The Cybils nominees: Picture books

Abe Lincoln Crosses A Creek: A Tall Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend). written by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by John Hendrix. Schwartz and Wade Books
Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Amadi's Snowman. written by Katia Novet Saint-lot, illustrated by Dimitria Tokunbo. Tilbury House

Pink Me quick opinion: I have reviewed this book twice, and twice managed to lose the review. Grr! It's quite a nice book. Set in Africa, it addresses pride and literacy and traditional gender roles. Interesting and worthwhile, even though I had to give up on posting the review.

Amandina. written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier. Roaring Brook

Pink Me quick opinion: I found this a little surreal for most little kids, although lovely, and maybe good for a little kid who tends to do a lot of solitary play.

An A to Z Walk in the Park. written and illustrated by R. M. Smith. Clarence-Henry Books

Andy and the Albino Horse. written by Mary Jean Kelso, illustrated by Karen Snider. Guardian Angel Publishing

Angel Girl. written by Laurie Friedman, illustrated by Ofra Amit. Carolrhoda Books

Bats at the Library. written and illustrated by Brian Lies. Houghton Mifflin

Pink Me quick opinion: Like Bats at the Beach - wait, even better than Bats at the Beach - this book is loaded with clever visual jokes, and the text is fun, rhythmic, and snappy. The bats enjoy every aspect of the library, and travel into some familiar children's books. Beautiful paintings.

Belinda Begins Ballet. written and illustrated by Amy Young. Viking

Berkeley's Barn Owl Dance. written by Tera Johnson, illustrated by Tanita Howells. Kids Can Press, Ltd

Big Bad Bunny, The. written by Franny Billingsley, illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Atheneum

Pink Me quick opinion: Loved it when I reviewed it. A loud little book with an unexpected twist.

Big Chickens Fly the Coop. written by Leslie Helakoski, illustrated by Henry Cole. Dutton Juvenile

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Big Words for Little People. written by Jamie Lee Curtis, illustrated by Laura Cornell. Joanna Cotler

Pink Me quick opinion: I don't usually care for Jamie Lee Curtis's books. They often feel kind of condescending to me, as if Jamie Lee is the first person to have ever noticed that kids have feelings too. This I like better than the others, although I still must kvetch about the klutzy rhymes.

Bird. written by Zetta Elliott. illustrated by Shadra Strickland. Lee & Low Books, Inc.

Birthday for Cow!, A. written and illustrated by Jan Thomas. Harcourt

Blackberry Banquet. written by Terry Pierce, illustrated by Lisa Downey. Sylvan Dell Publishing

Boy Who Wouldn't Share, The. written by Mike Reiss, illustrated by David Catrow. HarperCollins

Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation. written by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney. Amistad

Buffalo Song. written by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. Lee & Low Books, Inc.

Cat Nights. written and illustrated by Jane Manning. Greenwillow Books

Cesar Takes a Break. written by Susan Collins Thoms, illustrated by Roge. Sterling Publishing

Reviewed by: Scope Notes
Pink Me quick opinion: I cannot wait to read this cute, clever, and soulful book aloud. I will use my Ricardo Montalban voice.

Chester's Back. written and illustrated by Melanie Watts. Kids Can Press, Ltd

Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield

Chipper Kids: Counting in the Crazy Garden. written by Margarette Burnette, illustrated by Brooke Henson. Jenprint Publications

Colors! Colores! written by Jorge Lujan, illustrated by Piet Grobler. Groundwood Books

Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, A. written and illustrated by Marla Frazee. Harcourt

Pink Me quick opinion: I have so far bought three copies of this book to give as gifts (and one to keep). Reviewed earlier.

Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story. written and illustrated by Loreen Leedy. Holiday House

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. written by Sue Whiting, illustrated by Sarah Davis. New Frontier Publishing

Daniel Boone's Great Escape. written by Michael Spradling, illustrated by Ard Hoyt. Walker Books for Young Readers

Day Leo Said "I Hate You!", The. written by Robie Harris, illustrated by Molly Bang. Little, Brown

Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield

Dinosaur vs. Bedtime. written and illustrated by Bob Shea. Hyperion

Reviewed by: childlitbookclub
Pink Me quick opinion: Yes yes a thousand times yes!

