Blog 1: Caldecott Award

Book Choice: "Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet"
Author: David McLimans
Illustrator:David McLimans









(1) Before initially choosing this book, I was browsing through book titles and was intrigued by this one. Once I viewed the cover and a brief synopsis, I knew this was as book I had to "check out." One unique attribute to McLiman's picture book is that all the illustrations are done in simple black and white. In fact, there really aren't too many fancy details to these illustrations. What is innovative is the fact that McLimans takes each letter of the alphabet (A-Z) and creates an impression of that animal while still displaying that animal. For example, "A" represents the Chinese Alligator, which originates in China and is critically endangered. The "A" illustration is of an A, however the letter is formed with a distinctive alligator jaw and a tail. Another example might be the letter "G", which represents the swan goose (originate in deltas, lakes, marshes, streams and is also critically endangered). See the attached photograph (to left) as an example of the artist's talent in simulating these creatures.

One element of this book that I did not enjoy as much was the fact that the information about each creature was fairly basic and simplistic. The formating allowed only a box of bulleted facts about each creature. I would have preferred to see a few sentences detailing more information about these unique animals.

(2) I suppose another reason I was initially drawn to this book was because I have always been intrigued by "alphabet books." For example, one of my very favorite books is "The Z was Zapped" by Chris Van Allsburg. This is likely why I truly enjoyed this book as I did. Due to the type of book that this is, I would have had the same reaction to this book regardless of time, day, or season!

(3) Comparatively speaking, I do tend to compare all alphabet books to Van Allsburg's "The Z was Zapped." I teach third grade, but even my eight and nine year olds love that book. "Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet" ranks very high on my alphabet book experiences. I do like the fact that the author/illustrator was able to enlighten the reader with facts about each species. As previously mentioned, more information about each would have been preferable. I have not yet read other books by David McLimmons, so I have no basis to compare upon.

(4) One bit of insight I gathered after reading this picture book is the fact that you can truly interest students in topics such as endangered species with books such as this. Additionally, I had no idea that some of the species Mr. McLimmons listed were endangered. Surprising animals to make the list include the swan goose, snow leopard, spotted owl, black rhinoceros, and the zebra! The book also provides websites toward the back to find out more information on endangered species.


Images courtesy of http://images.google.com/