From May 13-19, 2013 we mark our longest running event in the children’s book world—Children’s Book Week. First celebrated in 1919, the week is administered by the Children’s Book Council; every year they provide posters and bookmarks for teachers to use.

The CBC also honors authors and books with their Children’s Choice Book Awards, the only awards voted on by children all over the United States. (Finalists are pulled from the Children’s Choices project, a joint effort between the CBC and the International Reading Association.)

If you are hunting for a list of crowd-pleasing books to add to summer reading lists or to enjoy in the classroom, the Children’s Choice annual selections are completely reliable. Here are some of the honorees from this year and years past.

Picture Books

SHARK VS. TRAIN (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010), written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
“One of the most creative picture books of 2010, Chris Barton’s SHARK VS. TRAIN explores the imaginative life of children….It shows a profound understanding of childhood imaginative play and creates a lot of laughs when read aloud. Funny, original, exciting.”

HOMER (Greenwillow Books, 2012) by Elisha Cooper
“It is rare to find a successful picture book where the protagonist observes rather than participates in activity. Yet in the watercolor and pencil art, Homer looms as the focal point of each piece.”

ART AND MAX (Clarion Books, 201) by David Wiesner
“Everything—from the cover underneath the jacket, with an illustration that looks like a Jackson Pollock painting, to the back flap of the jacket with a picture of David as a child—enhances this reading experience. Beautiful paper and classic typography help make ART & MAX fun to read and a pleasure to hold in your hands as well.”

Knuffle Bunny series (Hyperion, 2004-2010) by Mo Willems
“With a real grasp of childhood behavior, a sense of what constitutes a solid story, and the artistic ability to render his thoughts in simple line and color, Mo Willems has emerged as one of the most popular picture book artist of the twenty-first century.”

Novels

WONDER (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012) by R. J. Palacio
“In this book, ideal for ten- to fourteen-year-olds, Palacio explores the issues of beauty and deformity—what physical appearance means in American culture….A fabulous book for classroom sharing or book discussion groups.”

THE LIGHTNING THIEF (Hyperion, 2005) by Rick Riordan
“An inventive plot, engaging characters, non-stop action, and an unpredictable ending have helped make the stories of Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan some of the most beloved reading for ten- to fourteen-year-olds in the last few years…. And as young readers devour Percy’s saga, they also learn a lot about Greek Mythology.”

OKAY FOR NOW (Clarion Books, 2011) by Gary Schmidt
“If you love baseball, you’ll learn a lot about the Yankees in the 1960s. If you are interested in art, you’ll find some brilliant composition analysis. If you are a literature nut, you will be able to see JANE EYRE through Doug’s eyes. If you enjoy watching a writer weave story, plot, and language together, you can savor this brilliant book by a master at the top of his craft—one of the finest pieces of writing for young readers of the last decade.”

THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET (Scholastic Press, 2007) by Brian Selznick
“Even the subplots of this sprawling novel have subplots; and because so much of the story is told in art, every reader has a slightly different version of what happens in the book.”

Graphic Novels

Bad Kitty series (Roaring Brook Press, 2005-present) by Nick Bruel
“Children love the mayhem created by Bad Kitty. Of course, the personality of this character is basically that of a little kid. Laugh-out-loud funny, with energetic drawings, the book brings demands for many readings.”

Babymouse series (Random House Books for Young Readers, 2005-present) by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
“Brother and sister team Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm have created one masterful book after another…. Once a reader age four through ten has found one of the sagas about this endearing protagonist, they long for more.”

Lunch Lady series (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2009-present) by Jarrett Krosoczka
“In the past few years, Jarrett J. Krosoczka has become one of our most popular authors with children. His Lunch Lady series demonstrates why. He remembers what he thought about as a child and knows how to entertain children and keep them laughing.”

SMILE (GRAPHIX, 2010) by Raina Telgemeier
“Some read SMILE as a memoir; others simply find themselves fascinated by a story that rings so true to their own experiences…. In the end, whether you are an adult or child, after finishing this book you will find yourself smiling along with the protagonist.”

With a unique career in children's books, Anita Silvey has served both as the editor of THE HORN BOOK MAGAZINE and publisher of a major children's book imprint. She is the author of several books, including HENRY KNOX: BOOKSELLER, SOLDIER, PATRIOT and I'LL PASS FOR YOUR COMRADE: WOMEN SOLDIERS IN THE CIVIL WAR. Her latest project, THE CHILDREN'S BOOK-A-DAY ALMANAC (Roaring Brook Press, 2012), began as an interactive website. The entries serve as a "daily love letter to a book or author," with each one offering a glimpse into the story behind the story.



5 Questions With... R.J. Palacio (WONDER)

Putting Books to Work: Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson & the Olympians Series

Secrets of the School Lunch Superheroes

On Valentine’s Day we pause to think about love. Well, there are many kinds of love, and only some of them romantic.

Every day in cyberspace, I post a love letter to a book and author on the Children’s Book-a-Day Almanac. Some I found decades ago (old love). Some I’ve only know for a short time (new or young love).

