Staff Favorites: Illustrated Books for Children 2011

Here are some of my personal favorites from this past year:

Staff Favorites: Illustrated Books for Children 2011

A Few Blocks By Young, Cybele 2011-08 - Groundwood Books 9780888999955 Click here to check our catalog Ferdie doesn't want to go to school, but go to school he must, and fortunately his imaginative older sister Viola paves the way. First she urges him to put on his rocket blaster boots, which enable him to leave the house. When he stalls again she convinces him to take command of a ship in search of buried treasure, and at the next meltdown, she tells him that as a knight, his duty is to fight the fierce fire-breathing dragon who has stolen the princess. But then it is Viola's turn to fall apart, and Ferdie, following her example, draws on his own inner resources and imagination to keep them on their way. The children's fantasy world is beautifully illustrated by Cybele Young's intricate 3-D paper sculptures, which have been painted with contemporary urban images and then photographed for this book.…More

Stuck By Jeffers, Oliver Illustrator Jeffers, Oliver 2011-11 - Philomel Books 9780399257377 Click here to check our catalog When Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, he's determined to get it out. But how? Well, by knocking it down with his shoe, of course. But strangely enough, it too gets stuck. And the only logical course of action . . . is to throw his other shoe. Only now "it's" stuck! Surely there must be something he can use to get his kite unstuck. An orangutan? A boat? His front door? Yes, yes, and yes. And that's only the beginning. "Stuck" is Oliver Jeffers' most absurdly funny story since "The Incredible Book-Eating Boy." Childlike in concept and vibrantly illustrated as only Oliver Jeffers could, here is a picture book worth rescuing from any tree. …More

Stars By Ray, Mary Lyn Illustrator Frazee, Marla 2011-10 - Beach Lane Books 9781442422490 Click here to check our catalog BookPage Notable Title From acclaimed author Ray ("Christmas Farm") and Caldecott Honor winner Frazee ("All the World") comes a tender, evocative, and profound exploration of stars both near and far. Full color. …More

I Had a Favorite Dress By Ashburn, Boni Illustrator Denos, Julia 2011-08 - Abrams Books for Young Readers 9781419700163 Click here to check our catalog Ashburn and Denos deliver a story about growing up and keeping hold of favorite memories. This picture book follows the evolution of a little girl's favorite dress from dress to shirt to tank top to memento. Full color. …More

A New Year's Reunion: A Chinese Story By Yu, Li Qiong Illustrator Zhu, Cheng Liang Illustrator Liang, Zhu Chen 2011-10 - Candlewick Press (MA) 9780763658816 Click here to check our catalog Maomao's dad works many miles away, but he is coming home for New Year! Little Maomao's father works in faraway places and comes home just once a year, for Chinese New Year. At first Maomao barely recognizes him, but before long the family is happily making sticky rice balls, listening to firecrackers, and watching the dragon dance in the streets below. Papa gets a haircut, makes repairs to the house, and hides a lucky coin for Maomao to find. Which she does! But all too soon it is time for Papa to go away again. This poignant, vibrantly illustrated tale, which won the prestigious Feng Zikai Chinese Children's Picture Book Award in 2009, is sure to resonate with every child who misses relatives when they are away--and shows how a family's love is strong enough to endure over time and distance. …More

I Want My Hat Back By Klassen, Jon Illustrator Klassen, Jon 2011-09 - Candlewick Press (MA) 9780763655983 Click here to check our catalog The bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor. Full color. …More

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade By Sweet, Melissa 2011-11 - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) 9780547199450 Click here to check our catalog In brilliant collage illustrations, the award-winning artist Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America--the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Full color. …More

Red Sled By Judge, Lita Illustrator Judge, Lita 2011-11 - Atheneum Books for Young Readers 9781442420076 Click here to check our catalog In this almost wordless picture book, a host of woodland creatures take a child's sled for a nighttime joy ride. Their whimsical ride is gorgeously depicted in bold watercolor, complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound effects. With a timeless tone and classic characters, RED SLED will become a wintertime favorite. …More

Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Saint Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Creatures By Paterson, Katherine Illustrator Dalton, Pamela 2011-06 - Chronicle Books (CA) 9780811877343 Click here to check our catalog Reimagines Francis of Assisi's 1224 prayer of praise in celebration of God's gifts throughout the universe. …More

Max's Castle By Banks, Kate Illustrator Kulikov, Boris 2011-10 - Farrar Straus Giroux 9780374399191 Click here to check our catalog When Max finds a pile of forgotten toys under the bed, his brothers Benjamin and Karl wonder what's so special about some old blocks. So Max shows them. With some clever twists of both blocks and imagination, he constructs not only a castle but an entire adventure, complete with pirates and knights, a dark dungeon and a dragon. This ingenious sequel to "Max"'"s Words" and "Max"'"s Dragons "shows readers just how much fun wordplay can be. …More

Train Trip By Caswell, Deanna Illustrator Andreasen, Dan 2011-08 - Hyperion Books 9781423118374 Click here to check our catalog A lucky little boy is going to visit Grandma! But as much as he looks forward to seeing his grandmother's friendly face, the ride on the train may just be the best part of the trip. There are bridges to cross, instruments to study, and aisles to tromp up and down. Full color. …More

