The Best Children's Illustrated Books of 2007

One of the things I love about children's books is looking at the illustrations. Some books just have pictures or drawings or nothing fancy. But other books are worth having just for the artwork. The New York Times honors these artists with a slideshow of these works along with some book information. View the slideshow.

What The Dickens: Gregory Maguire's New Children's Book

Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked, has written a children's book called What The Dickens. What The Dickens is the name of a tooth fairy who came to life in a tin can and discovers he has an affinity for teeth!

Watch an interview video with Gregory Maguire where he talks about this book and his return to writing children's books. Plus there are a lot of other video interviews with him on this page as well.

The Cat in the Hat Turns 50!

I just came across this FoxNews article about The Cat in the Hat turning 50 years old. I remember my sisters reading that, as well as other Dr. Seuss books, to me when I was little. I also read it to my children.

What a trouble maker that Cat was! As a child I wished he'd come stir up some trouble in my house when my mother wasn't home. But if the truth be known, my true hero's were Thing 1 and Thing 2! I loved how they came out of their box and went straight to the job of having fun!

As a mother, I'm glad The Cat in the Hat never paid my kids a visit. Imagine the mess to clean up if he did! ;) And yet, he how to have fun. Shouldn't we also take that wisdom to heart?

I'm glad I found that article for the unexpected trip down memory lane.

I think the first Dr. Seuss book I ever read (or memorized) was One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. What was your first book?

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, Kevin Hawkes

From School Library Journal:
Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 2–Miss Merriweather, head librarian and decorum-keeper, first meets Lion when he saunters past his stone counterparts and into the stacks. Scowling circulation assistant Mr. McBee seems intent on having the enormous cat ejected, but his boss declares that as long as he breaks no rules, he is welcome. The beast does misbehave though, roaring loud displeasure when storytime ends. At Miss Merriweather's reprimand, the contrite-looking lion promises to reform. In fact, he becomes something of a fixture in the building, dusting with his tail, licking envelopes, and serving as a stepstool for small patrons. Everyone appreciates him–except Mr. McBee. When Lion lets out another tremendous RAAAHHHRRR!, the man bursts into Miss Merriweather's office to snitch–and there he finds her in distress, having fallen from a stool and broken her arm. Lion, à la Lassie, has saved the day, but he is so chagrined by his own rule-breaking behavior that he doesn't return to the library. People miss him. Even Mr. McBee. A feel-good ending and a reminder that Sometimes, there is a good reason to break the rules bring the story to its most-satisfactory conclusion. Hawkes's deft acrylic-and-pencil pictures have appeal for generations of library lovers. They are rich with expression, movement, and detail. The lordly, lovable lion is a masterful mix–regal beast and furry friend–and the many human characters are drawn with animation and emotion. This winsome pairing of text and illustration is a natural for storytime and a first purchase for every collection.–Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (July 25, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0763622621
ISBN-13: 978-0763622626

Customer Review: 5/5

On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman

From Publishers Weekly:
The birth of a baby—"the one and only ever you"—causes jubilation throughout creation in this quietly celebratory picture book from newcomer Tillman. Polar bears dance, giraffes weave to the sound of brass horns, and "the moon smiled with such wonder/ that the stars peeked in to see you/ and the night wind whispered,/ 'Life will never be the same.' " Tillman successfully sidesteps the soft-focus sappiness that can accompany this genre. Her writing has the authenticity of whispered conversation; occasionally, she pauses in her exaltations of the baby to address the subject directly: "I think I'll count to three so you can wiggle your toes for me." Her strong, assured paintings truly set this book apart. The pictures subtly radiate golden glints of moonlight, and her almost sculptural rendering style gives her characters a hefty physicality that counterbalances the ethereal sentiments being expressed. Although one suspects that grown-ups will be most taken with the topic and treatment, this is one of those rare baby books that should make both skeptics and sentimentalists of all ages happy. All ages. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (October 17, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312346069
ISBN-13: 978-0312346065

Customer Review: 5/5

A Princess Primer by Stephanie True Peters

Book Description:
For ages the fairy godmother has helped make young girls’ dreams come true. Now, for the first time, she reveals her closely guarded secrets in one wondrous volume. Everything a girl needs to know about being a princess is presented in this facsimile of the fairy godmother’s personal journal, from how to wear a sparkling tiara and choose a fancy gown to what to expect at a royal ball and how to recognize a true prince. In addition to her advice and tips, the fairy godmother offers stories and personal reminiscences, all illustrated with breathtaking paintings of rich landscapes, marvelous castle interiors, and princesses from around the world. This is an incomparable gift for girls who dream of having a little fairy godmother magic in their lives.

