Best of February

Lots of picture book reading in February. These were among my favorites.


Monsters Eat Whiny Children (Kaplan, Bruce Eric)

This qualifies as the best book about complaining since Emily Jenkins' I Love You When You Whine.  The indecisiveness of a group of monsters as to the best way to serve up whiny children is at the heart of this humorous book. Kudos for mentioning curry: "They all tried to figure out if they were in the mood for Indian food. Sometimes it's so hard to figure out if you're in the mood for Indian food." Not at our house--where it is a food group!

The Cat's Pajamas (Edwards, Wallace)

I love picture books about word play and grammar because they are inevitably creative. This book about idioms is more fun than a barrel of monkeys (and if you have ever wondered just how much fun IS a barrel of monkeys--check page 15.) Idioms make sense when you know what they mean, but have you ever tried to visualize one? Edward Wallace obliges with his ornate illustrations. And as a bonus--look for the hidden cat in each picture.

Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin (Barretta, Gene)

The premise of this picture book is so simple, Benjamin Franklin himself might have devised it. By playing on the phrase "Now and Then", author and illustrator Baretta does a comparison between the modern devices, conveniences  and institutions we have now, and how they were created or discovered by Franklin. My favorite: the Library, of course! Runner up: the Long Arm.

 Willie and the All-Stars (Cooper, Floyd)

Floyd Cooper made an appearance in last month's list, which makes me wonder how I've missed this fine writer and illustrator before. Not to mention--this is a book about baseball! Where was my head at in 2008 that I didn't catch this fantastic book the first time around? Willie is a young boy who lives on the North Side of Chicago in 1942. He lives on a diet of baseball and dreams of the day when he will be a Major Leaguer like his idols. Then he learns about the great players of the Negro Leagues, and with that discovery makes another, thoroughly unpleasant one; they don't play in the Major Leagues because they are the "wrong color." As is Willie himself. Floyd Cooper combines a thoughtful story with a history lesson in this book about the color divide in American baseball before Jackie Robinson. Fortunately, it ends on a hopeful note at none other than Wrigley Field.

Clemente! (Perdomo, Willie; ills. Bryan Collier)

Keeping with the baseball theme, this is a fine story about a little boy who is named Clemente after the baseball Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on a humanitarian mission to Nicaragua. The baseball player's life and career is detailed quickly, allowing the book to focus on how he inspired and encouraged those who admired him (like this little boy's parents.) I really liked the illustrations in this book, which are a mixture of watercolors and collage that work to bring out the realistic detail of the figures against the various backgrounds. A timeline of Clemente's life, Author's and Illustrator's notes, and bibliography give this book non-fiction cred.

Socksquatch (Dormer, Frank W.)

This is a LOL worthy book which tells a story while really not having one. The eponymous Socksquatch can't find a sock. And he wants one. So he goes to look. Then he finds one and is happy. The end! However, the visual appeal of this book, not to mention the sheer silliness of the premise and interaction between Socksquatch and the other monsters he encounters (makes this a winner. Got sock?

Hot Rod Hamster (Lord, Cynthia; ills. Derek Anderson)

This could be the perfect cross-over book between girlie-girls and active-boys: a cute, cuddly rodent with the need for speed ("HOT ROD HAMSTER COMING THROUGH!") There are a couple of different storytelling levels here; the narrator trucks along with rhyming couplets which set-up the story of the hamster's journey from junkyard to finishing line, and asks the continuing refrain, "Which would you choose?" when presenting different types of cars, wheels, flame decals, and eventually trophies. Then there is the dialog between the hamster and the mechanic at the junkyard as they soup up a little car, expressed in voice bubbles with lots of !!!! and ALL CAPS. Then there is the actual race, which is adorably funny as the tiny hamster car takes on the larger racers. I hope Hot Rod Hamster races again soon. Or at least takes up an equally exciting hobby.

Orlando on a Thursday (Magenta, Emma)

Thursday is a bitter-sweet day for Orlando, because it is the day that his Mami goes to work, and he can't see her all day. The up-side is that his Papi stays home on Thursdays. Orlando doesn't seem to be aware of what Mami does all day (presumably she is at work--he just describes it as "busy in town".) Nor does he wonder what Papi does on the other days of the week when he doesn't stay home. All he understands is that for one day a week his world is turned around. The story borders on precious at times, but the distinctive illustrations manage to convey immense emotion and a real sense of security as Orlando works through his problematic day.

Clever Jack Takes the Cake (Fleming, Candace; ills. G. Brian Karas)

The power of storytelling prevails in this slightly predictable yet highly humorous Jack tale about a poor boy who tries to bring a gift worthy of a princess to her birthday party. Mind the crows, Jack!

The Best of January

Here is a wrap up of my 4 and 5 star picture book reads for January, 2011. I haven't differentiated between 4 or 5 (although you can see them all at Goodreads.) I like most books I read--I give out a lot of 3 out of 5's. I am struck by very few, so if I give out 4 stars, then I think the book is great and worthy of note. As for how a book gets 5 stars: if it's not because the book is hands-down-genius, sometimes the difference between 4 or 5 can be as fleeting as a personal preference for the topic or an appreciation of the author's or illustrator's body of work which inclines me to adore everything they do. Not very scientific, but it works for me.

