The Wild Birthday Cake

1950 Caldecott Honor: The Wild Birthday Cake

By Lavinia R Davis                             Pictures by Hildegard Woodward

This is the second time we are seeing a book by the two named above.  They also won a Caldecott Honor in 1948  for Roger and the Fox.  Feel free to take a look at that post!

Woodward, Hildegard (1898 - 1972)

A major American artist of the illustrated book, Hildegard Woodward first studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and then completed her education in Paris, France. Upon her return to America she was introduced to the book arts by the Boston illustrator, Marguerite Davis. Woodward completed her first illustrated children’s book in 1931, Alice Dagliesh’s, The Blue Teapot: Sandy Cove Stories. Several years later Hildegard Woodward moved to New York City and was in constant demand for her illustrations from publishers there. She illustrated many more books by authors such as Elizabeth Coatsworth, Alice Dagliesh and Julia Bristol Bischoff. Woodward also received Caldecott Honor Book Citations for Roger and the Fox (1947) and The Wild Birthday Cake (1949), both written by Lavinia Riker Davis. Finally, Hildegard Woodward both authored and illustrated several books, the most notable being, Time Was (1941) and The House on Grandfather’s Hill (1961).

Book Summary

“Johnny set out one clear spring morning for a hike and a day of adventure.  He wasn’t quite sure how his day of adventure was going to begin but he was sure that it would be out-of-doors because it was that kind of day.”

Illustrations

The illustrations are soft in nature and only use a light green and yellow with shades of brown on a white background. 

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? If you run across it, yup open and take a look.

3. Would I spend my hard earned money on the book? Not sure

4. Where did I get the book? Pierce County got a copy from Southern Oregon State College

America's Ethan Allen

1950 Caldecott Honor: America’s Ethan Allen

By Stewart Holbrook                      Pictures by Lynd Ward

Lynd Kendall Ward (26 June 1905 – 28 June 1985) was an American artist and storyteller, and son of Methodist minister and prominent political organizer Harry F. Ward. He illustrated some 200 juvenile and adult books. Ward was best known for his wood engraving and is considered one of the founders of the American graphic novel but he also worked in watercolor, oil, brush and ink, lithography and mezzotint.

Awards

He won a number of awards, including a Library of Congress Award for wood engraving, the Caldecott Medal, and a Rutgers University award for Distinguished Contribution to Children's Literature. He illustrated six Newbery Honor Medal books and two Newbery Medal books. In 2011, Ward was listed as a Judges' Choice for The Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame

Bio from Wikipedia: here is the link if you want to know more!

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

Book Summary

This book is a summary of the life of Ethan Allen.  Yup, he was a real person, not just a store! J

So, what did Ethan Allen do in his life,

He fought the British and became a soldier and activist for America.  He attempted to make his way into Canada and was captured.  He then ended up on a ship to Ireland.  Eventually he made his way home to America.

Illustrations

These pictures were strong in appearance and detailed for wood cuttings.  I did not really find them all that appetizing!  To me this book was in the wrong category, not a children’s book but had to be put there because it had pictures to go with it.  Don’t know why?

Final Thoughts:

1. Would this be a book I would pick up again? No, it was long and boring! Almost 100 pages!  This is very long for a children’s picture book!

2. Would I recommend it to others to search out and take a look at? No

3. Would I spend my hard earned money on the book? No

4. Where did I get the book? Pierce county library got it from Seattle Pacific.

Missed me?

Hi!

I am still here!  Life has been very busy for our family!  School is in full swing as well as indoor soccer!  That means late nights and no time for mom to have fun looking at books!  But today I have some time and I am back in action for a bit.  If I disppear again for a bit just know that soccer ends at the end of November and I will begin to have free time then, ha ha yeah right!  But we will see!  Don't loose faith I am still working on my goal's and will make progress over time!

Thanks for supporting me!
Kim