Leo Lionni (1910–1999)

While his siblings gather food stores for the winter ahead, little Frederick the mouse sits and dreams, seemingly not busy at all. In reality however, he is gathering the sounds and sights around him, and the memory of the warm sun - all things he will use to comfort and enchant his family, when the food runs out during the long winter...

Originally published in 1967 and awarded a Caldecott Honor in 1968, Frederick is one of those childhood classics that I never got around to as a child. show more Although long familiar with author/artist Leo Lionni's name - we have an entire shelf devoted to his books at work - I had never before today actually picked up one of his stories. I'm glad that I finally have, as I found this to be a charming picture-book, pairing a gentle, thoughtful tale about the importance of creativity and imagination with lovely collage-style illustrations. The story here is like an answer to that classic Aesopic fable of The Ants and the Grasshopper, and argues that there is more than one kind of work that is important. Read in that way, I greatly appreciated it.

That said, a part of me couldn't help but think that the narrative here only works if one reads Frederick and his murine compatriots as a society in miniature, rather than as a family. If there were a human farming family, for instance, and one of the children liked sports, while the other liked art, I doubt the parents would excuse the art-loving child from doing their part of the farm chores. Similarly, in many families, members with a diverse range of interests and occupations regularly help out with household tasks, regardless of whether they feel a natural aptitude for the work before them. Will child readers take this as I think it was meant, as an allegory about different kinds of work having value within the larger society? Or will they take the other message (however unintentional), that some should be excused from doing their share of communal work, whether in the family or class? I'm honestly not sure.

Perhaps I'm overthinking the issue, and have been influenced by my distaste for the more recent trend (exemplified by titles like Iggy Peck, Architect), in which children are encouraged to think that they are too special to join in whatever the group is doing, or to follow the rules. In the end, I really did enjoy Frederick, and plan to track down more of Lionni's work. That said, little doubts of the kind described above, would not be quashed as I read it. show less

Leo Lionni presents a dark yet adorable little story about a fish named Swimmy who does not fit in with his family because they are all red and he is the only one that is black. After a tragic accident where Swimmy’s family is eaten by a large tuna, he is left on his own only to find a new family he can protect with his differences. He teaches the red fish to work together to form a massive fish shape and Swimmy is the eye because he is black. This scares off the tuna leaving Swimmy a show more hero. This book teachers children to be proud of their differences and despite these differences, to work together. I love this book because it starts off with a sad and lonely mood, and closes with a sweet and cheerful ending. The theme of this story is about working together despite the differences; Swimmy saved everyone by promoting teamwork. I approve of this book because it is adorably innocent, teaches an important lesson about teamwork and inspires diversity! show less

This book is charming, delightful and message driven!

When fall approaches the family of mice who live in the cracks and crannies of the large grey stone wall, begin the process of preparing for the long, cold winter.

While they toil, Frederick sits on the rocks and meditates. All work and toil day and night except for Frederick. When asked why he doesn't help, he replies that he is working--he is gathering sun rays for the cold dark winter.

As he sits on the rocks, he tells his fellow mice he show more is gathering colors for the long winter days.

As the hibernation into the cold rocks begins and the snow blows across the field, the family becomes cold and does not feel like interacting.

Now, Frederick's work comes in handy as he paints mental images for them of colors

And he talks of sunshine and warmth

The images are cute, and while this isn't one of my favorite Caldecott's to date, I like the way in which the author wove a tale of the importance of the artist with a soul of sunshine to share.

I admit, personally, I grow weary of the Fredericks, who don't help with the chores.

I have little patience for the talkers and not the doers.

Lionni's message is mindful of the importance of the dreamers and the artists who provide color and warmth. show less

A pencil and a pair of scissors make two rabbits, one drawn and the other cut out of brightly patterned paper. After eating a drawn and a cut paper carrot (respectively), the rabbits take a nap. When they wake up they are still hungry and they find something new to eat…a REAL carrot. They can tell it’s real because it has a shadow, and after eating it, the two rabbits have shadows too.

I loved this when I was a kid, and it’s still a delight. The style of art is so clever, with its show more combination of simple pencil outline, paper collage, and realistic drawing. The story is simple and fun, and it’s stuck with me for so many years show less