The Childrens Book Review » Book Lists

Caldecott Medal, 2012

Bianca Schulze — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:15:28 +0000

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 23, 2012

Medal Winner

Honor Book

“The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.” ~ALSC

Board Books: Rhyme & Rhythm

Bianca Schulze — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:08:43 +0000

By Nina Schuyler, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 2, 2012

You don’t have to be a poet to know the fun of rhyme and rhythm. Nursery rhymes tap into this good time, which may, in part, explain their longevity. We like sounds that “strike and chime and slide by each other,” writes poet Frances Mayes. “We respond to the here-it-comes again refrain.” Rhyme and repetition also stamp something into memory.

When a poet friend of mine heard I had a newborn, he said, “They’re little sponges. Why not read poems to him? The ear loves good rhythm and rhyme.”

Baby Baby Baby

By Marilyn Janovitz

If you don’t think your little one is ready for Emily Dickinson’s “An Awful Tempest Mashed the Air,” (it’s a beautiful poem, though), why not try Marilyn Janovitz’ Baby Baby Baby!

Janovitz invites not only a rhythm and rhyme scheme but tons of alliteration:

“Bitsy bouncy baby/ On a bumpity lap/ Mommy’s little baby likes to/ CLAP CLAP CLAP!” Or “Rub-a-dub baby/ In a bubbly bath/ Grandma’s little baby likes to/ Splish Splish Splash!”

This is a book you won’t mind reading over and over. By the last page, you’re either singing it and/or drumming your fingers on the board pages and bouncing baby on your lap. (Ages 1-3)

One, Two Buckle My Shoe

By Salina Yoon

Salina Yoon has taken the classic nursery tale, One, Two Buckle My Shoe, and turned it modern with bright colorful pictures and interesting cut-outs that transform into a picture. For instance, for “Two,” there’s a cutout of a square, which allows you to see blue and red and two yellow circles. Turn the page to “Buckle my shoe” and the previous fragment is now a large shoe. The six stars shown for “Six” changes into an elephant’s blanket. (Ages 0-3)

The poet Gerard Manley Hopkins said, “Read with your ears.” These two books make sure that you do.

Nina Schuyler‘s first novel, The Painting, (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill/2004), was a finalist for the Northern California Book Awards. It was also selected by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the Best Books for 2004 and a “Great Debut from 2004″ by the Rocky Mountain News. She currently teaches creative writing at the University of San Francisco and is working on a third novel.

January, 2012: Best Selling Kids’ Books, New Releases, and More …

Bianca Schulze — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 07:50:05 +0000

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 1, 2012

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

THE HOT SPOTS: THE TRENDS

Kids Winter Books: Snow, mittens, polar bears and other arctic animals

Star Wars Books for Kids

Author Interview: Gary Paulsen

Review: Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Cinder: Book One in the Lunar Chronicles

by Marissa Meyer

(Ages 12-17)

The Fault in our Stars

by John Green

(Ages 14-17)

Llama Llama Nighty-Night

by Anna Dewdney

(Ages 2-4)

Fallen in Love: A Fallen Novel in Stories

by Lauren Kate

(Ages 12+)

A Million Suns: An Across the Universe Novel

by Beth Revis

(Ages 13-17)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

I Want My Hat Back

by Jon Klassen

(Ages 4-8)

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

by Sherri Duskey Rinker (Author), Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)

(Ages 4-8)

If You Give a Dog a Donut

by Laura Numeroff (Author), Felicia Bond (Illustrator)

(Ages 3-7)

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse

by Eric Carle

(Ages 0-5)

The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories

by Dr. Seuss

(Ages 6-9)

CHAPTER BOOKS

Heroes of Olympus, The, Book Two: The Son of Neptune

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9-11)

The LEGO Ideas Book

by Daniel Lipkowitz

(Ages 8-12)

The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9-12)

Wonderstruck

by Brian Selznick

(Ages 9-12)

Every Thing On It

by Shel Silverstein

(Ages 8-11)

