Our favorite titles

The Quiet Book – Deborah Underwood (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Here’s a book that should be in every child’s library. Renata Liwska’s endearing illustrations perfectly complement Underwood’s many kinds of quiet, both the sweet (“First snowfall quiet”) and the not-so-sweet (“Thinking of a good reason you were drawing on the wall quiet”). You – and every child who sees this book – will want to read it again and again, and you’ll doubtless come up with some new “quiet” ideas.

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya – Donna Jo Napoli (Simon & Schuster)

Stunningly illustrated by Kadir Nelson, this book tells the story of Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, who has worked effectively and tirelessly for decades to reverse deforestation in Kenya and to promote peace. Although this sounds like a category of books that can be regarded as almost medicinal, this one is anything but. It’s beautiful, informational, and truly inspiring.

Firehouse! – Mark Teague (Orchard Books)

Mark Teague’s gorgeous illustrations turn a pretty basic story about a visit to a firehouse into something extraordinary. The story touches all the bases: washing the fire engine, touring the firehouse, going on a fire drill, opening a hydrant, climbing a ladder, and rescuing a kitten. The pictures, brightly colored and from a variety of perspectives, make this THE visiting-a-firehouse book to have in your collection.

Farm - Elisha Cooper (Orchard Books)

Simple but engaging, the graceful text of this lovely book is complemented by watercolor illustrations that range from panoramas to tiny details surrounded by lots of white space. Cooper’s book gives readers an almost visceral sense of the sights, sounds, smells, and rhythms of working and living on a farm, cycling from early spring through late autumn. An eye-opener for city kids and a validation for farm kids.

Magnus Maximus, A Marvelous Measurer - Kathleen T. Pelley, S. D. Schindler, ill. (Farrar Straus Giroux)

Schindler’s delicate, detailed illustrations highlight the whimsy of Pelley’s charming story and place it in an idealized 19th century setting. The title character is justly famous for his measuring and counting skills, but a mishap and a child awaken him to the joys of things that can’t be measured. This delightful story and its intricate illustrations will appeal to both kids and adults.

Hip & Hop, Don’t Stop! – Jef Czekaj (Hyperion)

A very new take on an old fable. Hip is a turtle; Hop, a rabbit. They’re both rappers, and they enter a “Rap-Off” contest. Hip’s raps are v-e-r-y slow, Hop’s are lickety-split. They team up to win the contest together. The “celebrate difference” message is there, but not too heavy-handed. Lots of fun to read aloud, with vibrant, zippy illustrations.

Slow Down for Manatees - Jim Arnosky (Putnam)

Tender-hearted children (and adults!) will be moved by this sweet story of an injured manatee who, it turns out, is about to give birth. Badly cut up by the propellers of a carelessly driven boat, the manatee is rescued and lovingly nursed back to health by a dedicated team. The birth of a calf and a warning to boaters complete the story.

Dogs - Emily Gravett (Simon & Schuster)

Any dog lover will be totally charmed by the wonderful Gravett’s latest offering. Beautifully illustrated, with very simple text and a surprise twist at the end, the book takes a loving look at all kinds of canines. Be sure not to miss the wonderful endpapers and even the clever copyright page!

One True Bear - Ted Dewan (Walker)

Is there a heart so hard that it won’t be melted by this tale of a teddy bear who works to become a difficult child’s “one true bear.” Does this bear have “the right stuffing”? No, there isn’t and yes, he does. The child grows up to share the lessons he’s learned from the kindness and dedication of his teddy. Have a handkerchief handy.

The Lion & the Mouse - Jerry Pinkney (Little, Brown & Co.)

Pinkney’s magnificent illustrations have contributed so much to countless picture books over the decades; in this stunning volume, the illustrations are the book. Virtually wordless (save for a few sound-effects words), the book tells Aesop’s fable of the mouse, spared by a lion, who later becomes the lion’s savior. The detail of the splendid watercolors will entrance children (and adults!). Here’s an end to the art vs. illustration debate: These pictures are both.

Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated - Florence Parry Heide; Lane Smith, ill. (Schwartz & Wade Books)

Being a princess may seem desirable, but not if you have poor Hyacinth’s problem: she’s lighter than air and must always be weighted or tied down lest she float away. But Hyacinth’s indomitable spirit and the intervention of a clever new friend render her problem at worst a mere inconvenience and at best an opportunity for great fun. The airy, whimsical illustrations add to the delight of this most delightful book.

