Give a Child the Gift of Reading!
Encourage a child in your life to read books that make them laugh, take them on trips to faraway places, or simply make them wild about books. These children's books, all published in 2007, are perfect gifts for any occasion, all year round. (Thanks to the nice folks at the Chicago Public Library for their help in compiling this list).
FOR THE YOUNGEST BOOK LOVER
BABY BEAR, BABY BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE? by Bill Martin Jr. illustrated by Eric Carle. (Holt) ages 1-4
Baby bear sets off to find his mama and on the way meets a cast of North American animals in this final collaboration between Martin and Carle.
BOUNCE by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Scott Menchin (Atheneum) ages 2-5
Jump, hop, leap and ....bounce the day away in this rhyming romp.
A GOOD DAY by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow) ages 2-5
What begins as a bad day for a bird, a puppy, a fox and a squirrel turns into a very good one for each of them and their young neighbor.
KATY DUCK by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Henry Cole (Little Simon) ages 2-5
Katy loves to twirl, stretch and float, but even little ballerinas can sometimes be shy.
MOUSE SHAPES by Ellen Stoll Walsh (Harcourt) ages 2-6
All it takes is some circles,squares, triangels and imagination for three mice to outsmart the cat.
KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY by Mo Willems (Hyperion) ages 3-7
Trixie and her Knuffle Bunny are back and ready for school.
MRS. O'LEARY'S COW by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Jenny Mattheson (Little Brown) ages 3-8
Did the poor old cow do it? Sing along to find out!
PUNK FARM ON TOUR by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Knopf) ages 3-7
Watch the wheels of the tour van go round and round as these musical farm animals rock and roll all over America. Sequel to PUNK FARM.
PIRATES DON'T CHANGE DIAPERS by Melinda Long, illustrated by David Shannon (Harcourt) ages 4-8
Maybe so, but they can be good babysitters, and that's something any big brother or sister will appreciate.
A TRAIN GOES CLICKEY-CLACK by Jonathan London, illustrated by Denis Roche (Holt) ages 2-5
All aboard for a rockin' and rhymin' ride through town and country.
ANIMAL POEMS by Valerie Worth, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (FSG) ages 8-12
Dozens of poems crawl, fly, slither, swim and hop.
GOOD SPORTS: RHYMES ABOUT RUNNING, JUMPING, THROWING AND MORE by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Knopf) ages 6-11
This one hits it out of the park!
HERE'S A LITTLE POEM: A VERY FIRST BOOK OF POETRY collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by Polly Dunbar (Candlewick) ages 6-11
More than 60 delicious selections will create new poetry fans as readers play with rhythm and rhyme.
*****BADGER'S FANCY MEAL by Keiko Kasza (Putnam) ages 4-7***** THIS IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE FOR STORY & ILLUSTRATION!!!
Badger has a taste for gourmet food, but it seems the ingredients he's after are hungrier and quicker than he is. A dual story unfolds in this clever tale.
BEETLE BOP by Denise Fleming (Harcourt) ages 4-8
Beetles are all around us, in the city and on every pages of this colorful and informative guide.
DOG by Matthew Van Fleet, photographs by Brian Stanton (Simon and Schuster/PaulaWiseman) ages 1-5
This sturdy interactive book introduces action words and concepts and features many different breeds and one cat.
GATOR by Randy Cecil (Candlewick) ages 3-6
Gator is left with an ache in his heart after jumping off an unused carousel.
VULTURE VIEW by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Holt) ages 5-8
The world from a turkey vulture's perspective is a stinky and rotten place full of tasty food, told in rhyme.
TERRIFIC TALES: THE CHICKEN-CHASING QUEEN OF LAMAR COUNTY by Janice N. Harrington, illustrated by Shelley Jackson (FSG/Melanie Kroupa) ages 4-8
A smart young girl tries hard everyday to get her hands on a hen depicted in charming country collages.
FIONA'S LUCK by Teresa Bateman, illustrated by Kelly Murphy (Charlesbridge) ages 7-11
Anyone who gets to enjoy this delightful original Irish folktale is lucky.
PAPI'S GIFT by Karen Stanton, illustrated by Rene King Moreno (Boyds Mills) ages 5-8
Because her father lives in a different country, he can only wish Graciela feliz cumpleanos over the phone.
BOOKS TO READ ALOUD TOGETHER
DO UNTO OTTERS: A BOOK ABOUT MANNERS by Laurie Keller (Holt) ages 5-8
When new neighbors move in, Mr. Rabbit is worried about how they will get along.
FRED AND TED LIKE TO FLY by Peter Eastman (Random House) ages 4-8
These small and tall friends are taking off in their red and green airplanes for adventures.
*****A SEED IS SLEEPY by Dianna Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long (Chronicle) ages 6-9*******THIS IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE FOR ILLUSTRATION!!!!!!
Gentle and clear language, along with exquisite watercolor drawings, shows the secrets and miracles of seeds.
THE TALENTED CLEMENTINE by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee (Hyperion) ages 8-10
Clementine may not be a very good Elvis impersonator but she is funny, fantastic and talented!
