The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo, is an odd and engrossing novel-length fairy tale. In fact, it has a lot in common with Grimm's fairy tales. The hero, Despereaux Tilling, is a mouse with large ears. The Tale of Despereaux is not only a excellent book for 8-12 year olds, it is also a terrific read aloud for younger kids. Kate DiCamillo was awarded the Newbery Medal for this very entertaining novel, which was first published in 2003 by Candlewick Press. The Tale of Despereaux continues to be very popular with children and families, as well as with elementary school teachers who use it as a read aloud, to the delight of their students. A special boxed edition of the book (pictured) is also available. Have you and your children read the book? What about Kate DiCamillo's latest book, The Magician's Elephant? If so, click on "Comments" below and share your opinions about one or both of the books.

(Cover art courtesy of Candlewick Press)

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 00:01:21.

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If you are looking for a good book to introduce your 3- to 6-year-old children to recycling and what they can do to help protect the environment, I recommend We Are Extremely Very Good Recyclers. This picture book features big brother Charlie and his "small and funny" little sister, Lola, and wonderfully quirky mixed media collages. You may remember Charlie and Lola from the picture book I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato, for which British author and illustrator Lauren Child received the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 2001 or from I Am Not Sleepy and Will Not Go To Bed or I am Too Absolutely Small for School. Perhaps your kids' have enjoyed the animated TV series named after the brother and sister. In addition to an entertaining story that also explains what recycling is, why it's important, and what kids can do to help, the book also includes a removable poster so kids can track their own recycling efforts.

(Cover art courtesy of Penguin)

We Are Extremely Very Good Recyclers originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 00:01:09.

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Brian Selznick achieved the highest honor a children's picture book illustrator can receive in the United States when he was awarded the Caldecott Medal for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which he wrote and illustrated. His win was something of a surprise, because The Invention of Hugo Cabret is not your typical picture book, although like good picture books, both illustrations and text are used to tell the story. Instead, it is a fascinating adventure novel for 9-14 year olds, set in 1931 Paris. As the title page describes the book, it is "A Novel in Words and Pictures." The book is more than 525 pages long; 284 of those pages contain Selznick's dense pencil drawings. Along with the text, sequential double-page spreads of illustrations wordlessly move the reader through time, space, and the story of the orphan Hugo Cabret. I highly recommend it. Have you and/or your children read The Invention of Hugo Cabret? If so, click on "Comments" below and share your opinion.

(Cover art courtesy of Scholastic Press, An Imprint of Scholastic)

The Invention of Hugo Cabret originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 00:01:02.

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All across Canada this week (November 14-21), authors, illustrators, and storytellers are visiting communities as part of the annual TD Canadian Children's Book Week celebration. Schools, public libraries, bookstores, and community centers are hosting special programs as Canada celebrates Canadian children's books and reading. The theme this year, Gold Medal Reading!, celebrates sports in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, which will be held in Vancouver, BC. Who are some of your family's favorite Canadian authors and illustrators of children's books? Jean Little is one of my favorite Canadian authors. Share your favorites by clicking on "Comments" below and posting a message.

Celebrate Canadian Children's Book Week originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 00:01:41.

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Often referred to as Sweden's best-known author, Astrid Lindgren gained international fame for her children's books, particularly Pippi Longstocking, which has been translated into 91 languages since it was first published in 1945. In honor of the 100th anniversary of Astrid Lindgren's birth, Viking published a new translation of Pippi Longstocking, with lively illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator Lauren Child. Have you or your children read Pippi Longstocking? What did you think of it? Click on "Comments" below and share your opinions.

(Cover art courtesy of Viking, A Division of Penguin Young Readers Group)

Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 00:01:18.