PAPERBACK BOOKS

War Horse

by Michael Morpurgo

(Ages 9-12)

The Red Pyramid

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 10 and up)

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

by John Grisham

(Ages 8-12)

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

(Ages 14 and up)

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher

(Ages 12 and up)

SERIES BOOKS

Inheritance

by Christopher Paolini

(Young Adult)

The Twilight Saga Collection

by Stephenie Meyer

(Ages 12 and up)

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9 to 12)

Hunger Games Trilogy Boxset

by Suzanne Collins

(Ages 12 and up)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

by Jeff Kinney

(Ages 9 to 12)

This information was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit: www.nytimes.com.

Books for Courageous Girls

Bianca Schulze — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:55:17 +0000

By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 23, 2011

I would like my daughter to read about young girls as instructive role models who will inspire bravery and determination in her. I’ve spent a bit of time searching for books with bold heroines and these are the ones I’ve found most entertaining and even a little humorous. Enjoy and please let me know which books you’ve found for the girls in your life.

The Maggie B. was my absolute favorite book as a child. Irene Haas painted an enchanting water-colored world with her sweet verse I wanted to escape to. Margaret Barnstable was everything I wanted to be: bold, resourceful, a sailor and a violinist. When a storm strikes her ship, she single-handedly battens down the hatches and cares for her brother. All this while, fishing for “beautiful blue green lobsters” she prepared in a scrumptious stew as supper for two. After all these years, I would still like to sail on the Maggie B. (Ages 4 and up)

I suppose there’s almost nothing worse than having to face a new school and make new friends when you’re young, but Molly Lou Mellon will inspire shy children with her exploits. In Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon by Patty Lovell, Molly Lou’s grandmother offers her some sage advice when she’s feeling self-conscious and being bullied by her nemesis Ronald Durkin. David Catrow’s illustrations are so playful and funny. This one’s a keeper. (Ages 4 and up)

Pirate Girl by Cornelia Funke (illustrated by Kerstin Meyer) is a funny book about a little girl named Molly who is captured by Captain Firebeard and his crew of scallywag pirates on the Horrible Haddock. Molly outsmarts the captain and has her revenge! I like that this book doesn’t take itself too seriously. (Ages 3 and up)

Babette Cole created a whole series based on her original masterpiece Princess Smartypants. The princess is not looking for a husband, but her parents insist she challenge her suitors to win her hand in marriage. When Prince Swashbuckle performs all his tasks she must grant him a kiss, and he turns into a warty toad. There’s nothing more to life than marriage as the Disney Princesses of the world would have us believe, but this princess is more interested in playing with her animals and having fun. (Ages 4-8)

For older children:

With her luminous paintings and prose, Barbara Helen Berger (famous for Grandfather Twilight and most recently Thunder Bunny) created a beautiful adventure story for her heroine Gwinna. Born with wings her adopted family tries to hide, Gwinna feels lonely and a sense of longing each time she looks at the faraway mountain. This is a moving book about the hard journey she must endure to return to the Mother of the Owls, but it’s one of acceptance as well. Gwinna learns to embrace her difference and use her wings as a powerful gift. (Ages 6 and up)

In Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel A Little Princess, Sara Crewe, a little girl who lives at a boarding school with everything in the world she could possibly want, is suddenly orphaned on her eleventh birthday. Sara’s wonderful imagination and courage help her to survive hunger, loneliness, and a cruel mistress who humiliates her. She demonstrates to the other boarding school girls how to endure and rise above terrible circumstances with grace and dignity. Of course, this book has a surprise happy ending. (Ages 9 and up)

Jo March is the bold heroine in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. A tomboy and aspiring writer, Jo dreams of one day leading an exciting life filled with the marvelous adventures she has written in plays and stories for her sisters. Set in New England during the Civil War, the close-knit family is poor, but generous. The March sisters eagerly await the return of their dear father from the battlefields. Devoted to her family, Jo willingly makes sacrifices on behalf of her father and sisters, but it’s the life she goes on to create for herself in Good Wives that will inspire readers the most. (Ages 12 and up)

