Caldecott Award

Henkes, Kevin. (2004). Kitten’s first moon. United States: Greenwillow Books.

Summary:
Kitten’s first experience with a full moon does not go very well and is filled with lots of new experiences for Kitten – from eating a bug, getting stuck in a tree, and finally getting all wet. Since Kitten has never seen a full moon before, she believes it to be a bowl of milk. Through the use of simple black and white illustrations and simple text, Kevin Henkes describes the adventure Kitten has one night as she chases that big bowl of milk in the sky.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2005 Caldecott Award Winner
2005 ALA Notable/Best Book

Willems, Mo. (2007). Knuffle bunny too: a case of mistaken identity. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Summary:
In this sequel to Knuffle Bunny: a Cautionary Tale, Mo Willems continues to use the combination of black and white photographs and simple colored illustrations to continue the story of Trixie and her special companion, Knuffle Bunny. Trixie cannot wait to show Knuffle Bunny to her Pre-K teacher and class, but her plans are changed when another classmate shows up with her own Knuffle Bunny. After a day full of bickering and bunny timeouts, Trixie finally heads home with Knuffle Bunny. It is not until 2 a.m. that she realizes that she does not have her bunny. After a middle-of-the-night rendezvous, an exchange of bunnies occurs and a new friendship is created.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2008 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book

Willems, Mo. (2003). Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Summary:
By using minimal colors and the simple drawing of a blue pigeon, Mo Willems tells the story of Pigeon. All Pigeon wants to do is drive the bus. Mo Willems has Pigeon interact with the reader by begging and pleading to drive the bus until it ends in a tantrum that most children will be able to relate too. Mo Willems also leaves the reader wanting more of Pigeon by including one last illustration at the end of the book – Pigeon looking at an 18 wheeler – Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the 18 Wheeler.

Genre: Animal Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2004 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2004 ALA Notable/Best Book