Press Here By Tullet, Herve 2011-03 - Chronicle Books 9780811879545 Click here to check our catalog Each page of this surprising book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next! Children and adults alike will giggle with delight as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size, in this unique picture book about the power of imagination and interactivity will provide read-aloud fun for all ages. …More

Mouse & Lion By Burkert, Rand Illustrator Burkert, Nancy Ekholm 2011-10 - Michael Di Capua Books 9780545101479 Click here to check our catalog Mouse and Lion, Aesop's fabled duo, renew their ancient bond in this warm retelling by Rand Burkert, illuminated by the authentic natural detail of Nancy Ekholm Burkert's art. Full color. …More

Blackout By Rocco, John 2011-05 - Hyperion Books 9781423121909 Click here to check our catalog BookPage Notable Title One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. The TV shuts off and a boy wails, "Mommm!" His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can't work on her computer, and Dad can't finish cooking dinner. What's a family to do? Full color. …More

Grandpa Green By Smith, Lane 2011-08 - Roaring Brook Press 9781596436077 Click here to check our catalog A child explores the ordinary life of his extraordinary great-grandfather, as expressed in his topiary garden. …More

The Crossing By Napoli, Donna Jo Illustrator Madsen, Jim 2011-06 - Atheneum Books 9781416994749 Click here to check our catalog Told from the point of view of Jean Baptiste Chabonneau, the baby on Sacagawea's back, this breathtaking picture book reveals the adventure and natural wonders that Lewis and Clark encountered on their Western expedition in the early 1800s. Full color. …More

Everything I Need to Know Before I'm Five By Fisher, Valorie Illustrator Fisher, Valorie 2011-07 - Schwartz & Wade Books 9780375868658 Click here to check our catalog Perfect for kids heading to kindergarten, this book covers the alphabet, counting, opposites, shapes, colors, and seasons. Award-winning author-illustrator Fisher uses bright, gorgeous photos of retro toys to illustrate these topics in a completely fresh way. Pub 7/11. …More

Sea of Dreams By Nolan, Dennis 2011-10 - Roaring Brook Press 1596434708 Click here to check our catalog On a beautiful sunlit beach, a girl builds a magnificent sandcastle. As night falls the girl heads for home. Waves move ever closer to the castle, threatening its survival. Suddenly, in one of its windows, a light comes on . . . …More

Where's Walrus? By Savage, Stephen 2011-02 - Scholastic Press 9780439700498 Click here to check our catalog Bored with life at the zoo, an adventurous walrus escapes to the outside world. With the zookeeper in hot pursuit, Walrus cleverly tries on all sorts of hats to disguise himself, in this delightful wordless picture book. Full color. …More

In the Meadow By Kato, Yukiko Illustrator Sakai, Komako 2011-05 - Enchanted Lion Books 9781592701087 Click here to check our catalog Beautifully illustrated by the celebrated Sakai, this book draws one into the child's experience of being in the natural world. …More

These Hands By Mason, Margaret H. Illustrator Cooper, Floyd 2011-03 - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) 9780547215662 Click here to check our catalog Joseph's grandpa could do almost anything with his hands. He could play the piano, throw a curveball, and tie a triple bowline knot in three seconds flat. But in the 1950s and 60s, he could not bake bread at the Wonder Bread factory. Factory bosses said white people would not want to eat bread touched by the hands of the African Americans who worked there. In this powerful intergenerational story, Joseph learns that people joined their hands together to fight discrimination so that one day, their hands--Joseph's hands--could do "anything at all in this whole wide world." …More

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse By Carle, Eric Illustrator Carle, Eric 2011-10 - Philomel Books 9780399257131 Click here to check our catalog BookPage Notable Title Rather than use the same old colors, a child paints animals and objects in a variety of different hues. Includes biographical information about the German painter Franz Marc, who created unconventional animal paintings in the early 1900s. 32 pp. 300,000 print. (Children's - Ages 4-8) …More

Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat By Stead, Philip C. 2011-06 - Roaring Brook Press 9781596435629 Click here to check our catalog When Jonathan's parents decide that he has gotten too old to have a stuffed animal, they trade his favorite bear, Frederick, for a toaster, so he sets off aboard a boat, looking for Frederick. …More

The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred By Vamos, Samantha R. Illustrator Lopez, Rafael 2011-02 - Charlesbridge Publishing 9781580892421 Click here to check our catalog When a farm girl starts cooking, all the animals want to help. The cow contributes milk, the hen offers eggs, and even the duck makes a special trip to the market. Key English words change to Spanish as the story builds to a delicious ending. …More

Tweak Tweak By Bunting, Eve Illustrator Ruzzier, Sergio 2011-05 - Clarion Books 9780618998517 Click here to check our catalog Little Elephant goes for a walk with her mama in this ideal picture book for preschoolers. Bunting's tender text and Ruzzier's whimsical illustrations make this walk with Mama an excursion any little elephant would enjoy. Full color. …More

*Summaries courtesy of Bookletters.