The Children’s Book Review | November 1, 2016
13 New Release Picture Books
We’ve narrowed our best-of-the-best picture book list down to 13 picture books that we feel represent the best of November. We have everything from a bilingual tale of friendship, a celebration of Beatrix Potter, bedtime poetry written with dream-like wit, the retelling of a famous fairytale, tales of the natural world to delight the entire family, and some brilliant historical-fiction. Yes, something for everyone! Some extra highlights: Karma Wilson has a new book featuring her well-known bear, and Marla Frazee has a new bossy baby to introduce to readers. Ready. Set. Read …
How Do You Say? / ¿Cómo Se Dice?
Written and Illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Publisher’s Synopsis: Hello! ¡Hola! Some people speak Spanish. Some people speak English. Although we may not speak the same language, some things, like friendship, are universal!
Follow two young giraffes as they meet, celebrate, and become friends. This bilingual tale will have readers eager to meet new friends and amigos.
Ages 2-4 | Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. | November 8, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1627794961
The Bossier Baby
Written and Illustrated by Marla Frazee
Publisher’s Synopsis: Two-time Caldecott Honor recipient Marla Frazee’s Boss Baby is back—but this time there’s a new baby sister CEO in town!
Change is in the air—the Boss Baby’s staff has stopped taking his direction! It seems that there is a new CEO in town; from the moment she comes home, Boss Baby’s little sister is extremely loud and is demanding all sorts of corporate perks he never got. Can the Boss Baby and his staff get used to the new corporate structure?
Ages 2-8 | Publisher: Beach Lane Books | November 1, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1481471626
Big Bear, Small Mouse
Written by Karma Wilson
Illustrated by Jane Chapman
Publisher’s Synopsis: Even the smallest readers can have big fun with Bear in this sweet introduction to opposites from the New York Timesbestselling creators of Bear’s New Friend.
Bear is big, big, big, and mouse is small, small, small but these friends stick together through all the highs and lows!
Join Bear and mouse as they spot all the opposites in their little glen. Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman team up again to bring the youngest Bear fans a delightful concept book that begs to be read out loud.
Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books | November 29, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1481459716
Poles Apart
Written by Jeanne Willis
Illustrated by Jarvis
Publisher’s Synopsis: Everybody knows that penguins belong at the South Pole and polar bears live at the North Pole – but what would happen if, one day, a family of picnicking penguins accidentally got lost? When the hapless Pilchard-Brown family find themselves at completely the wrong pole, they need Mr White, the friendly polar bear, to guide them all the way home…
Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Nosy Crow | November 1, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-0763689445
A Celebration of Beatrix Potter
Publisher’s Synopsis: 2016 marks the 150th birthday of Beatrix Potter, making it the perfect time to pay tribute to the beloved author/illustrator with A Celebration of Beatrix Potter!
With illustrious tales of characters like Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, and Jemima Puddle-Duck, Beatrix Potter established herself as one of the most cherished and influential author/illustrators of children’s literature. To mark her milestone birthday, this gorgeous collection features beautiful illustrations of Potter’s characters, as interpreted by well-known illustrators. Each illustration is accompanied by text from the artists explaining what that character means to them, making this a true celebration of Beatrix Potter.
Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Warne | November 1, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-0241249437
Natumi Takes the Lead: The True Story of an Orphan Elephant Who Finds a Family
Written by Gerry Ellis and Amy Novesky
Publisher’s Synopsis: After losing her mother, shy Natumi is rescued by a team from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an orphanage for baby elephants. At the shelter, Natumi hides behind keepers’ legs to watch the other elephants at the shelter. But soon, she meets several other orphans, and the eight of them play together in the surrounding bush.
As the babies become closer and more like a real family, they need a leader, someone they can trust. Can Natumi grow into this role?
Join the herd to find out what happens when they travel back into the wild. This sweet story, with its heartwarming photographs, explores the challenges and joys of family, love, and growing up, and is a perfect bedtime tale.
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books | November 8, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1426325618
One Minute till Bedtime: 60 Second Poems to Send You Off to Sleep
Publisher’s Synopsis: Just one more before bedtime? Please??
It’s time for tuck-in, and your little ones want just one more moment with you–so fill it with something that will feed the imagination, fuel a love of reading, and send them off to sleep in a snap. Reach for a one-minute poem!
