Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2011 Best Books for Children: Picture Books


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 >
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 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 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 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 MOUSE & LION
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2011
retold by Rand Burkert, illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert

"A favorite ancient fable beautifully presented in the tradition of the finest picture books, this does not replace Jerry Pinkney's transcendent, Caldecott-winning The Lion & the Mouse but proudly takes its place beside it. (Picture book. 3 & up)"
A wee African grass mouse "receives top billing" (according to a concluding note) in this visually stunning retelling of Aesop's fable set amid the Aha Hills of Africa. Read full book review >