Kids books news

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.

My best illustrated children's books of 2009 list includes Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems. Take a look at the cover art of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems and get an idea of why I think My People and the other books on my list are the best illustrated children's books of 2009.

Check this glossary entry for a definition of the phrase "picture book." Many children's books are picture books.

The Percy Jackson & the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan is a popular fantasy series about middle school student Percy Jackson and his adventures when he learns he is a demigod, the son of a god and a mortal. I recommend the Percy Jackson & the Olympians Series for ages 11-14, grades 6-9.

Best Children's Christmas Books of 2008 - Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou was first read by the poet at the National Christmas Tree lighting in Washington, D.C. in 2005. Now, Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou is available in a picture book format, with paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.

The 2010 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal went to Tanya Lee Stone, author of Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Two 2010 Sibert Honor Books were also named. For good informational books for children and younger teens, I recommend the Sibert Informational Book Award winners and honor books.

Best Children's Christmas Picture Books of 2004 - What makes "Brown Paper Teddy Bear" by Catherine Allison so appealing is that it is oversized, all of the pages are made out of sturdy brown paper, and the watercolors by artist Neil Reid beautifully illustrate the astonishing events in this children's Christmas picture book.

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins is the story of the historic sit-ins in Greenboro, North Carolina, that began February 1, 1960, and impacted the Civil Rights Movement. Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins is told in picture book format by Carole Boston Weatherford, with illustrations by Jerome Lagarrigue. Freedom on the Menu is a good children's books for 7-12 year olds.

Find out about the 2010 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature Award Winner and Honor Books. Going Bovine is the 2010 Printz Award winner. Four 2010 Printz Award Honor Books were also named. If you are looking for award-winning YA books, take a look at the Printz Award winners.

The best illustrated children's books of 2009 include Tsunami by Kimiko Kajikawa. Take a look at the cover art and get an idea of why I think My People and the other books on my list are the best illustrated children's books of 2009.