Reading Roundup: November and December 2010

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 13
Early Readers: 1

Sources
Library: 14

Standouts
Writing: Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't) by Barbara Bottner, illustrated by Michael Emberley
Oh, please. I'm practically obligated to pick this one. That said, I loved seeing a quirky, funky young librarian and the steadfastly conservative kid that's the toughest nut she ever cracked.
Illustration: Seeds of Change: Wangari's gift to the world illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler, written by Jen Cullerton Robertson
Oh man, I drooled over the scratchboard and oil illustrations in this one. Thick blocks of gorgeous color bring the story of Mama Miti to life.
Overall: Faith by Maya Ajmera, Magda Nakassis, and Cynthia Pon
What a beautiful book this was. It covers many different religions (let's hear it for non-Western!), highlighting the ways they are the same at a level even the youngest children can understand, without dumbing down the importance of spirituality across all cultures. The photographs are double-thick cream cheese icing on this cake.

Because I Want To Awards
Weirdest: Thumb Love by Elise Primavera
Best It's-Okay-to-Have-Feelings Book: Mouse was Mad by Linda Urban, illustrated by Henry Cole
Girliest Book Ever: Goldilicious by Victoria Kann
Am Totally Doing Shark or Train Storytime SOON: Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld