Prized Books for the New Year

What’s an old woman to do when a skeleton comes to visit? Keep him waiting, of course, while busy doing things from 1 to 10, culminating in a festive birthday celebration. Lively language and illustrations make this original tale memorable.

Grandpa regales his visiting grandchildren when he revisits his days as a song and dance man — complete with banjo and jokes. Illustrations sparkle, showing Grandpa once again young and the delight his revisited youth creates.

Fables are short tales of animals with an explicit (though gentle) moral. Lobel has written original fables which are sure to delight young readers. Each tale is accompanied by a large illustration to create humor, character, place, and pleasure.

The artist Jackson Pollack’s style and energy in his piece Number 1 1950 earned him the nickname Action Jackson. Fascinating details emerge as the art, environment, and inspiration of Jackson Pollack are presented in a carefully crafted, well-told, and vivaciously illustrated picture book biography.  

When Tanya’s much loved grandmother becomes ill, Tanya inspires the entire family to help her finish the quilt — and the family history it reveals. This warm story is lovingly told with sensitive, beautiful watercolor illustrations.

Travel with Bossy Rooster to his uncle’s wedding. Of course the road is not entirely smooth in this cumulative, handsomely illustrated tale from Cuba — and that’s when the fun begins!

Visit the town of Cranbury, nestled between Boston and New York, where the very talented Pye family lives. The Pyes have recently acquired an intellectual dog named Ginger Pye — that is until someone steals this captivating hound!

The girl who tended horses loved them so much that she joined them, literally! The carefully crafted, handsomely rendered illustrations echo the Native tradition studied by the reteller/illustrator.

Eleven year old Marty must decide whether or not to return an abused beagle to its rightful owner, an unkind man. His dilemma includes hiding the dog, Shiloh, telling his parents the truth, and more in this riveting, award-winning novel which is ideal to read aloud with slightly sophisticated listeners. It was adapted into a live action film in 2000.

How did the world come to have stories? It’s all because Ananse the Spider Man was able to perform three amazing feats — and send stories from Nyame throughout the world of people. Strong woodcuts illustrate this traditional African tale which explains how stories came to earth.

Join a boy as he takes you uptown to introduce his Harlem home, filled with excitement, sounds, and verve. Illustrations use watercolor and collage to present a vibrant, music-filled place sure to please.