What’s Hot in December, 2009? Kids Book Trends, Kids Book Events, Best Selling Kids Books and more …

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 10, 2009

Here
is the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book
Review site, the most coveted new releases, and, of course, the bestsellers.

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

•  Fancy Nancy: The 100th Day of School (I Can Read Book 1) by Jane O’connor (Ages 4-8)

• Magic Tree House #40: Eve of the Emperor Penguin (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) by Mary Pope Osborne (Ages 6-9)
• The Silver Spoon for Children: Favorite Italian Recipes by Editors of Phaidon Press (Ages 9-12)
• Witch & Wizard by James Patterson (Teens)
• Fallen by Lauren Kate (Teens)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

• The Christmas Sweater: A Picture Book by Glenn Beck
  (Ages 4 to 7)
• Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by Brian Dennis
  (Ages 4 to 8)
• Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas by Jane O’connor
  (Ages 4 to 8)
• Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies by Julie Andrews (Ages 4-12)
• LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary by Simon Beecroft
  (Ages 7 and up)

CHAPTER BOOKS

• The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
  (Ages 7 and up)
• Million-Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica
  (Ages 9 to 12)
• Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins
  (Ages 12 and up)
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  (Ages 12 and up)
• Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
  (Ages 12 and up)

PAPERBACK BOOKS

• Three Cups of Tea: Young Readers Edition: One Man’s Journey to Change the World… One Child at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (Ages 9 to 12)
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Ages 12 and up)
• Thirst No. 1: The Last Vampire, Black Blood, Red Dice by Christopher Pike (Ages 14 and up)
• Dark Visions: The Strange Power; The Possessed; The Passion by L.J. Smith (Ages 14 and up)

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  (Ages 14 and up)

SERIES BOOKS

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians, by Rick Riordan (Ages 9 to 12)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney (Ages 9 to 12)
• The 39 Clues, by various authors (Ages 9 to 12)
• The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
  (Ages 12 and up)
• House of Night by P. C. Cast (Ages 14 and up)

This information was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. To see the full list you can visit: www.nytimes.com.

KIDS’ LITERATURE EVENTS: CIRCA NOVEMBER, 2009

It’s no secret that it’s cool to read. Where can you be seen promoting literacy and encouraging kids to read?

What: Golden Legacy: Original Art from 65 Years of Golden Books Featuring Artwork from Iconic Children’s Books

Why: This exhibition will present the most extensive public showing ever of original illustration art from American publishing’s best loved and most consequential picture-book series, Little Golden Books—the history-making experiment that celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2007.

Where: The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Amherst, MA, USA

When: November 24, 2009 – February 28, 2010

Cost: Adult admission $9  Youth (under 18), Student, Teacher and Senior Admission $6  Family Admission (2 adults and 2 youth) $22.50

Is there somewhere you recommend being seen encouraging kids to read or promoting literacy during the month of December or January? Leave your suggestion in the comments field below.