2011 ALA Youth Media Awards are announced

American Library Association announces youth media award winners

SAN DIEGO - The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, video and audiobooks for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its Midwinter Meeting in San Diego.

A list of all the 2011 award winners follows:

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature

“Moon over Manifest,” written by Clare Vanderpool, is the 2011 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Four Newbery Honor Books also were named: “Turtle in Paradise,” by Jennifer L. Holm and published by Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.; “Heart of a Samurai,” written by Margi Preus and published by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS; “Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night,” written by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen and published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; and “One Crazy Summer,” by Rita Williams-Garcia and published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children

“A Sick Day for Amos McGee,” illustrated by Erin E. Stead, is the 2011 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was written by Philip C. Stead, and is a Neal Porter Book, published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

Two Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Laban Carrick Hill and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.; and “Interrupting Chicken,” written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein and published by Candlewick Press.

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults

“Ship Breaker,” written by Paolo Bacigalupi, is the 2011 Printz Award winner. The book is published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Four Printz Honor Books also were named: “Stolen,” by Lucy Christopher and published by Chicken House, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.; “Please Ignore Vera Dietz,” by A.S. King and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.; “Revolver,” by Marcus Sedgwick and published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; and “Nothing,” by Janne Teller and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author of outstanding books for children and young adults

“One Crazy Summer,” written by Rita Williams-Garcia is the 2011 King Author Book winner. The book is published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Three King Author Honor Books were selected: “Lockdown,” by Walter Dean Myers and published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; “Ninth Ward,” by Jewell Parker Rhodes and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.; and “Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty,” written by G. Neri, illustrated by Randy DuBurke and published by Lee & Low Books Inc.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award recognizing an African American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults

“Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, is the 2011 King Illustrator Book winner. The book was written by Laban Carrick Hill and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. One King Illustrator Honor Book was selected: “Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix,” illustrated by Javaka Steptoe, written by Gary Golio and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent (Author) Award

“Zora and Me,” written by Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon, is the 2011 Steptoe author winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent (Illustrator) Award
“Seeds of Change,” illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler, is the 2011 Steptoe illustrator winner. The book is written by Jen Cullerton Johnson and published by Lee & Low Books Inc.

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Practitioner Award for Lifetime Achievement

Dr. Henrietta Mays Smith is the winner of the 2011 Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Practitioner Award for Lifetime achievement. The award pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton’s contributions through her literature and advocacy for children and youth.

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.

“The Pirate of Kindergarten,” written by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Lynne Avril and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, wins the award for children ages 0 to 10. “After Ever After,” written by Jordan Sonnenblick and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., is the winner of the middle-school (ages 11-13).

The teen (ages 13-18) award winner is “Five Flavors of Dumb,” written by Antony John and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. 

Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences.

“The Reapers Are the Angels: A Novel,” by Alden Bell, published by Holt Paperbacks, a division of Henry Holt and Company, LLC “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake: A Novel,” by Aimee Bender, published by Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.“The House of Tomorrow,” by Peter Bognanni, published by Amy Einhorn Books, an imprint of G.P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of the Penguin Group “Room: A Novel,” by Emma Donoghue, published by Little, Brown and Company a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. “The Vanishing of Katharina Linden: A Novel,” by Helen Grant, published by Delacorte, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc. “The Radleys,” by Matt Haig, published by Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. “The Lock Artist,” by Steve Hamilton, published by Thomas Dunne Books for Minotaur Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press “Girl in Translation,” by Jean Kwok, published by Riverhead Books, an imprint of the Penguin Group “Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard,” by Liz Murray, published by Hyperion “The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To,” by DC Pierson, published by Vintage Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children’s video

Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Ellard of Weston Woods, producers of “The Curious Garden,” are the Carnegie Medal winners. The video is based on the book of the same name, written and illustrated by Peter Brown, and is narrated by Katherine Kellgren, with music by David Mansfield. 

Laura Ingalls Wilder Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. The 2011 winner is Tomie dePaola, author and illustrator of over 200 books, including: “26 Fairmont Avenue” (Putnam, 1999), “The Legend of the Poinsettia” (Putnam, 1994), “Oliver Button Is a Sissy” (Harcourt, 1979) and “Strega Nona” (Prentice-Hall, 1975).

