The award is presented by the Orbis Pictus Committee Chair during the Books for Children Luncheon at the NCTE Annual Convention each year. Although only one title is singled out for the award, up to five Honor Books are also recognized.
Criteria:
Each nomination should meet the following literary criteria:
Accuracy—facts current and complete, balance of fact and theory, varying point of view, stereotypes avoided, author's qualifications adequate, appropriate scope, authenticity of detail
Organization—logical development, clear sequence, interrelationships indicated, patterns provided (general-to-specific, simple-to-complex, etc.)
Design—attractive, readable, illustrations complement text, placement of illustrative material appropriate and complementary, appropriate media, format, type
Style—writing is interesting, stimulating, reveals author's enthusiasm for subject; curiosity and wonder encouraged, appropriate terminology, rich language
In addition, each nomination should be useful in classroom teaching grades K-8, should encourage thinking and more reading, model exemplary expository writing and research skills, share interesting and timely subject matter, and appeal to a wide range of ages.
Criteria:
Each nomination should meet the following literary criteria:
Accuracy—facts current and complete, balance of fact and theory, varying point of view, stereotypes avoided, author's qualifications adequate, appropriate scope, authenticity of detail
Organization—logical development, clear sequence, interrelationships indicated, patterns provided (general-to-specific, simple-to-complex, etc.)
Design—attractive, readable, illustrations complement text, placement of illustrative material appropriate and complementary, appropriate media, format, type
Style—writing is interesting, stimulating, reveals author's enthusiasm for subject; curiosity and wonder encouraged, appropriate terminology, rich language
In addition, each nomination should be useful in classroom teaching grades K-8, should encourage thinking and more reading, model exemplary expository writing and research skills, share interesting and timely subject matter, and appeal to a wide range of ages.
The Secret World of Walter Anderson
Author: Bass, Hester
Illustrator: Lewis, E.B.
Publisher: Candlewick (2009)
Plot summary: Residents along the Mississippi Gulf Coast thought Walter Anderson was odd, rowing across twelve miles of open water in a leaky skiff to reach Horn, an uninhabited island without running water or electricity. But this solitary artist didn’t much care what they thought as he spent weeks at a time on his personal paradise, sleeping under his boat, sometimes eating whatever washed ashore, sketching and painting the natural surroundings and the animals that became his friends. Here Walter created some of his most brilliant watercolors, work he kept hidden during his lifetime.
Recommended audience: Grade 2 and above
Illustrations: Watercolor
Activities: One activity would be to have students pick different locations around the room to sketch or create paintings about different scenes in the story. This would allow them to feel as if they were Walter Anderson and inspire creativity.
A second activity would be to let the research where the story takes place and the characters in the story and create a short presentation about the main character in various types of mediums.
Book Review can be viewed here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Secret-World-Walter-Anderson/product-reviews/0763635839/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Author's website: http://www.hesterbass.com/
Illustrator: Lewis, E.B.
Publisher: Candlewick (2009)
Plot summary: Residents along the Mississippi Gulf Coast thought Walter Anderson was odd, rowing across twelve miles of open water in a leaky skiff to reach Horn, an uninhabited island without running water or electricity. But this solitary artist didn’t much care what they thought as he spent weeks at a time on his personal paradise, sleeping under his boat, sometimes eating whatever washed ashore, sketching and painting the natural surroundings and the animals that became his friends. Here Walter created some of his most brilliant watercolors, work he kept hidden during his lifetime.
Recommended audience: Grade 2 and above
Illustrations: Watercolor
Activities: One activity would be to have students pick different locations around the room to sketch or create paintings about different scenes in the story. This would allow them to feel as if they were Walter Anderson and inspire creativity.
A second activity would be to let the research where the story takes place and the characters in the story and create a short presentation about the main character in various types of mediums.
