Cynthia Rylant is one of my writing heroes. Every book - from the simplest little beginning chapter book to magnificent books like this one and her heart wrenching novels - all have a special kind of magic. Today I discovered Life - short listed for the Bull Bransom Award - more about click the quote at the end of this post. Yesterday I talked about special non fiction. Click this Pinterest collection to see more titles in this 'genre'.
If ever you needed proof that the best picture book text is pure poetry read this text extract slowly:
Life begins small
Even for the elephants.
Then it grows.
Beneath the sun.
And the moon.
Life grows.
Ask any animal on earth,
what do you love about life?
The hawk will say the sky.
The camel will say the sand.
The snake will say the grassssssss.
The turtle may remain quiet.
It has seen much in its hundred years.
But the turtle loves life. How could it not,
with so much rain on its back?
Add to this exquisite text glorious illustrations and you have a truly special book to treasure and share. I would pair Life with Mayfly Day. You can see more art by Brendan Wenzel.
I am not a huge advocate of ebooks especially as a way to explore picture books but if you cannot locate Life there is an ebook edition.
The Bull-Bransom Award is given annually to recognize excellence in the field of children’s book illustration with a focus on nature and wildlife. The award is named after Charles Livingston Bull and Paul Bransom, who were among the first and finest American artist-illustrators to specialize in wildlife subjects.
The beginning chapter books I mentioned by Cynthia Ryland include The Lighhouse Family series, Mr Putter books, Henry and Mudge titles and High-Rise Private Eye. You might also like to read Missing May a perfect book for sensitive, mature Primary readers. I am now keen to read a new Cynthia Rylant chapter book I spied on a recent visit to Beachside Bookshop.
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