30 Top July Children's Books (page 4)

Cover art for THE MISADVENTURES OF DON QUIXOTE

CHILDREN'S

Released: July 4, 2012

retold by Tom Lathrop, illustrated by Jack Davis

"Cramped page design aside, an appealing first exposure for younger readers that highlights the story's comedy over its satire and sentiment. (Picture book. 6-8)"

An abbreviated version of the best-ever cautionary tale about the hazards of reading too much (among other things), played for laughs and matched to comical caricatures for illustrations. Read full book review >

Cover art for MOM, IT'S MY FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!

CHILDREN'S

Released: July 3, 2012

MOM, IT'S MY FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!

by Hyewon Yum, illustrated by Hyewon Yum

"Yum has perfectly captured the emotional ups and downs of both parent and child in a visually expressive work that will shore up adults as they send their children off on that momentous day. (Picture book. 4-7, adult)"

Yum, known for using text and artwork to explore emotions (There Are No Scary Wolves, 2010, etc.), looks at the first day of school from two points of view--that of a little boy who is more than ready and a nervous mother not quite prepared to let him go. Read full book review >

CHILDREN'S

Released: July 1, 2012

BILL THE BOY WONDER: THE SECRET CO-CREATOR OF BATMAN

by Marc Tyler Nobleman, illustrated by Ty Templeton

"Though Finger has been a known commodity to comics cognoscenti for years, this salute in his own format will make the lasting impression he deserves. (Graphic biography. 8 & up)"

It turns out that Batman--the orphaned, shadowy, well-heeled defender of an embattled Gotham--had another embarrassment of riches: two fathers. Read full book review >

CHILDREN'S

Released: July 1, 2012

WUMBERS

by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

"Let's just hope there are no h8trs. (Picture book. 5-8)"

For the unversed, a "wumber" is a word crea8ted using numbers. (Obviously!) Read full book review >

CHILDREN'S

Released: July 1, 2012

THE BIG WOODS ORCHESTRA

by Guido van Genechten, illustrated by Guido van Genechten

"Simple and sweet. (Picture book. 3-6)"

In the dark of night, each bird plays its unique tune, and then they collaborate. Read full book review >

CHILDREN'S

Released: July 1, 2012

FLYING THE DRAGON

by Natalie Dias Lorenzi

"A quiet, beautifully moving portrayal of a multicultural family. (Fiction. 9-12)"

When her cousin unexpectedly moves from Japan to Virginia, a Japanese-American girl finds their cultural differences embarrassing until kite fighting unites them. Read full book review >

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS

30 Top July Children's Books (page 4)