Grand Canyon (book)

Last updated

Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon (book).jpg
Author Jason Chin
PublisherRoaring Brook Press, Macmillan Publishing
Publication date
February 21, 2017
Pages54
Awards Caldecott Honor, Sibert Honor
ISBN 978-1-59643-950-4
OCLC 1059176926
Website http://jasonchin.net/books/grand-canyon/

Grand Canyon by Jason Chin is a 2017 children's picture book. The book tells about the plants, animals and habitats of the Grand Canyon, both now and in the past, using the premise of a hiking trip there. The inspiration for the book was a trip in high school; Chin had originally conceived of a Grand Canyon origin story. The book marked the first time Chin used die cuts, in addition to his normal use of pen and ink, watercolors, and gouache. The book was awarded a 2018 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations and a 2018 Sibert Honor for its informative text. Grand Canyon is one of only a few non-fiction books that are not biographies to be recognized by the Caldecott.

Contents

Synopsis

Grand Canyon's illustrations use the conceit of a day trip between an Asian American father and his daughter, while the text gives information about the different plants, animals, and habitats found in the Grand Canyon. While some pages are in the present day, others take the reader into the past. The book is told in the second person and ends with backmatter where Chin provides additional scientific information and an author's note, which he uses to describe his process of creating the book.

Hiking map of the Grand Canyon NPS grand-canyon-hiking-map.pdf
Hiking map of the Grand Canyon

Background and publication

Chin had always considered the Grand Canyon as a topic for a book after a formative trip he took there in high school. [1] : 1:41  [2] His original concept was for an "origin story" of the Canyon based on his high school knowledge of it being six million years old. [1] : 2:26  After pitching the book to his publisher, Chin purchased Carving Grand Canyon by Wayne Ranney. Reading Ranney's book, Chin discovered that scientists had become more uncertain about when the Grand Canyon was formed, and that it could be up to ten times older than he learned when in high school. [1] : 2:41  This presented the biggest challenge of the book as he needed a new story arc to serve as the book's hook. His breakthrough for a new premise came when walking in the forest with his own child; he realized he wanted to tell the story through a father-daughter trip, saying: "Once I had these two characters that resonated with me it was much easier to create the story around them." [1] : 3:56 

In his research, Chin found that there were three distinct topics – geology, ecology, and paleontology – that would each need to be explored in order to tell the "biography" of the place. [3] This presented challenges for Chin, as there was more information than could be included in the pages he had available to the topic. [3] The writing and illustrations are closely connected; Chin finds a change in one of them frequently leads to a change in the other. [3]

The book was published on February 21, 2017, by Roaring Book Press. [4]

Writing and illustrations

An image from the Grand Canyon's hermit trail, one of the trails used as an inspiration for the book. Hermit-trail.jpg
An image from the Grand Canyon's hermit trail, one of the trails used as an inspiration for the book.

Some critics labeled the book as like a tour guide, [4] [5] with it including a two-page map at the start. [6] Chin tried to remain true to his experience visiting the Canyon and to a plausible recreation of the past, except in two illustrations. [2] However, some elements, such as the lighting and colors of prehistoric plants and animals, were imagined by Chin for the book. [2] As a result, critics saw the illustrations as helping to effectively convey the information about the Grand Canyon. [7] [8] [9] The borders of each page have plants and animals serving as the frame. [9] Several reviewers also praised the effect of the gatefold pages for creating an inspiring panoramic display of the Grand Canyon. [4] [8] [10]

Chin used die cuts for the first time, along with his typical mix of pen and ink, watercolors, and gouache. [8] He uses watercolors and gouache because they are practical, with gauche being a little more forgiving while watercolors require planning to move from sketch to the final illustrations. [3] Betsey Bird of Horn Book praised Chin's use of die cuts for the way that he uses them to connect the present and the past. [8] John Peters for School Library Journal also commented on Chin's ability to "transport" the reader through the design of the book, including the gatefold and the book's cut-outs that serve as a link through pages between the past and present. [7] Because of the book's premise changing between times, consecutive pages can show different habitats, such as going from desert to the aquatic. [5] [9]