Nicki Richesin is the editor of four anthologies,What I Would Tell Her: 28 Devoted Dads on Bringing Up, Holding On To, and Letting Go of Their Daughters; Because I Love Her: 34 Women Writers Reflect on the Mother-Daughter Bond; Crush: 26 Real-Life Tales of First Love; and The May Queen: Women on Life, Work, and Pulling it all Together in your Thirties. Her anthologies have been excerpted and praised in The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Boston Globe, Redbook, Parenting, Cosmopolitan, Bust, Salon, Daily Candy, and Babble.

Books About Toys

Bianca Schulze — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:35:38 +0000

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 21, 2011

‘Tis the Season for Toys.

Toys are the heart and soul of every child’s playtime. The following books bring the world of toys to life through story, adventure and impressive artwork, offering children an opportunity to explore and expand their wild imaginations to infinity and beyond.

Click on the images to learn more about each title.

Ages 6+

Ages 4+

Gifts for True Book Lovers

Bianca Schulze — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:16:22 +0000

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 20, 2011

So, you have a real book lover on your hands and you want to give a book that is sure to impress. From storybook classics to world famous authors, the following books will do just that!

Click on the images to learn more about each of these outstanding titles.

Ages 8+

Ages 3+

Ages 6+

And just for fun …

Ages 4+

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Bianca Schulze — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 03:18:55 +0000

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 17, 2011

Looking for some last minute gift ideas? Here are some fun books and book related items that you can’t go wrong with. There is something for everyone—babies to teenagers! Just click on the images to learn more …

The Adventures of Tin Tin: Season 1 (DVD)

The Magic School Bus: Oceans (Nintendo DS—Ages 5+)

The Giant Book of Giants (Ages 4+)

The Girls' Book of Secrets (Ages 8+)

A Pocket Library: Oh, David! (Ages 0+)

Star Wars: Darth Vader, A 3-D Reconstruction Log (Ages 5+)

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Strikingly True (Ages 10+)

Tiffany's Table Manners for Teenagers (Ages 12+)

Modern Art Memory Game (Ages 5+)

The Odyssey: A Pop-Up Book (Ages 8+)

Source of items: Publishers and publicists.

Books for Christmas

Bianca Schulze — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:48:35 +0000

Best Kids Christmas Books of 2011

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 6, 2011

Home for Christmas

By Jan Brett

A new holiday favorite about the importance of family and working together. Jan Brett’s clever storytelling begs to be read aloud while eyes devour her wonderfully detailed illustrations. More wintery, holiday favorites from Jane Brett: The Night Before Christmas and The Mitten. (Ages 3-5)

The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree

By David Rubel; illustrated by Jim LaMarche

David Rubel, a children’s historian, captures the essence of giving and charity, showing the importance of compassion during the holidays. The colored-pencil illustrations by LaMarche are evocative of the 1930′s era, depression time, and warm the sol with their glow. (Ages 5-8)

A Bad Kitty Christmas

By Nick Bruel

Bad Kitty is a little on the greedy side; however, with the help of an old friend and a new friend, he learns the true meaning of Christmas. Bruel’s alphabetical and lyrical format combine well with the busy and entertaining illustrations that fill the pages with a comical and epic Christmas journey. A Bad Kitty Christmas is for those that enjoy a good giggle. (Ages 4-8)

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

By Barbara Robinson; illustrated by Laura Cornell

Based on her 1972 bestselling novel, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, popular author Barabra Robinson delivers an amusing picture book about the Herdmans family (“the worst kids in the history of the world”), who single-handedly capture the true meaning of Christmas with their candid interpretation. Bestselling illustrator Laura Cornell, who is well known for her artwork in actor/author Jamie Lee Curtis’s books, adds to the authenticity of the Herdmans candidness with her pictures that are purposefully unruly and farcical. This book is lots of fun. (ages 4-8)

