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Best Children's Books of 2012 (page 4)

Cover art for THE SANTA TRAP
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star THE SANTA TRAP
by Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Poly Bernatene
"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 >
Cover art for LITTLE WHITE DUCK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star LITTLE WHITE DUCK: A CHILDHOOD IN CHINA
by Andrés Vera Martínez, Na Liu, illustrated by Andrés Vera Martínez
"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 >
Cover art for DREAMING UP
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star DREAMING UP: A CELEBRATION OF BUILDING
by Christy Hale, illustrated by Christy Hale
"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 >
Cover art for ZOMBIE MAKERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star ZOMBIE MAKERS: TRUE STORIES OF NATURE'S UNDEAD
by Rebecca L. Johnson
"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)"
Solid (sometimes writhing) proof that the scariest zombie flicks have nothing on Nature. Read full book review >
Cover art for IN A GLASS GRIMMLY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 27, 2012
Kirkus Star IN A GLASS GRIMMLY
by Adam Gidwitz
"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 >
Cover art for THE QUIET PLACE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
Kirkus Star THE QUIET PLACE
by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small
"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 >