Margaret A. Edwards Award honors an author, as well as a specific body of his or her work, for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature. 

Sir Terry Pratchett is the 2011 Edwards Award winner. His books include: “The amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents,” “The Wee Free Men,” and “A Hat Full of Sky” published by HarperCollins Children’s Books; and “The Color of Magic,” “Guards! Guards!,” “Equal Rites,” “Going Postal,” “Small Gods,” and “Mort” all published by HarperCollins Publishers.

 

May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award recognizing an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children’s literature, who then presents a lecture at a winning host site

Peter Sís will deliver the 2012 lecture. Born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, in 1949, Sís attended the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague and the Royal College of Art in London. He has lived in the United States since 1982. Sís was awarded the 2008 Robert F. Sibert Medal and has illustrated three Caldecott Honor books. Sís’ work is admired throughout the world, and in 2003 he was named MacArthur Fellow, an honor bestowed by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an outstanding children’s book translated from a language other than English and subsequently published in the United States.

“A Time of Miracles” is the 2011 Batchelder Award winner. Originally published in French in 2009 as “Le Temps des Miracles,” the book was written by Anne-Laure Bondoux, translated by Y. Maudet, and published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Two Batchelder Honor Books also were selected: “Departure Time,” published by Namelos, written by Truus Matti and translated by Nancy Forest-Flier; and “Nothing,” published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, written by Janne Teller and translated by Martin Aitken.

Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States

“The True Meaning of Smekday,” produced by Listening Library, an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, is the 2011 Odyssey Award winner. The book is written by Adam Rex and narrated by Bahni Turpin.

Four Odyssey Honor Recordings also were selected: “Alchemy and Meggy Swann,” produced by Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group, written by Karen Cushman and narrated by Katherine Kellgren; “The Knife of Never Letting Go,” produced by Candlewick on Brilliance Audio, an imprint of Brilliance Audio, written by Patrick Ness and narrated by Nick Podehl; “Revolution,” produced by Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group, written by Jennifer Donnelly and narrated by Emily Janice Card and Emma Bering; and “will grayson, will grayson,” produced by Brilliance Audio, written by John Green and David Levithan, and narrated by MacLeod Andrews and Nick Podehl.

Pura Belpré (Author) Award honoring a Latino writer whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.

“The Dreamer,” written by Pam Muñoz Ryan, is the 2011 Belpré Author Award winner. The book is illustrated by Peter Sís and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Three BelpréAuthor Honor Books were named: “¡Olé! Flamenco,” written and illustrated by George Ancona and published by Lee &Low Books Inc.; “The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette’s Journey to Cuba,” written by Margarita Engle and published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC; and “90 Miles to Havana,” written by Enrique Flores-Galbis and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.

“Grandma’s Gift,” illustrated and written by Eric Velasquez, is the 2011 Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book is published by Walker Publishing Company, Inc., a division of Bloomsbury Publishing, Inc.

            Three BelpréIllustrator Honor Books for illustration were selected: “Fiesta Babies,” illustrated by Amy Córdova, written by Carmen Tafolla and published by Tricycle Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.; “Me, Frida,” illustrated by David Diaz, written by Amy Novesky and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS; “Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin,” illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS. 

Robert F. Sibert Medal for most distinguished informational book for children.

“Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot,” written by Sy Montgomery, is the 2011 Sibert Award winner. The book features photographs by Nic Bishop and is published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Two Sibert Honor Books were named: “Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring,” written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, illustrated by Brian Floca, a Neal Porter Book, published by Flash Point, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing; “Lafayette and the American Revolution,” written by Russell Freedman and published by Holiday House.

Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award

“Almost Perfect,” written by Brian Katcher, published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc. is the winner of the 2011 Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award. The award is given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered experience.

Four honor books were selected: “will grayson, will grayson,” written by John Green and David Levithan and published by Dutton Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.; “Love Drugged,” written by James Klise and published by Flux, an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.; “Freaks and Revelations,” written by Davida Willis Hurwin and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.; and “The Boy in the Dress,” written by David Walliams, illustrated by Quentin Blake and published by Penguin Young Readers Group. 