Book Review can be viewed here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Secret-World-Walter-Anderson/product-reviews/0763635839/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Author's website: http://www.hesterbass.com/
M.L.K. Journey of a King
Author: Bolden, Tonya
Illustrator: NA
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (2007)
Plot summary: More than 80 photographs of M.L.K. preaching, leading marches, being arrested, and overcoming the violence and prejudice around him are juxtaposed with images of his wife and family, of his fellow protestors, and of other leaders of the day. A tribute to a great human being, M.L.K. will surely inspire young readers.
Recommended audience: Grades 4 and above
Illustrations: Photographs
Activities: One activity would be to have the students make a timeline of the events from MLK's life and track all of the important dates and people from his life. The students would be able to work through this project while reading the book and would also be able to use the computer to do more research. Another activity that would be good for students to do along with this book is to create a collage of events and important things that MLK did that help us today. I would use this book around MLK's birthday and talk about the important position he played in the Civil Rights Movement.
Book Review can be viewed here: http://www.amazon.com/M-L-K-Journey-King-Tonya-Bolden/product-reviews/0810954761/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Author's website: http://www.tonyaboldenbooks.com/
Illustrator: NA
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (2007)
Plot summary: More than 80 photographs of M.L.K. preaching, leading marches, being arrested, and overcoming the violence and prejudice around him are juxtaposed with images of his wife and family, of his fellow protestors, and of other leaders of the day. A tribute to a great human being, M.L.K. will surely inspire young readers.
Recommended audience: Grades 4 and above
Illustrations: Photographs
Activities: One activity would be to have the students make a timeline of the events from MLK's life and track all of the important dates and people from his life. The students would be able to work through this project while reading the book and would also be able to use the computer to do more research. Another activity that would be good for students to do along with this book is to create a collage of events and important things that MLK did that help us today. I would use this book around MLK's birthday and talk about the important position he played in the Civil Rights Movement.
Book Review can be viewed here: http://www.amazon.com/M-L-K-Journey-King-Tonya-Bolden/product-reviews/0810954761/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Author's website: http://www.tonyaboldenbooks.com/
Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring
Author: Floca, Brain; Greenberg, Jan; Jordan, Sandra
Illustrator: Floca, Brian
Publisher: Flash Point (2010)
Plot summary: If Martha Graham's choreography for “Appalachian Spring” was a “valentine” to the world, as critics wrote in 1944, then this book is a love letter in return. Simple, poetic prose tells the story of the creation of one of the world's most-loved ballets and compositions, and Floca's graceful watercolor illustrations take admirers through every part of its development. Written in the present tense, the narrative has a sense of drama that carries readers along as if the events were happening in real time. Fascinating details about the collaboration among Graham, Copland, and Isamu Noguchi (set design) are well documented in the lengthy “curtain call,” notes, and resources pages, which read like a fantastic set of liner notes. Floca varies the illustrations from vignettes to bird's-eye views to landscapes and expertly capture the fluid movements of the dancers. The page layouts are well planned to create the most movement and interest. The authors researched extensively but found a way to crystallize all of the information into a gem that is approachable for young readers. More than anything, this work emphasizes the value of collaboration and celebrates the work that Graham, Copland, and Noguchi did to bring together the performing and visual arts.
Recommended audience: Grade 1 and above
Illustrations: watercolor
Activities: One fun activity for students to do would be to write a story and then compose a song or beat to go along with their story. This could be done by a computer program that can be found on the internet. This could be an individual project or one that could be done with a group.
A second activity according to the age group would be to have the students make a collage of a piece of sheet music along with a picture or cut out of someone playing an instrument of some sort or dancing. I believe that this would be a wonderful activity to display around the room or in the hallway.
