The first book is: "Hello Light House," by Sophie Blackall. This book is a 2019 Caldecott medal winner. Wow! This book is a must read! This book transports you into the different seasons of a lighthouse keeper, and demonstrates the events that a real lighthouse keeper possibly underwent, before the 1920's. The illustrations of this book were created with Chinese ink and watercolor on hot pressed paper. The blue, and natural hues of the sea are exquisite. Texture is evident in all of its beautiful art. As a reader, you can imagine the wind of the sea waves swaying from one place to another. You can feel the wind blowing on your face, and grasp the smell of saltwater. Every single illustration in this book contains a realistic type of design, yet each drawing depicts an ancient folklore modern twist. The text in this book is poetic, and the words were chosen wisely. In addition, the text stimulates all of your senses, and the art work helps give meaning to the text. This book contains, romance, nostalgia, danger, and new beginnings. Although, this book is definitely considered a picture book, it can also fall under realistic fiction. It is palpable, that the author has done a huge amount of research on past living light house keepers.
The second book is: "They All Saw a Cat," by Brendan Wenzel. This book is a 2017 Caldecott medal and honor book. In the classroom, this book can help students see how things are perceived through different lenses. It is really neat how an illustrator can demonstrate different points of view, and perspectives through the eyes of other beings. The colors in this book are lively, and are used to give more meaning to the text. Different textures, sizes, shapes and dimensions are used to show the different ways that a cat is observed. The text has a rhythmic beat to it, and this definitely hypnotizes the eyes of a reader. I definitely enjoyed contemplating the surrealist illustrations of this picture book. This is another book that I will definitely be adding to my classroom library, very soon.
The third book is: "Du Iz Tak?," by Carson Ellis. This book is a 2017 Caldecott honor book. Curiously, this book has a made up quirky language, yet the illustrations give meaning to the text. Illustrations in this book have a comic like design, where characters are having a conversation about different new curiosities, that are evolving before their eyes. A message of insect lifecycles, metamorphosis, changes, seasons, the plant lifecycle, animal food chains, and animal basic needs, are portrayed throughout the book. This picture book can be integrated in specific science lessons, which include these scientific themes. The illustrator made sure to humanize these characters in their appearance, and the writer did the same, by giving them a language that only they can understand. There is few text in the book, yet the illustrations definitely amplify expression, and make the storyline more comprehensible. The hues in this book are those containing browns, and greens. These tints and shades can be naturally seen in your own backyard. Therefore, making the illustrations more believable. I am a Circus Soleil lover, and for some peculiar reason, this book reminds me of certain Circus Soleil oddities. I was amused by this book tremendously!
In conclusion, I recommend all of these three fabulous picture books, because they all have unique and intriguing visual qualities!
Being Mindful,
Evelyn Portillo
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