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book.

“Bink and Gollie,” written by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee and illustrated by Tony Fucile is the 2011 Seuss Award winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.

Two Geisel Honor Books were named: “Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same!” written and illustrated by Grace Lin and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.; and “We Are in a Book!” written and illustrated by Mo Willems and published by Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group.

William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens.

“The Freak Observer,” written by Blythe Woolston is the 2011 Morris Award winner. The book is published by Carolrhoda Lab, an imprint of Carolrhoda Books, a division of Lerner Publishing Group.

Four other books were finalists for the award: “Hush,” by Eishes Chayil and published by Walker Publishing Company, a division of Bloomsbury Publishing, Inc.; “Guardian of the Dead,” by Karen Healey and published by Little, Brown and Company/Hachette Book Group; “Hold Me Closer, Necromancer,” by Lish McBride and published by Henry Holt; and “Crossing the Tracks,” by Barbara Stuber and published by Margaret McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults during a November 1 – October 31 publishing year.

“Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing,” written by Ann Angel, is the 2011 Excellence winner. The book is published by Amulet/Abrams. 

Four other books were finalists for the award:“They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group,” by Susan Campbell Bartoletti and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; “Spies of Mississippi:  The True Story of the Spy Network that Tried to Destroy the Civil Rights Movement,” by Rick Bowers and published by National Geographic Society; “The Dark Game: True Spy Stories,” by Paul Janeczko and published by Candlewick Press; and “Every Bone Tells a Story: Hominin Discoveries, Deductions, and Debates,” by Jill Rubalcaba and Peter Robertshaw and published by Charlesbridge.

Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth.  Selected by judging committees of librarians and other children’s and young adult experts, the awards encourage original and creative work.  For more information on the ALA youth media awards and notables, please visit the ALAwebsite at www.ala.org.

In Memoriam - Dick King-Smith

Ronald Gordon King-Smith OBE (27 March 1922 – 4 January 2011), better known by his pen name Dick King-Smith, was a prolific English children's author, best known for writing The Sheep-Pig, retitled in the United States as Babe the Gallant Pig, on which the movie Babe was based. He was awarded an Honorary Master of Education degree by the University of the West of England in 1999 and appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours.

King-Smith was a soldier in World War II and a farmer for 20 years before he became a teacher and author. King-Smith's first book was The Fox Busters, published in 1978. He was one of Britain's most prolific authors and wrote over a hundred books, which have been translated into twelve languages. In later life he lived in Queen Charlton, a small farming village near Bristol, contributing to the maintenance and conservation of the local area as the vice-president of the Avon Wildlife Trust. He married his first wife, Myrle, in 1943. They had 3 children and 14 grandchildren. Myrle died in 2000, and King-Smith subsequently married Zona Bedding, a family friend.

He had many pets including rats, mice, ornamental pheasants, dachshunds, geese and guinea fowl, and bred guinea pigs and English rabbits.

He presented a feature on animals on TV-AM's children's programme Rub a Dub Dub.

King-Smith died on 4 January 2011 at the age of 88. You can find out more about Dick King-Smith and his books by visiting the the Dick King-Smith page on the Puffin Books website. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Ten

Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman have created several wonderful picture books for young children. They have given us the Bear books - an enormously popular series of books that have charmed readers of all ages - and also the books about a penguin who is called Little Pip. Here is one of the Little Pip books.

Don’t be afraid, Little Pip?

Karma Wilson

Illustrated by Jane Chapman

Picture book

Ages 4 to 6

Simon and Schuster, 2008, 978-0-689-85987-8

   Today is a big day for Little Pip and all the other young penguins. Today is the day when they are going to have their first swimming lesson. Little Pip thinks that the ocean looks “awfully dark and deep,” whereas the sky looks “bright and cheerful.” Surely, as she is a bird, she should be learning how to fly and not how to swim?

   Little Pip’s parents reassure her. “Penguins don’t fly, they swim. That’s what makes us special,” they say. Little Pip is not convinced, and while the other little penguins are embarking on their first swimming lesson, Little Pip decides that she is going to learn how to fly. All she needs to do is to find someone who can teach her how to do it. After all, she has wings and feathers, so why can’t she fly like the other birds?

