Behind the book with Kathi Appelt
A Caddo jar? A Calico cat? An encounter with a water moccasin? What in the world do these three things have to do with each other, and how did they find themselves together in a single story?
Let me tell you about crows. One day, I was sitting at my desk when my little cat Jazzmyn, sitting idly by the window, started twitching her tail. I got up to see what it was that had caught her attention. There, just a few feet away was a crow, resting on a branch in the large post oak just outside my studio window. While Jazz and I stood there, the crow flitted back and forth from the ground to her nest. Of course, I thought, she's building a nest. The oak is home to lots of birds. It's a huge tree, sturdy and serene.
Because crows are notorious for finding shiny objects, I picked up a pair of binoculars to see if could find the nest, and further, to see what she had put there. Sure enough, there was string, gum wrappers, and best of all, a bottle cap. I could understand the string and the paper, but what about the bottle cap? Did she want it only to decorate her nest? Hard to tell.
I believe that writers are like crows. We find shiny objects and take them back to our desks, and weave them into a story. The crow builds a nest, the writer builds a story. Some things are necessary, the elements that hold the story together, like the string and the paper might hold the nest together. Some things are there for reasons of beauty. A bottle cap for instance.
Whenever I sit down to write, I try to bring as many shiny objects to the page as I can and then try to figure out how can I weave these together in a way that makes sense. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.
What makes an element work in a story is whether or not it taps into these: love and fear. I call these the great twins of motivation. Love and Fear. Opposites. Required. You can't really have one without the other.
When I was a girl, around ten years old, a calico cat wandered into our garage in the middle of Houston. She walked right up to our big hound, Sam, and invited herself to share his food. My sisters and I couldn't believe that Sam allowed this. He had never before liked cats. But here she was, small, petite, not at all afraid of Sam. She lived in our garage for a couple of weeks, then gave birth to four kittens. We named them after the seasonsSummer, Spring, Autumn and Winter. Then, when the babies were just a few weeks old, the calico cat was hit by a car and killed. Sam took over as resident parent. Here was story of love.
Years later, when my own son Jacob was just a baby, I went to visit my father who lived along the Appalachicola River in Florida, a dense, swampy area not so different from the region in East Texas where THE UNDERNEATH takes place. We went out one day in his small fishing boat. I sat in the back of the boat, Jacob in my arms. Dad was pulling the boat along with a pair of long oars. There was no motor that I recall. For some reason I looked over my shoulder, and only ten feet behind us was a huge water moccasin, the largest I'd ever seen, swimming just behind us. Her cotton mouth was wide open as if she were charging us, swimming right toward us. I thought she might jump into the boat, but at the last minute, she ducked beneath the water and I never saw her again. It was a terrifying moment for me, my baby in my arms, the enormous snake just feet away. Here was fear, bright and hard.
Then, years ago, I saw a photo of a beautiful jar, made by a Caddo artist, Jerilyn Redcorn. The jar had the etching of a snake on it. It was both beautiful and powerful all at once. It seemed to tell a story all its own. A useful jar, yes, but a jar for simply admiring too.
All three, the cat, the snake, the jar, made an impression upon me. Love and Fear. They were there, present in each.
THE UNDERNEATH, then, began with a question: how can I bring these three things together to make a single story? As I wrote, I learned things about cats and snakes and the Caddo. While the crow built her nest, I built my story. And all the while, the oak beside my window stood there for both of us, holding onto the nest, offering up a story.
Contributor: Kathi Appelt
Find out more about Kathi Appelt and her books at www.kathiappelt.com.
For a Q&A with this author, click here.
For a previous feature with this author, click here.
