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.

The Notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin is an award-winning nonfiction book for teen readers. The story follows the colorful and tragic life of the ambitious Benedict Arnold whose decision to help the British changed the outcome of the American Revolution.

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.

These contemporary biographies, autobiographies and memoirs will appeal to teens who enjoy nonfiction and reading about life and people today.