by Sam Juliano
The 2014 picture book Draw! by Raul Colon is one of my all-time favorites. The sumptuous safari expedition book landed on the New York Times Top Ten list and won praise from virtually every children’s book site. The wordless title’s wide popularity with teachers and their students and the ravishing beauty of its art emboldened the pre-Caldecott prognosticators to forecast it would soon be wearing a shiny gold or silver sticker after the early February announcement by the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards. Alas, in a very competitive year the committee bypassed the book, leaving many in disbelief. To be sure there were several others that were MIA when the record-breaking lineup of seven books were announced, but Draw! was in poll position on so many lists, that it wasn’t easy to reconcile the omission. At the end of the day awards are contingent on a number of factors – timing, competition, consensus and of course taste. The committee actually did a fine job that year, but the absence of Draw! was truly unfortunate. I am tempted to frame Draw! as Colon’s picture book piece de resistance, as it is possesses a purity of theme, an emotional core and the matter of a singular vision exclusive to books crafted by one person. But in a prolific career marked by remarkable uniformity in style and polychromatic splendor Colon is all about consistency whether he is working solo or for a writer seeking the services of an illustrator. Some years he has even treated the book community to multiple books as illustrator, leaving fans to assume the unenviable task of choosing. In 2016, Colon crafted sumptuous art for Jonah Winter’s Hillary, a biography of the Democratic nominee for President that commenced from her student years. He also brought pictorial elegance to Fearless Flyers: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine written by Heather Lang, which is the subject of this Caldecott Medal Contender review. Both of Colon’s books this year are about women who achieved fame in contrasting venues, and both are exquisite, but Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine in particular is especially Caldecott worthy.
Ruth Law was undaunted by failure and the danger that came with it. Even with the most careful preparation and mechanical expertise disaster could strike down a flyer in the early days of aviation if the weather did not cooperate. The early planes were flimsily constructed with bamboo, wire and cloth – meaning the most talented aviator could easily enough be undermined by matters out of their control. A modern day parallel is the famed French born tightrope walker Phillipe Petit, who defied the feasibility of turbulent wind currents when crossing between the two World Trade Center towers in the early 70’s. All the talent in the world couldn’t insure success if meteorological conditions grew hostile. Yet Petit like Law persevered as a result of dedication, resilience and a fair degree of luck. Ms. Lang’s soulful and exciting prose pares down an epic flight to the most heart-stopping episodes, which keeping acute focus on the renowned aviator’s state of mind. Some of Law’s most integral feelings are presented by way of enlarged cursive script.
Colon’s exquisite aerial illustrations in Fearless Flyer were achieved with the artist’s trademark prismacolor pencils which for this book were negotiated on Canson paper and lithograph crayon. The impressionist art created here -via an etching instrument integral to the scratch board – and in previous books – evokes the design pattern of the human fingerprint, but most significantly the etched lines allow for richer and more artistically intricate color to emerge. The book is rightly dominated by yellow which accentuates the triumphant mood of a record breaking venture though historically it did take place under sunny skies, albeit in mid-November cold. Green of course, the staple of outdoor rural tapestries, is seen in the all-year conifers and combined with blue brings the stunning turquoise background on the cover and without ostentation on the solid end papers. Speaking of the cover, which features Law navigating her primitive flying machine over a Midwest cornfield is one of the year’s most arresting for any picture book, and is wisely carried over to the dust jacket.
Like the aforementioned tight rope walker, Law was initially an entertainer who performed daredevil tricks by way of a loop and a spiral dive, and again like her acrobatic counterpart the higher altitude she brokered, the greater freedom and liberty she felt. Colon juxtaposes seven illustrations of the flying machine in the opening double page spread to display her virtuoso skills and daring bravado with lightly applied yellow-green flight paths that establish immediately a sense of reckless abandon, though much to the delight of a turn of the century assemblage fashioned multi-colored silhouettes.
