Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Wishes by Mượn Th� Văn




Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor




The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen




Wolfboy by Andy Harkness


Summer is here! It's the perfect time to loose yourself in a book.

What did you think of these publications?

Klassen's The Rock from the Sky is brilliant. Five short, glorious, classic Jon Klassen chapters. Maybe the best book Klassen ever created. Most definitely, assuredly, without a doubt, Caldecott worthy :). Wolfboy by Andy Harkness is my alley. A whole lot of fun and my kind of creativity. Mel Fell is lovely. Beautiful pastel colors and children will love it. Wishes has a chance at a Caldecott. Sparse, emotional text about a Vietnamese family who must leave their home country. Every page is powerful. I loved Dazzle Ships also illustrated by Victo Ngai. I was disappointed that it didn't win a Caldecott. Ngai's illustrations for Wishes suits the lyrical text just perfectly. Maybe Wishes will bring her that coveted award.

WISHES is a treasure trove of goodies. First of all, it's a poignant and touching story. It's also beautifully illustrated. (Caldecott??) It is written in a pattern that fledging writers are going to love to imitate. The backstory (see author's note) is historically rich. Finally, readers from kindergarten to high school seniors will take away something of value from reading it (or listening to it.)

Wolfboy
I loved the clay sculpture artwork in this book. I also love the fact that this book is aimed at much younger children than most of the other books this group is reading and considering. I also enjoyed the misleading story line.

Wishes
I liked the simplicity of the text set against the double page-spread paintings. And while I liked the book, and think that it is award-worthy; at the same time I am getting a wee bit tired of immigrant stories. I personally preferred Wolfboy because it was so whimsical and non-serious.

This list has three of my top ten: Wishes is poignant and gorgeously illustrated in muted colors until the end when the young family embarks on a new life; The Rock from the Sky employs hilariously ironic, dry humor in vignette form and also uses Klassen's trademark style of stark surroundings and a neutral color palette to focus on the dynamics between the characters; and Mel Fell is a delightful read, with a spunky cast of characters and statements, a fun journey for bird and fish (with a clever change in orientation halfway through), and adorable illustrations. The first time I read Mel Fell, I immediately wanted to read it again and couldn't contain the smile on my face - sure to be a crowd-pleaser for little ones! I would love to see any of these earn recognition at award time.

Mel Fell
Finally I got hold of a library copy.
I think I loved this story almost as much as I loved Snail Crossing. This story is full of humor and action and also has a little bit of a twist. First of all, in order to read the book, the reader has to hold the book sideways/longways. So each double page spread is the length of the book from front to back. Mel, the little bird decides it's time for her to start flying. So she walks off the end of a branch and falls--past many other tree-dwellers--squirrels, owls, bees, spider, slug, ants--all of whom try to stop or slow Mel's fall. However, she lands with a splash into water at the base of the tree. At this point, the reader is instructed to turn the book 180 degrees to continue reading. At the end of the story, the reader is informed that the little bird is a kingfisher. The author's illustrations in pencil, colored pencil and acrylic paint perfectly capture the action and the personalities of Mel and the other animals. Whether it wins any awards or not, I believe it will be a very popular story with young ones.

The Rock from the Sky
Finally, finally, after a long wait, my library copy arrived.
I agree totally with Laura (message 2) about this book. What a humdinger of a book! The watercolor and digital illustrations show a very sparse landscape and only three characters whose only facial features are their eyes; but how well Klassen uses those eyes to express their reactions and emotions! The sparseness of the landscape brings the focus of the illustrations directly on the characters. Only in the third story, when the armadillo imagines the future, is the landscape filled with plants and trees. After reading the book a couple of times, it seems to me that the action in the five stories take place in one day--the first 3 chapters appear to take place during the daytime; the last chapters feature a sunset and then a night sky.
The story is very humorous, for those who appreciate understated humor, and has a wonderful twist at the end.
The illustrations are in typical Klassen muted colors, with many grays and browns, and only a few other colors included (a pink flower, an orange sunset). I anticipate that this book may win more than one award.

