Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award or Illustrator Honor book

Collier, B. (2000). Uptown. New York: Henry Holt and Company

             A young boy describes the sights and sound of is native city of Harlem.  He takes the reader on a tour of all the places that define his environment.  We will learn of the Metro-north train and chicken and waffles.  We will also learn of things that are an integral part of the black community like Jazz and Showtime at the Apollo. 

            The illustrations used to depict the city are beautiful. The Illustrator uses rich brown tones as a background to enhance the deep rich red, gold, pale blues and blacks of his photograph quality illustrations.

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Format:  Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages 6 - 9
Awards:   2001 Best Books of English Language Arts
                  2001 Coretta Scott King Award
                  2001 Notable Social Studies Trade Books

 

 

Myers, W. (2006). Jazz. Illus by Christopher Myers. New York: Holiday House.

            This book celebrates the musical phenomena called Jazz.  In lyrical poetry form the story tells of the origins of Jazz and the different styles of Jazz like Stride, swing and fusion.  It celebrates to contributions of greats like Louie Armstrong.  The rhythm of the poem gives a feeling and sound of the type off Jazz being talked about.

            The rich vibrant illustrations echo the vibrancy of the music and people about which the text talks.

Genre:  Poetry

Format:  Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Grades 7 - up
Awards:  2007 ALA Notable
                2007 Best Books of English Language Arts
                2007 Coretta Scott King Award
                2006 Golden Kite Award

Rappaport, D., & Collier, B. (2001). Martin's big words: The life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.     New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

              All over town Martin saw signs that said "whites only" which made he feel bad.  This is how Doreen Rappaport begins this book which takes the reader on the journey through Martin Luther King Jr. We learn of the influences in his life like his parents, the bible and Ghandi.  The reader joins the struggle for civil rights in a peace manner.  Again, Rappaport paints a picture of her subject using his own words in boldface print on most of the pages.  The book contains the most beautiful portraits and paintings of stain glass windows. 

                       
Genre:   Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Age or Grade level (s):  Ages  5 - 8
Awards:  2002 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor Book
                 2002 Caldecott Medal Honor Book  
                 2002 ALA Notable Children's Books
                 2002 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book
                 2002  IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List  
                 2002  IRA Children's Choices Reading List  
                 2001 School Library Journal Best Books of
                 2001 New York Times Best Illustrated Books  
                 2002 Jane Addams Children's Book Award, Picture Book