Book Review Duz Iz Tak?

Duz Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis 

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Genre: Fiction

Introduction and Justification:
Each year the Caldecott Medal is awarded to the best picture books. The runner ups receive the Caldecott Honor Awards. These books are known for their illustrations. In 2017 "Duz Iz Tak?" was awarded the Caldecott Honor Award.  The other books on the list were books that had been previously read including "They All saw a Cat, Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear", "Trombone Shorty", and "Last Stop on Market Street."
This book had an interesting and catchy title draws in the reader. The title looked like a different vernacular for does it talk. This books appeared exciting through its use of rich color.

Evaluation of book:
This story is an action novel. In the book Duz Iz Tak? the reader sees some bugs and a sprout. As the sprout grows more bugs become involved. They even build a sprout house. The climax in the book is when the house begins to wear down. This story follows the plot model showing a strong beginning with character and setting. As the climax occurs a giant bird covers the page. The reader is drawn to the magnitude of the destruction. The character are small and you can see them cowering. As the seasons change in the book The reader can follow the action from everyone working together to the end. The end allows the reader to think will the cycle begin again? What will occur next?

Duz Iz Tak? displays a rich composition to balance the line, color, and texture of the book. The color changes as the story takes place even showing the seasons. As the year progresses the log become whiter, and as fall comes the plants become duller. It is also easy to see night when the bug is playing music to the plant. The simple drawings use simple lines mixed with graphic textures to tell the story. While most of the book has simple lines and basic shapes the readers eye is drawn the central piece of the story. This section has vibrant textures that stand out.The reader can touch the book thinking they are touching a leaf that is folded over.

This book depends on the illustrations to extend  and develop the plot. The books is told through  the illustrations. The words are nonsense and the reader needs to look and examine clues to understand the story.  For example when the bird comes and hits the plant house the characters are creating you can see and feel their disappointment and even fear. At the end of the book you can make a prediction about what will happen next when you see multiple sprouts. This book is told entirely through the visual elements. The illustrations do tell the plot even though the text can get in the way of the meaning.

Response:
As I read Du Iz Tak?  my immediate reaction was to wonder if I was reading the book incorrectly. At first I read the beginning of the book silently and then out loud trying to make meaning of the text. (a) After multiple attempts at reading the text I related this book to the Tower of Babel and sitting with Spanish Speaking teachers while only knowing English. this lack of another language left me feeling lost, and a little lonely. I felt I missed a lot of the meaning by not accessing the words. (c) When going back and thinking about the text it became apparent that this is how our English language learners students might feel. They can look at the pictures to derive meaning but never fully understand the meaning. They need to infer. This gave me a lot of insight how I interact with English language learners. (d) This book is important to share to help others understand how difficult it can be not to understand information. Students can also take advantage of the detailed beautiful illustrations to derive their own meaning and create their own stories. Beginning readers can feel successful knowing that the words are nonsense and the meaning is from the visual cues.

Conclusion:
This book is great for our English Language Learners, and those who are love detailed rich artwork. This book uses color to show the progression of time and a sequence of events that are unfolding. As the creatures see the sprout and decide to make a home out of it to the richness of the seasons changing. It is told through the illustrations.

APA Citations:

alsc. (2019). Caldecott Medal & Honor Books, 1938-Present. Retrieved from alsc Association for Library Service to Children A Division of the American Library Association : http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecotthonors/caldecottmedal

Ellis, C. (2016). Du Iz Tak? Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press.

Williamson, O. M. (n.d.). How to Write a Reaction Paper or Reader Response. Retrieved from Reader Response: http://utminers.utep.edu/omwilliamson/engl0310link/readerresponse.htm