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BEST BOOKS OF THE
YEAR
Best of Year 2010
Best of Year 2009
Notables from 2007
Notables from 2006
Notables from 2005
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THEMES
Animals
Bears
Bedtime
Classics
Concept Books
Families
Friendship
Holiday/Special Days
Humor & Nonsense
Recordings
Rhythm & Rhyme
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Toddlers
Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third-Fifth Grades
Middle Grades
Upper Grades
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PRESCHOOL
Sometime between three and five, preschoolers begin to recognize characters in a story, and books now begin to be appreciated for the story as well as the pictures.
Younger preschoolers need sturdy books, board and cloth, that can take rigorous and repeated usage. There is usually no plot or story to these books, but they should be colorful. This is a good time to teach them how books work-from the left to the right side, from the front to the back, and how to turn pages without damaging them. Encourage preschoolers to look at and identify the pictures.
Older preschoolers often enjoy information books. They seem to love labeling and identifying their world. They are more sociable and enjoy stories involving other children or animals impersonating children. Involve them more in the story, and ask them to predict what may happen next. This will stimulate their thinking and observation skills.
Take preschoolers to the public libraries. Most have wonderful programs for preschoolers. If possible, begin a small collection of books for them.
MOTHER GOOSE &
NURSERY RHYMES:
These traditional verses have rhythms that are contagious and joyous. Preschoolers still need lullabies and traditional songs, especially at bedtime.
FAIRY TALES:
Most familiar fairy tales are not for younger children because their themes are more sophisticated. At this age, they cannot discriminate between the real and the unreal. Some folktales may be acceptable but must be free of violence.
ANIMAL STORIES:
Small children seem to have a natural attraction for animals.
This is an exciting age for preschoolers, and listening to stories is where reading begins.
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MOTHER GOOSE AND FRIENDS
illus. by Ruth Sanderson, (Little, Brown & Co., $16.99, ISBN
978-0-316-77718-6), 64p, Ages 3-7.
For all who love nursery rhymes, Ruth Sanderson has compiled
an impressive collection of 67 famous and lesser-known lullabies,
as well as songs, rhymes, and nonsense verse. There is an added
bonus in the beautiful paintings, originally done in oil, that
accompany each verse. Children will enjoy the lyrical verses
of such classics as Peter, Peter, Pumpkin-Eater; Pussycat,
Pussycat; The Three Little Kittens; Humpty Dumpty; and Wee Willie
Winkie. They can sing to The Muffin Man, Where Has
My Little Dog Gone?, Yankee Doodle, and more. Tongue twisters
like Peter Piper are always fun and challenging to recite. Children
will pour over the gardens of flowers, characters in Victorian-era
costumes, fairies who ride ducklings, and brownies who race
grasshoppers. There are pumpkin houses, a quaint mice family
that lives in an old shoe, and old King Cole who dances to the
music of the three little pigs. An introduction includes information
on the history of nursery rhymes, the need for repetition of
language in verse, and an explanation of the oil-panting process.
This lovely book would be a nice addition to any child's library.
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BLUE GOOSE
written/illus. by Nancy Tafuri, (Simon & Schuster, $15.99, ISBN
978-0-4169-2834-8), 32p, Ages 1-4.
Teaching the basic concepts of primary and secondary colors,
children will have fun watching Blue Goose, Red Hen, Yellow
Chick, and White Duck paint their colorless barnyard while Farmer
Gray is away. They color the fence white, the flowers yellow,
the barn red, roof blue, and the grass and trees green. By combining
colors, they paint the barn doors purple, the shutters orange,
and the sky a light blue for a very surprised farmer when he
returns. "And when it was time for bed, what did Goose do? She
pained everything blue–except for the moon." This is a simple
and engaging way for young children to learn basic concepts
of primary and secondary colors, as well as animals. |
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MAYBE A BEAR
ATE IT!
written by Robie H. Harris, illus. by Michael Emberley, (Orchard
Books, $15.99, ISBN 9778-0-439-92961-5), 40p, Ages
3-5.
