Week of June 17, 2012—ALSC Notable Children’s
Books
Monday, June 18, 2012: ALSC Notable
Picture Books
Let’s
begin our week with the picture books included on the 2012 ALSC Notable
Children’s Books list. Print out this list and take it with you to your local
book store or library. Check out books to read, and purchase your favorites. While
you’re at it, be sure to post recommendations on Picture This! for the picture books
from the list that you consider to be the best of the best.
All the Water in the World. By George
Ella Lyon, Illus. by Katherine Tillotson, Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
From deserts to the kitchen sink, the water cycle is
lyrically yet economically described in Lyon’s poem emphasizing the importance
of water conservation. Katherine Tillotson’s digital paintings splash, surge
and drip off the page.
A Ball for Daisy. By Chris
Raschka, Illus. by the author, Schwartz & Wade Books,
A wordless tale of an irrepressible little dog whose most
prized possession is accidently destroyed. A buoyant tale of loss, recovery,
and friendship. (2012 Caldecott Medal Book)
Blackout. By John Rocco,
Illus. by the author. Disney/Hyperion Books.
A summer power outage draws an urban family up to their
building’s roof and then down to the street for an impromptu block party. (A
2012 Caldecott Honor Book)
Bring on the Birds. By Susan
Stockdale, Illus. by the author. Peachtree.
Rhyming couplets and clear, identifiable illustrations
remind readers that birds vary in many ways, but all have feathers and are
hatched from eggs. Colorful acrylics help provide just the right of information
for preschool ornithologists.
The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred. By
Samantha R. Vamos, Illus. by Rafael López. Charlesbridge.
Nothing is better than a delicious bowl of arroz con
leche unless, of course, a host of farm animals have a hand in the preparation!
(A 2012 Belpré Illustrator Honor Book)
Chirchir Is Singing. By Kelly
Cunnane, Illus. by Jude Daly. Schwartz & Wade Books.
In this cumulative story set in Kenya, Chirchir sings as
she tries to help with family chores. Acrylic folk art highlights the
activities of daily life in this rural setting.
Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow?, By Susan A.
Shea, Illus. by Tom Slaughter. Blue Apple Books.
This book playfully challenges children’s concepts of the
growth capacity of living vs. non-living things in a fun and engaging way.
Dot. By Patricia
Intriago, Illus. by the author. Farrar Straus Giroux.
To a child’s delight, bright dots and brief rhyming
verses cleverly demonstrate antonyms and synonyms in this clever picture book.
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. By Sherri
Duskey Rinker, Illus. by Tom Lichtenheld. Chronicle Books.
Truck-loving toddlers will be willingly tucked into bed
along with the vehicles in this superbly constructed goodnight poem.
Grandpa Green. By Lane
Smith, Illus. by the author. Roaring Brook Press.
Elaborate topiary sculptures give visual form to memories
in a wildly fanciful garden tended by a child and his beloved great-grandfather.
(A 2012 Caldecott Honor Book)
Harry and Hopper. By
Margaret Wild, Illus. by Freya Blackwood. Feiwel & Friends.
A poignant depiction of grief and acceptance at the loss
of a beloved pet is relayed in this quietly moving story whose illustrations
add emotional depth.
I Broke My Trunk. By Mo
Willems. Illus. by the author. Hyperion Books for Children.
Piggie is very concerned about his best friend, Gerald
the Elephant, who has broken his trunk, and Gerald tells him a long, rambling
story about how it happened. (A 2012 Geisel Honor Book)
I Want My Hat Back. By Jon
Klassen, Illus. by the author. Candlewick Press.
After losing his hat, Bear politely and patiently
questions his fellow forest dwellers as to the whereabouts of his “red pointy
hat.” (A 2012 Geisel Honor Book)
King Jack and the Dragon. By Peter
Bently, Illus. by Helen Oxenbury. Dial Books for Young Readers.
Enhanced by whimsical illustrations, this story of the
wonders and terrors created by a child’s imagination, shows the power of
playtime and the magic of make-believe.
Little Treasures: Endearments from Around
the World. By Jacqueline K. Ogburn. Illus. by Chris Raschka.
Houghton Mifflin.
Raschka’s pictures give distinct personalities to the
subjects of these endearments and the book is a reminder of how much children
are loved in every language and culture. Translations and pronunciation guides
are included.
Little White Rabbit. By Kevin
Henkes, Illus. by the author. Greenwillow Books.
Little white rabbit explores the springtime world
wondering what it would be like to be different - green, tall, solid, or able
to fly - but when he comes home he knows who loves him.
