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?

ZervCott 2017

The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

The 2017 Caldecott Award will be announced January 23, 2017.
It will be streamed live here at 8am EST:http://ala.unikron.com/2017/

All grades at Zervas Elementary are learning about the Caldecott Award and reading past winners and contenders for this year's award.  We are having our own award, the ZervCott, to be awarded January 19th.

Students participating in this voting are reading picture books published in 2016, and are thoughtfully applying the same parameters as the actual Caldecott Committee.

1. Excellence:
Are the illustrations an excellent example of its technique (collage, painting, wood carvings)?

2. Appropriateness:
Are the illustrations a good match for the mood, tone, and theme in the story?

3. Importance:
Are the illustrations necessary to understand the story?

4 Appeal?
Do we like it?

They have some tough decisions ahead!  Many excellent picture books were published in 2016, it will be exciting to see what they decide, and what will win the Caldecott.

Potential candidates for the ZervCott 

Author and Illustrator Matt Tavares visits Kindergarten, First, and Third Grade

On Monday, November 28th, author/illustrator Matt Tavares came to visit Zervas Elementary.
With three separate magnificent Creative Arts and Science presentations, Mr Tavares entertained students and teachers explaining the writing, illustrating, and editing process.

Adults have to edit their work too!  This message was delivered when Mr. Tavares showed students his manuscript with editors notes.  Writing and illustrating is a process, one that students got to experience.

Explaining the editorial process to grade 3

Real-time sketch!

Reading a story to Kindergarten

Real-time action sketch!

Explaining revision to grade 1

Real-time action sketch!

Author Bethany Hegedus Visits Zervas Second Graders

On Tuesday October 18th, author Bethany Hegedus spoke to Grade 2 about her books Grandfather Gandhi and Be the Change. Students were also treated with stories of their favorite authors and illustrators that Ms. Hegedus has worked with at the Writing Barn, her writing retreat center in Austin, TX.

Her new picture book, Be the Change, is a Grandfather Gandhi story.  Second in her picture book series about Gandhi and his message of peace, told from his grandson Arun's perspective.  The provocative collage illustrations by Evan Turk guided the discussion as students read what the characters were feeling throughout the story.

Zervas Elementary is a Responsive Classroom school and Ms. Hegedus' picture book of peaceful resolution, aligns with the social emotional learning in our school.  Her visit and the message in her books will be reflected upon throughout the school year.

Ms. Hegedus shares her favorite books from her childhood

Exploring the pictures in the new book by Ms. Hegedus, Be the Change

Reflecting on Gandhi's message