Happy 2012!
The Kidsbooks BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF THE YEAR LIST is finally here! Read on!
The results are a list to print and post, a list of titles that sweep across the 2011 book list – from picture books to YA – and the stories, the words and the illustrations resonate long after the last pages are turned.
Enjoy!
Over and Under the Snow. Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal
Beautiful! The perfect picture book to encapsulate the quiet wonder of a hushed winter day and a lovely exploration of the subnivean “kingdom under the snow” world. Ages 3+
Stars. Mary Lynn Ray and Marla Frazee
A profound and evocative exploration of stars near and far from Mary Lynn Ray and two-time Caldecott Honor winner Marla Frazee.
Stuck. Oliver Jeffers
A lovely whale of a tale on the study of cause and effect. Ages 3+
A House in the Woods. Inga Moore
A marvellous and whimsically illustrated tale of friendship and co-operation! Ages 3+
Pete the Cat. Eric Litwin and James Dean
Everybody loves Pete! He’s “don’t sweat the small stuff” for the junior set… Ages 2+
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man. Michael Chabon and Jake Parker
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon depicts the perfect superhero fantasy for young superhero fans…Plus, there’s that astonishing secret… Ages 4+
Picture A Tree. Barbara Reid
Barbara Reid brings her superior signature plastisene styling to the subject of trees. Amazing! Ages 3+
Me… Jane. Patrick McDonnell
Patrick McDonnell’s heart-warming book draws text and inspiration from activist Jane Goodall’s childhood diaries. A meaningful message derived from the dreams of a child and lovely illustrations, make this an invaluable read. Ages 3+
This Plus That: Life’s Little Equations. Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace
A first study of equivalence for the very young. Me + You = We: the world of mathematics comes alive. Ages 4+
The Sniffles for Bear. Bonny Becker and Kady MacDonald Denton
Sublimely humorous! Animated text and illustrations result in a wonderful title that will be read over and over and over again… Ages 3+
I Broke My Trunk. Mo Willems
Mo Willem’s at his howlingly humorous best… Gerald has broken his trunk but you’ll never guess how! Ages 3+
I Want My Hat Back. Jon Klassen
A picture book delight in the form of the classic repetitive tale and a NY Times Best Illustrated Book of 2011! Ages 4+
Perfect Square. Michael Hall
The perfect out-of-the-box adventure and a clever interpretation of the adage that things may be more than what they seem! Ages 4 – 6.
Can We Save The Tiger? Martin Jenkins and Vicky White
“…Martin Jenkins highlights the ways human behavior can either threaten or conserve the amazing animals that share our planet. Vicky White’s stunning portraits of rare creatures offer a glimpse of nature’s grace and beauty — and give us a powerful reason to preserve it.” Ages 4+
Okay For Now. Gary Schmidt
Equal parts comedy and tragedy, this is an excellent novel – the story of a 14 year boy becomes a middle-grade manifesto on love, creativity and survival. Ages 10+
The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale. Carmen Deedy and Randall Wright with Barry Moser
Friendship, individuality and a historic back-drop – Dickens himself has a cameo – make this EXCEPTIONAL story an educational read. Exquisite and expressive drawings of the cast are rendered by the great Barry Moser. Ages 6+
Wildwood. Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis
Wildwood is the first book in a chronicle, the story of Prue McKeel as she searches for her baby brother in the Impassable Wilderness, a world of danger and magic: “a new classic for the twenty-first century”. Ages 8+
Drawing From Memory. Allan Say
“Caldecott Medalist Allen Say presents a stunning graphic novel chronicling his journey as an artist during WWII.” A study of the relationship between student and mentor, a lovely picture book that is part memoir and part graphic novel. Ages 8+
The Lemonade Crime. Jacqueline Davies
:An essential study in pre-law, justice and sibling relationships for middle-graders. Ages 8+
Wonder Struck. Brian Selznick
Brian Selznick’s latest magnificent illustrated tome intertwines and unravels the lives of two young people in the magical world of NYC’s Museum of Natural History. Ages 8+
This Dark Endeavour: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein. Kenneth Oppel
Set at the Frankenstein Chateau amongst young twin protagonists Victor and Konrad Frankenstein and their beautiful cousin Elizabeth, dangerous alchemy and the boundaries of nature, life and love are tested in a mysterious and beautiful tale of love and betrayal. Ages 12+
Far Rockaway. Charlie Fletcher
A fabulous fantasy adventure that promptly brings to life a world populated by classic literature’s most famous adventure heroes. Ages 12+
A Monster Calls. Patrick Ness, inspired by Siobhan Dowd
A lyrical examination of the human spirit as it inhabits the landscape of love and grief and the heart-breaking loss of a parent. Ages 12+
Life: An Exploded Diagram. Mal Peet
Carnegie and Guardian award winner Mal Peet’s compassionate and absorbing tale of a boy and girl finding love – at the moment Khrushchev and Kennedy mix it up over Cuba. Ages 14+
Burning Mountain. L.J. Adlington
A beautiful novel of two stories that intersect while traveling across generations through conflict, love and war. Ages 12+
*Bravo and thank you to owner Phyllis Simon and store managers Leslie Buffam (Kitsilano), Maggie Blondeau (South Surrey) and Susan McGuigan (Edgemont) who have graciously pooled their collective and discerning taste for great books to review our children’s book titles of 2011.
