Book of the Week #4

The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson; pictures by Beth Krommes (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2008)

This book, illustrated by Peterborough resident Beth Krommes, has just been awarded the 2009 Caldecott Medal. Named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, this medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Beautiful black-and-white scratchboard illustrations, highlighted with glowing golden accents reassure the reader that all is well in the darkened world. I especially liked the rendering of Starry Night that is included in one of the pages.

Thanks to Brian at the Peterborough Town Library for bringing this wonderful book (and it's accomplished illustrator) to my attention.