Smoky Night

Bunting, Eve. (1994). Smoky Night. 

This is a story about cats -- and people -- who couldn't get along until a smoky and fearful night brings them together.

The Los Angeles riots made author Eve Bunting wonder about what riots meant to the children who live through them -- and what we can all learn from such upheavals. She has written more than 100 books for children and young adults, including Night Tree and Summer Wheels, and many deal thoughtfully with difficult issues.

Smoky Night was the winner of the 1995 Caldecott Medal; an American Library Association Notable Children's Book; a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; and a Parent's Choice Award.

This book is fantastic for its illustrations. They paint the words on each page. I really like this book for imagery. Simply reading the book out loud but not showing the pictures to the kids, but allowing them time to make their own pictures. Then they can compare it to the illustrations. I like that idea for a way to implement this book.