Picture Book Month Day 4!

Today I'd like to spotlight another classic author, Robert McCloskey.  He published 8 books for children between 1940 and 1963.  Out of these 8,  he won 2 Caldecott Medals and 3 Cadecott honors!  Many of his books are set in Maine, where he spent his summers.  Robert McCloskey was named a Living Legend by the Library Of Congress in 2000.  He died in 2003 at the age of 88.

This winner of the 1942 Caldecott Medal is probably familiar to most of us.  Surely most of you have seen the bronze Mallard statues in Boston's Public Gardens.   Every Mother's Day children dressed as ducklings descend on the Public Gardens to honor this beloved book.  Growing up in Boston, I was amazed to find my city in a book - there were the Swan Boats! Of course, one of the first places I took my daughter was a visit to the ducklings - like many visitors I captured the  photo of my Olivia perched on one of the ducklings! The book tells the story of a family of ducks trying to find a place to settle down in the city.  They are helped by a friendly policeman and finally settle in the Public Gardens.  Next time you find yourself in the city, be sure to stop by and visit the Mallards and the Swan Boats!

A Caldecott Honor book in 1949, this is the story of a little girl in Maine who almost swaps mother's with a little bear as they are both picking blueberries.  The wonderful illustations are thought to be of McCloskey's wife and eldest daughter Sally.

Have a great weekend!  I'll be back on Monday with some more picture book favorites!