LIS 721 Caskey Reviews

Written by Bao Phi                    Illustrated by Thi Bui Image Source: Amazon           The illustrations in "A Different Pond"  are almost all darker richer tones to depict the darkness of the hour that the Dad and the boy are up at. When there is light it is a deep yellow to show the warmth and comfort of their home, but also representing their lights without lamp shades to help diffuse the light in the house, as a lampshade is an extravagance for them. Thi does a wonderful job of using tones of blue and brown to shade the environment and shadows around the father and son that adds a beautiful depth to the images but also adds to the symbolism of the weight that the father feels everyday when he is fishing so that their family can eat.          The text in this book is appropriate for the children reading it and is a credible conversation. "A Different Pond" is a real...

By Daniel Beaty                    Illustrated by Bryan Collier Image Source: Publishers Weekly           The illustrations in "Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream for Me" are a mix of watercolor and collage. The first couple of spreads are filled with vivid color and light. Once the father stops knocking on the door we are presented with a darker more muted version of the room with a darkened rainbow on the wall. The rainbow eventually has fallen off the wall to show both the passage of time and the child's hope dwindling while waiting for the "knock knock" on his door. We see less and less of a blue sky while the boy begins to lose hope of ever seeing his father. There is a collage of the father almost beginning to blend in with the architecture of the city with the accompanying text, "I'm forgetting who you are". Once the boy receives the letter from his father we see the collages begin to increase in ...

By Jamilah Thomkins-Bigelow                    Illustrations by Ebony Glenn     Image Source: Amazon                     When looking through the pages in "Mommy's Khimar" , they are filled with wonderfully warm and vibrant images that include patterns and texture throughout to mimic all of the colorful and unique khimars, or hijabs, that Mommy has. The illustrations help enhance the playfulness of the girl as she uses her imagination while wearing Mommy's khimar. Throughout the spreads the color tones are warm and inviting while she goes through her day and we meet the diverse people in her community. Even in the pages that are a darker blue to represent night time are a warm blue that does not give the feeling of fear or discomfort.           The words in the text also help support this welcoming community. When we meet Mom-Mom, the...

Written by Ismée Williams                   Illustrated by Tatiana Gardel Image Source: Macmillan Publishers           When looking at the illustrations in "Abuelo, the Sea, and Me" , each spread complements the corresponding text and the setting. The first spread has bright, vivid warm colors to highlight the summer season on the ocean. Once Abuelo and the girl put their feet in the water the images use more blues and greens to highlight the cold water on their feet. Once the story shifts to fall, Gardel uses deep pinks and purples to highlight the early setting sun in the fall and allude to the cold that is coming. While Abuelo describes his past with winning medals for swimming the image of the medals washed up on the shore is very dull and the colors muted as he thinks of his past. The next page has a bright warm yellow that signifies hope when the girl tells her Abuelo that someday she may win a m...