Best Books for Babies

Since the Caldecott Medal isn't always good for the youngest of readers, Beginning for Books, a Pittsburgh literacy group puts together a list of the 10 best books for babies.

(most books were published in 2006.)

Mama's Day (Simon & Schuster)

written by Linda Ashman

illustrated by Jan Ormerod

Whose Toes Are Those? (Little Brown)

written by Jabari Asim

illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Easy Street (Dutton)

written by Rita Gray

illustrated by Mary Bono

Welcome Precious (Orchard)

written by Nikki Grimes

illustrated by Bryan Collier

Look at You! A Baby Body Book (Candlewick Press)

written by Kathy Henderson

illustrated by Paul Howard

Look at the Animals (Dutton)

written and illustrated by Peter Linenthal

Wee Willie Winkie (Houghton Mifflin)

written and illustrated by Salley Mavor

Hush, Little Baby (Greenwillow)

illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Cheep! Cheep! (Bloomsbury)

written by Julie Stiegemeyer

illustrated by Carol Baicker-McKee

Baby Cakes (Little Simon/Simon & Schuster

written by Karma Wilson

illustrated by Sam Williams

Remember that the best time to read to your child is when they are winding down and repetition is an important part of early literacy for babies. So cuddle up at bedtime with one of the books on the 8th annual "Best Books for Babies" list.

One Book New Jersey

One Book New Jersey is an exciting program that libraries and their partners will promote across the state. The goal is to bring people together through literature by encouraging them to read the same book and participate in discussions and other events centered on that book. OBNJ celebrates reading, literacy and all that New Jersey's libraries do.



OBNJ is proud to announce the 2008 middle grade winner:



The Fairy Tale Detectives
(Part of the Sisters Grimm series)
by Michael Buckley


Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm have gone from one bad foster home to another, and have become adept at running away. Now they have arrived at Ferryport Landing to live with Granny Relda. Sabrina is suspicious; she never knew she had a grandmother. But Sabrina and Daphne are soon caught up in the legacy of the Grimm family. As descendents of Wilhelm, they must keep the fairy tale characters, the "Everafters," contained. When Relda goes missing, it is up to the girls to solve the mystery - which involves giants, pixies, fairies and witches. This is a mystery-adventure with lots of fantasy and just as much humor. Prince Charming is the town mayor, Snow White is a school teacher, and the Big Bad Wolf is a friend, trying hard to reform. Once you get started, it's hard to put down. (excerpt taken from the One Book New Jersey website.)

NextReads

Never know what to read to your child next?

Do you often rely on book suggestions?

Well, picking your book just got a whole lot easier!

The Monroe Township Library now offers NextReads, a free web-based service that sends book recommendations for children and teens straight to your email!

Sign-up now!

Kirkus's Best Books of 2007

Kirkus's childrens editors and contributors spent weeks selecting titles that represent children's literature at its finest (which is a very difficult task!) Below are a list of exceptional titles published in 2007 that will be sure to enchant both parents & children.

A Seed is Sleepy

by Dianna Hutts Aston / illustrated by Sylvia Long

Telling about the life of a seed, this book is illustrated by award-winning artist Sylvia Long, making it not only informative - but beautiful! It is sure to stretch a child's imagination to great lengths.

Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record
by Annie Barrow / illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Everyone in the second grade seems to be breaking some world record - and Ivy and Bean are no exception, deciding they wish to break the record of being the youngest people to ever find a dinosaur skeleton! A great book for children who are just bridging the gap to being an independent reader.




Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little
by Peggy Gifford / photographs done by Valorie Fisher

With summer coming to an end, soon to be fourth-grader Moxy Maxwell does EVERYTHING to try to avoid reading her assigned summer reading book.






Old Penn Station
written & illustrated by William Low

This book portrays the nostalgia of the baby boom generation, when the railroad was the way to travel. Old Penn Station takes you into the depth of the Hudson River and the every day hustle and bustle of of the old Penn Station, prior to its destruction in 1910.



The Apple Pie that Papa Baked
by Lauren Thompson / illustrated by Jonathan Bean

When a doting father decides to make an apple pie for his beloved daughter, an enjoyable day is had by all, including the hungry farm animals who hover nearby in the hopes of getting a slice of the pie.