Best of the Best: ASLC Litpicks 2016
Grade K-6 recommendations
“The Sommersets' tale of sheep mischief . . . is an amusing read-aloud, particularly if the dialogue is exploited to its full effect.”
-Kirkus Reviews
Ruth Ohi's energetic art shows young readers that anything is possible with a splash of colour and the most basic shapes. This wonderful picture book will spark creativity, and encourage young minds to identify and draw the Circle-Square-Triangle-Scribbles in their worlds too!
Barbouille in French.
"Muted colors and bold, graphic designs highlight the shapes in the illustrations. . . making it easy to pick them out within the scenes. Most shape books ask readers to find shapes in the everyday world; Hesselberth does the opposite and sparks children's imaginations."
-Kirkus Reviews, starred review
What does a little ladybug weigh? A snail? A swan? In her extraordinary picture book Alison Limentani introduces children to a fascinating world of wildlife, weight, numbers, and comparisons.
“This heartening success story is entertaining to sing along to and a valuable, beautiful resource.”
-School Library Journal, starred review
A day on the African savanna is like a game of hide-and-seek with deadly consequences. Fierce, predatory animals chase down weaker creatures for food, while their targets scatter to avoid ending up as lunch. We see animals of all sizes on their quest for a meal, leading up to a climactic face-off with some hungry lions: "Run for your life!"
The stunningly realistic art, created with acrylic paint and colored pencils, features full-spreads, panels, and close-ups that reveal the children’s awe and delight. . . this title is another celebration of the power of imagination.”
-School Library Journal, starred review
“A gorgeous, innovative musing on the power of storytelling. A nameless young girl who calls herself a child of books narrates in lyrical, spellbinding verse. Some, she says, have forgotten the importance of stories, but she finds a boy and introduces him to her world, a land created through a marriage of Jeffers’s evocative art and Winston’s masterly use of typography...A masterpiece.”
-School Library Journal, starred review
“Canadian astronaut Hadfield’s uplifting tale about facing one’s fears and finding strength and comfort in one’s dreams is eloquently illustrated by the Fan Brothers’ lustrous paintings.”
-School Library Journal
This fun and informative sequel to Canada: Our Road to Democracy is an A-Z journey through Canada's culture, history, sports, and natural wonders.
“A young bully gets a second chance. . .Not a single, perfect solution to the complicated problem of bullying but a reminder that there are a few bullies who can actually be disarmed.”
-Kirkus Reviews
Little Duck learns how to celebrate his birthday with a little help from all the other animals on the farm in this charming picture book from the award-winning duo, Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin.
In this heartwarming picture book, popular author Andrew Larsen has created a rich story that captures the magic of turning an ordinary day into an adventure. The closeness between Theo and Poppa is touching, and offers a terrific opportunity for classroom discussions about family relationships.
With bright and colorful illustrations, this engaging, charming book makes an entertaining read-aloud. This story shows that, as in the real world, there can be unintended consequences to well-meaning actions, and it provides a starting point for discussions on the interdependency of all things in nature.
“... this is a fun, goofy manners lesson that's more playful than preachy.”
-Booklist
From prime ministers and presidents to kings and queens, governments around the world are diverse and intricate. Who's in Charge? investigates the world's political systems and presents them to kids in a fun, appealing way.
With eighteen new illustrations from Roy Henry Vickers and exceptional narrative, Peace Dancer will delight readers of all ages and add to the collection of global flood stories.
Discover what caused the war and why it eventually affected every corner of the globe. The key battles, events and figures are all explored and recounted in succinct and easy-to understand text while illustrations and photographs bring the past vividly back to life.
This elegantly illustrated book explains stage by stage in easy text how a wasp nest is built. It follows by days and weeks and shows how the queen's industrious workers create a sturdy, weatherproof home. Readers see the inside of the growing nest where the eggs turn into larvae and emerge 20 days later as juveniles.
Creeping, crawling, flying, buzzing…discover all the exciting things that make a bug’s life so fascinating. Engaging text, detailed facts, and impressive statistics give children exciting scientific insight into the world of insects and spiders.
Meet some of the most amazing creatures on earth! Bursting with fascinating facts and striking photographs, some larger than life-size, this colorful guide provides surprising insights into the miniature world of insects and arachnids.
Even though cats are independent creatures, they still need a certain level of everyday care, attention, and understanding. This practical guide, complete with informative illustrations, helps children to care for and get to know their cat.
