Looking for a perfect gift? Children’s books have the magic to fit all occasions and everyone on your list, regardless of age as you’ll see from the recommendations below.
For babies and toddlers, choose a book that will thrill them so much they beg you to re-read it. Seek books that have drama, rhythm and rhyme, and possibilities for interaction. The best ones will please adults during repeat readings.
Call Me Gorgeous by Giles and Alexandra Milton (Boxer Books, 2009)
Gorgeous paper collages tell a part-to-whole story of a fantastical creature composed of bits of recognizable animals.
Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas (Beach Lane, 2009)
A bossy buck-toothed ladybug takes control of this book, inviting children to get wild and crazy with responses that link imagination and movement. This is not a book for the shy reader, or a parent looking for quiet settle-down book.
Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban (Harcourt, ages 3-6)
Temper-tantrums and finding one’s sense of self unite with repetitions into read-aloud delight about a mouse searching for his a way to express his anger.
When 4-8’s are ready for real stories, introduce them to books that will please them in the moment and provide an additional lasting pleasure. Choosing the correct tale can be the ticket to start family conversations that open doors to thought, expression and memories that last a lifetime.
First Come the Zebra, Lynne Barasch (Lee and Low, 2009)
Boys from two African tribes, influenced by their peoples’ prejudices, dislike each other on contact. Suddenly a life-or-death experience causes them to unite, appreciate each other’s differences and consider changing their opinions.
Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated, Florence Parry Heide (Schwartz and Wade, 2009)
This original fairy tale introduces us to the plight of a princess who can’t stay anchored to earth. Fascinating illustrations and page layouts secure the story and though the story’s silly, it might spark some chats with its problem-solving resolution.
Robot Zot by Jon Scieszka (Simon and Schuster, 2009, ages 4-8)
Rollicking adventure and laughter come to earth when a fierce alien arrives to battle. Only after his mighty introduction and his landing in a human kitchen, readers learn he’s miniscule feisty enough to picks fights with the inanimate appliances. Lots of humor accompanies this tale of surprising perspectives.
Children are curious by nature and new non-fictions have intriguing designs and concepts that teach and satisfy at the same time.
My Little Polar Bear by Claudia Rueda (Scholastic, ages 3-6, 2009)
As with many early non-fictions, this book blends story and fact. And there’s a third positive, it’s also a tale of reassurance when the small polar bear questions his mother about his place in the world. Illustrations are as special as the story from the sparkly cover to the subtle soft pictures within.
Never Smile at a Monkey and 17 Other Important Things to Remember, Steve Jenkins (Houghton Mifflin, ages 5-9)
Colorful collages alert you to the hazards of animals you might not consider harmful. All seventeen short descriptions will surprise while they teach.
Butterflies and Moths and Marsupials by Nic Bishop (Scholastic, ages 6-10, 2009)
Two new books by this non-fiction author show his consistency in terms of striking photographs and clear writing. Both books are perfect for the informationally-inclined.
One of the hidden gifts in books is the magic that happens when a special book opens doors to fabulous conversations.
Two of a Kind, Jacqui Robbins (Atheneum, 2009, ages 5-7)
The author takes on an issue rarely seen in picture books as controlling, manipulative female bullies cause two best friends to question their close friendship.
Most Loved in All the World by Tonya Hegamin (Hougton, 2009 ages 8-10)
An unnamed slave child assists her mother in finishing a quilt to guide others to freedom, only to discover she’s supporting separation from the mother she adores. This startling, tender climax needs a sophisticated listener.
14 Cows for America, Carmen Deedy (Peachtree, 2009, ages 8 and up)
Visual and text images combine for a lyrically told true story the Masaai’s response to 9-11.
Some of the most glorious art in America can be found in its picture books. Find the story in a wordless book, or view the evocative power of illustrations and their contribution to family conversations and library.
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (Little Brown, ages 4-6)
Golden tones predominate as large illustrations stretch across pages to describe jungle panoramas and size differences. Only animal noises serve as text in the Aesop tale of a tiny mouse who rescues an immense lion from hunter’s nets.