Law, inherently adventurous and indomitable of spirit, soon realizes she needs to do something monumental. In short order Colon frames her in a more daunting pose, looking up into the sky alongside her biplane realizing her machine only carries a sixteen gallon tank, and that she has never flown more than twenty-five miles. Like all aviators she also is well aware that in the event of engine trouble there might be no landing options. The big equalizer for her was that she knew every nut and bolt and could ascertain the trouble by the sound of the motor. Colon’s lovely close-up of the woman who thought in expansive terms reveals one not easily dissuaded by initial disappointment, and after an offer to acquire a much larger plane is refused she adds two gas tanks and a metal guard to protect against chilling winds and charts her course. The nocturnal leaf-swept tableau that denotes a four A.M. departure is one her mechanics tried to talk her out of, but Law understands that the turbulent night will actually work in her favor in this impossible to fathom Chicago to New York City flight that has never been attempted, much less achieved. The atmospheric disorder is strikingly envisioned in a scene exhibiting a sense of foreboding with the darker hues and ghostly mise en scene, but for Colon fans it is quite a melancholic visual treat.
As related by Lang, our intrepid flyer admits that “the scare is part of the thrill” after she dispenses with her skirt, pulls down her goggles and assumes a defiantly masculine role. It was still seventeen years before Franklin D. Roosevelt was to famously declare in his first inaugural speech that “the only thing to fear is fear itself” but Lang paraphrases Law when she highlights “To become an aviator one has to dismiss all fear.” Feeling power and exhilaration Law perches above hilly farmlands but ascends further as she dips under clouds and in full view of small towns and lakes, places she readily recognized. Colon weaves his nebulous magic in his captivating aerial tableaus that document Law’s quandary as she passed over Cleveland. Should she land after noticing there was zero pressure on the oil gauge? She decides to stay the course and after steering east of Erie, Pennsylvania she breaks Victor Carlstrom’s distance record. Colon’s dazzling sketch illustrations documenting another record-breaking feat – one that has her touching down in Hornell, New York – project a cinematic sense of movement, and the autumnal tapestry when the plane barely escapes a crippling accident as it scrapes up against some trees as she resumes her flight to the Big Apple is a tour de force illustration. The stirring glide past the Statue of Liberty and the final landing as the band with their red and blu caps supply a celebratory welcome are among Colon’s most breathtaking canvasses in the book.
An engaging afterward from Lang includes Law’s encounter with Orville Wright, and the bevy of records she broke and set, but nothing matched her Chicago to New York City flight, a remarkable achievement that led to dinners with President Wilson and an invitation to light the Stature of Liberty for the first time. Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine is a masterful introduction to this comparatively unrecognized female pioneer, and the inspiring story gave Colon a chance to bring unlimited splendor and breathtaking vistas to a story that greatly benefits from his unique artistry. The Caldecott committee should confer on it their most intense scrutiny, as befitting a book as aesthetically beautiful as it is historically awe-inspiring.

Lang and Colon and their masterful Caldecott worthy biography
Note: This is the sixth entry in the 2016 Caldecott Medal Contender series. The series does not purport to predict what the committee will choose, rather it attempts to gauge what the writer feels should be in the running. In most instances the books that are featured in the series have been touted as contenders in various online round-ups, but for the ones that are not, the inclusions are a humble plea to the committee for consideration. It is anticipated the series will include at least 30 titles; the order which they are being presented in is arbitrary, as every book in this series is a contender. Some of my top favorites of the lot will be done near the end. The awards will be announced on January 22nd, hence the reviews will continue till two days before that date.
Sam — Needless to say, I read this book review out loud to Len. He, too, enjoyed it tremendously. I love books that feature strong, independent women who know their own minds and are willing to work hard for their goals. Needless to say, Heather Lang’s “Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine” is just such a book. And Raul Colon’s illustrations speak for themselves—extraordinary!
Laurie, I am so thrilled you read the review to Len and that you stand so proudly behind the theme! You yourself have not only embraced it but have carried it forth yourself. Yes this book is a stunner in every sense and I concur with all you say.
Sounds like a stunning book — certainly the pictures are. It’s great when the modern spotlight falls on strong, independent pioneering women of the past — women against whose success society erected mighty ramparts.
Next maybe Colon could maybe tackle Bessie Coleman, a great early pilot who had two ramparts to clear.
It is indeed John. Your own support for the convictions of the book are laudatory and fully shared. Wow, Bessie Coleman, who died so young tragically would be another fantastic subject for a book!
Stupendous review Sam. This book looks as worthy as you claim it is for the Caldecott Medal or one of the honors. Stories about strong women during the times they were shunned make for inspiring reads. Though no doubt Heather Lang wrote a terrific book, having someone of Colon’s caliber really make this monumental (the word you used for Ruth Law’s record-breaking journey).
