Picture Books

THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Swanson, Susan Marie, The House in the Night. Ill. by Beth Krommes, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Boston. 2008
ISBN: 0618862447


PLOT SUMMARY
This simple poem is a story told through the eyes of a child who finds comfort in the house at night. A little girl finds reassuring order to the nighttime and asserts her independence in taking care of a golden key to the house. Predictable, rhythmic patterning comes full circle as she discovers adventure in a book, flies through the city and returns home to the quiet, cozy comfort of her own room.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The welcoming imagery and word play create a unique voice through pictures, depicting the beauty of things in the night as a child eases her nocturnal fears. This is a beautiful book that invites parent and child to snuggle up for a bedtime story full of peaceful feelings of warmth and safekeeping.
Beth Krommes conveys an engaging story of safety and comfort in a double-page spread format using textured etchings of two simple colors. The important focus on familiar nighttime things is done in gold while using light and dark shadows to bring attention to other details. The patterning of color compliments the patterning of text making this a delightful book that brings warmth to the heart.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Caldecott Award winner, 2009

Booklist: “A beautiful piece of bookmaking that will delight both parents and children.”

School Library Journal: “It is a masterpiece that has all the hallmarks of a classic that will be loved for generations to come."

CONNECTIONS:
*Read other nighttime stories and create posters of familiar items in dual color.
*Read other books about the nighttime.

Related books:
The Napping House by Don and Audrey Wood ISBN: 0152026320
On a Starry Night by Natalie Kinsey –Warnock ISBN: 0-53106820-X

RESOURCES:
Marcus, Leonard S., A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal, Walker & Company, NY, 1998.

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/ (School Library Journal online accessed January 2010)http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=booklinks (Booklist online accessed January 2010)

Picture: http://awesomestorytime.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/house-in-the-night-cover.jpg (accessed January 2010)

Picture Book Reviews

JUST THE TWO OF US

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith, Will.  Just the Two of Us. llI. by Kadir Nelson.  Scholastic Press: Singapore. 2001.
Scholastic ISBN: 0439087929

PLOT SUMMARY
An African-American man raps the lyrics to this popular song by Ralph MacDonald as he reflects upon the feelings he has for his son. He chronicles his commitment as the child grows into a young man. The story follows the development of the young boy with typical problems along his path in life and the advice he tries to remember from his father. The main struggle through the story, belongs to the author, Will Smith, who is concerned about his growth in being a positive role model for his son. The refrain of the song is repeated in this rap which uses some rhyming to express Smith's feelings as he learns what it means to be a father.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book begins with quotes from Will Smith’s parents as he was growing up. It is dedicated to his parents and the memory of his grandmother. The last quote is from his son who “said he wants to build castles in the sky.” His parents’ responses to his comments and his response to his own son set the tone of this lovely story. In the book the father gives the child valuable advice as he grows, “I’ll do everything I can to show you how to be a man. Dignity, integrity, honor…and you can cry, there ain’t no shame in it” The theme "Just the two of us..." provides a deeper meaning of the father's commitment that is implicit throughout the story. It is a touching story for fathers to share with their sons and mothers to share with their daughters.

Kadir Nelson's illustrations use warm and cool colors to compliment the realistic facial expressions of the father and to depict the mood changes throughout the book. Colors move from dark to light providing a sense of worry and hope. The story begins with the sunrise and ends with the sunset, illustrating the journey of the man's path through fatherhood. Beautiful poster-like illustrations provide a focal point in the father's experiences with his son and convey a sense of meaningful lessons learned along the way.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist: starred review “A good choice for parent-child sharing.”
School Library Journal: “A lovely book for fathers and sons to share.”

CONNECTIONS
*Discuss the relationships between fathers and sons/ mothers and daughters
*Gather other books illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Look at how the pictures express the mood of the book as well as character development in the feelings of anxiety, worry, happiness, strength, and contentment.

*Other books by Kadir Nelson:
Henry's Freedom Box By Ellen Levine, 2007 ISBN: 043477733-X
Dancing Wings  By Debbie Allen, 2000 ISBN: 0803725019

RESOURCES:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/ (School Library Journal accessed January 2010)
http://www.publishersweekly.com/Community/Reviews/47159.html
(Publisher’s Weekly accessed January 2010)
Picture: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0439087929.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_SL250_.jpg