Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Staff Favorites: Illustrated Books for Children 2011

Here are some of my personal favorites from this past year:
Staff Favorites: Illustrated Books for Children 2011


A Few Blocks


A Few Blocks
By Young, Cybele
2011-08 - Groundwood Books
9780888999955
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Ferdie doesn't want to go to school, but go to school he must, and fortunately his imaginative older sister Viola paves the way. First she urges him to put on his rocket blaster boots, which enable him to leave the house. When he stalls again she convinces him to take command of a ship in search of buried treasure, and at the next meltdown, she tells him that as a knight, his duty is to fight the fierce fire-breathing dragon who has stolen the princess. But then it is Viola's turn to fall apart, and Ferdie, following her example, draws on his own inner resources and imagination to keep them on their way. The children's fantasy world is beautifully illustrated by Cybele Young's intricate 3-D paper sculptures, which have been painted with contemporary urban images and then photographed for this book.…More
Stuck


Stuck
By Jeffers, Oliver
Illustrator Jeffers, Oliver
2011-11 - Philomel Books
9780399257377
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When Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, he's determined to get it out. But how? Well, by knocking it down with his shoe, of course. But strangely enough, it too gets stuck. And the only logical course of action . . . is to throw his other shoe. Only now "it's" stuck! Surely there must be something he can use to get his kite unstuck. An orangutan? A boat? His front door? Yes, yes, and yes. And that's only the beginning.
"Stuck" is Oliver Jeffers' most absurdly funny story since "The Incredible Book-Eating Boy." Childlike in concept and vibrantly illustrated as only Oliver Jeffers could, here is a picture book worth rescuing from any tree.
…More
Stars


Stars
By Ray, Mary Lyn
Illustrator Frazee, Marla
2011-10 - Beach Lane Books
9781442422490
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BookPage Notable Title

From acclaimed author Ray ("Christmas Farm") and Caldecott Honor winner Frazee ("All the World") comes a tender, evocative, and profound exploration of stars both near and far. Full color. …More
I Had a Favorite Dress


I Had a Favorite Dress
By Ashburn, Boni
Illustrator Denos, Julia
2011-08 - Abrams Books for Young Readers
9781419700163
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Ashburn and Denos deliver a story about growing up and keeping hold of favorite memories. This picture book follows the evolution of a little girl's favorite dress from dress to shirt to tank top to memento. Full color. …More
A New Year's Reunion: A Chinese Story


A New Year's Reunion: A Chinese Story
By Yu, Li Qiong
Illustrator Zhu, Cheng Liang
Illustrator Liang, Zhu Chen
2011-10 - Candlewick Press (MA)
9780763658816
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Maomao's dad works many miles away, but he is coming home for New Year!
Little Maomao's father works in faraway places and comes home just once a year, for Chinese New Year. At first Maomao barely recognizes him, but before long the family is happily making sticky rice balls, listening to firecrackers, and watching the dragon dance in the streets below. Papa gets a haircut, makes repairs to the house, and hides a lucky coin for Maomao to find. Which she does! But all too soon it is time for Papa to go away again. This poignant, vibrantly illustrated tale, which won the prestigious Feng Zikai Chinese Children's Picture Book Award in 2009, is sure to resonate with every child who misses relatives when they are away--and shows how a family's love is strong enough to endure over time and distance.
…More
I Want My Hat Back


I Want My Hat Back
By Klassen, Jon
Illustrator Klassen, Jon
2011-09 - Candlewick Press (MA)
9780763655983
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The bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor. Full color. …More
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade


Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade
By Sweet, Melissa
2011-11 - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)
9780547199450
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In brilliant collage illustrations, the award-winning artist Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America--the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Full color. …More
Red Sled


Red Sled
By Judge, Lita
Illustrator Judge, Lita
2011-11 - Atheneum Books for Young Readers
9781442420076
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In this almost wordless picture book, a host of woodland creatures take a child's sled for a nighttime joy ride. Their whimsical ride is gorgeously depicted in bold watercolor, complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound effects. With a timeless tone and classic characters, RED SLED will become a wintertime favorite. …More
Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Saint Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Creatures


Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Saint Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Creatures
By Paterson, Katherine
Illustrator Dalton, Pamela
2011-06 - Chronicle Books (CA)
9780811877343
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Reimagines Francis of Assisi's 1224 prayer of praise in celebration of God's gifts throughout the universe. …More
Max's Castle


Max's Castle
By Banks, Kate
Illustrator Kulikov, Boris
2011-10 - Farrar Straus Giroux
9780374399191
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When Max finds a pile of forgotten toys under the bed, his brothers Benjamin and Karl wonder what's so special about some old blocks. So Max shows them. With some clever twists of both blocks and imagination, he constructs not only a castle but an entire adventure, complete with pirates and knights, a dark dungeon and a dragon.
This ingenious sequel to "Max"'"s Words" and "Max"'"s Dragons "shows readers just how much fun wordplay can be. …More
Train Trip


Train Trip
By Caswell, Deanna
Illustrator Andreasen, Dan
2011-08 - Hyperion Books
9781423118374
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A lucky little boy is going to visit Grandma! But as much as he looks forward to seeing his grandmother's friendly face, the ride on the train may just be the best part of the trip. There are bridges to cross, instruments to study, and aisles to tromp up and down. Full color. …More
Press Here