Frank, I do agree with you down the line and thank you kindly for the compliments my friend.
Not sure how I missed this. I am assuming it released late in the summer, and I may have been away. I just checked our library and found a copy. You are so right to say it is one of the most beautiful books of the year. But then anything Colon illustrates is award-worthy. I really enjoyed Heather Lang’s story and spare telling of it. Like others I appreciate when the focus is on women whom society frowned upon who still attain this level of success.
This is a marvelous descriptive piece, definitely one of your best Sam!
Celeste I am so thrilled at your thoughtful assessment, and thank you many times over for the exceedingly kind words! Wonderful to hear your library has a copy too!
Actually my own favorite Raul Colon picture book is “Jose! Born to Dance”, but like you I do love “Draw” and think this newest book terribly underrated.
Sometimes certain books for no special reason get lost in the shuffle, but this important subject is given first-class treatment by the author and the illustrator. Your appreciation and insights are as outstanding as ever, and you held me captive. I hope the committee looks hard at this one.
Peter–
JOSE! BORN TO DANCE is actually another I’d put on my all-time greatest picture book list and i thank you so much for mentioning it on this thread! As far as FEARLESS FLYER being underrated, that is not quite the case with the excellent reviews it received. I too am hoping the committee looks at this one with a studied eye. thanks for the very kind words my friend.
Sam, I had figured you as a passionate fan of “Jose!” I know you love the performing arts as much as anything.
Absolutely Peter, and JOSE was one of the finest picture books ever on that subject I must say.
So happy to see you have deemed this among the year’s most notable picture books, as the illustrator is a personal favorite. It does appear that there was some remarkable chemistry between the two people who collaborated and the book lovers and the students are big winners as a result. The review itself is phenomenal.
Tim, there was indeed some rare chemistry at play here. Thanks for the very kind words my friend.
I guess when we think of female aviation pioneers, the name of Emilia Earhart comes up first:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelia_Earhart
But this wonderful book with the exquisite art have served an American with a celebrated track record. Kids will benefit greatly. Wonderful review.
Karen, thanks so much for stopping in. Yes, Earhart is certainly the most celebrated of all the women aviation pioneers, but as you know there are a number less heralded who deserve present day recognition. Law’s achievement is quite staggering all things considered. Yes the kids are the prime beneficiaries, as well it should be. Thanks for the very kind words!
The sepia coloration to the fore seems to highlight, from our perspective of women very often accomplishing marvels, that these exploits were going against the grain.
Your essay, Sam, very expertly presents political considerations of the saga.
Aye, Jim, women at the turn of the century were devoid of opportunities and encouragement, and that’s a terrific point you make about the sepia coloration and how it brings a visual constriction of the prevailing theme. Thanks every so much for the exceedingly kind words my friend!
Colon is one of the great illustrators. I located a copy of this book and was blown away by the art. The story is also captivating, so this was a true team effort. Thank you for such a masterful, descriptive review.
Steve, he certainly is that. Thanks for the very kind words and thrilled to hear you are in full agreement on this terrific collaboration on a celebrated turn-of-the-century female aviation pioneer.
Hi Sam, I look forward to this series every year, and recommend it to many other librarians and teachers in this part of the world.
I have a request, all the way from Shanghai China…how would you feel about also adding the tag, #CaldecottMedalContender ? I use your list, and others like it, to sort through and shop, as quickly as I can for the possible Caldecott and Newbery winning books, to get them to Shanghai for the students before January. Combined with China’s customs laws, shipment times and Winter Break, it can be a difficult task. My big fear is to NOT have the winners here when the ALA mid winter conference comes around. Being able to go straight to your contenders would help me greatly. Anyway, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
You put so much time into your reviews, we enjoy them very much.
Thank you
Barefoot Librarian
Kimbra, I do remember you from previous years and have greatly appreciated your comments, support and enthusiasm. Amazing that you are in Shanghai, where children’s lit is alive and well! Tomorrow while in school (I teach grade schoolers in the same hometown building where my wife is Principal) I will definitely add that tag to the six reviews I’ve done in the series. Later in the day #7 will be up too. : Thank you so much my friend!
Thanks Sam, this makes me very happy!
I love this series, helps keep me in the loop….
from the Aussie in China at the American school!