Reception and awards

The book was well received. Starred reviews from Booklist, where reviewer Anita Locke wrote of its "brilliant artwork", [10] Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, [6] Horn Book, and School Library Journal, [7] all praised the book's illustrations. In its starred review, Publishers Weekly described it as "a stunningly illustrated story of a magical father-daughter hike". [9] Danielle Ford in Booklist's starred review gave particular praise to the informational text, writing how Chin was able to bring the past "to life through scientific imagination." [5] Kirkus Reviews was less complimentary than others, positively reviewing the book's illustrations but comparing it unfavorably to other works of Chin's, saying it has a "relatively dry factual approach". [4]

The book received a 2018 Sibert Honor, with committee praising the illustrations in its citation, "Through magnificent panoramic illustrations, meticulously researched diagrams and lucid text, Jason Chin has created a book as grand as the canyon itself." [11] It was also awarded a 2018 Caldecott Honor, with the committee praising how "Chin uses watercolor, gouache and pen and ink to render sweeping landscapes, culminating in an epic gatefold panorama." [12] The book was unusual in receiving Caldecott recognition. Few nonfiction books besides biographies, and especially few science books, have been honored in the past. [8] [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>Flotsam</i> (Wiesner book) 2006 childrens book by David Wiesner

Flotsam is a children's wordless picture book written and illustrated by David Wiesner. Published by Clarion/Houghton Mifflin in 2006, it was the 2007 winner of the Caldecott Medal; the third win for David Wiesner. The book contains illustrations of underwater life with no text to accompany them.

<i>The Lion & the Mouse</i> 2009 picture book by Jerry Pinkney

The Lion & the Mouse is a 2009 nearly wordless picture book illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. This book, published by Little, Brown and Company, tells Aesop's fable of The Lion and the Mouse. In the story, a mouse's life is a spared by a lion. Later, after the lion is trapped, the mouse is able to set the lion free. Adapting the fable, with the moral that the weak can help the strong, as a wordless picture book was seen as a successful way of overcoming the brief plot generally found in the source stories. While it was Pinkney's first wordless picture book, it was not the first time he had told the story, having previously included it in his Aesop's Fables, published in 2000. Pinkney, who had received five Caldecott Honors, became the first African American to win the Caldecott Medal for his illustrations in this book. His illustrations were generally praised for their realism and sense of place. The cover illustrations, featuring the title characters but no text, drew particular praise.

<i>A Ball for Daisy</i> Childrens picture book by Chris Raschka

A Ball for Daisy is a 2011 children's wordless picture book written and illustrated by Chris Raschka. The book tells the story of a dog named Daisy, who has a beloved ball destroyed and then replaced. Raschka won the 2012 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations in the book. The creation of the book took years but was praised for its ability to evoke emotion in the reader. A sequel, Daisy Gets Lost, was released in 2013.

<i>Locomotive</i> (book) Verse nonfiction picture book by Brian Floca

Locomotive is a 2013 children's book written and illustrated by Brian Floca. A non-fiction book written primarily in free verse, the book follows a family as they ride a transcontinental steam engine train in summer of 1869. The book details the workers, passengers, landscape, and effects of building and operating the first transcontinental railroad. The book also contains prose about the earlier and later history of locomotives. The book took Floca four years to create, which included a change in perspective from following the crew of the train to following a family. Floca conducted extensive research including his own train ride and consultation with experts to ensure he had the details all correct.

Melissa Sweet is an American illustrator and writer of nearly 100 books for children and young readers.

<i>Finding Winnie</i> 2015 childrens book by Lindsay Mattick

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear is a 2015 children's book written by Canadian author Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. The non-fiction book is framed as a story Mattick is telling to her son. Her great-grandfather, Harry Colebourn bought a bear on his way to fight in World War I, donating the bear to a zoo where it became the inspiration for the character of Winnie-the-Pooh. Finding Winnie was thoroughly researched by both Blackall and Mattick. The book's writing and illustrations were well reviewed and it won the 2016 Caldecott Medal.