   In this sweet picture book Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman bring back the little penguin who has delighted so many young penguin fans. Children will see that there are times when you just have to conquer your fears. When you do, you might just discover all kinds of new and wondrous things.

   With a meaningful story and wonderful illustrations, this is a picture book that children will appreciate and enjoy. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Nine

Many of us spend our lives constantly on the run. We are always doing something, and rarely take the time to be still and enjoy a moment of quiet. This splendid picture book explores the idea that quiet moments are good moments.

The Quiet Book

Deborah Underwood

Illustrated by Renata Liwska

Picture Book

Ages 5 to 7

Houghton Mifflin, 2010, 978-0-547-21567-9

As you go about your day, there are times when all the hustle and bustle around you seems to fade away. There are quiet moments when you can take in the world around you, enjoy the peace, or contemplate what is coming.

   This very special picture book looks at all the different kinds of quiet that a collection of animal children experience during a normal day. The little rabbit begins its day with the quiet that you experience when you are the “first one awake.” In school, a little bear enjoys that “coloring in the lines quiet” that children enjoy. The little moose experiences an altogether different sort of quiet when someone discovers the drawing on the wall that he created. The little mouse shares a moment of quiet with the rabbit when they suck on lollipops. Later the rabbit takes a quiet moment while he contemplates whether or not Aunt Tillie’s iguana is the kind of animal who might bite.

   With beautifully atmospheric pictures throughout, this book perfectly captures those moments when there is a pause in the day, and when little people (and big people) are able to experience a little scrap of quietness. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Eight

Chris Wormell is an author and illustrator whom I am particularly fond of. Here is one of his newest books. 

Scruffy Bear and the six white mice

Chris Wormell

Picture Book

Ages 4 to 6

Random House UK, 2011, 978-0-224-08394-2

One evening a small and rather scruffy bear is out walking when he comes to the edge of a “dark and gloomy” wood. Scruffy Bear is just about to begin walking around the wood, when he hears a squeaking noise that suggests that there are animals in distress somewhere in the wood. Into the wood the bear goes, and sure enough in the middle of the wood he encounters six terrified white mice that are lost. They beg Scruffy Bear to help them because they are sure that “now that night is coming we’ll be gobbled up by owls – or foxes – or snakes for certain.”

   No sooner have they said these words, than Scruffy Bear and the mice hear the hoot of an owl. They have to do something before the six mice end up inside the owl’s stomach. With no time to lose, Scruffy bear tells the mice to “curl up tight” and “tuck in your tails.” Scruffy Bear has an idea that might just work.

   With his wonderful illustrations and charming characters, Chris Wormell honors everyone who has had to be brave and quick thinking under difficult circumstances. Though Scruffy Bear is not very big or strong, he uses his wits to help animals that are small and defenseless. 

Poetry Friday - A review of Zombies! Evacuate the school

Here is a poetry book that is not only full of funny poems, but that also will help young readers to write their own poems. 

Zombies! Evacuate the school

Sara Holbrook

Illustrated by Karen Sandstrom

Poetry

For ages 8 to 11

Boyds Mills Press, 2010, 978-1-59078-820-2

   Do you remember reading sing songy poems in an old Mother Goose book? Perhaps you had a copy of Robert Louis Stevenson’s A child’s garden of verses? I am willing to guess that you think writing poetry is easy. Sure it is, all you have to do is to make words rhyme. Actually, it is not easy at all, which is what Sara Holbrook discovered when one of her middle school teachers told her to write a poem. Not knowing how to even begin to write a poem, Sara ‘borrowed’ a poem from a book of poetry that she had at home. Needless to say, she was “busted” and told to write her own poem.

   Thankfully, Sara has come a long way since she was in middle school. For this book, she explores school days and experiences using various poetry forms. What makes this book unique is that she is determined to help would-be poets to find their own voice. Mixed in with the poems are tips to help writers who want to try writing poems of their own. Prompts, questions, and suggestions will help readers to begin their own journey into poetry writing.