Reviews
The Underneath
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by David Small
An abandoned calico ca finds unlikely shelter under a porch with Ranger, an old hound. Once the calico gives birth to twin kittens, the foursome bond tightly as a family. However, Ranger's owner, Gar Face, is an abusive alcoholic. Both Ranger and the calico warn kittens Puck and Sabine never to wander from the safety of the place they call The Underneath. The adults tell the kittens about the dangers of getting caught in front of Gar Face's gun, as the human is a cold-hearted trapper who skins the animals he kills and then trades their pelts for alcohol. One morning, Puck follows his playful young instincts and plays with the sun's rays. This leads to the capture and attempted drowning of both Puck and his mother by Gar Face. The hunter's obsession with capturing the Alligator King, an ancient resident of the bayous near his home eventually places Sabine in danger when the human decides to use the tiny kitten as bait. The Alligator King has a long history, one that is connected to the shape-shifting Grandmother Moccasin, her daughter Night Song, and other lives from a thousand years ago, including the Caddo people, Night Song's husband Hawk Man, and their unnamed daughter. Although this long circular narrative's complex, sometimes-overlapping character histories could prove to be difficult for younger readers and the events are sometimes quite ugly, the prose is breathtakingly beautiful. Many characters make seemingly wrong choices, but all are presented with chances to redeem themselves--and make amends for their past choices to follow paths of hate--by choosing to trust in and/or act through love. Possible themes for discussion include parental abuse, animal abuse, conservation, history, mythology, alternative families, and bullying. 2008, Atheneum Books for Younger Readers/Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, $16.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Jennifer Wood (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-5058-5
ISBN: 1-4169-5058-3
Other Books by Kathi Appelt
The Alley Cat's Meow
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Jon Goodell
Red and Ginger cut a rug in The Alley Cat's Meow, a lively verse story by Kathi Appelt. Modeled on famed dance pair Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the two felines will waltz their way into the hearts of child and adult alike. Their meeting at a boogie-woogie juke joint, where Red debonairly signals for a glass of milk, seems straight out of an old movie. Appelt's jazzy text is as much fun to read aloud as to hear (a boon for parents). Jon Goodell's pictures convey well the joy of dancing, the grace of cats and the vital spirit of the city. 2002, Harcourt, $16.00. Ages 3 up. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
- Teddy Children's Book Award Finalist 2003 Texas
Bats on Parade
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Summer's a great time to learn about the orchestra. You can begin with basics at home and then travel on a musical field trip. Picture books are a good place for the young to start and this familiarity is increased by choosing a book by a known author. The same bats that delighted young fans in Kathi Appelt's theatrical Bat Jamboree are back in Bats on Parade. Appelt sets up parade excitement as an animal audience lines the streets. Then we're off and rhyming with piccolo-players, flautists, cadets playing clarinets, all the way to the 100 sousaphones! Numbers, instruments, rhyming rhythms--a book children will love. 1999, Morrow, $16.00. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Susie Wilde (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
- Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K-Grade 6 13th Edition, 2002; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Bayou Lullaby
Kathi Appelt
Pictures by Neil Waldman
Kathi Appelt, a native Texan who grew up fishing for crawdads in local bayous, drew upon her own childhood to create this lyric and memorable introduction to Cajun culture for young children. The art creates a quiet nightfall and Appelt offers poetic language in authentic Cajun accents. Her unobtrusive introduction of Cajun words will be easily grasped and they give a feel of the actual language while creating a feeling of peace and safety. 1995, Morrow, $16.00. Ages 3 up. Reviewer: Paula DeMichele (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
- Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
- School Library Journal Book Review Stars, April 1995; Cahners; United States
The Best Kind of Gift
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Paul Brett Johnson
When the new parson arrives at the All-Faiths Tabernacle, the folks in Dogwood plan to hold a pounding, an old-time Welcome Wagon where people bring "a pound a'this and a pound a'that." Jory Timmons wants to contribute a special gift to Brother Harper, too. His mother is baking a blackberry pie, ("the best kind of gift is a treat"), but Jory is too small to use the stove. His father is donating a pail of milk ("the best kind of gift is given gladly"), but Jory is too little to milk Betsy. Jory can't heft his brother's useful gift of corn or pluck eggs from beneath his grandmother's proud hens. His grandfather, whose gift of a sapling ("the best kind of gift is one you'd like to get yourself"), suggests Jory skip rocks instead of kicking them. As he and his grandfather skip stones across the pond, Jory knows what gift he will take to the pounding. Appelt's inspirational story is grounded in rural traditions and values. Though Jory sometimes feels as small as a corn cake or a barn cat, he grows when he hands Brother Harper exactly one pound of skipping rocks. Under Paul Brett Johnson's watercolor brush, the friendly folks of Dogwood come to life against cool mountain hues. Yes, indeed, Appelt has written a warm, wise story about the importance of giving from the heart. 2003, HarperCollins, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Candice Ransom (Children's Literature).
