This year's annual children's award book were announced yesterday. Today, I'm going to share the winners of the Caldecott Award and the Theodor Geisel Award.
The Caldecott Award is given each year to the most distinguished American picture book for children.
2014 Caldecott Award Winner
Lightship written & illustrated by Brian Floca
All aboard! Accompany a family on an unforgettable weeklong train
trip from Omaha to Sacramento in 1869. Brian Floca’s dramatic
watercolor, ink, acrylic and gouache illustrations incorporate
meticulously-researched portraits of the train, the travelers and the
crew as they traverse the American landscape on the new transcontinental
railroad.
Caldecott Honor Books
Journey written & illustrated by Aaron Becker
Finding a magical red crayon, a bored and lonely girl draws a new
door on her bedroom wall that leads her to a wondrous but perilous new
world. Her drab, sepia-toned, humdrum reality gives way to sumptuous,
lushly-hued watercolor and pen and ink landscapes.
Flora and the Flamingo written & illustrated by Molly Idle
The budding relationship between an awkward young girl and a
graceful flamingo is revealed through carefully orchestrated flaps. The
minimalist setting, limited color palette, use of white space and page
turns create a timeless and joyful visual experience. The
call-and-response of this balletic duet is cinematic and comedic.
Mr. Wuffles written & illustrated by David Wiesner
Mr. Wuffles finds a new toy that is actually a tiny spaceship in
this nearly wordless science fiction tale of epic and miniature
proportions. Crisp watercolor and India ink illustrations shine in an
innovative graphic novel, picture book hybrid featuring hidden worlds,
alien languages and one peeved cat.
The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given annually to the most distinguished beginning reader book.
2014 Geisel Award Winner
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizolli
A watermelon-loving crocodile becomes distraught after swallowing a
seed, believing it will grow inside of him. Told in straight-forward,
accessible vocabulary, this innovative look at a childhood fear by debut
author Greg Pizzoli creates engaging three-spot color illustrations
that are as fresh as a cool slice of watermelon.
Geisel Honor Books
Ball by Mary Sullivan
A ball-obsessed pup desperately waits for his owner to return to
continue their play. The earliest reader will be empowered by the
one-word text melded with action-packed sequential art.
A Big Guy Took My Ball by Mo Willems
Gerald comes to Piggie’s aid when a big guy takes away the ball she
found. The classic schoolyard encounter has a wry twist and satisfying
resolution in Willems’ hands. Color coded speech bubbles and expressive
cartoon illustrations will delight the reader.
Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes
Penny has second thoughts after picking up a beautiful, blue marble
from her neighbor’s yard. Was it wrong to take this treasure? Penny’s
moral dilemma is explored with emotional truth in four brief chapters.
Henkes’ soft-hued watercolors perfectly capture Penny’s joy and agony.
