Teaching Art

"At just thirty-three words total, [this] poem is a study in simplicity, writes Smith (Rimshots; If); in its visual simplicity, his picture-book presentation is a tour de force. Introducing the poem two or three words at a time, Smith pairs each phrase with a portrait of one or more African-Americans; printed in sepia, the faces of his subjects materialize on black pages. The night, reads the opening spread, across from an image of a mans face, his eyes shut; is beautiful, continues the next spread, showing the same face, now with eyes open and a wide smile. The text, sized big to balance the portraits, shows up in hues that range from white to tan to brown-black, reflecting Smiths reading that the words celebrate black people of differing shades and ages. An inventive design adds a short, shadowed row or column of small portraits to the edge of many spreads; these quietly reinforce the concept of my people. Whether of babies, children or adults, Smiths faces emerge into the light, displaying the best that humanity has to offer intelligence, wisdom, curiosity, love and joy." (Publishers Weekly Review)

The charm of this economically told tale lies in the black-and-white photographs, which Ellwand softens with sepia tones and gilds with gold touches where Midas leaves his trail. Close-ups of the bright-eyed and bewhiskered hero may well cause a run on mice at the pet store. (Publisher's Weekly Review)

Two noted wildlife photographers create this bestselling fantasy tale of animals reacting to a snowman that appears in their woods.

A very excited toy cow takes an adventurous trip to a grocery store.

This will be a fun example for early elementary students when discussing and creating a digitizing adventure of their own.