1944 Caldecott Winner

Title: Many Moons

Author: James Thurber

Illustrator: The illustrator of the Caldecott-winning version is Louis Slobodkin. The illustrator of the version we read is Marc Simont.

Method of Reading/Extra Activities: We technically did not read the book that won the 1944 Caldecott medal. The text of this book has been republished with new illustrations by a different artist. And since the Caldecott medal is given for illustrations, we really didn't get to experience the Caldecott-winning aspect of this book. I really have no idea why on earth an author (or in this case, I think it was the author's daughter) would republish a book that has won the Caldecott medal with new illustrations. Why mess with a good thing?!?! Anyway, our library does not have the original version, so that is why we read the republished version.

We read the book twice. Then Gabriel and I drew pictures of the moon and stars. We used black card stock and an opaque white painting marker. Gabriel had a lot of fun drawing. See our great pictures and my big boy's cute little grin?

About the Text: A princess becomes ill, and her father promises to get her anything she desires, so that she can get better again. The princess asks for the moon. The king and his royal advisers are distraught because they do not know how to accomplish this impossible task. Finally, the royal jester comes up with a plan of how to give the princess the moon.

About the Illustrations: As I mentioned, we did not read the original version, so I am unable to comment about the Caldecott-winning illustrations. The pictures in the updated version were cute and colorful.

Our Favorite Part: The page that had fireworks on it! Gabriel kept wanting to turn back to the fireworks page.

Our Least Favorite Part: This book has a lot of text on each page, so it doesn't really hold a toddler's attention.

1943 Caldecott Winner

Title: The Little House

Author and Illustrator: Virginia Lee Burton

Method of Reading/Extra Activities: We read the book together and had a toy house right next to us to play with while reading. This book also came with a CD, so we were able to listen to someone else read the book, too. Then we also attempted a craft project! Using toothpicks and Mod Podge, we tried to build a stick house. I'm thinking this was a little too ambitious to do with a two year old. See our lovely results?  

About the Text: A little house is built in the country and at times wonders what life is like in the city. Years pass and eventually, due to the city's expansion, she finds out first-hand what city life is like, and she does not like it. She becomes sad and lonely (lots of personification in this book!). Eventually, a family rescues her and moves her back to the country, where she is once again happy and peaceful.

About the Illustrations: The colorful illustrations are so cute in this book. They are unique in that the little house is always in the center of the picture, but the scenery and surroundings are constantly changing. The house changes very little, but her surroundings drastically change throughout the story, and the illustrations deftly emphasize this.

Our Favorite Part: The illustrations of the house when it was nighttime. There were lots of stars when the house lived in the countryside!

Our Least Favorite Part: This book made Mama tear up! Mama can relate to the little house. I'm a country gal living in the city. Hopefully someday we can move back to the country. :)