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The children's picture book John Henry combines a fascinating tale by Julius Lester with award-winning artwork by Jerry Pinkney. The book was designated a Caldecott Honor Book for excellence in American, children's picture book illustration. Some of the things that make this book about the African American folk hero memorable include:

• Julius Lester's use of imagery and personification
• Jerry Pinkney's striking illustrations
• Background information that helps set the context for the story

(Cover art courtesy of Puffin Books, Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers)

Spotlight on John Henry originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 00:01:38.

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Veterans Day honors all of the men and women in the U.S. military and their families for their sacrifices on behalf of the United States of America. As a reminder of all we have to be thankful for, why not share Chris Gall's beautifully illustrated edition of America the Beautiful with your children. If you are looking for a book about remembering those who died in war, I recommend The Wall by Eve Bunting. This poignant children's picture book is about a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial by a father and his young son.

Related Links

• Honoring All Who Served (About: U.S. Military)
• Veterans Day Quiz (About: Homeschooling)

Resources for Veterans Day originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 00:01:19.

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The picture book Tsunami! is the dramatic story of a tsunami and one man's sacrifice that saves all of the people in a Japanese village threatened by the giant waves. Both the story by Kimiko Kajikawa and the striking artwork by Ed Young are strong enough to stand alone, but together, they create a memorable experience for the reader. I recommend Tsunami! for children six and older, as well as teens and adults. Ed Young's picture book Wabi Sabi, by Mark Reibstein, is on my list of the Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2008.

(Cover art courtesy of Penguin)

Tsunami! - A Memorable New Book originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 00:55:03.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid is not only a wildly popular series of kids' books, it is also going to be made into a movie, which will be released on April 2, 2010. After a national search, eleven year-old Zachary Gordon has been cast as Greg Heffley, the main character. Steve Zahn and Rachael Harris will portray his parents. In a recent interview for School Library Journal, Jeff Kinney, the author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, talked about the movie and said, "It's live-action and is peppered with animations and fantasy sequences. I contributed to the writing and serve as an executive producer. I gave feedback on the casting of the principal cast." The fact that Kinney has been so involved with the movie gives me hope it will be good. What do you think? Click on "Comments" below and share your opinion.

(Cover art courtesy of Amulet Books, An Imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.)

Movie Version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid Coming originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 00:01:09.

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It's almost time for Halloween, quickly followed by the Day of the Dead. Here is a recap of some of the chidren's books I recommend:

• Los Gatos Black on Halloween
• Maurice Sendak's First Pop-up Book: Mommy?
• Best Halloween Board Books
• Top Picks: Books for El Dia de Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead)

Children's Books for Halloween and the Day of the Dead originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 00:01:19.

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A Gift for Abuelita: Celebrating the Day of the Dead / Un regalo para Abuelita: En celebración del Dia de los Muertos is, as the dual titles suggest, a bilingual picture book. Author Nancy Luenn tells the story of a young Mexican girl's search for comfort after the death of her beloved grandmother. Another good children's book about the Day of the Dead is Pablo Remembers: The Fiesta of the Day of the Dead.

(Cover art courtesy of Luna Rising, A Bilingual Imprint of Rising Moon)

A Gift for Abuelita: Celebrating the Day of the Dead originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 00:01:02.

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There is a reason that Kate DiCamillo has won a Newbery Medal and other honors for her stories. She is a gifted writer. Her new book, The Magician's Elephant, is a gem. Unlike her novel Because of Winn-Dixie in which the voice and development of the main character is paramount, in The Magician's Elephant, it is the story itself that takes center stage. I recommend The Magician's Elephant for 8-12+ year-old readers and as a read aloud at home or in the classroom. At 208 pages, it's a good book for kids who are ready for a story that asks them to draw inferences and make connections but that is not too long or complex.

(Cover art courtesy of Candlewick Press)

Kate DiCamillo's The Magician's Elephant is a Gem originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 00:38:31.

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Are you looking for a creative project to do with your child? Watch About.com's Make a Story Book With Your Kids video to learn how to help your kids create their own story books. The video covers everything from the materials needed to putting the book together.

Make a Story Book With Your Kids: Video originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 00:01:15.