So, without further ado:

Snook Alone (Nelson, Marilyn; ills. Timothy Basil Ering)

The Buffalo are Back (George, Jean Craighead; ills. Wendell Minor)

Tells the story of the near extinction of buffalo from the American west, as well as the devastating effect it had on the plains. Part fable, part non-fiction, this is an impressive book, well-served by the picture book format.

The Worst Person in the World (Stevenson, James)
The Worst Person in the World at Crab Beach

Bear in the Air (Meyers, Susan; ills. Amy Bates)

Sweeter than Edward Tulane--and not nearly as traumatic--this story of one teddy bear's (mis)adventures is full of charm and cheer.

Wonder Horse: The True Story of the World's Smartest Horse (McCully, Emily Arnold)

Before there was Mr. Ed, there was Jim Key, a horse who learned to spell, recognize colors, and generally amaze and amuse an initially skeptical 19th century world. Trained by ex-slave Bill "Doc" Key, who used nothing but patience and kindness to train the animal, Jim Key's story is as much a referendum on his master as his own talents. Doc Key faced prejudice by those who thought he couldn't possibly be smart enough to read himself, never mind train a horse. Doc's work with Jim eventually earned the recognition of Harvard University and the Humane Society and made them both very famous.

A Beach Tail (Williams, Karen Lynn; ills. Cooper, Floyd)

 Beachcombing and a summer's day spent with a beloved parent--the perfect recipe for a read-aloud.

Jack's Path of Courage (Rappaport, Doreen; ills. Matt Tavares)

Saving the Baghdad Zoo: a True Story of Hope and Heroes (Halls, Kelly Milner and Maj. William Sumner)

An uplifting account of the successful cooperation between the United States Army and concerned citizens of Baghdad as they rescue and revive animals abandoned after the invasion of Iraq.

All Pigs are Beautiful (King-Smith, Dick; ills. Anita Jeram)

Unabashed appreciation for pigs is sprinkled among procine facts in this picture book offering by the late Dick King-Smith.

The Blue House Dog (Blumenthal, Deborah; ills. Adam Gustavson)

A boy whose dog has died befriends a stray whose owner has died. Sensitive and quiet, this book highlights the special relationship that can develop between animals and humans.

Best Illustrated Books of the Year

Here we go--the award season is upon us now: the National Book Award finalists have been announced, the Cybil panelists are hard at work whittling down their lists of nominees, and the New York Times has announced it's Best Illustrated Children's Books for 2009. And there are some beuts among this year's list. Personal favorites: Only a Witch Can Fly, A Penguin Story, and the breathtaking The Lion and The Mouse. I'm also happy to see Shaun Tan get a nod for Tales from Suburbia, to highlight the fact that illustrated books are not just for kids, even if a non-adult audience is in mind.

NYT notable Children's Books of 2008

The New York Times has listed it's notable children's books of 2008. Yet again, I must protest that of the 8 books listed, five of them are really YA titles. There are no books for early readers, (Elephant and Piggie are more then adequate,) middle readers (hello, Mercy Watson) or anything for the formidable 8-12 tween demographic. It's either picture books or 12 and up. What a swiz! And again, why do they limit the list to 8? I realize that illustrated picture books get their own list, but even that only brings the total of notable children's books to 24. Adult books get a list of 100! No balance whatsoever.

However, one comment I can make in favor of this list is that it includes Wabi Sabi. And readers of this blog heard it here first, back in June, that this was a special book.

NY Times Best Illustrated Children's Books 2008

The New York Times has released it's list of the best illustrated children's books for 2008. While I'm thrilled to see the inclusion of Wabi Sabi, what's with the rather cheap looking scans included in the slide show? Could the Times not produce better quality prints from the books? They are supposed to be highlighting the illustrations, after all.

New York Times Notable

Considering they came up with 100 books for grown-ups, this puny list of 6 Notable Children's Books by the venerable New York Times seems a bit of a jip. And only one of the titles, How to be a Baby...by me, the Big Sister (Lloyd-Jones, Sally), is legitimately a children's book. The rest are YA or have strong YA leanings (that means you, Mr. Potter.) A little more effort please!

Horn Book Fanfare

Here is the Horn Book's "Best of" list for 2007. There are now a couple of titles which are starting to appear consistently on this year's lists: Shaun Tan's The Arrival, Peter Sis's The Wall, And Sherman Alexi's The True Story of a Part Time Indian, just to name a few.

Publishers Weekly Best of 2007

Warm off the presses, here are the top choices for 2007 by the folks at Publishers Weekly. You'll notice that a couple of these titles made an appearance here at various points during the year.

You know the end of the year is near.....

....when all those "Best of" lists start coming out. The New York Times has got things rolling with its list of Best Illustrated Children's Books. I notice that of the ten mentioned, one of them is Jabberwocky, a rather startling and innovative retelling
of the famous Lewis Carrol poem, using inner city basketball as the motif. Hey, if Shakespeare can be adapted and interpreted, why not Carrol? I mention this particular book, because I bought a copy for work, and it has gone down like the proverbial lead balloon. But now I am vindicated! O Frabjous Day!

Notable absences (IMHO): Robot Dreams by Sara Veron and Dogs and Cats by Steve Jenkins.