CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
"Kids will giggle at the striped-pajama–clad Pig Pig's silly antics in this latest escapade. (Picture book. 2-5)"
MacPhail's penchant for pigs hasn't ebbed, as he proves in adding another Pig Pig tale to his series; this one incorporates a grammar device.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 12, 2012
"Pair this with Deborah Hodge and Brian Harris' Up We Grow (2010) for two different visions of modern environmentally conscious farm life. (Informational picture book. 4-7) "
A small orange cat finds a new home on an organic farm, where she explores the farm world, helps with pest control and spends her winter warm and dry at the home of one of the farmers, in this book based on a true story.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
"Get out the seed catalogs. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Quattlebaum and Bryant follow up their successful
Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond (2011) with new lyrics to the same song, while keeping the nature focus.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
"Formulaic? Perhaps, but none can argue with the educational value, nor the fun--what will she tackle next? (Informational picture book.3-8)"
Having already explored the ocean and jungle, planets, the Arctic and Australia, Berkes this time focuses her "Over in the Meadow"–derived lyrics on a temperate deciduous forest.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
"Appealing enough, but adds little to the substantial dinosaur subgenre. (Picture book. 3-5)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
"The moment is a little miracle--nearly impossible to believe, but entirely convincing and true. (Picture book. 5-9)"
Sometimes the tiniest actions are the most heroic. In this book--based on a true story--the heroes are children.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: April 3, 2012
"Clever and funny, though it's possible that only a niche audience will want repeat readings. (Picture book. 4-8)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2012
"Sure to get toddlers and early readers dancing. (Picture book. 3-5)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2012
"Goodhearted, if silly. (Picture book. 3-5)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2012
"Adult explication may be needed for the textual rubric; the visually told story is enthralling all on its own. (Picture book. 6-8, adult)"
Uplifting in more ways than one, this prizewinning import suggests that little things can change lives--and perhaps even the world.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
"This fresh and funny look at family life will have both children and adults chuckling. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Three interlinked short stories about a big rabbit family add up to a satisfying whole with humorous plots, witty text and utterly charming illustrations.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2012
"The glittery cover and promise of mermaids may attract readers initially, but there is little here to lure them for repeated readings. (Picture book. 4-7)"
This second Tiptoe Guide (
The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies, 2010)
has readers scouring the seashore for mermaids and imagining what their lives must be like.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2012
"A fine addition to the storytime shelf. (Picture book. 1-4)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 8, 2012
"With far more genuineness than Seriously, Just Go to Sleep, this is sure to be a hit with preschoolers. (Picture book. 3-6)"
This French import by Saudo impresses with its comic take on the now-popular role-reversal of a child trying to get his parent to bed.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
"This is a story of magic, etched with an everydayness that encourages readers to invite wonder, even bewilderment, into their lives. (Picture book. 4-8)"
A welcome addition to Geisert's gratifying series of wordless oddments features a volcano, a giant seed pod and, for sure, a bunch of pigs.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: May 14, 2012
"Surreal but fascinating, visually jazzy but conceptually cryptic, this will work for older readers who like primary colors, geometric art or the philosophical notion of the future. (author's note) (Picture book/art. 7–10)"
A red-hoodie–sporting, upright-standing bird (or possibly weasel) named Coppernickel (
Coppernickel: The Invention, 2008) and his diminutive pet dog follow artist Piet Mondrian though a progression of changes in their setting, time period and bodies.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
""DINOSAUR WINS!" So will young readers and listeners likewise charged up with dino DNA. (Picture book. 3-5)"
Fresh from roaring out at bedtime (2008), at potty training (2010) and in the library (2011) Shea's prehistoric preschooler takes on Christmas.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
"This one has "read it again" potential, and Fox has the makings of a star. (Picture book. 2-6)"
In the fourth entry in the charming Goose and Bear series, the polar bear and gawky white goose are again joined by their irrepressible little friend, a fox with the personality of a bright 2-year-old.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
"If the laughs come a tad unevenly, come they do: good, absurdist fun with sly, existential winks. (Picture book. 5-8)"
Renaissance guy O'Brien (who, in addition to penning
New Yorker cartoons and illustrating prolifically for children, plays banjo and lifeguards in North Wildwood, N.J.) delivers wacky vignettes riffing on six professional tropes: farmer, chef, woodsman, knight, doorman and clown.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"Sweet but not filling. (Picture book. 3-5)"
London's newest character, Little Hippo, is big on imagination, even if he is a pint-sized pretend doctor.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
"Though the book itself is fragile (the tabs are on the flimsy side), the original take on some of the pairings breathes new life into some often-clichéd opposites. (Pop-up. 2-5)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"The heavy-hoofed message stomps any legitimate sense of serenity. (Picture book. 4-7) "
An egotistical giraffe pitcher ultimately strikes out when his competitive spirit places his own self-interest above his teammate.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: July 1, 2012
"The original song with its three-part counterpoint is deliciously imagined on these pages. (Picture book. 4-8)"
In 1961, Peter, Paul and Mary made an extremely engaging piece combining the title ditty, a game of hide-and-seek and snatches of nursery rhymes; Davenier takes it a visual step further to make an absolutely engaging picture book.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2012
"Gentle and only slightly didactic, it makes not only an attractive intergenerational story but shows how much work and patience go into one of those beautiful baskets, a number of which are illustrated on the last page. (Picture book. 5-8)"
The men of Indian Island, Maine, make baskets--but young Kunu wants to do it right now by himself.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2012
"The result of this Grammy-nominated harpist's effort to simplify a complex scientific subject is a medley of environmental tweets. (Informational picture book. 7-9) "
Pollution, energy use, and simply throwing things away have created a worldwide mess that kids can help clean up with an eight-step action plan.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
