A Couple of Short Reviews
November was Picture Book Month and, while I read more picture books than I ordinarily do, I wrote about almost none of them. I am going to try and make that up today, so forgive the flurry of out-of-date posts. Here are a few shorter reviews of the final books of the month.
Doo-Wop Pop by Roni Schotter. Illustrated by Bryan Collier. HarperCollins Publishers, October, 2008. 9780060579746. (Borrowed from public library.)
I must confess that I chose this book, which was on display at a local library, based purely on the art, which I (correctly) assumed was Bryan Collier’s. The collages just pop with light and warmth. The rhythmic story is told from the point-of-view of Elijah Earl, a shy boy who attends an inner city school, but is intrigued by Mr. Searle, the custodian. Mr. Searle was the lead doo-wop singer in a group called The Icicles when he was young. Now, he sweeps floors in a school. He handpicks four of the shyest students and teaches them to harmonize. This lovely story would make a great read aloud.
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Roaring Brook Press, March, 2012. 9781596433977. (Borrowed from the public library.)
Ah, Laura Vaccaro Seeger is at it again. She is just a genius. Her books are utter simplicity and oh so creative. The concept being explored here is green. Now green is not a favorite color of mine, but even I came to appreciate its merits thanks to this book. Each page brings a new surprise with strategically placed die-cuts and splashes of color. These are not the greens one would find in a crayon box either, Wacky Green? Find a little one, snuggle up and have some fun. Oh, and read it more than once. Then, go out and find her other spectacular offerings if you aren't already familiar with them.
Doo-Wop Pop by Roni Schotter. Illustrated by Bryan Collier. HarperCollins Publishers, October, 2008. 9780060579746. (Borrowed from public library.)
I must confess that I chose this book, which was on display at a local library, based purely on the art, which I (correctly) assumed was Bryan Collier’s. The collages just pop with light and warmth. The rhythmic story is told from the point-of-view of Elijah Earl, a shy boy who attends an inner city school, but is intrigued by Mr. Searle, the custodian. Mr. Searle was the lead doo-wop singer in a group called The Icicles when he was young. Now, he sweeps floors in a school. He handpicks four of the shyest students and teaches them to harmonize. This lovely story would make a great read aloud.
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Roaring Brook Press, March, 2012. 9781596433977. (Borrowed from the public library.)
Ah, Laura Vaccaro Seeger is at it again. She is just a genius. Her books are utter simplicity and oh so creative. The concept being explored here is green. Now green is not a favorite color of mine, but even I came to appreciate its merits thanks to this book. Each page brings a new surprise with strategically placed die-cuts and splashes of color. These are not the greens one would find in a crayon box either, Wacky Green? Find a little one, snuggle up and have some fun. Oh, and read it more than once. Then, go out and find her other spectacular offerings if you aren't already familiar with them.