Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2011 Best Books for Children: Picture Books to Ignite the Imagination


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Cover art for WHERE'S WALRUS?
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2011
by Stephen Savage, illustrated by Stephen Savage

"Refreshing, captivating, elegant and witty. (Picture book. 3-7)"
It's another slow day at the zoo—not. Read full book review >
Cover art for TEN BIRDS
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2011
by Cybèle Young, illustrated by Cybèle Young

"Appealing, unique and not to be missed. (Picture book. 5-10)"
Ten small birds have a serious problem. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SECRET BOX
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2011
by Barbara Lehman, illustrated by Barbara Lehman

"Wonderful! (Picture book. 4-8)"
Once again, Caldecott Honoree Lehman (The Red Book, 2004) presents surprising visuals that playfully and mysteriously connect children across space and time. Read full book review >
Cover art for PRESS HERE
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 16, 2011
by Hervé Tullet, illustrated by Hervé Tullet

"Children and parents keen to explore technological interactivity will delight in recalling the infinite possibilities of the picture book. (Picture book. 3-8)"
One lone, yellow dot sits in the center of a blank, white page. Read full book review >
Cover art for IF I NEVER FOREVER ENDEAVOR
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 11, 2011
by Holly Meade, illustrated by Holly Meade

"An irresistible invitation to test those wings and fly. (Picture book. 4-8)"
To fly or not to fly is the question for a little bird weighing the pros and cons of launching into the unknown. Read full book review >
Cover art for PIG KAHUNA
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2011
by Jennifer Sattler, illustrated by Jennifer Sattler

"Together words and pictures create an utterly engaging picture-book experience—eye-catching, thought-provoking and just plain fun. (Picture book. 4-7)"
Surfer pigs rise above aphorisms. Read full book review >
Cover art for COOKIEBOT!
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2011
by Katie Van Camp, illustrated by Lincoln Agnew

"Inventive, animated and irresistible. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Harry and Horsie return to battle a giant, cookie-eating robot in this winning tale that will satisfy sweet tooth and thrill-seeker alike. Read full book review >
Cover art for A FEW BLOCKS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2011
by Cybèle Young, illustrated by Cybèle Young

"Amazing. (Picture book. 4-8)"
Young's latest attempts to be many things--a foray into a child's imagination, a touching tale of siblings and a stage for the author's elaborate paper sculptures--and it succeeds masterfully in doing all three. Read full book review >
Cover art for BLUE CHICKEN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 15, 2011
by Deborah Freedman, illustrated by Deborah Freedman

"Delicate and durable, visually sophisticated yet friendly: simply exquisite. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Breathtakingly beautiful meta-illustrations will draw many eyes to this tale of a curious chicken who spills some paint. Read full book review >
Cover art for CORAL REEFS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2011
by Jason Chin, illustrated by Jason Chin

"As in his earlier Redwoods, the child reader shares her reading, passing on the book to others. Real-life readers will be eager to do the same. (Informational picture book. 5-9)"
A book on coral reefs transforms the New York Public Library into a reef for its reader as she eagerly learns about those who make and dwell in those unique ecosystems, "cities of the sea." Read full book review >
Cover art for WHAT'S NEW AT THE ZOO?
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2011

"Fresh and vintage at the same time; an accompanying CD would have made it perfect. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Can't all the animals just get along? Read full book review >
Cover art for TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 3, 2011
adapted by Jerry Pinkney, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

"Just another superb outing from a fixed star twinkling in the children's-literature firmament. (Picture book. 3-6)"
In Pinkney's sumptuous elaboration of the familiar lullaby a chipmunk's nighttime odyssey takes on the same epic scope as his Caldecott winning The Lion and the Mouse (2009). Read full book review >
Cover art for RED SLED
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 1, 2011
by Lita Judge, illustrated by Lita Judge

"Pure genius. (Picture book. 2-7)"
Judge's latest may be virtually wordless, but it packs a powerful visual punch that will stick with readers long after the final page is turned. Read full book review >
Cover art for STUCK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 10, 2011
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

"Floyd's stubbornness and the smorgasbord-filled tree remain funny through repeated readings, offering kids the special glee of knowing more than the protagonist. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Everything but the kitchen sink gets tossed up a tree to help Floyd retrieve his kite--oops, there goes the kitchen sink too! Read full book review >