Tops & Bottoms

Caldecott Honor Book 1996

Citation: Tops & Bottoms by Janet Stevens, (Scholastic, 1995). 32p. Concept Picture Book.

Summary: The tale of Bear and the Hare family’s business arrangement is described and altered over the course of several planting and harvesting seasons.   

Critique:

a.       The illustrations are what captivates the reader and brings them into the story.

b.      The illustrations are vibrant and engaging holding the audience’s attention.  On several of the pages there is a large brown text box with the written story which can draw the reader away from the illustrations.

c.       The illustrations in the book are to be viewed vertically on each page.  This practice adds to the nature of the story and reinforces the concepts of top and bottom.  When Bear is given the option of the top or bottom during planting season and the Hare family always agrees to Bear’s choice and honors the agreement, it never seems to work out for Bear.  “Now, Hare, you’ve tricked me.  You plant this field again- and this season I want the bottoms!” (p. 16).

Curriculum Connection:  Tops & Bottoms can be used within a science curriculum to demonstrate vegetables that grow above ground and underground.  The delightful misfortune of Bear’s laziness and the Hare family work ethic demonstrate that work and study skills can benefit you in all aspects.