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
- Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award, 2005-2006; Nominee; Grades K-3; Arkansas
Bubba and Beau Go Night-Night
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Arthur Howard
Mama Pearl and Big Bubba have two little ones, a bouncy baby boy named Bubba and a hound pup named Beau. Of all the things the two did together, their favorite was going bye-bye. Big Bubba packed those two up in his pickup every time he went to town. Stops included the Feed and Seed where they stopped to sit on the front porch and shoot the breeze until it was fully shot, the post office to get stamps with the American flag that got Big Bubba all choked up stopping him in his tracks for a salute, Sam's vegetable and fruit stand for the perfect watermelon that needed a lot of thumping, the Freezee Deluxe for raspberry-swirl ice-cream cones and extra napkins, and then home. After a busy day like that it was time to go night-night. Bubba and Beau did not like to go night-night, no siree, Bob! Find out how Big Bubba saved the day in this completely charming, five chapter, expressively watercolored gem. 2003, Harcourt, $16.00. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Barbara Kennedy (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
- Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
- Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004; H.W. Wilson; United States
- The Children's Literature Choice List, 2004; Children's Literature; United States
- Choices, 2004; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
- School Library Journal Book Review Stars, April 2003; Cahners; United States
ISBN: 0-15-204593-7
Bubba and Beau Meet the Relatives
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Arthur Howard
Bubba and his dog, Beau, are just two little guys trying to find some fun, but it is hard to do with Mama Pearl preparing the house for the relatives. Before the relatives arrive, there is a lot of sweeping, dusting, and general tidying up to do, so Bubba and Beau head off to the mud hole to escape the cleaning frenzy. Unfortunately, Bubba and Beau do not get to enjoy the mud hole for very long. Before they know it, Big Bubba carts them off for an unpleasant bath. When the relatives finally arrive, there is a lot of celebrating and a tour of the house. Bubba and Beau use this opportunity to make one last trip to the mud hole. This story is a delightful, humorous read. In five short chapters, the reader is transported to Bubbaville where anything can happen. It has fabulous language that makes it a perfect read aloud choice. I was sorry to see this story end. Fortunately for me, there are other books featuring Bubba and Beau. 2004, Harcourt Children's Books, $16.00. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Louise Parsons (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780152166304
Bubba and Beau, Best Friends
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Arthur Howard
Here is a charming tale of best friends right from the beginning--birth to be exact. Bubba and Beau are brand new babies with equally proud papas. Bubba's papa, Big Bubba, even revved up his trusty pickup truck, Earl, and honked the horn as loud as he could. Beau's papa, Maurice, was so delighted he ran around in circles. Each had perfect babies--a perfect boy and a perfect hound. Both were busting with pride. What a commotion! Now Bubba and Beau do everything together--chewing, playing in the mud, crawling on all fours. Their friendship is bonded even more by Bubba's soft pinky-pink blankie. It is the best and it even smells like Bubba and Beau. Then, the unthinkable happens--Mama Pearl washes the blanket. Now it smells like soap. It is a sad day in Bubbaville. Since Mama is in a cleaning mood, Bubba and Beau get washed, too. Now everyone smells like soap. Once the blankie is dry and taken off the line, snappety-snap, blankie is back, and the best friends snuggle in it again. Howard, best known for his Mr. Putter and Tabby illustrations, creates warm and gentle watercolor illustrations, adding to the innocence and charm of life in a Texas town. Kathi Appelt sure has a winner in this story, even if Bubba and Beau outgrow their blankie. 2002, Harcourt, $16.00. Ages 0 to 4. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
- The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States
- Books to Read Aloud to Children of All Ages, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States
- Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States
- Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
- The Children's Literature Choice List, 2002; Children's Literature; United States
- Choices, 2003; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
- School Library Journal Book Review Stars, July 2002; Cahners; United States
- School Library Journal: Best Books, 2002; Cahners; United States
- Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature Winner 2002 United States
- Mockingbird Award, 2003-2004; Nominee; Texas
- Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award, 2005; Nominee; Grades K-3; Washington
Bubbles, Bubbles
Kathi Appelt
Pictures by Fumi Kosaka
