Best of
Picture-Books

2008

One


Kathryn Otoshi - 2008
    Red’s a hothead who likes to pick on Blue. Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple don’t like what they see, but what can they do? When no one speaks up, things get out of hand—until One comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up, stand together, and count. As budding young readers learn about numbers, counting, and primary and secondary colors, they also learn about accepting each other's differences and how it sometimes just takes one voice to make everyone count.

Eric


Shaun Tan - 2008
    We found it very difficult to pronounce his name correctly, but he didn’t mind. He told us to just call him ‘Eric’.”As charming as he is curious, by the end of his stay this intriguing house guest will capture your heart. This story is from Shaun Tan’s award-winning collection Tales from Outer Suburbia.

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!


Mo Willems - 2008
    He'll take really good care of it! What's the matter--don't you want him to be happy?The latest book in the best-selling Pigeon series is the funniest one yet.

The Pout-Pout Fish


Deborah Diesen - 2008
    Fish swims aboutWith his fish face stuckIn a permanent pout.Can his pals cheer him up?Will his pout ever end?Is there something he can learnFrom an unexpected friend?Swim along with the pout-pout fish as he discovers that being glum and spreading "dreary wearies" isn't really his destiny. Bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together in this fun fish story that's sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down.The Pout-Pout Fish is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival


Kirby Larson - 2008
    In the tradition of Owen and Mzee, this beautiful picture book is a testament to the spirit that defined post-Katrina rescue missions. During Hurricane Katrina, evacuating New Orleans residents were forced to leave their pets behind. Bobbi the dog was initially chained to keep her safe, but after her owners failed to return, she had to break free. For months, Bobbi wandered the city's ravaged streets-dragging her chain behind her-followed by her feline companion, Bob Cat. After months of hunger and struggle, the Two Bobbies were finally rescued by a construction worker helping to rebuild the city. When he brought them to a shelter, volunteers made an amazing discovery about the devoted friends-Bob Cat was actually blind! He had survived the aftermath of the storm by following the sound Bobbi's chain made as she dragged it along the ground.At the shelter, the two bob-tailed friends refused to be parted, even for a moment. Could rescue workers find the Bobbies' owners? Or could they find a new home that would take them together?

A Visitor for Bear


Bonny Becker - 2008
    He even has a sign. So when a mouse taps on his door one day, Bear tells him to leave. But when Bear goes to the cupboard to get a bowl, there is the mouse -- small and gray and bright-eyed. In this slapstick tale that begs to be read aloud, all Bear wants is to eat his breakfast in peace, but the mouse -- who keeps popping up in the most unexpected places -- just won't go away!

Tickle Monster


Josie Bissett - 2008
    Early reviews of the story and the tickle me concept are creating a very positive reaction from everyone that reviews the book. The story is about a loveable rascal that has just flown in from Planet Tickle. His mission is to tickle any child who happens to follow along in this book. Parents read aloud and do the tickling, while children squirm with delight. Written with love and loaded with humor, this delightful story when combined with the tickling experience creates a long lasting, positive memory for the child and the parent.

Where's My Mom?


Julia Donaldson - 2008
    Little monkey says that his mother is big, so butterfly leads him to . . . an elephant. No, that's not right! Little monkey says his mom is furry, so butterfly leads him to . . . a bat. That's not right either. From then on, little monkey and butterfly meet many jungle animals, but they don't find Mom until little monkey comes up with just the right description.With Julia Donaldson's effortless rhyme and Axel Scheffler's vibrant illustrations, this circular tale combines funny miscommunication with a little bit of science for a charming feel-good adventure.

Stick Man


Julia Donaldson - 2008
    Stick Man lives in the family tree With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three ..."a cracker of a book" - Financial Times"You'll read this book again and again" - Daily Mail

Pete & Pickles


Berkeley Breathed - 2008
    At least, he was . . . before a runaway circus elephant named Pickles stampeded into his life, needing a friend. Pickles is larger than life and overflowing with imagination. She takes Pete swandiving off Niagara Falls. (Sort of.) And sledding down the Matterhorn. (Sort of.) Pete goes along for the wild ride and actually begins to enjoy himself . . . until Pickles goes too far. And Pete tells her she must leave. Yet sometimes the simple life isn?t all it?s cracked up to be.Pulitzer Prize?winning cartoonist Berkeley Breathed offers two new irresistible characters and a heartfelt, hilarious look at the rarity of true friendship.

The Very Cranky Bear


Nick Bland - 2008
    But it is plain, boring Sheep who has the answer. Ages 3+.

In the Town All Year 'Round


Rotraut Susanne Berner - 2008
    Playing, chasing pets, running errands, going to work: following what happens and looking for the many small surprises in the pictures will absorb and amuse children and parents alike.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes


Mem Fox - 2008
    . . . And here, from two of the most gifted picture-book creators of our time, is a celebration of baby fingers, baby toes, and the joy they—and the babies they belong to—bring to everyone, everywhere, all over the world! This is a gorgeously simple picture book for very young children, and once you finish the rhythmic, rhyming text, all you’ll want to do is go back to the beginning . . . and read it again! The luminous watercolor illustrations of these roly-poly little ones from a variety of backgrounds are adorable, quirky, and true to life, right down to the wrinkles, dimples, and pudges in their completely squishable arms, legs, and tummies.

