Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best Children's Books of 2012: Picture Books (page 3)


Cover art for ELECTRIC BEN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2012
by Robert Byrd, illustrated by Robert Byrd

"A work of breadth and energy, just like its subject; engaging and brimming with appeal for a wide audience. (Biography. 8-14)"
A beautifully realized labor of love and affection brings to life one of our brightest founding fathers. Read full book review >
Cover art for YOU ARE STARDUST
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 15, 2012
by Elin Kelsey, illustrated by Soyeon Kim

"A remarkable achievement. (Picture book. 5-12)"
We are made of earth and water and air and stardust, and we are more related to animals and plants than we ever imagined. Read full book review >
Cover art for NEVER TRUST A TIGER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
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 PENNY AND HER DOLL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
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 CAT TALE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
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 WHAT'S THE TIME, MR. WOLF?
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 2, 2012
by Debi Gliori, illustrated by Debi Gliori

"There is much to enjoy here, and the illustrations and allusions beg for repeat readings. (Picture book. 4-8)"
Readers check in on Mr. Wolf every hour of his birthday, but it seems like the poor guy just can't catch a break on his special day. Read full book review >
Cover art for FISH HAD A WISH
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2012
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 DAY BY DAY
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 10, 2012
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 STEP GENTLY OUT
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 13, 2012
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 BOOT & SHOE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
by Marla Frazee, illustrated by Marla Frazee

"Read unhurried, in a lap, again and again. (Picture book. 4-7) "
This gem about canine siblings goes from peaceful routine to funny mayhem to erroneous bereavement--and relief. Read full book review >
Cover art for OH, NO!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann

"Oh, yes! This is a terrific new picture book. (Picture book. 2-6)"
With text that begs to be read aloud and sumptuous illustrations made by a master printmaker, this picture book reads like an instant classic. Read full book review >
Cover art for EAST DRAGON, WEST DRAGON
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 3, 2012
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 >
Cover art for HOMER
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
by Elisha Cooper, illustrated by Elisha Cooper

"Soothing and satisfying; perfect for reading on the porch on a summer evening, preferably next to a dog. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Stories of patiently waiting dogs have been around for just about forever, or at least since Homer wrote about faithful Argos recognizing Odysseus after a 20-year absence. In Cooper's touching story, the patient pup is an aging yellow Lab named Homer, whose love for his family is as deep and wide as the ocean outside their cottage. Read full book review >
Cover art for Z IS FOR MOOSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
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 TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
by Aesop, retold by Helen Ward, illustrated by Helen Ward

"A visual stunner. (Picture book. 4-7)"
In this splendid retelling of Aesop's familiar fable, a country mouse leaves his bucolic existence to sample the glitz and glam of the city, only to discover there's absolutely no place like home. Read full book review >
Cover art for FIFTY CENTS AND A DREAM
CHILDREN'S
Released: Dec. 4, 2012
by Jabari Asim, illustrated by Bryan Collier

"An outstanding achievement and a life worthy of note. (additional facts, author's note, illustrator's note, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 4-8)"
A former slave fulfills his quest for an education and much more in this superbly designed tribute to an oft-maligned African-American educator and author. Read full book review >