TODAY I WILL FLY!: AN ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE BOOK by Mo Willems (Hyperion) ages 8-10
Just as Piggie is confident about flying, this new series will increase the confidence of beginning readers.
WILL YOU READ TO ME? by Denys Cazet (Atheneum/Richard Jackson) ages 6-8
It takes Hamlet a long time to find someone on the farm who loves to read and write as much as he does.
THE DOWN-TO-EARTH GUIDE TO GLOBAL WARMING by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon (Scholastic/Orchard) ages 8-14
Kids and teens concerned about the environment will find this a dynamic book which features important infomation and practical tips on reducing their carbon footprint.
ELIJAH OF BUXTON by Christopher Paul Curtis (Scholastic) ages 9-13
As the first child in his family born into freedom, 11-year-old Elijah finds the courage to leave the safety of his Canadian home and travel to the American South to right a wrong.
HORSERADISH: BITTER TRUTHS YOU CAN'T AVOID by Lemony Snicket (HarperCollins) ages 9-13
Lots of observations and advice to enlighten and entertain those brave enough to read this book.
THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick (Scholastic) ages 9-13
A truly original creation blends pictures and words as never before to present the mystery of a Parisian orphan who hides himself and a big secret from the outside world.
THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY by Trenton Lee Stewart (Little brown) ages 10-13
The ad for "gifted children looking for special opportunities" intrigues 11 year old Reynie and begins his quest through distant places where he and his friends must fight against forces trying to take over the world.
**********PAINT THE WIND by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic) ages 9-12***********EXCELLENT!!
Sent to live with relatives she doesn't know in a place she's never been, Maya finds a new life and a love for horses in Wyoming in this story about love, adventure and wide open spaces.
SLAM DUNK! by Sharon Robinson (Scholastic) ages 9-12
Even though Jumper is gifted on both the basketball court and in school, getting used to sixth grade in the big city can still be tricky.
BOOK CRUSH: FOR KIDS AND TEENS--RECOMMENDED READING FOR EVERY MOOD, MOMENT AND INTEREST by Nancy Pearl (Sasquatch) all ages
Don't know which book to read or share next? Open this first and you're sure to find at least one to fall in love with.
LET IT SHINE: THREE FAVORITE SPIRTUALS by Ashley Bryan (Atheneum) all ages
Unique and colorful cut paper illustrations bring these traditional and celebratory songs to life.
MAZEWAYS A TO Z by Roxie Munro (Sterling) ages 4 and up
Bring your clever minds and fingers along on these 26 alpha-adventures and find your way through mazes while searching for hidden objects.
Happy Holidays to you all!!
FOR THE YOUNGEST BOOK LOVER
BABY BEAR, BABY BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE? by Bill Martin Jr. illustrated by Eric Carle. (Holt) ages 1-4
Baby bear sets off to find his mama and on the way meets a cast of North American animals in this final collaboration between Martin and Carle.
BOUNCE by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Scott Menchin (Atheneum) ages 2-5
Jump, hop, leap and ....bounce the day away in this rhyming romp.
A GOOD DAY by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow) ages 2-5
What begins as a bad day for a bird, a puppy, a fox and a squirrel turns into a very good one for each of them and their young neighbor.
KATY DUCK by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Henry Cole (Little Simon) ages 2-5
Katy loves to twirl, stretch and float, but even little ballerinas can sometimes be shy.
MOUSE SHAPES by Ellen Stoll Walsh (Harcourt) ages 2-6
All it takes is some circles,squares, triangels and imagination for three mice to outsmart the cat.
PICTURE BOOKS
KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY by Mo Willems (Hyperion) ages 3-7
Trixie and her Knuffle Bunny are back and ready for school.
MRS. O'LEARY'S COW by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Jenny Mattheson (Little Brown) ages 3-8
Did the poor old cow do it? Sing along to find out!
PUNK FARM ON TOUR by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Knopf) ages 3-7
Watch the wheels of the tour van go round and round as these musical farm animals rock and roll all over America. Sequel to PUNK FARM.
PIRATES DON'T CHANGE DIAPERS by Melinda Long, illustrated by David Shannon (Harcourt) ages 4-8
Maybe so, but they can be good babysitters, and that's something any big brother or sister will appreciate.
A TRAIN GOES CLICKEY-CLACK by Jonathan London, illustrated by Denis Roche (Holt) ages 2-5
All aboard for a rockin' and rhymin' ride through town and country.
PICK A POEM
ANIMAL POEMS by Valerie Worth, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (FSG) ages 8-12
Dozens of poems crawl, fly, slither, swim and hop.
GOOD SPORTS: RHYMES ABOUT RUNNING, JUMPING, THROWING AND MORE by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Knopf) ages 6-11
This one hits it out of the park!
HERE'S A LITTLE POEM: A VERY FIRST BOOK OF POETRY collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by Polly Dunbar (Candlewick) ages 6-11
More than 60 delicious selections will create new poetry fans as readers play with rhythm and rhyme.