Wave


Suzy Lee - 2008
    In this evocative wordless book, internationally acclaimed artist Suzy Lee tells the story of a little girl's day at the beach.New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book 2008

Bear Feels Scared


Karma Wilson - 2008
    When Bear’s friends discover that he is not at home in his lair, they march out into the cold to find their pal. Friends don’t let friends stay lost! Wren, Owl, and Raven take to the skies while Badger, Mole, and Mouse search on the ground. Pretty soon Bear is found, and once he’s back in his cave, he feels quite safe with his friends all around.

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake


Laura Joffe Numeroff - 2008
    When you give him the sprinkles, he might spill some on the floor. Cleaning up will make him hot, so you'll give him a bathing suit . . .Written in the tradition of the bestselling If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond's If You Give a Cat a Cupcake will show everyone that Cat is where it's at! The If You Give... series is a perennial favorite among children. With its spare, rhythmic text and circular tale, these books are perfect for beginning readers and story time. Sure to inspire giggles and requests to "read it again!"Other favorites in Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond's bestselling series include:If You Give a Dog a DonutIf You Give a Moose a MuffinIf You Give a Mouse a CookieIf You Give a Pig a PancakeIf You Give a Pig a Party

We Are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures


Amnesty InternationalDebi Gliori - 2008
    

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference


Katie Smith Milway - 2008
    When his mother receives a loan from some village families, she gives a little money to her son. With this tiny loan, Kojo buys a hen.A year later, Kojo has built up a flock of 25 hens. With his earnings Kojo is able to return to school. Soon Kojo's farm grows to become the largest in the region.Kojo's story is inspired by the life of Kwabena Darko, who as a boy started a tiny poultry farm just like Kojo's, which later grew to be the largest in Ghana, and one of the largest in west Africa. Kwabena also started a trust that gives out small loans to people who cannot get a loan from a bank.One Hen shows what happens when a little help makes a big difference. The final pages of One Hen explain the microloan system and include a list of relevant organizations for children to explore.One Hen is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.

Hansel and Gretel


Cynthia Rylant - 2008
    But the witch whose delicious house lured Hansel and his sister, Gretel had forgotten two things about lost children: they can be very clever and very brave.

There Are Cats in This Book


Viviane Schwarz - 2008
    There they are, purring under a blanket. But not for long! Three sprightly cats named Tiny, Moonpie, and Andre are eager to involve you in their games, whether it's tossing a ball of yarn (oof!), lifting flaps to find them in boxes (comfy), or getting caught in a pillow fight (biff!). As their antics get wilder still, they'll need a kind soul to blow on the page to dry them off! With an irresistible story that directly engages the reader, this book's clever design and bright, gestural illustrations make for cat-tastic lift-the-flap fun.

That Book Woman


Heather Henson - 2008
    Living way high up in the Appalachian Mountains, he'd rather help Pap plow or go out after wandering sheep than try some book learning. Nope. Cal does not want to sit stoney-still reading some chicken scratch. But that Book Woman keeps coming just the same. She comes in the rain. She comes in the snow. She comes right up the side of the mountain, and Cal knows that's not easy riding. And all just to lend his sister some books. Why, that woman must be plain foolish; or is she braver than he ever thought? That Book Woman is a rare and moving tale that honors a special part of American history; the Pack Horse Librarians, who helped untold numbers of children see the stories amid the chicken scratch, and thus made them into lifetime readers.

My Name Is Not Isabella


Jennifer Fosberry - 2008
    From breakfast to bedtime, a young girl imagines being different women who made history, and ends the day empowered to be herself.

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage To Be Who You Are


Maria Dismondy - 2008
    Lucy's defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and be proud of themselves, even when they are faced with sticky situation.

Imagine a Place


Sarah L. Thomson - 2008
     Imagine a place that makes you feel as free as a bird. Imagine a place where getting there is worth whatever it takes. Imagine a place that makes you feel like it's always been your destination. Imagine a place made out of pure imagination. Imagine a Place is a gorgeous companion to the critically acclaimed Imagine a Night and Imagine a Day, and reminds us that imagination is powerful enough to take us anywhere we want to go. And Rob Gonsalves's exquisitely conceived paintings leave you in awe...of his imagination.

Bats at the Library


Brian Lies - 2008
    Brian Lies’ joyful critters and their nocturnal celebration cast library visits in a new light. Even the youngest of readers will want to join the batty book-fest!

Violet the Pilot


Steve Breen - 2008
    And by eight she's building elaborate flying machines from scratch, mind-boggling contraptions such as the Tubbubbler, the Bicycopter, and the Wing-a-ma-jig. The kids at school tease her, but they have no idea what she's capable of. Maybe she could earn their respect by winning the blue ribbon in the upcoming Air Show. Or maybe something even better will happen, something involving her best ever invention, a Boy Scout troop in peril, and even the mayor himself! A classic underdog story full of humor and sweetness and retro pizzazz, Violet the Pilot is both endearing and adorable. It'll fly right into your heart.

Those Darn Squirrels!


Adam Rubin - 2008
    He'll build some birdfeeders and fill them with yummy seeds and berries. That way, the wild birds he loves so much will stick around for the winter--instead of flying south. But there are other hungry creatures in the forest, and the have plans, too...Those darn squirrels!

An Awesome Book!


Dallas Clayton - 2008
    Written in the vein of classic tales by Dr. Suess, Shel Silverstein, and Maurice Sendak it is a sure hit for all generations young and old.

Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly


Jane O'Connor - 2008
    And that is why she can't wait for her friend Bree's Butterfly Birthday. It's going to be the fanciest birthday party ever!But when Nancy finds out she can't go because her grandparents' fiftieth anniversary party is the same day, she is furious. (Mad is way too plain for how she feels.) How Nancy overcomes her disappointment and reconnects with her family is a fun and meaningful story for young readers.Perfect for fans of the Eloise and Olivia books. From the dazzling New York Times bestselling duo Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser.This edition is a jacketed hardcover.

Charley Harper ABCs: Chunky Edition


Charley Harper - 2008
    Full color.

Splat the Cat


Rob Scotton - 2008
    What if he doesn't make any new friends? Nervous kitties wondering about friends and school will enjoy laughing along with Splat the Cat!Just in case, Splat decides to bring along his pet mouse, Seymour, and hides him in his lunchbox. The teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple, introduces Splat to the class and he soon starts learning all his important cat lessons.But when Seymour escapes and the cats do what cats do (they chase mice!), Splat's worried again. Maybe now he'll lose all his friends, old and new! Just in time, wise Mrs. Wimpydimple takes charge and teaches everyone an important new lesson.Maybe Cat School is going to be okay after all! A fun school story to share in the classroom or at home.

South


Patrick McDonnell - 2008
    This is a wordless and profoundly moving story--by the creator of the beloved comic strip Mutts--that explores being lost and found, crossing boundaries, saying goodbye, and broadening horizons.

Fancy Nancy's Favorite Fancy Words: From Accessories to Zany


Jane O'Connor - 2008
    Why say "beautiful" when there are fancy words like "gorgeous" and "glamorous"? Instead of "hello," try "bonjour," which is French and so much fancier! An umbrella will keep you dry, but a parasol will make you feel like a Hollywood movie star!With this helpful A-to-Z guide, Fancy Nancy shows that making plain words into fancy ones is not only educational, it's fun. Glossary of words included.

Waking Beauty


Leah Wilcox - 2008
    Every time the fairies watching over her try to tell him, he interrupts with his ideas of how to wake her. Eventually he gets the message, and his reaction is priceless: ?One hundred years of morning breath Wow! That could be the kiss of "death"!? With just as much interactive fun as "Falling for Rapunzel" (an IRA Notable Book and the winner of Maryland's Black-Eyed Susan Picture Book Award), this fractured fairy tale will elicit laughter that no one will be able to sleep through.

Woolbur


Leslie Helakoski - 2008
    Woolbur is not like other sheep. He hangs out with wild dogs and even dyes his wool blue."Don't worry!" says Grandpaa when Maa and Paa fret that Woolbur is different. But when they tell their son to follow the flock, the opposite happens—the flock follows him! Soon everyone is copying his wild hairstyles and taking turns on the spinning wheel. Leave it to Woolbur to find a new way to step ahead of the herd.Spunky, funky, and refreshingly distinct, Woolbur will strike a chord with anyone who's ever felt different. And that's all of us!AwardsBook Sense Hot PickGreat Lakes Book Award finalistGift of Literacy Oregon Book ChoiceMichigan Reads! One State, One Picture Book AwardBe sure to join Woolbur’s next adventure in Ready or Not, Woolbur Goes to School!

Shin-chi's Canoe


Nicola I. Campbell - 2008
    For Shinchi, life becomes an endless cycle of church mass, school, and work, punctuated by skimpy meals. He finds solace at the river, clutching a tiny cedar canoe, a gift from his father, and dreaming of the day when the salmon return to the river — a sign that it’s almost time to return home. This poignant story about a devastating chapter in First Nations history is told at a child’s level of understanding.

Willow


Denise Brennan-Nelson - 2008
    And that's how she likes it. And she likes trees that are colored green and apples that are painted red. Miss Hawthorn does not like things to be different or out of the ordinary. Into Miss Hawthorn's classroom comes young Willow. She doesn't color inside the lines, she breaks crayons, and she sees pink trees and blue apples. What will Miss Hawthorn think? Magical things can happen when your imagination is allowed to run wild, and for Miss Hawthorn the notion of what is art and what is possible is forever changed.

Her Mother's Face


Roddy Doyle - 2008
    When Siobhan was just three years old, her mother died, leaving Siobhan and her father alone in their house in Dublin. They never talk about her, and now, at ten years old, Siobhan no longer remembers her mother's face. One day, Siobhan meets a mysterious woman in the park who tells her that to remember her mother, she just needs to look in a mirror. As Siobhan grows older, she sees more and more of her mother's face in her own reflection. With time, she and her father and her own daughter are able to remember Siobhan's mother with joy and laughter instead of tears.

Christmas Farm


Mary Lyn Ray - 2008
    Year after year, Wilma and Parker nurture their trees, keeping careful count of how many they plant, how many perish, and how many grow to become Christmas trees.          This companion to the award-winning Pumpkins: A Story for a Field is a lyrical, behind-the-scenes look at the intricate lives of Christmas trees.          Includes an author’s note about the history and cultivation of Christmas trees.

Wabi Sabi


Mark Reibstein - 2008
     At last, the master Says, "That's hard to explain." And That is all she says.This unsatisfying answer sets Wabi Sabi on a journey to uncover the meaning of her name, and on the way discovers what wabi sabi is: a Japanese philosophy of seeing beauty in simplicity, the ordinary, and the imperfect. Using spare text and haiku, Mark Reibstein weaves an extraordinary story about finding real beauty in unexpected places. Caldecott Medal-winning artist Ed Young complements the lyrical text with breathtaking collages. Together, they illustrate the unique world view that is wabi sabi. A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book for 2008!

