Authors, illustrators and publishers around the globe are producing innovative, beautiful, educational and exciting books every year with one thing in mind – your children! These books allow children’s imaginations to soar, introduce a multitude of new concepts, world views and different perspectives and at the same time provide entertainment! That’s no small feat!
The Westchester Library System carries many thousands of children’s books, and with more than 40 branches in the system, there’s a local branch near your home. Supporting your local library is important, and National Library Week helps spotlight libraries and the work librarians do. It’s a celebration of all types of libraries – school, public and academic ¬– and this year it runs from April 9 to April 15. Getting books into children’s hands is easy (and free!) at the library and may even help your child become a reader for life.
These recent releases are sure to be a big hit with you and your family.
Board Books
Look, Look Again by Agnese Baruzzi (minedition, September 2016). This beautifully designed board book has a lot going for it – it’s a guessing game that’s a counting book, a book about colors, as well as a book about animals! The design asks for readers to unfold pages, transforming everyday objects like a flower or a strawberry into an increasing group of animals. Bright artwork, an engaging design and sturdy pages make this book a standout for the toddler set.
What Do You Wear? by Taro Gomi (Chronicle Books, March 2017). We all wear clothes every day, but what about animals? They have feathers, fur, scales and more. But what if that fur was a jacket, and those feathers were a cardigan? Author/illustrator Gomi turns the everyday task of getting dressed on its head with this creative look at animals. Bright and colorful, this board book will please even the youngest of fashionistas, as well as animal lovers.
Picture Books
Lesser Spotted Animals by Martin Brown (David Fickling Books, December 2016). What is a Cuban solenodon and why is it not immune from its own poison? That’s just one of the questions answered in this inventive take on the animal world. Readers are pulled into this book from the very first paragraph with its witty writing as well as its humorous illustrations, some of which have the animals addressing readers directly. This informative and unique picture book is certain to please both its young audience and their parents.
Adrift: An Odd Couple of Polar Bears by Jessica Olien (Balzer + Bray, January 2017). Karl and Hazel are opposites, and, honestly, just don’t really care for each other. Karl is outgoing and talkative, while Hazel prefers the quiet and being by herself. When the iceberg they’re on cracks, the two are sent floating away from their home. Never preachy, this playful take on realizing that being different from one another can actually be a good thing will make readers smile with its cheery, cartoonish artwork. Simultaneously humorous and touching, this story also weaves in the impact of global warming and how it affects those who inhabit the arctic.
Early Reader
Ballet Cat: What’s Your Favorite Favorite by Bob Shea (Disney+Hyperion, February 2017). Ballet Cat twirled onto the scene back in 2015 and her infectious passion for life (and dancing!) can be felt on every page. In this latest addition to the series, Ballet Cat and her cousin Goat vie for the place of “favorite” in their Grandmother’s heart. With child-like illustrations that capture the constant motion and excitement of childhood, this book (and series) is a must-have for those just beginning to read on their own.
Early Chapter Book
Ella & Owen Book 1: The Cave of Aaaaah! Doom! by Jaden Kent, illustrated by Iryna Bodnaruk (little bee books March, 2017). The first book in a new series about a pair of dragon twins — one who is adventurous, and one who is a bit timid — starts off with a bang, or, rather, a puff of fiery dragon breath. With illustrations on every page and plenty of sparring dialogue, this new series is great for young readers who like their adventure stories with just enough gross-out humor. Readers are drawn into the dragon-filled world and the cliffhanger ending will have kids waiting anxiously for the next title in the series.
Joy Bean has been in the world of children’s publishing for more than 15 years. She has worked as a bookseller, a children’s book editor and a journalist covering the world of children’s books. You can usually find her at a library, wandering through the children’s and young adult sections.
How to Raise a Reader
1.Have books in every room. Have books around the house at all times so that children can pick them up whenever they want to.
2.Make reading fun! Don’t be shy about reading a book aloud using funny voices or acting out what’s going on in the book.
3.Make reading a special time between you and your child. Have your child sit next to you or on your lap as you read to them, and pick a book that you think they’ll enjoy.
4.Let your children see you reading. Imitation is a big part of a child’s life, so if they see you reading for pleasure, they are more likely to want to pick up a book themselves.
National Library Week: ala.org/