Doctor Ted. written by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre. Margaret K. McElderry

Dog and Bear: Two's Company. written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Roaring Brook

Dog Who Belonged to No One, The. written by Amy Hest, illustrated by Amy Bates. Abrams for Young Readers

Dogs on the Bed. written by Elizabeth Bluemie, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. Candlewick Press

Duck Soup. written and illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. HarperCollins

Ducks Don't Wear Socks. written by John Nedwidek, illustrated by Lee White. Viking
Reviewed by: childlitbookclub

Fanny. written and illustrated by Holly Hobbie. Little, Brown.

Pink Me review

Far Away Rainy Day Land, The. written and illustrated by Lyndie Chiou. CreateSpace

Fartiste. written by Paul Brewer and Kathleen Krull. illustrated by Boris Kulikov. Simon & Schuster
Pink Me quick opinion: Funny and informative. Reviewed earlier.

Fly, Monarch, Fly! written and illustrated by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace. Marshall Cavendish Children's Books

Forever Young. written by Bob Dylan, illustrated by Paul Rogers. Simon & Schuster

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Gift of Love, The. written by Elisabeth Ann Matulewicz, Llumina Kids.

Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum, The. written by Kate Bernheimer, illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli. Schwartz and Wade Books
Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield
Pink Me quick opinion: Token Boy Librarian and I were both intensely creeped out by this mysterious, slightly paranoid book. For older readers... or for very strange, imaginative little kids.

Give a Goat. written by Jan West Schrock, illustrated by Aileen Darragh. Tilbury House.

Pink Me quick opinion: This is about the Heifer Project, but it's also about teamwork, math, problem solving, and economics. Maybe a little talky, but I'd say excellent for 2nd grade and up. I know I'll be giving it as an xmas present.

Go Home, Mrs. Beekman. written by Anne Stampler, illustrated by Marsha Carrington. Dutton Juvenile

Goodnight Goon. written and illustrated by Michael Rex. Putnam.

Pink Me quick opinion: Faithful to the rhythm and pattern of the original, but better. The illustrations are in proper proportion, the ending is nowhere near as creepy ("Goodnight air?" WTF? Does that kid sleep in a coffin?), with the monsters sent under the bed for the night.

Grace for President. written by Kelly Dipucchio, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Hyperion

Reviewed by: melissawiley
Pink Me quick opinion: The electoral college explained for elementary school kids, but not as dull as that sounds. Reviewed earlier.

Gracie's Gallery: A Magic Mirror Book. written and illustrated by Kelly Houle. Piggy Toes Press

Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac, The. written by Dawn Casey, illustrated by Anne Wilson. Barefoot Books

Hansel and Gretel. illustrated by Jen Corace. Hyperion

Happiness Tree, The. written by Andrea Alban Gosline, illustrated by Lisa Burnett Bossi. Feiwel & Friends

Hold on to Your Horses. written by Sandra Tayler, illustrated by Angela Call. Tayler Corporation

Honda: The Boy Who Dreamed of Cars. written by Mark Weston, illustrated by Katie Yamasaki. Lee & Low Books, Inc.

How I Learned Geography. written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux

Pink Me quick opinion: I don't know why I never reviewed this. It is a wonderful book - true and beautiful, full of love and nostalgia. Very likely to win awards this year.

How Mama Brought the Spring. written by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Holly Berry. Dutton Juvenile

How to Heal a Broken Wing. written and illustrated by Bob Graham. Candlewick Press

How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird. written by Jacques Prevert, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. Roaring Brook

Howard Thurman's Great Hope. written by Kai Jackson Issa, illustrated by Arthur L. Dawson. Lee & Low Books, Inc.

