Click to view
entire publication

Click to view
entire publication

Click to view
entire publication

Inspire, teach and entertain your children with these 50 must-read books from Atlanta Parent Magazine. Chosen by a panel of moms, from board books for baby to chapter books for teens, any one of these
reads will be a great addition to your home library.

Board Books

• Flip-Up Counting
  by Chuck Murphy (Robin Corey Books, $5.99)
  Count from one to 10 with turtles, butterflies, puppies and more, then enjoy flip-up fun with each tab to see the corresponding number. Flip-Up Shapes is a good companion book; the moon becomes a crescent, a sailboat shows triangles and other everyday objects reveal shapes.

• Good Night, Leo
  by Charise Mericle Harper (Robin Corey Books, $6.99)
  In this “swashbuckling bedtime adventure,” kids help little Leo say goodnight to his colorful pirate costume. With each turn of the page, Leo undresses from his costume, color by color, as his teddy dons all of the pieces with clever cutouts on the pages.

• Hide-and-Seek: Dinosaurs!
  by Betty Ann Schwartz (Chronicle Books, $6.99)
  Travel back in time with Triceratops, T-Rex, Velociraptor and more. Learn who has the hungriest jaws, plates of armor and biggest claws, then pull the slide-out panel to reveal
  more dinosaur fun.

• Hip Hippos
  by Jane Yolen (Key Porter Books, $6.95)
  Wallow with the world’s silliest hippos as they perform ballet in blue tutus, don dungarees and sport rodeo garb. Hilariously charming illustrations make the zany, jubilant characters endearing and adorable.

• Look at Baby’s House!
  by Peter Linenthal (Dutton Children’s Books, $6.99)
  The tiniest of readers will be captured by the stark contrast of the black-and-white illustrations in this book. Baby can explore daily activities all around the house while looking at interesting shapes and patterns to stimulate his growing brain.

• Ten Rubber Duckies
  by Dawn Bentley (Robin Corey Books, $10.99)
  The creators of Good Night, Sweet Butterflies bring you this wacky, quacky counting adventure of 10 rubber duckies racing to the finish. As each page is turned, one more ducky is eliminated until only one remains; press the last remaining ducky to hear him squeak.

• The World Around Me
  by Fisher-Price (Harper Collins Children’s Books, $7.99)
  With “Turn to Learn Wheels” on every page, baby is an active participant as he visits the mailbox, oven, birdbath and more. This interactive book teaches baby concepts such as counting, colors, telling time and even tool identification.

• What’s Up Duck? A Book of Opposites
  by Tad Hills (Random House, $6.99)
  Follow the beloved duck and goose through thick and thin as they compare the concepts of clean and dirty, front and back, and other fundamental opposites. Simple text and illustrations of this odd couple’s adventures make for an innocent and expressive read.

Preschool

• Hello, Day!
  by Anita Lobel (HarperCollins Children’s Books, $16.99)
  Spend a day in the country from sunrise to sunset with the friendly animals in this fresh, simple book. Moo! Meow! Woof! are always fun words to practice with your early learner.

• I’m Bad!
  by Kate & Jim McMullan (HarperCollins Children’s Books, $16.99)
  Hip, tough-talking young T. rex crashes, chomps and stomps through the forest. He’s ravenous, very funny – and full of bluster. In the end, he needs his mom. The artwork weaves words and action beautifully, making each page jump out at the reader.

• The Lonesome Puppy
  by Yoshitomo Nara (Chronicle Books, $17.99)
  This first book from contemporary Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara is the charming, sweet tale of a puppy so large nobody notices him, until one little girl climbs up his leg and onto his back to become his friend.

• Monsoon Afternoon
  by Kashmira Sheth (Peachtree Publishers, $16.95)
  This lushly illustrated book finds a young boy restless and bored in the middle of India’s monsoon season. The only person available to play with him is his beloved grandfather, Dadji. They sail paper boats in a washtub, watch peacocks dance in the rain, and swing on the roots of the banyan tree. The heartwarming story gives children a glimpse into everyday Indian family life, but speaks to the unique bond between generations in every culture.

• Not A Stick
  by Antoinette Portis (HarperCollins Children’s Books, $12.99)
  In this follow-up to Portis’ bestselling Not A Box, a common everyday stick becomes something that is celebrated, treasured and used in the most creative ways – a fishing pole, a drum major’s baton, even a sword to slay a dragon. The story will stimulate young children’s imaginations by helping them see that in play, anything is possible, and it doesn’t take a $100 toy to stir up a lot of fun.

