Wendell Minor
Wendell Minor lives in a very small town of 4,000 residents (Washington, CT) and refers to it as a Norman Rockwell painting, but it is a real town where most everyone is known by their first names. It is 15 miles from the Interstate and the town has a very large (4000 acre) preserve. Wendell is active in local politics and is doing his best along with the other residents to keep their village small and beautiful.
I was curious about the books that he and Jean Craighead George had done together and asked if they knew each other. Indeed they do; and he remembered their very first meeting which was Earth Day at the United Nations in 1990. Prior to their meeting he had redone the cover for the paperback edition of Julie of the Wolves. Jean liked his work and they did the Thirteen Moon series, the first of which was The Moon of the Owls in 1993. He also told me an interesting fact; Jean wrote the official handbook for the Park Service about the Everglades. She and Wendell subsequently did a book together about the Everglades and then moved from the sultry south to the frigid north. Their travels took them to Barrow Alaska for their next book. Among their most recent collaborations is a book is entitled Luck and it is about a baby crane. He recalled how Jean would knock on his door at 3 am to go out and watch the cranes. No matter, Wendell is happy to be a part of the extend George family and obviously shares their love for animals and nature.
Wendell's latest book, Give Her the River, came to him from Holly McGhee, a literary agent who was interested in representing him. However, he did not feel that an agent was needed at this point in his career (his wife serves in that capacity). She did have a manuscript from poet Michael Dennis Browne and asked if Wendell would have a look at it. He liked it well enough to tell her that he was willing to do the illustrations and thus she was able to sell it to Atheneum with that understanding. The models for his story were the husband and daughter of his yoga teacher. He followed them around and sketched the scenes of them enjoying life in their small town, which by the way really does have a river of its own. The book could have been produced with a variety of fathers, but Wendell saw it as a book that would feature just one father and daughter. The seasons of the year represent the seasons in the life of this young girl and her dad. Wendell noted that fathers are often not that verbal and this poem is heartfelt and appropriate for a daughter of any age. To sum up the message-"You mean the world to me and I give you the world." The author currently teaches at the University of Minnesota near the headwaters of the Mississippi. He was both pleased and surprised with the interpretation that Wendell had given his poem.
Interestingly, Wendell has managed to have working relationships with all of the authors of the books he has illustrated. That is quite unusual since most editors like to keep the parties separated. For him, he feels he gets a better book if he can work with the person. It is also wonderful to call authors like Ann Turner, Eve Bunting and Charlotte Zolotow friends. Given the success of his books, it is apparent that these relationships do work and many of his books have been in print for a long time, including Red Fox Running by Eve Bunting which has been around since 1993. In this day and age, any book that lasts three years has a long life span.
We talked about the current spate of celebrity books and both agreed that it is indeed a fad that will run its course. Some of the celebrities have been more successful than others, such as Jamie Lee Curtis. Others like Seinfeld have bombed. There are good and bad aspects to these celebrity books; they can generate revenue and interest, but they also can take the slot and monies that might be used to produce and promote another book by a new or mid-list author. Wendell doesn't have any illusions--he doesn't feel that he will ever "make it big." However, he does love what he is doing, so what more could one want.
Wendell also shares a passion of mine which is for space and space travel. His latest book is like a dream come true. He has completed the illustrations for an autobiography by Buzz Aldrin entitled Reaching for the Moon. He related some interesting tidbits that he learned while interviewing Buzz. "He was a small boy and always tried harder. He loved airplanes and his first ride was in an airplane painted to look like an Eagle-I guess it was destiny that he would someday fly another vehicle with that same name." Wendell was one of six artists asked to do some paintings for NASA and because of that work he became acquainted with the former director. It was through him that he was able to approach Buzz Aldrin about the proposed project. Actually Wendell is pretty well connected in other circles. He has been a participant at the National Book Festival coordinated by the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress and has done something quite unusual. All of the original paintings from his book America the Beautiful will be given intact to the Library of Congress. He wanted his book and illustrations to be readily available to the public, just like the song which is in the public domain.
For Wendell, children's literature and illustration is a most noble pursuit. Through it, one can pass on to the next generation a love and understanding of the world, the environment, this country and those who made it great. Furthermore, he really is a proponent of active participation in government. "One cannot be apathetic." He feels as do others that there is a lack of understanding and appreciation for the life and work of Americans such as Rachel Carson and John Audubon. He also believes that we are educating a generation of historically illiterate children.
