105 Ways to Give a Book

New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books 2011

It’s not like you haven’t seen the list of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books already, since I’m late on the uptake. But for my own records and general comfort level that I’m paying attention to such things, here they are with my little thoughts.

Along a Long Road Along a Long Road
written and illustrated by Frank Viva
(Little, Brown)
Yeah, I can see why this was chosen. Interesting art, though not one of my favorite books this year.

A Ball for Daisy
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
(Schwartz & Wade)
Generally I don’t love Raschka’s art, but I liked it here. The loose style of his work matches the playfulness of a puppy very nicely.

Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the CreaturesBrother Sun, Sister Moon: Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures
written by Katherine Paterson, illustrated by Pamela Dalton
(Chronicle)
Simply gorgeous!

Grandpa Green
written and illustrated by Lane Smith
(Roaring Brook)
Clever, touching, and brilliant in concept and illustration.

Ice
written and illustrated by Arthur Geisert
(Enchanted Lion)
Really? The book with the pigs? Okay, I guess.

I Want My Hat Back
written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
(Candlewick)
Still trying to get on board with the hype on this title. Also, while I like the illustrations I don’t think it falls into the best illustrations of the year.

Me...JaneMe… Jane
written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell
(Little, Brown)
Honestly, my favorite parts of the illustrations are the old engravings used under the text. But I like the book and like McDonnell’s work, so I give it my seal of approval.

Migrant
written by Maxine Trottier, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
(Groundwood Books)
Don’t know this one.

A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis
written by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
(Dial)
Or this, but it is Kadir Nelson who is probably contractually obligated to be listed whenever best illustrator lists are made. And rightly so.

A New Year’s ReunionA New Year’s Reunion
written by Yu Li-Qiong, illustrated by Zhu Cheng-Liang
(Candlewick)
Don’t know this one either, but it just came out a week ago, so I shouldn’t have to take the blame for that.

As I’ve been making my way through the Cybils-nominated picture books, I’ve come across some favorites that I would have liked to see on the list. Books like Blackout, by John Rocco, Blue Chicken, by Deborah Freeman, and Naamah and the Ark at Night. Since I don’t know the last three books anyway, in my head I’ll be replacing them with my selections.

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6 comments:

Rebecca Reid said...

My son and I really love reading I Want My Hat Back. But I'm with you on it not being the best illustrations. And as for Brother Sun, Sister Moon, the illustrations are fantastic! But I can't get my son to even look at it. It just has such limited kid appeal. But maybe older kids would sit through it?

MotherReader said...

Actually, I also had trouble getting through Brother Sun, Sister Moon as I'm getting accustomed to quick reads with broad stroke pictures. But forcing myself to slow down, I was stunned by the illustrations.

I wish I had remembered to bring I Want My Hat Back to read to my niece. I really think that the sharing, read aloud experience is more integral to that book than almost any other I've known.

Melissa said...

I don't get the pig book, either. Your point about I Want My Hat Back is spot on, it's in the reading aloud. While I think it's one of the best picture books I've read all year, it's not one of the best illustrated ones. I would have loved to see Blackout on there as well.

Ms. Yingling said...

I hadn't seen the list, so thank you for posting. I see so few picture books, but it's interesting to get an overview of trends.

T said...

I'm afraid I might be the only person in the world who doesn't really care for "I Want My Hat Back." If there was an entire seperate genre of literature called "picture books for adults," than this book would be alongside "It's a Book" as one of the greats. But for children? I don't really care for it. *shrugs* (I also don't really care for "Ice.")

Anonymous said...

Here you can find a great illustrated book for kids:

https://www.createspace.com/3918286

Thanks