The simple answer is this: the marriage of art and words is a thing so beautiful, one can never outgrow the emotional and inspirational impact. An artist's touch gives flavor to the ideas of a storyteller in a way nothing else can. Furthermore, the discipline of telling a story in a simplified manner is a practice that cuts to the heart of the matter, slicing through unnecessary hyperbole and filler sentences.
No matter your age, an appreciation of a story well told is paramount to the human existence.
Definitely brought a tear to my eye...
Rappaport, Doreen. Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Illustrated by Bryan Collier. Hyperion Book, ISBN 0786807148
The pictures and simple sentence structure are the powerful element in this book. There are no artificial characters or dreamed up, unlikely scenarios. Instead, this book is about a little boy who admires his father, a preacher, and vows to one day "get big words too."
The simple portrayal of everything that happens afterwards serves as a canvas on which the immense power of these "big words" will one day be painted, and tragically snuffed out. Age appropriate for children, yet impact-full enough for adults, with beautifully detailed paintings that recall memories of sitting in church pews, family, and all that we love and hold dear.
Bunting, Eve. Twinnies. Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Sandpiper, ISBN 0152024018
I really can't explain the exact reason this book brought tears to my eyes. And the water works did not happen until the last page. Perhaps it is the all-too realistic way Bunting describes the tumultuous love/hate relationships of siblings. Or maybe it was the watercolor illustrations, expertly depicting the expressions, stance, and situations of the adults and children. It could also be the narrative build-up, releasing finally, after a few humorous turns, to the reconciliation between a young girl and the twins she is so jealous of.
Whatever it was, it worked.
Polacco, Patricia. Welcome Comfort. Puffin, ISBN 0698119657
Oh, man. This one really got to me. I can absolutely say it was Polacco's illustrations that did it. This incredibly talented author/illustrator has a knack for capturing emotion on her character's faces in such a way that even the hardest of hearts will empathize.
Imagine being a foster child, tossed from home to home. Next, imagine being overweight. Finally, imagine being named Welcome Comfort. This gives you a little insight into the main character.
However, Polacco does not dwell on the negative. In fact, it is so slightly mentioned, it instead becomes the thing that makes the other main character's good deeds so believable. A large, jolly school janitor and Welcome form a friendship that goes beyond the boundaries of school, hometown, and time.
Polacco uses the pictures to set the emotional tone, and the words to spin a simple tale of acceptance, hope, and family.
No tears, but was certainly moved...
Sieqel, Siena Cherson. To Dance, A Ballerina's Graphic Novel. Illustrated by Mark Sieqel. Atheneum Books, ISBN 0689867476
Yes, I know. A Graphic Novel is different than a Picture Book. But the same principal applies here: the pictures telling the story, equally or more so than the words, complimenting each other in such a way that their final impact could never be achieved separately.
This is the true memoir of a world class ballerina, told in illustration by her husband. It follows her life in a perfect pace, highlighting both the good and the bad. The shining moment is a two page spread, beautifully illustrated with emotion and movement, in which Siena dances a tribute to her teacher who had passed away. Difficult subjects are hinted at, including the pressures to stay thin and perform despite injury, but the sheer beauty of the illustrations gloss over any overly serious moments.
This book is a true work of art.
Polacco, Patricia. The Keeping Quilt. Alladin, ISBN 0153052120
Polacco understands the bonds of family. She understands the passing of time, and the blessings shared and passed on through generations. In this book, a quilt is created when a young woman makes the immigrant passage to America. This same quilt survives several generations, taking on various forms and roles: a blanket to wrap a baby in, a banner to hang over a newly wedded couple, a covering for the sick...
Times and traditions change. Dress, customs, and people change with the the passage of time and the assimilation into a new culture. But the quilt never does. It "keeps".
Polacco tells the true story of her great grandmother, and the following owners of the quilt with her simple text and emotion-evoking drawings.
I loved the detailed, pencil and charcoal drawings by Shuji Tateishi, and the imaginative world of night where Baby Owl lives alone, yet is surrounded by his friends the moon, stars, rocks and stream.
It takes Baby Owl time to recognize this, however. He tries to play with the Squirrel, but the Squirrel is asleep. So is the Rabbit, and Monkey. No one is awake, and Baby Owl is left alone.
Or is he? The revelation that companionship takes many forms, and that one is never truly alone gives this story value. The world of night is mysterious and beautiful, and Baby Owl must learn to embrace his lot in life, finding joy where it blooms naturally.
Recommended by others...
Review of City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems from School Library Journal:
Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 2—Spare, poignant, and ultimately upbeat, this tale depicts the natural cycle of friendship from an enthusiastic first encounter to contented companionship to the heartbreak of loss and eventual emotional renewal. Presented with a comfortingly consistent narrative structure, the events are set against the backdrop of the changing seasons, reassuring readers that winter will turn again to spring, sadness to joy. In "spring," City Dog runs free in the countryside for the first time ever and discovers an unfamiliar creature perched on a rock. Asked, "What are you doing?" Country Frog smiles and replies, "Waiting for a friend…but you'll do." The two play Country Frog games ("jumping and splashing and croaking") and when reunited in "summer," they enjoy City Dog pastimes ("sniffing and fetching and barking"). In "fall," Country Frog is tired, so the friends spend their time remembering. When City Dog arrives again in "winter," Country Frog is nowhere to be found (a wordless spread shows the pooch sitting on the rock, looking small and forlorn against a stark winterscape). In "spring again," a sad-looking City Dog befriends another critter with a familiar line, and then beams "a froggy smile" (shown in close-up, this warmly illustrated grin guarantees that Country Frog will not be forgotten). Making expert use of color and texture, Muth's expressive paintings clearly convey the tale's emotional nuances. This understated picture book allows plenty of room for young readers to interpret the animals' feelings for themselves and perhaps discuss their own emotions.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review of The Wall by Eve Bunting by School Library Journal:
Grade 1-4-- A boy and his father have come to the Vietnam War Memorial to look for the boy's grandfather's name among those who were killed in the war. They find his name surrounded, but far from lost, in the rows of print that "march side by side, like rows of soldiers." "I'm proud that your grandfather's name is on this wall," says the boy's father. The boy agrees, adding, "but I'd rather have my grandpa here." Before this powerful book is half finished, readers will be deeply moved. Bunting's understated prose captures the meaning of the memorial to the American people, especially to those who lost loved ones, without being maudlin or heavy-handed. Himler's gauzy watercolors are a perfect accompaniment: impressionistic enough for the characters to appear as everymen. A sensitive and moving picture book, and a great discussion book as well. --Catherine vanSonnenberg, San Diego Public Library, CA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc
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