Du Iz Tak? in Mock Caldecott 2026

Oct 23, 2016 Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: picture-books, caldecott-honor, children

Told in a completely made-up language, readers in Du Iz Tak will have to spend a lot of time reading the pictures to interpret the story. But with Carson Ellis's beautiful and endearing illustrations, readers will have no problem with that. I could see this book being a Caldecott contender. ...more

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Jan 02, 2017 Elisabeth rated it liked it

Shelves: picture-books, fiction, caldecott-honor-books, 2017

To tell the truth, the gibberish language rubbed me the wrong way. The illustrations were cute, but I'd have preferred this as a wordless picture book. ...more

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Jan 06, 2017 Barbara rated it really liked it

Shelves: animals, community, read-aloud, friendship, gardens, picture-book, seasons, loss, families, compassion

I'm torn between a 4 and a 5 on this one, but it is refreshingly different and creative. While the text relies on invented language, it isn't that hard to figure out what the bugs are saying, partly because the language is close enough to other languages for readers to guess, but also because the illustrations speak volumes. There's even a meditative quality about this and a sly awareness of human (bug) nature. After all, whenever anything new or slightly different appears, bugs will simply have I'm torn between a 4 and a 5 on this one, but it is refreshingly different and creative. While the text relies on invented language, it isn't that hard to figure out what the bugs are saying, partly because the language is close enough to other languages for readers to guess, but also because the illustrations speak volumes. There's even a meditative quality about this and a sly awareness of human (bug) nature. After all, whenever anything new or slightly different appears, bugs will simply have to investigate it and try to figure out what it is and what it does. So it is with the green sprout that appears on the first page. Two damselflies--and yes, readers really must take a close look at them to understand their names--take a look at the growing greenery and wonder about its possibilities. Eventually, they use a ladder to build a fort amid its leaves as it continues to grow. But as happens in life, their fun and fort are threatened when a huge spider leaps onto the plant and fashions a net that covers almost everything. The spider, in turn, becomes food for a bird, and the plant continues to thrive, even blossoming. Readers will certainly note the changing seasons as the plant begins to droop and lose her beauty while a fiddler plays on and a butterfly-like creature emerges for a brief dance. Winter comes, shown in a series of stark pages, and then is followed by spring and several green sprouts. Ta ta indeed! I really cannot think of any picture book published in 2016 that is more imaginative than this one. Not only is this one a joy simply for sharing aloud with others, but it offers several instructional jumping off places about resilience, the cycle of life, cooperation, and curiosity as well as a gentle reminder that something that is different may turn out to be incredibly useful or beautiful. Ah, the drama and different stories that unfold here are almost endless too. Just a brief examination of each page may send readers off on various intellectual or emotional riffs. ...more

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Dec 02, 2016 Ed rated it it was amazing

Definitely one of the best picture books of the year, not just for the creative story, but for some great illustration. May be my favorite book of the year. I will have to read it several more times, but first impressions were great.

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Nov 15, 2016 Samantha rated it liked it

Shelves: gardens, picture-books, insects

When a tiny shoot is discovered by different types of insects they are amazed to watch it grow and make grand plans for a fort. An invented language is used to tell the story, though the reader can also read the story wordlessly too as there are multiple storylines portrayed in each gouache and ink illustrated spread.

As the seasons change, the plant grows, changes, and spreads seeds which results in even more surprises in the spring.

PreK-2.

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