Angel Girl


Laurie B. Friedman - 2008
    Then a young girl appears on the other side of the barbed-wire fence--an angel bearing food and hope. Based on a true tale of survival, this book tells a story of love, hope, and the strength of the human spirit. Full color.

The Story Blanket


Ferida Wolff - 2008
    They settle down on her big, old story blanket and listen to her imaginative tales.One day, Babba Zarrah notices that Nikolai needs new socks, but she has no yarn. "Every question has an answer," Babba Zarrah tells herself, "I just have to find it." So after the children leave, she unravels part of her story blanket and knits him some nice warm socks.As villagers start receiving mysterious gifts to keep them warm, the story blanket gets smaller and smaller until the children have nothing to sit on at story time. When the villagers finally discover Babba Zarrah's secret, they decide to give her a surprise of her own.This heartwarming story from Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz is a wonderful read-aloud experience, rich with themes of community, sharing, generosity, and kindness--with a touch of upcycling. Paired with Elena Odriozola's folk-tinged illustrations, this tale is one to read while cuddled up with the ones you love.Awards: Best Children's Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of EducationParents' Choice Silver Honor ―Parents' Choice Foundation

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau


Jennifer Berne - 2008
    In this lovely biography, poetic text and gorgeous paintings combine to create a portrait of Jacques Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

The Doghouse


Jan Thomas - 2008
    . . THE DOGHOUSE. Who will risk a run-in with scary Dog to get it back? Hysterical high anxiety ensues as Mouse volunteers each animal to do the dirty work—but you’ll never believe what’s really going on in the doghouse!     With Jan Thomas’s fun, fresh art and priceless animal expressions, this timeless tale of fear and friendship will have readers howling.

The Bog Baby


Jeanne Willis - 2008
    They find a bog baby. Small and blue with wings like a dragon, the girls decide to make him their secret. I won't tell if you won't.But the bog baby is a wild thing, and when he becomes poorly, the girls decide they must tell their mum. And she tells them the greatest lesson: if you really love something, you have to let it go.

Katie Loves the Kittens


John Himmelman - 2008
    She loves them so much!But Katie's enthusiasm frightens the kitties, and she's sad when they run away from her. Don't they know that she just wants to play?Katie Loves the Kittens is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Tea for Ruby


Sarah Ferguson - 2008
    You can't take Ruby anywhere! One sunny morning, the postman brings Ruby an amazing invitation to have tea with -- the Queen! Ruby had better polish her manners and quickly. Will Ruby really be ready in time?Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, illustrator of the "Fancy Nancy" series.

Most Loved in All the World


Tonya Cherie Hegamin - 2008
    Before sending her daughter north to freedom, the mother sews a quilt for her daughter, not only to guide her with its symbols of moss and the north star, but also to remind her always that the smiling girl in the center of the quilt is "most loved in all the world." Strikingly illustrated in unique textile collaging and expressive acrylic paintings.

A Child's Garden


Michael Foreman - 2008
    But the boy sees a tiny speck of green peeping up toward the sunlight, and he quietly begins to coax it with water and care. What sort of promise can a vine’s spreading tendrils bring to a bleak landscape? A beautifully illustrated tale of healing and renewal from a world-acclaimed children’s book creator, A Child’s Garden pays gentle tribute to the human spirit.

The Octonauts and the Frown Fish


Meomi - 2008
    All hold the attention of the grownups, the teenager, and the school-age tike in the house. Seriously, everyone should run out and get these.” - BoingBoing"Too many children's books talk down to kids, thinking that talking on their level equates to dropping IQ points. It’s refreshing to read The Octonauts and the Frown Fish, a smart and entertaining kids book…it’s fun and teaches a lesson to look past the exterior and appreciate what’s inside. Comic book readers looking to get their kids into graphic storytelling early will want to seek out this one. Nice bed time story reading, this one is." - Ain’t It Cool NewsThis is the original book series that launched the animated TV show, which is now popular worldwide and broadcast on the Disney Channel in the USA. Discover the creative and fun stories where it all began!In this third Octonauts storybook, the crew meets a fish with a giant frown on his face. He looks so glum that he's causing everyone around him to feel down also. Our heroes need to find a way to cheer him up! The Octonauts try music-making, field trips, miniature golf, and even a baking marathon, but can they make their new friend smile?“Blame it on the Olympics. With Beijing behind us, thoughts turn to Vancouver, then Meomi, the team that designed the 2010 mascots. Next thing you know, we remember there is a new Octonauts book coming out in October. Why write about clown fish when there’s a frown fish that needs cheering up? In The Octonauts and the Frown Fish by Meomi, the underwater crew use activities such as a baking marathon to entice their new friend to smile. Another affordable piece for the adult collector of cute.”—Art MoCo “This is the third edition in the Octonauts series and yet again the colors are right on point. The cast of colorful characters are on another deep blue adventure, this time to help out the frown fish have a little fun. Each page is a treat for any color lover as the book is full of color cuteness of soft yet vibrant palettes, and the wonderful compositions and styling we've come to expect from the Meomi team's illustrations.” - Colour Lovers“The Octonauts are a crew of eight adorable undersea explorers. I fell in love with all of them, and I don’t think I could pick a favorite animal. In The Octonauts and the Frown Fish, the crew finds a fish that frowns all the time. They don’t know why the fish frowns because they don’t speak 'Frownese.' The Octonauts are determined to cheer the fish up. This book elicited the ‘aww, that’s cute’ reaction many times. The artwork is so adorable, and the story is simple but sweet. I hope the Frown Fish becomes a recurring character. I don’t know if I’d describe this as a children’s book because adults can enjoy it as well. The artwork alone is worth the price of the book. I would recommend it for anyone with kids or anyone who is a kid at heart.” - Supah Cute

How to Heal a Broken Wing


Bob Graham - 2008
    With the help of his sympathetic mother, he gently wraps the injured bird and takes it home. In classic Bob Graham style, the beauty is in the details: the careful ministrations with an eyedropper, the bedroom filled with animal memorabilia, the saving of the single feather as a good-luck charm for the bird's return to the sky. Wistful and uplifting, here is a tale of possibility -- and of the souls who never doubt its power.