Reading is important. He learns all the time and has become an avid reader. Technology may be great, but Wendell agrees with the statement that "the Internet offers information but not knowledge." The information must be digested and analyzed to become real knowledge. You have to believe that you are making a difference and he hears from kids about his work and that he is indeed making an impact. If he can create a couple of timeless books then he will have fulfilled a major goal in his life. In that regard, he feels that The Seashore Book that he and Charlotte Zolotow did comes the closest.
Like other artists who illustrate children's books, Wendell remarked that it is a profession and wonderful market for good art. However, children's literature is an art form that is taken for granted--fine art for the masses (book jackets). He is currently involved in a PBS documentary on the history of American Illustration which will focus, in part, on children's literature and he hopes will raise it to the level and attention of all who enjoy art, because he is a believer in the art form and the profession.
For more about Wendell Minor visit him at www.minorart.com. See below for a selection of reviews from the CLCD database.
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Reviews
Abe Lincoln RemembersAnn Turner
Illustrations by Wendell Minor
This is a fresh way to approach Abraham Lincoln for very young children--verse spoken by Abe Lincoln that describes how he felt about the events that shaped his life and the life of the nation. "I'd fold up my legs like an umbrella and sit quiet at the back of the schoolroom, gulping down learning like water." After the Civil War, he was glad "the country is not divided and the slaves are free...though when I look in the mirror, I see how sorrow has dug lines in my cheeks." An adult will have to explain words like "sorrow" and "legislature," but the simple text does throw light on what this famous American might have been thinking. The author's note acknowledges that this is a work of fiction based on historical facts, an "imaginative exploration of... how Lincoln might have thought and felt about the events that shaped him into one of our greatest presidents." The warmly colored illustrations seem a bit stiff but there is always a thoughtfulness to Lincoln's expressions that ties in well with the text. As Lincoln worries at Gettysburg that he his speech a "short, poor thing," we see him downcast, surrounded by gravestones, holding a single small paper bearing the words of the Gettysburg address. 2001, HarperTrophy, $5.99, Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States
•Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2002; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
•Virginia State Young Readers' Award, 2003; Nominee; Virginia
ISBN: 0-06-051107-9
America the Beautiful
Poem by Katharine Lee Bates
Paintings by Wendell Minor
In 1893 Katharine Lee Bates traveled by train from Cape Cod to Colorado. This trip across the country inspired her poem, "America the Beautiful." In this moving book, Wendell Minor's paintings create an inspired portrait of America, covering landscapes from the wheat-filled plains to the snow-capped mountains and back to the sandy shores and blue ocean. The pictures also transport the reader through time, featuring the early settlements, a westward-bound wagon, a space shuttle leaving Cape Canaveral, and even the New York City skyline, with two great beams of light symbolizing the World Trade Center. Short biographies of the poem's author, Ms. Bates, and the man who set the poem to the tune we all know today, Samuel Augustus Ward, are included, along with a reproduction of the hand-written poem. At the back of the book, Minor includes descriptions of the places that inspired his illustrations. A beautiful tribute to both the poem and the country that inspired it. 2003, G.P. Putnam's Sons, $16.99. Ages All. Reviewer: Katie Preissner (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
ISBN: 0-399-23885-9
Arctic Son
Jean Craighead George
Paintings by Wendell Minor
Love of place is the focus of Jean Craighead George's Arctic Son. Born in the Arctic, baby Luke receives an Eskimo name, Kupaaq, as well as an English one and is introduced to the beauties of his stark home by Eskimo friends. Through the engaging narrative, which emphasizes respect for the natural world, young readers can learn about the northern lights, fishing traditions, snow caves and the ancient song that welcomes the sun after the dark winter. Wendell Minor's paintings capture the subtle color and details of this landscape where "things are very different." 1997, Hyperion, $14.95, Ages All. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature)
Children will be surprised by some of the points of view in this picture book. It's based on the author's grandson, Luke, who lives in an Inupiat village in Alaska. Luke, who is given the Eskimo name Kupaaq, experiences harsh conditions as a way of life. He learns that a snow cave is a "cozy and warm" place to nap, that 24-hour sunshine means you can play as long as you like, and that whales offer sustenance to the Inupiat people. George stretches things a bit when she says the sun doesn't rise in the winter or set in the summer; it does both those things, eventually, in each season. Illustrator Minor's watercolors capture both traditional and modern ways of life: dogsleds and school buses, trick-or-treating and the whaling festival. The author and illustrator have created a respectful portrayal of Alaska Native life. 1997, Hyperion Books for Children, $14.95, Ages 3 to 5. Reviewer: Donna Freedman (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 12th Edition, 1999; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
•The Best Children's Books of the Year, 1998; Bank Street College of Education; United States
•Kaleidoscope, A Multicultural Booklist for Grades K-8, Third Edition, 2001; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
•Seal of Approval Winner Holiday 1997 Children's Books United States
ISBN: 0-7868-0315-0
ISBN: 0-7868-2255-4
Cat, What is That?
