Spring 2010: Kids’ Book Picks
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 8, 2010
Spring is in the air. Familiar floral scents are beginning to drift with the breeze, stimulating thoughts of rebirth—from flowering blossoms to new-born chickens. Spring just may be my favorite season. The following books are a great representation of this sweet and thriving time of year.
Silly Little Goose!by Nancy Tafuri
Reading level: Ages 0-5
Board book: 26 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books; Brdbk edition (February 1, 2010)
Little Goose is looking for a quiet and comfortable place to lay her eggs—a classic spring activity. Simple text combined with animal sounds and winning illustrations make Silly Little Goose a great read-aloud book. This book was first released in 2001, but it has just been released as a sturdy board book—a great choice for the younger set.
Add this book to your collection: Silly Little Goose!
The Grasshopper Hopped!by Elizabeth Alexander (Author), Joung Un Kim (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 3-6
Hardcover: 14 pages
Publisher: Golden Books (January 12, 2010)
I’m not sure if Grasshoppers would be considered synonymous with spring, but, when I saw the cover for this book, my mind immediately thought of gardening and blossoms. As Grasshopper searches for his “perfect” spot, readers are taken on a journey similar to the one that Goldilocks takes in The Three Little Bears: The soup pot is too hot, the fridge too cold. Kim’s cut-paper illustrations and interactive pull-tabs add extra pizazz to the already engaging rhyme and sounds of Alexander’s charming little story.
Add this book to your collection: The Grasshopper Hopped!
Forever Friendsby Carin Berger
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (March 2, 2010)
From her collage artwork to her simple and reflective stories, Carin Berger is one of my favorites! Forever Friends, a companion book to The Little Yellow Leaf, is the story between two unlikely friends who must part because of the seasons. It is the season of spring that brings them back together. The cherry blossoms, mushrooms, and flower-chains, add extra panache to this heartfelt story of friendship.
Add this book to your collection: Forever Friends
You may also enjoy: The Little Yellow Leaf
Interview: Carin Berger
Mathilda and the Orange Balloon
by Randall de Seve (Author), Jen Corace (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (February 16, 2010)
Spring time begs for youngsters to return to the great outdoors. It also welcomes vivid imaginations that are rekindled by a change of scenery. Mathilda is an adorable little lamby—illustrated by Jen Corace: Little Pea, Little Oink, and Little Hoot—who clearly has a profound imagination that is stimulated easily by her surroundings. Mathilda also has a level of curiosity that, when combined with her imagination, allows her to become anything (an important message for anyone). Very sweet!
Add this book to your collection: Mathilda and the Orange Balloon
You may also enjoy: Little Pea, Little Oink, and Little Hoot
Paris in the Spring with Picasso
by Joan Yolleck (Author), Marjorie Priceman (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (March 23, 2010)
This is a visual and intellectual, cultural treat. Marjorie Priceman, the illustrator of two Caldecott Honor books, has superbly conjured images of 20th century Paris; an era of great artists, such as: Pablo Picasso and Gertrude Stein. The artwork is reminiscent of Ludwig Bemelmans’ Madeline books, only the colors are more vibrant. Francophiles will delight in author Joan Yolleck’s imaginative telling of how these great artists may have spent one of their wonderful spring days in Paris. Conceptual meets factual, ending in a brilliant soiree.
Add this book to your collection: Paris in the Spring with Picasso
Francophiles may also enjoy: Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman
My Little Pony: The Greenest Day (I Can Read Book 1)
by Jennifer Christie
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 24 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (March 9, 2010)
The Greenest Day is a level 1 I Can Read book, which means that it has short sentences and familiar words. At the beginning of the book there are a few words that are matched with a picture. Throughout the story, these pictures replace the words in the sentences they appear—a fun concept to spice-up learning to read. With spring, friendship, and good listening as the key concepts for this story, it’s a great choice for a reluctant reader or My Little Pony fan.
Add this book to your collection: My Little Pony: The Greenest Day
Source of all books: Publishing Houses
St. Patrick’s Day: 3 Lucky Kids’ Books
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 3, 2010
From shamrocks to Leprechauns to fiddle music to the color green, these three books have St. Patrick’s Day (March, 17) covered. Oh, and in-case you’re wondering why people where shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day, it’s because regular rocks are too heavy. *drum roll—ba-DUM-ching*
St. Patrick’s Dayby Anne Rockwell (Author), Lizzy Rockwell (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (January 26, 2010)
This is a very kid-friendly explanation of what St. Patrick’s Day is all about. The story is told from a child’s perspective and is set within a school classroom (most likely a kindergarten class). The class is led in a discovery type learning experience and encouraged to make group presentations, which gives a very familiar feel to the readers. The illustrations are colorful and energetic—a good representation of this lively Irish holiday. A wonderful introduction to Irish traditions and culture!
