Rachel Recommends
Rachel Baker is the calendar editor and kids' book columnist at New Jersey Family. If you have a book you'd like to recommend for this page, email calendar@njfamily.com.
Kid lit! Some of the best new books for children cross my desk every day. These are some of my personal favorites:
The Prince of Fenway Park
by Julianna Baggott
Legend has it that the Red Sox were cursed when they sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1919. In this novel, 12-year-old Oscar Egg believes that he himself is also cursed—first his birth parents put him up for adoption, and then his adoptive mother leaves him. Intrigue begins when Oscar learns he can reverse both the team's curse, which involves a banshee and fairies, and his own. Ages 8–12. $16.99; harpercollinschildrens.com.
Who's That Snoring?
By Jason Chapman
Tykes can pull the tabs on this board book to enjoy a laugh while they get ready for bed. Someone is snoring loudly in the barn, causing all the animals to wake up. Join the sleepy farm residents to discover who’s disturbing the nighttime peace. Ages 4–6. $10; simonandschuster.com.
Back to Bed, Ed!
by Sebastien Braun
Getting ready for bed is fun, but actually going to bed is another matter in this book. Ed is a young mouse who likes to play silly games with Dad, take a bath, and cuddle with Mom during story time. But Ed doesn't like staying in bed. Kids will be curious to see what happens when Mom and Dad have one plan for bedtime, but Ed mousterminds his own. Ages 2–6. $15.95; peachtree-online.com.
Milo Armadillo
by Jan Fearnley
Young Tallulah wants a fluffy pink rabbit for her birthday, but there are none to be found. When her grandma decides to knit one for her, the knitting gets out of control and results in a multi-colored armadillo named Milo. Milo is a good friend, but Tallulah still wishes she had a rabbit—until Milo leaves. Collage-style artwork brings Tallulah and Milo to life in this sweet story about friendship. Ages 2 and up. $15.99; candlewick.com.
Finding Lincoln
by Ann Malaspina
illustrated by Colin Bootman
In honor of Black History Month, Finding Lincoln gives kids a glimpse of life in 1951 Alabama. Louis’s teacher assigns him an essay on Abraham Lincoln, but African Americans are not allowed to use the public library. One day, Louis dares to walk inside—and he finds help from a surprising source. This book includes notes on segregation, a brief biography of Lincoln, and a further reading list. Ages 7-9. $16.99; albertwhitman.com.
My Furry Valentine
by Deborah Zemke
On February 14, people give each other cards, chocolates, and flowers. But do your kids wonder how animals say, "Be my valentine"? This book shows how a number of critters express their feelings. Snuggle up with your loved ones and read about seagulls walking wing-in-wing and cows making mooosic. Die-cuts and flaps add fun to the fanciful illustrations. Ages 4 and up. $9.99; chroniclebooks.com.
The Lion & the Mouse
by Jerry Pinkney
Pinkney's vibrant watercolor illustrations capture the richness of the African Serengeti in this 2010 Caldecott winner. The artist's wordless adaptation of Aesop's fable shows a lion sparing the mouse he plans to eat. Both animals become unlikely friends, and the mouse later frees the lion from a poacher's trap. Ages 3-6. $16.99; hachettebookgroup.com.
When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead
The 2010 recipient of the John Newbery Medal, When You Reach Me tells the story of sixth-grader Miranda and her friend Sal. The two have their New York City neighborhood all figured out, until Sal runs into trouble with a new kid and stops talking to Miranda. Then Miranda receives for mysterious notes that leave her thinking she's the only person who can prevent a tragedy. Ages 9–14. $15.99; randomhouse.com.
Bears on Chairs
by Shirley Parenteau
illustrated by David Walker
Four small bears happily sit on four small chairs. Big Brown Bear comes along and wants a seat, but no chairs are left. What are the bears to do? Youngsters will enjoy seeing how these clever bears solve their problem. Endearing illustrations accompany this gentle lesson about sharing. Ages 2–6. $15.99; candlewick.com.
There Was an Old Man Who Painted the Sky
by Teri Sloat
illustrated by Stefano Vitale
A young girl looks at the paintings on a cave ceiling and wonders how they got there, since they're up so high. This imaginative story is based on the discovery of cave paintings in Spain and follows the rhythm of "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly." Detailed, vibrant illustrations bring the girl's sense of wonder to life as she thinks about the ancient artwork and mythology. Ages 3–7. $16.95; us.macmillan.com.
Twimericks: The Book of Tongue-Twisting Limericks
by Lou Brooks
Zany poems and illustrations fill the pages of Twimericks. Brooks' wordplay combines challenging tongue twisters with poetry to create wacky characters and stories. Brave readers can take the author's challenge and read these poems out loud as quickly as possible—even though a warning says that doing so might tie one's tongue into a pretzel knot. Ages 9–12. $8.95; workman.com.