For this season of love, I wanted to offer up some of my most recent discoveries. They can be shared on Valentine’s Day—or any other day of the year!—to help spark a love of books and reading in children.

Picture Books

UNSPOKEN: A STORY FROM THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD (Scholastic, 2012) by Henry Cole
“In UNSPOKEN, Cole decided he wanted to tell a different kind of Civil War story than the ones he had heard about battles—one about the quiet courage of individuals. So he developed the saga of a girl and a runaway slave who never speak but show amazing bravery.”

HOMER (Greenwillow, 2012) by Elisha Cooper
“It is rare to find a successful picture book where the protagonist observes rather than participates in activity. Yet in the watercolor and pencil art, Homer looms as the focal point of each piece…. He reminds us to take pleasure in the simple things of life, such as an old dog’s enjoyment of each day.”

BOY + BOT (Knopf, 2012), written by Ame Dyckman and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
“Everything in this book, from the front cover to the final ISBN notice on the back cover (seconding as a battery for the robot), has been carefully constructed to make an enjoyable reading experience. This is one of those wonderful books where all three elements—design, text, and art—combine to make a whole greater than any of the parts.”

THE TREE HOUSE (Boyds Mills, 2010) by Marije Tolman and Ronald Tolman
“This wordless picture book, which won the BolognaRagazzi Award for the most beautiful picture book in the world in 2010, brings readers into a magical world created by the Tolmans. In a large, oversized format, the artists use the space to create a world that begs to be entered....The intensity of the color, the animation of the animals, and the bold graphic composition of each page distinguish this book.”

Novels

CHICKADEE (HarperCollins, 2012) by Louise Erdrich
“This saga, which explains a great deal about the [Chippewa} communities and trading patterns around the St. Paul, Minnesota area in 1866, reads like a survival story. Chickadee proves that, indeed, small things have great power; he uses his understanding of the woods to stay alive. And in this slim volume of under two hundred pages, he keeps readers turning the pages to find out if he and his family will be reunited.”

STARRY RIVER OF THE SKY (Little, Brown, 2012) by Grace Lin
“Lin’s text can stand alone as a read aloud. But the physical beauty of the book merits special attention. The author’s sketches in different colors of ink and her glorious full-color paintings have been skillfully incorporated into the book…. Writing, art, and design combine to make the reading experience one to be savored and enjoyed.”

ROAD TRIP (Wendy Lamb Books, 2013) by Gary Paulsen and Jim Paulsen
“Few authors write as well for this age group as Paulsen, whether he is telling survival stories like HATCHET or urban adventures like LAWN BOY. Because the chapters are short and punchy, ROAD TRIP would make an excellent choice for a read-aloud.”

A CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT (Sandpiper, 2009) by Linda Urban
“Urban’s first novel, published in 2007, provides easy reading for ten-year-olds on up. In it she has gathered one of the most eccentric casts of characters to grace a recent novel.”

Nonfiction

THE LINCOLNS: A SCRAPBOOK LOOK AT ABRAHAM AND MARY (Schwartz & Wade, 2008) by Candace Fleming
“As Fleming moves with grace from Lincoln’s log cabin birth to the final days of his widow Mary Todd Lincoln, she not only reveals fascinating details of his life but illustrates them as well. Hence this book can be browsed and read in small sections.”

LITTLE WHITE DUCK: A CHILDHOOD IN CHINA (Graphic Universe, 2012) by Na Liu
“Both exotic and daring, the book takes readers to another place, time, and culture radically different from our own, and yet one presented with dignity and respect. Because the story appears as a graphic novel, it seems much less a polemic than it would if it were presented as a straight text.”

MONSIEUR MARCEAU: ACTOR WITHOUT WORDS (Flash Point, 2012) by Leda Schubert
“There are so many reasons to love this book—the poetry of the language, the expressiveness of the art. For me MONSIEUR MARCEAU demonstrates what the perfect picture book can accomplish: words and text working together to provide a unique reading experience. Marceau and his performances come alive in this slim volume.”

BOMB: THE RACE TO BUILD—AND STEAL—THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS WEAPON (Flash Point, 2012) by Steve Sheinkin
“Just as he did in THE NOTORIOUS BENEDICT ARNOLD Sheinkin plays up the drama, develops characters, and takes readers to the heart of the action. In the process he makes the evolution of the atomic bomb seem like one of the most amazing stories every told.”

BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY: THE TRUE STORY OF THE PUPPETEER OF MACY'S PARADE (Houghton Mifflin, 2011) by Melissa Sweet
“In BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY, author and illustrator Melissa Sweet takes readers behind the scenes of the parade as she presents the story of Tony Frederick Sarg (1880–1942).”

With a unique career in children's books, Anita Silvey has served both as the editor of THE HORN BOOK MAGAZINE and publisher of a major children's book imprint. She is the author of several books, including HENRY KNOX: BOOKSELLER, SOLDIER, PATRIOT and I'LL PASS FOR YOUR COMRADE: WOMEN SOLDIERS IN THE CIVIL WAR. Her latest project, THE CHILDREN'S BOOK-A-DAY ALMANAC (Roaring Brook Press, 2012), began as an interactive website. The entries serve as a "daily love letter to a book or author," with each one offering a glimpse into the story behind the story.



