cover image
LATEST ISSUE OF
Kirkus Reviews
Check out our interview with Rick Yancey, author of the wildly entertaining YA thriller The 5th Wave.
Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS



Best Children's Books of 2012: Friends & Family in Picture Books (page 3)

Cover art for DAY BY DAY
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 10, 2012
Kirkus Star DAY BY DAY
by Susan Gal, illustrated by Susan Gal
"A luminous celebration of family, food and home. (Picture book. 4-9)"
Day by day, brick by brick, a community is built in this winning tribute to fellowship and family. Read full book review >
Cover art for MOM, IT'S MY FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 3, 2012
Kirkus Star 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 >
Cover art for A HOME FOR BIRD
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 5, 2012
Kirkus Star A HOME FOR BIRD
by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Philip C. Stead

Vernon is both a toad and a forager for found objects. Ambling along with his latest haul, he chances upon a creature he seeks to know and then to help. Read full book review >
Cover art for JIMMY THE GREATEST!
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 15, 2012
Kirkus Star JIMMY THE GREATEST!
by Jairo Buitrago, illustrated by Rafael Yockteng, translated by Elisa Amado
"Eye-opening inspiration in this unassuming import from Colombia. (Picture book. 6-8)"
In a thought-provoking twist on the usual immigrant story, a village lad elects to stay put. Read full book review >
Cover art for HIDE & SEEK
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 8, 2012
Kirkus Star HIDE & SEEK
by Il Sung Na, illustrated by Il Sung Na
"Ready or not! Here comes a book worth finding. (Picture book. 2-5) "
Expert hide-and-seekers will hear the hushed scuttles and feel the quickened pulses as a group of animals plays a rain forest game of hide-and-seek. Read full book review >
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 >