   The third poem in the book is about a journey on a big yellow school bus. Full of onomatopoeic words, it perfectly captures the noise and discomfort that comes with riding on a bumpy school bus. A note next to the poem talks about how Sara Holbrook used her own remembered bus rides to “write this bumpin,’ thumpin,’ omopatopeia-jumpin’” poem.

   Later on in the book, she shows readers how imagery and “sensory details” can be used to great effect. In Oh No! a child sees two girls carrying a tray of delicious cupcakes walking by. Of course, the child hopes that he or she will get to taste the delicious treats, but unfortunately, the birthday party is in another class.

   In this book, Sara Holbrook uses humor, sensitivity, and creativity to help readers to appreciate poetry on a new level. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Seven

Many years ago I read a series of books about a little girl who frequently gets into trouble, and who has all kinds of delightful little adventures. These My Naughty Little Sister books became some of my favorite books, and when my daughter was little I bought a set of the books for her. The illustrator of these books is Shirley Hughes, a talented artist and storyteller in her own right. Shirley Hughes has created a lovely set of picture books about a little boy called Alfie and his little sister Annie Rose. Here is one of the Alfie titles. 

An evening at Alfie’s

Shirley Hughes

Picture Book and Audio CD (Series)

For ages 3 to 6

Random House UK, 2010, 978-1-862-30991-3

   Alfie’s mum and dad are going out for the evening, and Maureen, who is a neighbor, is going to babysit Alfie and his little sister Annie Rose. The evening begins very well. Maureen reads Alfie a story, she tucks him into bed, and then Alfie lies in bed and looks at “the patch of light on the ceiling.

   Then Alfie hears a noise on the landing, a “drip-drip” sound, and he goes to investigate. He is very surprised when he sees that water is splashing down from the ceiling and there is a puddle on the landing floor. Alfie tells Maureen all about the drip, and when she comes to investigate, the dipping is worse then ever. Maureen and Alfie put buckets and bowls under the drips, and then they call Maureen’s mother. Hopefully she can help.

   Shirley Hughes is the queen of creating picture books in which everyday events are described in an engaging and interesting way. Children will be delighted to watch the way things become more and more chaotic in Alfie’s house as more and more water drips down from the ceiling. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Six

Many children all over the world love dinosaurs. The are fascinated by the bizarre animals with their long necks, or armored skins, or horns. Today's picture book is about a really really small dinosaur who learns how to be brave for himself, and for someone else. The charming main character in this story first came on the scene in The Littlest Dinosaur. It is wonderful to have him back.

The Littlest dinosaur’s big adventure

Michael Foreman

Picture Book

Ages 4 to 6

Walker, 2009, 0-8027-9545-5

   The littlest dinosaur is very little indeed, and one day, urged on by a bouncy cheerful frog, he crosses a river by walking on the lily pads that float on the water. None of his family could do this because they are far too big and heavy.

   On the other side of the river, the littlest dinosaur finds himself on the edge of a field that is full of flowers, buzzing bees, and butterflies. He enjoys the beauty of the place and appreciates that “it is fun to be small” when you are surrounded by so much loveliness. Then the light begins to fade, and the littlest dinosaur finds himself in a big forest. Being small, all alone, and lost in a big dark forest is not much fun at all. Reminding himself that he has “the heart of a dinosaur” even though he is tiny, the littlest dinosaur presses on. Surely he will be able to find his way home somehow.

   In this sweet littlest dinosaur picture book, Michael Foreman shows us that one does not have to be big to be brave. The award winning author and illustrator gives us a story that is warming and memorable.

The Cybils finalists are announced.

For the last couple of months children's book bloggers have spent hours reading books published in 2010 that were nominated by readers for the Cybils awards. The lists of the finalists are now in. Just in case you don't know, the Cybils are "are given each year by bloggers for the year's best children's and young adult titles. Nominations open to the public on October 1st." The books that were chosen as finalists are all excellent titles. Take a look:

Easy Readers & Early Chapter Books

Fantasy & Science Fiction (Middle Grade)

Fantasy & Science Fiction (Young Adult)

Fiction Picture Books

Graphic Novels (Middle Grade)

Graphic Novels (Young Adult)

Middle Grade Novels

Nonfiction Books (Middle Grade & Young Adult)

Nonfiction Picture Books

Poetry

Young Adult Novels

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Five

When I first moved to my town in Oregon, one of the things that struck me straight away was the way in which people, complete strangers, smiled at me and greeted me in the street, in the shops, and on the hiking trails. It is so warming to connect with others with a simple "hello," "good morning," or "isn't it a lovely day." This meaningful picture book shows readers what can happen when people do not make this connection.