Anita's Picks for World Read Aloud Day

Anita's Picks: Tops of 2012 in Picture Books, Novels, and Nonfiction

This has been a great year for children’s books. On the Children’s Book-a-Day Almanac, I’ve been able to look at some fabulous titles in picture books, novels, and nonfiction. Below, I’ve listed a dozen 2012 books that work well in the classroom—or even as holiday gifts!

Picture Books

EXTRA YARN (Balzer+Bray, 2012) written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen
“EXTRA YARN has already won the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for picture books this year and may well receive many other accolades. It is perfect for any ‘crafty’ youngsters you know—or simply for anyone who enjoys a picture book executed with élan.”

HOMER (Greenwillow Books, 2012) written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper
“I consider this the best three-handkerchief book I have read recently. Anyone who has ever loved a senior pet will identify with this story. It is rare to find a successful picture book where the protagonist observes rather than participates in activity. Yet in the watercolor and pencil art, Homer looms as the focal point of each piece.”

AND THEN IT’S SPRING (Roaring Brook Press, 2012) written by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Erin E. Stead
“The simple, poetic text can be read again and again, and the illustrations by Erin E. Stead will bring readers back even more times. Like many others, I wondered what Erin would do in her first foray after winning the Caldecott Medal for A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE. In AND THEN IT’S SPRING, she has the perfect text for her strengths as an artist.”

GREEN (Roaring Brook Press, 2012) written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
“With one absolutely breathtaking scene after another, Seeger explores plants, animals, concepts (faded green), color theory, and shapes in a very accessible format. The book can lead to all kinds of discussions, depending on the interests of the adult or the child.”

Novels

THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN (HarperCollins, 2012) by Katherine Applegate
“Inspired by the real story of Ivan, a gorilla who lives in the Atlanta Zoo, THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN raises all kinds of issues about the appropriate treatment of wild animals in human zoos. For that reason it has already been tremendously successful in book discussion groups for readers ages eight through twelve. It also makes a fabulous book to read aloud to this age group.”

CHICKADEE (HarperCollins, 2012) by Louise Erdrich
“Chickadee proves that, indeed, small things have great power; he uses his understanding of the woods to stay alive. And in this slim volume of under two hundred pages, he keeps readers turning the pages to find out if he and his family will be reunited.”

THE LIONS OF LITTLE ROCK (Putnam, 2012) by Kristin Levine
“A family, school, and friendship story, the book captures the cry for social justice that erupted in the late fifties and the sixties. It shows how young people can make a difference in the political process…Kristin Levine makes the political events of the era understandable because she finds a way to view them from the eyes of a very sensitive, very appealing child.”

WONDER (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012) by R. J. Palacio
“A fabulous book for classroom sharing or book discussion groups, WONDER has already become quite popular with young readers. With a fresh voice and a fresh viewpoint, it allows for the discussion of important issues—but also makes readers care for a very special, and very endearing, young boy.”

SHADOW ON THE MOUNTAIN (Amulet Books, 2012) by Margi Preus
“Inspired by the true adventures of a wartime spy, SHADOW ON THE MOUNTAIN is set in the snowy terrain of Norway during World War II. The Nazis have invaded, and although the locals don’t have the troops to remove the invaders, they have citizens willing to risk their lives to foil the Nazi plan for Norway.”

Narrative Nonfiction/Poetry

STEP GENTLY OUT (Candlewick, 2012) by Helen Frost
“STEP GENTLY OUT not only fosters a love of poetry but also of the creatures it describes. It shows passage of time and the behavior of some of our most populous occupants of the planet. It can be used to celebrate National Poetry Month or on any day of the year. It is one of those rare picture books where the text, art, and design merge seamlessly together to create a spectacular book.”

THE GREAT MOLASSES FLOOD (Charlesbridge, 2012) by Deborah Kops
“Kops has effectively used original photographs from the event to show the story of Boston’s destruction; she scanned newspaper accounts and archival records of the trials that followed the disaster. Through these primary sources she brings readers right into the action, describing what it felt like and how it appeared to the citizens of the city.”

BOMB (Flash Point, 2012) by Steve Sheinkin
“…Sheinkin plays up the drama, develops characters, and takes readers to the heart of the action. In the process he makes the evolution of the atomic bomb seem like one of the most amazing stories ever told. But rather than ending the book with the explosion of the first bomb, Sheinkin carries the story forward to its impact on Oppenheimer and to the world in general.”

With a unique career in children's books, Anita Silvey has served both as the editor of THE HORN BOOK MAGAZINE and publisher of a major children's book imprint. She is the author of several books, including HENRY KNOX: BOOKSELLER, SOLDIER, PATRIOT and I'LL PASS FOR YOUR COMRADE: WOMEN SOLDIERS IN THE CIVIL WAR. Her latest project, The Children's Book-a-Day Almanac, is an interactive website that she describes as a "daily love letter to a book or author," with each entry offering a glimpse into the story behind the story.



5 Questions With... R.J. Palacio (WONDER)

5 Questions With... Steve Sheinkin (BOMB)