The Story of Christmas

Illustrated by Pamela Dalton

Pamela Dalton has masterfully created intricate artwork using her paper-cutting scherenschnitte skills to bring the Nativity story from the King James Bible story alive. This is a great selection for those that are looking for a respectful, spiritual book. (Ages 4-8)

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Illustrated by Laurel Long

This is a splendid visual celebration of one of the most beloved Christmas carols, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Adults and children alike can get joyfully lost in the detailed oil painting illustrations as they search for hidden gifts from each of the previous verses. Destined to be a family favorite. (Ages 3+)

A Christmas Goodnight

By Nola Buck; illustrated by Sarah Jane Wright

Nola Buck has written a sweet, rhyming Christmas story that doubles as a bedtime book for young readers. The illustrations are charming and offer a gentle visual introduction to the traditional Nativity story. (Ages 2+)

The Helpful Elves

By August Kopisch; illustrated by Beatrice Braun-Fock

The Helpful Elves is a classic German tale with a cautionary message that will discourage children from unnecessary investigation into the lives of elves. The retro illustrations are enhanced by ten die-cut elves, each with their own little personality, that are perched at the top of each page. This is quick read that lingers on the mind well after the last page has been turned. (Ages 3-7)

Here are a couple more suggestions for the youngest readers in your family: Santa’s New Idea by Nina Chen, What am I? Christmas by Anne Margaret Lewis, and Duck & Goose, It’s Time for Christmas by Tad Hills.

Add these books to your collection by clicking on the book cover images above.

Source of books: Some of these books were provided by the publishers. Submissions are evaluated based on the following particulars: literary value, illustrative quality, and over-all presentation. Our reviews are always positive because we only appraise those books with the strongest potential impact on the reader.

December, 2011: Best Selling Kids’ Books, New Releases, and More …

Bianca Schulze — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:20:30 +0000

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 1, 2011

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

THE HOT SPOTS: THE TRENDS

Kids’ Christmas Books: For the Naughty & Nice

Cedella Marley Inspires with “One Love”

Author Interview: Gary Paulsen

Review: Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Witch & Wizard: The Fire

by James Patterson and Jill Dembowski

(Ages 11-15)

Big Nate and Friends

by Lincoln Peirce

(Ages 8-12)

Artemis the Loyal (Goddess Girls)

by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

(Ages 8-12)

Pretty Little Liars #10: Ruthless

by Sara Shepard

(Ages 14-17)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

Home for Christmas

by Jan Brett

(Ages 0-5)

If You Give a Dog a Donut

by Laura Numeroff (Author), Felicia Bond (Illustrator)

(Ages 3-7)

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse

by Eric Carle

(Ages 0-5)

The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories

by Dr. Seuss

(Ages 6-9)

Press Here

by Herve Tullet

(Ages 4-8)

CHAPTER BOOKS

Heroes of Olympus, The, Book Two: The Son of Neptune

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9-11)

The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9-12)

Wonderstruck

by Brian Selznick

(Ages 9-12)

Every Thing On It

by Shel Silverstein

(Ages 8-11)

LEGO Star Wars Character Encyclopedia

by DK Publishing

(Ages 12 and up)

PAPERBACK BOOKS

The Red Pyramid

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 10 and up)

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

by John Grisham

(Ages 8-12)

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

(Ages 14 and up)

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher

(Ages 12 and up)

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie

(Ages 12 and up)

SERIES BOOKS

Inheritance

by Christopher Paolini

(Young Adult)

The Twilight Saga Collection

by Stephenie Meyer

(Ages 12 and up)

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9 to 12)

Hunger Games Trilogy Boxset

by Suzanne Collins

(Ages 12 and up)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

by Jeff Kinney

(Ages 9 to 12)

Know of any kids’ literacy or author events that are happening during the months of December or January? Leave your suggestion in the comments field below.

