BEST OF 2014: Favorite Books for Young Readers

Over the course of the last few months, I read (and reread) over 200 titles in my
attempt to narrow down our picks for the best children’s books of 2014. Children’s
Programmer Allison and Beth, a wonderfully helpful member of our Circulation team, also helped narrow down the final choices. It was a tough decision, hence the Honorable Mention listed below. Anyway, without further ado, BCPL’s favorite 2014 books for young children are:

Picture Books (Fiction)

Any Questions? by Mary-Louise Gay
Through a series of questions, answers, and anecdotes, Gay provides a glimpse into her own writing process and encourages children to explore their creative instincts. This is a fun, interactive read featuring a story within a story and humorous interjections. Illustrations—including diverse children asking questions through speech bubbles and childlike drawings of the inner story developed throughout the book—wonderfully highlight the writing process and encourage children to ask their own questions.

The Baby Tree by Sophie Blackall
This delightful picture book provides a wonderful way to explain to young children where babies come from while acknowledging the many conflicting stories they may have already heard or may hear later. In the book, a young boy is told by his parents that “a new baby is coming,” and after waiting patiently for a few days without a new arrival, he begins to question various family members and acquaintances. Sweetly gentle yet practical and modern, the text and illustrations combine to make a potentially confusing explanation both age-appropriate and accurate. An addendum at the end provides suggestions for dealing with common follow-up questions or to address special circumstances such as adoption.

Bow-Wow’s Nightmare Neighbors by Mark Newgarden & Megan Montague Cash
In Bow-Wow’s latest misadventure, he finds himself in a haunted house facing off with mischievous, ghostly cats that have taken off with his favorite doggy bed. The story is told through a series of graphic-novel style panels, but the bold splashes of color amidst a mostly gray background and a wonderful sense of movement provide an energy that belies the need for words. The ending is comfortably peaceful but leaves readers wondering—was the entire encounter a dream, or have the army of ghost cats simply descended on Bow-Wow’s home?

Circle, Square, Moose by Kelly Bingham and Paul O. Zelinsky
Moose—who first appeared in the delightfully silly alphabet book Z Is for Moose—is now taking on shapes! “Moose” may not have the same recognizable status in the shape world at stars or squares, but he will have a starring role before the end of the book if he has anything to say about it. More silly humor abounds in this fun follow-up, plus kids get to learn a bit about shapes, friendship, and compromise. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Draw! by Raúl Colón
In one of the most beautifully illustrated books of the year, Colón rewards readers with a wordless adventure through Africa and a celebration of the transporting power of art and imagination.

The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee
In this sweetly touching wordless tale, a grumpy, lonely farmer befriends a child clown who is accidentally left behind by a passing circus. The pencil and goache artwork, featuring stark landscapes and interiors, perfectly conveys the two unlikely companions’ emotions and growing bond as they spend time together.

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, illus. by Christian Robinson
Gaston is an eager pup who tries very, very hard to fit in with his elegant poodle sisters and his sophisticated poodle mother. But on a trip to the park, he discovers another family of pups that looks much more like him and another puppy who looks a lot like his sisters. The mothers, too, notice the resemblances and both canine families must decide what makes a family. Energetic text and earth-tone paintings with a contemporary feel create a subtle, heartwarming, and funny story full of life, heart, and humor.
Hannah’s Night by Komako Sakai
Last year, Hatsue Nakawaki’s Wait! Wait! was easily one of my favorite picture books of the year. In Hannah’s Night, that book’s illustrator lends the same sense of gentle intimacy and breathless exploration to her own story of a toddler’s late night adventure. I particularly love the spread where Hannah squats down by her cat, Shiro, after pouring him a dish of milk and pilfering cherries from the fridge for a midnight snack of her own.

Hunters of the Great Forest by Dennis Nolan
In yet another fabulous wordless picture book, seven tiny, funny gnomes leave their village on an expedition. Along the way they must overcome obstacles of terrain and potential predators. Illustrations play with light and shadow to fantastical and comical effect, and children will be delighted when the purpose of the creatures’ dangerous journey is revealed. Through  the playful use of size and perspective, Nolan creates a world that will spark children’s imaginations.

