2012 Notable Children's Books-Best in Best

This series for young children provides easy-to-understand facts and answers. Launching the series is Who Has What?, a simple story following Nellie and Gus on a family outing to the beach. Humorous illustrations, conversations between the siblings, and a clear text all reassure young kids that whether they have a girl's body or a boy's, their bodies are perfectly normal, healthy, and wonderful.

An African American man tells his grandson about a time when, despite all the wonderful things his hands could do, they could not touch bread at the Wonder Bread factory. Based on stories of bakery union workers; includes historical note.

As he gets into bed, Timmy Bear asks his mother to play a game with him in which they remember everything he did during the day, but in reverse order.

Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In Should I Share My Ice Cream? Gerald has a big decision to make. But will he make it in time? Using vocabulary that is perfect for beginning readers (and vetted by an early-learning specialist), Mo Willems has crafted a funny story about the challenges of doing the right thing. Fans of the Geisel Award-winning duo will eagerly eat it up!

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white, but under the snow is a secret world of squirrels and snowshoe hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many others who live outside in the woods during the winter.

As he hops along a little rabbit wonders what it would be like to be green as grass, tall as fir trees, hard as rocks, and flutter like butterflies.

Jack, Zack, and Caspar build a castle fort, then spend a day fighting dragons and beasts, but at day's end giants carry away first Sir Zack, then Caspar, and King Jack is left to face night creatures alone.

The bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despair, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear's memory and renews his search with a vengeance. A picture-book morality play about dishonesty.

Gerald the elephant tells his best friend Piggie a long, crazy story about how he broke his trunk.

He was a boy on a farm and a kid with chickenpox. He was a soldier and a husband and a gardener, and most of all, an artist. Follow Grandpa Green's great-grandson through a garden where memories are handed down in the fanciful shapes of topiary trees and imagination recreates things forgotten. In his most enigmatic and beautiful work to date, noted picture book creator Lane Smith explores aging, memory, and the bonds of family history and love. By turns touching and whimsical, Grandpa Green opens the door to a garden of wonder for parents, grandparents, and children alike. - Jacket flap.

It was a normal summer night in the city. Hot, noisy, busy. And then the lights went out, and everything changed. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, because not everyone likes normal. When a busy family's activities come to a halt because of a blackout, they find they enjoy spending time together and not being too busy for once. - Publisher.

CALDECOTT MEDAL WINNER • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • This charming, wordless board book vibrantly explores the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring. A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST PICTURE BOOK OF THE CENTURY “Raschka’s genius lies in capturing the essence of situations that are deeply felt by children.” —School Library Journal (starred review) Daisy is a dog whose world revolves around her favorite toy ball. She always has it with her—on walks, during naps on the couch, even on visits to the local dog park. But when another dog at the park accidentally pops Daisy’s ball, her sadness at the loss is overwhelming. Expertly and wordlessly told through gorgeous watercolor illustrations, Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka has created a comforting narrative to help children navigate feelings of loss, sadness, and uncertainty. His illustrations powerfully portray Daisy’s emotions, and the satisfying, cheerful ending will appeal to young dog lovers, teachers, and parents of children who are missing something special. With impressionistic artwork and a positive message at its core, A Ball for Daisy is an affectionate story that shows how embracing change and forgiveness can result in beautiful new beginnings.

All the water in the world is all the water in the world. We are all connected by water, and this message is beautifully, lyrically delivered from poet-musician-author George Ella Lyon. Where does water come from? Where does water go? Find out in this exploration of oceans and waterways that highlights an important reality: Our water supply is limited, and it is up to us to protect it. Dynamic, fluid art paired with pitch-perfect verse makes for a wise and remarkable read-aloud that will resonate with any audience.On sale: 03.22.11