Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
by
Paul Goble
Caldecott Medal Winner, 1979
children's fiction, folklore/mythology
ages 3-7

The author uses thin, precise, vivid lines to draw this mystical story set in the American plains and desert. He captures the movement of the wind, the water, and the horses.
The story is of a girl who loves horses so much (and whom horses love), that when the horses of a Native American village stampede, they take her with them and protect her as one of their own.
This book begs to be read out loud around a campfire in the summer or in front of a hearth in the winter.
This is a treat for readers who are into horses, but still a good read for those who are not into horses.

Kitten's First Full Moon

Kitten's First Full Moon
by
Kevin Henkes
children's fiction, ages 2-5.

Caldecott winner

This is a black and white book with a retro feel that makes it timeless, even though it was published in 2004. I think it won the Caldecott because it seems like the type of book that our grandmothers would have read to our parents or our parents would have read to us. After reading it I felt warm and cozy. It reminded me of the old Little Golden Book "Pussy Willow" by Margaret Wise Brown. Both feature sweet little kitties.
Another book it reminded me of was "Owl at Home" by Arnold Lobel . Now I am on a nostalgia trip like the Caldecott committee must have been!
Here is the plot - a naive kitten mistakes the moon for a bowl of milk. She tries again and again to reach the moon. This seems like it could be a Native American myth or another ancient story. It is remarkable that a modern author could write and illustrate such a simple, endearing story and get it published.

I definitely will have to read more Kevin Henkes books and share them with others.

Little Island

Little Island
by
Margaret Wise Brown and Leonard Weisgard
first published under the pseudonym Golden McDonald
Children's Fiction, ages 4-6.
Caldecott Winner. Published in 1946.

I figured since I don't have much time right now for reading, I would try to do some quality reading of children's picture books like Caldecott winners or maybe read some books for older readers that have won the Newbery award.
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecotthonors/caldecottmedal.cfm
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberywinners/medalwinners.cfm
This is quiet, thoughtful book good for bedtime or other calm reading times. An island experiences chances during the four seasons. The tide rolls in. The tide rolls out. The drawings use only a few colors but very effectively convey the ebb and flow of life and time on an island.
If you grew up on an island this might remind you of home. If you have vacationed on an island you can reminisce. If neither, then that is what books are for - dreaming!
I don't remember the exact words to this book, but I find myself reciting Henry Wadsworth Longfellow -
The tide rises,
The tide falls,
The twilight darkens,
The curlew calls...

Oh, yes. Twelfth grade American Literature class.