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Check out my brief reviews of some of the best children's books about Thanksgiving. The books range from the nonfiction book 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving to humorous children's Thanksgiving picture books to books about the beauties of nature. What are your family's favorite children's books about Thanksgiving? Click on "Comments" below and post your recommendations.

(Cover art courtesy of National Geographic)

Best Children's Books About Thanksgiving originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 00:01:56.

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Sherri Osborn, the About.com Guide to Family Crafts, has some terrific photo galleries of children's Halloween costumes. A number of the costumes are based on characters from children's books. The Halloween costume based on the picture book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is one of my favorites. I also like the Pippi costume based on Astrid Lindgren's book Pippi Longstocking. There are also directions for a Max costume, based on the main character in the classic picture book Where the Wild Things Are. Have your children ever dressed up for Halloween as characters from children's books? If so, click on "Comments" below and tell me about it.

(Cover art courtesy of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Halloween Costumes Based on Children's Books originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 00:01:43.

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It seems that every time I visit a bookstore, I find another Halloween book I like. This time, I found My First Halloween by Tomie dePaola. The extraordinary Tomie dePaola has written and/or illustrated more than 200 children's books and his illustrations are among my favorites. I like his almost childlike folk art style. I'll continue to add good Halloween board books as I find them. If you have any to recommend, please let me know by clicking on "Comments" below and posting a message.

(Cover art courtesy of Candlewick Press)

Best Halloween Board Books for Little Ones originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 00:01:20.

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I have added more books to my list of Children's Halloween Books. While not all of these books are specifically about Halloween, they are all good books to read during the Halloween season. One of the books I added is a glow-in-the-dark picture book version of a Dr. Seuss story. What was I Scared of? will delight ages 4-8.

(Cover art courtesy of Random House)

More Children's Halloween Books originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 00:01:32.

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Did you know that today is the anniversary of the 1886 Dedication of the Statue of Liberty? Ever since I first visited the Statue of Liberty as a very young child, I have been fascinated by it. When I read Lady Liberty: A Biography, I was delighted to find, in picture book format, the dramatic story of the building of the Statue of Liberty, from the initial idea to the grand celebration upon its unveiling. Between the story and the extra information presented at the end of the book, tweens (8-12-year-olds), as well as teens and adults, will learn all about this beloved American symbol. Lady Liberty: A Biography was written by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Matt Tavares, and published by Candlewick Press. I highly recommend it. If there are other children's books about the Statue of Liberty that you like, please click on "Comments" below and share your recommendations.

(Cover art courtesy of Candlewick Press)

Recommended! Lady Liberty: A Biography originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 00:01:12.

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Did you know that November is National Alzheimer's Disease Month? Alzheimer's disease affects the entire family. It's hard to explain to young children what has happened to their grandfather or grandmother when they are afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. The children's picture book Singing with Momma Lou might help. More than just a book about Alzheimer's disease, it also emphasizes family love and respect, family memories, and the importance of preserving and handing down family stories from one generation to another. Singing with Mama Lou is intended for the 4-8 year old child, but it would also be valuable for older children coping with a family member's Alzheimer's disease.

Related Links
What is Alzheimer's Disease? (About.com: Alzheimer's Disease)
Early Alzheimer's Disease (About.com: Senior Health

(Cover art courtesy of Lee & Low Books Inc.)

A Book About Alzheimer's Disease and More originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 00:01:28.

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If you have children, you probably already know about popular picture book creator Jan Brett, who has more than 33 million books in print. Her picture book, The Three Snow Bears, is a retelling of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," set in a traditional Inuit village. Brett includes accurate details about Inuit lives and customs in the picture book. I have long been a fan of Jan Brett's illustrations and her books. Does your family have a favorite Jan Brett picture book? One of my favorites is Jan Brett's Christmas Treasury a collection of her holiday and winter stories. To share your family's favorite Jan Brett books, click on "Comments" below and post your recommendations.

