Mary Stolz (1920-2006) published her first book for young people in
1950 with Ursula Nordstrom and never looked back. She wrote more
than sixty books, which were published in nearly thirty languages,
and received two Newbery Honors (for Belling the Tiger and The
Noonday Friends). She was also the recipient of the Kerlan Award,
which honored her entire body of work.
Pat Cummings was born in Chicago but grew up traveling with her
military family all over the world. She has been writing and
illustrating children's books since she graduated from Pratt
Institute and is the author and/or illustrator of more than forty
books. In addition to her art for the Coretta Scott King Award
winner My Mama Needs Me by Mildred Pitts Walter, Pat's luminous
work includes Angel Baby; Clean Your Room, Harvey Moon!; and the
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner Talking With Artists. She
teaches children's book illustration and writing at Parsons School
of Design, the New School, and Pratt Institute. She lives in
Brooklyn, New York. You can visit her online at
www.patcummings.com.
"Thomas, a young child, and his grandfather are alone one stormy night when the lights go off. Thomas says he is not afraid but when he asks for a story, Grandfather tells about a time when he was very scared indeed. With striking artwork and words as mesmerizing as the art, this story about the nature of fear and human nature is wonderful." -- Booklist
Because a fierce storm has put out the lights, Thomas's grandfather says, ``I shall have to tell you a tale of when I was a boy.'' But Grandfather's story about his dog Melvin is prefaced by 18 pages that focus instead on Thomas's loving relationship with the peppery old man. The discursive, gentle text reflects Thomas's thoughts about sounds and memories. He wonders about the differences between grandfathers and boyshe has ``a chin as smooth as a peach'' while Grandfather has ``a voice like a tuba.'' He and his grandfather listen to the sound of rain that clatters ``on the tin roof like a million tacks,'' and, finally, Grandfather tells his story of ``how fear does strange things to people.'' Cummings's electric-blue palette is almost overwhelming in its intensity, but it beautifully captures the dance of night shadows with golden light. Ages 5-8. (March)
"Thomas, a young child, and his grandfather are alone one stormy night when the lights go off. Thomas says he is not afraid but when he asks for a story, Grandfather tells about a time when he was very scared indeed. With striking artwork and words as mesmerizing as the art, this story about the nature of fear and human nature is wonderful." -- Booklist
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