My Chincoteague Pony


Susan Jeffers - 2008
    With her whole heart, Julie longs for a pony of her own. And she has a plan. Every summer on Chincoteague Island, there is an auction of ponies who have swum across the channel from Assateague, where ponies run free. If Julie works hard and saves her money all year, perhaps she can win the pony of her dreams--her very own Chincoteague pony.

The Sea Serpent and Me


Dashka Slater - 2008
    As rainy day after rainy day passes, the two sing songs, take baths, and talk about the sea.But little girls live on land, and a growing sea serpent needs wave upon wave of water.Here’s a story about the true meaning of friendship, perfect for children, parents, and anyone who has ever had second thoughts about growing up.

The Sock Fairy


Bobbie Hinman - 2008
    Original watercolor illustrations by fairy artist Kristi Bridgeman. Includes audio CD of story and original fairy song.

Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation


Andrea Davis Pinkney - 2008
    And walks. And walks.To the blues.Rosa Parks took a stand by keeping her seat on the bus. When she was arrested for it, her supporters protested by refusing to ride. Soon a community of thousands was coming together to help one another get where they needed to go. Some started taxis, some rode bikes, but they all walked and walked.With dogged feet. With dog-tired feet. With boycott feet. With boycott blues.And, after 382 days of walking, they walked Jim Crow right out of town. . . .Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney present a poignant, blues-infused tribute to the men and women of the Montgomery bus boycott, who refused to give up until they got justice.

A Taste of Colored Water


Matt Faulkner - 2008
    If she hadn't come back from town with tales of a fountain bubbling with "colored" water, LuLu and Jelly would not have needed to go see for themselves. But it's not Abbey's fault. It's the early 1960s and colored water isn't the fruit-flavored Technicolor wonder that LuLu and Jelly are expecting. And having a drink doesn't come without a price.

The Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story


Hena Khan - 2008
    With lush illustrations that evoke Islamic art, this beautiful story offers a window into modern Muslim culture—and into the ancient roots from within its traditions have grown.

Kitchen Dance


Maurie J. Manning - 2008
    She rouses her brother, and they sneak downstairs and peek into the kitchen. To their amazement and delight, their parents are dancing and singing---"?Como te quiero! Oh, how I love you!" ---as they clean up and put food away. Mama and Papa discover the two kids and sweep them into the embrace of a family dance. Slowly, the song changes to a lullaby. . . the children close sleepy eyes. . . then Mama and Papa tuck them into bed again. The story reads like poetry. The art moves from subdued tones to hot tropical colors and back again. And as you turn the pages, you can almost hear the music---changing from a pop ballad to a hot tango to a cozy lullaby. All in all, it's a perfect bedtime book, with a satisfying hugs-and-kisses ending.

What Is a Child?


Beatrice Alemagna - 2008
    Through bold and sensitively observed portraits and a thought-provoking text, Beatrice Alemagna inspires children, and adults reading with them, to consider their own identity. Destined to become a classic, What Is a Child? is a must-have for every school, library, and bedside table.

Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution


Laurie Halse Anderson - 2008
    Listen up! You've all heard about the great men who led and fought during the American Revolution; but did you know that the guys only make up part of the story? What about the women? The girls? The dames? Didn't they play a part? Of course they did, and with page after page of superbly researched information and thoughtfully detailed illustrations, acclaimed novelist and picture-book author Laurie Halse Anderson and charismatic illustrator Matt Faulkner prove the case in this entertaining, informative, and long overdue homage to those independent dames!

A House Of 100 Stories


Toshio Iwai - 2008
    Tochi gets and invitation to play in a building that is 100 stories tall! But it is so tall! Can he climb 100 stories? This unique book is read up from the ground floor.

Knuffle Bunny and Other Stories about Families


Mo WillemsLynn Whitfield - 2008
    

The Best Story


Eileen Spinelli - 2008
    Her father thinks the best stories are the funniest. And Aunt Jane tells her that the best stories have to make people cry. A story that does all these things doesn't seem quite right, though, and the one thing the whole family can agree on is that the best story has to be your own.Anne Wilsdorf's hilarious illustrations perfectly capture this colorful family and their outrageous stories in Eileen Spinelli's heartfelt tale about creativity and finding your own voice.

Wanda Gág: The Girl Who Lived to Draw


Deborah Kogan Ray - 2008
    But not many people know how interesting and inspiring her life was. Following in the footsteps of her beloved artist father, Wanda led an idyllic childhood, drawing and listening to old-world fairy tales. But when her father died, it was teenage Wanda who worked hard to keep her seven younger siblings fed, clothed, and laughing. She never lost sight of her love of art, however, and her tremendous willpower won her a coveted scholarship to the Art Students League in New York City and then led to a gallery show of her artwork?where an editor of children?s books got an idea for a book. The rest, as they say, is history!

