Caldecott Collection, Vol. III

K-Gr 3—From Jake Gyllenhaal's rendition of Mordicai Gerstein's The Man Between Two Towers to B.D. Wong's exquisite vocal work for the suspenseful Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China, the Caldecott classics of yesteryear come alive through the voices of skilled actors in this repackaged collection of winners. Through the resonance of Broadway's James Naughton, the fascinating biodiversity of the animal kingdom is revealed in the science-oriented selection, What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? Introducing each animal body part—noses, ears, feet, tails—viewers hear changing background music, ranging from whimsical accordion to African drums, to jazz clarinet. Suspenseful music enhances Wong's masterful inflection, articulation, and distinct character voices for a goosebumps-inducing Lon Po Po. These stories succeed brilliantly, layered with the simple animation of images such as Philipe Petit's hair waving in the wind as he crosses between the Twin Towers. Extras include an insightful interview with Steve Jenkins and Robin Page about their research and design process for What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? All of which will certainly inspire curiosity for the natural world and the rediscovery of these timeless treasures of children's literature.