Favorite Holiday Books

Bianca Schulze — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:58:08 +0000

By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 29, 2011

During the holiday season it’s a great joy to share family traditions and spend time together. Every year, I look forward to reading these beloved books below to my daughter.

The Story of Holly & Ivy

By Rumer Godden; illustrated by Barbara Cooney

Rumer Godden begins The Story of Holly & Ivy with the sweetest line, “This is a story about wishing.” When an orphan named Ivy and a dreamy doll named Holly see each other through a toy shop window, magic happens. In this classic Christmas tale, Holly and Ivy both find a sense of belonging in their new home and to each other. Wishes come true in part thanks to Barbara Cooney’s tender illustrations of the festive village and toys. Godden captures the precious beauty of a brave girl unwilling to give up on her dream. (Ages 5-10)

Christmas Tree Memories

By Aliki

My daughter and I love returning to Christmas Tree Memories by Aliki each December just like the family’s tradition in the book of sitting by their tree with cookies and a roaring fire to recount each story behind their homemade ornaments. Aliki imbues such gentleness to each character, whether it’s Papouli or the children, the love this family feels for each other comes across with her every detail. (Ages 4-8)

Jingle Bells

By Iza Trapani

Jingle Bells (as told and illustrated by Iza Trapani) is a rollicking fun songbook filled with holiday customs and traditions from around the world. Children will enjoy learning about bearded little gnomes in Sweden, lantern parades in the Philippines, breaking the piñata in Mexico, and presents found in their shoes in Italy. (Ages 4-8)

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree

By Gloria Houston; illustrated by Barbara Cooney

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston tells the story of Ruthie a little girl in the Appalachian Mountains whose Papa is called away to fight in the war. With the help of her resourceful mother, they cut down the perfect balsam tree from Grandfather Mountain and deliver it to the church on Christmas. Barbara Cooney’s pictures of the mountains and the determined characters sweeten and enliven this heartwarming tale. (Ages 4-8)

The Magic Dreidels: A Hanukkah Story

By Eric A. Kimmel; illustrated by Katya Krenina

Based on “The Tablecloth, the Donkey, and the Stick” Eric A. Kimmel retells this old tale in a Hanukkah setting. He originally wrote The Magic Dreidels: A Hanukkah Story for Spider, The Magazine for Children. Katya Krenina beautifully illustrates young Jacob’s adventures with his new brass dreidel and the goblin at the bottom of the well. (Ages 4-8)

The Night Before Christmas

By Clement Moore; illustrated by Jan Brett

Clement Moore’s classic poem The Night Before Christmas (illustrated by Jan Brett) comes to life with rich details, as she is well known for including in all of her books. That chubby old elf St. Nick and his sleigh full of toys promise a Merry Christmas for all! (Ages 4-8)

The Trees of the Dancing Goats

By Patricia Polacco

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco is a touching story of how two families combine their holiday traditions. When Trisha’s Russian family celebrates Hanukkah, they decide to surprise their Christian neighbors who are suffering from scarlet fever. A gifted storyteller, Polacco’s vivid illustrations of the family’s traditions, like candle-making and carving wooden toys, are also delightful. (Ages 5-8)

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree

By Robert Barry

Sharing the joy of the season in Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree, Robert Barry charms readers with his clever lilting rhyme. Dissatisfied with the imposing height of his tree, Mr. Willowby orders his butler to chop off the top. The treetop is handed down to Adelaide the upstairs maid, Timm the gardener and various woodland creatures including Barnaby Bear, Frisky Fox, Benjamin Rabbit, only to return once again to Mistletoe Mouse and his family in the Willowby mansion. (Ages 4-8)

A Child’s Christmas in Wales

By Dylan Thomas; illustrated by Edward Ardizzone

A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas is the wondrous story of a child’s Welsh Christmas as told by a doting grandfather to his grandson. Thomas’s lyrical tale honors his rich cultural heritage, but also offers us a peek back in time. Edward Ardizzone’s carefully detailed illustrations recall those magical long ago Christmases in the snow. (Ages 7-11)