CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
"Appealing enough, but adds little to the substantial dinosaur subgenre. (Picture book. 3-5)"
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 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: 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: 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: 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: April 1, 2012
"A fine addition to the storytime shelf. (Picture book. 1-4)"
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: May 1, 2012
"Sure to get toddlers and early readers dancing. (Picture book. 3-5)"
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: June 1, 2012
"A lightweight fear-dispeller, without the gun violence that now makes Mercer Mayer's There's a Nightmare in My Closet (1968) so discomfiting. (Picture book. 4-6)"
Beaten down by a ubiquitous chorus of denials (see title), a monster suffers an existential crisis.
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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: June 1, 2012
"Though swelly seas occasionally threaten, overall, it's smooth-enough sailing here. (Picture book. 4-8)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
"Noisy fun, with a strong beat and a narrative pattern that even younger audiences will have no trouble catching. (Picture book. 4-6)"
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: 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: 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: Aug. 1, 2012
"Ultimately unsatisfying. (Picture book. 4-6)"
An unlikely duo seems to have little rapport with each other until an inordinate amount of teasing leads to some remorse on the part of one friend, while the other becomes less sensitive.
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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
"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: 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: 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: Aug. 7, 2012
"While human adoptions may never be this random and unexpected (and have been covered by the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis and Rose Lewis), this nicely captures the cross-species bonds animals sometimes form. (Picture book. 4-8)"
In lively rhyming couplets that beg to be read aloud, Sierra's zoo animals are back, this time proving that it takes a village zoo to raise children…especially when those children are adopted.
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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: Aug. 28, 2012
"Another outing positively radiant with child appeal, featuring a pair of close siblings with complementary personalities. (Graphic early reader. 5-7)"
It's bedtime for the mouseling brother and sister--but not before plenty of horsing around and a deliciously scary expedition into the backyard.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"Although didactic and idealized, this broad interpretation of freedom from a Jewish perspective is one not often seen. (Picture book. 5-8)"
A boy's insistence on exercising freedom of religion helps an 18th-century Portuguese-Jewish immigrant community openly practice and observe its faith.
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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: Sept. 1, 2012
"Better offerings on the senses abound. (Board book. 1-3) "
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"With plenty of opportunities for child participation, it's a happy reunion as loving caregivers search for their young. (Board book. 1-3)"
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)"
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. 1, 2012
"With true fearlessness and finely honed skills, this talented duo has created a most entertaining hero. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Preschoolers everywhere can relate to the steely bravery, sheer willpower and steady determination it often takes to surmount the herculean obstacles a day can bring.
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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: Sept. 1, 2012
"Appropriately for the audience, this charmer invokes the man's spirit rather than his biography, effectively communicating the excitement of the road he held so dear. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)"
What could have been straight nonfiction takes on a fanciful air when Jack Kerouac is rendered more jack rabbit than man.
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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: 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: 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)"