Me...Jane. By Patrick
McDonnell, Illus. by the author. Little, Brown.
Watching birds and squirrels in her yard, a young girl
discovers the joy and wonder of nature. A glimpse of the childhood of renowned
primatologist Jane Goodall. (A 2012 Caldecott Honor Book)
Mouse & Lion. By Rand
Burkert, Illus. by Nancy Ekholm Burkert. di Capua/Scholastic.
Mouse is the center of this retelling of a familiar
Aesop’s fable. Elegant illustrations place the story solidly in the natural
world of Africa.
Naamah and the Ark at Night. By Susan
Campbell Bartoletti, Illus. by Holly Meade. Candlewick Press.
As the waters rage, this lullaby reveals Noah’s wife as a
nurturer of diverse creatures aboard the ark. Watercolor and collage
illustrations amplify the text, a form of lyrical Arabic poetry, called ghazal.
A New Year's Reunion: A Chinese Story. By Yu
Li-Qiong, Illus. by Zhu Cheng-Liang, Candlewick Press.
Vibrant illustrations highlight a young girl’s joy when
her father makes his annual visit for Chinese New Year in this tender story.
Over and Under the Snow. By Kate
Messner, Illus. by Christopher Silas Neal. Chronicle Books.
While skiing cross-country with her father, a girl
envisions the “secret kingdom” under the snow, where small forest animals
shelter in winter. Neal’s bright, snowy landscapes contrast with his depictions
of shadowed, subterranean nests.
Prudence Wants a Pet. By
Cathleen Daly, Illus. by Stephen Michael King. Roaring Brook Press.
In this quietly humorous picture book illustrated in soft
colors, Prudence tries out a branch, a twig, a shoe, her little brother, a
tire, and sea buddies until her parents finally give her a kitten as a pet.
See Me Run. By Paul
Meisel, Illus. by the author. Holiday House.
Dogs and more dogs are everywhere: running, sliding,
jumping, splashing, and having fun. (A 2012 Geisel Honor Book)
Should I Share My Ice Cream? By Mo
Willems, Illus. by the author. Hyperion Books for Children.
A common human problem is posed and solved with Willems’
minimal illustration and graceful humor.
Stars. By Mary Lyn Ray,
Illus. by Marla Frazee. Beach Lane Books.
A duet of spare, poetic observations and ethereal
illustrations explore the realities and possibilities of many kinds of stars,
embracing the immediacy of a child’s experiences. A great read aloud.
Tales for Very Picky Eaters. By Josh
Schneider, Illus. by the author, Clarion Books.
Five chapters recount James’ refusal to eat yet another
disgusting, smelly, repulsive, lumpy, or slimy food. (2012 Geisel Medal Book)
Tell Me the Day Backwards. By Albert
Lamb, Illus. by David McPhail, Candlewick Press.
Mama bear and child reflect on the day, recounting its
events in reverse order. Gentle and reassuring, this book wonderfully
illustrates a sometimes difficult concept: the flow of time.
Ten Little Caterpillars. By Bill
Martin, Jr., Illus. by Lois Ehlert. Beach Lane Books.
Ten different caterpillars inch their ways across
vibrantly-illustrated environs in this newly-illustrated, rhyming story.
Supplemental facts widen the book’s appeal and usefulness. Ehlert’s watercolor
collages are remarkably entomologically accurate.
These Hands. By
Margaret H. Mason, Illus. by Floyd Cooper. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Both an affirmation of a nurturing relationship between
grandfather and grandson and an explanation of one reason labor unions fought
for workers’ rights, the brief text and warm illustrations tell an uplifting
American story.
Tìa Isa Wants a Car. By Meg
Medina, Illus. by Claudio Muñoz. Candlewick Press.
Using a cheerful positive tone, Medina depicts a warm
relationship between Tia Isa and her niece and shows the strength of community
as a life-long dream is realized.
Where's Walrus? By Stephen
Savage, Illus. by the author. Scholastic.
Walrus escapes from the zoo and cleverly disguises
himself around the city; the zoopkeeper and the children reading the book
search for him on each bold, bright page of this wordless book.
Who Has What?: All About Girls' Bodies and
Boys' Bodies. By Robie H. Harris, Illus. by Nadine
Bernard Westcott. Candlewick Press.
In a cheerful, easy tone, Harris explains who’s got what
body parts, their similarities of differences. Girls, boys and adults of many
ethnicities – even animals – are included in the loose-lined illustrations
depicting the “bare” facts.