In an effort to locate his favorite book at bedtime, a young
child considers various scenarios that might have befallen his
precious book: "Maybe a Stegosaurus stomped on it!", "Maybe
a Rhino ran away with it!", or "Maybe a Shark swallowed it!"
Of course, the bear is a likely culprit, because of his appetite
for books. Children will enjoy the child's frantic search and
his enthusiastic relief on finding the book in the bed covers.
The creative story and infectious illustrations make this book
a great choice for bedtime and a wonderful first book for children
who are learning to read. |
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MARY ENGELBREIT'S MOTHER GOOSE FAVORITES
Illus. by Mary Engelbreit, (HarperCollins, $12.99, ISBN
978-0-06-1575440), 32p, Ages 3-8.
Young children, whether new to nursery rhymes or experienced
listeners, will love Mary Engelbreit's twenty-three beloved
and classic rhymes. From Humpty Dumpty, Little Miss Muffet,
Pat-A-Cake, and Old King Cole to Hickory, Dickory, Dock, Jack
and Jill, Little Bo Peep, and The Cat and the Fiddle, children
will delight in the lyrical language as well as Mary Engelbreit's
famous artistic style. Passed down by word of mouth for generations,
these rhymes have the power to generate laughter and dreams
in both children and adults. Mother Goose rhymes should also
be in every child's library. |
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MAX'S ABC
written/illus. by Rosemary Wells, (Puffin Books, $6.99, ISBN
978-0-14-241172-8), 32p, Ages 2+.
In this fun alphabet book, children will enjoy Max and Ruby's
latest encounter with ants. As the story begins, "Max's Ants
escaped from their Ant farm. They went looking for Max's birthday
cake." As the ants devour the cake, they are drenched in the
cranberry juice that Max accidentally spills. With sister Ruby,
the siblings try various solutions to relieve Max's itchy bites,
but "The ants Loved the bath. They Laughed and splashed." Ruby
vacuums them up, but the ants keep munching away inside the
bag. Nothing works, until the ants become weary, and Max returns
them to the ant farm for some ZZZ's. Young children will enjoy
the large, bold letters on each page, the bright colors throughout,
and the cute story presenting the alphabet. |
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GOBBLE GOBBLE CRASH!: A Barnyard Counting
Bash
written by Julie Stiegemeyer, illus. by Valeri Gorbachev, (Dutton
Children's Books, $16.99, ISBN 0978-0-525-47959-8), 32p,
Ages 3+.
Children will delight in this counting and rhyming barnyard
story where four noisy turkeys disturb a sleeping farm one night.
The wild turkeys smash into the chicken coop, bang into the
house, and slop in the pigpen. "Gobble-Gobble-Crash! Turkeys
landed with a thump/In the middle of the barnyard, right beside
the water pump. / EIGHT little goats laughed and wrestled in
the straw,/And the crows from next door called, "Caw! Caw! Caw!"
Mama Hen and Mrs. Maggie Mouse scold the turkeys, but the Farmer
threatens to make dinner out of them. The animals help conceal
the rowdy visitors from the farmer. The counting reverses to
depict sleeping animals from 10 baby robins, 9 pink pigs, 8
little goats, 7 tiny mice, 6 chicks, 5 white geese, 4 sheep,
3 kittens, 2 baby cows, to 1 horse. The barnyard finally quiets
down, including the farmer, until the commotion begins again.
This noisy, action-filled counting story is great fun for all.
Children will enjoy finding the hidden turkeys, who manage to
outsmart the farmer. |
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ROOM FOR A LITTLE ONE: A CHRISTMAS
TALE
written by Martin Waddell, illus. by Jason Cockcroft, (Little
Simon Inspirations, $7.95, ISBN 978-1-4169-6177-2), 26p,
Ages 3-7.