The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc
When a wounded bird becomes stranded in the late autumn, a gentle, solitary lion decides to nurture the young bird. Throughout the course of the winter, the two become close friends, but separation is imminent as spring approaches. This is a sweet intimate story told with just a few carefully chosen words and softly colored illustrations. Thoughtful and lovely, the illustrations make ample use of white space to stunning effect. 

Naptime by Iris de Moüy
This naptime/bedtime story with a difference features a cadre of jungle animals who grouchily resist a young girl’s insistence that it is time for a nap. The animals’ refusals and excuses will be familiar, and the text and color-splotched sketches are full of emotion and humor despite their simplicity. It may not actually work as a bedtime story, but it is sure to mirror children’s own experiences in a fun and intriguing way.

Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers
Short, sometimes overlapping stories combine to create this unique children’s alphabet book. Over-sized pages and interweaving stories and characters lend an expansive feel to the spare, four-page stories while equally spare drawings provide comical additions to the playfully absurd tales.

The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems
Pigeon is still in fine form in this tale. By now, fans can probably guess how the story will go, and yet the rapid-fire arguments, pleas, and excuses and the comical illustrations still feel fresh and all-too true.

Quest by Aaron Becker
In this magical, wordless follow-up to Journey, two children enter the door to a mystical realm on a mission to rescue a kidnapped king. Along the way, they encounter fabulous ruins and dodge evil soldiers, armed only with colored markers, quick thinking, and the power of their imaginations.
Read Tracy’s Review

Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illus. by Jon Klassen
A simple story and quiet yet nuanced illustrations provide a wonderful exploration of teamwork and the magic of possibility. Observant children and parents will notice small differences in the before and after scenes which hint at a fantastical discovery, while Sam and Dave remain oblivious. Children will delight in the details and will likely want to provide their own advice on how Sam and Dave should continue their adventure. Children who love exploring or the joys of digging “just because” are sure to demand rereads.

Shhh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton
Big, blocky shapes, deep blues and violets, and jewel-tone accents are used to illustrate this comical caper of plans gone awry. A small band of night-time hunters are trying to net birds and other creatures but can never seem to succeed. The circular narrative will appeal to young readers and the oft-repeated catchphrase will inspire giggles at the next anticipated failure and perhaps start a new family saying.

Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman
After accidentally shattering their momma’s prize seashell, three young cubs—too terrified to fess up—decide to find a replacement instead. Their journey takes them across the ocean in a small sailboat, asking directions from (sort of) helpful strangers along the way. The illustrations are lush, vibrant, and simply gorgeous, and the bears’ personalities—delightfully conveyed through expression and subtle, human-like body language—shine. Both child and adult readers will hope to see many more adventures starring Dash, Charlie, and Theo.

Weasels by Elys Dolan
This off-the-wall picture book imagines a place in which weasels are secretly plotting to take over the world. Of course, first they must have a nice cup of coffee (they drink A LOT of coffee) and solve their technical difficulties. This is a fun and imaginative tale with lots of visual cues to help kids learn to pick up on important details and practice creative problem solving. Plus, these weasels are pretty darn funny in a harried, mad-scientist sort of way.

Honorable Mentions
The Animals’ Santa by Jan Brett
Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood, illus. by Johnathan Bean
Blizzard by John Rocco
The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
Brave Little Chicken, retold and illustrated by Robert Byrd
Breathe by Scott Magoon
Brother Hugo and the Bear by Katy Beebe, illustrated by S.D. Schindler
Druthers by Matt Phelan
Extraordinary Jane by Hannah E. Harrison
Flashlight by Liz Boyd
Give and Take by Chris Raschka
Here Comes the Easter Cat by Deborah Underwood 
How to Cheer Up Dad by Fred Koehler
Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by Bob She, illus. by Lane Smith
Mix It Up! by Hervé Tullet
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino, illus. by Isabelle Malenfant
My Teacher Is a Monster (No, I Am Not) by Peter Brown
Nancy Knows by Cybèle Young
Ninja! by Arree Chung
Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli
Rules of Summer by Shaun Tan
Rupert Can Dance by Jules Feiffer
Sparky by Jenny Offill & Chris Appelhans
This Is a Moose by Richard T. Morris & Tom Lichtenheld
What If…? by Anthony Browne

Picture Books (Nonfiction)

Ben Franklin’s Big Splash by Barb Rosenstock, illus. by S.D. Schindler
With alliterative text and varied typography, this “mostly true” story introduces youngsters to a young Benjamin Franklin, the scientific method, and the benefits of believing in oneself and one’s ideas despite naysayers. The watercolor and ink illustrations are joyful, and the back matter provides further inspiring details on Franklin’s accomplishments.