Where You Came From


Sara O'Leary - 2008
    His parents come up with very imaginative answers to his question, telling him he was delivered in the mail, found in the sale bin at the supermarket, spotted in the window of a pet store, and more. Children love envisioning the imaginative answers, from being delivered by fairies or found in a basket that was floating down the river to being dropped from the sky by a spaceship. Julie Morstad’s beautiful illustrations accompany each hilarious scenario.

My Travelin' Eye


Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw - 2008
    Her right eye looks in one direction, while her left eye sometimes wanders. Jenny Sue has a travelin’, lazy eye. Although it makes her different, it also helps her see the world in a special way.Here is a charming story about one very inspiring little girl who overcomes her disability and offers inspiration to others.My Travelin' Eye is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

The Big, Bigger, Biggest Book


SAMi - 2008
    Simple illustrations and minimal text are well-suited to children starting to use adjectives to compare size, distance, length, and quantity. The brightly colored fold-out illustrations make each concept easy to understand: by unfolding the page, you can see a tall building get even taller, and then become the tallest one in the whole city!

A Home for Dakota (Sit! Stay! Read!)


Jan Zita Grover - 2008
    241 lives in a crate in a cold, dark barn that is stacked with hundreds of other caged dogs in a puppy mill breeding operation. She has never known human companionship, exercise, or decent care. One night, rescuers arrive and take her and the other dogs away to lead new and happier lives. Soon, despite her fears, she finds herself in a warm, secure foster home, being bathed and groomed and loved by a young woman named Emma. At first, she is too frightened to respond; all she wants is to return to the familiar dark.Eventually renamed Dakota, she learns to love and trust Emma, and her foster home becomes a friendly haven. But then a new challenge arrives in the person of a young girl, Sweetie, who is recovering from a misfortune as deep as Dakota’s own. Sweetie and her parents come to look at Dakota as a possible pet. Initially, Sweetie rejects hairless little Dakota, but later she returns to offer Dakota a home, and Emma recommends her for adoption. With Emma’s reassurances, Dakota goes to her forever home to become Sweetie’s true partner in recovery.Jan Zita Grover, author of North Enough: AIDS and Other Clear-Cuts (1997) and Northern Waters (1999), both from Graywolf Press, has worked in canine rescue since 1973, specifically with discarded puppy mill breed dogs. Dakota is modeled on one of Jan’s own rescued dogs, Pixie.

Adventures of Little Wombat


Charles Fuge - 2008
    Since then, the adorable and very childlike animal has starred in three more books and continued to charm both critics and kids. Now every one of Wombat’s adventures are finally together in one volume, so you can enjoy them all. It’s sure to be a big success! Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball Little wombat spends a day doing his favorite things: walking around and around, and doing a pigeon step till he falls down. Or sticking out his pink tongue—and making funny faces! But when the day ends and the sun starts to fall…he goes back home to mama and curls into a ball. Good night!“With a repertoire of comic expressions worthy of Nathan Lane...[t]his book is silly to the core, but it is also a pointed paean to the power of unscheduled play.” —Publishers Weekly“This book celebrates the world of a preschooler with verve and excitement...Wombat is buoyant and darling, charming and fun.”  —School Library JournalFound You, Little Wombat!When the endearing little wombat gets lost during a game of hide-and-seek, he suddenly realizes he’s very, very alone. But you can always depend on friends—and Mom—coming to the rescue. Cuddly animals and a comforting story add up to a winning combination.Swim, Little Wombat, Swim!Little Wombat fans will rejoice at the adorable creature’s watery exploits, and at the introduction of an appealing new friend for his hero: a Platypus with a funny, fuzzy face who waddles as he walks and swims like a fish.“The…illustrations are warm and reflective…They also depict the humor of the struggle as Wombat learns to swim. This story offers a good lesson about friendship [and] is…reassuring.”  —School Library JournalWhere to, Little Wombat?The grass is always greener on the other side: maybe that’s why Little Wombat thinks his burrow’s boring. So when Mama suggests he search for a better house, that’s just what he does. But it’s not long before Wombat learns that there is no place like home.“The exuberant illustrations infuse the books’ many expressive characters with vim and verve.”—School Library Journal

The Gruffalo Colouring Book


Julia Donaldson - 2008
    Featuring all the characters from the beloved story, this great-value book is packed with scenes to colour in, as well as imaginative drawing activities. It's a must for Gruffalo fans

A Roomful of Questions


Tracy Gallup - 2008
    Is magic in every one of us? Is anything always? A book to explore, cherish, and give as a gift to mark life's most special passages.

Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane


Carole Boston Weatherford - 2008
    And there was a lot to hear growing up in the South in the 1930s: preachers praying, music on the radio, the bustling of the household. These vivid noises shaped John's own sound as a musician. Carole Boston Weatherford and Sean Qualls have composed an amazingly rich hymn to the childhood of jazz legend John Coltrane.Before John Was a Jazz Giant is a 2009 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book and a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

People


Blexbolex - 2008
    . . . All sorts of people appear in People, linked together in ways that begin to emerge page after page. Real, mythic, and imaginary types inhabit this extraordinary, gorgeously rendered world, referring to each other through form and function. Like Blexbolex's earlier book Seasons, this is a conceptual book, where the connections between the images are both clear and subtle.Stunningly illustrated with retro-looking silkscreened images, People is a sumptuously produced volume, with a lavishly illustrated jacket that folds out into a poster. The manner of the realization and the quality of the book are so strong that People (as did Seasons) serves to reminds us once again what a book can be at its very best.Seasons was a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2010 and a Best Book of the Year for School Library Journal.