So close

Natalia Colombo

Picture Book

Ages 6 and up

Tundra Books, 2008, 978-1-77049-207-3

   Every morning Mr. Duck and Mr. Rabbit walk right past each other on their way to work. Every evening Mr. Duck and Mr. Rabbit walk past each other on their way home from work. They never exchange a word or a look. They never think to say “hello.” Imagine how much better their lives could be if they greeted each other. Why, they might even become friends.

   This short picture book will resonate with readers of all ages. So often people are in such a hurry that they don’t notice their neighbors. They don’t make eye contact or acknowledge one another. This picture book shows readers how easy it is to break out of this pattern. It shows them to great effect how rewarding reaching out to others can be.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Four

Being in a birthdayish kind of mood, I have decided to offer you a picture book about a very special birthday. Ollie is a sweet little zebra who has stripes and long floppy ears, and this book is about his birthday celebration. If you have a small child or small children in your life, you would do well to take a look at the Ollie books. Children and adults alike find him hard to resist. I can only hope that the rest of the books in this series will be published in the U.S.soon.

I love birthdays

Anna Walker

Picture Book

For ages 2 to 5

Simon and Schuster, 2010, 978-1-4169-8320-0

Like many people of all ages around the world, Ollie loves birthdays. On his special day, Ollie’s friends bring him a “big surprise,” and they arrange a treasure hunt in the garden. They bring a “yummy” treat for all to share, and the friends don party hats, play tunes, and dance. All these things are wonderful, but there is more to come, and more birthday delights to share.

   In this delightful Ollie title, the charming little zebra and his friends are back. Little children will love this heartwarming story, with its musical text and its appealing watercolor illustrations. Readers of all ages will find it hard not to smile as they share Ollie’s special day. 

Canadian Children's Book Publisher is given the Order of Canada

 Groundwood publisher Patsy Aldana is appointed as a member of the Order of Canada

January 3, 2011 (TORONTO) — Groundwood Books Publisher Patsy Aldana has been appointed as a member of the Order of Canada by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. The announcement was made in Ottawa on December 30, 2010. Aldana was chosen for her contributions to children’s publishing in Canada and around the world.

Aldana founded Groundwood Books in 1978 in response to the perceived lack of a children’s literary tradition in Canada. Incorporated into House of Anansi Press in 2005, Groundwood is committed to publishing books that feature representations of marginalized voices and experiences that are not often heard. Groundwood Books has won seventeen Governor General’s Literary Awards to date.

Internationally, Aldana has just completed a term as the President of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). Founded on the belief that books can build bridges of understanding and peace between people, the organization is now comprised of seventy-two National Sections worldwide. Its newest members are the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

Aldana has most recently been named the 2011 recipient of the Ontario Library Association Les Fowlie Intellectual Freedom Award.

An op-ed from the January 3, 2011 edition of the Globe and Mail, which outlines Aldana’s beliefs on the importance of reading, is excerpted below:

Adults sometimes forget what reading means to children. Patsy Aldana of Toronto, publisher of Groundwood Books, who was named a member of the Order of Canada last week, has made children’s reading her life’s work. Reading is healing, she says. Reading is a window into oneself and others. Reading is a bulwark of democracy. And we don’t do enough, she says, to nurture our children’s love of reading.


Each child, Ms. Aldana says, should have access to books that are right for him or her. She is distressed that, in Ontario surveys, children and teenagers report that they are getting less pleasure from books than they used to. She blames that on an education system that in her view puts too much emphasis on literacy as a skill for future workers, and not enough emphasis on reading pleasure. Reading “talks to you about who you are, or it tells you something about who the other is. So they’re windows and mirrors.” And it’s essential to becoming a free person in a democratic society. “If you become a reader, you have a chance to become a critical thinker, to be a person who has some power over your life.”


