Children’s books by current writers which are both well-written and captivating. We use 1975 as the cut off date for calling something ‘contemporary’ or classic; however, contemporary generally means today’s kids can identify with the characters.
Published: 2011 Theme: Goodness Wins Out Best for: 9 and up "Whenever Castle Glower became bored, it would grow a room or two. It usually happened on Tuesdays, when King Glower was hearing petitions..." From the opening line (above) to the very end, it is impossible to put this children's book down. Every page has some new development, and so ...
Published: 2004 Theme: Trust and Loyalty Best for: 12 and up "The world was so beautiful in those days, Annika. The music, the flowers, the scent of the pines..." "It still is," said Annika. "Honestly, it still is." Filled with unexpected twists and turns, with terrific characters, and with a cliff-hanger, but happy, ending, this children's book is terrific from start to finish.
Published: 2010 Theme: First Chapter Book Best for: 5 - 8 “The cat ran out of the kitchen. The pig ran after him. It was a chase. Mercy loved a chase.” It’s easy to love Kate DiCamillo’s writing, as she seems to know just what children enjoy...
Published: 1983 Theme: Divorce, Compassion Best for: Boys, 10 and up “Who wants to be friends with someone who scowls all the time? asked Mr. Fridley. “So you’ve got problems. Well, so has everyone see, if you take the trouble to notice.” This book takes us on a journey with a young boy and his feelings towards his estranged dad. The entire story is ...
Published: 2009 Theme: Self-determination Best for: ages 11 and up, especially girls "Granddaddy and I sat motionless for a good five minutes and then quietly collected our things and moved on. On the way back, he spotted the rarest and most delicate object in the wild, an old hummingbird's nest, fragile and expertly woven, smaller than an eggcup." Imagine a children's book which mixes together life in a rural southern town in 1899, a big dose of Charles Darwin, the natural world, and the coming of age of a young girl. If you think this is an implausible mixture for a children's book...
Published: 1996 Theme: Friendship Best for: 11 and up "When I told Tillie that six steps seemed a lot to have to do before you begin, she said, "You must think of those six steps not as preparation for the beginning but as the beginning itself." To get right to the point about this children's book, it is an absolute treasure. The previous books by this author hardly prepared me for this one...
Published: 1997 Theme: First Chapter Book Best for: 5-8 “It was still raining! 'This is terrible,' you said. 'What am I going to do all day?' You sat down and gave yourself a bath." Here’s a sweet little early reader/first chapter children's book especially for kids who have cats they love...
Published: 2013 Theme: Imagination Best for: 5 to 9 "The hole in space opened again. A voice shouted, "Catch!" and the milk came rocketing through. Fortunately, the milk struck me in the stomach..." The best description for this new children's book is wacky and fun. It reads like a kid making up a story...
Published: 2013 Theme: Creativity Best for: 5 to 8 "In school, we have lots of rules. At home, there are lots of rules too. I'm learning that with with art, there really are no rules. That's what makes it so great. Artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, Jackson Pollock and Pablo Picasso created new ways to make paintings... " I encourage any adult who loves bringing art to children to consider this book. It illuminates the value of bringing a child into the world of creativity.
Published: 2007 Theme: Friendship, Commitment Best for: 11 and up "You must remember, family is often born of blood, but it doesn't depend on blood...Best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family." There is quite a bit of wisdom to digest in this highly unusual children's book, not to mention many puzzles to solve. It is a book that is borderline fantasy...
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