Staff picks are selected each month and archived here. Check back often to find more suggestions for great reading.
To view previous staff picks, please click on the dates below:
Staff Favorites of 2009: Picture Books
River of Dreams (Penguin Group, January 2009)
This gorgeously illustrated tribute is a detailed but concise introduction to the Hudson River's strategic, economic, and cultural significance. With art and word, Talbott celebrates this national treasure and the many dreamers inspired by its power and beauty. Beginning with the formation of the Hudson Valley at the end of the last Ice Age, to the tribes of Native Americans who made their homes along its banks, through Henry Hudson's exploration in 1609 to European colonization; From civil Revolution to Industrial Revolution and the foundation of the first American-based art movement to today, the story of the Hudson River is the story of American History in miniature.
Lion's Share: A Tale of Halving Cake and Eating It Too (Walker Books, January 2009)
In this graphic mathematical tale of halving and doubling, Lion invites his closest friends to his birthday party. He hands the cake to Elephant who takes half. Each animal takes half of the remaining cake until all that is left is a single crumb for Ant to share with the King. Ant offers to bake the king a new cake the following day. Each animal tries to better the previous animal's commitment to bake twice the number of cakes just promised until Elephant finds himself offering to bake 256 cakes for the King.
Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea (Penguin Group, January 2009)
Greg Mortenson stumbled, lost and delirious, into a remote Himalayan village after a failed climb up K2. The villagers saved his life, and he vowed to return and build them a school. The remarkable story of his promise kept is now perfect for reading aloud. Told in the voice of Korphe's children, this story illuminates the humanity and culture of a relevant and distant part of the world in gorgeous collage, while sharing a riveting example of how one person can change thousands of lives.
The Emperor of Absurdia (HarperCollins, February 2009)
Follow the Emperor of Absurdia through his day. First he is dressed with help from the hairy wardrobe monster. After a scarf hunt "which took quite some time" the emperor is served breakfast, then supper, then lunch, which hatches. The emperor goes on a hunt and finds a mama dragon who chases him until he lands in the arms of the wardrobe monster. At last he goes to bed and has the most extraordinary dream… Detailed, humorous, wonderful pictures show all the absurdities of the Emperor's day, from his waking "to the hoots of the sky fish nibbling the umbrella trees" all the way to his extraordinary dream of normality.
Imaginary Garden (Kids Can Press, March 2009)
Theo's Poppa's new apartment has no garden and the windy balcony is no good for living plants. Wearing gardening gloves and hats, they paint a lovely imaginary springtime garden. When Poppa goes away on a trip, Theo cares for the garden. She works hard while he is gone, adding blooms and vines to grow a beautiful imaginary summer garden.
Cuckoo's Haiku And Other Birding Poems (Candlewick, March 2009)
Michael Rosen's poems capture the nature and calls of more than 20 different North American bird species in this beautifully illustrated field notebook.
Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy (Penguin Group, March 2009)
In this sequel to Ladybug Girl, Lulu finds a superhero sidekick. When she and her friend Sam can't decide what game to play together, Lulu suggests Ladybug Girl. With Sam as Bumblebee Boy and Lulu in her familiar red and black costume, the two friends save the playground.
A Book (Roaring Brook Press, April 2009)
Original in concept and execution, this picture book shows and tells a little girl's search for her own story. She searches through fairy tales, pirate tales, and mysteries with illustrations in varying perspectives, to ultimately discover that the story for which she is searching is the very story we are reading. Gerstein's art is clever and evocative.
Machines Go to Work (Henry Holt and Co., May 2009)
Are you looking for a great new book about trucks, boats, and trains? Look no further—this is it. With pull-out sheets, Low's beautiful, painterly art works perfectly to make this book more than just a "truck book." It will appeal to the adults as well as to the little guys.
Panda and Polar Bear (Penguin Group, June 2009)
When an overly curious little polar bear falls over the edge of the cliff and lands in a puddle of mud, he is frightened and covers his eyes with his muddy paws, leaving muddy panda patches around his eyes. A little panda bear discovers and befriends the muddy polar bear. After a swim, the panda bear discovers his new friend is a polar bear and wants to know all about snow, but talking about home makes the polar bear homesick. The cliff that separates the home of the pandas from that of the polar bears is too steep to climb but the little panda bear finds a solution. Baek's lovely watercolor illustration is just right for this tale of friendship and Baek's skill of creating bear expressions is reminiscent of Ernest Shepard's Winnie-the-Pooh illustrations.
Where Is the Cake Now? (Abrams, June 2009)
In this sequel to Where is the Cake? (a 2008 Favorite Picture Book of The Children's Bookstore Staff) the animals search the countryside for the perfect picnic spot. Along the way, the cake is lost. Detailed illustrations narrate the different characters' adventures, making for hours of entertainment.
Bridget Fidget and the Most Perfect Pet (Penguin Group, June 2009)
Bridget Fidget has always wanted a pet unicorn and when a package is delivered early one morning, Bridget is certain she has finally received one. But instead of a magical pet, the large package contains a small package with a surprising type of pet inside. British cartoonist, Joe Berger's drawings bring the energetic Bridget into wild and wonderful life.
