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Best Children's Books of 2012: Books for Animal Lovers (page 2)

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Cover art for CHLOE
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2012
Kirkus Star CHLOE
by Peter McCarty, illustrated by Peter McCarty
"Beautifully benign illustrations conjure powerful familial feelings. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Who wouldn't want to put on a monster show in a big, cardboard box or pop bubble wrap at rapid-fire speed? Read full book review >
Cover art for FISH HAD A WISH
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2012
Kirkus Star FISH HAD A WISH
by Michael Garland, illustrated by Michael Garland
"From the beaver's coat to the tiger lily's petals to the snakeskin, this fish tale is a keeper. (Picture book/early reader. 4-8)"
Take a conventional story, add a new art technique--and voilà, a striking picture book is born. Read full book review >
Cover art for STEP GENTLY OUT
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 13, 2012
Kirkus Star STEP GENTLY OUT
by Helen Frost, photographed by Rick Lieder
"A dazzlingly poetic photo album of the insect world for tots on up. (Picture book. 2 & up)"
Breathtaking photos and an exquisite poem capture a bug's-eye view of nature. Read full book review >
Cover art for Z IS FOR MOOSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
Kirkus Star Z IS FOR MOOSE
by Kelly Bingham, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
"Just label it F for funny. (Picture book. 4-6)"
A wry twist on an alphabet story makes for laugh-out-loud fun. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 17, 2012
Kirkus Star THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN
by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Patricia Castelao
"Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author's note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new generation of advocates. (author's note) (Fiction. 8-12)"
How Ivan confronts his harrowing past yet stays true to his nature exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage. Read full book review >
Cover art for EAST DRAGON, WEST DRAGON
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 3, 2012
Kirkus Star EAST DRAGON, WEST DRAGON
by Robyn Eversole, illustrated by Scott Campbell
"This primer on friendship wrapped in hijinks is paced for maximum pleasure. (Picture book. 3-7)"
In this variant of "The City Mouse and the Country Mouse," two dragons learn to appreciate each other's talents and milieus. Read full book review >