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Book List
CHILDREN'S
PIG PIG MEETS THE LIONby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
MOLLY'S ORGANIC FARMby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
JO MACDONALD HAD A GARDENby Mary Quattlebaum & illustrated by Laura J. Bryant
Get out the seed catalogs. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
OVER IN THE FORESTby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
DANCING WITH THE DINOSAURSby Jane Clarke & illustrated by Lee Wildish
Appealing enough, but adds little to the substantial dinosaur subgenre. (Picture book. 3-5) Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
HANNAH'S WAYby Linda Glaser & illustrated by Adam Gustavson
The moment is a little miracle—nearly impossible to believe, but entirely convincing and true. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
CHLOE AND THE LIONby Mac Barnett & illustrated by Adam Rex
Clever and funny, though it’s possible that only a niche audience will want repeat readings. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
DINOSAUR PETby Marc Sedaka & illustrated by Tim Bowers
Sure to get toddlers and early readers dancing. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
ASIAGOby Adam McHeffey & illustrated by Adam McHeffey
Goodhearted, if silly. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
LITTLE BIRDby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE TIPTOE GUIDE TO TRACKING MERMAIDSby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAINretold by Iza Trapani & illustrated by Iza Trapani
A fine addition to the storytime shelf. Full review >
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MY DAD IS BIG AND STRONG, BUT...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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THE GIANT SEEDby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
COPPERNICKEL GOES MONDRIANby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
DINOSAUR VS. SANTAby Bob Shea & illustrated by Bob Shea
“DINOSAUR WINS!” So will young readers and listeners likewise charged up with dino DNA. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
OH! WHAT A SURPRISE!by Suzanne Bloom & illustrated by Suzanne Bloom
This one has “read it again” potential, and Fox has the makings of a star. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
LOOK...LOOK AGAIN!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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
HERE COMES DOCTOR HIPPOby Jonathan London & illustrated by Gilles Eduar
Sweet but not filling. Full review >
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POPPOSITESby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
FIELD OF PEACEby Joyce Meyer & illustrated by Mary Sullivan
The heavy-hoofed message stomps any legitimate sense of serenity. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURINGillustrated by Christine Davenier
The original song with its three-part counterpoint is deliciously imagined on these pages. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
KUNU'S BASKETby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
OUR HOUSE IS ROUNDby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
VICTRICIA MALICIAby Carrie Clickard & illustrated by Mark Meyers
Though swelly seas occasionally threaten, overall, it's smooth-enough sailing here. Full review >
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LOST AND FOUNDby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE FRIENDLY BEASTSillustrated 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE PRINCESS AND...THE PEAS AND CARROTSby Harriet Ziefert & illustrated by Travis Foster
Too finicky by half to have its day in court. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
FLYING TO NEVERLAND WITH PETER PANby Betty Comden Adolph Green Carolyn Leigh illustrated by Amy June Bates
A lovely way to share a sprinkling of fairy dust. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
RED CAT BLUE CATby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
CHRISTMAS QUIET BOOKby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
LUCY RESCUEDby Harriet Ziefert & illustrated by Barroux
A sweet take on the bumps in the road home for one shelter dog Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
OLIVE AND THE BIG SECRETby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
PASS IT ON!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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
BLACK DOGby Levi Pinfold & illustrated by Levi Pinfold
A great pick for storytime, bedtime, anytime. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
MOLE HAD EVERYTHINGby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE SCARY MONSTERby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE BABY THAT ROAREDby Simon Puttock & illustrated by Nadia Shireen
Both cute and creepy; for those seeking relief from unrelieved sweetness in their children's books. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMOREby William Joyce & illustrated by William Joyce
As triumphant in book form as in animated and interactive ones. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
CREEPY CARROTS!by Aaron Reynolds & illustrated by Peter Brown
Serve this superbly designed title to all who relish slightly scary stories. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
BEAR HAS A STORY TO TELLby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
LITTLE TUGby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
OTTER AND ODDERby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
NOAH'S ARKby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
FIND A COW NOW!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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
GOOD NEWS BAD NEWSby Jeff Mack & illustrated by Jeff Mack
An instructive and entertaining primer on the art of friendship and the complexity of joy. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE TOOTH MOUSEby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
MIMI'S VILLAGEby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
DELIA'S DULL DAYby Andy Myer & illustrated by Andy Myer
Young readers will chuckle at Delia’s cluelessness—and maybe think twice about their own assumptions. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE READERby Amy Hest & illustrated by Lauren Castillo
A charming (if rather implausible) celebration of a snowy, book-y, day Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
PENGUIN AND PINECONEby Salina Yoon & illustrated by Salina Yoon
A strong if whimsical choice for those separated from loved ones. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
KEL GILLIGAN'S DAREDEVIL STUNT SHOWby Michael Buckley & illustrated by Dan Santat
With true fearlessness and finely honed skills, this talented duo has created a most entertaining hero. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
HIT THE ROAD, JACKby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
WILD ABOUT YOU!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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
EMANUEL AND THE HANUKKAH RESCUEillustrated 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
DON'T LAUGH AT GIRAFFEby Rebecca Bender & illustrated by Rebecca Bender
Ultimately unsatisfying. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
DINOSAURSby Jozua Douglas & illustrated by Barbara van Rheenen
A non-starter, despite the subject’s ever-enduring allure. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >GRAPHIC NOVELS & COMICS
BENNY AND PENNY IN LIGHTS OUTby Geoffrey Hayes illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes
Another outing positively radiant with child appeal, featuring a pair of close siblings with complementary personalities. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >GRAPHIC NOVELS & COMICS
A TRIP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD WITH MOUSEby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
DAN, THE TAXI MANby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
OH, NO!by Candace Fleming & illustrated by Eric Rohmann
Oh, yes! This is a terrific new picture book. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
EACH KINDNESSby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
MONSTERS AREN'T REALby 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 >
FULL REVIEW >Recent News & Features
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