Dunderheads (Candlewick, June 2009)
From Newbery award-winner and author of Weslandia comes another outstanding story, this time about a whole classroom full of unusual children: The Dunderheads, so named by their militaristic, child-hating teacher, Miss Breakbone. When Miss Breakbone goes too far in her persecution of her students, the Dunderheads are forced to act together and use their unusual talents to see justice done. David Roberts' illustrations bring Fleischman's narration to exquisite life from the first picture of the threatening Miss Breakbone in her teaching uniform to the final picture of a humiliated Miss Breakbone in a pink party dress.
Waiting For Winter (Kane Miller, June 2009)
When Deer mentions that, "Winter is almost here. I think it is going to snow.", Squirrel decides to wait to see the snow rather than hibernate. Squirrel's attempts to stay alert wakes Hedgehog and Bear who also decide to wait to see the snow. The three animals try to find the "white and wet and cold and soft" snow, making many mistakes until, at last, the snow begins to fall.
Uncle Andy's Cats (Penguin Group, July 2009)
This story from his nephew's point of view narrates how Andy Warhol's New York townhouse became overrun with cats named Sam and how Uncle Andy and Grandma Bubba found new homes for nearly all of them. The lively illustrations show the cats, Andy, and his family frolicking up and down the stairs, out to the roof, and through the studio.
Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales (Candlewick, August 2009)
Lucy Cousins' bold and familiar illustrations lighten and enliven these eight traditionally and boldly told fairy tales. Included in the collection are a mix of 8 well known and lesser known but still famous fairy tales: "Red Riding Hoodv, "Henny Penny" ,"The Three Pigs", "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", "The Musicians of Bremen", "The Three Billy Goats Gruff", "The Little Red Hen", and "The Enormous Turnip". These tales are told in their intended forms: good is good, bad is bad, and the characters face the traditional consequences of their choices. This book belongs in every nursery library.
Applesauce Season (Roaring Brook Press, August 2009)
This story of a family tradition of buying apples at the farmer's market and making them into applesauce is a fun celebration of family ritual.
Dark Night (Random House, September 2009)
Felix is trying to get home through the woods on a dark night, but the woods are full of dangerous creatures and Felix is quite frightened. While hiding in a hole in a tree, Felix finds a doorway and lets himself in. Inside, he meets a rabbit who has a fantastic method for traversing the forest and avoiding the ferocious creatures. A wonderful and empowering story about the dark with distinctive and appealing illustrations.
Jeremy Draws a Monster (Henry Holt and Co., September 2009)
McCarty has departed from his usually gentle stories and illustration without abandoning that characteristic gentleness. When Jeremy draws a monster, that monster comes to life and wants lunch. Jeremy spends his entire day entertaining the creature, but in the end enough is enough. Jeremy draws the monster a bus ticket to leave town. McCarty's charming illustration gives the monster just enough fearsomeness to create suspense without creating terror, and the ending is a happy one for both Jeremy and the monster.
The Lion and the Mouse (Little, Brown, September 2009)
Jerry Pinkney wordlessly retells this traditional Aesop's fable in stunning watercolor. This book is a beautiful addition to any collection and is our personal choice for this year's Caldecott Medal. (written prior to the award announcement)
The Circus Ship (Candlewick, September 2009)
From the creator of If I Built a Car and illustrator of the Mercy Watson series, comes this 19th century tale of a circus ship that runs aground off the coast of Maine. The animals' first encounters with the villagers include a zebra eating prize daisies, an alligator asleep on a log pile, and a monkey wearing someone's bloomers. The villagers' initial irritation at the animals turns into admiration when the tiger rescues little Emma Rose from a burning shed. But it isn't long before the cruel and greedy circus owner, Mr. Paine, comes looking for his animals. The villagers create a clever plan to conceal the animals in the landscape making for an entertaining 2 page spread.
One Dragon's Dream (Candlewick, September 2009)
Originally published in 1978, Peter Pavey's surreal counting book recounts one dragon's strange dream of a paper marionette tiger, frogs in armor, an animal-filled court room, elephants in hot air balloons, and the ten turtles that towed him home to bed. The bizarre, detailed 2-page spread illustrations for each number provide entertment for those learning to count as well as those who learned to count many years ago, in much the same way that Graeme Base's Animalia brings life to the alphabet.
Otis (Penguin Group, September 2009)
Otis is a special tractor who comforts and befriends a frightened calf. Although he has been replaced by a new shiny tractor, Otis is the only one who can rescue the calf when it becomes trapped in mud pond. Featuring themes reminiscent of Virginia Burton's classic tales of Mike Mulligan's steam shovel, and Katy the snow plow, Otis is a beautifully illustrated tale of friendship and finding one's place in the world. We think this one also has a chance at a Caldecott.
Busiest Street In Town (Random House, October 2009)
Agatha May Walker lives on one side of Rushmore Boulevard, her best friend Eulalie Scruggs lives across the street. When the many speeding cars prevent Agatha from crossing the stree to visit Eulalie, she takes matters into her own hands and seats herself in an a wingback chair in the middle of Rushmore Boulevard. Soon the rest of the neighborhood has joined her in the street and the traffic has no choice but to slow down and discover the many joys they might have missed by passing too quickly.
Pigs Make Me Sneeze! An Elephant and Piggie Book (Hyperion, October 2009)
This new Elephant and Piggie book features the same sly humor, simple text, and evocative illustration that make the series such excellent books for teaching reading.
Henry In Love (HarperCollins, December 2009)
Henry is a bit of a dreamer and not much of a talker. Chloe says what she thinks and knows how to turn a spectacular cartwheel. This is the story of how one blueberry muffin makes all the difference.