Tony Johnston
Paintings by Wendell Minor
The brief verses walk on the pages here as purposefully as a cat, as they describe the many ways of felines. They investigate, stalk, hide; mysteriously and lovingly, in the rich, teasing language of the poet that is a delight to read aloud. Minor's naturalistic paintings, sometimes double page and sometimes single page with vignette, are filled with real cat personalities in situations from meadow and back fence to window ledge. Even those who are indifferent to cats will find their hearts stolen by these appealing pusses. 2001, HarperCollins, $15.95, Ages 3 to 9. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Los Angeles' 100 Best Books, 2001; IRA Children's Literature and Reading SIG and the Los Angeles Unified School District; United States
ISBN: 0-06-027742-4
ISBN: 0-06-027743-2
Everglades
Jean Craighead George
Illustrations by Wendell Minor
A storyteller teaches five children how the Everglades formed, what plants and animals thrived there, and how man's encroachment is threatening to destroy this "river of grass." The children are unhappy with the sad ending to his tale, but realize that it is their responsibility to change this by protecting the Everglades. Luminous paintings capture the setting perfectly. 1995, HarperCollins, $15.95, $15.89 and $5.95, Ages 4 to 10. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen (Children's Literature)
In this evocative tale, five children travel through the Florida Everglades by canoe, listening to a well-informed guide describe the evolution of landscape around them. Illustrated with majestic, full-page paintings, this exquisite book celebrates the beauty of the Everglades before humans damaged the ecosystem and encourages readers to restore this endangered environment. 1995, HarperCollins, $15.95, $15.89 and $5.95, Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Debra Briatico (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 1997; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
•Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
•Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of the Social Studies, 1995; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States
•School Library Journal Book Review Stars, June 1995; Cahners; United States
•Smithsonian Magazine's Notable Books for Children, 1995; Smithsonian; United States
•Teachers' Choices, 1996; International Reading Association; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
•The John Burroughs List of Nature Books for Young Readers Winner 1995 United States
ISBN: 0-06-021228-4
ISBN: 0-06-021229-2
ISBN: 0-06-446194-7
Fire Storm
Jean Craighead George
Wendell Minor
In the summer of 2000, Axel is pleased to be riding the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho with his Aunt Charlotte and his forester Uncle Paul. They are rafting and kayaking through cascades and waterfalls in the driest summer in a hundred years. Although the fires that have been reported burning are supposed to be far away, lightning starts some nearby and they find themselves surrounded by smoke and flames. They manage to reach safety, but Alex is depressed by the destruction. His uncle reassures him the forest will rise from the ashes by next summer. Minor's realistic renderings of the characters and landscapes, including the fires and smoke, add an urgency to the telling. He is able to depict the small human scale set in the "wilderness" as well as the emotions in the close-ups of the family. Based on an actual family experience, the story in the "Outdoor Adventures" series takes on added significance in light of the California wildfires of October 2003. 2003, Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins Publishers, $15.99, Ages 6 to 9. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
In the second book of Axel's outdoor adventures, Aunt Charlotte, Uncle Paul and nephew Axel are rafting down the Middle Fork of Idaho's Salmon River. Although it is the driest summer in a hundred years and fires are burning all over the West, the fire warden has assured the family that the fires are miles away. "Suddenly a bolt of dry lightning streaked from cloud to ground and hit the ridge above the river." Again lightning strikes the tinder-dry pine needles and without warning, Axel, Charlotte and Paul are caught in the middle of a blazing inferno. Dense smoke makes continuing on the river too risky, but will they be safe if they stay in an already burned-out campsite that Axel sees just ahead? There are vivid descriptions and illustrations of the raging fire and the devastation it leaves behind. "I want to cry for the lost forest," says Alex. But there is the reassurance that the fire is simply part of nature's cycle and that, in time, the forest will regenerate. "The forest is a phoenix, like the bird of legend. The phoenix burned itself to ashes and arose from those ashes to live again. The forest will too." A picture book whose the subject and language makes it most appropriate for older readers. 2003, Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins Publishers, $15.99, Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
ISBN: 0-06-000263-8
ISBN: 0-06-000264-6
Give Her the River: A Father's Wish for His Daughter
Michael Dennis Browne
Paintings by Wendell Minor
