shighley's review
5.0
Even the cover is joyous! In a time where many students ask me where the fun and funny books are, I could relate to this. Newbery himself was a marketer ahead of his time, with many tie ins among his books and products, and crossovers among books.
This made me think of another recent read Scary Stories for Young Foxes, in which the foxes heard many scary tales delivered to try to scare them into behaving.
This made me think of another recent read Scary Stories for Young Foxes, in which the foxes heard many scary tales delivered to try to scare them into behaving.
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
Based on the historical note in the back, this back plays a little fast and loose with the facts. And leaves off stuff I'd prefer were in. No matter. This book is a happy book, joyful in the idea of reading books. Fun art, great layout, great flow. And books, books, books. I wanted to like it even more than I did. The writing was pretty good, but the art and overall design was better.
readingthroughtheages's review
4.0
An interesting look at the man behind the medal! I think when you look at what the award is given for - most distinguished contribution to children's literature - readers will be able to compare to Newbery's own contributions during his lifetime.
I know how our Mock Newbery Club will begin its first meeting every year!
I know how our Mock Newbery Club will begin its first meeting every year!
5elementknitr's review
5.0
Great artwork and a wonderful telling about the "Father of Children's Literature".
I think a goal next year will to be to read all the Newberry award books.
I think a goal next year will to be to read all the Newberry award books.
drpschmidt's review
4.0
A lovely, well-researched account of John Newbery and his love of books written for children.
arantzazureads's review
2.0
I had a hard time deciding on this one for only one reason. The story itself is totally fine- interesting, informative, engaging. Pretty illustrations and fun typography and page design. But.
BUT.
*Almost* every face (and there's A LOT of faces) is white. On the one hand, this is historically set during a time of slavery, so excuses could be made. On the other hand (and more importantly, heart and mind), who cares? It's a kids book filled with illustrated inaccuracies technically (I doubt a ton of kids hung out by themselves tableau-style with this guy in the streets). And, what, you want your picture books filled with black children portrayed as slaves? No? So instead you chop them out all together? Is that really such an improvement?
I doubt the intention of the illustrator (and the rest of the team that okayed this) was bad. They probably just didn't notice. Didn't even notice. But at the end of the day, the effect trumps the intent.
This book is supposed to tell the story of how picture books came to be. How Newbery thought all kids should have fun stories to enjoy! But I guess what he meant was just white kids. When I picture a kid today sitting on the floor flipping through this book and seeing so, so many pale little faces staring out at them paired with words like "all children"... it kind of makes me want to scream at someone. That stuff gets internalized, people.
And, yes, barring that, the story is pretty great, but I figure if I'm going to make an effort to stand up for the importance of diversity, I don't get to pick and choose when I do it. The line is not moveable, nor is it really that fuzzy. We just have to be aware of what we're looking for, and keep looking, and keep listening, and keep learning.
Well, fingers crossed this galley goes through one last proofing. There's been a few major gaffes with kids picture books and their treatment of race recently that, while this one doesn't compare to the others (which even ended up getting pulled out of circulation by the publishers), is horrifically disappointing, to say the least.
BUT.
*Almost* every face (and there's A LOT of faces) is white. On the one hand, this is historically set during a time of slavery, so excuses could be made. On the other hand (and more importantly, heart and mind), who cares? It's a kids book filled with illustrated inaccuracies technically (I doubt a ton of kids hung out by themselves tableau-style with this guy in the streets). And, what, you want your picture books filled with black children portrayed as slaves? No? So instead you chop them out all together? Is that really such an improvement?
I doubt the intention of the illustrator (and the rest of the team that okayed this) was bad. They probably just didn't notice. Didn't even notice. But at the end of the day, the effect trumps the intent.
This book is supposed to tell the story of how picture books came to be. How Newbery thought all kids should have fun stories to enjoy! But I guess what he meant was just white kids. When I picture a kid today sitting on the floor flipping through this book and seeing so, so many pale little faces staring out at them paired with words like "all children"... it kind of makes me want to scream at someone. That stuff gets internalized, people.
And, yes, barring that, the story is pretty great, but I figure if I'm going to make an effort to stand up for the importance of diversity, I don't get to pick and choose when I do it. The line is not moveable, nor is it really that fuzzy. We just have to be aware of what we're looking for, and keep looking, and keep listening, and keep learning.
Well, fingers crossed this galley goes through one last proofing. There's been a few major gaffes with kids picture books and their treatment of race recently that, while this one doesn't compare to the others (which even ended up getting pulled out of circulation by the publishers), is horrifically disappointing, to say the least.
stenaros's review
3.0
Read for Librarian Book Group
There was a time when there was no children's literature. (Gasp!) Meet the man who who started the trend.
There was a time when there was no children's literature. (Gasp!) Meet the man who who started the trend.