New York Times Announces This Year's Most Notable Children's Books

As selected by the children's book editor of The New York Times Book Review, here are the top children's books of 2012: 

Teen/Young Adult

BITTERBLUE. By Kristin Cashore. (Dial, $19.99.) 

CODE NAME VERITY. By Elizabeth Wein. (Hyperion, $16.99.)

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. By John Green. (Dutton, $17.99.) 

JEPP, WHO DEFIED THE STARS. By Katherine Marsh. (Hyperion, $16.99.) 

NEVER FALL DOWN. By Patricia McCormick. (Balzer & Bray/Harper­Collins, $17.99.) 

SON. By Lois Lowry. (Houghton Mifflin, $17.99.) 

MIDDLE GRADE

BEYOND COURAGE: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust. By Doreen Rappaport. (Candlewick, $22.99.) 

THE FALSE PRINCE. By Jennifer A. Nielsen. (Scholastic, $17.99.)

HAND IN HAND: Ten Black Men Who Changed America. By Andrea Davis Pinkney. Illustrated by Brian Pinkney. (Disney-Jump at the Sun, $19.99.) 

THE HERO’S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM. By Christopher Healy. Illustrated by Todd Harris. (Walden Pond/HarperCollins, $16.99.) 

THE LAST DRAGONSLAYER. By Jasper Fforde. (Harcourt/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $16.99.) 

LIAR & SPY. By Rebecca Stead. (Wendy Lamb, $15.99.) 

THE SECRET TREE. By Natalie Standiford. (Scholastic, $16.99.)Two children, a summer and a tree that tells secrets in this story about neighborhood kids.

SEE YOU AT HARRY’S. By Jo Knowles. (Candlewick, $16.99.)

SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS. By Laura Amy Schlitz. (Candlewick, $17.99.) 

“WHO COULD THAT BE AT THIS HOUR?” By Lemony Snicket. Illustrated by Seth. (Little Brown, $15.99.) 

WONDER. By R. J. Palacio. (Knopf, $15.99.) 

PICTURE BOOKS

BROTHERS AT BAT: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team. By Audrey Vernick. Illustrated by Steven Salerno. (Clarion/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $16.99.) 

THE DAY LOUIS GOT EATEN. Written and illustrated by John Fardell. (Andersen Press, $16.95.) 

DRAGONS LOVE TACOS. By Adam Rubin. Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. (Dial, $16.99.) 

A GOLD STAR FOR ZOG. By Julia Donaldson. Illustrated by Axel Scheffler. (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, $16.99.) 

HELLO! HELLO! Written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell. (Disney-­Hyperion, $16.99.) 

I’M BORED. By Michael Ian Black. Illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. (Simon & Schuster, $16.99.) 

KING ARTHUR’S VERY GREAT GRANDSON. Written and illustrated by Kenneth Kraegel. (Candlewick, $15.99.) 

THIS IS NOT MY HAT. Written and illustrated by Jon Klassen. (Candlewick, $15.99.) 

~

**My Bookshelf's current contest:  Enter to win a copy of Saving Each Other here.

.  Contest ends December 10, 2012**

Only One You by Linda Kranz (children's book review)

Only One You

Author:  Linda Kranz

Published: 2006

Publisher: Cooper Square Publishing

Pages: 32

Edition:  hard cover

Source:  borrowed

There's only one you in this great big world.  Make it a better place.  Adri's mama and papa share some of their wisdom they have gained through the years with their eager son.  Their words, simple and powerful, are meant to comfort and guide him as he goes about exploring the world.  This exquisitely illustrated book explodes with colour and honest insights.  Kranz's uniquely painted rockfish, set against vibrant blue seas, make an unforgettable and truly special impression.  Only One You will inspire parents and children of all ages as they swim through the sea of life. (Amazon)

As a parent it is important to instil feelings of self-worth in our children and this book is an excellent tool to compliment that goal.  I love the easy flow of the wording and the colourful illustrations will be sure to keep your child's attention.  Excellent as a bed-time story or in a moment of need, Only One You is a quick means to reassure your special little one of his/her infinite worth.

I fell in love with this book and I am sure you will too!

Read Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver for Free!

Thanks to Freda over at Freda's Voice for making us aware of this opportunity to read Leisl & Po courtesy of Harper Collins. Browse Inside Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver, Illustrated by Kei Acedera while still available!

Cinder Makes the Top Ten Bestseller List With the New York Times!!!

Amazing news everyone!  Cinder made the New York Times Bestseller List!!  To see all the books in the children's category who made the list, click on the following link:

http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-01-22/chapter-books/list.html