A cute little girl smiles from the cover of this book and she is definitely a little dirty. She is very eager to hop into a bubble bath with her yellow ducky and green froggie. There are bubbles everywhere and she dutifully scrubs tummy, knees and elbows and like most kids, has fun with the bubbles. Then it's into a warm dry towel and flannel jimmies for this little one. While it is cute, one might wonder how all that soap gets off her skin and out of her hair and why one so young doesn't have a caregiver nearby. That aside, it won't matter that much to the intended audience who will just see it as bath time fun. It might have been just a tad more fun if the final pictures were not as textured as the opening ones to show that everything really was squeaky clean. Part of the "Harper Growing Tree" series, which includes tips for reading and sharing stories and a web site with additional information. 2001, HarperFestival/HarperCollins, $9.95. Ages 2 to 3. Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
- Best Books for Babies, 2002; Beginning with Books Center for Early Literacy; United States
ISBN: 0-694-01458-3
Cowboy Dreams
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Barry Root
The young cowboy heads down the hill, after being called inside for the night. He climbs into bed and pretends to ride his palomino in the moonlight to the cowboys' campfire. At the campfire we hear the cowboys croon, and see the stars overhead. The nighthawk glides on the evening breeze and wishes all a good night's sleep. The cicadas chirp that it is time to go to sleep. This is the ultimate bedtime book for the kid who really wants to be a cowboy. Painterly illustrations really carry this book. A soft night lighting and imaginative night skies fill these full page spreads. 1999, HarperCollins, $14.95. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
- Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
- Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
- Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
- North Carolina Children's Book Award, 2001; Nominee; Picture Book; North Carolina
ISBN: 0-06-027763-7
Hushabye, Baby Blue
Kathi Appelt
Pictures by Dale Gottlieb
Lullabies are recommended as part of the nighttime ritual. It represents in part a parent's plea for baby to go to sleep. Mom and Dad tell Baby that he has been fed, has a dry diaper, and Dad has sung a lullaby and now "your cradle is rocking, oh sleep, baby, sleep." A board book that is part of the "Harper Growing Tree" series. 2000, HarperFestival, $5.95. Ages 3 mo. to 1. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-694-01341-8
ISBN: 0-694-01341-2
Incredible Me!
Kathi Appelt
Pictures by G. Brian Karas
In search of the ultimate self-esteem book for the toddler set? Look no further. Appelt's little redheaded heroine could put Narcissus to shame. As she romps from her bedroom through the skyscape of the world, this kid's got no shortage of chutzpa. She is "the cream in the butter, the salt in the sea," "the dill in the pickle, the sweet in the pea." And that's just the beginning of her personal inventory. Karas's boldly colored and executed images help to pull off the cliché-ridden conceit, but one is still left with a cloying aftertaste of too many "adorable me's." Yes, it's certainly admirable to promote self-confidence in little ones, but there can be a fine line between confidence, poise, and outright egotism. Freud would have had a field day with this offering. 2003, HarperCollins, $15.99. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature).
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
- Mockingbird Award, 2003-2004; Nominee; Texas
- Texas Reading Club, 2004; Texas
ISBN: 0-06-028622-9
Kissing Tennessee and Other Stories From the Stardust Dance
Kathi Appelt
You are cordially invited to the Stardust Dance, Friday, May 31 at the Dogwood Junior High to honor all graduating eighth graders. As the students enter the glittering, decorated cafeteria, they are filled with all the excitement, hesitancy, and expectations that accompany these events. For a few hours, we the readers, join them and are privy to their most intimate secrets and fears. The dance is the common thread that binds not only the stories but also the tangled and complex lives of these young teens. There is Russ Mills emerging from the grief of his best friend's death, Mary Sarah Tanner daring to leave an abusive home, Becca Scott cowering in the bathroom after a brutal assault, Cub Tanner questioning his attraction to another boy, and Mason Hatfield and Carrie Jorgensen who cannot summon the courage to ask one another to dance. Shattered lives, broken promises, and wounded psyches, common themes in young adult novels, are given fresh treatment due to the thoughtful and eloquent writing of the author. While angst might seem to be the central plot motivator, it is in fact hope--hope and a belief that each youngster has in himself. Individually each story is touching and poignant, read as a whole they are a fitting tribute to the resiliency and courage of youth. 2000, Harcourt, $15.00. Ages 12 to 14. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
- Best Books for Young Adults, 2001; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
- Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005; H.W. Wilson; United States
- Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
- Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2001; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
- Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers, 2000; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States
- Society of School Librarians International Book Awards Winner 2000 Language Arts - Novels, Grades 7 - 12 United States
- Storytelling World Awards Honor 2001 Storytelling Anthologies United States
- Garden State Teen Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Fiction, Grades 6 - 8; New Jersey
- Volunteer State Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Young Adult, Grades 7-12; Tennessee
ISBN: 0-15-202249-X
Merry Christmas, Merry Crow
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Jon Goodell
A crow flies through a Christmas scene of a city in the snow. Terse verse describes his travels through yards, past the zoo, gathering bits and pieces of shiny things as he goes. He even picks up a ribbon bow and mistletoe. The city's Christmas parade marches across a double page, folks go to church across another, as the crow continues his collecting. He finishes his flight, having decorated a perfect Christmas tree for all to gather around and enjoy. Opaque acrylic paints produce modeled forms, naturalistic detailed scenes crowded with typical seasonal activities. In each setting we see the crow busy at his scavenging, until he is finally joined by a group of carolers and other friendly birds enjoying the decorated tree. The simple story exudes the warmth of the holidays on each page. 2005, Harcourt, $16.00. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
- Children's Crown Gallery Award, 2007-2008; Nominee; Grades K-2; United States
Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Joy Fisher Hein
This picture book biography is a lovely tribute to an under-appreciated First Lady. Lady Bird Johnson's love of wildflowers began with a lonely childhood in East Texas. The flowers were her only companions. After she married LBJ and went to Washington, she remembered how beautiful flowers and trees had helped her thrive. She determined to provide the joy and beauty of flowers to the entire country and set to work to beautify the then neglected highways of America through the Highway Beautification Act. Hein's richly colored folkloric-style illustrations are meticulously detailed, and reflect the delicacy and fragility of Lady Bird's beloved wildflowers, and promote the ecological theme. Interesting anecdotes and revealing quotations are sprinkled throughout the text bringing Lady Bird's personality to life. There is humor in the tiny gently caricatured faces of LBJ and Lady Bird at their wedding. Information about the National Wildlife Research Center founded by Lady Bird and an extensive bibliography are included. A wildflower search for young readers is an effective and fun way to acquaint children with the individual flowers. This excellent and informative book clearly portrays Lady Bird's efforts to raise the spirit of an entire nation. 2005, HarperCollins Publishers, $16.99 and $17.89. Ages 6 to 9. Quinby Frank (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
- Children's Crown Award Nominee 2006-2007 Grades 3 - 5 or 6 United States
- Growing Good Kids Book Award Winner 2006 United States
- Teddy Children's Book Award Winner 2005 Short Works Texas
ISBN: 0-06-001107-6
My Father's House
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Raul Colon
This versatile, talented author has given a new dimension to the quote In my Father's house are many mansions. Appelt has the speaker thanking the Father for the various habitats of the Earth--those areas that make up the mansions of our very planet. Without preaching, she gives the reader a lyrical word picture of such diverse settings as the Tundra, the Rainforest, the Ocean, the Shore, the Marsh, and the Prairie. The illustrations are gorgeous visual punctuations for the clear, flowing verses: And where the trees stand oh so close, Where deer and rabbits rest, I'll wander through these Woodland halls Where songbirds build their nests. Effortlessly inviting the reader to experience the essence of each geographical area, the author introduces quite a few facts that define the habitat--woodlands have deer, rabbits, and songbirds. The award-winning illustrator has contributed double spreads that not only echo the text but also expand the total experience of this beautiful book. The author's dedication of the book to Al Gore reflects her own care for this beautiful blue planet that we all share, while Colon's art provides the perfect setting for her expressions of delight and gratitude for the earth. Whether depicting the far north with its magical Northern Lights or showing us a young person with arms open wide to embrace the entire ocean, his masterful talent is displayed as the perfect complement to the gentle, loving text. Early readers will appreciate being able to read much of this for themselves, and older readers will understand that the language is sophisticated but not obtuse. Reading this title aloud to a group or all on one's own will prompt thoughtful discussion. This is definitely a first choice for libraries and family collections. 2007, Viking/Penguin, $16.99. Ages 3 up. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-670-03669-1
ISBN: 0-670-03669-2
My Father's Summers: a Daughter's Memoir
