January 26, 2010
Expert Recommendations for Family Literacy Week: Author/Illustrator Geneviève Côté
Geneviève Côté has illustrated books for children of all ages, working with a variety of talented authors, like Janet Wong, Gilles Tibo or Susin Nielsen-Fernlund. Her own picture books include Me and You (Kids Can Press 2009), What Elephant? (Kids Can Press 2006) and With you always, Little Monday (Harcourt 2007). Her editorial art has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, l’Actualite and other publications.
She has won several honours, including the Elisabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award in 2005 and the General Governor’s Award for Illustration in 2007. She lives in Montreal, Quebec.
And she was kind enough to share recommendations for the following books:
1) The True Story of The Three Little Pigs! as told to Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith: Outrageous, funny to read aloud and to play-act
2) Penny Lee and her TV by Glenn Mc Coy: Funny enough to wean small kids from TV (at least for a while)
3) The Wishing of Biddy Malone by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Christopher Denise: A tale, rather classic in form, about learning the power of working for what you wish for (thanks to something akin to placebo magic), and therefore being actually happy when you do get what you wish for.
4) The Tree of Life by Peter Sis: A picture book biography of Darwin -who would have thought he would still be a controversial figure 125 years after his death?
5) Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans: Out of nostalgia, mostly, but hey, it worked for me, for my sisters, my niece, and her daughter!
6) Bonjour Madame la Mort by Pascal Teulade, illustrated by Jean-Charles Sarrazin: This one in French. Hotly recommended most of all for any kid mourning a grandparent, but probably many other kids as well. Death here wears a flannelette nightdress, plays cards with the old lady she’s come to claim, and takes silly photographs. Cartoon-like illustrations fit the text – a perfect mixture of tender, sensitive and surprisingly funny. I’d be real interested to know what you think about this one, Kerry! I heard it caused a bit of a stir when it was published, but personally I find it very appropriate.
Seriously Kerry – this Literacy Week on your blog is going to be bad for my pocket book, I keep writing down all of these titles. I particularly want to check out the one about the TV since I had to ask Moira's grandma to please not leave the TV on all day while Moira is there since I am very strict on the no-tv rule. (And by not on I mean not on Treehouse or some kids channel, if she needs to watch her stories while Moira is there whatever, that isn't going to interest a 2-year old.)
Kerry – thanks so much for doing this for Family Literacy Week. I am enjoying looking through all the recommended books and am recording quite a few. I look forward to adding them to my classroom library, especially Bonjour Madame La Mort given its appropriateness for my room. What a fabulous idea! Great work Kerry. You are doing so much to promote literacy. I am proud of you.
I hope Bonjour Madame La Mort is published in English at some point. We had our first encounter with trying to explain death to my son on our vacation. My mother-in-law passed away about 10 years ago, and her picture is all over my father-in-law's house. Will had many questions about her, and I really didn't know how to talk to him about it. It's hard to know what a 3 year old can understand about this subject. Very difficult.
I know I'm not an expert but one of our favorite books is A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon. I's lovely for a lot of fun voices and a wonderful message (especially for moms of special needs kids like me). How did I ever come across you on the internet Kerry- serendipity? It was a pleasure and I thank you so kindly for stopping by and leaving such a heartwarming comment. I hear the tone of your posts and know that you have taken it on fully, the full transformation and wonderfully too. Best to you and your family.
PS- I have a bloggy pal who just got a childrens book published- Kate Inglis, http://www.kateinglis.com/
She is just fabulous, lives on Nova Scotia and I think you might love her!
So glad the recommendations have been noted. Genevieve's own books are also pretty wonderful!