Former Children’s Poet Laureate Kenn Nesbitt presents a blockbuster collection of all-new poetry penned by some of the most beloved and celebrated poets of our time, including Jack Prelutsky, Jon Scieszka, Mary Ann Hoberman, Nikki Grimes, Lemony Snicket, Jane Yolen, and many more. Illuminated with dreamlike wit and whimsy by New York Times illustrator and award-winning artist Christoph Niemann, here is a new bedtime classic.
When the busy day is drawing to a close and the whole family is ready for rest, take a minute for poetry and send your little ones off to sleep.
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | November 1, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-0316341219
How to Find a Fox
Written and Illustrated by Nilah Magruder
Publisher’s Synopsis: Equipped with a camera and determination, a little girl sets out to track down an elusive red fox. But foxes are sneaky, and it proves more difficult than she thought.
Nilah Magruder’s debut picture book charmingly tells the story of what it means to not give up and how sometimes what you’re looking for is closer than you think.
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Feiwel & Friends | November 15, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1250086563
The Princess and the Frogs
Written by Veronica Bartles
Illustrated by Sara Palacios
Publisher’s Synopsis: The Princess and the Frogs is a delightfully funny reinvention of the classic fairy tale “The Frog Prince,” from author Veronica Bartles and illustrator Sara Palacios.
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Blazer + Bray | November 15, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-0062365910
On the River
Written and Illustrated by Roland Harvey
Publisher’s Synopsis: Roland and his pelican friend follow the Murray River from its smallest beginnings in the high country to the sea. Along the way, using different modes of transport, they discover the wildlife, plants, people, and environments that make this river unique. Roland’s marvelously detailed artwork, unusual perspectives, devilish sense of humor, and joy in the natural world shine out in this book that will delight the whole family.
Ages 5-8 | Publisher: Allen & Unwin | November 1, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1760112455
Bob the Railway Dog: The True Story of an Adventurous Dog
Written by Corinne King
Illustrated by Andrew McLean
Publisher’s Synopsis: The true story of a little dog who had adventure in his heart and the rattle of the rails in
his soul.
In the early days of the railway, when shiny new tracks were opening vast areas of Australia, there was an adventurous dog who was part of it all. As the tracks were being laid he was there on the train – riding in his favourite spot on top of the Yankee engine. Everyone knew him. He was Bob the Railway Dog.
Ages 5-8 | Publisher: Candlewick | November 8, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-0763680978
Animals by the Numbers: A Book of Infographics
Written and Illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Publisher’s Synopsis: How many species are there across the globe?
How much do all of the insects in the world collectively weigh?
How far can animals travel?
Steve Jenkins answers these questions and many more with numbers, images, innovation, and authoritative science in his latest work of illustrated nonfiction. Jenkins layers his signature cut-paper illustrations alongside computer graphics and a text that is teeming with fresh, unexpected, and accurate zoological information ready for readers to easily devour. The level of scientific research paired with Jenkins’ creativity and accessible infographics is unmatched and sure to wow fans old and new.
Ages 6-9 | Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers | November 1, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-0544630925
Adrift at Sea: A Vietnamese Boy’s Story of Survival
Written by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch with Tuan Ho
Illustrated by Brian Deines
Publisher’s Synopsis: It is 1981. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a fishing boat overloaded with 60 Vietnamese refugees drifts. The motor has failed; the hull is leaking; the drinking water is nearly gone. This is the dramatic true story recounted by Tuan Ho, who was six years old when he, his mother, and two sisters dodged the bullets of Vietnam’s military police for the perilous chance of boarding that boat. Told to multi-award-winning author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch and illustrated by the celebrated Brian Deines, Tuan’s story has become Adrift At Sea, the first picture book to describe the flight of Vietnam’s “Boat People” refugees. Illustrated with sweeping oil paintings and complete with an expansive historical and biographical section with photographs, this non-fiction picture book is all the more important as the world responds to a new generation of refugees risking all on the open water for the chance at safety and a new life.
Ages 6-9 | Publisher: Pajama Press | November 11, 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1772780055
For more of the best new picture books for kids, follow along with our articles tagged with New Books for Kids, Picture Books, Books for Ages 0-3, and Books for Ages 4-8.