CRAFTY CREATURES
*****BADGER'S FANCY MEAL by Keiko Kasza (Putnam) ages 4-7***** THIS IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE FOR STORY & ILLUSTRATION!!!
Badger has a taste for gourmet food, but it seems the ingredients he's after are hungrier and quicker than he is. A dual story unfolds in this clever tale.
BEETLE BOP by Denise Fleming (Harcourt) ages 4-8
Beetles are all around us, in the city and on every pages of this colorful and informative guide.
DOG by Matthew Van Fleet, photographs by Brian Stanton (Simon and Schuster/PaulaWiseman) ages 1-5
This sturdy interactive book introduces action words and concepts and features many different breeds and one cat.
GATOR by Randy Cecil (Candlewick) ages 3-6
Gator is left with an ache in his heart after jumping off an unused carousel.
VULTURE VIEW by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Holt) ages 5-8
The world from a turkey vulture's perspective is a stinky and rotten place full of tasty food, told in rhyme.
TERRIFIC TALES: THE CHICKEN-CHASING QUEEN OF LAMAR COUNTY by Janice N. Harrington, illustrated by Shelley Jackson (FSG/Melanie Kroupa) ages 4-8
A smart young girl tries hard everyday to get her hands on a hen depicted in charming country collages.
FIONA'S LUCK by Teresa Bateman, illustrated by Kelly Murphy (Charlesbridge) ages 7-11
Anyone who gets to enjoy this delightful original Irish folktale is lucky.
PAPI'S GIFT by Karen Stanton, illustrated by Rene King Moreno (Boyds Mills) ages 5-8
Because her father lives in a different country, he can only wish Graciela feliz cumpleanos over the phone.
BOOKS TO READ ALOUD TOGETHER
DO UNTO OTTERS: A BOOK ABOUT MANNERS by Laurie Keller (Holt) ages 5-8
When new neighbors move in, Mr. Rabbit is worried about how they will get along.
FRED AND TED LIKE TO FLY by Peter Eastman (Random House) ages 4-8
These small and tall friends are taking off in their red and green airplanes for adventures.
*****A SEED IS SLEEPY by Dianna Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long (Chronicle) ages 6-9*******THIS IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE FOR ILLUSTRATION!!!!!!
Gentle and clear language, along with exquisite watercolor drawings, shows the secrets and miracles of seeds.
THE TALENTED CLEMENTINE by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee (Hyperion) ages 8-10
Clementine may not be a very good Elvis impersonator but she is funny, fantastic and talented!
TODAY I WILL FLY!: AN ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE BOOK by Mo Willems (Hyperion) ages 8-10
Just as Piggie is confident about flying, this new series will increase the confidence of beginning readers.
WILL YOU READ TO ME? by Denys Cazet (Atheneum/Richard Jackson) ages 6-8
It takes Hamlet a long time to find someone on the farm who loves to read and write as much as he does.
BOOKS TO GET CAUGHT READING
THE DOWN-TO-EARTH GUIDE TO GLOBAL WARMING by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon (Scholastic/Orchard) ages 8-14
Kids and teens concerned about the environment will find this a dynamic book which features important infomation and practical tips on reducing their carbon footprint.
ELIJAH OF BUXTON by Christopher Paul Curtis (Scholastic) ages 9-13
As the first child in his family born into freedom, 11-year-old Elijah finds the courage to leave the safety of his Canadian home and travel to the American South to right a wrong.
HORSERADISH: BITTER TRUTHS YOU CAN'T AVOID by Lemony Snicket (HarperCollins) ages 9-13
Lots of observations and advice to enlighten and entertain those brave enough to read this book.
THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick (Scholastic) ages 9-13
A truly original creation blends pictures and words as never before to present the mystery of a Parisian orphan who hides himself and a big secret from the outside world.
THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY by Trenton Lee Stewart (Little brown) ages 10-13
The ad for "gifted children looking for special opportunities" intrigues 11 year old Reynie and begins his quest through distant places where he and his friends must fight against forces trying to take over the world.
**********PAINT THE WIND by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic) ages 9-12***********EXCELLENT!!
Sent to live with relatives she doesn't know in a place she's never been, Maya finds a new life and a love for horses in Wyoming in this story about love, adventure and wide open spaces.
SLAM DUNK! by Sharon Robinson (Scholastic) ages 9-12
Even though Jumper is gifted on both the basketball court and in school, getting used to sixth grade in the big city can still be tricky.
READS FOR ALL
BOOK CRUSH: FOR KIDS AND TEENS--RECOMMENDED READING FOR EVERY MOOD, MOMENT AND INTEREST by Nancy Pearl (Sasquatch) all ages
Don't know which book to read or share next? Open this first and you're sure to find at least one to fall in love with.
LET IT SHINE: THREE FAVORITE SPIRTUALS by Ashley Bryan (Atheneum) all ages
Unique and colorful cut paper illustrations bring these traditional and celebratory songs to life.
MAZEWAYS A TO Z by Roxie Munro (Sterling) ages 4 and up
Bring your clever minds and fingers along on these 26 alpha-adventures and find your way through mazes while searching for hidden objects.
Happy Holidays to you all!!