<i>Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat</i> 2016 picture book by Javaka Steptoe

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is a 2016 picture book biography by Javaka Steptoe about Jean-Michel Basquiat. Using a style similar to Basquiat's, the book tells the story of his childhood and early career. It won the 2017 Caldecott Medal and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for its illustrations.

<i>Wolf in the Snow</i> 2017 wordless picture book

Wolf in the Snow is a 2017 wordless picture book by Matthew Cordell. The book was favorably received by critics and won the 2018 Caldecott Medal. The story has drawn comparisons to fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood. The nearly wordless book tells the story of a girl and wolf who each get lost in the snowstorm. Cordell used distinctive illustration techniques for the girl and the wolf.

<i>Big Cat, Little Cat</i> 2017 picture book by Elisha Cooper

Big Cat, Little Cat is a 2017 children's picture book written by Elisha Cooper. It was published by Roaring Brook Press, a subsidiary of Macmillan Books. In the story, a large, white cat welcomes a new black cat into a family. The white cat then dies, and the cycle begins anew when the family adopts a new kitten. Cooper was inspired to write the story after his family experienced a similar situation. Critics praised his illustrations, for their ability to help further the story's messages and themes. These monochromatic illustrations were different than the style Cooper normally employed when illustrating a book. The book was well-reviewed, and received a 2018 Caldecott Honor.

<i>Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut</i> 2017 picture book by Derrick Barnes

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a 2017 picture book by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James. The book, Barnes' first picture book, is a poem describing a boy's feelings and experience while getting a haircut. James, who was not the first choice to be the illustrator, wanted the oil color illustrations to have the feel of fine art.

<i>A Different Pond</i> 2017 picture book by Bao Phi and illustrated by Thi Bui

A Different Pond is a 2017 children's picture book by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui. The book tells the story of a boy and his father going fishing. Phi created the book because of his desire to have books about people like himself to read to his daughter. Bui's detailed illustrations allowed Phi to remove elements of the prose. Bui, who had never illustrated a traditional picture book before, won praise for her use of colors and was recognized with a 2018 Caldecott Honor. The book received positive reviews and appeared on best of 2017 book lists.

<i>Hello Lighthouse</i> Picture book by Sophie Blackall

Hello Lighthouse is a picture book written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. The book tells the story of a lighthouse and its last keeper and was well received, winning the 2019 Caldecott Medal for its illustrations. Drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, Blackall worked hard on the design of the book. The writing and illustrations were meant to complement each other noting the change and consistency of the sea.

<i>A Big Mooncake for Little Star</i> 2018 picture book by Grace Lin

A Big Mooncake for Little Star is a 2018 picture book written and illustrated by Grace Lin. The story is about Little Star gradually eating the mooncake that her mother has baked. The book was a departure for Lin both thematically and in her use of illustrative style. The book was well reviewed and was awarded a Caldecott Honor in 2019. The illustrations feature heavy use of black and rely on both the pictures and words to convey the story and its themes.

<i>Alma and How She Got Her Name</i> 2018 picture book

Alma and How She Got Her Name is a 2018 children's picture book by Juana Martinez-Neal. Alma, whose full name is Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela, thinks she has too many names and so she asks her dad about them. He explains the various people she was named to honor. The book was spurred by Martinez-Neal's Peruvian immigrant experience and the birth of her children. The book was well reviewed and received a 2019 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations. The graphite and colored pencil illustrations feature only a few colors, including blue and pink. Martinez-Neal hoped to evoke the feel of a photo album, in keeping with the book's theme of family.

