BEA 2012: Picture Books

by David McPhail & illustrated by David McPhail

Kids will giggle at the striped-pajama–clad Pig Pig’s silly antics in this latest escapade Full review >

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by Carol L. Malnor & Trina L. Hunner & illustrated by Trina L. Hunner

Pair this with Deborah Hodge and Brian Harris' Up We Grow (2010) for two different visions of modern environmentally... Full review >

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by Mary Quattlebaum & illustrated by Laura J. Bryant

Get out the seed catalogs. Full review >

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by Marianne Berkes & illustrated by Jill Dubin

Formulaic? Perhaps, but none can argue with the educational value, nor the fun—what will she tackle next? (Informational... Full review >

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by Jane Clarke & illustrated by Lee Wildish

Appealing enough, but adds little to the substantial dinosaur subgenre. (Picture book. 3-5) Full review >

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by Linda Glaser & illustrated by Adam Gustavson

The moment is a little miracle—nearly impossible to believe, but entirely convincing and true. Full review >

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by Mac Barnett & illustrated by Adam Rex

Clever and funny, though it’s possible that only a niche audience will want repeat readings. Full review >

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by Marc Sedaka & illustrated by Tim Bowers

Sure to get toddlers and early readers dancing. Full review >

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by Adam McHeffey & illustrated by Adam McHeffey

Goodhearted, if silly. Full review >

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by Germano Zullo & illustrated by Albertine & translated by Claudia Zoe Bedrick

Adult explication may be needed for the textual rubric; the visually told story is enthralling all on its own. Full review >

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by Ammi-Joan Paquette & illustrated by Marie Letourneau

The glittery cover and promise of mermaids may attract readers initially, but there is little here to lure them for repeated... Full review >

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retold by Iza Trapani & illustrated by Iza Trapani

A fine addition to the storytime shelf. Full review >

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by Coralie Saudo & illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo

With far more genuineness than Seriously, Just Go to Sleep, this is sure to be a hit with preschoolers. Full review >

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by Arthur Geisert & illustrated by Arthur Geisert

This is a story of magic, etched with an everydayness that encourages readers to invite wonder, even bewilderment, into... Full review >

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by Wouter van Reek & illustrated by Wouter van Reek

Surreal but fascinating, visually jazzy but conceptually cryptic, this will work for older readers who like primary colors,... Full review >

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by Bob Shea & illustrated by Bob Shea

“DINOSAUR WINS!” So will young readers and listeners likewise charged up with dino DNA. Full review >

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by Suzanne Bloom & illustrated by Suzanne Bloom

This one has “read it again” potential, and Fox has the makings of a star. Full review >

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by John O'Brien & illustrated by John O'Brien

If the laughs come a tad unevenly, come they do: good, absurdist fun with sly, existential winks. Full review >

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by Jonathan London & illustrated by Gilles Eduar

Sweet but not filling. Full review >

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by Mike Haines & illustrated by Mike Haines Julia Frohlich

Though the book itself is fragile (the tabs are on the flimsy side), the original take on some of the pairings breathes new... Full review >

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by Joyce Meyer & illustrated by Mary Sullivan

The heavy-hoofed message stomps any legitimate sense of serenity. Full review >

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illustrated by Christine Davenier

The original song with its three-part counterpoint is deliciously imagined on these pages. Full review >

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by Lee DeCora Francis & illustrated by Susan Drucker

Gentle and only slightly didactic, it makes not only an attractive intergenerational story but shows how much work and... Full review >

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by Yolanda Kondonassis & illustrated by Joan Brush

The result of this Grammy-nominated harpist’s effort to simplify a complex scientific subject is a medley of environmental... Full review >

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by Carrie Clickard & illustrated by Mark Meyers

Though swelly seas occasionally threaten, overall, it's smooth-enough sailing here. Full review >

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by Bill Harley & illustrated by Adam Gustavson

Within this child’s view of the world, full of questions and pressure and misunderstanding, wisdom comes—sometimes from the... Full review >

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illustrated by Anna Vojtech

As the only large-format edition of this carol currently in print, it will be a useful purchase for use with children at... Full review >

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by Harriet Ziefert & illustrated by Travis Foster

Too finicky by half to have its day in court. Full review >

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by Betty Comden Adolph Green Carolyn Leigh illustrated by Amy June Bates

A lovely way to share a sprinkling of fairy dust. Full review >

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by Jenni Desmond & illustrated by Jenni Desmond

The plot is familiar, but energetic artwork and a comical twist at the end may make it feel fresh enough to entertain a new... Full review >

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by Deborah Underwood & illustrated by Renata Liwska

Nevertheless, a congenial, understated choice for reading aloud to excited children to help them settle down for a long... Full review >