Beverly wrote: "The Rock from the Sky
Finally, finally, after a long wait, my library copy arrived.
I agree totally with Laura (message 2) about this book. What a humdinger of a book! The watercolor and digital i..."

It is so good!

The Rock from the Sky -- a drab two-toned conversational story between an armadillo and a turtle. One might say it's a gloomy book about a rock falling from the sky. But wait! Watch the changes in the animals' eyes! In the slightest way, the eyes bring tremendous humor to the story!

An early reader might feel confidence and success, reading this. Watch for surprise picture elements, as strange things appear in the little creatures' world. Gives the reader a chance to ponder yet another chapter to the book!

The colors have a drab, water paint look. This could be a wordless story � just follow the creatures' eyes! Unique? Yes! And thus could garner Caldecott medals

Mel Fell
Adorable book! It is a twisty turny story - great for storytelling! Filled with action, suspense, and relief! This is a tender story about a little bird, ready to fly. Will she succeed? Learn about setting goals and feeling success! The illustrations are captivating! And turning the book is quite a unique way to tell this heart-warming story!

The books showcases praise for a job-well done from the parent! Children will feel this! Such a Caldecott-worthy story!

Wolfboy
...brings to life molded clay. Children will love this book as much as 1964 Caldecott award winning “Where the Wild Things Are?� This could also be a 2022 Caldecott contender!

To get texture and shadows on the scenes, he incorporates lighting for interesting effects. Colors make the story: The yellow full moon highlights the world in yellow, EXCEPT for white teeth and cottontails. Blue Wolfboy appears scary to the readers, but NOT to the rabbits!!!! The scenery is dark 'n scary!!!

When the book ends, kids most certainly will clap. It is that kind of a book.

Wishes
Wishes is a book that will lead to many questions and discussions. This is a book of hope, despair, movement toward a better life, helping others, and new beginnings.

The colors in the illustrations of this book are subdued to represent escapes from persecution and disasters from a homeland. The shades and soft tones indicate leaving in the later hours of the day, at a hushed, silent time in the cool of the evening light. While the hot, sultry sun blaring down on a boat of refugees is also given dark tones.

Powerful story; few words. Should gleam many awards. Maybe a Caldecott honor.

I adored Mel Fell and so did my kindergarten kiddos! I loved the use of the entire page to tell the story. I agree that A Rock from the Sky is one of Klassen’s best!

Wishes
The series of objects� wishes told in text imbue comforting and hopeful levity to balance the emotionally heavy detailed illustrations of a family’s dangerous immigration journey. That being said, for the purpose of Caldecott contention, the illustrations tell the story all by themselves and provide much for the reader to decipher about the family’s life and journey, especially why the danger is worth risking. The boat seems almost mystical, highlighting how the refugees are no longer in control of their lives once on the sea. The sea seems alive in a birds eye illustration. There is movement inherent in the story. I think these illustrations are distinguished.

Mel Fell
The vertical orientation and instructions for the reader to rotate the book amplify the bird’s dramatic bravery and uncertain fate, emotionally hooking the visual reader. The simple illustrations and white space further put the blue bird’s “flight� at the focus as though nothing else matters in that moment as we all hope Mel’s self-confidence will be justified in accomplishment. I think Mel Fell is a strong Caldecott contender this year.

The Rock from the Sky
I love this book - the pacing, the tensely hilarious predictability, the voices, and the identifiable Klassen hues & lines. He gives the reader so much with so little. That being said, I don’t think the illustrations alone work as well as with the text and do not expect it to win a Caldecott this year.

Wolfboy
In spite of this book’s fun spirit, boldly-colored, eye-catching clay artwork, some of the scenes are difficult to understand without the text. It makes for a fun read-aloud but I don’t think it’s as Caldecott worthy as many others this year.

Wow, what a bunch of great titles for July! I have just gotten a hold of some of them now. The characters in Mel Fell are adorable, and I love Mel's eyes at one point in the story. Rock from the Sky is hilarious, and Klassen's understated style works for these amusing vignettes! Creative illustration in Wolfboy, but not my favorite. Wishes had perhaps the most powerful illustrations, evoking the deep emotions and really telling the story, along with the sparse text. I think Wishes could win some awards.