1946 Caldecott Winner: The Rooster Crows
A Book of American Rhymes and Jingles
By Maud and Miska Petersham
Second Caldecott Award for this couple. They also got a Caldecott Honor in 1942 for An American ABC.
Maud (1890–1971) and Miska (1888–1960) Petersham were an illustrating husband-and-wife team who are most famous for writing and illustrating The Rooster Crows, a book of American songs, rhymes, and games in the tradition of Mother Goose, which won the 1946 Caldecott Medal. Their first book was called Miki (published 1929) about their son.
Maud was born Maud Fuller in Kingston, New York on August 5, 1890. Her family traveled extensively, from Kingston to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Newburg, New York, and finally to Scranton, Pennsylvania. She was graduated from Vassar College in 1912, later studying at the New York School of Fine and Applied Art. She worked at the International Art Service, where she met her future husband, Miska Petersham. When Miska died in 1960, Maud sold the Woodstock, New York, house in which they had lived.
Miska was born Petrezselyem Mikaly in Torokszentmiklos, Hungary, on September 20, 1888, the son of a carpenter and blacksmith. He moved to London in 1911 looking for a job. When he didn't find one, he moved to America in 1912 — anglicizing his name to "Petersham" — and obtained a job at the International Art Service, where he met his wife, Maud.
Bios from Wikipedia
Book Summary
This is a collection of classic rhymes we grew up with. There are familiar ones as well as ones I have never heard of before.
Illustrations
Do the illustrations bring the rhymes to life? Yes they sure do. Each portion of the rhyme has an illustration to accompany it.
Do the illustrations capture my interest? Yes, but not for a long time. There are a few that really stand out to me. For example I love the Little Piggy’s page. Each of the 5 pigs is featured with their own snippet picture. Very fun to see each picture to life.
Overall I would have to say that I find the illustrations good with some wonderful sprinkled around. This book is filled with illustrations. They are all individual pictures to with a small rhyme so they tell a short story. Different than picture books that are filled with illustrations along the same story line. They give the mood of classic images, warm and good natured. Children are often the main focus, although there are times when adult images are used. Animals and children are defiantly a talent of this couple.
Final Thoughts:
1. Would this be a book I would pick up again? Not sure
2. Would I recommend it to others to search out and take a look at? maybe
3. Would I spend my hard earned money on the book? For a good price
4. Where did I get the book? Pierce County
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