The poem is set against beautiful illustrations of a river as it flows through a bucolic countryside. Through his words, the father wishes all the wonders of the world for his daughter and these thoughts are expressed in his comments about the river. It opens at dawn, which is also a parallel for the dawn of his daughter's life, with beautiful swans gliding down the smooth water. The same wish would be for her life to be smooth and filled with the delight each new day brings. As the seasons transition so does the life of his daughter. We see the growth of blue wildflowers and the fully sprouted oak leaves in late spring and early summer. During the hot days of summer, father and daughter relax and enjoy reading and just spending time together. In the fall, the fiery orange leaves are a startling background for the image of a black Scottish terrier. That glowing autumn is followed by the frozen, snow covered ground, but a river that is still flowing. The year begins again and so does this child grow older. The father warm wishes are to share the last light of the evening and celebrate the arrival of baby ducks (new life) on this ever moving, ever flowing river of life. Wendell Minor brings all of the seasons and the delight that this young girl and her father take from their life together which is metaphorically symbolized by the river. While it is a picture book for younger children, older girls and women will recognize the message. Some men (Dads) are unable to express their real feelings in words, and this book may be a perfect way for them to show how much they really do care about their daughters. 2004, Atheneum, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-84326-7
Grand Canyon: Exploring a Natural Wonder
Words and pictures by Wendell Minor
While most visitors spend only 3 to 4 hours at the Grand Canyon, Wendell Minor devoted a total of 12 days to exploring, sketching and painting this natural wonder. The result is this attractive picture book in which each page of conversational text is accompanied by a large watercolor of an often panoramic scene on the opposite page, and a small painting or sketch of a smaller part of nature (such as a bee or ground squirrel) sharing the text-filled page. The book may inspire kids to take a closer look at nature and to try to draw or paint what they observe. 1998, Scholastic, $16.95, Ages 6 up. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 12th Edition, 1999; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
•Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
•Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 1999; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States
•Smithsonian Magazine's Notable Books for Children, 1998; Smithsonian; United States
ISBN: 0-590-47968-7
Into the Woods: John James Audubon Lives His Dream
Robert Burleigh
Paintings by Wendell Minor
Rather than writing a biography of Johan James Audubon, as one might initially have expected, the author has given us a reflection on Audubon's love of animals and his drive to observe and illustrate them in their natural habitat. The book is two stories in one, as each page contains an imagined conversation between Audubon and his father, as well as lines from Audubon's personal diaries. In the fabricated conversation, our woodsman/artist explains his motivations for pursuing his course. It is not until the final two pages of the book that we are given a two-paragraph summary of Audubon's life. In full-page depictions of Audubon in his field of study, the illustrator has brought his own love of nature to the pages of the book. As an added benefit, some of Audubon's own carefully rendered illustrations are portrayed throughout. This book will provide good supplementary material for the student who is researching either the life of Audubon or drawing from nature. 2003, Atheneum Books, $16.95 and $26.50, Ages 6 to 12. Reviewer: Susan Schott Karr (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, December 2, 2002; Cahners; United States
ISBN: 0-689-83040-8
Julie
Jean Craighead George
Illustrated by Wendell Minor
Surviving through an Arctic winter with no food and only wolves to communicate with is a hard act to follow. George gives it her best in this sequel to Julie of the Wolves. How will Julie come to terms with human beings again, particularly her father, who murdered her favorite wolf? How will she learn to integrate the old Eskimo ways with the new? Most of all, how will she save her wolf pack from extermination when it attacks the village's small herd of musk oxen? Her beloved wolves must live, but so must the villagers--and the musk oxen are critical to both. In choosing to deal with broader, almost metaphysical concerns between the animals and humans of the far north, George rekindles interest in Julie's return home. 1994, HarperCollins, $15.00, $14.89 and $4.50, Ages 10 up. Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 1997; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
•Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
•Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1994; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
•Kaleidoscope, A Multicultural Booklist for Grades K-8, Second Edition, 1997; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
•Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, 1995; National Science Teachers Association; United States
•Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States
•Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
•Teachers' Choices, 1995; International Reading Association; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
•ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 1995 Young Adults United States
•Reading Magic Awards Winner 1994 United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
•Iowa Teen Award, 1998-1999; Nominee; Iowa
•Maine Student Book Award, 1995-1996; Nominee; Maine
•Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, 1997; Nominee; Illinois
•South Carolina Book Awards, 1997; Nominee; South Carolina
ISBN: 0-06-023528-4
ISBN: 0-06-023529-2
Julie's Wolf Pack
Jean Craighead George
Illustrated by Wendell Minor
