Local experts pick the best of '07 for young readers
Do you need a little assistance in selecting the perfect book for the young readers on your Christmas list?
Two Naperville-area experts, Jan Dundon, Anderson's Bookshop's children's coordinator and buyer, and Barnes & Noble's community relations manager Debbie Carroll have suggestions from the crop of 2007 releases.
Babies, toddlers
This age group enjoys being read to with simple texts written in rhythms. Bright colors, attractive illustrations and minimal text keep their interest. Words that lend themselves to different voices are fun to read aloud. For a small child's hands-on use, select board and cloth books for durability.
Our experts' choices:
"Mother Goose" illustrated by Illinois artist Scott Gustafson because every child needs a classic nursery rhyme collection with imaginative and beautiful images.
"The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z!" by versatile comedian Steve Martin and illustrated by Roz Chast is sure to draw attention.
"Puff the Magic Dragon" by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton with its own CD. A classic folk song now becomes a classic book that is fun to read.
"Snow Crazy" by author and illustrator Tracy Gallup. Paper snowflakes hold a little girl's interest until the real thing arrives.
"Henry the Dog with No Tail" by Kate Feiffer builds on the moral of being happy with what you have.
Preschoolers, kindergartners
These ages enjoy repeated phrases, effective rhymes, familiar experiences and memorable stories. Some children at these ages are beginning to read on their own and benefit from the repetition of words, sentence patterns and limited vocabulary. Easy readers generally have a larger typeface and appropriate concepts.
Our experts like:
"Library Lion" by Michelle Knudsen. If you can buy only one book, this is the one. You'll find yourself cheering for the lion in this charming story about rules, being helpful and enjoying books.
"Ballerina Dreams" by Lauren Thompson is an inspiring true story of five physically challenged little girls with a determination to dance on stage and the dedicated volunteers that make it happen.
"Gallop!" by Rufus Butler Seder has moving pictures called scanimation that are fascinating to watch and require only the book and a little hand movement.
"Library Mouse" by Daniel Kirk is the story of Sam, a mouse, who loves to read and decides to try his hand at writing.
"Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy" by Jane O'Connor is for all the little girls who love to dress up.
Primary grades
Children ages 5 to 7 enjoy good story lines, character development, humor and nonsense, folk and fairy tales, familiar and challenging words. These early readers take pleasure in "easy readers" and "chapter books" where the story is divided into chapters, contains fewer illustrations and develops a plot. Continue to read to these ages.
"Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly" by Alan Madison. Velma, the youngest of three sisters, finds she doesn't need to compare herself to others to find what she is good at.
"The Incredible Book Eating Boy" by Oliver Jeffers. Can Henry find a way to enjoy books without using his teeth? Read this one to find out.
"Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise" by Kate DiCamillo is the fourth in a series of early chapter books about a pet pig named Mercy Watson.
"Judy Moody & Stink the Holly Joliday" by Megan McDonald. Will Judy's little brother get the snow he wants for Christmas? Can Jack Frost, the jolly new mailman, deliver?
"There Is a Bird on Your Head!" An Elephant & Piggie Series Book by Mo Willems. Written all in dialogue, Gerald discovers that there is something worse than a bird on your head -- two birds on your head!
Middle grades
Children ages 8 to 10 are now reading on their own and enjoy appropriate novels, informational books on topics of interest and sophisticated picture books. A challenging chapter book can be a fun discussion between parent and child.
"Monday with a Mad Genius" Magic Tree House Series #38 by Mary Pope Osborne. A magician helps Jack and Annie travel back to Italy to meet Leonardo da Vinci.
"Hank Zipzer: Barfing in the Backseat: How I Survived My Family Road Trip" by actor and producer Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver in their World's Greatest Underachiever series #12. Hank deals with his dyslexia learning disability in a laugh-out-loud story that can be a little gross, too.
"The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School" by Candace Fleming finds you can't judge a book by its cover and honesty is the best policy. Each chapter ends in a moral.
"The Puzzling World of Winston Breen" by Eric Berlin. Kid detective Breen loves puzzles and gives his reader plenty to help him solve a mysterious treasure hunt.
"The Kid's Cookbook: Williams Sonoma" editor Chuck Williams teaches a skill anyone can benefit from learning. With colorful illustrations and an equipment glossary, the book's four sections include one on snacks and another on desserts.
Ages 11 to 13
With children ages 11 to 13 reading independently, they enjoy appropriate fiction and nonfiction in areas of interest with complicated plots or concepts. Encourage novels and informational books of specific interest to the young person. This growing area of young adult books are so well-received, many adults also enjoy reading them, which leads to great intergenerational discussions.
"The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick. Get a jump-start reading the spellbinding mystery selected as Naperville Reads 2008 choice for young readers.
"The Icebound Land: The Ranger's Apprentice" is John Flanagan's book No. 3 in a trilogy of adventure with a fantasy twist and daring rescue.
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J. K. Rowling, No. 7, is the end of a fantasy series that made reading a popular phenomena for all ages.
"Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali" by Charles Smith. The true story of a 1960 gold medal winner who became known as "The Greatest" and then proves he deserves the label.
"Beowulf" illustrated by Gareth Hinds. The epic tale of a warrior that thrilled as an ancient classic is reinvented for a new generation.