Robert F. Sibert Award

The Robert F. Sibert Award has been award annually since 2001 to the most distinguished informational book for children.  This award will not be given to poetry, folktales or any other works of literary fiction.  The informational category for children has greatly improved.  Now you can find high quality informational books on a variety of subjects.  They are a great way to supplement or even replace textbooks.

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

Pura Belpre Award

The Pura Belpre Award is awarded annually to a Latino writer and illustrator whose children's books portray, affirm and celebrate the Latin culture.  The award is named of Pura Belpre who was the first Latina librarian in the New York Public Library system.  She dedicated her life to providing access to books for Latino families. She instituted a bilingual story hour and increased access to bilingual books.  She was also known for bringing Puerto Rican folklore to America.  The award was first given out in 1996 every two years and then annually in 2009.

The 2016 Pura Belpre Illustrator Award goes to Rafael Lopez for Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle.  Drum Dream Girl is a poem about a real girl named Milo who wants to play the drums, but isn't allowed because playing drums is only for boys.  She continues to practice and work hard until she is allowed to play the drums at an outdoor cafe.  Lopez does a great job of adding to the story with his illustrations.  He uses folksy artwork with bold colors to tell the little girl's story through pictures.  You are transported to Cuba with the birds and colorful settings. Lopez uses warm colors to show the opposition she met when trying to play drums.  He often portrays Milo flying or in the sky to show how she never stopped dream or drumming.  My favorite picture is of Milo's father pulling her down from the sky.  The text with this picture tells us that Milo's father finally agreed to find a music teacher to listen to her play.  Him pulling her down from the sky symbolizes that playing the drums is no longer a dream for Milo, but a reality.

Drum Dream Girl is a great book for kids, not only because of the Latin influences can help children understand a culture different from their own, but because Milo never gave up on her dream.  Her grit and persistence paid off and she played the drums for all to hear!

Happy Reading!
Laura

Pura Belpre Illustrator Award Honors

My Tata's Remedies illustrated by Antonio Castro L.
Mango, Abuela and Me illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Cavalaeras