Children's Books

I read many, many children's picture books each year, too many to list them all.  Instead, I am going to list here the books I've read that are good enough to recommend for one reason or another.

Some of My Favorite 2014 Children's Books

1 to 20, Animals Aplenty  by Katie Viggers
There are oh, so many counting books in the children's book marketplace, and many of them involve animals.  "1 cat, 2 dogs, 3 pigs, 4 cows," etc.  While these are valuable and important books to read to children, it is refreshing to see a book do something new with the format.  1 to 20, Animals Aplenty  takes the counting book up several levels. "Six baboons and six balloons" is unique in itself, but it doesn't stop there.  The names of the six different type of baboons illustrated on the pages are printed below their pictures: hamadryas, yellow, Guinea, baby Guinea, olive, chacma. The names and varieties of animals are seen on many pages (who knew there were so many varieties of pigs?), which make it appealing to readers interested in the animal kingdom and to slightly older children (and the adults reading to children). It's not all just about the details of the animal kingdom, though, there are straight-up funny examples such as "17 ants in their underpants" (no names of various ants here) and "16 chickens reading Dickens" (a mixture of humor and high-brow). Definitely fun for ages 4-6, and because of the animal names and level of humor, will be enjoyable for those up to age 10.

Here is a link to 1 to 20, Animals Aplenty on Goodreads.

Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything  by Maira Kalman
I usually dislike children's history books.  It is hard to boil down historical events and people's lives to a level children can understand and be engaged by, while still capturing the important elements.  Kalman's book does it perfectly.  In a way children will understand, Kalman describes why Thomas Jefferson was an important person, the role he played in American history and how he was unique.  Another reason I am a fan of this book is that Kalman head-on addresses Jefferson's role as a slave owner, something many children's (and adult books) bumble around.

Here is a link to Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything on Goodreads.

Lulu & Pip by Nina Gruener
I adored this book.  From the cover of the book, you will think the book is about a little girl and her donkey, but it is really about Lula and the stuffed friend she is holding, Pip.  They are city kids and go on an adventure in the country, where they pitch a tent, hang their feet in the creek, and meet up with a donkey.  The photographs in this book are charming and because the clothing and elements in the photos are not contemporary, have a nostalgic, un-dated feel to them.

Here is a link to Lulu & Pip on Goodreads.

Sparky! by Susan Stockdale
This is an adorable story about a girl and her pet sloth.  As a pet, Sparky doesn't exactly meet her expectations, but along the way she learns to love Sparky for who he is and what he bring to her life.

Here is a link to Sparky on Goodreads.

The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems
There is a new Pigeon book!  There is a new Pigeon book!  When this book arrived at the library I hugged it to my chest and said "woo hoo!"  and my colleague asked "is that for the girls?"  No, it's for me!!  I love Mo Willems's Pigeon books (ok, I love ALL his books) because they are so funny!  And also, my girls love them :)

Here is a link to The Pigeon Needs a Bath on Goodreads.

! (Exclamation Mark) by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
This book is great!  Especially appropriate for 1st and 2nd graders, I think (it helps to have some understanding of punctuation), but even older kids will see the humor (as do adults!  I loved this book)

Here is a link to a description of the book on Goodreads.com

Ah Ha!  by Jeff Mack

Here is a link to a description of the book on Goodreads.com

Old Mikamba Had a Farm by Rachel Isadora

Here is a link to a description of the book on Goodreads.com