Of course we must be on those committees (or at least make nominations of
our favorite books), in order to see those favorites make the list. I agree
that many of your favorites are good choices that should be included, but
many are also "newer" titles that haven't yet "stood the test of time...and
use" which makes it a winner in the eyes of some committee members. Maybe
we'll see them there soon.
Now on to the disagreements:
********************************************
You said:
> _Curious George_. Now this was one of my favorites when I was a kid and
> my kids seem to like it. But I find the story to be disturbing. The
> kindly Great White Hunter captures George and takes him to live in the
> zoo where he will be much happier than in the jungle. Not to mention
> the firemen throwing him in prison for playing with the phone. Yes, in
> its time it may have been a great book but it has few redeeming values
now.
*****************************************
I disagree...I believe Curious George represents the "child" in every
"little person" out there. They identify with the control of the man in the
yellow hat (parent) and the mischievious little monkey (themselves). The
redeeming qualities are that the regardless of what the monkey does, the man
in the yellow hat is there to protect and to always love him,
unconditionally---and I don't know about your community, but if our kids
make a 911 call on the phone...it's a fine (that's still "big trouble"
regardless of the style of phone used!)
***********************************************
You said:
> _Goodnight Moon_. This is just a dumb book. I don't get why people
> like it. There is absolutely no story and the art work is nothing
> special.
***************************************************
The nice thing about _Goodnight Moon_ is that there is a ritual in every
evening with a small child. Making their room safe and comfortable with
their understanding of what is there before bedtime helps to calm fears and
relays to the child that night time means "calmness" and tranquility. I
think the "sing-song" flow of the story helps to quiet a child. After
reading it for 17 years--to three kids who are now 17, 14, and 5--I still
enjoy it.
**************************************************
You said:
> _If You Give a Mouse a Cookie_. A cute idea with cute pictures but it
> is just not a great read. It is good, but it is not one of the top 100.
****************************************************
NOT A GREAT READ??? Oh, my gosh! You just wait until those little ones are
running you from one thing to another. I have a five year who starts me
going with this:
Son: "Mom, can I have a juice?"
Me: ("Yes")
Son: "Look, mom, there's my cup! Can I use Blue's Clues cup
for juice?"
Me: ("Yes." Now getting the cup instead.)
Son: " Mom, where's my Blue's Clue's coloring book?"
Me: (stopping and turning around..."I don't know. Let me
see."...leaving the juice)
Son: " Oh, mom, look, here's my storybook. Can you read
it?"
Me: (stopped looking for coloring book, taking reading book
to couch to read..."Yes.")
Son: "Here, let me help you with the words. I can read now,
too!"
Me: ("Okay, let's read together." --opening book)
Son: "Hey, my throat's dry. Can you get me a juice!?"
Me: (Questioning) "Isn't that where we started????"
>**************************************************
You said:
> _The Very Hungry Caterpillar_. This is another one that is not bad, but
> top 100? I think not. And while I=92m on Carle=92s case, what=92s the =
> deal
> with _Today is Monday_? This has to be one of the worst books around
> (right up there with _Goodnight Moon_). I have read the glowing reviews
> that seem overly impressed with the multiethnic group of children on the
> last page but I don=92t see why this book is supposed to be so good. I
> think it is proof that illustrations alone do not make a great picture
> book. Just had to get that off my chest.
****************************************************
I can forgive you on this one...obviously you didn't study Eric Carle's art
techniques. His use of specific art design in these books are fantastic and
completely unusual. He was one of the first (if not the first) to do this
in children's books. He is the master...and if you can't figure out the art
technique in the book--or the concepts of the 7 days of the week and the
items eaten by the caterpillar in order to convey "math"--maybe you can at
least make one of the "furry caterpillars" that every librarian helps their
students make AFTER reading the book! *grin*
****************************************************
You said:
> _Chicka Chicka Boom Boom_. My son really likes this one, I guess it is
> the rhyme, but I think it is another overrated work.
*****************************************************
"A said to B, and B said to C,
I think you'd better sit 'neath the coconut tree,
A Chicka-chicka boom, boom, a chicka boom, boom.
Skit, scat, scoodley doo, flip, flop flee...
I can't believe you "dissed" the old coconut tree!"
(As someone who actually did this one as a "rap" with the reading specialist
during an awards assembly one year in front of the entire school, I can't
help but love the book! Kids like it too....perhaps you just don't have the
rhythm) *grin*
**********************************************
Sendak has been my favorite since I started! (1984)
But probably one of my favorite NEW (2001) books is
"Click, Clack, MOO! Cows that Type" Doreen Cronin
(I love the animals controlling the farm...it just reminds me of an
elementary version of "Animal Farm!")
Many others to talk about...but I must go. I've got to read to my
son...perhaps tonight...
"How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods"--- the creativity is stupendous!!
Love children's lit...and young adult lit...and....just books!!!!
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net
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