NYPL's Children's Books 2011: Picture Books
Annotation:Young children will feel a puppy's heartbreak at the loss of a beloved ball and enjoy the simple delights that new friends can bring.
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Annotation:A new obsession with chocolate cake leads to gooey disaster for a young hare-oine who really just cannot wait for dessert.
Annotation:No lights? No problem! An urban community remembers how to have fun without electricity.
Annotation:It's hard to be small. Cartoon drawings bring to life one cloud's courageous journey to find her place in the big, big world.
Annotation:"If a duckling grows and becomes a duck, can a car grow and become... a truck?" Bright, simple pictures with plenty of holes and flaps illustrate this concept book.
Annotation:A dog is a dog unless it's a . . . cat! Or a squid! Or a moose! Silly surprises abound as a canine plays dress up.
Annotation:A trip to the city takes a father and son past fleets of cars and trucks, a construction site, and a train yard. Fantastically crowded city scenes create a visual treasure hunt for younger children.
Annotation:An old man's beautifully sculpted garden preserves a lifetime of memories in this poignant, intergenerational tour through Grandpa's life.
Annotation:Pearl the Porcupine loves to give hugs, but her quills make it hard to be friendly. Pictures done in soft pastel colors add to the cozy mood.
Annotation:A sly whodunit, with just desserts. "Don't ask me any more questions!"
Annotation:A thoughtful rabbit wonders what it would be like to be a rock, a butterfly, and other things he sees on his walk. Toddlers will love playing along with this meditative book.
Annotation:This spare portrait of Jane Goodall, enhanced by photos and Goodall's own drawings, is an engrossing look at how a child's intense fascination with the natural world fueled a career as a famous animal researcher.
Annotation:Two toddlers and a puppy make glorious messes with toys and food in this one-word romp.
Annotation:The only road to bed in this playful bedtime frolic is the one-way Daddy Express.
Annotation:Jazz-infused text and collages bring the early inspirations of the renowned African-American artist to life.
Annotation:A poignant tale fo a father's homecoming after an extended absence. Vibrant illustrations echo a family's joy.
Annotation:A young octopus has a silly adventure on land in this wordless escapade with lively cartoon pictures.
Annotation:A resourceful paper square makes beautiful new forms after being torn into strips, poked full of holes, and cut into pieces. Vividly colored geometric illustrations add to the fun.
Annotation:Press, clap, and shake to transform a simple yellow dot into an exuberant, interactive experience.
Annotation:A sparsely worded powerful and personal journey on the Underground Railroad with dramatic paint and charcoal artwork.
Annotation:Monkeys like to play, horses like fresh hay, worms like to wiggle, and warthogs like to . . . blow enormous bubbles? Hilariously detailed watercolors add to the whimsy.
Annotation:It's hard to find a walrus when he's hiding in plain sight. A clever, wordless tale of hide-and-seek.
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As children's librarians shared this year's newest books with the children in their local libraries, it became clear that the old adage - the more things change, the more they stay the same - is truer than ever. From Xboxes to iPads, from Wii consoles to the hottest apps, technology ages in a blink of an eye, but the timelessness of a good tale will always engage even the most tech-savvy child. Here are some of the best picture books of the 2011 year. Enjoy them with your families.
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