<i>Bear Came Along</i> 2019 picture book

Bear Came Along is a 2019 picture book by Richard T. Morris and illustrated by LeUyen Pham. It tells the story of a group of animals on a river adventure. Published on June 1, 2019, Bear Came Along was based on memories Morris had of going to overnight camp for the first time. The watercolors, ink, and gouache illustrations Pham created were special for her. Critics wrote about her ability to juggle several different tones through the pictures. These illustrations were also generally seen as complementing the book's theme of being connected to others. The book was generally well reviewed and received a 2020 Caldecott Honor.

<i>We Are Water Protectors</i> 2020 picture book

We Are Water Protectors is a 2020 picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade. Written in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, the book tells the story of an Ojibwe girl who fights against an oil pipeline in an effort to protect the water supply of her people. It was published by Roaring Brook Press on March 17, 2020. The book was well received. Critics praised its message of environmental justice, its depiction of diversity, and the watercolor illustrations, for which Goade won the 2021 Caldecott Medal, becoming the first Indigenous recipient of the award. The book also received the 2021 Jane Addams Children's Book Award winner in the Books for Younger Children category.

<i>Cat Dreams</i> (Le Guin book) Childrens picture book by Ursula K. Le Guin and S D Schindler.

Cat Dreams is a 2009 children's picture book by Ursula K. Le Guin and illustrated by S D Schindler. It is about a cat that has a nap, dreams of fantastical kitty things, like raining mice, is startled awake, then finds a nice human lap to snooze on.

<i>Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre</i> 2021 childrens picture book by Carole Boston Weatherford

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre is a picture book written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Published on February 2, 2021, by Carolrhoda, it tells the history behind the Tulsa race massacre in verse.

Jason Chin is an author and illustrator of children's books. His books, which usually deal with science and nature, were the recipients of a Caldecott Medal, a Sibert Honor and a Orbis Pictus Award.

<i>Going Down Home with Daddy</i> 2019 picture book

Going Down Home with Daddy is a 2019 picture book written by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Daniel Minter. It tells the story of a young boy who attends a large family reunion at his great-grandmother's house and struggles to prepare a contribution to the family celebration. Inspired by Lyons's visit to a family gathering in rural Georgia, the book was published by Peachtree Publishing on April 1, 2019. The acrylic illustrations incorporate Adinkra symbols representing various concepts in Ghanaian culture. Critics praised the book's themes of family culture and heritage as well as Minter's illustrations, for which it received a Caldecott Honor in 2020. It also received the 2019 Lupine Award in the Picture Book category.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jonker, Travis (June 2, 2019). "'I had to sit down, before I fell down' Jason Chin on his award-winning book, 'Grand Canyon'". School Library Journal. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Chin, Jason (2017). Grand Canyon (First ed.). New York. ISBN   9781596439504. OCLC   940281661.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 Weeks, Kathy (February 23, 2017). "Q & A with Jason Chin". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 'Grand Canyon' by Jason Chin. Kirkus. 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 Ford, Danielle J (February 8, 2017). "Review of Grand Canyon". The Horn Book. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  6. 1 2 Bush, Elizabeth (2017). "Grand Canyon by Jason Chin (review)". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 70 (5): 210–211. doi:10.1353/bcc.2017.0010. S2CID   201725667.
  7. 1 2 3 Peters, John (January 9, 2017). "Grand Canyon by Jason Chin | SLJ Review". School Library Journal. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Bird, Betsy (November 6, 2016). "Calling Caldecott | Grand Canyon". The Horn Book. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Children's Book Review: Grand Canyon by Jason Chin. Roaring Brook/Porter, (56p) ISBN 978-1-59643-950-4". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  10. 1 2 Lock, Anita (November 15, 2016). Grand Canyon, by Jason Chin | Booklist Online . Retrieved November 24, 2018– via Booklist Online.
  11. ↑ "Welcome to the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal home page!". Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Welcome to the Caldecott Medal Home Page!". Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  13. ↑ Parravano, Martha V. (March 3, 2017). "Calling Caldecott | Science books and the Caldecott". The Horn Book. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.