Pots

 

Title: The Pots That Juan Built

Author: Nancy Andrew- Goebel

Illustrator: David Diaz

Publishing Company: Lee and Low Books

Copyright Date: 2002

Pages:32

Genre/Category: Non ficition

I chose this book because it looked interesting because it use both poetry and prose. On the left-side the story was told in a rhyme, and on the right-side it was told in the traditional prose style. This story is about Juan Quezada, a potter in Mexico who recreates traditional Mexican pottery. He uses the local materials and the primitive methods of the Casas Grandes people, including using human hair to make brushes and cow manure to feed the flames that fire his pots. Juan creates stunning pots in the traditional style. Each piece different and unique.

The illustrations are done in Mexican colors, very bright and bold. The illustrator uses geometric designs of the natural elements and focuses on Juan and the animals in his village. The Afterword contains actual photographs of the artist and his pot-making process.

This book is recommended for fourth through sixth grade. It can be used in history to talk about the Mexican culture. I would even try and use it in art class to make some pottery with the students. I would use it to help with the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. This book has  won several awards Pura Belpre Honor Book Illustrator Awards 2004, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC), ALA Notable Children's Book, Children's Literature Choice List, Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly Commended Title Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC), Lasting Connections Title, California Collections, Delaware Diamonds Reading List, Parenting magazine Best Books of the Year, International Reading Association (IRA) Notable Books for a Global Society,Five Owls magazine Starred Book of Merit, National Council of Teachers of English Notable Books in the Language Art, International Reading Association Children's Book Award, Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Books, Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year Outstanding Merit, United States of America  International Children's Books of Note, Children's BookSense 76 Recommended List, New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, School Library Journal Best Books, Texas Library Association (TLA) Texas Bluebonnet Masterlist, School Library Journal-Starred Review, and Publishers Weekly-Starred Review