• Too Many Toys
  by David Shannon (The Blue Sky Press, $16.99)
  Parents will identify with this tale of a boy who loves all of his toys, which are scattered all over the house – spilling out of drawers and closets and cluttering the floor of every room. Fun ensues as Spencer tries to convince his mother to keep them all. The amusing, colorful illustrations complement the story beautifully, and lead to an ending that proves your own imagination is the best toy of all.

• When I Was King
  by Linda Ashman & David McPhail (Harper Collins Children’s Books, $16.99)
  With rhyming text and humorous illustrations, this book helps ease an older child into his or her new role as a sibling, and the idea of sharing their throne. “Mine, mine, mine!” gets turned around as the fun of new baby takes hold.

Ages 5-8

• Archibald’s Swiss Cheese Mountain
  by Sylvia Lieberman (Seven Locks Press, $17.95)
  Archibald is a brave little mouse who overcomes obstacles to become king of his Swiss cheese mountain. Morsels of wisdom are served up by Momma Mouse, who urges her son to “measure with your whiskers” as he begins his journey into the world outside their mouse hole. Archibald’s story teaches children that they, too, have the power to overcome obstacles and fears to achieve their dreams.

• Big Words for Little People
  by Jamie Lee Curtis & Laura Cornell (Harper Collins Children’s Books, $16.99)
  With vivid illustrations and a hearty dose of humor, this book introduces kids to “big words” through familiar scenarios. Whether learning the consequence of misbehavior or how to ask for privacy, the book helps demystify and expand vocabulary in a fun and comical way.

• Born to Read
  by Judy Sierra (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $16.99)
  Beginning readers will delight in this wacky story of Sam, a precocious young man who puts his literacy to good use. Not only does he help his father drive and his sisters do their chores, he becomes the unlikely winner of a cycling race after studying books on bicycles and saves his town from a book-stealing giant named Grundaloon.

• Charlie Hits It Big
  by Deborah Blumenthal (Harper Collins Children’s Books, $16.99)
  Charlie is a guinea pig who leaves his beloved family behind to experience the glamour of Hollywood. When he finds fame and fortune, he comes to realize that there’s more to life than being a celebrity. He longs for his home and especially Sophie, who scratched his neck when he went to sleep and fed him as much Fruity Nut Buffet as his tummy could handle. Luckily, he learns his lesson before it’s too late. His reunion with Sophie, after a long journey home, will make children sigh with relief.

• Dragon Pizzeria
  by Mary Morgan (Random House $16.99)
  Two dragons decide to open a pizza shop in Fairy Tale Land. Each time the phone rings at the Dragon Pizzeria, a new adventure begins for the chef and delivery dragon as they bring pies to familiar fairy-tale characters with the munchies. Kids will enjoy guessing every time the phone rings where the next pizza will go.

• Fancy Nancy – Bonjour, Butterfly
  by Jane O’Connor (Harper Collins Publishers, $16.99)
  This latest installment from beloved Fancy Nancy author O’Connor quickly proves that Nancy is still true to her name and as fancy as ever. Nancy’s latest obsession is butterflies, and she can’t wait to attend her best friend Bree’s Butterfly Birthday. Trouble ensues when Nancy discovers that her grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary is the same day. The marriage of O’Connor’s story to Robin Preiss Glasser’s illustrations makes it no wonder that the two previous Fancy Nancy books have made The New York Times bestseller list. Good, clean “girly-girl” fun!

• Go Home, Mrs. Beekman!
  by Ann Redisch Stampler (Dutton Children’s Books, $16.99)
  This is a delightfully funny story about the anxiety of going to school and the power of a promise. Little Emily Beekman has the first day jitters, and she makes her mom promise to stay with her at school “every day forever.” Once Emily gets to school, she soon realizes that there are fun things to do and friends to be made. The problem is – her mom won’t leave. As the story unfolds, you’ll witness the lengths this silly mom is willing to go to in order to remain true to her word.