Magic Tree House #43: Leprechaun in Late Winter
by Mary Pope Osborne
Reading level: Ages 6-9
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (January 12, 2010)
Magic Tree House is a favorite amongst early readers and fluent readers. This installment finds Jack and Annie on an Irish adventure that is fit for a St. Patrick’s Day read. The bother and sister duo have been sent on another mission by Merlin the magician. They have to find a girl named Augusta and inspire her to discover her hidden talents. On their quest to forfill their mission, they encounter many a creature from Irish folklore. It’s a very entertaining read—Magic Treehouse fans will not be dissapointed.
Magic Tree House Research Guide #21: Leprechauns and Irish Folklore: A Nonfiction Companion to Leprechaun in Late Winterby Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce
Reading level: Ages 6-9
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (January 12, 2010)
A great companion to Leprechaun in Late Winter, but certainly a first-rate stand-alone non-fiction resource for learning about Leprechauns and Irish folklore. The combination of text, fun facts, photos, and illustrations make this an enjoyable way for children to gain knowledge.
Updated Post (March, 6) to include a 4th book:
Calendar Mysteries #3: March Mischief
by Ron Roy
Reading level: Ages 6-9
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (January 26, 2010)
A great choice for those looking for an introduction to an easy-to-read chapter book. The author, Ron Roy, is extremely popular with both kids and parents—especially the mystery book lovers. This particular instalment is about the luck of the Irish. Thumbs-up!
Leave us a comment: Tell us about your favorite St. Patrick’s Day book or activity.
Women’s History Month: 5 Kids’ Books that Celebrate Women & Empower Girls
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 1, 2010
March is National Women’s History Month. The National Women’s History Project, an organization whose mission is to “recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women by providing information and educational materials and programs,” has announced that the theme for 2010 is Writing Women Back into History. This is what they had to say:
“The history of women often seems to be written with invisible ink. Even when recognized in their own times, women are often not included in the history books.”
With so few books highlighting the brilliant women from our history, I felt that it was important to kick-off this important month of recognition with 5 books that not only acknowledge women’s achievements but celebrate them and empower young girls (our women of the future).
Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote, by Tanya Lee Stone (Ages 6-10)
Who Was Amelia Earhart?, by Kate Boehm Jerome (Ages 9-12)
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream, by Tanya Lee Stone (Ages 10 and up)
The Invisible Thread: An Autobiography, by Yoshiko Uchida (Ages 12 and up)
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women, by Catherine Thimmesh (Ages 12 and up)
This is only a sprinkling of the sprinkling of the available women’s history books. Please share a thought or book suggestion about your favorite women from your family, community, or history, in the comment field below.
Fables with a different flair
By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 15, 2010
I’ve written before about the spate of new books that are bilingual and aim to tell a story as well as teach another language. For the most part, these have been in Spanish. Recently, I received a few new books that tell fables from a Native American perspective. These have been interesting for me to read as they open up a whole new world of literature and they’ve been interesting for my kids as well because of their vivid and fantastic stories. Here’s a brief rundown of three of them: Read more
Last minute Valentine’s Day Ideas
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 11, 2010
Just had to share these with you—after all, sharing is apart of loving. Right?
Have a beautiful Valentine’s Day weekend!
Younger Readers will enjoy … Read more
A Jane Yolen Celebration
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 11, 2010
It was 49 years ago, today, that Jane Yolen had her first book, Pirates in Petticoats, published. That day was her 22nd birthday—what a great birthday present. In honor of Jane Yolen’s 71st birthday and the 300+ books that she has written—winning awards for many—we are celebrating by sharing with you some of her more recent picture books and board books. Happy Birthday, Jane Yolen. We hope you have a wonderful day! Read more
Bookarazzi: Rachel Bilson’s Gift Book Picks for Kids
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 4, 2010
boo·ka·raz·zi: A freelance blogger who pursues celebrities who read books, to create posts that promote children’s literature.
Rachel Bilson has a monthly column in InStyle magazine where people submit style questions for her to answer. Back in December her column focused on gifts—the list included three children’s books. Yippee! Read more
Black History Month, 2010: Kids’ Books
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 11, 2010
It’s February. It’s Black History Month. It’s the perfect time to look back at some amazing contributions to American history and to look forward to the many stunning offerings of children’s literature by African-Americans.
Last year was the first year that we created a list of books in recognition of Black History Month—it boasts 20 fabulous pieces of work. Here are our newest additions to the growing list: Read more
15 Excellent Civil Rights Books
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 8, 2010
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day—observed the third Monday of each year, around the time of his January 15 birthday—here is a list of outstanding books that represent nonviolent activism and the civil rights movement: Read more
5 Most Popular Books of 2009
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 7, 2010
This time of year brings about many “best of”, “top ten”, and “most popular” lists. This particular list showcases the books that were the most popular on The Children’s Book Review.
5 Most Popular Books
Scat by Carl Hiaasen (Ages 10 and up)
The 39 Clues: Book One: Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (Ages 9-12)
Birds of a Feather: A Book of idioms and Silly Pictures by Vanita Oelschlager (Ages 4-9)
Tickle Monster (Publisher’s Choice Award 2008) (Mom’s Choice Awards) by Josie Bissett (Ages 2-7)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney (Ages 9-12)
