Atlanta Parent Magazine’s Best Books of 2017
You can find almost anything in a good book, from fantastic tales to silly narratives, and even a lesson or two along the way. Read about Atlanta Parent’s favorite picks for kids of every age. We recommend finding these books at your local public library or at one of the local kids’ bookstores in Atlanta.
Our reviewers: Felicia Barman, Teresa Farkas, Laura Powell and Kevin Powell
Anywhere Farm by Phillis Root; illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Candlewick Press)
The rhythmic nature of this book makes it fun to read. Kids will learn that plants can sprout just about anywhere, with the help of soil, sunshine and water. – TF
A Cup of Tea? by Eric La Branche; illustrated by Margaret Anne Suggs (Clavis)
A boy wants to play with his parents, but they’re tired and want to relax with a cup of tea –until the boy comes up with a clever idea. – LP
A Perfect Day by Lane Smith (Roaring Brook)
Things were perfect for cat, chickadee, and the other animals until bumbling bear comes along. This silly story will help kids consider points of view. – KP
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic)
This new graphic novel series gets kids giggling as Mr. Wolf tries to prove that he really is a good guy. – LP
Benji and The Twenty-Four Pound Banana Squash by Alan C. Fox; illustrated by Eefje Kuijl (Clavis Publishing)
Benji decides to grow a giant squash from the seeds he has in safe keeping. He learns to be patient while the seeds sprout and eventually grow into his dream vegetable. – TF
Coyote Moon by Maria Gianferrari; illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Roaring Brook Press)
Follow a mother coyote through a suburban town as she searches for food for her pups. Learn facts about coyotes and their lives in edge habitats, including cemeteries, golf courses and wooded areas. – KP
Egg by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books)
Pastel illustrations tell the story of an unlikely friendship from egg to hatching. Why is one egg not hatching as fast as the rest? Readers soon discover this egg is not holding a bird, but another type of creature. – TF
Fabulous Frogs by Martin Jenkins; illustrated by Tim Hopgood (Candlewick Press)
Learn all about frogs—big, small, loud and hairy. This book covers all the facts about the slimy and green, and includes tons of bright illustrations. – TF
The Giant Jumperee by Julia Donaldson and Helen Oxenbury (Dial Books)
There’s a Giant Jumperee in Rabbit’s burrow! This rhyming, well-paced story will have kids giggling when Jumperee is revealed. – KP
Green Pants by Kenneth Kraegel (Candlewick Press) We’re all creatures of habit, and Jameson is no exception. This fun-loving little boy loves wearing his favorite green pants daily, and he can’t bear the thought of ever wearing a different color. That is, until he is asked to be in a wedding, which would require him to wear a tuxedo with black (gasp!) pants. Readers will enjoy Jameson’s antics as he struggles with this tough decision to get out of his comfort zone. – FB
Heartwood Hotel: A True Home by Kallie George; illustrated by Stephanie Graegin (Disney-Hyperion)
In this new chapter book series, Mona the Mouse finds the grand Heartwood Hotel in the forest, with its spunky woodland animals and insects. She hopes it will be a place for her to make friends and stay safe. – LP
Ice Boy by David Ezra Stein (Candlewick)
I’m melting! Follow Ice Boy as he explores the world outside of being an ice cube, and the different stages of the water cycle. – LP
I Dare You Not to Yawn by Helene Boudreau; illustrated by Serge Bloch (Candlewick Press)
We all know kids dislike bedtime, and this book teaches them how to keep the yawns away. Yawns are sneaky, so don’t sing sleepy-time songs or cover your mouth! – TF
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall (Candlewick Press)
Follow along as Jabari works up the courage to make a big leap off the diving board. Kids will relate to Jabari as his dad tells him, “It’s okay to feel a little scared,” even when other kids have made the leap. – TF
Martina and Chrissie: The Greatest Rivalry in the History of Sports by Phil Bildner; illustrated by Brett Helquist (Candlewick)
Introduce your kids to the greatest rivalry in the history of sports. Learn about Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert’s background, different approaches to tennis, and their lasting friendship. – KP
Mice Skating by Annie Silvestro; illustrated by Teagan White (Sterling Children’s Books)
Lucy the field mouse loves winter! But the other mice just want to stay inside in the burrow. Find out how Lucy encourages the other mice to have fun in this heartwarming story. – LP
The Most Perfect Snowman by Chris Britt (Balzer + Bray)
