The 2016 Sibert Award was given to Duncan Tonatiuh for his book Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. I love, love, love this book. It has so many possibilities to be used cross-curricularly in the classroom, plus it is just interesting.
Tonatiuh tells the story of Jose Guadalupe Posada, an artist from Mexico. Posada's story is interesting enough but Tonatiuh adds so much to it. Posada did not start out making drawings of calaveras (skulls) in the beginning. He slowly worked his way into that subject and actually used his calaveras to speak his opinion and thoughts (which were often political). Throughout his life Posada used many different types of styles to make his artwork. Some of his drawings were lithographs, etchings and engravings. I love how Tonatiuh includes a step by step process for each of the different types of printing. Tonatiuh does a great job of using simpler language to tell the somewhat complicated story of Posada. I also love how Tonatiuh uses some of Posada's actual prints as illustrations. With the print a possible message that Posada was trying to get across is included.
This book is very kid friendly and could be used as a supplement to history class, cultural studies and even art class. It would be a great addition to any teacher's library. At the end the book is begging to be turned into an art project. The last line is, "What would Posada's calaveras look like now days?" It is practically encouraging children to create their own calaveras print with a message.
2016 Sibert Award Honors
Drowned City: Hurrican Katrina and New Orleans by Don Brown
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Knud Pedersonn and The Churchill Club
Turning 15 On the Road to Freedom by Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckley
Voice of Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford and Ekua Holmes
Happy Reading!
Laura
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