Fairie-ality Style: A Sourcebook of Inspirations from Nature, David Ellwand (Candlewick, 2009, ages 8 and up)
There’s not a single word in this photographic tour of natural objects and a fairy couture collection derived from the environment’s magnificent lead. This book will appeal to both nature-lovers and designers.
The Goblin and the Empty Chair by Mem Fox (Beach Lane, 2009, ages 6-9)
Extraordinary art by Leo and Diane Dillon fits the well-told story of a beast who worries about his ugliness. He doesn’t appear this way to a family he helps…nor to the appreciators of the book’s illustrations.
Picture book biographies are one of the fastest growing genres in children’s books. They are great ways to talk experience, values and the way people lead by example.
An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers by Natasha Wing (Henry Holt, ages 5-9, 2009)
The biography of the famous painter leads children to explore, as he did, the impact of the interactions of color. His life provides an example of how a fascination of any kind can lead to a lifetime of learning.
You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! Jonah Winter (Schwartz & Wade, 2009, ages 5-9)
Amazing visual and text voice in the story of the first Jewish major league player. Embedded in the tale is his strength in both sports and standing up for values.
Building On Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi by Rachel Rodriguez, illustrated by Julie Paschkis (Holt, ages 5-9)
A boy born sickly becomes an observer of his beautiful natural Catalonia surroundings and grows up to blend the real world with fancy in some of the world’s most beautiful architecture.
Somehow books with attention grabbing gimmicks captivate all ages. They signal sure fun!
Eye-Popping 3-D Pets: Phatogram Animals You Can Practically Pet, Barry and Besty Rothstein (Chronicle, 2009, ages 5 and up)
Two pairs of 3-D glasses give a sharing quality to these photographs and the text is as lively and fresh as the illustrative approach.
Opposnakes: A Lift-the-Flap Book About Opposites by Salina Yoon (Little Simon, ages 1-3)
L-o-n-g fold-out pages of contrasting snakes use vibrant colors to explain opposing concepts. Imbedded humor extend the book for older children and make this an enjoyable read for parents.
Shape By Shape, Suse MacDonald (Little Simon, ages 2-5)
Cut-outs, clues, and the accumulation of shapes lead a guessing game that culminates in the figure of a dinosaur.
Once illustrators and writers have proved themselves, they often retell, or reillustrate their favorite tales. Collecting these special versions can create an extraordinary heirloom library.
Chicken Little by Rebecca and Ed Emberley (Roaring Brook, 2009 ages 3-6)
Bright, bold collages and tongue and cheek text tell the silly story of a foolish chicken who’s hit on the head with an acorn and stirs up his poultry friends to flee—right into the clutches of a Foxy Loxy.
Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales by Lucy Cousins (Candlewick, 2009 ages 3-6)
This book has everything you want in first stories. The popular illustrator uses ig, bright illustrations, simple text to retell her favorite classic stories, tales that children can’t miss-- from Red Riding Hood to The Musicians of Bremen.
Persephone written by Sally Clayton and illustrated by Virginia Lee (Eerdmans,2009, ages 7-10)
A sensory retelling of the Greek myth combines with rich, classical illustrations to describe the origin of seasons caused by the kidnapping of the Earth goddess’ beloved daughter.
There are many who look for a special book every holiday season that will brighten the winter darkness. Every year there are stories that find an interesting way to retell a familiar classic, or an illustrated story that warms those who hear it.
A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas, Pat Mora—(Houghton, 2009, ages 2-6)
Perfect rhythm makes for a singy version of the classic Christmas song. Spanish and counting weave together with imagery and lush illustrations by Magala Morales.
My Chanukah Playbook, Salina Yoon (Simon and Schuster, 2009, ages 3-6)
This book pairs stories, traditions, and interaction. The front of the book sports eight shiny gold circles that can removed and placed in circles throughout the book to become either the shields of the Macabees, golden latkes, or gelt. A chanukkiyah at the book’s back has eight candles that can be “lit” with pull tabs.
The Sound of Kwanzaa, Dimitrea Tukunbo (Scholastic, 2009, ages 4-8)
Repetition and sensory descriptions explain the principals, and sounds of each night of Kwanzaa. The writing is both clear and lyrical.