Caldecott Honor - “Henry’s Freedom Box” By: Ellen Levine - Illustrated By: Kadir Nelson

Henry’s Freedom Box is a true story about Henry “Box” Brown who was a slave that mailed himself to freedom.  After Henry had been separated from his mother and then years later from his wife and children, Henry came up with the plan to mail himself to Philadelphia.   

I really enjoyed reading this book and I am happy that I purchased it.  I feel that this is a book that I can read to my class every year.  Henry’s Freedom Box would be a great read aloud during Black History Month or to teach students about the Underground Railroad. 

I can understand why this book was a Caldecott Honor Book because Kadir Nelson does such a terrific job making the characters seem realistic and the reader can feel what the characters are going through.  The illustrations where Henry is inside the box and being turned and flipped over will allow the students to see what he really went through to get to freedom. 

Caldecott Honor - “Coming On Home Soon” By: Jacqueline Woodson Illustrated By: E.B. Lewis

Coming On Home Soon is a story of historical fiction for students in primary or intermediate grades.  The story takes place during World War II and a little girl, Ada Ruth, waits with her grandmother, while her mother goes off to find work.  Ada Ruth, waits for her mother and describes the hard times her family is going through.  In the story, a small kitten comes to her home and helps pass the time.  Throughout the story the reader learns about the hard times during the war and the hardship of separating from a parent.

            The illustrations by E.B. Lewis are magnificent and life like.  As the reader, I felt as if I were in the story and that I was watching real people.  The descriptions in the story and the illustrations make you feel as if you are reading about a factual character.  Last week, my third grade class read My Rows and Piles of Coins, which was also illustrated by E.B. Lewis.  The illustrations in both were very life like and my students commented on how the illustrations look very real.

            What I really like about Coming On Home Soon, besides the wonderful illustrations is how it can be used to teach many different lessons.  As a teacher, I try to find books that are interesting, but can also teach a lesson at the same time.  This book could be used during Black History Month, lessons on World War II, separation from a parent, etc. 

Caldecott Medal – "Kitten’s First Full Moon" By: Kevin Henkes

Kitten’s First Full Moon is a story for any child or student in the primary grades.  The story tells about a kitten who thinks the full moon is a bowl of milk and the adventure she goes on to reach the milk.  Students will like the antics as kitten falls, bounces, climbs, etc. trying to reach her bowl of milk.  Students will be able to find repetition and read along easily with the story, “Poor Kitten!” or “Still, there was the little bowl of milk, just waiting.”

The illustrations by Kevin Henkes are amazing in black and white, which bring the story to life.  Henkes does a wonderful job making the illustrations pop off the page and makes the reader feel like they are there with kitten.  Some of the illustrations seem almost like a comic strip, making the reader follow along and get a step by step feel of what’s going on in the story.

In the classroom, a teacher could do several different learning activities with the story or the book could be a fun read for students.  I plan to read Kitten’s First Full Moon to my students this week!