Book of the Month
2009-2010
November
Building Manhattan
Written and Illustrated by Laura Vila
Right in time for Thanksgiving comes a picture book for city lovers everywhere. Vibrant illustrations and text come together in this striking picture book to tell the story of the building of Manhattan. There was a time when the city was a little more than an undeveloped island. But as the small patch of land shifted from Native American to Dutch to English to American hands, it was built, layer on top of layer, into the bustling metropolis it is today. A time line provides further background, including dates, for each illustration. This is an effective visual presentation that introduces the history of Manhattan and also explores how places change over time.
Get to know Laura Vila by visiting the website listed below:
Laura Vila
October
The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind
An Aesop’s Fable
Retold by Heather Forest
Illustrated by Susan Gaber
As he watches a man in an overcoat walk down a road, the Sun challenges the bragging Wind to a contest of strength. Which one of them can take the coat off the man? The Wind blows as mightily as he can; the man just clutches his coat more tightly. But when the Sun shines ever more brightly, and the man finally takes his coat off. The Sun tells the amazed Wind that he did not force the man, but “through gentleness … won his way.” In this retelling of a classic fable from Aesop, we learn that being the most forceful does not make you the strongest. Sometimes the greatest strength comes from a place of gentleness.
Get to know Heather Forest by clicking on the link below:
Take a look at Susan Gaber’s portfolio by clicking on the link below:
Susan Gaber
September
First Food Fight This Fall 
And Other School Poems
Written by Marilyn Singer
Illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa
When school days roll around again, this is the perfect collection to get children back in the mood. Written by acclaimed poet Marilyn Singer, First Food Fight This Fall serves up a heaping helping of wit and humor. Each short, appealing verse is told in the voice of one or more of the pupils. Together, they paint a funny and touching picture of everyday life in the classroom: the friendly feuds, sandwich trades, field trips, science fair; the subjects kids like, the ones they don’t, their troubles and triumphs.
Artist Sachiko Yoshikawa’s lively and engaging illustrations—which feature collage and mixed-media techniques—add to the delight, from her first picture of a school bus decked with a “Yay! First Day!” banner to the sunshine-filled final day of the year
Meet Marilyn Singer:
Meet Sachiko Yoshikawa:
