October Reads - 2020

[Kristen]

A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel.

Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh written by Gary Golio and illustrated by Ed Young.

I Can Write The World written by Joshunda Sanders and illustrated by Charly Palmer.

Jacob's Room to Choose written by Sarah Hoffman and illustrated by Ian Hoffman.

What did you think of these? Are they Caldecott Worthy?

[Laura]

Jacob's Room to Choose is a sequel to Jacob's New Dress. A timely and important book but there is nothing new or creative in the illustrations. The Caldecott committee definitely have been shying away from possibly controversial picture books in the last several years. A couple examples from last year are Dreamers by Yuyi Morales and Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love. These were two of 2018's finest books. Jacob's Room to Choose isn't on my list of Caldecott contenders.

[Laura]

I really like I Can Write the World. Great subject, powerful message and Charly Palmer was the recipient of Coretta Scott King John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award. Palmer illustrated Mama Africa, one of my favorite picture book biographies. He really makes the text come alive in his illustrations. This title has been mostly overlooked. I feel it has a chance at winning the Caldecott but will probably win a Coretta Scott King award. There are a huge amount of amazing Caldecott potentials this year.

[Laura]

Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Smile (and to Cry) is another glorious 2019 picture book biography that isn't getting all the accolades it deserves. I am head over heels in love with this book! Although I have been a huge Charlie Chaplin fan for years, there were many new things that I learned about the Little Tramp. Golio clearly has a passion for the subject. His research is meticulous and entertaining, Smile is written in verse which was probably a particularly difficult feat considering the topic. Ed Young has outdone himself with the mixed media artwork. Every page is a wonder. Creative, beautiful, unique, outstanding...I could truly go on and on. Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry) is an absolute must have and a certain high contender for a Caldecott.

[Laura]

A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel is my favorite picture book of the year. I have been waiting so long for the release of this book! It is described as a companion to his remarkable Caldecott award winning, They All Saw A Cat. It was definitely worth the wait! Every illustration is a wonder that needs to be enjoyed and studied. It is a quiet, contemplative, timely, beautiful book. So hard to believe this is only Brendan Wenzel's eighth book. I consider him a picture book great. His work is as wonderful as masters such as Lane Smith, Kevin Henkes, Jerry Pinkney, Sophie Blackall and Eric Carle. A Stone Sat Still is absolutely Caldecott worthy. It deserves the Caldecott gold. It is just that good. I can't wait to see what Brendan Wenzel creates next! Btw, if you are in the NY area-check out Brendan Wenzel's illustrations/murals etc. at The Children's Zoo (Bronx Zoo). They are phenomenal!

[Beverly]

A Stone Sat Still
Similar in concept to They All Saw A Cat, this book details how various animals perceive the stone--as loud or quiet, as a pebble or a hill, as dark or bright, etc. The illustrations, rendered in cut paper, oil pastels, marker, and other media, are beautiful and are a perfect accompaniment to the text. I agree with all of Laura's opinions of the book as well--it is a fabulous book and well-deserving of Caldecott gold.

[Beverly]

Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin....
The biography was interesting since I know next to nothing about this actor and have not seen his films. The collage illustrations were interesting, depicting many of the people as silhouettes, but not really a style that appeals to me much. I thought some of the color choices clashed and were garish.

[Carol]

A Stone Sat Still- A book about nature, perspectives, and accepting change! My vote for a Caldecott Medal.
This is a wonderful book to share with children to talk about the beauties in the little things of nature, how people and animals have different perspectives from each other about things, and how change happens and how we must learn to cope with change. The artwork has a beautiful soft tone, very realistic of stones.

[Beverly]

Carol wrote: "A Stone Sat Still- A book about nature, perspectives, and accepting change! My vote for a Caldecott Medal.
This is a wonderful book to share with children to talk about the beauties in the little t..."

Agree totally!

[Carol]

Smile! I am so proud to be a part of this group! Otherwise, I might have missed reading this wonderful book! Perhaps, it will win an award or two in January's ceremony. Not sure of Caldecott. The artwork is really nice though. Competition is fierce this year! But, what a great informational biography. I knew so little about Charlie Chaplin until I read this book! What a great story! And, I cannot believe I didn't know he wrote this brilliant song, one of my all-time favorites!

[Laura]

Carol wrote: "Smile! I am so proud to be a part of this group! Otherwise, I might have missed reading this wonderful book! Perhaps, it will win an award or two in January's ceremony. Not sure of Caldecott. The a..."

I am so happy you like this book as much as I do! Did you notice Charlie Chaplin's moustache is the author's name? Ed Young is a treasure!

[Carol]

Laura wrote: "Carol wrote: "Smile! I am so proud to be a part of this group! Otherwise, I might have missed reading this wonderful book! Perhaps, it will win an award or two in January's ceremony. Not sure of Ca..." I missed that, but, I see it online! How neat!

[ASE]

I finally read Smile after seeing so many recommendations for it here. It did not disappoint! I loved it! Some of the most stunning art of books this year.