The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg

Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1984.
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 0-395-35393-9.

The detailed backstory presented by Van Allsburg concerning the origins of these drawings seems purposely a bit tongue in cheek to whet the appetite of gullible young readers. Considering that the drawings are all composed in his signature style, the story becomes increasingly difficult to swallow. According to the introduction, a man named Harris Burdick had left a portfolio of story illustrations with a children's book publisher and never returned. The mysteries of what the stories might have been about is even more intriguing than the disappearance of the man himself.

Fourteen drawings are presented in full page, black and white detail. The opposing page holds a caption followed by an intriguing sentence. The first one reads: ARCHIE SMITH, BOY WONDER, with the accompanying teaser "A tiny voice asked, 'Is he the one?'" The picture show a young boy asleep in his bedroom. The window is open and a pair of glowing orbs are hovering over him, with more orbs visible outside.

Although many schools use this book to inspire writing projects with older children, the pictures may encourage oral storytelling as well. Examination of both the illustrations and the written clues may lead to a burst of creative and imaginative works by an individual, or a less formal sharing of ideas in a small group.

Redbook's Children's Picture Books Award, 1984
New York Times 10 Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year, 1984
Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 1984
American Institute of Graphic Arts Book Show Award, 1985
Boston Globe Horn Book Award, 1985
School Library Journal Starred Review

On Earth by G. Brian Karas

G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 2005.
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 0-399-24025-X.

Karas does a splendid job of reducing incredibly complex concepts relating to the rotation of the earth in space to the level of a preschooler. He explains the basic reasoning behind night and day, the passage of time in months and seasons, and the northern and southern hemispheres. A simply diagrammed glossary in the back of the book explains science vocabulary terms such as equator, axis, orbit, north and south poles, and gravity.

The large format book is wonderful for sharing in a group. The double-page spreads which chart movement of the earth are interesting to share close up. Great for pairing with books about space, astronauts, and other planets.

ALA Notable Book, 2005.

Do You Know What I'll Do? by Charlotte Zolotow

Illustrated by Javaka Stepton, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 2000.
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 0-06-027879-X.

A doting older sister regales her brother with a series of endearing promises to shower him with love and affection in many small ways throughout their lives together. The text takes the form of a rhythmic question and answer:

"Do you know what I'll do when it snows? I'll make you a snowman....
Do you know what I'll do at the seashore? I'll bring you a shell to hold the sound of the sea."

The boldly-colored 3-dimensional painted wood and fabric collages stand out against the stark white pages of the book. The emotional bond between the characters is evident not only in their expressions, but in their intertwined intimacy.

This story can be used as an easy reader due to the repetition and simplicity of the text, but is enjoyable to read aloud at a family storyhour.

Lightship by Brian Floca

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York, 2007.
Hardcover edition, 48 pages, ISBN 978-1-4169-2436-4.

Floca has done his research in this wonderfully detailed non-fiction book for young audiences. The Author's Note contains a treasure trove of historical information regarding the now-extinct lightship branch of the Coast Guard. Meticulously labeled diagrams grace the end papers of the book.The drawings have clean lines with washes of watercolor which outline every rivet, hatch and mechanical feature of the ship. The text is almost poetic in nature as it tells of the crewmembers, the routines of their daily life on board, and how they fulfill their purpose in averting other ships from danger.

It is refreshing to find non-fiction with simple enough text to read aloud or to be readable by preschoolers. This is great material for a storytime about boats, or for poring over alone.

Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
ALA Notable Book
Booklist Starred Review
School Library Journal Starred Review
Bank Street Best Books of the Year

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Roaring Brook Press, New York, 2007.
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 978-1-59643-272-7.

Seeger cleverly masterminds a new look at the age-old chicken vs. the egg controversy. "First the .... " The dust jacket die-cut exposing a large white egg breaks through to the "First the..." hardcover illustration of a hen. The back cover of the dust jacket displays "Then the...." with the picture of a chicken. The back of the hardcover completes the eternal cycle with "Then the ...." with a picture of an egg. (Sadly, this visual humor is largely inaccessible to those using library copies of the book with the jackets mercilessly taped down for posterity.)

Inside, thick acrylic brush daubs on canvas provide colored backdrops for the sparing text and die-cut story elements. Seeger begins with the fundamentals of creating this book. First... the egg, tadpole, seed, caterpillar. Then... the chicken, frog, flower, butterfly. First... the word, the paint. Then... the story, the picture (which contains the chicken, frog, flower, butterfly), and ending once more with "First the chicken, then the egg."

Assists young children with the understanding of cause and effect, or sequencing, in nature as well as in the creative process, providing concepts for discussion.

Caldecott Honor Book
Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book
ALSC Notable Children's Book
New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Books of the Year
Horn Book Magazine Fanfare List
Arizona Grand Canyon Young Readers Master List
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens
Michigan Great Lakes Great Books Award Master List
South Dakota Prairie Bud Award Master List

Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems

Hyperion Books for Children, New York, 2008.
Hardcover edition, 58 pages, ISBN 978-142311347-8.

Quiet, thoughtful Gerald the elephant and irrepressible Piggie are dear friends who are "ready to play outside." Piggie is brimming over with plans until it begins to rain, increasing in strength until there is a torrential downpour. Piggie is angry and frustrated, his text balloons becoming increasingly larger and capitalized. Suddenly Piggie is dry. Gerald has kindly extended one large ear as an umbrella over Piggie's head. Nearby some worms are exulting in the wet weather, playing and jumping around. Gerald suggests that perhaps he and Piggie can have fun as well. They begin to run, skip and jump in the rain. Piggie is disappointed when the rain stops, but Gerald has a clever solution. He uses his trunk to spray Piggie with water.

Willems packs a lot of story into very simple drawings, colored gray for Gerald and pink for Piggie. Their exuberant body language and facial expressions delightfully mirror the range of emotions expressed throughout the brief encounter. Children easily relate to the disappointment of a play day potentially ruined by poor weather. The ability of the characters to adapt and make the best of the situation, and the kindly actions of Gerald toward Piggie, model important life skills.

The easy repetitive nature of the vocabulary, short sentences, and large well-spaced fonts make this a wonderful early reader.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, 2009

I'm the Best by Lucy Cousins

Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA, 2010.
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 978-0-7636-4684-4.

Dog has a serious ego problem. He introduces himself with the unabashed declaration, "I'm the best." He proceeds to introduce his friends, toss off a couple of disclaimers--"I love them. They're great..."--returning to his self-centered mantra, "but I'm the best." He begins to list the ways in which he is superior to each of his friends. His friends now feel terrible and worthless. Mole rallies, however, and encourages each friend to speak up in their own defense with traits which outstrip Dog's. Suddenly, Dog realizes that he is a mean-spirited show-off, and apologizes to each in turn. The friends forgive Dog in a happy ending group hug. (But... on the last page, Dog is back at it again, relieved that he really is the best.)

This brief story, drawn in the style of a small child with crayons, throws the spotlight on the nature of friendship, and the importance of social interactions. Children are just beginning to observe personal differences, strengths and weaknesses, and need to be taught the importance of encouraging each other, as well as consideration for the feelings of others. Good discussion starter about what we do well, and what our friends do well.