And the Winners are...part one

For the past several weeks Zervas students grade 2-5 have been reading picture books, discussing picture books, comparing picture books, all to decide what is the best of the best for ZervCott 2017.

And now the results are in.

Winner of the 2017 ZervCott is:

They all Saw a Cat 

written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel

Students loved the illustrations, and felt that this book best represented the criteria #3. Importance.  Illustrations must be necessary to understand the story. 

Following the cat walking through the world with its whiskers, ears and paws, many animals see the cat, and all from a different perspective. Bright, bold illustrations make this a fun read for everyone.

There were three honor books including: 

This is Not a Picture Book

written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier. 

This simple book packs a lot. Students felt this was a great example of criteria #2: Appropriateness.  Illustrations are a good match for the mood, tone, and theme in the story.

Little duck finds a book on the ground and is dismayed to see that it has no pictures!  But he sticks with it and even though the words are hard, he gives it a try and sees pictures in his imagination.

Bonus: the endpapers narrate the story!

Maybe Something Beautiful               by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell and illustrated by Rafael Lopez.

This vibrant, colorful book based on a true story, is a great example of criteria #1 Excellence. The illustrations are an example of excellence in technique.

A little girl and an artist gather new neighborhood friends to brighten their gray city with creating murals and art everywhere.  A wonderful story about the power of art that transforms.  The illustrator is a muralist, and it shows.

What to do with a Box
written by Jane Yolen and Illustrated by Chris Cheban

A box.  Such a simple concept, but it makes for an extraordinary toy with a little imagination.  Because of this simple, universal theme, this book appealed to many Zervas students after one read (criteria #4 Appeal).

Detailing the edges of the pages with a box, this book is about endless possibilities of imagination.  The illustrations take children to the beach and France and back.  What can you do with a box?