1. WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS by Carole Lindstrom
Bibliography
Lindstrom, Carole. (2020). We Are Water Protectors. Ill. by Michaela Goade.
Roaring Brook Press.
Plot Summary
Water is essential to life. It touches everything and everyone. Native Americans told stories of a black snake that would ruin the land. When it finally came, it destroyed life and contaminated the water. Tribes are standing together to protest more pipelines being built. Indigenous people are desperate to save the life that is left on their land, protect the water, and the Earth.
Critical Analysis
This beautiful, evocative picture book is the winner of the 2021 Caldecott Medal. Each page is a watercolor painting. The illustrator, Michaela Goade, created colorful, striking images of plants and animals to keep Earth at the forefront of the reader’s mind. Together with pictures of indigenous people, her illustrations tell their own story. In one scene, Goade depicts an oil spill from a pipeline and the death that it causes. As the oil covers and traps the animals, the image shows half of their bodies as an x-ray.
The author uses repetition and symbolism to convey a particular viewpoint. Carole Lindstrom wants the reader to take a stand and protect the Earth. Many of the sentences are declarative and begin with, “We.” She frequently mentions a “black snake” which refers to the black pipelines that “snake” across tribal lands.
This story will appeal to upper elementary students and above. I appreciated the historical and cultural context given at the back of the book. While the images are certain to engage young readers, the story itself, with little character development, most likely will not. Even still, this is an important children’s book that belongs in every school library.
Review excerpts
- Kirkus Review: “...Lindstrom and Goade invite readers to stand up for environmental justice.”
Connections
- The back of the book has an Earth Steward and Water Protector Pledge.
2. LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET by Matt de le Peña
Bibliography
de le Peña, Matt. (2020). Last Stop on Market Street. Ill. by Christian Robinson.
G. P. Putnam’s Sons.
Plot Summary
A young boy, CJ, learns from his grandmother, Nana, as they travel by bus to the soup kitchen one rainy Sunday after church. They see and interact with a diverse group of people along the way as CJ begins to see his world with new perspective.
Critical Analysis
Last Stop on Market Street is a beautiful book that teaches an important life lesson. Matt de la Peña lovingly scripts the two main characters with deep understanding. The reader can hear the characters’ dialogue clearly. His storytelling is purposeful. In the beginning, CJ is resentful of his circumstances, but after an illuminating bus ride with his wise grandmother, he feels grateful to be giving up his Sunday afternoon to serve others at the soup kitchen. The lively bus ride and CJ’s emotional journey show the theme of gratitude. This indelible story belongs on every bookshelf.
The setting of the story is described with vivid sensory details. On the rainy Sunday afternoon, the air “...smelled like rain,” and the rain “...dripped down his nose.” Word choice like, “The bus creaked to a stop...sighed and sagged...”, make the reader feel as if they, too, are standing at the stop waiting to get on the bus.
Christian Robinson carefully depicts his subjects and their surroundings. The reader can see CJ and Nana’s home come to life with vibrant stained-glass windows on their church, graffiti on the sides of buildings, wire fencing lining the street, and vehicles driving down wet roads. Swooping birds and people doing everyday things as they ride the bus, walk down streets, and wait in line for a meal add the sounds and smells to the big city-scene.
Review excerpts
- Horn Book: “...exquisitely composed collage illustrations...A quietly remarkable book.”
- Publisher’s Weekly: “It finds beauty in unexpected places...explores the difference between what’s fleeting and what lasts, acknowledges inequality...”
Connections
- Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- Thank You, Garden by Liz Garton Scanlon
3. DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! by Mo Willems
Bibliography
Willems, Mo. (2003). Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!. Hyperion Books for
Children.
Plot Summary
Pigeon wants to drive the bus. The driver needs to leave, and he asks the reader to watch over the bus and keep Pigeon from driving it. Pigeon spends the book begging the reader to let him fulfill his dream. In the end, the driver returns to an undriven vehicle and Pigeon gets a new idea.
Critical Analysis
Willems perfectly pairs illustrations with dialogue. The style is very similar to a graphic novel. Through his word choice, punctuation, and deceptively simple artwork, Willems is able to convey the emotions of the characters. He develops Pigeon with a strong voice that is easy to connect with. This story is a joy to read aloud! Children will spend hours laughing at his antics and wondering if his begging will ever succeed.
Review excerpts
- Hornbook Magazine: “Clean, sparely designed pages focus attention on the simply drawn but wildly expressive (and emotive) pigeon...”
- School Library Journal: “A brilliantly simple book that is absolutely true to life...”
- Publisher’s Weekly: “The premise of this cheeky debut is charmingly absurd.”
Connections
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Finish This Activity Book!
- Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie Series
- Reader’s Theater scripts
4. MILLIONS OF CATS by Wanda Gag
Bibliography
Gag, Wanda. (1928). Millions of Cats. Coward-McCann, Inc.
Plot Summary
Wanda Gág’s Millions of Cats is almost 95 years old. This classic story begins with a lonely old couple who decide that they want a cat. The very old man goes out to get one and comes back home with many more than the very old woman had originally intended. The cats turn on each other when asked who is the prettiest. Eventually, only one not-so-pretty cat is left. The couple decides to keep this cat and take care of it. Soon, it is the prettiest cat in the world.
Critical Analysis
This story will appeal to cat lovers of any age and to small children who enjoy an easy-to-follow story. Millions of Cats has, so far, stood the test of time and is adored by many.
The plot is simple, but not predictable. The characters are relatable. Gág repeats the refrain, “Hundreds of cats, Thousands of cats, Millions and billions and trillions of cats.” multiple times in the story. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and gives comfort to the reader.
The presentation of this book fits the uniqueness and charm of the story. Gág’s illustrations are in black and white. The text is hand-drawn, not typed. She depicted skies and landscapes with great skill. Her illustrations have movement and feeling. All of these qualities keep the reader engaged.
Review excerpts
- 1929 Newbery Honor
- Hornbook: “Gág’s woodcut art snowballs lyrically through the book, stealing your eye and telling it just where to go...”
Connections
- Children could make stick-puppet cats to match the kittens mentioned in the story.
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