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Reading Rockets' children's literature expert, Maria Salvadore, brings you into her world as she explores the best ways to use kids' books both inside — and outside — of the classroom.

One boy and a lot of ideas

October 16, 2008

I've just read a new book by Caldecott Honor winning artist, Laura Vaccaro Seeger called One Boy (Roaring Brook). Like several of her other books, this one uses die cuts along with rhythmic language for a simple but sophisticated book. It's downright intriguing.

I have a problem though. If I nominated it for a Cybil Award (web awards for children's and young adult books) under which category would it best fit?

The cut out square on the red cover reveals the innocent face of one boy. Turn the page, and he's "all alone." I initially wondered why "two seals" follow, but then I quickly got into the rhythm and wordplay.

It's playful, stimulating, and worth reading many times to figure out how the die cuts work, to hear the language (I read it out loud), and to take pleasure in the story coming full circle — back to one boy.

But I wonder, is it "fiction picture book" or as a concept book, is it a "nonfiction picture book?" Is it too sophisticated for young picture book audiences or perhaps too effortless-looking for older children?

Or is it just a remarkable book that can be appreciated by many ages as art, as a concept book, as visual storytelling, or as another book by a very creative author/illustrator?

Let me know what you think. I'm going to try it on a group of kindergarten children today and I'll let you know what they think.

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