Grandma Loves You


P.K. Hallinan - 2008
    It employs rhymes to help children understand the special love of a grandmother.

Help Me, Mr. Mutt!: Expert Answers for Dogs with People Problems


Janet Stevens - 2008
    Mutt, Canine Counselor, has solutions to the most sticky dilemmas. But Mr. Mutt has his own problem to solve: the cat (aka The Queen), who has her own idea of who’s in charge. Now Mr. Mutt is the one who needs help--quick!         Through letters and newspaper clippings--and with plenty of their trademark humor--Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel give voice to despairing dogs everywhere.

Froggy Collection


Jonathan London - 2008
    Includes Froggy Bakes a Cake, Froggy Goes to the Doctor, Froggy Learns to Swim, Froggy Plays in the Band, Froggy Plays Soccer, and Froggy's First Kiss.

Duck


Randy Cecil - 2008
    Flying is all she can think about, until the day a lost little duckling waddles into her life. Soon Duck and Duckling are inseparable: they walk together, play together, even dream of flying together. Then the time comes when Duckling's yellow fuzz is replaced by long white feathers, and Duck is determined to do whatever it takes to help him learn to fly. But what if helping Duckling find his wings means being left behind?

Leon and the Place Between


Angela McAllister - 2008
    Take a journey right through the die-cut pages of this book into the Place Between, where magic becomes truly real. Angela McAllister has conjured a spellbinding story that unfolds in the mysterious world of Grahame Baker-Smith’s stunning illustrations.

POKEMON: Fun With Pokémon


Hiroshi Takase - 2008
    This is the first of two similar Pok - mon books from VIZ Media's VIZKids imprint. Young readers will enjoy mazes, finding differences and matching unique features to their favorite Pok - mon from original characters to those introduced in Pok - mon Ruby and Sapphire. Full-color, playful artwork showing Pok - mon playing on the beach, smashing rocks or in a park will appeal to preschool and younger grade school children.

Van Gogh and the Sunflowers


Louis van Tilborgh - 2008
    

Astronaut Handbook


Meghan Mccarthy - 2008
    Take a ride on the "Vomit Comet" and learn how it feels to be weightless. Have your measurements taken—100 to be exact—for your very own space suit. Meghan McCarthy has created the perfect book to share with children who want to be astronauts when they grow up.

Moon and Star: A Christmas Story


Robin Muller - 2008
    

Princess Grace


Mary Hoffman - 2008
    But what does a princess do, apart from wearing beautiful clothes and looking pretty? Does she have to be pink and floaty, with a crown? Grace and her friends start finding out about princesses in China, Egypt, the Philippines and Zimbabwe.

For the Love of Autumn


Patricia Polacco - 2008
     Miss Parks just loves her new home, her new teaching job, and all her new students. But most of all, she loves Autumn, her perfect little kitten. Then one night, during a terrible storm, Autumn runs away. Miss Parks' students band together to search for Autumn - with no luck. Hope is lost until Autumn turns up at Miss Parks' front door with a brand new collar and a bandage on her tail. Someone has been taking care of Autumn! With the help of her students, Miss Parks unravels the mystery of Autumn's disappearance and finds true love along the way, Polacco style.

Bedtime at the Swamp


Kristyn Crow - 2008
    Somebody's still splashing in the water and the mud. Is there a monster on the loose? Kristyn Crow has taken every child's worst nightmare and transformed it into a frolic through swampland. With funny illustrations and a catchy refrain, this story won't scare little monster too much before bedtime.

Accidentally, On Purpose


Kes Gray - 2008
    Isn't Daisy good? She's tipping some sprinkles onto Mum's ice cream.But wait! Now the cheeky monkey's popping her peas behind the sofa!This fantastically funny split page book will have children in stitches! Watch them decide whether Daisy will accidentally on purpose plonk knickers in Mum's tea or a worm on her ice-cream! With innumerable - naughty and nice - scenarios and bold illustrations, this book will provide hours of fun! The innovative spiral binding means that it can be used again and again.

Heroes: September 11, 2001


Susan Hefley - 2008
    A simple account of what happened in America on September 11, 2001.A tribute to our heroes and their sacrifices.A story of hope.

Farmer Brown's Barnyard: A Bestselling Board Book Gift Set


Doreen Cronin - 2008
    Kids will love having access to three separate stories about the cows, the chickens, the pigs, and Duck all at once! A cute barn slipcase makes this gift set a convenient and enjoyable reading experience that kids of all ages will enjoy. Stackable, barn-shaped slipcase holds three board books with rounded corners. Books are 4 x 5, and slipcase is 7 (width) x 5 (depth) x 6 7/8 (height). Package is housed in an acetate slipcase and books are held in place with a bellyband.

Manfred the Baddie


John Fardell - 2008
    Will Manfred ever learn his lesson? He is even nasty to his own henchmen!

