Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems- Caldecott Honor Book (2004)

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is a hilarious tale of a little bird who just wants to take a quick joyride.

I have a confession to make- when I saw that this book was on the list of Caldecott Winners and Honors, I was elated. I love this book. I found it hilarious, simple, and Mo Willems' website is chock full of teaching ideas and activities to go along with the story. I picked up this book in a Barnes and Noble years ago, and was reduced to tears. I love the little pigeon, as he reminded me at the time, of every child in my care at my job at a local preschool. The illustrations are simple, but perfect in every detail. The pigeon's mannerisms, expressions and turns of phrase are very much like any child you'd meet in a kindergarten classroom. I love this book because it reminds me of my years working in preschool as I went through college, and how hilarious children can be.

This book is probably the crown jewel, in my opinion of the books in Mo Willems' repertoire. It is the book that launched the Pigeon series and the reason that all the following books are so popular (Check out The Pigeon Wants a Puppy and the Pigeon Wants a Hotdog for further reading.) His Knuffle Bunny books are just as fantastic, though I don't enjoy them much personally because it's hard for me to relate to the parenting side of it. I love all of Mo Willems' books (Leonardo the Terrible Monster is another great one for the classroom), but this book was my first love.

From my first reading of this book, I was surprised at how such a simple book, with such intentionally rudimentary pictures could have such an impact on me. This is a book that children love to read because you interact with the characters and the characters are so very familiar because they are just like children. I appreciate every part of this book, and was glad to see a such a small, easy book become such a success.

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley- Caldecott Honor Book (2002)

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins ia a biographacal picture book about the career and passions of Bejamin Waterhouse Hawkins. Waterhouse was a British sculptor and artist in the 1880s, who teamed up with Richard Owen to create the first life-size models of dinosaurs known to exist at that time. Waterhouse's successes and trials are beautifully presented in this three part picture book.

I really enjoyed this book, though I'll admit that unlike so many students, I find dinosaurs a bit dry for reading. This book would be ideal for learning new vocabulary, learning about and how to write biographies, or as a literature connection during a science unit. The pictures of Waterhouse- who looks a bit like a Victorian Willy Wonka in this book- and his fantastic, huge dinosaurs would be enough for even the finickiest reader to pick up this book. I did notice that this book was quite long for a picture book, and had alot of challenging vocabulary. It would be a picture book that I imagine would be more suited to fifth or even sixth grade students, and not a book that is ideal for a read-aloud. However, if you've got some GT students in your room crazy about science, this book might be the welcome challenge they're craving too.

I mentioned earlier that I found dinosaurs to be a bit, forgive me, boring. I know that many people, and children especially, find the thought of huge lizards roaming the earth ages ago fascinating and exciting, but I never have. Perhaps growing up on the opposing side of a sibling rivalry with a brother who loved them may have something to do with it. I chose this book at the library without having planned to, however, due to it's beautiful pictures and eloquent text. I knew that even though the book might focus on dusty lizards for a bit, the story also included Waterhouse's personal triumphs and defeats, a political tussle with Boss Tweed, and some really breathtaking images. I liked this book despite a less than ideal choice of content for me.

I liked this book better than most historical biographies I've read. Even though many children's biographies are beautifully illustrated, most of them tend to be so dry that students pick them up, leaf through for a couple of seconds, see daunting paragraphs of technical, historical explanation, and set them back down. The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins was very informative and educational, but managed to straddle the line between a biography and an exciting story. The reader finds themselves rooting for Waterhouse as he gains popularity, and is equally disappointed when Boss Tweed crushes his hopes for a Paleozoic Museum in the States. This book manages to be a fun biography, of which there are so few.

I admit that I knew absolutely nothing about Waterhouse Hawkins before reading this book. The author was wonderful about explaining the complex process of building an entire dinosaur from just one bone in a way that was very easy to understand. Also, despite having spent several months in London last summer, didn't know that there was a dinosaur garden in Crystal Park! I was  very surprised to learn that, and also a bit disappointed that I didn't have an opportunity to visit when I was there. Unfortunately, my only experience with life-size models of dinosaurs remains a visit to the very budget-conscious Dinosaur World in Cave City. :)

Zen Shorts by Jon Muth- Caldecott Honor Book (2006)

Zen Shorts is a refreshing little book with a Japanese influence. In the story, three siblings, Addy, Michael and Karl notice that there is a giant panda in their backyard. His name is Stillwater, and he has come to rescue his umbrella. The three quickly make friends, and as they come to visit him, Stillwater tells each a story. Addy hears a story of a man who gives gifts to the man who was trying to rob him, Michael learns that luck can't be relied on or predicted, and and Karl hears a story of a monk who learns to lay down his troubles. Stillwater becomes a great friend to each child, and teaches them through his humor and wisdom about living peacefully.

Zen Shorts can be summed up in one word: refreshing. In a child's world of violence on TV, video game baddies and struggles, an ever changing and more complex childhood, Zen Shorts teaches kids that thinking calmly and objectively about your situation may be the key to understanding one another. I also had a soft spot for big, furry Stillwater, who acted like a grandfather figure to the children in the book. He was a role model of kindness and quietness, and managed to come off endearing rather than boring or dusty.

In my life, I do try to be a peaceful, positive person, and a role model of those characteristics. However, in a stressful situation, taking master's courses, trying to find a teaching job after graduating in December, trying to keep peace between my family members and myself as we live packed together and in one another's pockets, trying to hold down and maintain a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend as he works on his master's degree, and also maintain the personal  friendships and professional contacts I cultivated in college that have now been scattered to every corner of the county, I don't always do my best. The constant uncertainty combined with deadlines, job hunting, two other courses, and a thousand other daily stress triggers that simply come with life usually take their toll and I am not as Stillwater-esque as I'd like to be. I'm sure that's why I personally found Zen Shorts to be so appealing. Stillwater's attitude and matter-of-fact kindness are admirable and a role model even for me, at twenty two years old.