Book Review can be viewed here: http://www.amazon.com/Ballet-Martha-Appalachian-Outstanding-Nonfiction/product-reviews/1596433388/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Author's website: brianfloca.com
Illustrator: Floca, Brian
Publisher: Flash Point (2010)
Plot summary: If Martha Graham's choreography for “Appalachian Spring” was a “valentine” to the world, as critics wrote in 1944, then this book is a love letter in return. Simple, poetic prose tells the story of the creation of one of the world's most-loved ballets and compositions, and Floca's graceful watercolor illustrations take admirers through every part of its development. Written in the present tense, the narrative has a sense of drama that carries readers along as if the events were happening in real time. Fascinating details about the collaboration among Graham, Copland, and Isamu Noguchi (set design) are well documented in the lengthy “curtain call,” notes, and resources pages, which read like a fantastic set of liner notes. Floca varies the illustrations from vignettes to bird's-eye views to landscapes and expertly capture the fluid movements of the dancers. The page layouts are well planned to create the most movement and interest. The authors researched extensively but found a way to crystallize all of the information into a gem that is approachable for young readers. More than anything, this work emphasizes the value of collaboration and celebrates the work that Graham, Copland, and Noguchi did to bring together the performing and visual arts.
Recommended audience: Grade 1 and above
Illustrations: watercolor
Activities: One fun activity for students to do would be to write a story and then compose a song or beat to go along with their story. This could be done by a computer program that can be found on the internet. This could be an individual project or one that could be done with a group.
A second activity according to the age group would be to have the students make a collage of a piece of sheet music along with a picture or cut out of someone playing an instrument of some sort or dancing. I believe that this would be a wonderful activity to display around the room or in the hallway.
Book Review can be viewed here: http://www.amazon.com/Ballet-Martha-Appalachian-Outstanding-Nonfiction/product-reviews/1596433388/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Author's website: brianfloca.com
Amelia Earhart: The Legend of the Lost Aviator
Author: Tanaka, Shelley
Illustrator: Craig, David
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers (2008)
Plot summary: Ever since Amelia Earhart and her plane disappeared on July 2, 1937, people have wanted to know more about this remarkable woman. Amelia Earhart follows the charismatic aviator from her first sight of an airplane at the age of ten to the last radio transmission she made before she vanished. Illustrated with original artworks, contemporary photographs, quotes, and details, this is a great introduction to the famous pilot. The book includes a bibliography and an index.
Recommended audience: Grade 4 and above
Illustrations: Mixed media (drawings as well as photographs)
Activities: One activity that I would want my students to do would be to research Amelia Earhart and write a report and present their findings to the class. It would be cool to even have the class pick from a few different famous characters in history and present an oral report about their person's life. A second activity that would be fun for students is to have them create a map or a journal of the different places that Amelia flew in her plane. Students could take more creative liberty on a project like this rather than just something that would be uniform for the entire class.
Book Review can be viewed here: http://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Earhart-Legend-Lost-Aviator/product-reviews/0810970953/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Author's website: http://www.eduplace.com/kids/tnc/mtai/tanaka.html
Illustrator: Craig, David
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers (2008)
Plot summary: Ever since Amelia Earhart and her plane disappeared on July 2, 1937, people have wanted to know more about this remarkable woman. Amelia Earhart follows the charismatic aviator from her first sight of an airplane at the age of ten to the last radio transmission she made before she vanished. Illustrated with original artworks, contemporary photographs, quotes, and details, this is a great introduction to the famous pilot. The book includes a bibliography and an index.
Recommended audience: Grade 4 and above
Illustrations: Mixed media (drawings as well as photographs)
Activities: One activity that I would want my students to do would be to research Amelia Earhart and write a report and present their findings to the class. It would be cool to even have the class pick from a few different famous characters in history and present an oral report about their person's life. A second activity that would be fun for students is to have them create a map or a journal of the different places that Amelia flew in her plane. Students could take more creative liberty on a project like this rather than just something that would be uniform for the entire class.
Book Review can be viewed here: http://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Earhart-Legend-Lost-Aviator/product-reviews/0810970953/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Author's website: http://www.eduplace.com/kids/tnc/mtai/tanaka.html