• Ma! There’s Nothing to Do Here!
  by Barbara Park (Random House, $15.99)
  Ever wonder what exactly your baby is doing in there for nine months? With no toys, no room to swim and nothing to see, baby asks, “What’s a baby to do in a womb with no view?” Barbara Park gives us a humorous look at the ho-hum life of a baby in utero, with great illustrations and a sing-song rhyme that is entertaining for moms-to-be and siblings alike.

• Old Bear
  by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books, $17.99)
  Caldecott award-winning writer and illustrator Henkes spins a heartwarming bedtime story about a hibernating bear who dreams of being a cub again, reveling in the splendors of each season. When Old Bear awakes after the long winter, he is rejuvenated and experiences the pleasures
  of springtime anew.

• The Cow that Laid an Egg
  by Andy Cutbill (Harper Collins Children’s Books, $16.99)
  Marge is an ordinary cow living in an extraordinary herd. While all the other cows in the barnyard ride bicycles and do handstands, Marge mopes around, wishing she could do something special. One night, her friends, the chickens, take matters into their own hands. The next morning, Marge wakes up to find she has laid an egg. Before you can say “sunnyside up,” Marge is a bovine celebrity. The hilarious illustrations alone will leave kids roaring with laughter, but
  the story will touch parents’ hearts.

• The Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum
  by Kate Bernheimer (Schwartz & Wade Books, $16.99)
  Your kids will never look at a snow globe the same way. This original fairy tale tells the story of a lonely girl who lives inside a castle surrounded by a glass dome within the four walls of a museum. The beautiful, dreamlike illustrations in this exquisite book draw the reader in. Your children will seek the girl out on every page and, in the end, will find that the girl in the castle might just be looking back at them.

• The Sandman
  by Ralph Fletcher
  (Henry Holt & Company, $16.95)
  Where does that little piece of sand in the corner of your eye come from? How did the Sandman get his job? In the pages of this adorably illustrated tale, the reader discovers the answers to these questions and the magic behind it all. A great bedtime story, assuring children that even the Sandman has a hard time falling asleep sometimes.

• The Three Little Pigs
  by Dara Goldman (Troll, $12.95)
  Poky, Lazy and Will, the modern-day three little pigs, go about their business building homes when they encounter the big bad wolf. The traditional tale of triumph with lively, humorous illustrations reinforces underlying lessons of hard work and perseverance.

• The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas and Grandpas
  by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Harper Collins, $14.99)
  Discover the rules of caring for those treasured grandparents through this witty and adorable book. Funny messages of role reversal shine through commands like “let them give you presents and keep you up too late” and “sit in your grandpa’s lap so he can practice his reading on you.” Kids and grandparents alike will delight in this instruction manual with heart.

• Wave
  by Suzy Lee (Chronicle Books, $15.99)
  Through the artful use of charcoal and watercolor, Suzy Lee spells out the events of a brave little girl’s visit to the seaside. Followed by five curious seagulls, the little girl builds up her courage to forge farther and farther with the turn of each page. This wordless tale is a simple joy – much like a day at the beach.

• What Color Should I Be?
  by Betty Ann Schwartz (Robin Corey Books, $6.99)
  Follow little green chameleon on his journey through the colors of the rainbow as he magically changes color on each page. Red, blue, yellow? His animal friends cheer him on as he tries to decide.

• When Ruby Tried To Grow Candy
  by Valerie Fisher (Schwartz & Wade Books, $16.99)
  A whimsical tale of what happens when you throw caution to the wind and climb your scary neighbor’s fence in search of your beloved red ball with pink polka dots. Ruby soon learns that things are not always what they seem, and with a little “water, sunshine and the occasional chit-chat,” something unusual might grow. In Ruby’s case, it’s jellybeans, lollipops, gumdrops – and an unlikely friendship with the lady next door.

• Wonder Bear
  by Tao Nyeu (Dial Books for Young Readers, $17.99)
  Captivatingly illustrated, Wonder Bear is a book without words and beyond description. The artistry of Tao Nyeu takes readers on a journey with two young children and a bear with a magical hat. Explore each page along with your children and create your own dialogue. This is a superb way to instill a love of art in your children at a young age. Next stop, Atlanta’s High Museum of Art!

Ages 8-12

• Gran, You’ve Got Mail!
  by Jo Hoestlandt (Delacourte Press, $14.99)
  Originally written in French, this captivating book doesn’t lose any of its charm in the translation. Young Annabelle has received a computer from her parents, with one stipulation – that she practices her keyboarding. Instead of just practicing, 12-year-old Annabelle writes to her great-grandmother, beginning a series of delightful letters between the two generations, paving the way for a touching friendship and valuable lessons.

