A Pair of Pizzoli

In today's post, we'll look at two picture books illustrated by Greg Pizzoli: North, South, East, West with text by Margaret Wise Brown, and I Love You Like a Pig, with text by Mac Barnett.

Every once in a while, a forgotten manuscript pops up from an author of classics. So far, these books have not found recognition with the Geisel Committee, but anything is possible!  Let's look at a new book from the posthumously prolific Margaret Wise Brown. In terms of Geisel suitability, we can talk about several things: there's a nice number of words per page -- usually just a sentence or phrase -- and a standard font, adequately sized, is used -- no tricks with fancy scripts or words interacting with the illustrations. Most words are simple; and the potentially unfamiliar "sycamore" appears three times.  There are other instances of repetition, including the titular "north, south, east, west."  And, though the book is not entirely in verse, there are some nice instances of occasional rhyme.  The illustrations are simple and pleasant, and match up well with the text. Of course, there are also elements of the book that might come under scrutiny at the Geisel table.  In discussions of this book, I would have to look at the length of the sentences and the complexity of the sentence structure.  The text has a lovely, poetic feel, but near the end of the book, I counted a sentence with 44 words in it. This sentence appears all one one spread, and the line breaks fall sensibly, but it's still a lot for a beginner to wrangle.  I'd also have to try this book out with beginning readers -- I'm not sure that you could make much of an argument for a page-turning dynamic or general kid appeal. 

On the other hand, I Love You Like a Pig has a wacky weirdness that will certainly appeal, at least to some kids.  And, though not specifically published for beginning readers, it conforms to many conventions of beginning reader books. The font is generous and clear (though it does include my pet peeve: those typeset g's and a's that don't look like the ones we write), and each page holds one short sentence.  There's a repetitive pattern at work that will help readers along, and the illustrations will give a clue to longer words like "raspberries." Indeed, the illustrations do some heavy lifting in this parade of similes: how can a window be lucky?  If it holds a cooling pie.  Why is a banker sweet?  Well, maybe that banker is handing out lollipops! My initial reaction to this book was bemusement, but in examining it in light of the Geisel criteria, I have found hidden strengths.  The real proof of this book, though, will be in the reading, specifically reading with and by beginning readers. What will they make of the unexpected comparisons?

Have you shared either of these books with young readers?  What did they think?