2010 Almanac for Kids
Trivia fans can brush up their knowledge and impress their friends with the facts, figures, and statistics in this book. Readers learn how to say "hello" in eight languages, and find out what television shows are the most popular. Topics include animals, geography, inventions, populations, and weights and measurements. Colorful graphics illustrate all of the information. Ages 9 and up. $13.99; scholastic.com.
Heart of a Snowman
by Mary Kuryla and Eugene Yelchin
Every year on Christmas Eve, Owen builds the best snowman he can, only to see it melt the next day. He stays up all night trying to think of how to make his snowman last—and he goes on a magical adventure to a factory where animals work to create the perfect snowman. The animals need help, and only Owen can show them the secret. Ages 4–8. $16.99; harpercollins.com.
Menorah Under the Sea
by Esther Susan Heller
In this book, marine biologist David Ginsburg is doing research in Antarctica. December brings winter in the United States, but it's summer in Antarctica—and there is no nighttime. See how Ginsburg finds a way to light a menorah even while the sun is still shining. Ages 5–9. $7.95; karben.com.
Catch Picasso's Rooster
by Julie Appel and Amy Guglielmo
A barn yard full of animals turns from art on a museum wall to textured illustrations in this board book. A fun and simple storyline drives readers ahead, while touch spaces grab attention with feathers and fabric. An "Artifacts" section delves into a little detail about the featured artists—including Pablo Picasso and Henri Rousseau—and their paintings. Ages 4–6. $12.95; sterlingpublishing.com.
A Kid's Guide to Native American History
by Yvonne Wakim Dennis and Arlene Hirschfelder
Beginning with a timeline of Native American history, this book distinguishes between the names and customs of different Native nations and breaks down stereotypes. Book chapters discuss nations' histories and feature crafts, recipes, games, and more activities. A resource section includes a glossary, a list of museums and cultural centers, and a suggested reading list. Ages 7 and up. $16.95; ipgbook.com.
Duck for Turkey Day
by Jacqueline Jules
illustrated by Kathryn Mitter
Tuyet's teacher tells the class to have a great Turkey Day. When Tuyet gets home from school, she learns that her family is planning to have duck. She enjoys her meal and seeing her relatives, but she worries what her class will think. When she returns to school, she learns that her classmates each celebrated with their families, and all families have unique Thanksgiving food traditions. Ages 6–8. $16.99; albertwhitman.com.
Finn Throws a Fit!
by David Elliott
illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
Get ready for the earth to shake, because today Finn doesn't like peaches. He doesn't like anything. Lively illustrations show the chaos in the household when Finn launches into a full-scale tantrum. Anyone with a child who has ever had a thunderous fit can relate to Finn when reading this book. Ages 2–4. $16.99; candlewick.com.
Germs Are Not for Sharing
by Elizabeth Verdick
illustrated by Marieka Heinlen
It's nice to share toys, but sharing germs can make people sick. This book comes in two formats to teach youngsters about staying healthy. A paperback covers the basics of what germs are and what to do about them; and a board book discusses the basics of not spreading germs. Bright illustrations in both books add a fun twist to an important topic. Paperback for ages 4–7; $11.95. Board book for ages 0–3; $7.95. Freespirit.com.
Don't Lick the Dog: Making Friends with Dogs
by Wendy Wahman
Seeing a pup at the park is exciting and sometimes scary. Wahman's playful illustrations and rhyming text show that it's important to take dog-to-child introductions slowly to see how the animal will react. Dogs have different personalities, just as people do, and good dog manners ensure everyone has a good time. Ages 3–8. $16.95; HenryHoltKids.com.
The Runaway Mummy
by Michael Rex
In this parody of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd's The Runaway Bunny, a rotten little mummy wants to run away. He turns into one creature after another and finds that his mother will always look after him and encourage him to be his rotten self. Fun illustrations show all the monster mayhem this family causes. Ages 3 and up. $15.99; penguin.com.
The Monsterologist: A Memoir in Rhyme
ghostwritten by Bobbi Katz
illustrated by Adam McCauley
Read the tales of a monster master who has traveled the globe to study different creatures. Find a warning about werewolves, a letter from Count Dracula, and an interview with the Loch Ness Monster. Designed to look like a scrapbook, this memoir uncovers common trolls and witches, plus mythological and literary creatures. Ages 4 and up. $17.95; sterlingpublishing.com.
Lights Out, Night's Out
by William Boniface
illustrated by Milena Kirkova
When little ones are tucked into bed, a world of animals awakens outside. Rhyming text tells what all of the critters are doing, and the vivid illustrations come to life when each page turn sets the AniMotion animation windows in action. A section in the back of the book highlights facts about each of the animals mentioned. Ages 4-8. $17.99; accordpublishing.com.
Llama Llama Misses Mama
by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama is just starting school. The classroom is new and exciting, but then Mama has to leave. Llama Llama becomes shy and doesn't want to join in the fun. With some help from his teacher and his new classmates, he learns he can love both his mama and school, too. Ages 3–5. $16.99; penguin.com.
