Top 10 Children's Books of 2011

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1. Tumford the Terrible, by Nancy Tillman

Tumford isnt really a terrible cat. He just has a way of finding mischieftracking dirt into the
house, knocking over breakable things, and disrupting fancy parties. But even though he feels
bad, he has a hard time saying, Im sorry. Will the fact that his owners love him, no matter
what, help Tummy say the magic words?

2. The Loud Book! By Deborah Underwood

Three cheers for The Loud Book! The delightful duo that created The Quiet Book have once
again brought their bestselling talent to bear, as Liwskas adorable animals perfectly express
Underwoods boisterous text. From "last slurp loud" and "walking-to-school song loud" to "belly
flop loud", this playful picture book is bound to elicit the sounds of read it again! loud.
3. Press Here, by Herve Tullet

Tullet's brilliant creation proves that books need not lose out to electronic wizardry; his colorful
dots perform every bit as engagingly as any on the screen of an iPad. "Ready?" the voiceover-
style narration asks on the first page; it shows a yellow dot on a plain white background. "Press
here and turn the page," it instructs. When the page is turned, there's a second yellow dot beside
the first one. "Great!" it says. "Now press the yellow dot again." A third yellow dot appears
beside the first two. "Perfect," the narrator continues. "Rub the dot on the left... gently." On the
next page, voila!that dot is now red. "Well done!" the book congratulates. The fun continues
as the dots proliferate, travel around the page, grow and shrink in response to commands to clap,
shake, or tilt the book, etc. The joy is in the tacit agreement between artist and reader that what's
happening is magic. Shh! Don't tell. All ages.

4. Ladder to the Moon, by Maya Soetoro-Ng

A lush, haunting story that brings together a grandmother and her grandchild. When Suhaila ask
her mother, "What was Grandma Annie like?" the answer comes, "She was like the moon . . .
full, soft, and curious." And that night a ladder to the moon appears with Grandma Annie waiting
to take Suhaila to the sky. Together they listen to moon songs, but then they hear other voices:
swimmers struggling against high waves, and sisters in two swaying towers. All are invited to
come and rest and drink "sweet moondew from silver teacups." These experiences, especially
observing so many on earth praying to "make the fighting stop," have an effect on Suhaila, who
now knows "more than she had known before." Once home, Suhaila realizes she has changed,
having helped others learn and heal. Soetoro-Ng, sister of Barack Obama, has written this story
of compassion as a tribute to their mother. Not every listener will understand the particulars or
references, but the evocative words will wash over them, and they will respond to the expressed
feelings of empathy and love. It's hard to imagine a more perfect illustrator for this text than
Morales, whose rounded shapes, sunset colors, and softness and strength mirror the words.
Morales captures the luminosity of both the sky and the people on earth striving and straining to
make the world a better place. The endnotes by author and artist add insight into a book meant to
be discussed.
5. Little White Rabbit, by Kevin Henkes

One bright spring day a little white rabbit sets out from home on an adventure. What does he
find? Look! Everything is new. Anything is possible

6. When I Grow Up, by Al Yankovic

Eight-year-old Billy gives a flamboyant show-and-tell presentation, reciting for the class and his
hapless teacher Mrs. Krupp, all the professions he has in mind for his future. From master snail
trainer to dinosaur-dusting museum curator, the possibilities he imagines are seemingly endless.
Billys great-grandfather is his inspiration, having had many different jobs and who, at age 103,
still doesnt know what he wants to be. Billys carefree enthusiasm is contagious, and the
bubbling rhythm of When I Grow Up makes it a lively read-aloud.

7. Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake, by Michael Kaplan

When Betty Bunny eats chocolate cake for the first time, she declares, "I am going to marry
chocolate cake." She loves it so much that she takes a piece to school with her in her pocket and
refuses to eat anything else. Mommy tells Betty that she has to eat healthy food first, and have
patience because cake is for dessert, not pockets. But Betty doesn't want to have patience; she
wants to have chocolate cake!

In this hilarious and spot-on tribute to the chocolate lover (and picky eater) in all of us, a new
kindred spirit to Olivia, Eloise, and Ladybug Girl makes her stand.
8. The Queen of France, by Tim Wadham

When Rose wakes up one morning feeling royal, she dons her necklaces, bracelets, and crown.
Soon the Queen of France emerges to survey her domain, disapproving of Roses mothers
thorny gardening choices and asking Roses father where the Royal Physician may be found. The
odd thing is, when Rose returns to look for the Queen of France, shes nowhere to be seen. And
when the imperious queen comes back, shes curious to know what Roses parents would think if
she traded places with their little girl? With charming illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton
and a humorous tale by Tim Wadham, here is a sweet homage to the easy affection between
parents and an imaginative child.

9. Im Not, by Pam Smallcomb

In Im Not. two friends with very different personalities and talents celebrate the activities they
each do well, and the one that matters most--being a true blue friend. Without becoming clich,
I'm Not. demonstrates that whether we are shy or outgoing, good at art or good at spelling,
everyone brings something special to a friendship.

10. Ant and Grasshopper, by Luli Gray

Ant and Grasshopper picks up Aesops well-worn fable, The Ant and the Grasshopper, and gives
it an added twist. Day in and day out, Ant meticulously counts the beans, raisins, and other
goodies he's been saving for the winter, while outside Grasshopper plays his fiddle, sings his
songs, and extols Ant to come enjoy the summer sunshine. As in Aesop's, when the cruel winter
comes Grasshopper begs Ant to save him for he has not prepared food or shelter. This is where
the stories diverge. In Luli Grays version, after shutting the door on Grasshopper, Ant has a
dream that awakens an appreciation for Grasshopper's musical bounty and he rushes to
Grasshopper's rescue. While the original moral message about working hard and planning ahead
still comes across, Ant and Grasshopper also reminds readers that valuing others' talents and
showing compassion brings the greatest reward of all--friendship.