“Skilfully combine[s] instruction and delight, weaving together information and beautiful art.”
-Quill & Quire, starred review
“The soft palette of the illustrations allows the 19th-century poetic language to carry over naturally and without anachronisms. . . This accessible and appealing take on a childhood favorite should be appreciated by a broad audience in schools and public libraries.”
-School Library Journal
"With its cheerful colors, welcoming smiles, and predictable, participatory pattern, this ghoulish gathering is more friendly than frightful."
-The Horn Book
"Walker illustrates the 1970 Dylan tune with an adorable parent-child canine pair. Using minimal backgrounds and props to keep the focus on the relationship, Walker masterfully conveys emotions in his acrylic illustrations...the pictures are so poignant that parents could make up their own words."
-Kirkus Reviews
"A beguiling, environmental musing on how one small act can have far-reaching consequences."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Playful.... Vivid colors, appealing creatures, and engaging text with a warm hearted outcome make this dad-centered story a delight."
-Booklist
Then & Now teaches kids about the "good old days" when music had to be physically purchased, flying was rare, and messages were hand-delivered - and encourages them to ponder their own technological future.
Young readers are introduced to adjectives like big, bigger, and biggest; far, farther, and farthest; high, higher, and highest.
“Written with simplicity and grace, the story is told in three distinctive voices—or four, counting the seven interspersed verses of "Lucy’s Song." From the light, airy lattice motif that opens each chapter to the well-defined character portrayals throughout the book, beautiful shaded pencil drawings enhance the story. Fresh, sweet, and crisp, this novel has a magic all its own.”
-Booklist, starred review
Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says goodbye to summer and welcomes autumn.
"A charming book with a solid message about changing one's life through hard work, imagination, and openness to new experiences."
-Kirkus Reviews
" A clever story, but what really makes this pop are Smith's full-color illustrations, which depict each fantasy in thought bubbles crammed with hysterically funny details. Great for reading aloud or for savoring alone."
-Booklist
Dramatic aerial views and an expressive, subtle palette tell a story about a wheelchair-bound girl looking down from her balcony at passersby below and urging them to “Look up!”
Minecraft Lab for Kids includes a variety of creative exercises that explore the game's aspects and use them to teach fun, educational lessons.
This concept book celebrates the country’s diverse wildlife by presenting each letter of the alphabet alongside a representative mammal, insect, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, or invertebrate. The creatures portrayed hail from coast to coast to coast, and reflect close research even in their stylized depictions.
"A thoroughly engaging book that children are bound to giggle through."
-School Library Journal, starred review
"Hatke . . . renders the characters’ antic facial expressions, their fairy tale costumes, and the fantasy landscape with polished skill, and his story gallops along cheerfully with the clear prospect of a happy ending."
-Publishers Weekly, starred review
Obayda’s family moved to a rural village after a Kabul bomb blast took her father’s leg and the family’s livelihood; in a bid to attract good fortune, relatives persuade her mother to transform Obayda, 10, youngest of four daughters, into a bacha posh: a boy.
In Rocks, Minerals, and Gems, readers will learn about hundreds of rocks, minerals, crystals, and gems that were forged by the most powerful events in prehistory. Explore what specimens look like and how they're used today-readers can use the information to identify rocks and minerals themselves and open up a spectacular new world.
In this fun, zany picture book, Willy the Gorilla imitates other animals at the zoo, including a lion, a walrus, a billy goat, an alligator, and a kangaroo. But pretending to be something he is not never works out. What if he just tried to be himself?
"“Yip-yip-yip-yip!” indeed, for this sympathetic portrayal of a not-often-celebrated creature who shares our world."―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Messner melds realism with a bit of magic for a charming middle grade story. . . . Charlie’s determination and spunk will appeal to readers."
-School Library Connection
"This strong debut middle grade novel by the acclaimed picture book author/illustrator is a first purchase for most middle grade collections."―School Library Journal, starred review
The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws . . . In this glorious celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, Brendan Wenzel shows us the many lives of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see. When you see a cat, what do you see?
Filled to the brim with colorful illustrations and diagrams, easy-to-understand infographics, and illuminating photos, Water Wow is a dazzling and fun introduction to the importance of water in our lives.
“The spare text knits a tapestry of gentle, joyous scenes. ...Hall’s digital artwork employs a bold palette on white and soft- to deep-blue backgrounds, accentuating the text’s warmly affectionate tone. ...A haunting journey through autumn and a lovely triumph.”
-Kirkus Reviews, starred review
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