Roly Poly Pangolin written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney

Publication Date:
March 9, 2010

Reviewed For:
Ages 4-8

Journal Review / Summary
Very few children will know what a pangolin is, especially preschoolers, but this scaly baby animal evidently has many of the same fears as little kids. In large type and rhyming sentences, listeners are told how Roly Poly is scared of new things, like something that might bite, bugs for dinner, playing with strange animals, and monster sounds. So Roly Poly does what pangolins do: he rolls up into a ball. When he peeks out, he sees another ball peeking back! He has found a friend. “Roly Poly, very small, / feeling better, feeling tall. / So much to see, so much to do . . . / So much nicer when it’s two!” The scaly creatures are playfully but accurately illustrated, with the addition of expressive faces to reflect emotions. An author’s note explains that pangolins are an endangered species and makes a plea for readers to visit her Web site to learn how to help. Book proceeds will go to Cuc Phuong National Park, in Vietnam, where research is being conducted. – Booklist

Illustration Medium:
oil paints with some oil pastel, plus a bit of colored pencil.  The paintings are on canvas

Execution in the artistic technique employed:
I love Anna Dewdney’s art.

Appropriateness of style of illustration to story, theme, and concept:
Whimsical and expressive.

Delineation/interpretation of a plot through illustration:
Roly Poly peeking out of his ball to see a new friend? Priceless & adorable.

Delineation/interpretation of a theme or concept through illustration:
Great for discussing different social aspects – being shy, scared, worried to try new things – all emotions shown on Roly Poly Pangolin’s face. His expressions are excellent!

Delineation of characters through illustration:
I love Roly Poly pangolin.  He is so cute!

Delineation of setting through illustration:
Setting is very basic.

Delineation of mood through illustration:
Worried and scared Roly Poly pangolin is adorable.

Delineation of information through illustration:
Though the story doesn’t tell about pangolins, the information at the back of the book is wonderful for anyone who doesn’t know about the animal.

Concluding Caldecott Thoughts:
Initial no, but I’m leaning toward a maybe now.

LMNO Peas written and illustrated by Keith Baker

Publication Date: April 2010

Reviewed For: Pre-K – Grade 1

Journal Review / Summary
Humble green peas provide inspiration in this hilarious, occupation-based romp through the alphabet. Four-inch-high letters on each page serve as an ingenious architectural platform around, above, and inside of which dozens of “pea-ple” swarm in joyful pursuit of myriad types of work. Bouncy, rhyming text introduces the alphabet peas as “acrobats, artists, and astronauts in space, builders, bathers, and bikers in a race,” with unpaid “voters and volunteers” receiving their due, too. Baker’s inventive details belie the “as alike as two peas in a pod” adage; each and every amusing personalized pea is as unique as a snowflake—and that’s the point. The digitally rendered illustrations glow in vibrant, textured colors that boldly leap off the page against a background of ample white space. The sheer fun of the rhythmic text and the large alphabet letters work well for a read-aloud audience, but the busy, engaging details of the peas in their various worker modes are better suited for one-on-one exploration that young children will want to pore over again and again.—SLJ

Illustration Medium:
Digitally rendered.

Execution in the artistic technique employed:
Not particularly impressive to me as digital artwork

Appropriateness of style of illustration to story, theme, and concept:
Colorful and cheerful, which reflects the adorableness of the images chosen for each letter.

Delineation/interpretation of a plot through illustration:
Not much plot – but well-chosen professions and activities for each letter.

Delineation/interpretation of a theme or concept through illustration:
Peas! So cute.  The idea of being whoever you want to be is well shown in the book.

Delineation of characters through illustration:
The peas each are very unique, even though there are many of them, which is impressive to me since they are so small and basic.

Delineation of setting through illustration:
Excellent use of the large letters in integrating the activities/professions.

Delineation of mood through illustration:
Unique, fun – well done.

Delineation of information through illustration:
Creative picks for the less common letters (Quilters, Quarterbacks, Underwater divers, Volunteers, X-Ray doctors, Yogis in a pose, Zoologists)

Concluding Caldecott Thoughts:
At first, thought no – but now I’m on board!