1946 Caldecott Honor: My Mother is the Most Beautiful Woman in the World
Story by Becky Reyher
Pictures by Ruth Gannett
Ruth Chrisman Gannett was born in Santa Ana, CA December 16, 1896. Ruth Chrisman obtained an M.A. degree at the University of California in 1920. She wed Lewis Gannett in 1931 and began a career as an illustrator of children’s books. She died in West Cornwall, Connecticut on December 8, 1979.
Book Summary
A Russian Folktale
A young girl is in the fields with her family during fall harvest. She becomes separated from her mother and when other villagers find her they ask her what her mother looks like. The young girl responds by saying, “She is the most Beautiful Woman in the World.” Does she get reunited with her mother? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
Illustrations
Black and White (pointillism?) then Bright Colored rotates back and forth.
What is pointillism?
Pointillism is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of pure color are applied in patterns to form an image. Georges Seurat developed the technique in 1886, branching from Impressionism. The term Pointillism was first coined by art critics in the late 1880s to ridicule the works of these artists, and is now used without its earlier mocking connotation. (From Wikipedia)
I put a question mark alongside because I don’t know for sure but there are lots of dots that are evident in the pictures. But the dots seem to be on top of solid colors. Only basic simple colors are used in the book, blue, red, yellow and brown. The characters are in authentic Russian clothing and the décor on the houses are also very traditional.
One item to note is the last page of the book, there is an empty frame for the owner of the book to place a picture of his/her own mother. I think this is such a gentle sweet touch. Now I do wonder how practical this is. In the 1940’s photos were not as abundant as they are today. One would need to make a special mission to get the photo and place it in the book. I also think this is interesting because this is the first book I have come across that asks the reader to add to the story. Today we purchase books that come with a child’s name included, we insert our own pictures, and today this practice is common. In 1946 not so much.
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? Yes
3. Would I spend my hard earned money on the book? Yes
4. Where did I get the book? Pierce County Library
No comments:
Post a Comment