I'm not sure that I've ever read any other children's books By Jon J. Muth, nor can I remember reading any children's literature that exemplified the values of Zen culture. I did think that as a book that presented different cultural viewpoints to students, this book was relatable and likable, rather than being forgein or too 'weird' for kids. In the past when I've read books that are meant to communicate cultural messages to children, many are either too sterile or politically correct to be memorable, or too focused on making parts of a different culture relate to a vast number of cultures, which can be confusing and overwhelming and often only serves to make the new culture seem even more estranged from a child's personal way of life. Zen Shorts cultivates a feeling with the reader, of acceptance and harmony, without putting a lot of labels and definitions on the Zen perspective. Jon Muth managed to write a story that was familiar, comfortable and endearing that communicates Zen philosophy effortlessly and in a way that is easy for children to understand and internalize.

I hadn't heard any of the stories, told by Stillwater almost like parables to the children in the book. Each story had a moral, much like Aesop's fables, that the characters in the story came to realize on their own, making it easy for them to accept, rather than taking a lecture from big, cuddly Stillwater. I loved each of these stories, and was especially touched by the story of two monks, one older,  whom had carried an arrogant woman over a puddle. When the lady did not thank him, but pushed him aside haughtily and carried on her way, the monks walked for a time before the younger spoke up. '"That woman back there was very selfish and rude, but you picked her up on your back and carried her! Then she didn't even thank you!" "I set the woman down hours ago," the older monk replied. "Why are you still carrying her?"' Well! Who among us can't learn from that older monk, whose water-off-the-back philosophy, paired with kindness for kindness' sake, makes for a contented, unruffled man, secure in his own happiness. Everyone, adults particularly in this case, can learn something from Zen Shorts. The Author's Note in the back of the book says that Zen Shorts was so named for "short meditations- ideas to puzzle over- tools to hone our ability to act with intuition. They have no goal, but often challenge us to reexamine our habits, desires, concepts, and fears." This books does just that, and remains adorable and great for children.

Flotsam- David Wiesner- Caldecott Medal (2007)

    Flotsam is a beautiful and textless book, which greatly deserved its 2007 Caldecott medal. Flotsam takes the reader through an amazing, suspenseful journey without a written word. A young boy is playing on the beach, exploring shells and crabs, just like any other ordinary boy on any ordinary beach. He happens to find an old underwater camera washed up on the beach, and his curiosity about its origin and contents are amazing. The curious young boy is astounded with photos of squid and fish relaxing in a cozy living room set on the ocean floor, several fish flying above the sea in the basket of a hot-air balloon made of a giant puffer fish, humongous sea turtles with the contents of entire civilizations on their backs, mechanical schools of fish, underwater aliens and starfish bigger than whales! Lastly, our hero is confused and amazed to find a photo of a girl, holding a photo of a boy, holding a photo of another girl, and on and on. The conclusion of this breathtaking story not only explains the mysterious photographs, but really speaks to the power of imagination of children throughout generations. 

    I loved this book. I didn't realize that it was entirely a picture book until I brought it home and opened it, and if I'm honest, I was disappointed. I really love books with original and interesting plots, and I honestly thought 'Aw, man. This is just going to be pictures.' Too many books that I've seen without any text have been just 'pretty books' without much substance or thought to plot. Flotsam really surprised me with its suspenseful and clever story, as well its truly beautiful illustrations. It proved to be a very pretty book, with sharp, detailed pictures of spectacular events, but it also gave the reader something more. This would be a wonderful book to teach younger children prediction strategies while reading, since the conflict isn't resolved predictably or quickly, and each panel is so expressive.

    I suppose if anything had an impact on my perception of Flotsam, it would be the bitter cold outside right now. The beautiful images in this book told an enthralling story through pictures, but also reminded me of the beach, to be warm, to be someplace carefree in the summer without any obligations. I'm suffering through the cold winter this year, and miss spring and summer weather everyday. Page after page of bright, cheery beach weather was very refreshing to say the least.
I also loved the element of surprise and discovery that this book lent to its readers. The boy in the book is so anxious to know the secrets of the antique camera, and is richly rewarded when he discovers what it's been taking photos of. I love stories that feed your imagination (and excite kids' imaginations!), and Flotsam was just the ticket for that.


    I would rank this book among the best text-less books I've ever seen. So many like Flotsam give so much attention to its illustrations, and while some amazing images can be presented and should be presented to children through picture books, often word-less books offer little in the way of story telling. I was reminded of Chris Van Allsberg (who wrote Jumanji, The Sweetest Fig, and the Mysteries of Harris Burdick) when I read this book, because his books too have the most fantastic pictures (Two Bad Ants is also a text-less book of his with an exciting plot) and never fail to amaze the reader with twists of plot, fanciful surroundings, and gorgeous scenes. If you're a Van Allsburg fan, please pick up Flotsam- it's got the same caliber of mystery and charm without sacrificing storyline.


I think that I've mostly learned, just for myself, not to judge books so quickly by what they seem to be. I was truly let down when I discovered that Flotsam didn't have any words (from a teaching standpoint, you can only do so much with a text-less book, especially if it's just a pretty book), but as I delved into the scenes, I was caught up in the story myself. I actually found myself studying the panels for clues as to what was going to happen next. I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed the book, and I confess that if I had known it didn't have any words, I probably would have passed it by.