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Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS



Children's and Teen: 6 - 8 years old

Cover art for CINDERELLA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2008
CINDERELLA
adapted by Max Eilenberg, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey
"However, the superfluity of shimmering pink hearts in the design skews this version toward the saccharine. (Picture book/fairy tale. 3-7)"
A swirling surfeit of pink, purple and gold is draped around this crisp retelling of the traditional tale, as Cinderella attends three balls with her handsome prince before her glass slipper falls. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE NUTCRACKER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2007
Kirkus Star THE NUTCRACKER
by Susan Jeffers, illustrated by Susan Jeffers
"This will likely be the new standard choice for reading to little ones prior to attending a holiday performance. (Picture book. 3-8)"
Jeffers puts her immediately recognizable style to fine use in her illustrations of the story from the beloved holiday ballet. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE GINGERBREAD MAN
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 25, 2002
THE GINGERBREAD MAN
by Carol Jones, illustrated by Carol Jones

The traditional tale meets the cast and crew of Mother Goose in an original take on an old favorite. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 1998
THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN
adapted by Robert Holden, illustrated by Drahos Zak
"As an illustrator of the grotesque, Zak has great facility, but this rendition is not for readers unfamiliar with more traditional versions. (Picture book/folklore. 8-12)"
Developing the theme that there was no particular difference between the rats of Hamelin and its greedy, ungrateful populace, Zak draws both with beady eyes, snaggle teeth, and disagreeable sagging bodies. Read full book review >
Cover art for GOLEM
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 18, 1996
GOLEM
by David Wisniewski, illustrated by David Wisniewski
"A fact- filled final note concludes this mesmerizing book. (Picture book/folklore. 6-10)"
 The much honored cut-paper master (Sundiata, 1992, etc.) turns his attention to a retelling of the story of the Golem, created by a chief rabbi, Judah Loew, to defend the Jews against the ``Blood Lie'' (that Jews were mixing the blood of Christian children with the flour and water of matzoh) of 16th-century Prague. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 1996
THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
by Carol Jones, illustrated by Carol Jones
"Jones (Hickory Dickory Dock, 1992, etc.) provides a sophisticated orchestration of a simple tune. (Picture book/folklore. 4-8)"
 The hare is the biggest braggart in the forest. Read full book review >