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by Harriet Ziefert & illustrated by Barroux

A sweet take on the bumps in the road home for one shelter dog Full review >

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by Tor Freeman & illustrated by Tor Freeman

Though the story is slight, some young listeners may enjoy tracing the path the secret travels, while parents will... Full review >

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by Marilyn Sadler & illustrated by Michael Slack

Though it is supposed to be a silent game—and here it is anything but that—this rendering of the childhood favorite captures... Full review >

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by Levi Pinfold & illustrated by Levi Pinfold

A great pick for storytime, bedtime, anytime. Full review >

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by Jamison Odone & illustrated by Jamison Odone

Mole finds a comfortable balance in the material world without getting apoplectic about it—a worthwhile lesson, neatly... Full review >

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by Axel Scheffler & illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Not the best exploration of a friendly twosome—stick with Mr. Putter and Tabby or George and Martha. Full review >

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by Simon Puttock & illustrated by Nadia Shireen

Both cute and creepy; for those seeking relief from unrelieved sweetness in their children's books. Full review >

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by William Joyce & illustrated by William Joyce

As triumphant in book form as in animated and interactive ones. Full review >

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by Aaron Reynolds & illustrated by Peter Brown

Serve this superbly designed title to all who relish slightly scary stories. Full review >

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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... Full review >

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by Stephen Savage & illustrated by Stephen Savage

Though this cute-but-mighty tug’s strengths are oddly undercut by the syrupy gear-switch at the end, the bright, attractive... Full review >

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by James Howe & illustrated by Chris Raschka

Ever-changing watercolor washes and primordial shapes depict a wondrous, liquid world in which the star-crossed lovers learn... Full review >

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by Brendan Powell Smith & illustrated by Brendan Powell Smith

Those who favor a literal interpretation of Bible stories and fans of Smith’s popular series will probably feel that this... Full review >

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by Janet Stevens ; Susan Stevens Crummel illustrated by Janet Stevens

Skillfully told and satisfying, this is sure to delight young listeners in on the joke. Full review >

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by Jeff Mack & illustrated by Jeff Mack

An instructive and entertaining primer on the art of friendship and the complexity of joy. Full review >

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by Susan Hood & illustrated by Janice Nadeau

With a nod to classic titles of years past, this provides a fresh, modern take on an itty-bitty heroine's achievement of her... Full review >

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by Katie Smith Milway & illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes

Readers will take much away from this, including an appreciation for their health-care resources and a desire to make a... Full review >

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by Andy Myer & illustrated by Andy Myer

Young readers will chuckle at Delia’s cluelessness—and maybe think twice about their own assumptions. Full review >

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by Amy Hest & illustrated by Lauren Castillo

A charming (if rather implausible) celebration of a snowy, book-y, day Full review >

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by Salina Yoon & illustrated by Salina Yoon

A strong if whimsical choice for those separated from loved ones. Full review >

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by Michael Buckley & illustrated by Dan Santat

With true fearlessness and finely honed skills, this talented duo has created a most entertaining hero. Full review >

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by Robert Burleigh & illustrated by Ross MacDonald

Appropriately for the audience, this charmer invokes the man's spirit rather than his biography, effectively communicating... Full review >

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by Judy Sierra & illustrated by Marc Brown

While human adoptions may never be this random and unexpected (and have been covered by the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis and... Full review >

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illustrated by Jamel Akib & by Heidi Smith Hyde

Although didactic and idealized, this broad interpretation of freedom from a Jewish perspective is one not often seen. Full review >

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by Rebecca Bender & illustrated by Rebecca Bender

Ultimately unsatisfying. Full review >

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by Jozua Douglas & illustrated by Barbara van Rheenen

A non-starter, despite the subject’s ever-enduring allure. Full review >

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by Geoffrey Hayes illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes

Another outing positively radiant with child appeal, featuring a pair of close siblings with complementary personalities. Full review >

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by Frank Viva illustrated by Frank Viva

The art gives this southerly outing a distinctive look, and the interplay between the two tourists may strike some readers... Full review >

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by Eric Ode & illustrated by Kent Culotta

Noisy fun, with a strong beat and a narrative pattern that even younger audiences will have no trouble catching. Full review >

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by Candace Fleming & illustrated by Eric Rohmann

Oh, yes! This is a terrific new picture book. Full review >

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by Jacqueline Woodson & illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Something of the flipside to the team’s The Other Side (2001), this is a great book for teaching kindness Full review >

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by Kerstin Schoene illustrated by Kerstin Schoene

A lightweight fear-dispeller, without the gun violence that now makes Mercer Mayer’s There’s a Nightmare in My Closet (1968)... Full review >

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