Hush, Little Dragon. written by Boni Ashburn, illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Abrams for Young Readers

I Feel a Foot! written by Maranke Rinck, illustrated by Martin Van Der Linden. Lemniscaat

Pink Me quick opinion: Oh, this is GOOOD. The tale of the blind men and the elephant, except the blind men are nice little animals with personalities, and they're not blind (it's just night time). It's the art here, the art - beautiful patterns and glowing colors done in what looks like oil pastels, dry brush, heavy inks. Mmmm. Plus, the little striped bat is wearing pink socks - I love that.

I Get So Hungry. written by Bebe Moore Campbell, illustrated by Amy Bates. Putnam

Pink Me review

I Know an Old Teacher written by Anne Bowen, illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Carolrhoda Books

I'm Bad! written by Kate McMullan, illustrated by Jim McMullan. Joanna Cotler

I'm Looking for a Monster. written and illustrated by Timothy Young. Random House Children's Books

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

If Animals Kissed Goodnight. written by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by David Walker. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux.

Pink Me quick opinion: For kids that loved Jez Alborough's Hug.

Imagine a Dragon. written by Laurence Pringle, illustrated by Eujin Kim Neilan. Boyds Mills Press

In a Blue Room. written by Jim Averbeck, illustrated by Tricia Tusa. Harcourt

Pink Me quick opinion: Loved this quiet book when I reviewed it.

Inside the Slidy Diner. written by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Jaime Zollars. Tricycle Press

It's Not Fair! written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. HarperCollins

Jake Starts School. written and illustrated by Michael Wright. Feiwel & Friends

Josh's Halloween Pumpkin. written by Kathryn Lay, illustrated by Katy Bratun. Pelican Publishing Company

Jumpy Jack & Googily. written by Meg Rosoff, illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Henry Holt

Pink Me quick opinion: Oh, I read this! I thought it was fun and weird, but when I got it home my kids were unimpressed.

Karate Cat. written and illustrated by Marcello Miteer. CreateSpace

Katie Loves the Kitttens. written and illustrated by John Himmelman. Henry Holt

Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck! written by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by John O'Reilly and Ali Teo. Peachtree

Kitten Tale, A. written and illustrated by Eric Rohman. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Knuckleheads. written by Joan Holub, illustrated by Michael Slack. Chronicle Books

Ladybug Girl. written by Jacky Davis, illustrated by David Soman. Dial

Pink Me review

Extremely good present for the independent little lady on your list.

Last Leaf, The. written by Uncle Tee. CreateSpace

Late for School! written by Stephanie Calmenson, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa. Carolrhoda Books

Lemon the Duck. written by Laura Backman, illustrated by Laurence Cleyet-Merle. Lobster Press

Lester Fizz, Bubble Gum Artist. written by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. Dutton Juvenile.

Pink Me quick opinion: Really neat. Explains the urge of art ("What do you see?" "What don't you see?" "What do you want to see?") and provides dozens and dozens of famous (and diverse) examples, all within a cute story.

Little Boy. written by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Peter Reynolds. Atheneum

Pink Me review

Little Hoot. written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jen Corace. Chronicle Books.

Pink Me review

Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears. written and illustrated by Emily Gravett. Simon & Schuster

Lucky Star, The. written by Judy Young, illustrated by Chris Ellison. Sleeping Bear Press

Lucy's Cave. written and illustrated by Karen Winnick. Calkins Creek Books

Madam President. written and illustrated by Lane Smith. Hyperion

Reviewed by: Scope Notes
Pink Me review

Mail Harry to the Moon. written by Robie Harris, illustrated by Michael Emberley. Little, Brown

Marco Flamenco/Marco Flamingo. written and illustrated by Sheila Jarkins. Raven Tree Press

Mattland. written by Gail Herbert and Hazel Hutchins, illustrated by Dusan Petricic. Annick Press

Pink Me review

Maybe a Bear Ate It! written by Robie Harris, illustrated by Michael Emberley. Orchard Books

McFig and McFly. written and illustrated by Henrik Drescher. Candlewick Press

Me Hungry. written and illustrated by Jeremy Tankard. Candlewick Press

Pink Me quick opinion: Me like.