A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz, illus, by Catia Chien
A successful conservationist relates his own story as a child stutterer who found comfort, purpose, and the inspiration to speak out through his love of animals. The artwork perfectly captures the boy’s loving spirit and combines with the text to deliver a resonant, sweet story that brought tears of empathy and joy to my eyes as the boy finds strength and solace in his beloved animals. The final scene, in which Alan as a young man encounters a jaguar in the wild, is simply breathtaking.

Creature Features by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
From cute to ugly to the truly bizarre, the authors explore some of the most unusual features of animals and in simple, light-hearted text explain the purpose of each.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illus. by Frank Morrison
With vibrant acrylic oil painting and mellifluous text, this is a captivating biography of a little known musician who dared to follow her dream despite gender expectations and racial discrimination. The words and illustrations wonderfully convey movement, music, and inspiration, and back matter provides further details on one of the lesser-known pioneering women of jazz.

The Right Word by Jen Bryant and illus. by Melissa Sweet
Brought to life with Sweet’s stunning mixed-media collages and a clear love of words themselves, this picture book biography of Peter Mark Roget celebrates the power of words and the joy found in pursuing your interests.

The Scraps Book by Lois Ehlert
The author of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Color Zoo gives young readers a peek into her creative inspirations and book-making process using examples from her own works. Parents and educators will want to have plenty of scraps and found objects on hand so that the kids can create their own mixed media art after reading.

Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh
An important story of desegregation and fighting for what is right is told through one family’s struggle to end the “Mexican schools” in California. Folk-inspired artwork celebrates Mexican and Latino heritage while the text clearly explains why segregation is wrong. 

Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything by Maira Kalman
This informational picture book maintains an impressive balance between Jefferson’s great achievements and some of the darker parts of his history. Though not recommended for very young children, it offers a great opportunity to begin a discussion of flawed “heroes” for slightly more mature picture book readers.

Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales
Biography meets tribute in this unusual, bilingual offering. Spare, evocative text and digitally enhanced images of three-dimensional art create a sense of mystery and revelation that gives insight to Frida Kahlo’s artistic vision and motivations rather that providing traditional biographical details.

Picture Book (Poetry)

Firefly July by Paul B. Janeczko, illus. by Melissa Sweet
Through brief poems from the likes of William Carlos Williams, Langston Hughes, Carl Sandburg, Emily Dickinson, and others, this picture book takes readers through the seasons of a year. Some poems have more of an impact than others, but Sweet’s artful illustrations provide the perfect accompaniment to give clues for any needed interpretation. Some of my favorites include the elephant-inspired island for “The Island,” the vibrant, mud-splatterd galoshes in “A Happy Meeting,” and the two-page spread of benevolent moon smiling down of the sparking sea of “Sea Trade” and an untitled poem by Emily Dickinson.

 Easy Chapter Books

Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon
Dory has quite the imagination, and sometimes it drives her parents and older siblings mad. But she’s also irrepressible and completely lovable despite her crazy antics. Early chapter books usually leave me fairly indifferent, but this one is truly something special. It’s the first in a new series, and I already can’t wait for the next installment. Kids will love it.

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up by Kate DiCamillo
In this new series tied to her popular Mercy Watson tales, Leroy Ninker decides that as a cowboy he needs a horse. Gleefully silly situations—such as a horse that gobbles up three pots of spaghetti—and gentle lessons in listening and consideration for others combine for a fun and amusing tale.

