Mordicai Gerstein

Because of his unrequited love for the moon, a giant becomes a sleeping mountain over which the town called Pupickton is formed. Pupickton remains very quiet until a girl who loves noise cannot be stilled. Carolinda brings a joyful loudness back to the too-quiet town while helping to heal the giant’s broken heart.

A baby jay, a small striped kitten, and a little girl with a bike come together in an unexpected way with wonderful results, as each grows and gains confidence. Dialogue in conversation balloons creates a comically paced series of events that reach a satisfying conclusion.

When a whale becomes caught in fishing net, the father is concerned about how he will provide for his family. His son, however, is determined to set the huge mammal free. Against his father’s wishes, he returns to the entrapped whale and successfully frees it. Shimmering illustrations present a compelling story of compassion and courage.

An illustration of a contemporary boy with pencil in hand stands in front of a blank piece of paper, invites readers to “Imagine…you were born before the invention of drawing…” And so starts Gerstein’s exploration of the boy who created the first drawing, created with a charred stick on a cave wall.

Being brave is fun! In 1974, French acrobat Philippe Petit cast a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center and spent an hour walking, dancing and performing high-wire tricks up in the sky. This picture book captures the poetry and magic of the event, using lyrical words and lovely paintings that present the detail, daring and – in two dramatic foldout pages – dizzying drama of Petit’s feat. (2004 Caldecott Medal Winner)