Franki Sibberson is a teacher, author, and co-blogger (with Mary Lee Hahn) at A Year of Reading. Franki and Mary Lee are both familiar faces at the Cybils, and this year Franki is part of our wonderfully experienced panel of Round I judges for Non-Fiction Picture Books.
Recently, Franki reviewed Cybils nominee 14 Cows for America, written by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. This picture book about a gift from the Maasai people to the citizens of America in the wake of the 9/11 disaster exemplifies the themes of empathy and generosity. Franki had a chance to speak with the illustrator about his work, and found out the following:
Tom said that for him this story is about far more than just 9/11. This story says that no matter how powerful you are, unexpected circumstances can come out of nowhere and totally change everything…and that help often comes from people you don't know. For Tom, this book is about the connectedness of all people.
Read the rest of the review and learn more about the illustrator here.