Our Favorite Picture Books this Year (So Far)

June is just ending and that means the year is half-way over. (Yipes! That went fast.)  Here in the Urbana Free Library Children's Department, it is time to reflect on our favorite books that the department has read this year.  To start with we are going to look at that family favorite... The Picture Book!


Miss Susan

Happy
by Mies van Hout

Fabulous art work and expression.

E HOUT






Miss Rachel

The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas
by Tony Wilson

Hilarious take on Princess and the Pea about a prince who wants a princess who likes camping and hockey.

E WILSON





Miss Elaine

365 Penguins
by Jean-Luc Fromental

Penguins begin arriving at the narrator's doorstep, and one by one, his family must figure out what to do with all them - all three hundred and sixty-five!

E FROMENTAL





Miss Lora

And then it's Spring
by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin Stead

Erin Stead won a Caldecott Award for her book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee (which is a wonderful book in itself) and she is the illustrator of this lovely book about the coming of Spring.  I am quite enamored by Erin's work which has a gentle, surreal feel to it.

E FOGLIANO



Miss Shih-Mei

You are a Lion: And Other Fun Yoga Poses
by Taeeun Yoo

A great family book!  Vivid illustrations and clear text demonstrate simple yoga poses to youngsters.

E YOO






Miss Lauren

The Book that Eats People
by John Perry

Beware!  This funny, yet darkly sinister book, is to be read at your own risk.

E PERRY