Testing the Ice: A True Story about Jackie Robinson - Sharon Robinson; Kadir Nelson, ill. (Scholastic)

A moving story, beautifully told and gorgeously illustrated.  This wonderful glimpse into Jackie Robinson’s life, both inside baseball and within his family, is told by his daughter, who shares the story of the integration of the major leagues and gives us a sense of who Robinson was as a husband and father. She draws a parallel between what was required of Robinson during his time with the Brooklyn Dodgers and how he faced his fear of testing the ice on a lake where his children wanted to skate. The incomparable Kadir Nelson’s illustrations will take your breath away.

Hook - Ed Young (Viking)

Minimal text and stunning illustrations bring to life a lovely and uplifting story. A young Native American boy finds an egg and puts it in a chicken’s nest. An eaglet hatches. The adoptive mother hen recognizes that the eagle is “not meant for earth.” But learning to fly presents a major challenge: who will teach him? The boy and hen do and, after repeated failures, ultimately the eagle soars. So will the reader.

The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School - Laurie Halse Anderson; Ard Hoyt, ill. (Simon & Schuster)

The award-winning author of Speak and Chains gives us a frivolous look at a head of hair that puts Rapunzel’s to shame. Zoe’s massive mane has a life of its own: it can pour a glass of juice, brush her teeth, pack her lunch. It was a hit in kindergarten, but her first-grade teacher won’t tolerate the hair’s antics. When the hair saves her lesson on the planets, though, the teacher comes around. Silly and fun, with some low-key lessons along the way.

Magic Box - Katie Cleminson (Disney-Hyperion)

A fabulous picture book debut! Eva, simply and almost colorlessly drawn, receives a very special box for her birthday. Jumping inside, she becomes a magician. She conjures a pet polar bear named Monty, many rabbits, a huge party with animal musicians, and a riot of color. When the party guests have “danced their socks off,” a click of Eva’s fingers makes everything -- well, almost everything -- vanish. Quirky and very engaging.

Hello Baby! - Mem Fox, Steve Jenkins, ill. (Beach Lane)

What a lovely book to share with your baby or toddler! Fox and Jenkins team up for a simple, captivating rhyme about animal babies enhanced by luscious paper-collage illustrations. Your child will beg you to read it again and again, and it’s so charming you’ll be happy to oblige.

The Frogs and Toads All Sang - Arnold Lobel (HarperCollins)

Lobel’s daughter, Adrienne, came upon a handmade book her father created as a gift for a friend. The book, which predates Lobel’s much-loved Frog and Toad early readers, gives us a window into how those characters evolved. The poems and illustrations in this new/old book are delightful. Many thanks to Adrienne Lobel for sharing this book with the rest of us!

Moon Rabbit - Natalie Russell (Viking)

This city mouse/country mouse story (but with rabbits) has much to say about being true to yourself while making accommodations for those you care about. Stunning illustrations with an unusual color palette enhance the tale, which ends with a twist that feels both unexpected and inevitable.

Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg & Three Cups of Tea - Greg Mortenson & Susan Roth (Dial)

Greg Mortenson, author of the widely celebrated Three Cups of Tea, has created a version of his remarkable story for young readers. After a mountaineering mishap, a bruised and battered Mortenson stumbled into a small village in Pakistan, where villagers took very good care of him. In gratitude, he returned to help the community build a school. This has led to an international organization that’s helped build 57 more schools. The extraordinary story is complemented by breathtaking collage illustrations by Susan Roth.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed - Mo Willems (Hyperion)

Mo Willems (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!) must have been anointed by the Gods of Picture Books. He can tickle the fancies and imaginations of both adults and children, even when, as in this case, he’s teaching a lesson about respecting and learning from those who see things differently. And there’s just something about the very idea of naked mole rats that makes us all giggle!

Wabi Sabi - Mark Reibstein, illustrated by Ed Young (Little, Brown & Co.)

Which is more breathtaking, the text or the art? You decide. There are lots of books about haiku for both children and adults, but it’s rare to find one that more thoroughly explains and demonstrates the form. This stunningly simple - and simply stunning - book does both. A cat named Wabi Sabi searches for the meaning of her name. With each magnificent double-page spread she learns a bit more about the concept, at the heart of Japanese culture, which encompasses finding beauty and harmony in the simplicity of the natural world.