According to the Parents magazine, the 10 Best Children’s Books of 2015
are:
Board Book:
Hi! By Ethan Long
In this story about the ways animals and humans say hello, bouncy rhymes
like “hoo” and “moo” and “chirp” and “slurp” made our toddler testers
giggle. “The comic-like illustrations are just as much fun as the text,”
says one mom of a 3-year-old. Birth to 3,
$8
Fictional
Picture Book:
Wolfie the Bunny, by Ame Dyckman and Zachariah O’Hora
A zany premise (a family of bunnies adopts a baby wolf left at its
doorstep) leads to suspense (repeated refrains of “He’s going to eat us
all up,” from his bunny sister) and a surprise ending. “This fresh take
on sibling rivalry is so much fun to read aloud,”
says Ginny Collier, a children’s librarian in Atlanta. Ages 3 to 6, $17
Number Book:
Counting Dogs, by Eric Barclay
The format won families over: Bound in a sturdy box, the book contains
graduated pages and die-cut tabs. Turning each one reveals an adorable
spotted dog encountering an increasing number of animals, such as three
turtles, nine fish, and, finally, ten counting
dogs that look just like him. Ages 1 to 4, $11
Nonfiction
Picture Book:
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh, by Sally M. Walker and Jonathan D. Voss
“No way—Winnie is real?” exclaimed one 6-year-old reviewer after hearing
this sweet-as-honey account about a Canadian soldier who brought his
pet bear Winnie (short for Winnipeg) to be cared for at the London Zoo
while he was in battle. Christopher Robin came
to visit the zoo with his family, and the rest is history. Ages 4 to 8, $18
Sequel
The Day the Crayons Came Home, by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
The story is funnier than the creators’ original blockbuster, The Day
the Crayons Quit. Each crayon sends Duncan, the main character, a
postcard highlighting what’s happened since they walked out. From neon
red: “Looks like I’m almost home. ... Just crossing
New Jersey by camel now! New Jersey has giant pyramids, right?” Ages 4
to 8, $19
Early Reader
Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret, by Bob Shea
Although the vocabulary is simple enough for early readers, the story of
a cat and a pony doesn’t lack substance. “It helps children learn how
they can express their desires without compromising a friendship,” says
Lorie Bonapfel, children’s librarian at The
Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County. Ages 4 to 6, $10
Pop-Up
Journey to the Moon, by Andy Mansfield
Kids oohed and aahed over the pop-ups (especially the spirally moon
landing), but parents got a kick out of the twist ending (let’s just say
it’s extraterrestrial!).
Ages 4 to 8, $13
Beginning
Chapter Book:
The Story of Diva and Flea, by Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi
Fans of Willems’s Elephant & Piggie series will grow into this
80-page story about a streetwise cat and a tiny dog who explore Paris.
Says one 8-year-old tester: “I liked the pencil illustrations.”
Ages 6 to 9, $15
Graphic Novel:
Roller Girl, by Victoria Jamieson
A relatable main character, realistic dialogue, and expressive
illustrations won over our tween reviewers. “Even though I can barely
roller-skate, I felt like I was reading about me and a couple of my best
friends,” says one 9-year-old.
Ages 7+, $13
Big-Kid Chapter Book
The Marvels, by Brian Selznick
Testers thrived on unraveling the mystery of how two seemingly
stand-alone stories (one told entirely through nearly 400 pages of
illustrations) are connected. Says children’s librarian Elizabeth Bird:
“It will keep your kids guessing.” Ages 8+, $33
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