• Kenny & the Dragon
  by Tony DiTerlizzi (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $15.99)
  Kenny & the Dragon is a truly amusing little tome about the unlikely friendship between a young, bookish rabbit and a fire-breathing, poetry- and crème-brulee-loving dragon. DiTerlizzi – of The Spiderwick Chronicles fame – pairs a rollicking good time with endearing illustrations
  for this lesson in not judging a book by its cover.

• Lulu Atlantis and The Quest
  For True Blue Love by Patricia Martin (Schwartz & Wade Books, $15.99)
  Much like a modern-day “Alice in Wonderland,” the heroine is faced with unforgettable characters and unusual situations – and often feels a little lost. Lulu Atlantis believes she is somewhat forgotten with the arrival of a new baby brother and a fancy marmalade cat in her home. Enjoy a romp through the chapters of this book as you follow Lulu Atlantis and her friends, including Harry (a daddy long legs spider), on the quest for True Blue Love.

• Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank-you Notes
  by Peggy Gifford (Schwartz & Wade Books, $12.99)
  It’s the day after Christmas and precocious procrastinator Moxy Maxwell must write thank-you notes for her Christmas gifts in order to visit her “behind-the-scenes” big shot father in Hollywood. Through short and hysterically titled chapters, readers learn all the angles Moxy is willing to explore in order to get this chore completed. If this book leaves your reader wanting more, check out Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little.

• Swinging for the Fences: Hank Aaron and Me
  by Mike Leonetti (Chronicle Books, $15.99)
  Young Mark is a baseball enthusiast who dreams of hitting home runs like his idol, Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron. Time after time, the Little Leaguer gets his chance, but misses. One important night, Mark meets his hero and learns there is more to being a great baseball player than hitting the ball out of the park.

• The Calder Game
  by Blue Balliett (Scholastic Press, $17.99)
  When Calder Pillay travels with his father to a remote village in England, he finds a mix of mazes and mystery, including an unexpected sculpture bearing his name in the town square. The boy is strangely drawn to the work of art, and one night both he and the sculpture disappear. Calder’s friends travel to England to help his father find him and get caught up in an adventure with exciting twists and turns and more at stake than first meets the eye. This is Balliet’s follow-up to the bestselling Chasing Vermeer and The Wright 3.

• The Dragon in the Sock Drawer
  by Kate Klimo (Random House Books for Young Readers, $14.99)
  Reminiscent of the book that launched the Inheritance series, but much less daunting to younger readers, this fantasy tale considers what would happen if a boy found a dragon egg – and it hatched. In this light-hearted, modern version, two cousins, 10-year-olds Daisy and Jesse, grapple with the familiar “what do we do with a baby dragon” problem by surfing the Internet and visiting the library. This short chapter book (less than 200 pages) will appeal to both initiates and long-term fantasy readers, who will find it thrilling, but not frightening.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey
  by Trenton Lee Stewart (Little, Brown and Company, $16.99)
  This tale finds the fabulous foursome from The New York Times bestseller The Mysterious Benedict Society – Reynie, Kate, Sticky and Constance – on a quest to save Mr. Benedict, the namesake of their mystery-solving group, from the clutches of his evil twin. It’s their biggest challenge yet, and they have only a week to accomplish their mission. Adventurous children will relish the opportunity to decipher the dazzling puzzles and mind games along with the gifted team.

• Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains
  (or the Search for a Suitable Princess) by Laurel Snyder (Random House, $16.99)
  In her first turn as a novelist, Snyder, an Atlanta poet/author, weaves an entrancing tale about a young girl’s quest for her long-lost mother. Through artful imagery, Snyder leads readers on a journey they’ll not soon forget, as her heroine, Lucy, strikes out to find her mother and is joined by an amusing cast of characters. This lyrically written account of self-discovery and stretching the boundaries is a must-read for girls with a sense of mischief.

Ages 12 and up

• 100 Cupboards
  by N.D. Wilson (Random House Books for Young Readers, $16.99)
  Henry’s simple life in Kansas turns into an epic adventure when he and his cousin Henrietta investigate a strange noise behind a plastered wall, only to find 100 little cupboard doors of all shapes and sizes. Henrietta gets lost in another world as she enters one of the portals and it is up to Henry to save her, as he battles the Witch of Enron and discovers his family secrets.

