What to Read in 2011

The "Best of " lists are out and have been coming out for a few months. Various publications and organizations look back at the children's books published during the calendar year and give their opinion of what was "best." School Library Journal publishes its own list in the December issue. If you are looking for good books for 2011, here are some picture book highlights from the list.

Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton starts off the list. Isaac loved this book when we checked it out of the library. It's a great depiction of imaginative play.

Mo Willems makes the list with another Elephant and Piggie book, We Are in a Book! We love this author/illustrator, as I have said before, and this book is delightful. It is an easy reader and it brings an added element of reader interaction with the characters.

Here Comes the Garbage Barge! by Jonah Winter depicts the wanderings of the garbage barge that wasn't allowed to dock because no one wanted its load of trash. I remember this news story from my own childhood and Isaac enjoyed the humorous, though informative, portrayal.

There are many other excellent titles on the list. These were our favorites.

Happy New Year and happy reading.