"Though swelly seas occasionally threaten, overall, it's smooth-enough sailing here. (Picture book. 4-8)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2012
"Within this child's view of the world, full of questions and pressure and misunderstanding, wisdom comes--sometimes from the unlikeliest places. (Picture book. 5-9)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
"As the only large-format edition of this carol currently in print, it will be a useful purchase for use with children at Christmas sing-alongs or church programs as well as at home. (Picture book/religion. 3-7)"
The familiar, old English carol using the voices of the animals approaching the Nativity scene serves as the text in this attractively illustrated, large-format version.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
"Too finicky by half to have its day in court. (Picture book. 4-8)"
"The Princess and the Pea," courtesy of the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
"A lovely way to share a sprinkling of fairy dust. (Picture book. 3-8)"
The Broadway production of
Peter Pan has remained a great audience favorite in theaters and on television, and now two of its signature songs are celebrated in a storybook format.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
"The plot is familiar, but energetic artwork and a comical twist at the end may make it feel fresh enough to entertain a new generation of feline fanciers. (Picture book. 4-7)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
"Nevertheless, a congenial, understated choice for reading aloud to excited children to help them settle down for a long winter's night. (Picture book. 3-6)"
In their third collaboration on the numerous nuances of volume, Underwood and Liwska focus on the softer sounds of the Christmas season.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: April 24, 2012
"A sweet take on the bumps in the road home for one shelter dog. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Lucy may have been rescued from the animal shelter, but this pup takes time to adjust to her new, loving family.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2012
"Though the story is slight, some young listeners may enjoy tracing the path the secret travels, while parents will appreciate the opportunity to talk about friendship and trust. (Picture book. 4-7)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 22, 2012
"Though it is supposed to be a silent game--and here it is anything but that--this rendering of the childhood favorite captures the essence of its illuminating comedy. (Picture book. 4-8)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
"A great pick for storytime, bedtime, anytime. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Pinfold's story has a timeless quality despite its entirely original flair, with sumptuous paintings and thumbnail embellishments adding narrative and descriptive content.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: May 8, 2012
"Mole finds a comfortable balance in the material world without getting apoplectic about it--a worthwhile lesson, neatly presented. (Picture book. 4-8)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 1, 2012
"Not the best exploration of a friendly twosome--stick with Mr. Putter and Tabby or George and Martha. (Picture book. 3-7)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 1, 2012
"Both cute and creepy; for those seeking relief from unrelieved sweetness in their children's books. (Picture book. 3-6) "
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 12, 2012
"As triumphant in book form as in animated and interactive ones. (Picture book. 5-10) "
Ironically, this book in praise of books first appeared as a much-praised iPad app and Academy Award–winning animated short film.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 21, 2012
"Serve this superbly designed title to all who relish slightly scary stories. (Picture book. 4-7)"
Kids know vegetables can be scary, but rarely are edible roots out to get someone. In this whimsical mock-horror tale, carrots nearly frighten the whiskers off Jasper Rabbit, an interloper at Crackenhopper Field.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
"The Steads' work adopts a folkloric approach to cooperative relationships; the affectionately rendered animals that stand in for humans convey a nurturing respect for child readers. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Within a gentle tale of hibernation and renewal, the Steads' second collaboration (after Caldecott-winning
A Sick Day for Amos McGee) explores a second, internal theme: the nature of the storytelling narrative itself.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 2, 2012
"Though this cute-but-mighty tug's strengths are oddly undercut by the syrupy gear-switch at the end, the bright, attractive pictures will appeal to boat-loving toddlers. (Picture book. 2-4)"
Graphically spiffy and textually brief, this exploration of an anthropomorphic harbor tugboat's working role tacks on a maudlin shtick in the final quarter.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
"Ever-changing watercolor washes and primordial shapes depict a wondrous, liquid world in which the star-crossed lovers learn to trust their hearts. (Picture book. 5-9)"
The love between a fish and an otter is given the thoughtful treatment such an unexpected attraction deserves.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2012
"Those who favor a literal interpretation of Bible stories and fans of Smith's popular series will probably feel that this floats their boat; those looking for a gentler (and less visually ridiculous) introduction to the popular story should look elsewhere. (Picture book/religion. 5-7)"
This interpretation of the story of Noah and his Ark combines the familiar Old Testament story with perennially popular LEGO® building blocks used to create the illustrations.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"Skillfully told and satisfying, this is sure to delight young listeners in on the joke. (Picture book. 3-7)"
When Bird sends restless Dog to the country to find a cow to herd, the result is a comical series of misidentifications and an exhausting trip.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
"An instructive and entertaining primer on the art of friendship and the complexity of joy. (Picture book. 3-7) "
Working from a text composed solely of the titular phrases (plus one final qualifier) in an ongoing call and response, Mack depicts a day among friends whose dispositions couldn't be more extreme.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2012
"With a nod to classic titles of years past, this provides a fresh, modern take on an itty-bitty heroine's achievement of her seemingly impossible goal. (Picture book. 4-8)"
In this beautifully executed title with a fairy-tale feel, an irrepressible mouseling named Sophie is determined to prove she should become the next Tooth Mouse.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2012
"Readers will take much away from this, including an appreciation for their health-care resources and a desire to make a difference in the world. (map, glossary) (Picture book. 6-10)"
This entry in the CitizenKid series successfully conveys to readers both the importance of health care/disease prevention and the limited availability of these in the third world.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"Young readers will chuckle at Delia's cluelessness--and maybe think twice about their own assumptions. (Picture book. 4-9)"
