Best Picture Books of 2013
Here’s they are! At the end of each year, culling from reviews and other best-of lists, I compile a list of favorite picture books. I conduct an annual debate with some Boston friends, where we read the books and decide which ought to win the Caldecott medal for illustration. It’s a feisty, fun event.
Ask your children for their opinions. Let me know your votes!
I’ve highlighted a few of my favorite favorites… but know that I have the right to change my mind five times in the next month.
Becker, Aaron. JOURNEY. Candlewick.
This book is getting a lot of love. Pen in hand a la Harold with his purple crayon, a girl draws a door and enters a world of fantasy. Colors blaze, and details intrigue rather than overwhelm. A gorgeous, wordless book that may be the Caldecott frontrunner.
Berne, Jennifer. ON A BEAM OF LIGHT: A STORY OF ALBERT EINSTEIN. Illus. by Vladimir Radunsky. Chronicle.
How do you make the life and accomplishments of Albert Einstein accessible to a young audience? This book succeeds in explaining the basics of Einstein’s theories, while also giving colorful details about his life, such as his penchant for walking around barefoot eating ice cream. The light pencil lines create a sense of energy and whimsy.
Floca, Brian. LOCOMOTIVE. Richard Jackson Book/Atheneum.
Brian Floca had my heart after his picture book Moonshot, and he’s done it again. Floca paints a chugging steam engine so alive you can almost hear its heartbeat. The warm palette makes me want to jump on board. The story may have a few too many words, but the illustrations are stunning.
Brian Floca had my heart after his picture book Moonshot, and he’s done it again. Floca paints a chugging steam engine so alive you can almost hear its heartbeat. The warm palette makes me want to jump on board. The story may have a few too many words, but the illustrations are stunning.
Prelutsky, Jack. STARDINES SWIM HIGH ACROSS THE SKY. Illus. by Carin Berger. Greenwillow.
I love mixed media books, and I love Carin Berger. Jack Prelutsky has written poems blending animate and inanimate objects—stars and sardines, for example. Instead of the art going in a goofy direction, Berger’s sophisticated collages make you want to touch the pages to be sure they aren’t really in 3-D.
Ungerer, Tomi. FOG ISLAND. Phaidon.
Haunting and atmospheric, Fog Island is full of mystery. What lurks on the island that looms in the distance “like a jagged black tooth”? The muted palette of low-value blues and greens makes this book perfect for a cuddle on a rainy night.
And here’s the rest of the list! Happy reading.
Blexbolex. BALLAD. Enchanted Press.
Brown, Peter. MR. TIGER GOES WILD. Little, Brown.
Bryant, Jen. A SPLASH OF RED: THE LIFE AND ART OF HORACE PIPPIN. Illus. by Melissa Sweet. Knopf.
Byun, You. DREAM FRIENDS. Penguin.
Cooper, Elisha. TRAIN. Orchard.
Daywait, Drew. THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT. Illus. by Oliver Jeffers. Philomel.
Fleishman, Paul. THE MATCHBOX DIARY. Illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. Candlewick.
Fogliano, Julie. IF YOU WANT TO SEE A WHALE. Illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook/Porter.
Guiberson, Brenda. FROG SONG. Illus. by Gennady Spirin. Holt.
Harrington, Janice N. BUSY-BUSY LITTLE CHICK. Illus. by Brian Pinkney. FSG.
Hoban, Russell. ROSIE’S MAGIC HORSE. Illus. by Quentin Blake. Candlewick.
Idle, Molly. FLORA AND THE FLAMINGO. Chronicle.
Markel, Michelle. CLARA AND THE SHIRTWAIST MAKERS’ STRIKE OF 1909. Illus. by Melissa Sweet. Balzer & Bray.
Nelson, Kadir. NELSON MANDELA. Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins.
Pinborough, Jan. MISS MOORE THOUGHT OTHERWISE: HOW ANNE CARROLL MOORE CREATED LIBRARIES FOR CHILDREN. Illus. by Debbie Atwell. HMH.
Pinkney, Jerry. THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE. Little, Brown.
Scieszka, Jon, and Mac Barnett. BATTLE BUNNY. S&S.
Sendak, Maurice. MY BROTHER’S BOOK. Michael diCapua.
Snicket, Lemony. THE DARK. Illus. by Jon Klassen. Little, Brown.
Staake, Bob. BLUEBIRD. Random/Schwartz & Wade.
Wiesner, David. MR. WUFFLES. Clarion.
Woodson, Jacqueline. THIS IS THE ROPE: A STORY FROM THE GREAT MIGRATION. Illus. by James Ransome. Penguin/Paulsen.
May the best book win!
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Holding books for children to the highest standard, Elaine Dimopoulos teaches writing and children’s literature at Boston University, Simmons College, and Grub Street. Find her at http://www.elainedimopoulos.com.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers opinions are their own.
