★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
Hot Dog
By: Doug Salati
Illustrated by: Doug Salati
Medal Winner
Reviewed by: Sarah Kim
Also read and recommended by: Christine Kallner, Deanna Knoll, Sandy Hall
If you'd much rather be at the beach in the summer than rushing around a crowded city in the heat you'll definitely relate to this sweet dog and his kind owner who realizes he needs a break. The illustrations are full of movement and both the illustrations and the text evoke the sounds and sensations that the dog is experiencing. You'll breathe a sigh of relief with the dog as he runs across the sand and appreciate the simple beauty of getting out into nature.
Ain't Burned All the Bright
By: Jason Reynolds
Illustrated by: Jason Griffin
Honor
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
2020 was a difficult year for most of us in different ways. This book attempts to depict some of those difficult times and resultant feelings of confusion, hopelessness and pent-up frustration. In a creative design, the illustrations reflect the current trend of junk journals I've seen featured on social media posts with lots of printed words cut out of a magazine and taped in over pencil illustrations on notebook paper. However, this book is really an adult picture book, with abstract images with equally obscure prose. The book somewhat follows a family as they are obsessed with TV news, cell phones and video games while a parent coughs incessantly in another room. What is distressing is that there is no hope offered, just an endless cycle of focus on what appears to be burning houses, storms, dark clouds and other menacing looking graphics. While I can imagine writing and creating this book was therapeutic for the author and illustrator, I don't see the benefit of sharing these things outside of a therapist's office, especially with children (as a Caldecott book's target audience is). Hopefully more constructive books on the covid/racial strife era will be produced that provide a more cogent picture for children to understand.
Berry Song
By: Michaela Goade
Illustrated by: Michaela Goade
Honor
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
As a forager myself, I can hardly wait for huckleberry season and the difficult trek up into the mountains to our "own" hillside. This book evokes the delight one experiences gathering food to enjoy now and later. The illustrations are bright and luscious, just like the fruit in the story. While it has some similarities to Blueberries for Sal, the author focuses on her Native American heritage and her deep connection and gratitude to the earth for producing these foods she is gathering.
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement
By: Angela Joy
Illustrated by: Janelle Washington
Honor
Reviewed by: Deanna Knoll
Also read and recommended by: Lara Lleverino
While this is such a difficult topic to think about, I found this book easy to read and ponder. There are no graphic descriptions or images so that this story can be shared with children. I love how it focuses on how his mother chose to use her tragedy in a positive way, to spur her on to action so that it wouldn't happen to others.
★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
Knight Owl
By: Christopher Denise
Illustrated by: Christopher Denise
Honor
Reviewed by: Sherry Early
Also read and recommended by: Christine Kallner, Sandy Hall
“Since the day he hatched, Owl had one wish. To be a knight.”
At first Owl is just a child playing dress up. But eventually he is accepted into Knight School where he learns to be a real knight, and upon his graduation he is assigned to the Knight Night Watch on the castle walls. Then, one night Owl confronts a real, live dragon. Can he act with bravery and cleverness like a real knight? Can he find a way to keep the dragon from eating him as a snack?
For the legions of children who are enamored of knights and castles and fire-breathing dragons, this picture book would be a real treat. Or it might be an introduction to the world of knights and dragons, a tame and rather peaceful introduction. Owl does indeed make peace with the dragon, and no owls are harmed in the course of this story.
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