Lulu’s Mysterious Mission by Judith Viorst
Early chapter book readers up for a bit more of a challenge will enjoy this latest addition to the Lulu series. In this third title, the spoiled, tantrum throwing Lulu is faced with her biggest challenge yet: a no-nonsense babysitter. But, Lulu has a plan! Short chapters, abundant white space, appealing typography, clever foreshadowing, and a cumulative recitation will encourage readers to take on the challenge of more pages and some slightly more advanced vocabulary.
The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale
In this princess tale with a twist, the perfect, pink-wearing Princess Magnolia disguises herself as the Princess in Black—otherwise known as the PIB—to save innocent goats and fight off monsters who invade her kingdom. The only trouble is she has to make it back to the castle before a snooping duchess can uncover her secrets.The text is simple and presented in a large font for the very earliest chapter-book readers, and the illustrations are brightly colored and a bit tongue-in-cheek to compliment the text.

BEST OF 2013: Picture Books and Early Chapter Books

Over the last couple of months, I read nearly 200 picture books in my attempt to narrow down our picks for the Best of 2013. Children’s Programmer Allison and Lebanon Junction Asst. Supervisor Pam also helped in the selection. It was tough to narrow our choices down to these final selections (hence the Honorable Mentions listed below!), but I eventually reached a final list I am satisfied with.

Anyway, without further ado, BCPL’s favorite 2013 books for young children are:

Picture Books (Fiction)

Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Burnett, Illustrated by Matthew Myers
What if a creative, action-thriller-loving kid took a saccharine old book about a bunny’s birthday party and turned it into a good-and-evil caper about a supervillain plotting to blow up the world? You’d probably get something like this subversive tale, where you can read the sweet “original” story and the newly created, over-the-top warrior-tale side by side. The doodles and redesigned illustrations are fabulous and might inspire younger readers to revamp their own discarded books.



Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Kevin Cornell*
Tongue-in-cheek humor and delightfully exaggerated animals make this delightful picture book far more fun than your average counting book—though it’s educational as well! This makes a great read aloud, with plenty of opportunities for audience participation.



The Dark by Lemony Snicket, Illustrated by Jon Klassen
This artfully illustrated book about a boy who lives in fear of the dark until—one night—the dark speaks to him is an eerie and original take on nighttime fears.
Read Tracy’s Review



The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Duncan’s crayons are fed up. Whether worked down to a nub or ignored in favor of other colors, each crayon states its grievances  in this hilarious picture book. Oliver Jeffers’s (author/illustrator of Lost and Found, Stuck, and This Moose Belongs to Me) illustrations are comprised of the crayons’ handwritten letters and childlike artwork designed for Duncan’s consideration. Allison and I read this one together in my office  few months back, and by the end we were both laughing so hard we cried.



Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenfeld*
Who would have thought that punctuation could be both funny and heartwarming? Apparently Amy Krouse Rosenthal  and Tom Lichtenfeld, the author/illustrator team behind the fabulous Duck! Rabbit!



Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
Whimsical and gently humorous, this wordless lift-the-flap gem creates the feeling of an animated short. Think of the ostriches and hippos dancing in Fantasia.
Read Tracy’s Review



How To by Julie Morstad
This breezy, inventive picture book features whimsical drawings and text that will inspire children to explore the world around them from a new perspective. The artwork is timeless and engaging, paired with “how tos” ranging from “How to wash your socks” (splash in puddles of course!) to the more profound “How to be happy.”



I Am Blop! by Hervé Tullet
In this fantastic concept book from the author of Press Here, readers are urged to let their imaginations soar simply by following the adventures of a nebulous shape, or “blop.”  This inventive book will help children explore shapes, counting, color, nature, art, and more.

If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano, Illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Poetic text and soft pencil illustrations punctuate this quiet meditation on watching and waiting as a young boy hoping to see a whale discovers the many other wonders around him. Another wonderful book about patience and dreaming from the team behind  And Then Its Spring.
Journey by Aaron Becker*
Bold, magisterial artwork and a strong narrative perfectly mesh in this wordless picture book about a bored, resourceful young girl who creates a doorway into a magical land where she fearlessly faces danger and adventure.
Read Tracy’s Review

Little Red Writing by Joan Holub, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
In this inventive and funny meta picture book, a little red pencil armed with a basket of words must make her way through a
collage forest, where storytelling challenges and the Wolf 3000
pencil sharpener lie in wait. Younger children will simply enjoy the journey of this fractured fairy tale, while older kids will appreciate the abundant grammar and punctuation puns. (Really.)



