My Brother Abe: Sally Lincoln’s Story by Harry Mazer Reading level: Ages 8 -12 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (January 6, 2009) Based on historical facts, Harry Mazer has imagined a heart-warming and moving life for Abraham Lincoln’s older sister, Sally Lincoln. Mazer has given Sally a voice and enabled her to tell the story of family hardship and shed light on the close bond she had with her brother, Abe. I was able to form clear images of the era and surroundings in which they lived, due to the uncomplicated and pitch-perfect narration. Living in…
Author: TCBR Contributor
TCBR Contributor
The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by one of TCBR's regular contributors.
Here is the wonderfully eclectic list of best selling books from The Children’s Book Review Store, 2008:
If you have time and you want to watch something funny, sink your eyes into this video clip. It’s jam packed full of the hottest authors of children’s literature. Besides having a laugh, you’ll learn a little about the process behind Krosoczka’s latest book. BOOK BY BOOK: the making of a monkey man from Jarrett Krosoczka on Vimeo. Thanks to the Miss Rumphius Effect and Kidlitosphere Central for the link.
Kenny & the Dragon Written and Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi Reading level: Ages 8-12 Hardcover: 160 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (August 5, 2008) Kenny is a book loving rabbit who lives in the village of Roundbrook. Grahame is a dragon who also likes books, enjoys poetry, music and dessert. Kenny’s father discovers a dragon in their fields, so Kenny goes to investigate and becomes great friends with the dragon. Then one day the simple folks of Roundbrook discover the dragon, too. Everyone believes that all dragons are no-good and that he must be slayed. Kenny believes he…
Link and a Quote is my version of a coffee (or tea) break with a good piece of cake … If you have always wanted to know how Caldecott and Newbery winners get their shiny award stickers, or you are wondering when you can get your little hands on one of the 2009 winning books that boasts an award sticker, Susan Kusel from Wizard Wireless gives us some very interesting insight. Click here for the link. Quote: It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds. ~ Aesop, The Jay and the Peacock
Tea for Ruby by Sarah The Duchess of York Ferguson (Author), Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (September 23, 2008) Wait a minute … is that Nancy Clancy (a.k.a. Fancy Nancy)? No, it’s Ruby! Nancy and Ruby share something in common, they look pretty similar. That’s because they share the same best-selling illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser. At first glance, my three-year-old daughter proclaimed with much excitement, “It’s Fancy Nancy!” When I told her it was a book about a girl named Ruby she gave me the kind of look…
Yesterday, the American Library Association released its 2009 list of Youth Media Awards. Drum roll please … John Newbery Award Most distinguished contribution to children’s literature. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Author), Dave McKean (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: HarperCollins (September 30, 2008) Publisher’s synopsis: Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are…
Link and a Quote is my version of a coffee (or tea) break with a good piece of cake … Links: In honor of Australia day, here is a link to a fab book which will be released on March 19, by Penguin. It’s titled Wombat Walkabout, and is illustrated by Australian artist Sophie Blackall. I don’t have my own copy to make a fair review, but I had a quick glance at this whimsical wonder a few months back and feel that it’s going to be a big hit during toddler and preschool story times. The story is clever,…
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox (author) and Helen Oxenbury (illustrator) Reading level: Ages 2 – 6 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books (October 1, 2008) Tomorrow, January 26, is Australia day. So, I just had to blog about Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. What does this book have to do with Australia day? The author, of course. Mem Fox is an Aussie and the author of my favorite Australian classic, Possum Magic. There is probably a good chance that you have heard about this book. It is getting excellent praise from all…
Link and a Quote is my version of a coffee (or tea) break with a good piece of cake … Link (or in this case, links): With the Caldecott and Newbery awards a week away (they will be announced on January 26), I have decided to share with you the predictions from one of my favorite blogs: A Fuse #8 Production From taking a peep around the blogosphere, it seems to me that the following books certainly win the people’s choice award: Newbery Savvy by Ingrid Law The Underneath by Kathi Appelt Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor Caldecott In…