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Randolph Caldecott’s picture books by Randolph Caldecott.  San Marino, CA:  Huntington Library, 2008.

ISBN-13:   9780873282239

Illustrator:  Randolph Caldecott

Media:  Etching, oil painting, pen and ink drawing

5Q/5P

Curricular connection:  Poetry, Picture Books and Journaling.  Randolph Caldecott’s Picture Books is suitable for older reader’s who are interested in learning more about the history of picture books and poetry. 

Reading level:  12^th grade

Artwork:  Randolph Caldecott’s insightful and humorous illustrations capture the whimsical nature of children and adults alike.  Friends and contemporaries of the Victorian literary artist world, Beatrix Potter and Kate Greenaway were influenced by Caldecott’s picture books for children.  Today the Caldecott Medal for children’s picture books is a distinguished award honoring artists and writers based on the merits of their work.

Randolph Caldecott’s Picture Books uses both sophisticated language and archaic terms in verse, which can be a good way to expose young adults to different types of language used in poetry.

The Queen of Hearts,

She made some Tarts,

All on a Summer’s Day:

The Knave of Hearts,

He stole those Tarts,

And took them right away.

The King of Hearts,

Called for those Tarts,

And beat the Knave full sore:

The Knave of Hearts,

Brought back those Tarts,

And vowed he’d steal no more.

Annotation:  The historical context of this book is superb for teaching young adults English and grammar.  Stories like, The House that Jack Built may be used to emphasize use of commas in grammar. 

KRF 7/25/09