I tell you, I can’t think of anything better right now than immersing myself in the world of picture books. I’ve been entertained to laughter, amazed by remarkable illustrations, and touched by the emotion expressed in some others, especially those that, though fictional accounts, base their stories on real life people and experiences. This week, I’m bringing you three titles that fit the final description, and I anticipate that you’ll be moved, too.
You don’t have to know much about Jane Goodall to enjoy Patrick McDonnell’s incredibly beautiful Me… Jane, but if you do know of her work in the Gombe Stream Game Reserve with chimpanzees, then this story goes to an even deeper level of amazing. This is a simple story about a little girl named Jane and her childhood interest in nature and animals, illustrated adorably by the man who brings Mutts to a comics page near you. Incredibly enough, there is a two-page spread featuring drawings and puzzles Jane Goodall created as a child, and the entire book is punctuated by “ornamental engravings from the nineteenth and early twentieth century, collectively evoking Jane’s lifelong passion for detailed, scientific observation of nature.” (quoted from the last page) Really, this book can be enjoyed on the level of the sweet story that it is about a young girl, or adults can share the more informative pages at the end that tell about Goodall’s devoted work.
A little boy is drawn to fiddle music in such a strong way that his parents drive him miles and miles from Indiana to Tennessee to hear an aged fiddler play in Sarah Sullivan’s Passing the Music Down, richly illustrated by Barry Root. As a result, the old man finds a younger kindred spirit, a budding musician to whom he can pass his music down. Such begins a long friendship that strengthens both characters’ lives, and when the man passes away, the boy is now a young man in his own right, who knows it is his duty to continue the tradition. I dare you to read this without tearing up, at the beauty of this story and the warm, lush illustrations. Younger children will enjoy the story telling, while older elementary school children would be more likely to appreciate the information shared in the Author’s Note about Melvin Wine and Jake Krack, the real life musicians whose friendship inspired the story.
Margaret H. Mason has written a powerful picture book in These Hands, which features Floyd Cooper’s softly muted illustrations that buzz with feeling. As a grandfather shows his young grandson how to tie a shoe, play a piano and do a card trick, they share in the abilities of their hands, but the grandfather remembers a time when his hands were not allowed to do another important task. As an employee of the Wonder Bread Company, he and other African-Americans were only allowed to work in janitorial positions, and not have any contact with the bread products. He briefly tells his grandson Joseph of the petitions and the rallies that helped to bring the civil rights changes to our nation that then allowed any hands to work the dough at Wonder. Both grandfather and grandson celebrate their abilities with joy and pride, making this a powerful story for any child to connect with.
Though I am a Round I panelist in this Fiction Picture Book category for the Cybils, my opinions are solely my own and are not meant to reflect the final outcome.
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Dawn juggles teaching, parenting, and reading on a daily basis, sometimes hopping back over to give her blog, my thoughts exactly, a bit of attention, too.
Colby says
I think Me…Jane is the second best picture book of 2011. My favorite is, Prudence Wants a Pet. I have no idea how it didn’t get nominated for a Cybils.
Happy reading!
Dawn says
I haven’t heard of the Prudence book- I’ll have to check for it at the library. Thanks for the tip!
Colby Sharp says
Prudence is fun, but Me…Jane will win the Caldecott.
Janelle says
Me…Jane is a gorgeous book. The vintage images inside are such a nice touch.
Dawn says
Isn’t it gorgeous? I’m really in love with this book. 🙂
Debbye says
Great books that will make great Holiday gifts!
Thank you!
Dawn says
Yay- what better gift can be given than a book? 🙂