2008 Fiction Picture Book Finalists

Abe Lincoln Crosses A Creek: A Tall Thin Tale
(Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend)
written by Deborah Hopkinson
illustrated by John Hendrix
Schwartz and Wade Books

In a year abundant in releases about our 16th president, this picture book title stands out for its originality, vibrant illustrations, and interactive flair. While the setting is historical, the mood is thoroughly modern in this clever celebration of the oral storytelling tradition.
--Travis Jonkers, 100 Scope Notes

Big Bad Bunny, The
written by Franny Billingsley
illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Atheneum

No rushing stream or mucky swamp can stop Big Bad Bunny and his long sharp claws. Through the tangly bushes he marches, fierce and scowling--and a worried mama mouse has just discovered her baby mouse is missing. Suspenseful pacing, engaging art, and a delightful twist ending make this an enchanting tale for the preschool set.
--Melissa Wiley, Here in the Bonny Glen

Chester's Back

written and illustrated by Melanie Watts
Kids Can Press, Ltd

A sublimely pushy cat vies for attention and control with his author and illustrator in this wildly funny book. With creativity and innovation, the author allows her persistent character Chester to scrawl over her illustrations and text with a red marker, creating immediacy, tension, and humor.
--Cheryl Rainfield

How to Heal a Broken Wing
written and illustrated by Bob Graham
Candlewick Press

When a pigeon is injured in the middle of a busy city, no one stops to help until a little boy and his family take the bird home to heal it. Told mainly through pictures with minimal text to drive the plot forward, the story is touching one of kindness, patience, and humanity.
--Pam Coughlan, MotherReader

Katie Loves the Kitttens

written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Henry Holt

The dog Katie can’t contain her desire to play with the new kitten companions in her home, but unfortunately her exuberance is overwhelming to the tiny creatures. With redirection and restraint, Katie finally finds a way to show her love for the kittens. The humor in, the situation, the story-telling, and illustrations will engage kids of all ages in this fun, romping story.
--Pam Coughlan, MotherReader

Sea Serpent and Me, The

written by Dashka Slater
illustrated by Catia Chien
Houghton Mifflin

An extraordinary friendship begins when a sea serpent drops from a faucet into a little girl's bath. As their friendship grows so does the sea serpent, until the girl has to admit that this creature belongs in the sea. This charming tale of friendship is propelled by lovely, energetic watercolor illustrations that create a world full of whimsy the reader will find hard to leave.
--Stephanie Ford, ChildLit

Visitor for Bear, A

written by Bonny Becker
illustrated by Kady Denton
Candlewick Press

When a mouse ignores the sign on Bear's door that reads "NO VISITORS ALLOWED", Bear can't get back to business as mouse continually reappears in Bear's home finally making Bear wonder if he really prefers to be alone after all. The text begs to be read aloud and the subdued watercolor, ink, and gouache illustrations chock full of personality that creating a tale every member of the family will adore.
--Stephanie Ford, ChildLit

Wabi Sabi
written by Mark Reibstein
illustrated by Ed Young
Little, Brown

A Japanese cat searches for the meaning of her name, and discovers that beauty can be found in simple, ordinary things and experiences. The text shows many layers and depth, the haikus are well-integrated into the story, and the collage illustrations are astonishing in their texture and beauty.
--Cheryl Rainfield

Comments

[Jen Robinson]

Am I the only one who wants to go out and buy every single one of the shortlist books in every single category?? This is great stuff!

[teacherninja]

No, Jen, you're not the only one!

[Susan (Chicken Spaghetti)]

Katie Loves the Kittens and A Visitor for Bear--two of my favorites! Now I'll have to catch up with the rest.

[Jules]

Excellent!

[Laura]

Huzzah for "Sea Serpent" and "Katie"!!!

Is it blasphemous if I admit that this is more fun than the Caldecotts???

[Jill (The Well-Read Child)]

"The Sea Serpent and Me" was one of my favorite books in 2008. So glad to see it and so many great others on the list!

[Margarette Burnette]

Congratulations to all of the finalists. I think the Abe Lincoln book is very timely!

[Jane Glen]

I purchased Chester's Back by Melanie Watt for my 4 year old granddaughter. We read it over and over with 6 year old brother hanging on every word. I was thrilled to see her on this list. Her Scaredy Squirrel series is also extremely popular in my school.

[brettdl]

@Jane: You might be interested to know "Scaredy Squirrel" was our 2006 winner in this category. Thanks for stopping by. -Anne Levy

[L.C.]

I wanted to comment because I read "Too Many Frogs" by Sandy Asher. Later I heard about "A Visitor for Bear" by Bonny Becker. Becker's book reads almost like a copy of Asher's book! Very similar style and the exact same theme.

This may be of no consequence for the Cybils, but perhaps kids who like Becker's book would also enjoy reading Asher's book too!

:-)

[L.C.]

Forgot to mention... Asher's book came out 1 year before Becker's book and is relatively unknown.

The fact that Becker's book has achieved a certain level of fame (it was reviewed on NPR, for instance) just shows how important marketing is!

[dissertation writing]

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[dissertation writing]

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Nice work

[Pam Laskin]

Bella and Bean is the best! Pam Laskin

[funny flash games]

Forgot to mention... Ashers book came out 1 year before Beckers book and is relatively unknown.

The fact that Beckers book has achieved a certain level of fame (it was reviewed on NPR, for instance) just shows how important marketing is!
+1

[Numéro rio]

Katie Loves the Kittens and A Visitor for Bear--two of my favorites! Now I'll have to catch up with the rest.