Metal Man. written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Paul Hoppe. Charlesbridge

Pink Me quick opinion: Three things I like about this: 1) Art-positive 2) African-American artist and little boy 3) Making art out of cast-off stuff. Will buy this for the school library.

Mimi

written and illustrated by Carolyn Baicker-McKee. Bloomsbury USA

Monkey and Me. written and illustrated by Emily Gravett. Simon & Schuster

Pink Me review

Monkey With a Tool Belt. written and illustrated by Chris Monroe. Carolrhoda Books

Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield

Pink Me quick opinion: I didn't review this book, but it is funny and bright-colored and it was a big hit with the kids I know.

Monsoon Afternoon. written by Kashmira Sheth, illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi. Peachtree

Monsters on Machines

written by Deb Lund, illustrated by Robert Neubecker. Harcourt

Mozart Question, The. written by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman. Candlewick Press

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers: Another Love Story

written and illustrated by Sam Lloyd. Atheneum

My Champion

written and illustrated by Sue Carnes. Castaways

My Name is Not Isabella. written by Jennifer Fosberry, illustrated by Mike Litwin. Monkey Barrel Press

New Branches on the Family Tree. written by Cecil Witherspoon, illustrated by Marci Mongelli. CreateSpace

Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog. written by Elisa Carbone, illustrated by Earl Lewis. Knopf Trade Paperbacks

No Mush Today. written by Sally Derby, illustrated by Nicoletta Tadgell. Lee & Low Books, Inc.

Pink Me quick opinion: Sweet. Little girl is sick of her baby brother getting all the attention, so she hangs out with Grandma. Lovely, Pinkney-esque illustrations. There is church, there is fried chicken, there are shiny shoes.

No! That's Wrong! written and illustrated by Zhaohua Ji and Cui Xu. Kane/Miller Book Pub

Not a Stick. written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis. HarperCollins

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Pink Me quick opinion: Just like Not a Box. And I mean... just like Not a Box.

Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep. written by Susan Lendroth, illustrated by Raul Allen. Tricycle Press

Odd Egg, The. written and illustrated by Emily Gravett. Macmillan

One Hen:: How One Small Loan Made a Difference. written and illustrated by Katie Smith Milway. Kids Can Press, Ltd

Pink Me review

Origami Master, The. written by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer, illustrated by Aki Sogabe. Albert Whitman & Company

Paco and the Giant Chile Plant/Paco y la planta de chile gigante. written by Keith Polette, illustrated by Elizabeth Dulemba. Raven Tree Press

Patrick the Somnambulist. written and illustrated by Sarah Ackerley. Blooming Tree Press

Reviewed by: childlitbookclub

Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley. written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey. Front Street

Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield

Peg Leg Peke. written and illustrated by Brie Spangler. Knopf Trade Paperbacks

Pink Me review

Pencil, The. written by Alan Ahlberg, illustrated by Bruce Ingman. Candlewick Press

Penny and the Punctuation Bee. written by Moria Rose Dohohue, illustrated by Jenny Law. Albert Whitman & Company

Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum. written and illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker. Schwartz and Wade Books

Pilot Pups

written by Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Dan Andreasen. Simon & Schuster

Pout-Pout Fish, The

written by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux

Princess Peepers. written by Pam Calvert, illustrated by Tuesday Mourning. Marshall Cavendish Children's Books

Priscilla and the Hollyhocks. written by Anne Broyles, illustrated by Anna Alter. Charlesbridge

Quinito, Day and Night / Quinito, dia y noche. written by Ina Cumpiano, illustrated by Jose Ramirez. Children's Book Press

Rag Picker's Christmas, The. written and illustrated by Susan Welch Bates. PublishAmerica

