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Best Children's Books of 2012: Books for Animal Lovers (page 3)

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Cover art for MOUSTERPIECE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 21, 2012
Kirkus Star MOUSTERPIECE
by Jane Breskin Zalben, illustrated by Jane Breskin Zalben
"The joyful clarity of both vision and execution thrills. (notes on 22 artists referenced) (Picture book. 3-7)"
Who needs a cookie? Give a mouse a paintbrush! Read full book review >
Cover art for CAT TALE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star CAT TALE
by Michael Hall, illustrated by Michael Hall
"Smart and accessible, charming and witty, this is one for educators and adventurers alike. (Picture book. 3-5)"
Hall cleverly plays with homophones in this diverting word adventure. Read full book review >
Cover art for PENNY AND HER DOLL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star PENNY AND HER DOLL
by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Kevin Henkes
"A doll of a beginning reader. (Early reader. 5-7)"
Following Penny and Her Song (2012), Henkes delivers an even stronger slice of anthropomorphic mouse life for beginning readers. Read full book review >
Cover art for NEVER TRUST A TIGER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star NEVER TRUST A TIGER
retold by Lari Don, illustrated by Melanie Williamson
"An excellent addition to both the folk tale genre and the early-reader shelf. (Folk tale/early reader. 4-7)"
Does one good turn deserve another? Read full book review >
Cover art for LULU AND THE DUCK IN THE PARK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star LULU AND THE DUCK IN THE PARK
by Hilary McKay, illustrated by Priscilla Lamont
"Utterly winning. (Fiction. 7-9)"
A warmhearted beginning to a new chapter-book series delights from the first few sentences. Read full book review >
Cover art for BEAR HAS A STORY TO TELL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
BEAR HAS A STORY TO TELL
by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
"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. Read full book review >