somWinner of the 1949 Caldecott Medal, this is a lovely, nature-themed picture book that celebrates generosity. As the weather starts turning colder, some animals head south while others make their own preparations, storing up food and finding places to remain safe and warm during the colder season. But in this particular year, the snow falls much heavier than usual; in fact, there is a huge snowfall at the start of the year, and the animals find it hard to reach their food. Thanks to the kindness of a couple who shovel the area around their house and put out food, the animals are able to survive. I loved the black and white scenes of nature as well as the sketches filled with color that appear on some pages, and I especially adore the fact that this picture book was based on its creators' real life experience. I'm sure those animals are saying, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" as long as they know where to find something good to eat, courtesy of two compassionate folks. ...more
This 1986 Caldecott Medalist is one with which many children, parents, and teachers are familiar. It succeeds on many levels and is able to reach a wiThis 1986 Caldecott Medalist is one with which many children, parents, and teachers are familiar. It succeeds on many levels and is able to reach a wide audience partly because of its marvelously detailed illustrations, and fascinating storyline, but also because of how the story reaches such a wide audience. Thus, youngsters read it and rejoice in how it supports what they still believe about Santa Claus while adults read it almost wistfully since it may serve as a reminder of what they once believed. I don't know how Chris Van Allsburg manages to channel his inner child so perfectly, but he does so here without missing a beat. Who wouldn't be swept up by a story in which a young boy joins some other youngsters on a mysterious journey to the North Pole? The fact that the journey is aboard a marvelous train, filled with all sorts of treats, and it ends in a magical place where reindeer fly, elves work, and Santa prepares to ride out into the world only makes it even more delightful. When the protagonist receives a bell from one of the reindeer's harnesses, loses it through a hole in his pocket, and then receives it back again from Santa, I found myself caught up in the story, believing once again in that jolly old elf. I love every single one of the illustrations, especially that last one, and the fact that only those children and the true believers in Santa and the Christmas spirit can still hear the bell. Ah, such a magical, marvelous, perfect Caldecott choice!...more
The 1964 Caldecott Medal Winner, this picture book has stood the test of time, and continues to be popular with young audiences even now. When Max misThe 1964 Caldecott Medal Winner, this picture book has stood the test of time, and continues to be popular with young audiences even now. When Max misbehaves and becomes a little rowdier than suits his mother, she punishes him, and sends him to his room without his supper. (Interestingly, by the time he returns to his room from his imaginary jaunt with the wild things, the plate is in his room, and is still warm, so he must not have been gone for long.) Although Max loves frolicking with the wild things and seeing his room become a jungle, and especially loves being king of all those wild things, he also knows he needs to go home, which he does, of course. The illustrations are perfect, filled with the vivid imagination of a rambunctious little boy, and the text also contains wonderfully descriptive phrases that capture this nearly-universal experience. I like this picture book as an adult; as a child, I didn't particularly like it because there was no way that I'd have ever behaved like Max. No, not in my parents' household. Still, I love how incredibly detailed his fantasy of escapism is! ...more
This 1946 Caldecott Medalist is a treasure trove for anyone interested in stepping back into parts of American history through the games and jingles tThis 1946 Caldecott Medalist is a treasure trove for anyone interested in stepping back into parts of American history through the games and jingles that were popular several decades ago. It's interesting to note how some of them have changed a great deal while others have not, and some are still in favor while others have been relegated to the past. The book is divided into Rhymes and Jingles, Finger Games, Rope Skipping Rhymes, Counting-Out Rhymes, Games, and Yankee Doodle. Filled with a plethora of these rhymes, many of which are fun to say, to the eyes of modern readers, the book has a dated quality due to the illustrations, some of which are in vibrant colors and others rendered in more subtle shades. I'm not a fan of the organization since there are sometimes several rhyme or jingles on the same page, which can be confusing, while some rhymes cover more than one page. It might be fun to share this book with some of today's jump rope champs so they can note the history behind their chants. ...more
I remember reading this 1945 Caldecott Medal Winner as a child. I know I must have read an earlier edition, but I can still remember the mingled fear I remember reading this 1945 Caldecott Medal Winner as a child. I know I must have read an earlier edition, but I can still remember the mingled fear of what might happen while I slept with the comfort provided by the prayer that is the entirety of the book. Just like a child who blesses everything as she gets ready for bed, the girl in the softly-colored illustrations makes sure she sends out a blessing to her toys, her shoes, her family, and her friends before she lies down for slumber. It's a sweet prayer, perfect for sharing with little ones, and while I like the illustrations, I don't know if this would have necessarily been my choice as best picture book for the year even though the images are very detailed and expressive. The fact that it's stayed in print over the years is rather impressive, though. I certainly wish that I still had that earlier, original addition for comparison purposes. ...more