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (September 21, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0525477659
ISBN-13: 978-0525477655

Customer Review: 3.5/5

Charlotte's Web

From Publishers Weekly:
E.B. White's enduring classic celebrates in style with the release of the Charlotte's Web 5oth Anniversary Retrospective Edition. The handsome volume sports a clothbound cover framing original jacket art; inside, Rosemary Wells adds country color to Garth Williams's original b&w illustrations. An afterword by Peter F. Neumeyer illuminates White's life and work, including photographs of the author on his farm in Maine as well as pages from the seminal manuscript.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; Reissue edition (October 15, 1952)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060263857
ISBN-13: 978-0060263850

Customer Review: 4.5/5

Fairyopolis: A Flower Faries Journal by Cicely Mary Barker

Book Description:
Do you believe in fairies? Protected and hidden by a society of Fairy lovers for over 80 years the secret fairy journal of Cicely Mary Barker is available for the first time ever to the public. Learn what really happened during that magical Summer of 1920 when Cicely Mary Barker discovered the secret world of the Flower Fairies.

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Warne (October 20, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0723257248
ISBN-13: 978-0723257240

Customer Review: 4.5/5

Owen & Mzee: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship by Craig Hatkoff, Peter Greste

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 5 When the six-year-old contributor to this book saw the photograph documenting the extraordinary friendship between a baby hippo (Owen) and a 130-year-old giant tortoise (Mzee), she persuaded her father to help tell their story.

Originally an e-book, the hardcover version begins with images of the duo, whetting readers' appetite and providing reassurance as the potentially disturbing plot unfolds. After a scene depicting a pod of hippos near the Sabuki River in Kenya, the text describes the 600-pound baby's displacement and separation from the group during the 2004 tsunami. Children witness the challenging rescue and meet the knowledgeable staff at an animal sanctuary. From Owen's first approach for protection to Mzee's unexpected tolerance, the photographs, mostly by BBC photojournalist Greste, capture the pair eating, swimming, snuggling, and playing together. Their contentment and peace are palpable. Because it is sensitively structured, with careful choices about what is emphasized and illustrated, the situation does not overwhelm readers. The text and the back matter are brimming with information about the animals, their caregivers, and the locale.

This touching story of the power of a surprising friendship to mitigate the experience of loss is full of heart and hope.

A worthy complement is Ann Morris and Heidi Larson's glimpse at a human family's loss and recovery in Tsunami: Helping Each Other (Millbrook, 2005). Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (February 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0439829739

Customer Review: 5/5

Eragon / Eldest (Inheritance, Books 1 & 2) [BOX SET]

Book Description
In the #1 New York Times bestselling novels Eragon and Eldest, fifteen year-old Eragon discovers his destiny as a Dragon Rider. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and his dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. This beautiful boxed set includes books I and II in the Inheritance trilogy.

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 1232 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; Slipcase edition (August 23, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN: 0375836586

Customer Review: 4.5/5


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Merry Christmas, Curious George! by H.A. and Margret Rey, Cathy Hapka, Mary O'Keefe Young

From School Library Journal:
PreSchool-Grade 1–Curious George goes Christmas tree shopping with the man in the yellow hat, and climbs into a tree that gets delivered to a children's hospital. Although lost, the little monkey makes the best of the situation by decorating the boughs with such items as gauze, X-rays, and crutches and by changing the name tags on all the presents. All ends well as the young patients are entertained and the man with the yellow hat arrives to collect his companion. The text is stilted, and both the plot and illustrations owe a great deal to Margret and H. A. Rey's Curious George Goes to the Hospital (Houghton, 1966). Still, the illustrations capture the look, if not the flavor and charm, of the originals, and so this book will likely be popular with young Curious George fans.–Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (October 9, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0618692371

No Rating Available
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The End (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 13) by Lemony Snicket

Book Description

Dear Reader,

You are presumably looking at the back of this book, or the end of the end. The end of the end is the best place to begin the end, because if you read the end from the beginning of the beginning of the end to the end of the end of the end, you will arrive at the end of the end of your rope.

This book is the last in A Series of Unfortunate Events, and even if you braved the previous twelve volumes, you probably can't stand such unpleasantries as a fearsome storm, a suspicious beverage, a herd of wild sheep, an enormous bird cage, and a truly haunting secret about the Baudelaire parents.

It has been my solemn occupation to complete the history of the Baudelaire orphans, and at last I am finished. You likely have some other occupation, so if I were you I would drop this book at once, so the end does not finish you.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

Reading level: All Ages
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (October 13, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0064410161

My Review: While I haven't read this book yet, I did read several of the beginning books (and saw the movie) and I loved them! I would love to read the whole series at some point in the near future.
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The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Awarded the John Newberry Medal
A Junior Library Guild Selection

From book jacket:
This is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in darkness but covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl with a simple, impossible wish. These characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and ultimately, into each other's lives. And what happens then? Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 0-439-69220-2
2004
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Review: 4/5
Filled with action and excitement.

Book condition: Like new

$8.75 Buy It!