Children

I have always enjoyed Bruce Lansky’s silly poems, and after hanging out with him at the Poetry Olio in San Antonio I can now say that I love him! What a great guy who “gets it.” This wonderful anthology of silly poems by some of the greatest children’s poets will definitely leave your kids laughing hysterically. Great for read alouds!

Funny and clever story about a boy who likes to interrupt (I can empathize) with a nice message for all of us who need to learn to be respectful of others and listen attentively before blurting something out.

Dan Hanna’s brilliant animations add a lot to this wonderful book that should stand as a mantra to all ages: you can choose to be happy. Great way to build young readers’ confidence and self-image.

Bet you didn’t know that the greatest star in women’s soccer wrote a compelling kids’ book, did you?

This is a great book to show children the value of setting and pursuing goals, as well as the importance of learning teamwork and trying your hardest. Mia’s transparent autobiography is a great tale for kids who need to learn a little more patience and a little less pouting.

Let me just say that I LOVE this book, and I know most boys who have any interest in sports (which includes most boys) and many girls will, too. Great facts, great pictures and – best of all – the book does not just judge athletes solely for their merits on the field but looks at their exploits off the field, as well (translation: you won’t find any jerks in these pages). Part of a great series from Scholastic.

I guess I must just face the fact that this month’s list is geared towards female readers (send requests, gentlemen).

I have read this touching tale to kindergartners, and they love the illustrations and story of this odd-looking little girl who never lets anything or anyone bring her down. This is a great story for children who lack self confidence (e.g. most children).

Co-titled “Veamos el invierno,” this is what I call a “golden book,” as it is part of a series of books written in English and Spanish (kind of a good idea, considering demographic shifts in our schools).

Have you ever wanted to see the shy kid beat the class bully? This book is satisfying to all ages and genders and a good lesson in treating people kindly.

Sometimes I just have to include a book for the illustrations. Yes, Jonathan London’s text presents a moving tribute to the life of flamingoes, but the extraordinary illustrations by Kristina Rodanas make this book a treasure for any library.

One in a series of wonderful books examining scientific concepts in understandable ways for kindergartners and dense adults (like me). Denise Shea’s illustrations add a lot to these simple, wonderful books.

My daughter was born two months prematurely, and my wife and I were fortunate that we were at Torrance Memorial Hospital in Torrance, CA (which, we accidentally discovered, has one of the best NICUs anywhere). I wish someone had given me a copy of this wonderful book back then, as it is a perfect gift for anyone panicking over the premature birth of a child. I’d also use it with siblings who are anxious about “newcomers” to the family.

I’ve always said that there are children’s books that deal with just about any issue a child could experience. This is a great story about a little girl caught between the two worlds of her divorced parents. The one constant in her life is her dog, who goes wherever she goes. Beautiful illustrations by Tricia Tusa.

I selected this book not for its biographical value (as some of the facts are questionable), but because I have become a huge fan of the book’s illustrator, Barry Blitt. The illustrations are marvelous and sure to provoke wide laughs and speculations among young children. In that respect, that makes this book a perfect story to entice children to write their own versions of Beethoven’s life (and stimulate their interest in Beethoven).

Easter is upon us, and I’ll take Max and Ruby over Peter Cottontail any day of the week. Not that Rosemary Wells needs any help from me, but I find her books irresistible.

If you ever have the chance to see Jarrett Krosoczka speak, jump out of your chair and get a ticket. His wicked sense of humor, tempered by a huge heart, come through on the pages of all of his books, and I am very excited about his latest series of books, the Platypus Police Squad.