This beautiful Nativity story with its lovely illustrations
is an ideal choice for holiday sharing. On a cold Christmas
Eve, Kind Ox shares his stable with Old Dog, Stray Cat, and
Small Mouse. Also welcomed is Tired Donkey, led by Joseph and
carrying Mary, who wonders where their Child will be born. They
are also welcomed with the quiet refrain, "There's always room
for a little one here." With this welcome, Baby Jesus is born,
the Little One who came to save the world. Jason Cockcroft's
illustrations are unforgettable, and the board book format is
a perfect size for little fingers. |
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MERRY CHRISTMAS, OLLIE!
written/illus. by Olivier Dunrea, (Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt,
$12.95, ISBN 978-0-618-53242-1), 32p, Ages 2-6.
Waiting for Father Christmas Goose is especially difficult for
five little anxious goslings. While waiting, Gossie and Gertie
hang their blue and red boots in the barn. Boo Boo and Peedie
also hang their stripped stockings in the barn. Ollie just stomps
around wearing his stocking cap and asking, "Is Christmas here
yet?" Impatience and excitement abound in this charming and
simple Christmas story. Their wait is finally over when Father
Christmas Goose delivers presents for all. As always, Olivier
Dunrea's charming watercolors are wonderful. |
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NEVER TALK TO STRANGERS
written by Irma Joyce, illus. by George Buckett, (Golden Books,
$9.99, ISBN 978-0-375-84964-0), 32p, Ages 2-6.
First published in 1967, this classic book of wisdom is back
in print cautioning children, in an unthreatening way, about
talking to strangers. "If you are hanging from a trapeze/And
up sneaks a camel with bony knees./Remember this rule, if you
please-/Never talk to strangers." With humorous illustrations
and bouncy rhymes, children learn to be careful of a bony-kneed
camel, a suitcase-carrying rhinoceros, a dancing leopard, a
bassoon-playing bee, and more. Exceptions to these rules are
parents, teachers, and friends who know the strangers. With
a bit of humor, the Easter Bunny is also included. This clear
message on safety is always appropriate for another generation.
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SOUTH
written/illus. by Patrick McDonnell, (Little, Brown and Co.,
$14.99, ISBN 0-316-00509-6), 48p, Ages 3-6.
As a yellow flock of birds takes flight from a tree, a lone
leaf flitters down and wakes a sleeping bird on the ground.
Realizing that his flock has flown south for the winter, he
begins to cry. Mooch happens along and takes compassion on him.
Together, paw and wing, they begin a journey down streets, through
crowded cities, across fields, and past forests, until they
hear twittering from a utility wire. With a thank you and hug,
the little lost bird joins his flock. This wordless story of
compassion and friendship will tug at hearts for sure. |
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BEAR FEELS SCARED
written by Karma Wilson, illus. by Jane Chapman, (McElderry
Books, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-689-85986-1), 40p, Ages
3-7.
The beloved bear from Bear Snores On and Bear Feels Sick is
back and scared after becoming lost in the woods. As a storm
blows in, the wide-eyed Bear curls up under the roots of a tree,
shivering and alone. His friends begin to worry and organize
a search party. With a lantern and rescue equipment, they finally
rescue Bear, return to the cozy den, tuck him under the covers,
and snuggle together for the night. "Cuddled up tight, they
snore through the night. And the bear feels safe." This latest
installment in the series is a great read-aloud for children,
and may lead to discussions about security and fears. |
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PETER RABBIT WHO LIVES HERE?
written by Beatrix Potter, (Frederick Warne & Company, $12.99,
ISBN 978-0-7232-5995-4), 12p, Ages 2+.
As Peter Rabbit hops back to his burrow, he passes many friends,
who cheerfully greet him-Jeremy Fisher, who is busy with his
fishing pole, Squirrel Nutkin, storing his nuts in a tree, Miss
Tittlemouse, peeking through her front door, and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle,
who invites him in for a cup of tea. Being a very tired rabbit,
Peter scurries home where his mother, "brewed him a cup of camomile
tea and he went straight to bed." This interactive board book,
with a chunky revolving wheel, sturdy pull-tabs, and flaps is
perfect for little fingers to investigate. |
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