If your kids loved the Newbery-winning Julie of the Wolves and its sequel, Julie, they'll no doubt love Julie's Wolf Pack. You'll love it, too, if anthropomorphism is your bag. If not, not. The story is told almost entirely from the point of view of the wolves - an exciting, crowded tale that's a veritable soap opera of intrigue, romance and some literal backbiting. George manages to pull this off without a whiff of adorableness. Possibly it's because she has studied wolf behavior for 25 years, and obviously respects the animals' wilder tendencies as much as she does their more "human" traits of caring for the young, helping the sick and mating for life. Come to think of it, the wolves could teach some of us a thing or two. 1997, HarperCollins, $14.95 and $14.89, Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Donna Freedman (Children's Literature)
In Julie of the Wolves and its sequel Julie, George introduced readers to the fascinating life of Julie and her interaction with a pack of wolves on the Arctic tundra and in northern Alaska. In this fabulous continuation of the story, the story is no longer from Julie's perspective but rather from the wolves' point of view. Through the minds of the different members of the Julie's wolf pack, the story of their fight for survival unfurls. The young leader Kapu struggles to keep his position from internal opposition within the pack. The entire pack faces a strange illness along with a food shortage that endangers their lives along with the lives of their new pups. Following several years in the lives of these wolves is engaging reading. Julie, the protagonist in the other novels, appears as a strong human presence throughout the book, and helps the wolves whenever she can while going forward with her own plans for the future which may separate her from her beloved wolves. 1997, HarperCollins, $14.95 and $14.89, Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Rebecca Joseph (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•The Best Children's Books of the Year, 1998; Bank Street College of Education; United States
•Books for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Fourteenth Edition, 2001; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
•Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
•Children's Choices, 1998; International Reading Association; United States
•Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States
•Not Just for Children Anymore!, 1998; Children's Book Council; United States
•Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, July 1997; Cahners; United States
•Reading Magic Awards, 1997; Parenting; United States Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California •Department of Education; California
•Young Adults' Choices, 1999; International Reading Association; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
•ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 1998 Middle Grade Readers United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
•Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award Reading List, 1999-2000; Nominee; Arkansas
•Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 1999; Nominee; Vermont
ISBN: 0-06-027406-9
ISBN: 0-06-027407-7
A Lucky Thing
Poems by Alice Schertle
Paintings by Wendell Minor
With the lines, "I'll scatter some words, watch them grow. I'll plant a meadow," the reader is drawn into a world of marvelous images. Country life is celebrated in these fourteen poems featuring wild and domestic animals, the barn, and the weathervane. Here, one can feel what it is like to be a mole underground. Sheep at a distance look like "soft gray caps of mushrooms," "plumped-up pillows," and "piles of laundry." The title poem, in which the reader is invited to look at life from the viewpoints of a robin perched in a tree and chickens living in a coop, is perfect for a discussion on perception. Realistic watercolor illustrations parallel the emotions of the poems. Astute readers will discover a piece of paper or a writing implement in each illustration. This is a delightful collection to share with a friend. 1999, Browndeer Press/ Harcourt, $17.00, Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2000; Bank Street College of Education; United States
•Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
•The Children's Literature Choice List, 2000; Children's Literature; United States
•Los Angeles' 100 Best Books, 1999; IRA Children's Literature and Reading SIG and the Los Angeles Unified School District; United States
•Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, May 1999; Cahners; United States
•Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
•Rhode Island Children's Book Award, 2001; Nominee; Rhode Island
•Texas Bluebonnet Award, 2002; Nominee; Texas
•Utah Children's Book Awards, 2002; Nominee; Utah
ISBN: 0-15-200541-2
Morning, Noon, and Night
Jean Craighead George
Paintings by Wendell Minor
The detailed, realistic paintings illustrating this book add greatly to the chronicling of a day begun as the rosy light of dawn turns night into day. The cardinal sings, "Good morning, the sun. Cheer, Cheer." Work begins. The oxen labor in the fields, the birds, toads and frogs search for food and the bees buzz, "Work, Work." The sun is high at noon and it is time for a siesta. The animals doze and birds are quiet. In the afternoon, as the work is done, the bison wanders over to the water while the prairie dog plays. At dusk, the nocturnal creatures begin to stir and as night falls, the bat flies and the owl sings, "Who, the night, Who, Who?" The earth turns and it is dawn once again and the bright red cardinal sings, "Cheer, cheer." A peaceful book which will provide a tranquil interval when read with a young child just before a nap or bedtime. 1999, HarperCollins, $15.95, Ages 3 to 8.
