December Reads - 2014

[Kristen]

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown

If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano

My First Day by Steve Jenkins

How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton

and

Picture a Tree Barbara Reid

This is our last month before the Caldecott awards. Do you think any of these could win a medal?

[Renee]

Mr. Tiger is my pick from this list.

[Peggy]

I don't have the book in front of me now, but i believe that Barbara Reid is Canadian, so that would rule her book out.Several months ago, I would have voted for Mr. Tiger, but I think How to Train a Train is very cute.

[Beverly]

Peggy wrote: "I don't have the book in front of me now, but i believe that Barbara Reid is Canadian, so that would rule her book out.Several months ago, I would have voted for Mr. Tiger, but I think How to Train..."

You are correct. Reid's author profile shows that she lives in Toronto, Ontario, so her book would not be eligible for a Caldecott Award.

[Kristen]

Thanks for the heads up. Barbara Reid would not be eligible.

[Paula]

I've read Mr. Tiger Goes Wild and and If You Want to See a Whale. I really liked Mr. Tiger Goes Wild and feel it could be a good contender.

[Shelley]

My top guesses, (and favorites are):

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild | Peter Brown
Flora and the Flamingo | Molly Idle
The Dark | Jon Klassen
Journey | Aaron Becker
If You Want to See a Whale | Erin Stead

Also, though it's not my favorite work of his, I'd be happy if Oliver Jeffers won too.

[Cynthia]

I have not read HOW TO TRAIN A TRAIN. Is there a lot of buzz about this one? I did enjoy MR. TIGER GOES WILD very much.

[Beverly]

Of the five books listed above, I think that I liked "How to Train a Train" the best. I loved the polished look of the illustrations; the silly expressions on the train faces; and the funny things they did such as roll over, go in the kiddy pool, etc.
I also liked "Mr. Tiger Goes Wild" very much.

[Peggy]

Here's a link to a great video where Peter Brown explains the process he used in creating Mr. Tiger:
https://vimeo.com/80293481

[Beverly]

Peggy wrote: "Here's a link to a great video where Peter Brown explains the process he used in creating Mr. Tiger:
https://vimeo.com/80293481"

The video was fascinating!

[Kristen]

Thanks for the link Peggy. It's a great video.

[Cheri]

Loved the video. I teach children's literature and will definitely show it next semester.

[Joanne]

I loved that video, and will link it on my page for my students.
When I was reading the book, and my students saw the page with Mr. Tiger naked, they laughed twice- first at his nakedness and then at themselves for laughing at a naked wild animal.
This really is a notable book.