My mind today is dominated by shimmer. Or what evokes a floating feeling. Perhaps it's the onset of Spring, or the requisite Benadryl that goes with the onset of Spring, but my mind is full of glimmer.
Here are a few selections that properly evoke the glisten...
Snow - Uri Shulevitz (A Caldecott Honor book)...combining a Eastern European style of drawing and one little boy's unwavering stubbornness for snow, this is one I pick up for pure other-worldliness.
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick - Chris Van Allsburg...when I took creative writing in high school, this was a tool we used to spark imagination for short stories. Van Allsburg's constant use of photograph-like charcoal drawings that summon so much LIGHT--the images feel like they could light up a dark room. From Archie Smith, Boy Wonder - - "A tiny voice asked, 'Is he the one?'...
Hondo & Fabian Peter McCarty -another author/illustrator that uses light, glowing light, to create a dreamlike world of simplicity. You feel a bit as if you were squinting out into a really bright early spring afternoon...where it's still cool and crisp and the heat of summer hasn't burned off the dew yet. Plus, it's about dogs and cats being silly.
When you Were Small Sara O'Leary (illustrated by Julie Morstad) - The bitsy and timeless illustrations remind me of Corningware with the use of color and classic lines and 1950's style of clothing...like Leave it to Beaver in a McCoy pitcher.
...have a dreamy night!
4 comments:
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i don't know any of those books! it has been awhile since we've read picture books. i do love them, but haven't paid much attention to them lately. we have some favorites, but don't know anything new. of course you didn't say they were new so maybe i am just really out of touch!
Natalie,
One of the things I always say to patrons is that picture books are for everyone. There are no age restrictions. They're just the most perfect form of literature. Bite-size, with pictures.
Wow! I had totally forgotten about The Mysteries of Harris Burdick! I don't think I ever wrote a story to accompany that particular picture, but I have vague memories of the nuns in floating chairs.
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