Charlotte Zolotow Book Awards

Awarded by:  The Children's Cooperative Book Center.  A 5 member committee comprised of children's literature experts, chooses the best picture book for its text and child's point of view, and up to 5 honor books, and 10 highly recommended books.

Stead, Philip (2010).  A Sick Day for Amos McGee.  New York, New York:  Roaring Brook Press.

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

Amos McGee is a most unusual zoo keeper.  Among his many responsibilities, he also is sure to make his animal friends feel special.  He plays chess with the elephant, he runs races with the tortoise, he sits quietly with the shy penguin and more.  One day, he is very sick and cannot come to work.  His animal friends worry and take the city bus to his house.  There, they take very good care of their good friend and even spend the night.  This charming story about friendship is sure to delight young readers as they discuss what does make a good friend.  Students may also want to brainstorm what animals they would choose to write about and what fun things they could do together.  It is important to note that the woodblock illustrations by the author’s wife, Erin Stead are soft and gentle with just touches of color and give much more depth and detail to the story. Young students will be sure to point these out and delight in them.  This is a good book to use in a lesson on visual literacy.

Other Awards:

ALSC Notable Children's Book

Caldecott Medal Winner

Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

NYPL Book for Reading and Sharing

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens

CPL: Chicago Public Library Best of the Best

Illinois Monarch Award: K-3 Children's Choice Award Master List

Wisconsin Educational Media Association Golden Archer Award Master List

Willems, Mo (2004).  Knuffle Bunny-A Cautionary Tale.  New York, New York:  Hyperion

            Books for Children.

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

A toddler named Trixie, her daddy, and Knuffle Bunny go to the Laundromat.  However the wonderful day changes drastically when Trixie realizes, on the walk home, that Knuffle Bunny is gone!  Daddy does not understand what she wants.  When they arrive home, Mommy knows right away.  They rush back and after much searching, Daddy finds Knuffle Bunny and saves the day.

The cartoon drawings of the characters superimposed over real photos of Mo Willems’ neighborhood are very unique and interesting.   The facial expressions of the family, especially Trixie, are hilarious and add so much more detail to the story.  This book is excellent for talking about the author’s craft, for discussing characterization and emotion, plot structure, and so much more!  This book is rich with possibilities for extension activities and discussions.

Other Awards:

2005 Caldecott Honor Book

New York Times Bestseller

Bang, Molly (1999).  When Sophie Gets Angry- Really, Really Angry.  New York, New York:

 Blue Sky Press.

Sophie and her sister are playing.  Sophie is enjoying a stuffed gorilla and her sister snatches it away and says, “my turn!”  Mommy agrees that it is her turn.  Sophie becomes very angry and screams, and kicks and roars.  Finally, all she can do is run and run.  She goes outside and runs until she can’t run anymore.  Finally she finds her favorite tree and climbs it.  Looking out at the world calms her and comforts her and then she is ready to go home.  Her family is happy to see her and all is well.  The vivid full page illustrations not only portray Sophie’s world in detail but also her emotions.  When she is roaring, there is a large red jagged line that shoots from her.  On each page you can “see” her anger as it erupts from her.  Children will understand that this is how anger feels.  Before reading the book, have the children infer how the girl on the cover is feeling.  How do you know?  Discuss facial expressions and see if they can mimic hers.  Following the reading, this book would be a great chance to discuss productive ways and destructive ways to handle anger.  I am sure that there would be many children ready to discuss and share a time when they were really angry. 

Other Awards:

Caldecott Honor Book, 2000