Rain Play

written by Cynthia Cotten, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. Henry Holt

Rembrandt and the Boy Who Drew Dogs: A Story about Rembrandt van Rijn. written by Molly Blaisdell, illustrated by Nancy Lane. Barron's Education

Remember When

written and illustrated by Patz Fowle. Book Surge

Round Like a Ball. written and illustrated by Lisa Campbell Ernst. Blue Apple Books

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Running Shoes. written by Frederick Lipp, illustrated by Jason Gaillard. Charlesbridge

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach

written and illustrated by Melanie Watt. Kids Can Press, Ltd

Scrambled States of America Talent Show, The. written and illustrated by Laurie Keller. Henry Holt

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Sea Serpent and Me, The

written by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Catia Chien. Houghton Mifflin

Pink Me quick opinion: This was so nice, I wonder why I didn't review it. Little girl's sea serpent quickly outgrows the bathtub, and she is torn when it is time to release it into the sea. Nice little independent girl, not too gooey.

Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes

written and illustrated by L.T. Peters. PublishAmerica

Snoring Beauty. written by Bruce Hale, illustrated by Howard Fine. Harcourt.

Pink Me review

Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie

written by Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka. Michael di Capua Books

South. written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell. Little, Brown.

Pink Me review

Splash! A Little Book About Boucing Back. written and illustrated by Maria van Lieshout. Feiwel & Friends

Pink Me review

Splat the Cat. written and illustrated by Rob Scotton. HarperCollins

Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield Scope Notes

Spuds. written by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Wendy Watson. Scholastic

Pink Me quick opinion: I kind of loved this Dust Bowl story, even though I was pretty worried it was going to turn into a big downer toward the end. But luckily, everyone behaves kindly and the ending is refreshingly... well, it's less bleak, anyway. The art is beautiful: delicate and rich at the same time, with a little McCloskey to the people.

Sputter, Sputter, Sput!. written by Babs Bell, illustrated by Bob Staake. HarperCollins.

Pink Me quick opinion: This is the kind of deceptively slight book that parents will find themselves reading at bedtime over and over and over. The colors and shapes are so delightful, and the text trips right off the tongue, pausing for a few ups and downs and bits of onomatopoeia.

Stanley at Sea

written and illustrated by Linda Bailey. Kids Can Press, Ltd

Storyteller's Candle, The/La velita de los cuentos. written by Lucia Gonzalez, illustrated by Lulu Delacre. Children's Book Press

Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat. written by Jill Ammon Vanderwood, illustrated by Yvonne Ford. CreateSpace

Streets are Free, The

written by Kurusa, illustrated by Monika Doppert. Annick Press

Tale of Kooshla and Saboo: Promises of the Forest Berry Fairies, A

written and illustrated by Angelique La Fon-Cox. Authorhouse

Tea for Ruby. written by Sarah Ferguson, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. Simon & Schuster

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. written by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. Harcourt

Termites on a Stick. written and illustrated by Michele Coxon. Star Bright Books

Terrible, Horrible, Smelly Pirate, The. written by Jacqueline Halsey and Carrie Muller, illustrated by Eric Orchard. Nimbus

That Book Woman. written by Heather Henson, illustrated by David Small. Atheneum

Pink Me quick opinion: Sniffle. Inspired by the "pack horse librarians" who carried books around the Appalachian Mountains, told in skillful first-person vernacular, and illustrated without undue sentimentality, this is one to keep in mind for year-end teacher gifts.

