Here is my "Best of the Best Picture Books" from the past school year. I have included a variety of books that will delight, inspire and entertain young and old.
1 - "Goodnight, Gorilla" by Peggy Rathmann, is a board book for very young children. But, when parents read this darling book to their youngsters, they will be amazed at the humor that Ms. Rathmann wrote and integrated into such a short book! The zoo caretaker is checking the animals at night when something quite unexpected happens when he gets to the gorilla cage.
2 - "The Royal Bee" by Frances Park, Ginger Park and illustrated by Christopher Z. Zhang. Children of all ages should read this story based on the true account of the authors' ancestor. They will develop a greater appreciation of the many freedoms we enjoy today in our great country. A poor Korean boy has a great desire to go to school but is unable to attend because the prevailing customs allowed only rich and privileged children to be educated. How he manages to go to school and what happens to him will inspire all who read this beautifully illustrated book.
3 - "Hello, World! Greetings in 42 Languages Around the Globe!" by Manya Stojic. This picture book demonstrates, and celebrates, the many different races and languages around the world and does it better than any book I've yet to come across. It's written simply, yet powerfully, as any age will certainly enjoy it. There's only one word -"hello" written in the native tongue along with the pronunciation and name of the country on each page. There is also a face of a child on each page smiling back at you. One senses the greatness of our human race!
4 - "When Marian Sang" by Pam Muniz Ryan and illustrated by Brian Selznick. Marian Anderson had one of the most beautiful solo voices to have ever performed with the Metropolitan Opera. She was also the first African American to sing there. This beautifully illustrated picture book is about her life and the adversities she overcame to be able to sing at the steps of an historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial.
5 - "To Fly" by Lucia Scuderi, Phillis Gershator and Robin Blum. This simple picture book is not only great for very young children, but an excellent book for children who are emergent readers. The text is simple and repetitious and the pictures of three baby crows, as the mother encourages them to fly, are bright and fold out.
6 - "Zathura" by Chris Van Allsburg. This is a sequel to Jumanji and Mr. Van Allsburg continues with his tremendous talent and ability to infuse incredible art with brief text to enthrall any child. Danny and his older brother discover another game board underneath the Jumanji game. What ensues is an adventure in outer space. The ending will surprise all who read it!
7 - "Rocks in his Head" by Carol Otis Hurst and illustrated by James Stevenson. Ms. Hurst wrote about her father who owned a gas station and was always collecting rocks. But when the depression came and his business failed, he moved his young family to live in the city where he found work as a janitor at a science museum. What takes place there and what happens to him will surely inspire all who read it!
8 - "Take Me Out of the Bathtub and other Silly, Dilly Songs" by Alan Katz and illustrated by David Catrow. This is the perfect book to take on a trip in the car, camping, hiking or any family gathering. Mr. Katz has taken familiar songs and changed them so that children of all ages will surely laugh and want to sing more. Some of the songs include: "I'm so Carsick" from "Oh, Susannah" and "Go, Go, Go to Bed" from Row, Row, Row your Boat".
9 - "Grow Up" by Sandy Turner gives many possibilities of what a child can become when they grow up. Ms. Turner has drawn her illustrations to look like the drawings of a young child and will appeal to children ages 3 to 8.
10 - "Kevin and His Dad" by Irene Smalls-Hector and illustrated by Michael Hays. This story, and the beautifully painted pictures, celebrate the relationship between father and child. The text is almost singable in its rhyming rhythm and the expressions of love and happiness exude off the pages. This is a great book for ages 3 to 8.