• All Shook Up
  by Shelley Pearsall (Random House Children’s Books, $15.99)
  Not only does teenaged Josh have to leave home, his mother and his friends, and start a new school in Chicago, but he discovers the worst part of all about living with his father – his father’s new job is as an Elvis impersonator. Kick off your blue-suede shoes and enjoy a hilarious look at the relationship between a father and son, and the differences that make families stronger.

• How Not to Be Popular
  by Jennifer Ziegler (Delacorte Press, $15.99)
  After a lifetime of moving across the country with her second-generation hippie parents, Maggie Dempsey is determined to never be heartbroken again when she has to leave newfound friends. She’s determined not to like Austin, Texas, and to prevent the people of Austin from liking her. Follow the teen dramas of Maggie as she learns the value of friendship and what it means to call somewhere home.

• How to Build a House
  by Dana Reinhardt (Random House Children’s Books, $15.99)
  After a tornado wrecks a small town in Tennessee, Harper feels the need to do her part to help others rebuild their lives. As her own life and family fall apart around her, she learns the value of family and the power of an individual to make a difference in the life of another. This coming-of-age novel inspires teens and adults alike to see what a little positive change can do.

• Skin Deep
  by E. M. Crane (Random House Books for Young Readers, $16.99)
  Andrea Anderson has a predictable life, an overbearing mother and no sense of self worth – that is, until she takes on a job as caretaker and gardener for her sick, reclusive neighbor and learns to find beauty in the smallest things.

• Smiles to Go
  by Jerry Spinelli (Joanna Cotler Books, $16.99)
  The news that the proton, the smallest speck in the universe, is dead sends the carefully planned-out life of star-gazer, skateboarder, chess champ, best friend, first kisser, ninth-grader Will Tuppence into chaos. What is the right plan? What is he to do now? Follow Will as he discovers that there is little we can control in life, and that the unknown is sometimes the most beautiful thing in this world.

• Trophy Kid: Or How I Was Adopted by the Rich and Famous
  by Steve Atinsky (Delacrote Press, $15.99)
  Jet-setters Robert Francis and Greta Powell are America’s favorite celebrity couple. Self-made crusaders for human rights, they get involved in the world’s most expensive adoption ($3.5 million) of little Croatian Joey. You would think Joey would have the perfect life. Wrong. Emotions run high and the importance of family gets lost in the midst of movie shoots, parties and modeling careers. When Joey is talked into writing his life story, he visits his war-torn homeland and discovers that family is more than just blood relations.

Cultural Corner
Expand your children’s horizons (and yours) with these top books about
other cultures and people from around the world.

• As Good As Anybody
  by Richard Michelson (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $16.99)
  Two men from different backgrounds and cultures come together as friends and equals to inspire change in a time of low tolerance. Follow Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s march toward freedom. Ages 6-10.

• Before John Was a Jazz Giant
  by Carole Boston Weatherford (Henry Holt and Company, $16.95)
  The childhood of jazz legend John Coltrane, growing up in the 1930’s South, is filled with all sorts of music – church songs, preachers praying, music on the radio. Follow young John as he discovers his love for music and inspiration
  in everyday hustle and bustle.

Ages 6-10.

• Bringing in the New Year
  by Grace Lin (Alfred A. Knopf Books, $15.99)
  Learn the traditions and customs of Chinese New Year as you follow a young girl and her family prepare their home and themselves in this colorful tale. Bright illustrations and a lively dialogue appeal to young readers as the quest to bring in the New Year unfolds before your eyes. Ages 4-8

• Helen Keller
  by Lesa Cline-Ransome (Harper Collins Publisher, $16.99)
  The inspiring story of Helen Keller, a young girl left deaf and blind by a childhood illness, is brought to a new generation of readers, as her path towards discovery is brought to light with the help of a determined teacher. Ages 5-9.

• Sweet Dreams/ Dulces Sueños
  by Pat Mora (Harper Collins Publishers, $12.99)
  This endearing bilingual book follows a grandmother as she prepares her reluctant grandchildren for bed. Tales of animals sleeping and putting their own families to bed will appeal to young children, making bedtime and learning a new language a fun family experience. Ages 3-6.