For me, this one would rate between a 3 and a 4. It's interesting to reflect on how the 1941 Caldecott Medal Winner represents both the author/illustrFor me, this one would rate between a 3 and a 4. It's interesting to reflect on how the 1941 Caldecott Medal Winner represents both the author/illustrator's own family story and that of many of those of us who now live in the United States, making it a very personal story and yet, one that can be generalized as well. After all, his mother's father was a Scotch sea captain, and her mother was Dutch while his paternal grandfather was English. None of his ancestors were famous or did great deeds, but each generation worked hard and tried to live life the right way, at least according to the norms of their times. Today's readers will be taken aback at the matter-of-fact treatment of slavery and denigrating comments about First Nation peoples, but it's important that the book and its short vignettes be true to the times even if those attitudes were problematic. All of us have these moral and ethical skeletons in our closets, I suppose, and it's fascinating to think about an impressionable young girl--the author's paternal grandmother--being attracted by the fiery words of a traveling preacher. While some reviewers didn't like the brief stories, I actually enjoyed them since they reminded me of the sort of thing that is passed down from one generation to the next, losing and gaining something with each telling, a verbal heirloom of a lost time, as it were. The black and white illustrations, created with pen and ink, are remarkably detailed, and show just how "strong and good" some of these ancestors were. I was especially moved by the illustration of the author's father as he returned home from the Civil War, ill and wounded, to find almost nothing worth salvaging. (Observant readers will be quick to note the depiction of a mammy in one of the earlier illustrations too and wonder about it.)Interestingly, the stories of his parents are more detailed than the other stories, possibly because they are fresher in his mind. This picture book offers a unique historical and personal perspective. While it's unfair to compare this and the earlier Caldecott Medal Winners with some of today's, it's still interesting to trace their evolution and to savor the parts of the story and illustrations that resonate with each of us. ...more
Winner of the 1979 Caldecott Medal, this beautifully illustrated picture book relates the story of the special bond between a Native American girl andWinner of the 1979 Caldecott Medal, this beautifully illustrated picture book relates the story of the special bond between a Native American girl and the horses that live nearby. A storm frightens her and the horses and causes them to get lost far from her home. When she eventually returns, it is only for a brief time since she feels most connected to the wild stallion that befriended her during the storm. Each time she visits her family again, she brings back a colt for them to have. I don't know how culturally authentic this folktale is or which First Nation tribe the story represents, but I do find the story fascinating and the illustrations, full-color pen and ink and watercolor creations, quite stunning. Each page contains a visual treat wit incredibly detailed drawings of flowers, the horses, and their habitat. It would have been helpful for the author/illustrator to provide some background to this story, including its origin. Nevertheless, it is a lovely book, sure to appeal to those who feel as though they connect more strongly with animals than most humans. Readers are left to figure out for themselves how the girl managed to survive on her own with her new herd of horses. ...more
This nearly wordless 1978 Caldecott Medal Winner relies chiefly on illustrations to tell the story of Noah and the ark he builds to survive the flood This nearly wordless 1978 Caldecott Medal Winner relies chiefly on illustrations to tell the story of Noah and the ark he builds to survive the flood that God is sending. The incredibly-detailed illustrations show the work that went into building and then filling the ark with various species, including cows, bees, elephants, dogs, and cats. By turns heart rending and amusing, this picture book certainly affords a practical examination of the ark and its inhabitants. My heart broke as the waters rose and the ark left behind all sorts of animals who waited patiently for their chance to board the vessel. But I also smiled at the never-ending task of feeding, tending to, and shoveling the waste products of all of those animals. The passage of time is shown through Noah's delight in finding eggs in his chickens' nesting boxes--there's even a cat tucked away in one of the boxes--and then his exhaustion at all the work and the relentless rain. Clearly, some of the animals have given birth since there are no three, four or, in the case of the rabbits, even more animals. The images capture perfectly this patriarch's hope when he sends out birds in search of land and vegetation as well as the relief when all the passengers can finally disembark. One of the last illustrations with the ark, now empty of all animals but still filled with baskets and debris, effectively conveys just how close those quarters were and how refreshing it must have been to be able to set foot--or paw--on land once again. This is a splendid version of the story of Noah and the Great Flood. ...more
This 1983 Caldecott Medal Winner is a textual and visual meditation on shadows and how they filter through our past and our present. Through personifiThis 1983 Caldecott Medal Winner is a textual and visual meditation on shadows and how they filter through our past and our present. Through personification of Shadow, the author ruminates on how Shadow makes us feel and what it makes us fear and when it appears. Youngsters may relate more strongly to the idea of shadow since many of them are fascinated with the first glimpse of their own shadow, described here as something "no one can fight" (unpaged). The collage illustrations filled with solid black shapes layered against very bright colors allow the outlines of the individuals to stand out in vivid contrast, emulating what a shadow itself does. Although this may not be my own personal favorite Caldecott title, it is a lovely picture that epitomizes what the best picture books do--rely on the images to tell a story. It's possible to read this book without the text and come away with a definite feeling about Shadow, thanks to those marvelous illustrations. ...more
As is the case for many children in search of their identity, a boy who is descended from the Lord of the Sun, wants to find out more about his fatherAs is the case for many children in search of their identity, a boy who is descended from the Lord of the Sun, wants to find out more about his father. He is given very little help along the way, and he must pass four tests by going through the kiva of lions, snakes, bees, and lightning. When he returns to earth, he carries with him the sun's spirit. The gouache and ink illustrations are visually stunning, and seem to pulse with life and energy. I don't know how authentic the story itself is although the book refers to it as a Pueblo Indian story. I do know that it is hard not to recall the images when thinking about the book, the 1975 Caldecott Medal Winner, long after having read it. They seemsto vibrant and full of life. ...more