Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

I honor of the great, late Dr. Seuss's birthday today we will check out the Geisel Award winner (named after the Seuss himself). The Geisel Award for outstanding authors and illustrators of beginning readers is a relatively new award.  This is only the 10th year for the award.  This year's award goes to David A. Adler (author) and Sam Ricks (illustrator)for Don't Throw It To Mo! 

Don't Throw It To Mo! is a story about little Mo Jackson and his love for football.  Mo is the smallest one on the team and he often has to sit out with the coach.  That never discourages Mo. He practices catching buttered footballs and does whatever Coach asks.  One day his team is playing a game.  The other team laughs and makes fun of Mo and how small he is.  "No one will ever throw it to him," they think, "he is too small!"  Well, they are wrong.  Mo gets in the game and after not throwing it to him two times, the third time the ball is thrown to Mo, he catches it and his teams wins the game.  Great job Mo!

Adler uses simple sentences and dialogue to tell Mo's story, two characteristics of a good beginning reader.  He even uses some receptions (don't throw it to Mo) which beginning readers appreciate because they know what to expect. Children will love hearing how Mo, even though he is small, was able to win the football game.  It will give young beginning readers hope that they too will have a shining moment, even though they are small.

Geisel Award Honors:

A Pig, A Fox and A Box by Jonathan Fenske

Waiting by Kevin Henkes

Supertruck by Steven Savage

Happy Reading!
Laura