CHECK IT OUT

Don’t believe that creativity and determination can be as important in

life as a high I.Q.? Read between the lines of the children’s books

recognized last month with the highest honors in literature for young

readers for a resounding affirmation of that message.

Awarded at the American Library Assn.’s annual convention, held Jan.

19-21 in New Orleans, the 2002 Newbery Medal went to Linda Sue Park’s “A

Single Shard.” The story stars Tree-ear, a 10-year-old orphan who lives

under a bridge with his wise friend, Crane-man, in 12th century Korea.

When the boy becomes fascinated with the work of a nearby community of

potters, a transformation from apprentice to artist begins.

Resourcefulness and perseverance in the face of daunting odds figure into

his journey of self-discovery.

The deck seems equally stacked against Primrose Squarp, heroine of

Polly Horvath’s 2002 Newbery Honor Book “Everything on a Waffle.”

Although most folks in her fishing village believe Primrose’s parents

have died at sea, the plucky optimist is sure they’re alive, somewhere.

While shuffled from caretaker to caretaker, Primrose offers wry

commentary on her misadventures and the world. In a story that combines

recipes, quirky characters and hilarious anecdotes, the wisdom of a girl

who holds hope above adult logic shines through.

Although ostensibly for the very young, David Wiesner’s unconventional

retelling of “The Three Pigs” has appeal for all ages. The winner of the

2002 Caldecott Medal for Best Picture Book boots the pigs out of the

familiar fairy tale and into their own romp in a paper airplane.

As they fly off to other storybooks, Wiesner depicts the pigs in an

array of illustrative styles. The upshot is a wildly imagined yarn that

encourages kids to think beyond predictable boundaries, to recognize

possibilities for their own fictions.

It may take considerable creativity to imagine a time when no one knew

what a dinosaur looked like, but that was the case before Waterhouse

Hawkins fabricated ancient giants into full-size models. Barbara Kerley

teams with illustrator Brian Selznick to tell the story of Hawkins’ life

in “The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins,” a Caldecott Honor Book that

reveals the legacy of a little-known dreamer.

Another true to life tale inspires “The Stray Dog,” a Caldecott Honor

Book with pictures by Marc Simont that eloquently tell the story. Saved

from sentimentality by simple details (a boy donates his belt as a collar

for a stray dog, then endures the indignity of his shorts falling down),

this is a picture book with all the elements of a classic.

A pictorial biography of a real life hero completes this year’s lineup

of Caldecott Honor Books. Featuring watercolor and collage illustrations

by Brian Collier that illuminate Doreen Rappaport’s spare text, “Martin’s

Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” is a visual tribute

to the world’s preeminent civil rights leader.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with

Bonnie McLaren. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers

by accessing the catalog at o7 www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

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