Children’s love of reading is inherent and therefore timeless and universal. Adults can’t kill it, but they should heed Ms. Aldana’s message and do more to nurture it.

The Order of Canada is one of Canda's highest civilian honours. It was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation. Over the last forty years, more than five thousand people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Three

I am always on the look out for wordless picture books, and the ones created by Pat Schories, which look at the life of a little dog called Jack, are delightful. Here is a review of the latest book in this series.

When Jack goes out

Pat Schories

Wordless picture book

Ages 4 to 6

Boyds Mills Press, 2010, 978-1-59078-652-9

   Some time ago, Jack the dog met some very odd but charming alien visitors, and they are back. This time they turn up when Jack is chained to his doghouse at night. The little visitors are delighted to see Jack again, and they soon release him from his chain.

   Soon Jack and the little aliens are having a great time playing in the sandbox and swimming in the pond. They have such a wonderful time in fact, that the aliens decide that they want to take Jack home with them!

   This is the fifth wordless book that Pat Schories has created which features Jack the dog as the main character. Young children who don’t yet know how to read will love the fact that they can ‘read’ this book all by themselves. Children who can read will enjoy the detailed and rich illustrations, and they will love the surprising and satisfying ending.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Two

Three and a half years ago, on our farm in Virginia, we had two ducks who waddled around, eating insects in the vineyard and terrorizing the dogs. Though Scout and Jemima were not very brainy, they were very funny, and Jemima very generously laid eggs for us that we all enjoyed eating. I would like you to meet Duck and Goose, a pair of wonderful little birds created by Tad Hill. Every time I see a picture of these two I am reminded of my own ducks.

Duck and Goose

Tad Hills

Picture Book

Ages infants to age 3

Random House, 2006, 978-0-375-83611-4

   One morning Duck sees a large round thing lying in the grass. It is covered with colored spots, and Duck immediately decides that he has found an egg. Goose sees the same round thing, and he too decides that the object is an egg. Both birds then lay claim to the egg. Duck says that the egg is his because he “saw it first.” Goose insists that the egg is his because he “touched it first.”

   Soon a full-scale argument is raging around the egg, and after a lot of “fussing,” “slipping and sliding,” “honking and quacking,” the two birds manage to seat themselves on top of the egg. They are not getting along mind you, and the only thing they can agree on at first is that they “mustn’t disturb the little one” who is inside the egg.

   This charming picture book shows to great effect how two very different personalities can overcome their differences and find a common ground. Both Duck and Goose are strong willed and stubborn, and neither one wants to give in. Thankfully, something comes along that unites them in a very special way.

   This is one in a series of books about Duck and Goose. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book One

Happy New Year and welcome to the first day of the TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration. A few years ago I reviewed a book called Willow, which charmed me. I was therefore delighted to find out that the author and illustrator who created Willow have worked together again to bring us another book featuring their delight main character. Here is my review of this new title. 

Willow and the Snow Day Dance

Denise Brennan-Nelson

Illustrated by Cyd Moore

Picture Book

Ages 5 to 8

Sleeping Bear Press, 2011, 978-1-58536-522-7

   Willow has just moved to her new home, and she wastes no time getting busy. Soon Willow and her mother are planting a garden, but then they discover that they don’t have enough plants to fill their garden space. Willow decides to write to her neighbors. She asks them if they can help her fill her garden by donating a plant or two.

   By summertime, Willow’s garden is flourishing, and she delivers flowers to all her neighbors, including Mr. Larch, who lives next door. Mr. Larch is old, crabby, unneighborly, and anti-social, but Willow doesn’t know this. She takes him flowers anyway, and she asks him and all the other neighbors if they have any “scraps” to donate for her garden art projects. Soon her garden is full of old junk that Willow turns into interesting works of art.

   In the fall, Willow shares the vegetables from her garden with all the neighbors, including Mr. Larch, and she asks everyone to donate to the annual hat and mitten drive at her school. Can it be that Mr. Larch’s cold heart is starting to thaw, warmed by Willow’s friendship?

  This delightful book brings back the character who charmed readers in Willow. Once again, the little girl with the wild hair shows readers how a little creativity and a big heart can make the world a much happier place.