Ain’t Nobody a Stranger to Me
by Ann Grifalconi and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
ages 4-8
This is an excellent account of a hard to explain subject: slavery. The story of freedom is concise, generous in its praise for those who helped, and serves as a grandfather/granddaughter bond. Jerry Pinkney is an award winning illustrator and his drawings reflect the loving and optimistic message of the story.
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County
by Janice Harrington and illustrated by Shelley Jackson
ages 4-7
This is a charming story of a zestful, exuberant child who loves to wake up each morning and chase a big red hen. When the hen hatches a flock of little chicks the child changes her mood. The collage artwork and the colorful Southern language make the reader feel he is on the homey farm.
Dadblamed Union Army Cow
by Susan Fletcher and illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root
ages 5-8
Based on a true story this tale introduces a cow that went into battle during the Civil War. While the owner starts out disgusted that the animal follows him to war, the cow turns out to be valuable in many ways. In the end the cow receives a medal and is written up in the local newspaper.
Diary of a Fly
by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Harry Bliss
ages 4-8
Hilarious adventures of a young fly as he goes through his life that is very much like that of a human’s. Each page is a joke and twist on everyday occurrences seen through the multiple eyes of a fly. Along the way the reader gets to learn some facts about the insect. Wonderful fun for all.
The Dumpster Diver
by Janet S. Wong and illustrated by David Roberts
grades k-4
Every week a tenant dives into a dumpster to look for junk that he and the kids who live in the apartment house recycle into useful items. Illustrations are filled with humor. They make the story outstanding. Story is relayed on strips of paper that are pasted on the pages. The watercolor and ink pictures come alive with the reinvented castoffs being given new life as helpful objects.
Ed Emberley's Bye-Bye Big Bad Bullybug!
By Ed Emberley
ages 3-6
An excellent example of a story time read-aloud, this book comes with cut outs that will delight and pique a child’s curiosity. Adorable and childlike, kids will love the slow revealing of the bully as each page exposes another part of its anatomy. Veteran children’s artist Ed Emberley has provided a quintessential picture book that is sure to capture a preschooler’s attention.
Extra! Extra! Fairy-tale news from Hidden Forest
written by Alma Flor Ada and illustrated by Leslie Tryon
ages 5-8
This fiction book is laid out as a series of newspaper stories. Each story tells of the adventures of the oversized beanstalk, the race between the tortoise and the hare, and the search for Geppetto and Pinocchio. This delightful introduction to newspaper readings includes pictures drawn in different styles to reflect the stories.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel in Words and Pictures
illustrated and written
by Brian Selznick
grades 4-7
Hugo Cabret is an orphan living in a Paris train station in the 1930’s. He is obsessed with discovering the secret of an automation that he inherited from his father. This brilliant book is mapped out in hundreds of black and white drawings, reminiscent of silent filmmaker Georges Melies, who plays a special role in the book. An intriguing picture book novel that grips the reader with excellent illustrations and engrossing story.
Leaving the Nest
written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
ages 3-7
This is an adorable story of a baby jay, a kitten and a little girl who all “try their wings” at the same time. The parallel adventures happen by a tree with curious squirrels observing the chaos as the bird tries to fly, the girl tries to ride her bike and the kitten chases everything in sight. Gerstein’s colored drawings capture the intimacy of the backyard adventure.
The Longest Season
by Cal Ripken, Jr.and illustrated by Ron Mazellan
grades k-5
Baseball star Ripken devotes this book to the time when his team lost 21 games in a row. The story is memorable in its honest depiction that losing streaks happen to everyone, even winners. Full-page illustrations carry the usual baseball images.
Old Mother Bear
by Victoria Miles and illustrated by Molly Bang
ages 4-8
The life cycle of a grizzly bear is told in easy to understand, readable prose. Pictures are immediate, honest and true to the text. Oils and chalk combine to make these illustrations reflect the pastoral countryside or the harsh winters.
Old Penn Station
written and illustrated by William Low
grades k-4
This is a beautiful book about the history and demolition of Penn Station in New York City. Clear, understandable text forms the backdrop for outstanding illustrations. The drawings reflect the size, magnificence and strength of the building. A book designed to help children understand that monuments should be preserved and not destroyed.
The Perfect Nest
by Catherine Friend and illustrated by John Manders
ages 3-6
In this adorable story a cat lures a chicken, duck and goose into a nest so that they will lay eggs for the cat’s omelet. At first the birds fight over the nest but eventually they fly off and leave the cat with 3 eggs that turn into babies. Jack the Cat learns that the perfect nest is one that holds his loving brood.
The Secret of Priest’s Grotto: a Holocaust Survival Story
by Peter Lane Taylor with Christos Nicola
grades 4-to adult
This is an incredible true account of a group of Jews who hid in caves for over a year to escape the Nazis. The author tracked down the family and relays the story of their survival. Bold photographs of the caves, the tools and the survivors contribute to this powerful story.
The Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing
by Helen Lester and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
ages 4-7
A sheep dresses up as a wolf for a costume ball and is mistaken for the bad wolf that dressed up as a sheep. Moral: be happy in your own skin. This is a very funny story with cute illustrations.
Selvakumar Knew Better
by Virginia Kroll and illustrated by Xiaojun Li
ages 4-9
Touching story about a dog that saves the life of a little boy caught in the Tsunami of 2004. Because of the dog’s sense of danger the family is reunited in safety. Noble dog, scared child and stormy seas are steeped in provocative emotion.
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
by Peter Sis
grades 3-6
Peter Sis relates his struggle for creativity and personal freedom during the years he was growing up in Communist Czechoslovakia. Dominated by artistic vignettes a complicated subject is explained in terms that children will understand. Black, white, gray and red represent the repression of Communist rule. Color breaks through when Sis expresses democracy and freedom.
Wind Flyers
by Angela Johnson and illustrated by Loren Long
ages 4-8
This is the story of the Tuskegee Airmen done in simple picture book format. Great double spread illustrations fill the book like blue fills the sky. Each picture stands alone in this introduction to an important historical contribution.