Orbis Pictus Book Awards

Awarded by:  An NCTE committee and includes one winner and 5 honor books for outstanding nonfiction books for children.

Sweet, Melissa (2011).  Balloons Over Broadway.  New York, New York:  Houghton Mifflin

            Books for Children.

Genre:  Nonfiction picture book

This book tells the enlightening story of Tony Sarg, the inventor of the balloons used in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Tony was a master puppeteer who was hired by Macy’s  to decorate the store windows.  Shoppers were amazed and enthralled.  In 1924, Mr. Macy hired him again to create puppets for a parade he was creating. It would be based on holiday street festivals of the native lands of his immigrant employees.  What a success!  However, those standing way back could not see them well.  He devised a way to make these puppets float up high so that all could see them but still be controlled by strings like a marionette.  Tony Sarg’s life was very interesting and sheds light on the history of a very American event.  The collage illustrations and cut letter text add so much interest and a sense of play to the story.  Adults as well as children will find this book fascinating.  This book would be a great addition to a biography study or in conjunction with holiday studies.  It would also be effective for an art lesson focusing on collage techniques or puppet making using fabrics and found items.

Other Awards:

2012 Robert F. Sibert Award,

2012 Golden Kite Picture Book Illustration Award,

2011 Lupine Award Winner-Picture Book

Greenberg, Jan; Jordan, Sandra (2010).  Ballet For Martha- Making Appalachian Spring.  New

 York, New York:  Roaring Brook Press.

Genre:  Nonfiction picture book

This book tells the tale of how the famed dancer and choreographer Martha Graham created her most famous truly American ballet.  It was a true collaboration between herself, the composer Aaron Copeland, and artist Isamu Noguchi.  Between them, they spend a year creating the music, dance and sets for its premiere in 1944.  At the time, this type of dance was not as accepted as traditional ballet.  The risk was great but that night; the performance was a triumph.  From then on, it would be danced every year.   The watercolor illustrations by Brian Floca detail both the process and then the actual performance of the dance and the story comes alive through his artistry.  This book is truly a study in perseverance and collaboration.  I think that any reader would find it inspiring.   

Other Awards:

Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

ALSC Notable Children’s Book

An American Library Association Notable Children’s Book


A Junior Library Guild selection


A Booklist Top Ten Art Books for Youth 2010 selection


A Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books 2010 selection


A Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books 2010 selection


A School Library Journal Best Books 2010 selection


A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing selection


A CCBC Choices 2011 selection


A Fuse #8 Production 100 Magnificent Children’s Books of 2010 selection


A Horn Book Magazine 2010 Fanfare selection


A Washington Post Best of 2010: Books for Young Readers selection

Turner, Pamela (2009).  The Frog Scientist.  New York, New York:  Houghton Mifflin Books For

            Children.

Genre:  Nonfiction picture book

This beautifully photographed Honor book follows the life and work of researcher Tyrone Hayes.  While it tells the story of his early life and how he became a frog researcher, the big benefit of the book lies in the details of how he sets up an experiment.  This book would be very useful for upper elementary and middle school students working on setting up their own experiments.  The story is told in a very compelling way using stunning photographs by Andy Comins.  It is important to note how he came up with his experiment as he observed the decline of the frog populations all over.  From his observations came his question.  From his question he had to set up an experiment.  Students will see how patience and persistence are the basis of good research.  Students will enjoy this book for its usefulness and for the unforgettable photos of many kinds of frogs as well as the scientific process in action.

Other Awards:

*AAAS/Subaru SB&F Science Writing Prize

* An American Library Association Notable Book

* Cybils Young Adult Nonfiction Award

* A Junior Library Guild Selection

* Horn Book starred review

* Booklist starred review

* School Library Journal starred review

* National Green Earth Honor Award

* Booklist Top Ten Sci-Tech Book for Youth

* Book Links Lasting Connections

* CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center) Choices

* Booklist Editor's Choice

* Capitol Choice Selection