CHILDREN'S
Released: Dec. 6, 2012
"This emotional honesty alone is a reason to buy this book; the giraffe and Einstein are the icing on McCranie's cake. (Graphic fiction. 8-11)"
It's hard not to like a main character who brings a lab coat and briefcase to elementary school.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Dec. 4, 2012
"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 >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 6, 2012
"Irresistible. (Memoir. 6-9)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 1, 2012
"Be forewarned: Youngsters will find Charley as irresistible as Henry does and will no doubt beg for puppies of their own. (Picture book. 4-8)"
The tenderness a child feels for his new puppy seeps from the pages of a book sure to be instantly beloved.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 23, 2012
"Lyrically narrated, resplendently illustrated, and deeply respectful of both subject and audience. (afterword, author's and artist's notes, bibliography, discography) (Picture book/biography. 8-12)"
In attuned counterpoint, Golio and Gutierrez present a portrait of John Coltrane's lifelong quest to discover and share his spiritual truth through music.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 23, 2012
"Wonderfully exuberant and completely delightful. (Picture book. 3-8)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 23, 2012
"A feast for readers whose eyes are (or should be) on the prize, in a volume as well-turned-out as the dapper W.E.B. Dubois, who was "more handsome than a fresh-cut paycheck." (timeline, index, lists of recommended reading and viewing) (Collective biography. 10-15)"
Addressing the appetites of readers "hungry for role models," this presents compellingly oratorical pictures of the lives and characters of 10 African-American men who exemplify a "birthright of excellence."
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 23, 2012
"Fans of the Series of Unfortunate Events will be in heaven picking out tidbit references to the tridecalogy, but readers who've yet to delve into that well of sadness will have no problem enjoying this weird and witty yarn. (Mystery. 8-12)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 23, 2012
"Bangers! (Fantasy. 8-12)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
"This may not be the most exciting or enthralling winter tale, but it is perfect for sharing during readers' own cold snaps--calming, reassuring, charming. (Picture book. 4-8)"
A community caught under the pall of a weeklong cold snap comes together in this cozy, old-fashioned story that is high on both charm and appeal.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
"Hats off! (Picture book. 4-8)"
Klassen combines spare text and art to deliver no small measure of laughs in another darkly comic haberdashery whodunit.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
"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 >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
"Loud and clear, the creators show how tuning into everyday sounds can inspire music. Clap, clap, CLAP! (Picture Book. 3-7)"
Marsalis and Rogers, who collaborated on the scintillating
Jazz ABZ (2005), reunite for this sonic celebration for the younger crowd.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
"A title for remembrance and for re-dedication to the dream, published in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. (Informational picture book. 5 & up)"
An award-winning artist captures the passion and purpose of this most notable 20th-century American speech in beautifully realized oil paintings.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 2, 2012
"Brilliant. (Picture book. 4-8)"
Bryan's Christmas offering combines a poignant poem about a shepherd boy who builds his own stable with exuberant paintings in a masterful melding of rhythmic text and dazzling art.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 2, 2012
"Bravo! (Fiction. 12 & up)"
In this long-awaited finale to the Giver Quartet, a young mother from a dystopian community searches for her son and sacrifices everything to find him living in a more humane society with characters from
The Giver (1993),
Gathering Blue (2000) and
Messenger (2004).
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 2, 2012
"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 >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
"Beautifully drawn and quietly evocative. (glossary, timeline, author biography, translations of Chinese characters, maps) (Graphic memoir. 9-12)"
A striking glimpse into Chinese girlhood during the 1970s and '80s.Beginning with a breathtaking dream of riding a golden crane over the city of Wuhan, China, Liu Na, recounts her subsequent waking only to discover that Chairman Mao has passed away.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
"This extraordinary new picture book masterfully tackles the complex task of contextualizing seemingly complex architectural concepts within a child's own world of play. (Informational picture book/poetry. 2-8)"
Hale turns her educated eye to modern and contemporary architecture and produces a book that is at once groundbreaking, child-friendly and marvelously inclusive.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
"Science writing at its grossest and best, though as the title (not to mention the blood-spattered pages) warns, not for the squeamish. (author's note, glossary, notes, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 10-13)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
"Terrifying, life-affirming and memorable. (author's note, bibliography) (Adventure. 10-14)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
"Now, some will find these devilishly delinquent developments positively beyond the bounds of good taste. But many others will say, "Naughty. But nice." (Picture book. 5-9)"
A beady-eyed brat sits in a red, thronelike chair, glaring out of the cover in this hilarious, bizarre holiday story. What's that machinery behind him, and what is that kid up to?