The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman, Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
In this poignant tale about immigration and nostalgia, a young girl examines her grandfather’s collection of matchboxes and their contents, each of which represents an important moment in his past. This is a powerful and inspiring tale for curious and sensitive children interested in the stories behind personal treasures.



The Mighty Lalouche by Matthew Olshan, Illustrated by Sophie Blackwell
At the turn of the last century, a thin, delicate Paris mail carrier loses the job he adores. Then, using his quick reflexes and uncanny speed, he becomes an unlikely success boxing against much bigger opponents. Pen-and-ink illustrations featuring three-dimensional cut outs create a bold, colorful, collage-like style that is both charming and reminiscent of a silent film after color is added in. A marvelous fable that manages to be both funny and quietly captivating.



Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown
A suited-up tiger living in a drab, cookie-cutter world decides to break from convention and indulge his deepest desires, to the astonishment and disapproval of his neighbors. A wonderful ode to freedom and self expression.



Mr. Wuffles by David Weisner*
Subtly humorous and through-provoking for little animal-lovers, this boldly illustrated wordless picture book provides a unique perspective on beloved pets’ secret adventures.
Read Tracy’s Review



Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller & Anne Wilsdorf
This charming, offbeat tale of a girl who picks up a squash at the market and adopts it as her new best friend turns into a lovely lesson in life, love, and gardening. The quirky story and cheerful, wonderfully expressive artwork work to create one of the most lovable children’s book characters of the year in the imaginative, irrepressible Sophie.



The Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman
In yet another metabook in which books are presented as worlds in and of themselves, best friends Fish and Snail consider jumping from their own story into another book, where they can explore mysteries unknown. A lovely and surprising tale of adventure, friendship, and finding the courage to try new things. From the author/illustrator of Blue Chicken.



Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
In this fabulous interactive picture book reminiscent of Hervé Tullet’s Press Here, readers are encouraged to tap, blow, rub, shake, etc., in order to make an apple tree bloom, produce fruit, and more. With its simple, colorful illustrations and gentle instructions, it is a wonderful exercise in imagination and wonder, with the added benefit of exploring the seasons and cycles of nature. Magic indeed.



This Little Piggy by Tim Harrington*
The classic nursery rhyme is expanded into a fun, off-kilter escapade when readers are encouraged to imagine the adventures of all the little piggies not represented in the original. An amusing tale that encourages children to explore individuality and possibility. Perfect for lapsits, there is also a free song download available.



Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea
This delightfully silly and energetic story about jealousy features a goat who feels pretty good about himself until he is suddenly upstaged by a sparkly, rainbow-spewing, cupcake-making unicorn. Goat’s complaining perfectly captures the  tone of a pouting child, but of course everything works out perfectly in the end when  both Goat and Unicorn appreciate the other’s abilities and join forces. A laugh-out-loud parable with expressive cartoon-style artwork layered with simple humorous embellishments (at one point, Goat sports a plunger on his head in mockery of Unicorn’s horn) and memorable dialog.



Wait! Wait! by Hatsume Nakawaki, Illustrated by Komako Sakai
Delicate oil and pencil drawings and simple, lyrical text perfectly capture the wonder and unsteady movements of an emerging walker just beginning to explore the natural world.
Read Tracy’s Review



Year of the Jungle by Suzanne Collins, Illustrated by James Proimos
Yes, that Suzanne Collins. Inspired by her own experience as a second grader when her father fought in Vietnam for a year, this picture book perfectly reimagines the sense of loss and increasingly wild imaginings of any child missing a parent, coupled with a slow, childlike realization of the dangers of war. 

