The days are counting down on not only the holiday season, but the end of the year. If you’re still looking for that final, perfect gift for the special child (or children) in your life, check out some favorite picks of this past year from Covington Children’s Librarians , Amy Schardein & Krista King-Oaks.
For children ages 0-4:
Flashlight – Liz Boyd
A child explores the night with his flashlight – cleverly illuminating a partially hidden world. Lovely details and a simple storyline make this book one to be enjoyed again and again.
Mix It Up – Herve Tullet
Herve Tullet is the master of playful interactive books and this one does not disappoint. Young readers are invited to touch and rub and tilt colors together in this clever book.
Tickle– Leslie Patricelli
This sweet little board book simply shows a baby enjoying a tickle fest with the family and presents an irresistible opportunity to tickle your own little one.
For children ages 5-8:
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla – Katherine Applegate
Author Katherine Applegates won the Newbery award for her novel The One and Only Ivan. Now readers can learn the facts behind the novel in this fascinating look at a captive gorilla.
Lily the Unicorn – Dallas Clayton
If you are a fan of Elephant and Piggie, then you will fall in love with Lily and her penguin friend Roger in their colorful adventure of learning about feelings and friendship and all their favorite things that make the world “awesome”.
Weasels – Elys Dolan
If I-Spy and Where’s Waldo made a book, but filled it with mischievous critters, it would be Dolan’s quirky masterpiece; so many zany and hilarious illustrations fill this minimalist picture book that will keep readers busy discovering the jokes long after the story is over.
The Book With No Pictures – B.J. Novak
Can reading a book without pictures be fun? Absolutely! This book will have everyone rolling on the floor with laughter, begging you to read it over and over again.
Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos – Stephanie Roth Sisson
From t.v. to films, it has been a popular year for space exploration both real and imagined. It has also been an outstanding year for children’s biographies, so don’t miss this one dedicated to the pop icon that helped spark our contemporary fascination with life beyond the stars.
For children ages 9-12:
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s library – Chris Grabenstein
We might be a bit biased, but a sleepover at the library turned mysterious gaming competition – sounds like the perfect adventure (and maybe even a perfect KCPL program coming to you in the new year…!)
The Shadow Throne/ The Ascendance Trilogy – Jennifer Nielsen
This fast-paced, page turner is the middle grades answer to Game of Thrones, and in fact, has already been optioned as a movie franchise; now that the last book is published, collect the trilogy.
Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods –Rick Riordan
This guide to the Greek gods relates used Percy’s voice to retell the mythology upon which the hit Percy Jackson series books is based.
Animalium – Katie Scott & Jenny Broom
A debut collection of a planned series of “virtual museum” books, this is a great pick for both the casual animal lover to the budding scientist; a great example of high interest, engaging S.T.E.M. non-fiction.
Nightmares! – Jason Segel
Who says you can’t enjoy scary things during this time of year? Check out our previous review here while we eagerly await the sequel in this planned trilogy; a slapstick comedy for even the most reluctant readers.
Sisters – Raina Telgemeier
The sequel to the best-selling graphic novel Smile, this road-trip story will speak to any child (or even adult) who’s ever struggled with the sometimes annoying, but always resilient sibling dynamic; look for the box-set of both novels at your local bookseller.
Brown Girl Dreaming – Jacqueline Woodson
Part journey of a shy,child artist, part love letter to books and libraries, this lyrical memoir in verse from the Margaret A. Edwards Award winning author for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults was just awarded the National Book Award prize in youth literature.
Also, don’t miss the list of re-issued holiday classics put together from our wonderful colleagues, Terri Diebel & Cecilia Horn, over at “A Wynk, A Blynk, and A Nod” blog: https://www.kentonlibrary.org/2014/everything-old-is-new-again
~Ms. Amy & Ms. Krista
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