Last week, Kirkus Review put out a 27 page list of their 2014 Young Reader Book Nominees. They did a really good job of putting all the information about each one in an easy to use display. The link is at the bottom of this page. I took the books from the list that were written or illustrated by people I know for this post, but it is a great list to use to find books you might want to read.
Kudos to all my friends who made the list below:
Released: May 6, 2014
Reviewed: March 17, 2014
SLEEPYHEADS
by Sandra J. Howatt, illustrated by Joyce Wan
“A superb execution of soporific shapes and sounds perfect for the bedside table. (Picture book. 2-6)“
Sleepyhead readers explore a hushed woodland at dusk, where they discover animals nestled in their cozy places at bedtime. Read full book review >
Released: Oct. 3, 2013
Reviewed: Sept. 1, 2013>
TEA PARTY RULES
by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by K.G. Campbell
“Strong storytelling, pacing, emotive illustrations that match the deceptive plot and an exuberant sense of fun make this little gem a winner. (Picture book. 3-7)“
What stops a bear cub from gobbling down a plateful of delicious cookies? Tea Party rules, of course! Read full book review >
Released: Oct. 8, 2013
Reviewed: Aug. 21, 2013
PETEY AND PRU AND THE HULLABALOO
by Ammi-Joan Paquette, illustrated by Joy Ang
“Here’s hoping that there are more kerfuffles and shenanigans in the future for this undeniably delightful duo. (Picture book. 4-8)“
Quiet Petey and his devil spawn of a best friend indulge in a little chaos propelled by gleefully sesquipedalian writing. Read full book review >
Released: Jan. 1, 2014
Reviewed: Aug. 31, 2013
KING FOR A DAY
by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Christiane Krömer
“This story soars. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-7)“
Set in Pakistan during Basant, “the most exciting day of the year,” this story focuses on the strength and resourcefulness of a child in a wheelchair as he navigates the skies at the spring kite festival. Read full book review >
THRILLERS
Released: March 4, 2014
Reviewed: Jan. 4, 2014
“The only thing more terrifying than the game itself is not getting the chance to play it. (Thriller. 14 & up)“
Oliver makes a white-knuckle return to realism that will have readers up until the wee hours. Read full book review >
Released: Feb. 11, 2014
Reviewed: Nov. 20, 2013
by Lin Oliver, illustrated by Tomie dePaola
“A tenderly crafted collection that captures the joyous individual moments of infant discoveries. (Picture book/poetry. 6 mos.-2)“
Twenty-three original, first-person poems for the very young. Read full book review >
Released: Feb. 1, 2014
Reviewed: Nov. 20, 2013
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
by H. Chuku Lee, illustrated by Pat Cummings
“This lovely reimagining of an old tale affirms the browning of American’s contemporary young readership. (Picture book. 4-8)“
A brown-skinned Beauty—what a refreshing change! Read full book review >
Released: Oct. 1, 2013
Reviewed: Aug. 14, 2013
by Jerry Pinkney, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Released: Oct. 1, 2013
“A captivating winner—start to finish! (artist’s note, design notes) (Picture book/folk tale. 3-6)“
With luminous mixed media pictures, a short, carefully meted-out text and a Southwestern U.S. setting, Pinkney (The Lion and the Mouse, 2009) takes on another of Aesop’s fables—marvelously. Read full book review >
Released: April 1, 2014
Reviewed: Feb. 26, 2014
SUMMONING THE PHOENIX: POEMS AND PROSE ABOUT CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
by Emily Jiang, illustrated by April Chu
“From the booming paigu to the delicate strings of the ruan, the lutelike pipa and the yangqin, or hammered “butterfly harp,” a lively medley that will expand the musical boundaries of most young audiences. (bibliography) (Informational picture book/poetry. 6-9)“
Thirteen young musicians of diverse ethnic background ready themselves to play their traditional Chinese instruments on stage in this informative and gracefully illustrated twin debut. Read full book review >
Released: April 1, 2014
Reviewed: Feb. 19, 2014
THE GRUDGE KEEPER
by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
“Wordplay and humor provide an effective vehicle for a valuable moral. (Picture book. 5-8)“
“No one in the town of Bonnyripple ever kept a grudge. No one, that is, except old Cornelius, the Grudge Keeper.” So begins this original fairy tale that provides a literal illustration of the idiom “holding a grudge.” Read full book review >
Released: Oct. 1, 2013
Reviewed: Aug. 14, 2013
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
by Susan Jeffers, illustrated by Susan Jeffers
Released: Oct. 1, 2013
“A whimsical, magical interpretation of a holiday classic, improved by the additional storyline and the charming narrator. (artist’s note) (Picture book. 3-7)“
Jeffers has created a lovely story incorporating the words of the old folk song with one important change: a clever substitution of Santa as the giver of all the gifts instead of the narrator’s “true love.” Read full book review >
Released: March 11, 2014
Reviewed: Jan. 15, 2014
FIREFLY JULY: A YEAR OF VERY SHORT POEMS
edited by Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
“Scintillating! (permissions, acknowledgments) (Picture book/poetry. 4-8)“
Choosing from works spanning three centuries, Janeczko artfully arranges 36 elegant poems among the four seasons. Read full book review >
CHILDREN’S AND TEEN
Released: March 4, 2014
Reviewed: Feb. 19, 2014
by Kathryn O. Galbraith, illustrated by Joe Cepeda
CHILDREN’S AND TEEN
Released: March 4, 2014
“Learning how to navigate the path of friendship is an important part of life, and these bunny buddies learn a lesson that is gently, beautifully shown rather than told. (Picture book. 2-7)“
In this simple but insightful story, two rabbits discover that lunch with a pal is more fun than eating alone. Read full book review >
Don’t miss the full 27 page list. CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST.
Have you read any of the books? Do you know anyone whose book is listed? If so, give them a pat on the back.
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
Filed under: authors and illustrators, Book, Kudos, list, Publishing Industry Tagged: 2014 Young reader Nominees, Ammi-Joan Paquette, Amy Dyckman, Joyce Wan, Kirkus Review
Reblogged this on Darlene Beck-Jacobson and commented:
Congratulations for the accolades. A wonderful selection of books!
I’m familiar with maybe half of these books, most definitely Joyce’s and Ame’s! Of course, TEA PARTY RULES is absolutely adorable and we all love it. SLEEPYHEADS was released only recently and when I first snatched it from the B&N shelf ’cause the cover was so gorgeous, I didn’t realize Joyce illustrated it ’til I sat down and began reading from my pile of picture books. I fell in love immediately. The illustrations are gorgeous—perfection, and to me, it’s one of the best “goodnight” books I’ve read. The feel is so soft and lends itself to bedtime. Just love it and will be purchasing it at the NJSCBWI conference.
I also read THE GRUDGE KEEPER as soon as I heard about it and had it here for maybe 2 months from the library. Then I got very lucky through the #Armchair BEA Giveaways, and of the list of books there, it was available so I picked this one when I won. Just love the book!
I hope I get to check out the rest. Thanks for posting these, Kathy! Congrats to EVERYone! :D