Press Here
By Tullet, Herve
2011-03 - Chronicle Books
9780811879545
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Each page of this surprising book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next! Children and adults alike will giggle with delight as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size, in this unique picture book about the power of imagination and interactivity will provide read-aloud fun for all ages. …More
Mouse & Lion


Mouse & Lion
By Burkert, Rand
Illustrator Burkert, Nancy Ekholm
2011-10 - Michael Di Capua Books
9780545101479
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Mouse and Lion, Aesop's fabled duo, renew their ancient bond in this warm retelling by Rand Burkert, illuminated by the authentic natural detail of Nancy Ekholm Burkert's art. Full color. …More
Blackout


Blackout
By Rocco, John
2011-05 - Hyperion Books
9781423121909
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BookPage Notable Title

One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. The TV shuts off and a boy wails, "Mommm!" His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can't work on her computer, and Dad can't finish cooking dinner. What's a family to do? Full color. …More
Grandpa Green


Grandpa Green
By Smith, Lane
2011-08 - Roaring Brook Press
9781596436077
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A child explores the ordinary life of his extraordinary great-grandfather, as expressed in his topiary garden. …More
The Crossing


The Crossing
By Napoli, Donna Jo
Illustrator Madsen, Jim
2011-06 - Atheneum Books
9781416994749
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Told from the point of view of Jean Baptiste Chabonneau, the baby on Sacagawea's back, this breathtaking picture book reveals the adventure and natural wonders that Lewis and Clark encountered on their Western expedition in the early 1800s. Full color. …More
Everything I Need to Know Before I'm Five


Everything I Need to Know Before I'm Five
By Fisher, Valorie
Illustrator Fisher, Valorie
2011-07 - Schwartz & Wade Books
9780375868658
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Perfect for kids heading to kindergarten, this book covers the alphabet, counting, opposites, shapes, colors, and seasons. Award-winning author-illustrator Fisher uses bright, gorgeous photos of retro toys to illustrate these topics in a completely fresh way. Pub 7/11. …More
Sea of Dreams


Sea of Dreams
By Nolan, Dennis
2011-10 - Roaring Brook Press
1596434708
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On a beautiful sunlit beach, a girl builds a magnificent sandcastle. As night falls the girl heads for home. Waves move ever closer to the castle, threatening its survival. Suddenly, in one of its windows, a light comes on . . . …More
Where's Walrus?


Where's Walrus?
By Savage, Stephen
2011-02 - Scholastic Press
9780439700498
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Bored with life at the zoo, an adventurous walrus escapes to the outside world. With the zookeeper in hot pursuit, Walrus cleverly tries on all sorts of hats to disguise himself, in this delightful wordless picture book. Full color. …More
In the Meadow


In the Meadow
By Kato, Yukiko
Illustrator Sakai, Komako
2011-05 - Enchanted Lion Books
9781592701087
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Beautifully illustrated by the celebrated Sakai, this book draws one into the child's experience of being in the natural world. …More
These Hands


These Hands
By Mason, Margaret H.
Illustrator Cooper, Floyd
2011-03 - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)
9780547215662
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Joseph's grandpa could do almost anything with his hands. He could play the piano, throw a curveball, and tie a triple bowline knot in three seconds flat. But in the 1950s and 60s, he could not bake bread at the Wonder Bread factory. Factory bosses said white people would not want to eat bread touched by the hands of the African Americans who worked there. In this powerful intergenerational story, Joseph learns that people joined their hands together to fight discrimination so that one day, their hands--Joseph's hands--could do "anything at all in this whole wide world." …More
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse


The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse
By Carle, Eric
Illustrator Carle, Eric
2011-10 - Philomel Books
9780399257131
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BookPage Notable Title

Rather than use the same old colors, a child paints animals and objects in a variety of different hues. Includes biographical information about the German painter Franz Marc, who created unconventional animal paintings in the early 1900s. 32 pp. 300,000 print. (Children's - Ages 4-8) …More
Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat


Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat
By Stead, Philip C.
2011-06 - Roaring Brook Press
9781596435629
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When Jonathan's parents decide that he has gotten too old to have a stuffed animal, they trade his favorite bear, Frederick, for a toaster, so he sets off aboard a boat, looking for Frederick. …More
The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred


The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred
By Vamos, Samantha R.
Illustrator Lopez, Rafael
2011-02 - Charlesbridge Publishing
9781580892421
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When a farm girl starts cooking, all the animals want to help. The cow contributes milk, the hen offers eggs, and even the duck makes a special trip to the market. Key English words change to Spanish as the story builds to a delicious ending. …More
Tweak Tweak


Tweak Tweak
By Bunting, Eve
Illustrator Ruzzier, Sergio
2011-05 - Clarion Books
9780618998517
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Little Elephant goes for a walk with her mama in this ideal picture book for preschoolers. Bunting's tender text and Ruzzier's whimsical illustrations make this walk with Mama an excursion any little elephant would enjoy. Full color. …More
*Summaries courtesy of Bookletters.

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