Mel Fell
Front cover showing Caldecott Honor
AuthorCorey R. Tabor
IllustratorCorey R. Tabor
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenrePicture book
PublisherBalzer + Bray
Publication date
February 2, 2021
Pages40
AwardsCaldecott Honor
ISBN978-0-06-287801-4

Mel Fell is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor, published on February 2, 2021, by Balzer + Bray, a HarperCollins imprint. It focuses on Mel, a kingfisher, as she attempts her first flight. The book was received positively, and was the recipient of a Caldecott Honor in 2022.

Reception

Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review and praised the technique utilized by Tabor for the illustrations, commenting how they are "alive with wonderful textures and soft colors."[1] Kirkus Reviews noted that the story, about a kingfisher plummeting towards the water below her, has a vertical format that "prompts readers to look longitudinally at each spread," which "inspires both excitement and anxiety."[2] They concluded by saying the book could inspire young readers "to feel brave, to try, and to believe they can soar."[2]

Kate Quealy-Gainer, writing for the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, commented on the book's narration, which they considered to be "lively," and the illustrations, which "confer buoyant energy."[3] Julie Danielson, for The Horn Book Magazine, called Mel Fell a "playful and innovatively designed book" and added that having to turn the book to read it makes the story "even more dramatic."[4]

Mel Fell was chosen by the American Library Association as one of its "Notable Children's Books" of 2021[5] and was also the recipient of a Caldecott Honor.[6]

In 2022, the Weston Woods Studios released the animated film adaptation, narrated by Noah Wall with animation by Galen Fott.

References

  1. "Children's Book Review: Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "MEL FELL". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  3. Quealy-Gainer, Kate (January 2021). "Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 74 (5): 235. doi:10.1353/bcc.2020.0881. S2CID 242564192.
  4. Danielson, Julie (March–April 2021). "Mel Fell". The Horn Book Magazine. 97 (2): 75.
  5. "Notable Children's Books - 2022". Association for Library Service to Children. 30 November 1999. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  6. Sullivan, Meghan Collins (January 24, 2022). "'The Last Cuentista' and 'Watercress' win top children's book awards". NPR. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
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