Best New Children's Books
High Quality Reading Material for Kids, Parents and Families
A new Little Bear story, along with some cultural diversity, reincarnation stories and illustrations that will add value to your reading. It's not all about Harry Potter.
If you love to read, your bookcase likely has at least one shelf dedicated to eye-appealing books. Children are no different in their tastes. Like you, they enjoy books that impart information. They like exciting stories and funny humor, too. But sometimes, only a beautiful book with vivid color, exotic photographs or drawings and lovely, smooth paper will do. Here's a list of some new kids' books that fit that appeal. In fact, the appeal runs all the way from toddlers to older siblings to parents, to grandparents.
Samsara Dog by Helen Manos (Illus. Julie Vivas) Kane Miller Books 2007. Large sized, glossy book with color appeal and a fine story. Universal applications and Buddhism's peaceful undertones. In this story of love and life and death, an Australian author explores the idea of reincarnation through the lives of a dog. Does Dog learn or gain wisdom from his Karmic travels? Read and find out. Julie Vivas is known for her softly gorgeous watercolor illustrations - see why.
Ziba Came on a Boat by Liz Lofthouse (Illus. Robert Ingpen) Kane Miller Books 2007. Another nice glossy with stunning illustrations that could stand alone, without text. But the text is an important story of a small child whose family must leave their home in Afghanistan. "Ziba came on a boat. A soggy old fishing boat that creaked and moaned as it rose and fell, rose and fell, across an endless sea...." The opening line reads like poetry - the book is a lyrical poem to perseverance and survival. The frontispiece illustration is so evocative, you'll not be able to walk away from this book, untouched.
Grandma Elephant's in Charge by Martin Jenkins (Illus Ivan Bates) Candlewick Press 2003. A book that's been around for a while, but deserves a new look. It's a soft cover Read and Wonder book. Easy enough for intermediate readers to go through. Enough meat on its bones to satisfy readers who know their stuff and want good non-fiction. The illustrations are sketches that give an intimate, but thoroughly realistic feel for animal personalities. Not bright, but evocative of African light. Simple story - elephants live in families, males don't bond with the family, so the matriarch - or grandmother - keeps the family safe and functioning through her wisdom and experience. Good facts, fun story,.
The Tale of Sir Dragon, Dealing with Bullies for Kids by Jean E. Pendziwol (illus Martine Gourbault) - Kinds Can Press, 2007 - Rhyme may not be the best approach here, but overall the book works pretty well. The story is not intimidating. The illustrations are colorful and fun. Readers watch a diverse group of children and adults work through the safest ways to behave if one is being bullied or intimidated - sort of ripped from current headlines. It's kind of a "you aren't alone, it's not your fault, and we know what you're going through" approach. At the end, there are notes for parents and a how-to for kids. Well thought out.
Peek-a-Boo Zoo by Dian Curtis Regan (illus Amanda Gulliver, designed by Jane Smith) Silver Castle Books, Canada 2007) Here's one that's for the younger set and a lot of fun to read. The cover warns of a choking hazard - if some of the animals came loose, they could be a problem for unsupervised little ones. But pick this up and read it to your toddlers, then put it somewhere out of reach till next time. In an interactive world, this works awesomely. It's not a pop-up. Each page has a natural animal habitat - like a green palm tree with huge leaves. But what's that peeking out at the bottom? Lift the leaves to find peacocks with goofy faces and brilliant feathers. You'll read it over and over - sturdy, glossy, pretty and entertaining.
Shape Me a Rhyme by Jane Yolen (photographs by Jason Stemple) Wordsong Press 2007. Photography may be the most unappreciated and underrated art form. This book is bound to send adult readers scurrying for their cameras, to run afield and capture nature's incredible displays. Those readers should take the children they love. Read the book, take some photos and create a scrapbook together. A combo of graphic shapes, excellent paper and ink, photographic images and excellent rhyming poetry, this book should become a cultural icon symbolizing all that kids' books can be. Buy a dozen for gifts.
Baby Bear's Big Dreams by Jane Yolen (illus Melissa Sweet) Harcourt Books 2007. Ms. Yolen hits the mark every time - appears she has a special connection to kids' minds and preferences. Name a child who hasn't liked Baby Bear. Here's his latest story, with the expected quality of page and picture. As usual, the text moves nicely along, not allowing anyone to get bored. These, you can read over again without feeling like you're head is going to melt. Baby Bear is growing up, in his own mind, and has been encouraged, as all children should be, to dream the best and biggest dreams he can. There's an inspiring lesson here for young readers, but they won't be aware they're being fed brain food. They'll just like the journey. BUT, if you can only buy one from Ms. Yolen right now - go for Shape Me a Rhyme!
