2017 Comstock Read Aloud Honor Books
Rules of the House written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Matt Myers,
and published by Disney-Hyperion, 2016.
Are you a rule
follower? Or do you think it’s more fun to break the rules? This book is about
two siblings who are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to
following the rules. Ian always follows the rules, while his older sister Jenny
doesn’t think rules are important that is until their family goes on vacation
to a cabin in the woods. Both Ian and Jenny learn some new things about
following and breaking rules, as well as a thing or two about appreciating and
standing up for each other.
This book was
read to preschoolers through fourth graders. Children of all ages loved this
book, they commented on the pictures and the story, and many groups asked to
hear it again. One reader commented on the emotions that her listeners
expressed. They enjoyed the suspense they felt when Jenny opened the forbidden
door, and felt sympathy for her even though she didn’t follow the rules.
Several readers commented on the discussions of “rules” that ensued after
reading the book to children, and they appreciated that the lesson was presented
in a very engaging way.
Mac Barnett has
written several children’s books, including two Caldecott Honor books, Sam & Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn. He won the 2015 Comstock
Read Aloud Book Award for his book, Sam
& Dave Dig a Hole. His books have also received the Boston Globe-Horn
Book Award, the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award, and two of his books were named
among the Ten Best Illustrated Books of 2015 by the New York Times. Mac proclaims that his job is “lying to children,”
but he does so in a way that moves readers to the place where lies and truth
intersect in “wonder.” That place “where a story, no matter how strange, has
some semblance of the truth, and then you’re able to believe it…” Barnett lives
in Oakland, California. (ERIKA JOHNSON)
Seven and a Half Tons of Steel written by Janet
Nolan, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez, and published by Peachtree Publishers,
2016.
Following the tragic
events of September 11th, 2001, pieces of steel wreckage from the
World Trade Towers in New York City were sent to various organizations across
the country including the US Navy. Workers
used the steel beam they received to create a remarkable memorial in the bow of
the USS New York. This story is a gentle reminder of the terrible events of
that day and helps teach us that something special can be built out of an
unimaginable tragedy.
Children responded with
many comments such as: “Best book ever,” “It’s sad someone would try to destroy
a country,” and “I liked that I learned something new.” Readers shared that the
children leaned in or moved closer to see the beautiful pictures and had many
questions while the book was being read. Despite the sad nature of the topic,
children were very interested in talking about and learning more about the events
related to 9/11.
A lifelong lover of
books and seeker of good stories, Janet Nolan believes a good story is a gift
that keeps on giving. She is the author of both fiction and nonfiction picture
books for children. Nolan lives with her husband and their dog outside of
Chicago.
Born in Cuba,
illustrator Thomas Gonzalez now resides in Georgia. As an artist and painter,
Gonzalez not only illustrates children’s books, but also directs the marketing
campaigns of several national companies. The book’s beautiful illustrations
were created in pastel colored pencil and watercolor. (MARILYN LABRENSZ AND
LISA STAIGER)