Kathi Appelt
Every child who has lost a parent through either death, divorce, or emotional distance will relate to Appelt's heartfelt memoir. The story begins when her father leaves their home in Houston for a temporary job in Saudi Arabia. Appelt tracks family events without her father, such as her eleventh birthday, and the disappointment when he doesn't come home as planned. When her father finally returns, it is not to their family, but to another woman. Suddenly Appelt is navigating stepbrothers, a mother who drinks, and puberty. Limned in vignettes that appear to sit more solidly on the page than traditional free verse, Appelt's prose throbs with constant longing for her absent father. In the vignette "Sizes," the narrator compares her recent growth spurt to the description of clothing in a missing person: "Nothing I could wear when he left fit any more . . . What if it was me who turned up missing? Could he find me with these different clothes, these bigger feet, all this new skin and bone and hair?" Black and white photos lend a family album effect. The vignettes flip back and forth in time, which can be challenging for younger readers. But older junior high readers will slip into Appelt's story like dipping into a warm Texas lake on a summer night. 2004, Holt, $15.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Candice Ransom (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
- Paterson Prize for Books for Young People Winner 2005 Grades 7-12 United States
- Teddy Children's Book Award Finalist 2004 Long Works Texas
Oh My Baby, Little One
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Jane Dyer
Baby Bird feels sad when Mama Bird kisses him good-bye at school and Mama Bird is sad also as she goes off to work. She tells him, "Oh my baby, little one,/the hardest thing I do/is hold you tight, then let you go,/and walk away from you." She leaves him with love that will surround him all day long as it sits upon his shoulder, nestles in his pocket or slips into his lunch box. Mama Bird makes sure he knows that the love will also stay with her by nestling in her collar, hiding in her desk drawer or curling around her coffee cup. The watercolor illustrations show Baby Bird involved in school activities and Mama Bird going through her busy routine as, all the while, they keep that love close to their hearts. The happy moment when Mama picks up Baby at the end of the day is joyfully captured in both text and illustration. This is a lovely, reassuring story for toddlers. 2000, Harcourt, $16.00. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
- Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
- Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
- ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 2001 Babies and Toddlers United States
- Building Block Picture Book Award, 2001-2002; Nominee; Missouri
ISBN: 0-15-200041-0
Piggies in a Polka
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
The porkers in this picture book are set to have a good time. It is time for the annual hootenanny and they have all gathered to stomp up a storm. The rhyming verse describes a variety of dances from what sounds like square dancing, to polkas and a plethora in between. There is plenty of swirling and swinging as these pigs pirouette about the dance floor. The pictures tend to be a little dark in deeper shades of pinks, reds and lavender and do not offer a lot of variety. The musicians, however, add a bit of color and flair as they exhibit their musical prowess. "There's a piggy playing clarinet, / there's one on concertina. / And who's that with the castanets? / The beautiful Porcina!" She is really the only character singled out in this gathering. And she is the one who brings the festive evening to a close with a slow song to serenade them, and then "She puckers up and blows a kiss / and sends them on their way." The lilting, rhyming text will be fun for kids in the early elementary grades; and it just might be a good choice for one of those recess days when you cannot go outside to burn off some excess energy--kids can pretend they are enjoying a hootenanny of their own. 2003, Harcourt, $16.00. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
- Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
- Texas Reading Club, 2005; Texas
ISBN: 0-15-216483-9
Poems From Homeroom: A Writer's Place to Start
Kathi Appelt
Attention poets, teachers, writers, and teen and adult readers--this book has something for everyone. Appelt provides poems about real-life feelings, information on different poetic structures, and a multitude of ideas to get readers writing and thinking. Each poem has a separate section examining the feelings that inspired it. For example, accompanying a poem about getting a driver's license are suggestions to imagine other feelings of power--what would it feel like "if you could be boss, principal, parent, president?" There are litanies, sonnets, haikus, and villanelles. Elegies in the form of acrostics take a look at the lives of Kurt Kobain, Marilyn Monroe, Janis Joplin, and others. Additional subjects include tattoos, cyberlove, getting into a fight, and a funny twist on being short. Each is filled with memorable details--a spaghetti strap sliding off a shoulder, the smell of popcorn. Imaginative ideas complement each poem to help readers brainstorm their own creations, and would work equally well for fiction as poetry. This book, chockfull of inspiration, is erudite, elegant, and funny, all wrapped into one small, easy-to-read volume. An excellent resource for teachers and students, it is an entertaining and thought-provoking read for anyone. 2002, Henry Holt, $16.95. Ages 13 up. Reviewer: Betty Hicks (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
- Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005; H.W. Wilson; United States
- Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States
- Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2003 Supplement, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States
- Top 10 Youth Poetry, 2003; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
- Tayshas High School Reading List, 2003-2004; Texas
ISBN: 0-805-06978-X
Rain Dance
Kathi Appelt
Pictures by Emilie Chollat
It is raining but the creatures in this book don't seem to mind. One frog hops, two spiders skitter while three chickens flitter. The rain dance continues up to ten with that number of horses prancing, or it really looks more like dancing, along the fence. The book is designed to teach counting and animal recognition, but the animals are more stylized than realistic and the dogs look rather fearsome--not a bit friendly. Part of the "Harper Growing Tree" series, which includes tips for reading and sharing stories and a web site with additional information. 2001, HarperFestival, $9.95. Ages 1 to 3. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-694-01291-6
ISBN: 0-694-01291-2
A Red Wagon Year
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Throughout the calendar year, six young neighborhood children and their two dogs transform one little red wagon into all sorts of different modes of transportation. As the seasons change, the months are highlighted in the decorative boarder. Appelt's simple, poetic text flows over the brightly colored illustrations. Kvasnosky's illustrations have strong ink lines with bold guache paint. 1996, Harcourt Brace, $11.00. Ages 2 to 4. Reviewer: Sally J. K. Davies (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-15-277991-7
ISBN: 0-15-277991-4
Someone's Come to Our House
Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Here's a joyous read-aloud with a sweet gospel beat. Family and friends gather at a young child's home to welcome someone new with smiles and songs. Young readers are invited to join in the celebration, soon discovering that the newcomer is a newborn baby. Appelt creates a wealth of warm, happy scenes using rhythm and rhyme. Carpenter's luscious oil paintings amply illustrate these lovingly crafted words, adding touches of humor and bustling activity throughout. A perfect gift for little ones expecting a new 'someone' at their house. 1999, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, $16.00. Ages 2 to 8. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5144-4
ISBN: 0-8028-5144-4
Toddler Two-step
Kathi Appelt
Pictures by Ward Schumaker
The Toddler Two-Step, a catchy poem of counting and moving, will lead your young child to reading and dancing. Created in consultation with early childhood experts, you and your child act out movements shown in the book, like hopping, jumping, tapping and seven more motions that correspond to your child's natural development. Each motion leads naturally to the next, and soon, you and your child will be dancing. Written in rhyme with bright, cheery illustrations, it's fun and easy to memorize the text and recite it. You can use this book to encourage your child to act out a movement or simply count the children on each page. Part of an award-winning program for children up to 3 years old, this book steps you into reading and walking together. 2000, Harper Collins, $9.95. Ages 18 mo. to 3. Reviewer: Dia L. Michels (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-694-01244-2
ISBN: 0-694-01244-0
Where, Where is Swamp Bear?
Kathi Appelt
Pictures by Megan Halsey
A child and a grandparent explore the world around them--does this sound like countless other children's books? Well, Swamp Bear is unique. Pierre asks his Granpere many questions about the rare and elusive Louisiana black bear, and as his grandfather patiently answers, he opens the child's eyes to the wonders of nature. The irresistible cadence of the rhyming text will have you reading with a Cajun accent, even if you've never been to Louisiana. Halsey's handsome cut-paper work lends a folk-art simplicity to the illustrations. But look closer: her work is astonishingly complex, from the rich earth tones of a snipe's feathers to the delicate shadings of forest greenery. 2002, HarperCollins, $15.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Donna Freedman (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
- The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States
- Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States
- Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
- School Library Journal Book Review Stars, January 2002; Cahners; United States
ISBN: 0-688-17102-8
Added 08/14/08
To stay up to date on new books by this author, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here.
If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.