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 27, 2012
"Not so much a set of retellings as a creative romp through traditional and tradition-based story-scapes, compulsively readable and just as read-out-loudable. (source note) (Fantasy. 11-14)"
The author of
A Tale Dark and Grimm (2010) starts over--sending young Jack and Jill on a fresh quest for self-knowledge through trials and incidents drawn (stolen, according to the author) from a diverse array of European folk and fairy tales.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
"Richly detailed, at times poetic, ultimately moving; a book to be puzzled over, enjoyed and, ideally, read aloud. (Final illustrations not seen.) (Fantasy. 8-12)"
Liza must venture Below to rescue her little brother's soul, stolen by evil, power-hungry spider people called spindlers, in this refreshingly creepy, intricately woven tale.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
"A warm, gentle portrait of an immigrant's isolation and the ways that creativity and a loving family can offer both a safe haven and a bridge. (Picture book. 4-8)"
As in Stewart and Small's previous
The Gardener (1997) and
The Journey (2001), letters to a loved one become the vehicle for a girl to explore what she sees, feels and comes to understand upon leaving home for the first time.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
"Another superb contribution to scientific literature by Chin. (Informational picture book. 8-12) "
A beautifully made picture book presents the story of the Galápagos Islands for young readers.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
"And will a young scholar read it again and look for more? You bet--it's great fuel for the imagination. (Nonfiction early reader. 4-8)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 15, 2012
"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 >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2012
"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 >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
"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 >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
"Outstanding nonfiction writing that makes history come alive. (source notes, bibliography, photography credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up) "
Sandler brings to life an extraordinary true adventure tale set on the treacherous Arctic terrain.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
"A spectacular collection--"And," the editor notes with remarkable understatement, "the pictures are pretty nice too!" (Poetry. 7-12)"
Gathered by the United States children's poet laureate, 200 (mostly) lighthearted poems from the likes of Basho and Ben Franklin, Leadbelly, Jack Prelutsky and Joyce Sidman share space with eye-popping animal photographs.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
"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 >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 6, 2012
"Just like Times Square itself, the pages are filled to the brim. (sources) (Nonfiction. 10-14)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
"Though it's filled with incident, emotion, magic and adventure, what stands out most is Trinket's clear voice and loving heart, both of which will endear her to readers. (Fantasy. 8-12)"
Like her main character, Trinket, Thomas clearly loves storytelling, and she has a real talent for it, too.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
"An exceptional life; a stunning achievement. (afterword, source notes, further reading) (Picture book biography. 4-10) "
Audiences thrilled to his mesmerizing performances, in which he spoke through his expressive body without uttering a single word.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
"Imaginative and utterly bewitching. (Graphic science fiction. 9-12)"
Lovable Zita returns in a charmingly dashing interplanetary adventure to save yet another doomed planet from impending peril.
Read full book review >
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.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"An excellent addition to both the folk tale genre and the early-reader shelf. (Folk tale/early reader. 4-7)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"Be prepared for young Sasquatch fans roaring for more. (Graphic fantasy. 6-11)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"Smart and accessible, charming and witty, this is one for educators and adventurers alike. (Picture book. 3-5)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"A morally satisfying page turner. (author's note, archival photographs, maps, timeline, selected bibliography) (Historical fiction. 10-14)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"Utterly winning. (Fiction. 7-9)"
A warmhearted beginning to a new chapter-book series delights from the first few sentences.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"From attractive page design to an afterword that encourages readers to search for their own history, there has been much attention to detail in this handsome volume. (notes, bibliography, art credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)"
This handsome, engaging study of African-American history brings to light many intriguing and tragically underreported stories.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"A stunning debut. (author's note, recommended reading) (Historical novel. 12 & up)"
Set in 1969, Manzano's first novel offers a realistically mercurial protagonist struggling with her identity in Spanish Harlem.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"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 >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"A joy to read. Play calypso music and celebrate! (author's note, glossary and pronunciation guide, author's sources) (Picture book/biography. 3-8)"
Winston, a boy in Trinidad, wishes that he could play in a band and win free rotis, the delicious island specialty prepared by the Roti King and presented to the best performers at Carnival.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 28, 2012
"Schlitz's prose is perfect in every stitch, and readers will savor each word. (Historical fantasy. 9-13)"
Two orphans, a witch and a girl who laughs at death: Each shares the lens of protagonist in Newbery winner Schlitz's fully satisfying gothic novel.
Read full book review >
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 21, 2012
"The joyful clarity of both vision and execution thrills. (notes on 22 artists referenced) (Picture book. 3-7)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 7, 2012
"Original and winning. (Fiction. 10-14)"
A seventh-grade boy who is coping with social and economic issues moves into a new apartment building, where he makes friends with an over-imaginative home-schooled boy and his eccentric family.
Read full book review >
