Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Color

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce. 2009. RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS: A YEAR IN COLORS. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 0547014945

2.      PLOT SUMMARY

 Seasons come alive in this Caldecott Honor-winning book about a year in colors.  

3.      CRITCAL ANALYSIS

Sidman’s picture poem book about colors is a truly engaging read. In it, colors are not just pretty things you see all around you. Colors are living things that come alive with different purposes throughout the seasons. The colors sing and squirm and beam and taste. Sidman words RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS in just a way that it completely absorbs your senses.

In comparison, the visuals in this poem book are stunning. Zagarenski uses mixed media paintings on wood as well as computer illustrations. Even down to the font, which is set in Oldbook ITC, the accompanying images breathe life into Sidman’s already vibrant words.

4.      REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Winner of 2010 Caldecott Honor Medal

Starred review in BOOKLIST: “As the title implies, the colors that surprise on every page, do sing.”

Starred review in HORN BOOK: "Sustaining the playfulness of the text and its sense of awe, mystery, and beauty, the illustrations contribute gracefully to the celebration."

5.      CONNECTIONS

* Possible book topics:

Ask the children how certain colors make them feel. What are their favorite colors, and why? What colors do the different seasons remind them of?

*Check out other poem picture books by this author:

Sidman, Joyce. DARK EMPEROR AND OTHER POEMS OF THE NIGHT. ISBN 0547152280 *2011 Newbery Honor Medal winner

Sidman, Joyce. SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN AND OTHER POND POEMS. ISBN 0618135472  *2006 Caldecott Honor Medal winner