2011 ALA Notable Children's Books, Younger Readers

Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books. According to the Notables Criteria, "notable" is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding. As applied to children's books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways.

Younger Readers

 

April and Esme, Tooth Fairies.  By Bob Graham. Illus. by the author. Candlewick.
On their first assignment, two young tooth fairy sisters journey by night into the huge world of humans to collect a young boy's tooth and fly it safely home.

Back of the Bus.  By Aaron Reynolds.  Illus. by Floyd Cooper.  Philomel.
A young boy and his mother take a familiar ride on a city bus unaware of the historic event they are about to witness: passenger Rosa Parks refuses to move from her seat.

Big Red Lollipop.  By Rukhsana Khan.  Illus. by Sophie Blackall.  Viking.
Rubina’s excitement over an invitation to a birthday party is dimmed by her mother’s insistence that she take her younger sister Sana with her.

Bink and Gollie. By Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee. Illus. by Tony Fucile. Candlewick.
Dissimilar, yet steadfast friends, celebrate the ups and downs of their daily escapades in three lively chapters that explore compromise, asserting independence, and jealousy. Geisel Award Book 

Chalk. By Bill Thomson.  Illus. by the author. Marshall Cavendish.
In this wordless picture book, three young children arrive at the park to find a bag of colored chalk that turns their imaginary drawings into something very real.

City Dog, Country Frog. By Mo Willems. Illus. by Jon J. Muth. Hyperion.
Unleashed on his visit to the country, a dog meets a new friend in frog and together they experience the seasons and the cycle of life.

 

 

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin. By Duncan Tonatiuh. Illus. by the author. Abrams.
The universality of childhood experiences is shown through the lives of two cousins, one in the United States and one in Mexico. Belpré Illustrator Honor Book

Fiesta Babies. By Carmen Tafolla. Illus. by Amy C órdova. Tricycle Press.
The simple rhyme scheme is embellished by colorful illustrations of multicultural babies and toddlers celebrating at a local fiesta. Belpré Illustrator Honor Book 

Grandma’s Gift. By Eric Velasquez. Illus. by the author. Walker.
This personal tale is based on the author’s special relationship with his grandmother, who influenced his dream of becoming an artist. Belpré Illustrator Award 

Hip-Pocket Papa. By Sandra Markle. Illus. by Alan Marks. Charlesbridge.
The papa hip-pocket frog from Australia, who carries his babies in his hip pocket, is introduced with attractive watercolor illustrations.

Interrupting Chicken. By David Ezra Stein. Illus. by the author. Candlewick.
This hilarious story presents Little Chicken and her long-suffering papa, who just wants to get through a bedtime story without his daughter’s  metafictive disruptions. Caldecott Honor Book

In the Wild. By David Elliott. Illus. by Holly Meade. Candlewick.
A joyful collection of brief poems paired with dynamic woodblock prints celebrates favorite animals from every continent.

Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same! By Grace Lin. Illus. by the author. Little, Brown.
Six vignettes chronicle the daily adventures of identical twins as they get haircuts, make dumplings, perform magic and take a trip to the library. Geisel Honor Book 

LMNO Peas. By Keith Baker. Illus. by the author. Beach Lane.
Tiny green peas take readers on a fun, whimsical tour of the alphabet.

Pecan Pie Baby. By Jacqueline Woodson. Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Putnam.
Unlike her friends and relatives, Gia is not looking forward to the birth of her first sibling, "that ding-dang baby".

Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes. By Salley Mavor. Illus. by the author. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Familiar and lesser known nursery rhymes, illustrated with superb needlework and appliqué, create a charming dollhouse of a book.

The Quiet Book.  By Deborah Underwood.  Illus. by Renata Liwska. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Quiet comes in many varieties, from “Sleeping sister quiet” to “First snowfall quiet” to “Right before you yell ‘SURPRISE’ quiet”.  

Rubia and the Three Osos.  By Susan Middleton Elya.  Illus. by Melissa Sweet. Hyperion.
A bouncy, rhyming story about a little golden-haired niña who helps herself to everything in the house of the three bears.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee. By Philip C. Stead. Illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter.
Zookeeper Amos McGee gets the sniffles and receives a surprise visit from his caring animal friends. Caldecott Medal 

Tuck Me In! By Dean Hacohen. Illus. by Sherry Scharschmidt. Candlewick.
Readers interact with this deceptively simple good-night book, tucking sweet animals into bed.

We Are in a Book! By Mo Willems. Illus. by the author. Disney/Hyperion. 
Elephant and Piggie discover that someone, the reader, is looking at them in this hilarious, interactive story about the joys of reading and being read. Geisel Honor Book 

Yucky Worms.  By Vivian French.  Illus. by Jessica Ahlberg.  Candlewick.
While digging with Grandma in the garden, a child learns why earthworms are so important in helping plants grow.