Best Books:
•Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
•Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, May 1999; Cahners; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
•Children's Crown Gallery Award, 2002; Nominee; United States
ISBN: 0-06-023628-0
ISBN: 0-06-023629-9
Pumpkin heads!
Wendell Minor
The author dedicates his book to children of all ages who celebrate autumn with a visit to the pumpkin patch. Using very simple language, the dramatic paintings evoke memories and senses of the season. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes inspire young readers to create their own Halloween magic. Beginning at a pumpkin patch, the reader is taken on a ride to view pumpkin heads of all types. We see a snowman pumpkin, a cowboy, and some jack-o-lanterns peeking from windows. Some are silly and others are scary, some are happy while others are sad. One is even a hot air balloon. Each painting begs to be viewed again and again, making this a wonderful seasonal treat to read year after year. 2000, Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, $15.95, Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Laura Hummel (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-590-52105-5
Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson
Amy Ehrlich
Illustrated by Wendell Minor
As a young child walking outdoors with her mother, Rachel learned the names of insects, birds and plants and developed a profound love for nature. Rachel's love for nature and writing offered her the better of two worlds and as she furthered her education, she was able to write about what she learned. She was the author of many books, all dealing with the mysteries of nature, and later used the power of print to enlighten people of the need for wilderness sanctuaries. Her determination to make a difference certainly came true, as her book Silent Spring is credited with beginning today's environmental movement. The illustrations that accompany this biography are absolutely beautiful and add much richness for the reader. Written with each page as a separate event and part of a timeline, this is a very easy read for children, and it is an interesting way to cover many facts of a person's life in just 28 pages, with over half of them being illustrations. Readers will look at Rachel's story and refer to it many times, and will keep it in a prominent place in their personal library. Teachers will put this at the top of their list for introducing biographies. 2003, Harcourt Inc, $16.00, Ages 6 to 12. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Best Books for Children, 2003; Science Books & Films; United States
•Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
•Choices, 2004; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
ISBN: 0-15-216227-5
The Seashore Book
Charlotte Zolotow
Paintings by Wendell Minor
In this beautiful story, a boy from the mountains asks his mother to describe what the seashore looks like. In order to achieve this task, the author presents a descriptive poem that takes the reader on an imaginary sensory adventure. Zolotow effectively describes the colors, sounds, and sights of the seashore including watching the sun break through the morning mist, picking up shells at the water's edge, and listening to the sounds of the wind and waves. Detailed illustrations perfectly depict the activities enjoyed during a visit to the beach. 1992, HarperCollins, $15.00 and $5.95, Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Debra Briatico (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K-Grade 6, Tenth Edition, 1993; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
•Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
•Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of the Social Studies, 1992; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States
•Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, 1992; National Science Teachers Association; United States
•Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
ISBN: 0-06-020214-9
ISBN: 0-06-020213-0
Shaker Hearts
Ann Turner
Paintings by Wendell Minor
A perfect blending of theme, text and illustration, this visually appealing book could be read aloud as a bedtime poem to a toddler. The older child, reading the author's notes along with the main text, will gain some understanding of the Shaker community. The notes also serve to allow use of the book as a starting point when doing research on the Shaker way or life. The simple paintings by Wendell Minor are impressive in their own right yet precisely complement the spare text of Ann Turner. They are fitting illustrations of a Shaker village where simplicity was a lifestyle and beauty was evident in the ordinary accoutrements of existence. 1997, HarperCollins, $14.95 and $14.89, Ages All. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
•Not Just for Children Anymore!, 1998; Children's Book Council; United States
•Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California
ISBN: 0-06-025369-X
ISBN: 0-06-025370-3
Added 05/31/04
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