Honorable Mentions:
The Bear’s Song by Benjamin Chaud*
Ben Rides On by Matt Davies
The Bicklebys’ Birdbath by Andrea Perry
Bluebird by Bob Staake
Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg by Lori Mortenson and Michale Allen Austin (Illustrator)*
Crankee Doodle by Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell (Illustrator)
The Deep, Deep Puddle by Mary Jessie Parker and Deborah Zemke (Illustrator)
Dream Animals: A Bedtime Journey by Emily Winfield Martin*
Giant Dance Party by Betsy Bird and Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)
Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon
Inside Outside by Liz Boyd
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me by Daniel Beaty*
Lazy Daisy, Cranky Frankie: Bedtime on the Farm by Mary Ellen Jordan
My Father’s Arms Are a Boat by Stein Erik Lunde and Oyvind Torseter (Illustrator)
Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales*
No Fits, Nilson! by Zachariah OHora*
Off We Go by Will Hillenbrand
Oliver and His Alligator by Paul Schmid
Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier and Suzy Lee (Illustrator)
Papa’s Mechanical Fish by Candance Fleming and Boris Kulikov (Illustrator)
Red Hat by Lita Judge
Ribbit! by Rodrigo Folgueira and Polly Bernatene (Illustrator)
Saturday Is Dadurday by Robin Pulver
Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)
This Is the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson*
Tiger in My Soup by Kashmira Sheth, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler*
A Vacation for Pooch by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Picture Books (Nonfiction)

The Boy Who Loved Math Deborah Heiligman, Illustrated by Pahm LeUyen*
Explores the childhood of the unconventional, brilliant mathematician, his interests (largely, math, math, and more math), and his impact on the field with energetic language and images that a child can relate to. An inspiring and educational true story about individuality and following your interests.



A Little Book of Sloth by Lucy Cooke*
A real-life animal book with heart and candid, adorable photos that will appeal to all ages. Younger children will enjoy the photos and personalized stories of the featured sloths while older kids will enjoy each detail of the full, lighthearted narrative.



Locomotive by Brian Floca
With rhythmic prose and gorgeously realistic illustrations, this is a moving tribute to the role of railroads in American’s westward expansion. Perfectly evoking the sounds, sights, and even feel of 1869 train travel through onomatopoeia, expressive typography, and fabulous paintings that convey movement and wonder, this is a masterpiece that manages to be both epic and intimate.



Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson*
In this latest artistic triumph from Kadir Nelson (I Have a Dream), he traces the amazing journey of Mandela from his rural childhood to protest rallies to prison to the presidency of South Africa. While the narrative is a powerful one indeed, the star here is Nelson’s stunningly detailed, expressive oil paintings.



On a Beam of Light by Jennifer Berne, Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky
Approachable yet highly informative, this child’s picture autobiography of Albert Einstein uses story and complimenting layered illustrations to convey Einstein’s insatiably curious personality and big ideas.  Perfect and inspiring for the child who questions everything and wonders about the world around him, it would pair well with The Boy Who Loved Math, which actually shows how Edros and Einstein are connected (sort of).



A Splash of Red by Jen Bryant, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
This heartfelt picture book biography explores the art, determination, and obstacles of African-American artist Horace Pippin, and the folksy illustrations perfectly compliment the style of Pippin himself.

Early Chapter Books


Odd Duck by Cecil Castelluci, Illustrated by Sara Varon
This fun and whimsical ode to eccentricity and friendship is a crowd pleaser for ages 6 and up. Humor-laced, detailed drawings presented in graphic novel format; careful prose; and subtle irony keep this story feeling freshly original rather than trite or predictable.



 
Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes
The Penny early reader series is better than ever with this story of  acquisitiveness and secret guilt. When Penny discovers a marble on the sidewalk outside of her neighbor’s house, she furtively claims it for her own. But, before long, she is riddled with guilt. Henkes’s soft, pastel-hued illustrations of the winsome Penny are simple, but her expressions and movements perfectly capture her inner turmoil. 

*BONUS* Longer Chapter Books for Newly Independent Readers (Grades 1–3)

Gone Fishing by Tamera Will Wissinger
This novel in verse for young readers tells the story of sibling relationships and family outings through a series of poems about a fishing trip with a boy, his father, and his annoying little sister. It also gives a subtle and tidy lesson on different poetry forms. It’s fresh and original, with plenty of appeal for kids—particularly budding young fishermen (or fisherwomen).



The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
While the page count may appear intimidating for some new independent  readers, ambitious young readers will relate to this “ordinary” tale of a second grader who worries that he isn’t smart enough, gets annoyed with his little sister, and  concocts a plan to secretly stay up until midnight just because. The story is divided into four bite-sized chunks, each of which focuses on Billy’s interaction with an important person in his life—his teacher, his sister, and each of his parents.




*Please note that some titles are still on order and are not yet available for checkout at BCPL.