Time of Wonder

Caldecott winner, 1958
a celebration of nature and the endless adventures it can provide for a young boy and his sister

This is the very first book I remember, and when I read it, the voice in my head is my father's. It's also the very first book that I read all by myself. I don't remember learning *to* read, but this book is wrapped up in the magic of reading for me. And its magnificence is perhaps one of the reasons I'm the reader I am today. McCloskey's words and watercolors combine to make magic. His turns of phrase are memorable and delightful. The feelings of a childhood's summer are herein captured with both playfulness and gravitas. There's a hurricane, and there are bellyflops. There are cranky old men and cranky old seabirds. It's all happening here, all the time. And it's always waiting for me to come back. ( )

Caldecott Winner 1958 ( )

This was a weird book, and a bit dated. It is east-coast-centric. It has beautiful illustrations and could be used to teach about weather and seasons.

Story of a summer spent by the water on the bay told in poem form. Fantastic sensory imagery and repetition used. At one point, a storm brews and lots of suspense is built before it finally washes over and leaves a peaceful aftermath. Told in 2nd person (you) which allows reader to become more invested in it. I would definitely add this to my personal library. ( )