Family and History! Something I am all about!

They Were Strong and Good

1941 Caldecott Winner

Story and Pictures by Robert Lawson

Side Note: Robert Lawson also won a Caldecott Honor in 1938 for Four and Twenty Blackbirds, yup that is two years in a row for Mr. Lawson!  Way to go!

Robert Lawson (October 4, 1892 – May 27, 1957) was an American author and illustrator of children's books. During World War I, he also served as a camouflage artist.  After the war, Lawson resumed his work as an artist, and in 1922, illustrated his first children's book, The Wonderful Adventures of Little Prince Toofat. Subsequently he illustrated dozens of children's books by other authors, including such well-known titles as The Story of Ferdinand the Bull by Munro Leaf (which later became an animated film by the Walt Disney Studios) and Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater. In total, he illustrated as many as forty books by other authors, and another seventeen books that he himself was author of, including Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin By His Good Mouse Amos and Rabbit Hill. His work was widely admired, and he became the first person to be given both the Caldecott Medal (They Were Strong and Good, 1941) and the Newbery Medal (Rabbit Hill, 1945).

Bio from Wikipedia

Book Summary

                “None of them were great or famous, but they were strong and good.  They worked hard and had many children.  They all helped to make the United States the great nation that it now is.  Let us be proud of them and guard well the heritage they have left us.” –From the story

“Robert Lawson introduces us to his forefathers and with them we brave Caribbean storms, travel to the wharf markets of New York, and fight in the Civil War.  Amidst these adventures Lawson’s grandparents meet, marry and raise a family, and later his parents follow the same cycle of life.  But this book is more than just the story of one family, it’s a social history of our country,  It reminds us to be proud of our ancestor-who they were, what they did, and the effect that they had on the nation we live in today.” –Summary from the book jacket.

Controversy Note:  The illustrations and text depict things that are no longer socially acceptable but were part of that time period.  I always think that it is important that we recognize the past and learn from it.  I don’t feel it is good to hide it.  If you want to more take a look at the link from Wikipedia. (found at the end of this post)

Illustrations: Robert Lawson was obviously a man who was highly respected in the industry.  He won Honors in 1938, for Four and Twenty Blackbirds and in 1939 for Wee Gillis.  But 1941 was his year to win the top honor!  These pictures are very similar to the other ones, he knew his style.  Clean and precise.  Lines are very important!  Yet these lines can display a huge range of emotion and detail.  Each picture is on the right hand side with text on the left. 

Art Medium: Etching

Final Thoughts:
1. Would this be a book I would pick up again? Yes
2. Would I recommend it to others to search out and take a look at? If you are a history buff I think this would be an interesting read for you
3. Would I spend my hard earned money on the book? Perhaps
4. Where did I get the book from?  The Pierce County Library System 
More info: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Were_Strong_and_Good