THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 21, 1995 TAG: 9502210040
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BARBARA BURNS, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines
TWO VIRTUAL unknowns in the area of children's literature captured the highest honors in the field recently when the American Library Association announced the winners of the annual Caldecott and Newbery Awards.
The prestigious Caldecott Medal, for best illustrated children's book of the year, went to the acclaimed graphic artist David Diaz for his illustrations in ``Smoky Night'' (Harcourt Brace, $13.95).
The narrative by Eve Bunting depicts the difficult issues of urban violence. She tells the story of a young boy, Daniel, and his mother, who watch as their neighborhood is taken over by looters and arsonists during the Los Angeles riots.
When they must leave their smoky apartment for shelter, Daniel's cat, Jasmine, is missing. Ultimately, a fireman rescues Jasmine, along with a neighbor's cat. The cats have never gotten along before the night of the rioting, which brings the cats AND their owners poignantly together.
Diaz's acrylic paintings have been placed on each page with texts and an unusual assortment of items kin to a collage format to capture a child's view of the smoky night. Bunting's insight into a delicate issue works masterfully with Diaz's artistic interpretation.
In addition, three picture books received Caldcott Honor Medals. ``Swamp Angel'' (Dutton, $14.99), an original tall tale written by Anne Isaacs, features the art of Paul O. Zelinsky, a previous Honor Medal winner for ``Rumplestiltskin'' and ``Hansel and Gretel.''
His illustrations are painted on cherry and maple veneers in a primitive style and evoke the humor and exaggeration of this rollicking tale of a Tennessee woodswoman and her encounters with a fearsome bear.
``John Henry'' (Dial, $16,99), a Julius Lester interpretation of the well-known African-American folk hero, is illustrated by still another two time Caldecott Honoree, Jerry Pinkney. His distinctive style of pencil, colored pencil and watercolors are a stunning tribute to his giant character.
The third Honor Medal was given to Eric Rohmann for ``Time Flies'' (Crown, $15). This wordless fantasy marks Rohmann's picture-book debut. He depicts a bird flying into a dinosaur museum and through a prehistoric skeleton. The bird is transported into an earlier time and place.
The Newbery Medal, awarded to an American author for the best literary contribution to children's literature, went to Sharon Creech. ``Walk Two Moons'' (Dutton, $16), Creech's first novel to be published in America, is a moving story about 13-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle as she travels from Ohio to Idaho with her eccentric grandparents. She entertains them along the way by telling of her friend, Phoebe Winterbottom, whose mother has disappeared.
In many ways, Salamanca's story is like Phoebe's. Sal's mother left for Idaho and, although she promised to return, as yet she has not. The novel is humorous, heart-wrenching and mysterious. Creech's ability to weave all of these qualities into her touching novel makes her well-deserving of the top prize in children's literature.
A Newbery Honor Medal was awarded to Karen Cushman for ``Catherine, Called Birdy'' (Clarion, $13.95). This first-time novelist has an avid interest in history and has always ``wanted to know what life was like for ordinary young people in other times.'' Her novel is a diary of a 14-year-old girl living on a medieval English manor in 1290.
Catherine resists her mother's efforts to make her a lady as well as her father's attempts to marry her off. She is entertaining. By moving forward 900 years, we are taken to our second Honor Medal winner, ``The Ear, the Eye and the Arm'' (Orchard), a science-fiction novel set in Africa. The author, Nancy Farmer, spent 17 years in remote parts of Africa, which inspired her interest in a Zimbabwe of 2194. Three young African children become targets of a kidnapping plot in this action-packed thriller.
The Coretta Scott King Award given to an African-American illustrator went to James E. Ransome for ``The Creation,'' (Holiday House, $15.95). His picture book is an artistic interpretation of a 1919 poem by James Weldon Johnson. Free verse tells the biblical story of the creation of the world from the first night and day to the shaping of the lump of clay to form a human being. Ransome's vibrant paintings portray a black storytreller preaching to a group of children under the shade of a tree. They are expressive, and a perfect accompaniment to the rhythmical text.
Another Coretta Scott King Award went to a husband and wife team, Patricia and Frederick McKissack, for ``Christmas In The Big House, Christmas in the Quarters'' (Scholastic, $17.95). In this stunning portrayal of life on a Virginia plantation in 1859, the authors compare and contrast how Christmas was celebrated in a big plantation house and in the slave quarters.
The McKissacks meticulously researched the plantation along the James River, specifically Sully, Edgewood, Oaklands and Shirley plantations, in this outstanding contribution to children's literature. MEMO: Barbara Burns is librarian in the Lower school at Norfolk Academy. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
``Smoky Night,'' a story about the Los Angeles riots, won the
Caldecott Medal for best illustrated children's book.
``Walk Two Moons'' won the Newbery Medal, awarded for the best
literary contribution to children's literature.
by CNB