Drift the snowman just wants a fancy hat and scarf like all the other snowmen. One day kids make that dream come true, but as others around him need the warmth of the hat and scarf more, Drift shows what matters most. – LP
My Good Morning by Kim Crockett Corson and Jelena Brezovec (Clavis Publishing)
Parents of young children will relate to this adorable story of a precocious little girl and her very detailed morning ritual before school. Like many children, she is determined to get ready all by herself while her loving parents look on. Despite her failed attempts to put on matching socks, tie her shoes, and button her coat properly, readers will appreciate her independence and confidence as she marches into school ready to conquer the day. – FB
My Kicks: A Sneaker Story! by Susan Verbe; illustrated by Katie Kath (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
A boy’s mom insists his shoes are so dirty and smelly he must get new ones, but the boy resists. A fun story about moving onto something new, the book even includes a shoe tying guide underneath the book jacket. – KP
Night Gardener by Terry Fan and Eric Fan (Simon and Schuster)
A town gets transformed by a mysterious man with some major hedge clipping skills. The ink and pencil drawings throughout the tale will impress kids and parents. – KP
Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere by Elise Gravel (HarperCollins)
Kid scientist Olga finds a monster in her garbage can. Follow her funny journey to discover more about the strange creature. – LP
Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth; illustrated by Ekua Holmes (Candlewick)
Learn about the craft of poetry by reading poems that emulate the themes and styles of greats like William Carlos Williams, Emily Dickinson and Langston Hughes. – KP
Plenty of Love to Go Around by Emma Chichester Clark (Nancy Paulsen Books)
Plum the dog loves being the center of attention, until Blinky the cat moves in next door. Parents and kids will like how Plum and Blinky learn to work it out and be nice to each other. – LP
Rain by Sam Usher (Templar Books)
Get out the galoshes and play in the rain! A grandson waits patiently to go on a super rainy adventure with his grandad. – KP
Raymond by Yann and Gwendal Le Bec (Candlewick)
A super savvy dog starts acting human and even gets a job as a highly sought
after journalist. But he just can’t give up the simple pleasures of a dog’s life for a human life. – KP
Rhino in the House: The Story of Saving Samia by Daniel Kirk (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
Learn about wildlife conservation though the true story of Anna Merz, who saves and cares for a baby rhino named Samia. – LP
Sarabella’s Thinking Cap by Judy Schachner (Dial Books)
Sarabella is always thinking, creating and coming up with ideas, even though some call it daydreaming. Find out how she comes up with her own idea through her teacher’s encouragement to show everyone her perspective. – LP
South by Daniel Duncan (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
A fisherman befriends an injured bird at sea. Follow their journey south where he releases the bird to his new home. – LP
Skyfishing by Gideon Sterer; illustrated by Poly Bernatene (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
Grandpa misses fishing when he lived in the country, so he and his granddaughter come up with imaginative ways to fish in the big city. – LP
Tea with Oliver by Mika Song (Harper)
Oliver wants someone to have tea with him, but he keeps missing notes from Philbert the mouse who really wants to have a tea party. Kids will enjoy this story of finding friendship. – LP
Things To Do With Dad by Sam Zuppardi (Candlewick Press)
Vibrant illustrations are the focal point of this touching story that consists of a simple to-do list for a father and his son. A young boy desperately wants to enjoy playtime with his father, so he must find ways to make mundane chores more fun. With a little imagination, you can turn tasks like making beds, hanging out the laundry, and watering the garden into thrilling adventures by turning sheets into pirate ship sails, clotheslines into circus tightropes, and gardens into wild jungles, to name a few. – FB
We Love You, Rosie! by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Linda Davick (Beach Lane Books)
Meet Rosie the dog and her kid owners who love her a lot! Watch Rosie go in and out and up and down and watch as she experiences life as a dog. – TF
What’s Cooking? by Joshua David Stein; illustrated by Julia Rothman (Phaidon Press)
Required reading for young foodies, Stein shares zany facts about food preparation in fun, tongue-twisty ways. – KP
You Can Read by Helaine Becker; illustrated by Mark Hoffmann (Orca Book Publishers)
Reading can happen anywhere – from space to the South of France, and even while in your underpants! The all-uppercase, bold words make it an easy read. – TF
