THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gerstein, Mordicai. 2003. THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. Brookfield, CT: Roaring Brook Press. ISBN 9780312368784

PLOT SUMMARY
This is the true story of tightrope walker Phillipe Petit who walked between the World Trade Center Towers in 1974. Author Mordicai Gerstein writes a simple but adventurous story from eyewitness accounts.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Gerstein uses oil and ink to make simple drawings in muted hues. While the illustrations are pleasing to the eye, they compliment rather than overwhlem the story. As the tightrope walker begins balancing between the towers, the author/illustrator puts a close up of his ballet shoes on the narrow rope. A bonus to this book is the fold out page in the middle as if to make the reader aware of the vast space between the buildings.

The print on each page is small. While Gerstein wants the reader to know the story, his emphasis is on the illustrations. Reading through this book reminded me of a comic book format. The drawings are detailed, but not overly so. The illustrations at night are merely outlines of what we need to see; except for one close up detail of the twisted rope to be used in the illegal walk.

Readers would find the story compelling. Mr. Phillipe was trying something unusual and without permission. Why did the authorities want to keep him from walking on a tight rope between city buildings? Would he be successful in New York City?

PERSONAL OPINION
I was surprised that this book won the Caldecott Medal. This is the highest honor given to a children's illustrator and the artwork is not worthy of the medal in my opinion. I know that a 15 member panel chooses every year and this panel changes with each selection. Art is personal and I am sure there are those who appreciate it more than me! I would not share this book with young students ( age 7 and under) as they may not be aware of the terrorism with the World Trade Center. After reading this book a discussion would probably ensue about what happened to the World Trade Towers and why they are not pictured on the last page of this book.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"Gerstein's dramatic paintings include some perspectives bound to take any reader's breath away. Truly affecting is the book's final painting of the imagined imprint of the towers, now existing "in memory"-linked by Philippe and his high wire."

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"The pacing of the narrative is as masterful as the placement and quality of the oil-and-ink paintings. The interplay of a single sentence or view with a sequence of thoughts or panels builds to a riveting climax."

AWARDS
2004 Caldecott Medal

CONNECTIONS

Students of all ages would say they could walk on a tightrope. To remind them how hard it is to do, let them try walking on a balance beam. Then take a jump rope and have them try to walk on that. Ask them to imagine stretching the jump rope between their school building and the building next to it. Most would admit that they wouldn't try it. Then as a class figure out how many feet up Mr. Phillipe was when he walked between the two towers.

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Students could choose any Caldecott Award book and be asked to explain the similarities and differences in the artwork.

HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kadir, Nelson. 2005. HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS. New York, NY: Dial Books For Young Readers. ISBN 9780803728509

PLOT SUMMARY
Depicting a multiethnic family, Nelson takes an age old spiritual and illustrates it in a modern city. The refrain "He's got the whole world in his hands" is repeated throughout the book. It's hard not to begin singing as you turn the pages of this familiar song with rich illustrations, shown through the eyes of a small boy.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Once the book is opened, Nelson captures the reader in a two page spread that is primarily black with the sun peeking over our planet in a view from outer space. As the pages are turned, the reader is pulled into the skyline of San Francisco, then into the house of a boy holding his artwork and continuing to a close-up of his drawing. The realistic detail of the black family using pencil, watercolor and oil is shown in the dad's muscular back, the beads and cornrows on the daughter's hair and the sheer joy on the cover boy's face. On one double page spread, we see the young boy in a slicker with his face to the sky as rain falls. You can almost feel the moisture on his face with the rich detail. Each page is its own color explosion.

The rhythm of the song begins on the first page. The simple text lets the reader focus on the illustrations. Because the words are a familiar spiritual, the reader can anticipate what will be found on the next page.

Comfort is the word that comes to mind when reading this book. The depiction of a loving family in a daily routine reminds us all of the simple pleasures we can enjoy with each other. Nelson has created a beautiful book that should be part of a family ritual at bedtime.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"The simple, repetitious flow of the words and the refrain make this an excellent read-aloud choice as well as a sing-along favorite. A moving, artistic celebration of our world and the people who share in its splendors."

BOOKLIST
"The last double-page spread carries the piano music and four verses of the song, followed by a historical note. Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration for Ellington Was Not a Street (2004), Nelson envisions the song in a highly personal and involving manner while embodying its strength and spirit. "

PERSONAL OPINION
There are books that you save and those you enjoy and pass on to others. This book is one I'd keep. It appeals to any age group. There is a sense of familiarity when you read a book and know the words from the beginning. The portrayal of an ethnic family is appealing to me. We don't have enough books with multicultural influences. Nelson's artwork is captivating, rich and I enjoyed studying each page after I'd read the book through the first time.

CONNECTIONS

The class could create their own "world" by having each student depict his home, classroom or city. Put the pictures together in book form and read it together as a group.

Use the music given on the last page to play the music on the piano. Have the class sing the song as someone turns the pages of the book. Repeat the first line of each verse before singing it as a class.

Other books like this one:
Harrick, Sheldon. SUNRISE SUNSET. ISBN 9780060515252