Have you ever stopped and really considered the importance that children’s books have on our lives, from childhood to adulthood? Who doesn’t remember the daunting tales of Dr. Seuss, Berenstain Bears, and Magic Tree House? These time honored stories provide an action plot filled with drama, popularity, and conflict while keeping a gentle undergrowth of awareness suited for the minds of these young readers. Whether you are reading to your children or they are reading for themselves, it is a great way to start off their scholastic adventure with a few memorable classics.

Randolph Caldecott Medal The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the most illustrious children’s picture book in America. These can include 3d “popup” books or regular story books with delicate images, usually filled with lots of colors and scenery. The 2008 winner of the Caldecott Medal is Brian Selznick with the release of his book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, a story about a boy living in a French train station who strives to complete a mysterious invention left to him by his father. This story consists of over 500 pages of both text and images, neither of which can tell this story alone. Black and white pencil sketches show the silent films to which this book pays homage. It is a masterpiece and must be honored with such a fabulous award as the Caldecott Medal.

Duck for President is a great book for readers of all ages. The book is similar to the process for those who are running for president. In this humorous tale Duck who lives on a farm with many other animals, and owner Farmer Brown. He's kind of a lazy duck and doesn't like being told to chores and he surely didn't enjoy doing them. So he thought that he would take a stand and have a vote against Farmer Brown so he could take over the farm. Duck won the election but soon learned that it was even harder to be a farmer than it was to do the few chores that he originally had to do. Next he decided that by running for governor that life would be much easier. Adding to his winning streak he won the election hands down for governor, but again he soon realized that running a state was even harder than being a farmer and it was no fun at all. He soon became bored with this and decided he should move on. What will he do next?

A Counting Book by Margaret Wise Brown (with pictures by Clement Hurd) is an excellently written bed time story for children from the ages of two to six. It incorporates many of the same ideals from the classical Goodnight Moon book which was also created to entertain readers after a tiring day of learning and playing. The book begins by painting a detailed description of the “green room” from the original story. It then lists the many animals, people, and objects inside of the massive room. With colorful illustrations and short sentences, this is a great book for children to begin their learning experience at a young age. It teaches them not only how to read and count, but also how to laugh and enjoy learning. Your child will love this soothing lullaby as he or she searches for more and more objects to say good night to. “Good night cow. Good night stars. Good night moon.” Will fill your home with the soft voices of you and your child.

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick, who also wrote and illustrated The Invention of Hugo Cabret, is his second middle grade picture book. More than 400 of the 630+ pages feature full-page illustrations.

Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport is a picture book about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. that is filled with quotations by Dr. King. It is illustrated with the dramatic artwork of Bryan Collier.

Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers is a young adult book about a soldier's view of the Vietnam War.

Teen librarian Jennifer Kendall recommends these five nonfiction young adult books for teens, among the top nonfiction books of the year 2011 and up for 2012 YA literature awards.

Dystopian novels for teens are very popular. Check out this top picks list of dystopian books for fans of The Hunger Games series.

It's So Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies and Families is a nonfiction book about reproduction, birth and babies, by Robie H. Harris, with illustrations by Michael Emberley.

Here is a review of Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck a fairy tale retelling of beauty and the beast.