Owney, the Mail-Pouch Pooch


Mona Kerby - 2008
    Post Office in Albany, New York. Workers found him the next morning asleep on a pile of mail pouches. The dog seemed to like the post office and the smell of the mailbags and the men’s wool uniforms. When no one came to claim him, they named him Owney and made him their pet. However, Owney’s loyalty and sense of adventure soon made it clear he wasn’t just an average mutt. Over the course of nine years, Owney guarded the mail—not only in Albany but on mail trains that traveled all over the United States.Accompanied by lively pen-and-watercolor illustrations, this is a delightful true story of a special dog whose faithful service earned him a trip around the world. Owney can be seen in the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum.Owney, the Mail-Pouch Pooch is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

The Were-Nana: Not a Bedtime Story.


Melinda Szymanik - 2008
    

First Thousand Words In Portuguese


Heather Amery - 2008
    The classic Portuguese bi-lingual word book, illustrated by Stephen Cartwright, has been revised and updated to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Usborne Publishing.First Thousand Words in Portuguese includes a thousand everyday words illustrated with busy scenes and labelled pictures to help children learn key vocabulary.This learning guide incorporates the official, new Portuguese spelling standards to be applied from 2014.

My Little Princess Library (slipcase + 8 mini hardcovers): 1-c each of I WANT MY POTTY, I WANT MY DINNER, I WANT MY TOOTH, I WANT TO GO TO BED, I WANT MY MUM, I WANT TO GO HOME, I WANT MY LIGHT ON, I WANT TWO BIRTHDAYS


Tony Ross - 2008
    Features: I Want My Potty; I Want My Dinner; I Want My Tooth; I Don't Want to Go to Bed; I Want My Mum; I Want to Go Home; I Want My Light On; and, I Want Two Birthdays.

Coral Reef Hideaway: The Story of a Clown Anemonefish


Peter Thomas - 2008
    A clown anemonefish must protect not only the sea anemone, but her own tiny eggs.

How Many Ways Can You Catch a Fly?


Steve Jenkins - 2008
    But rainbow trout, slender lorises, and assassin bugs can catch them. Chimney swifts can, too. How do such diverse creatures manage to capture the same prey? Similar in structure to What Do You Do with a Tail Like This?, this eye-popping picture book introduces readers to a menagerie of animals that approach the same challenges in very different ways.

Booker T. Washington: Teacher, Speaker, and Leader


Suzanne Slade - 2008
    Washington always loved school. Even though he was born into slavery, Booker found ways to learn. By the time he turned 25, he had helped establish a school in Alabama for African Americans. Find out how Booker T. Washington became a leader in the African-American community.

I, Vivaldi


Janice Shefelman - 2008
    Despite his mother's vow for him to become a priest, young Vivaldi is only interested in music. He soon grows from a feisty boy who wants to play the violin into a stubborn young man who puts his musical training ahead of his studies for priesthood. Beautiful, ornate artwork portrays the spirit and splendor of Vivaldi's hometown, Venice. A historical note, musical score, and glossary will help readers more fully appreciate Vivaldi's life and musical genius.

Living On: Portraits of Tennessee Survivors and Liberators


Tennessee Holocaust Commission - 2008
    S. Army witnesses, hidden children, and refugees from the Holocaust now living in Tennessee. These individuals lived through one of the most catastrophic periods in human history. They are witnesses to horrific events that have defied human imagination, then and now. Their stories, faces, and voices provide separate testimony into how the unthinkable happened and how its consequences created a lasting impact that has relevance today.Each of these courageous individuals was willing to revisit painful memories, telling his or her story in hopes that history might never repeat itself. Through the accounts of Holocaust survivors and liberators included in this book, readers become witnesses to an important and frightening period when government leaders persecuted and killed ordinary citizens because of who they were. Their stories of strength and courage serve as a permanent reminder that nothing can ever extinguish the light of the human spirit.Through the Living On project, the Tennessee Holocaust Commission created a traveling exhibition of photographs and stories that became the basis of this book. Living On gives voice to storytellers whose ability to testify may soon be lost through age and frailty. Living On also offers readers and viewers the opportunity to meet fellow citizens through the medium of photographic portrait and biographical sketch when physical encounters prove impossible. The book stands as a powerful testament to human resiliency in spite of the efforts, inspired by fanatical race hatred, to eliminate the very faces and voices it captures.Living On is a project of the Tennessee Holocaust Commission. For moreinformation on the exhibit, please visit http://www.tennesseeholocaustcommissi....Robert Heller is an associate professor in the School of Journalism and Electronic Media at the University of Tennessee. He teaches photojournalism and graphic design and is the author of More Than the Game: The Tennessee Football Experience.

I Miss Daddy أشتاق إلى بابا


عبير بلان - 2008
    فهو ينتظره بحماس كي يشاركهاللعب، ويقرأ معه القصص ويأكل معه. لكن أباه يعود دائمًامتأخرًا من العمل. يفكر زين في مخطط ليجعل أباه يبقى فيالبيت ولا يعود أبدًا إلى العمل. هل ينجح مخططه؟Zein misses his father the whole day and asks him to come back earlier from work. He waits for a long time but dad doesn’t show up. I Miss Daddy is the story of many children who are unhappy about their parents’ jobs portraying the different ways they try in order to keep them home to spend a loving time together.

Weddell Seal: Fat and Happy


Joyce L. Markovics - 2008
    One plump animal that can is the weddell seal. This unique creature lives farther south than any other mammal. How does it survive? Biologist Terrie Williams has spent the last 25 years making trips to Antarctica to find out. In Weddell Seal: Fat and Happy, kids follow Williams as she studies how this amazing, uncommon animal weathers the most extreme conditions. Large, full-color photos and a narrative text will keep readers turning the pages for more.