There Was a Wee Woman

written by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux

This is Your Life Cycle:. written by Heather Lynn Miller, illustrated by Michael Chesworth. Clarion Books

Three Bears and Goldilocks, The. written by Margaret Willey, illustrated by Heather Soloman. Atheneum

Tim and Sally's Beach Adventure. written by Grady Thrasher, illustrated by Elaine Hearn Rabon. Hill Street Press

Time-for-Bed Angel, The. written by Ronica Stromberg, illustrated by Kristina Stephenson. Lion Hudson

Titanicat. written by Mary Jean Crisp, illustrated by Robert Papp. Sleeping Bear Press

To the Big Top

written by Jill Esbaum. illustrated by David Gordon. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux

Too Many Toys. written and illustrated by David Shannon. Blue Sky Press

Pink Me review

Traction Man Meets Turbodog. written and illustrated by Mini Grey. Knopf Trade Paperbacks

Trainstop. written and illustrated by Barbara Lehman . Houghton Mifflin

Pink Me review

Trockle. written by Holly Jahangiri, illustrated by Jordan Vinyard. 4RV Publishing

Twas the Day Before Christmas

written by Brenda Seabrooke, illustrated by Delana Bettoli. Dutton Juvenile

Twin Giants, The. written by Dick King-Smith, illustrated by Mini Grey. Candlewick Press

Uncle Bobby's Wedding. written and illustrated by Sarah Brannen. Putnam

Pink Me review

United Tweets of America. written and illustrated by Hudson Talbott. Putnam

Reviewed by: MissRumphius

Pink Me review

Very Improbable Story: A Math Adventure, A. written by Edward Einhorn, illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Charlesbridge

Visitor for Bear, A. written by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady Denton. Candlewick Press

Pink Me quick opinion: Why do I resist this book? I read it, it's nice. Bear and Mouse both have discernable personalities that are not all goo and fluff. I think it's just that the title is so blah. Well anyway, it's a nice book, sure to pick up an award or three this year.

Wabi Sabi. written by Mark Reibstein, illustrated by Ed Young. Little, Brown

Pink Me quick opinion: More medal-bait. Don't miss it.

Wakame Gatherers, The. written by Holly Thompson, illustrated by Kazumi Wilds. Shen's Books

Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland. written by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Mary Blair. Disney Press

Pink Me review

Wave. written and illustrated by Suzy Lee. Chronicle Books

Pink Me review

Way Back Home, The. written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. HarperCollins

Pink Me quick opinion: I love everything Oliver Jeffers has ever breathed near, including this lovely, sweet book.

We're Off to Look for Aliens. written and illustrated by Colin McNaughton. Candlewick Press.

Pink Me review

Welcome to Pirate Boot Camp. written and illustrated by Symone LaDeane. Tate Publishing & Enterprises

Wheat Doll, The. written by Alison Randall, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. Peachtree

Darkness Slipped In. written and illustrated by Ella Burfoot. Kingfisher

Pink Me quick opinion: I've read this book twice now, and I still can't say whether or not I recommend it. Darkness is a character in this book, and it tries to scare a little girl, but she only dances with it, and then they have tea and cake, and then it's time for bed. Is it good for calming nighttime fears? Well, the text is, but... Darkness is very very black and printed with a shiny coating - kind of scary. I am ambivalent.

Where You Came From. written by Sara O'Leary, illustrated by Julie Morstad. Simply Read Books

Where's My Mummy?. written by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by John Meadows. Candlewick Press

Whistling Wings. written by Laura Goering, illustrated by Laura Jacques. Sylvan Dell Publishing

Wild Boars Cook. written by Meg Rosoff, illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Henry Holt

Willow. written by Denise Brannan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan, illustrated by Cyd Moore. Sleeping Bear Press

Woollyhoodwinks vs. the Dark Patch, The. witten by Phil Dumesnil and Asa Sanchez, illustrated by Jeff Root and Scott Runcorn. Immedium

Year of the Rat, The. written by Oliver Chin, illustrated by Miah Alcorn. Immedium

Z is for Zeus: A Greek Mythology Alphabet. written by Helen L. Wilbur, illustrated by Victor Juhasz. Sleeping Bear Press

Zen Ties. written and illustrated by Jon Muth. Scholastic

Pink Me quick opinion: I've never met a kid who thought much of these books. They're beautifully illustrated, and have a few faux-pithy stop-and-think-about-it messages, but I think they're lost on kids.