(Cover art courtesy of G.P. Putnam's Sons, A Division of Penguin Young Readers Group)

The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 00:01:22.

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From August 24 through September 18, teens voted for their favorite books in the 2009 Teens' Top Ten online poll. More than 11,000 of them chose Paper Towns as their favorite book. Teens' Top Ten is sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), which is a division of the American Library Association (ALA). YALSA describes Teens' Top Ten as "a 'teen choice' list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year. Nominators are members of teen book groups in fifteen school and public libraries around the country. Nominations are posted online and teens across the country vote on their favorite titles each year." (YALSA Web site)

The 2009 Teens Top Ten
1. Paper Town by John Green (Penguin/Dutton)
2. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic)
4. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry)
5. Identical by Ellen Hopkins (Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry)
6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins)
7. Wake by Lisa McMann (Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse)
8. Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast (St. Martin's Griffin)
9. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (Disney-Hyperion)
10. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Harcourt/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

2009 Teens' Top Ten - Favorite Books originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 00:01:15.

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Among other uses of children's picture books, author and educator Sharron L. McElmeel recommends, "Using picture books to introduce a topic, to build a schematic background for content-area studies, and to develop higher-level thinking skills..." In her book Picture That! From Mendel to Normandy, McElmeel encourages teachers of tweens and teens (grades 4-12) to use picture books across the curriculum and provides guidance as to which children's books to use and how to use them. Using picture books with older kids can be very effective in getting them interested in a topic. I have found that some picture books, particularly wordless picture books like A Day, A Dog, make excellent writing prompts. Are their picture books that have captured the interest of the tweens and teens in your family? If so, please click on "Comments" and share their recommendations.

(over art courtesy of Libraries Unlimited, An Imprint of ABC-CLIO)

Picture That! - For Teachers of Tweens and Teens originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 00:46:46.

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According to the official 2009 proclamation by the President of the United States, "This month, we celebrate the ancestry and time-honored traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives in North America." What do you need to know to be able to select accurate children's and YA books about Native Americans (also known as American Indians)? There are some excellent online resources to help you in Selecting Children's and YA Books About Native Americans. Celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month with recommended books for children and teens. If you have specific books or additional online resources to recommend, click on "comments" below and share your recommendations. Thanks.

Related Resources

• Native American Heritage at National Parks (About.com: U.S. / Canadian Parks)
• Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (About.com: DC / Capital Region)

(Cover art courtesy of National Geographic)

It's National American Indian Heritage Month originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 00:01:59.

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November is National Adoption Month. Celebrate with children's books about adoption. There are not a great many children's books about adoption for beginning readers. However, Canadian author Jean Little has written an excellent series of chapter books for beginning readers that focus on a young girl, Emma, and her adopted younger brother, Max. Emma's Yucky Brother, the first book in the series, tells the story of how four-year-old Max joins Emma's family and how the children begin to care for, and trust, one another. For additional books about adoption, see Adoption Guide Carrie Craft's adoption book reviews.

Related Links

• All About National Adoption Month (About: Adoption / Foster Care)
• Fun Things to Do with Children's Adoption Books (About: Adoption / Foster Care)

Celebrate National Adoption Month with Children's Books originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 00:01:56.

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Ezra Jack Keats was born on March 11, 1916. He died on May 6, 1983, at the age of sixty-seven. The talented artist and author is remembered as something of a pioneer in his use of African American children as main characters and in his use of mixed media collages to illustrate his stories. Ezra Jack Keats was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1963 for his picture book The Snowy Day, which is still popular today. The Snowy Day is also included in Keats's Neighborhood, a collection of popular stories by Keats. Do you and your kids have a favorite picture book by Ezra Jack Keats? If so, click on "Comments" below and post information about it. Thanks.

(Cover art courtesy of Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers)

Spotlight on Ezra Jack Keats originally appeared on About.com Children's Books on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 00:01:29.

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