Day: April 24, 2013

2013 Indies Choice and E. B. White Award Winners

| Tasha

The American Booksellers Association has announced the winners of the 2013 Indies Choice Book Awards and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards.  The awards are voted on by independent booksellers across the nation.  Here are the winners:

YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE YEAR

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

 

E.B. WHITE READ-ALOUD AWARD – MIDDLE READER

Wonder

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

 

E.B. WHITE READ-ALOUD AWARD – PICTURE BOOK

Extra Yarn

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

 

INDIE CHAMPION AWARD

“Presented to the author or illustrator that has both the best sense of the importance of independent bookstores to their communities at large and the strongest personal commitment to foster and support the mission and passion of independent booksellers.”

John Green

John Green

 

PICTURE BOOK HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Bread and Jam for Frances Caps for Sale

Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobokina

Harold and the Purple Crayon The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith

Review: The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths

| Tasha

13 story treehouse

The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton

Andy and Terry live together in an amazing 13-story tree house.  It has a bowling alley, a secret laboratory, swinging vines, a see-through swimming pool and even a man-eating shark tank.  Unfortunately, all of these fun things around them are distracting them from finishing the book that is due in to the publisher!  They have barely started and it needs to be finished quickly.  But what are you supposed to do when there are flying cats, giant bananas, an evil sea monster, gangs of rampaging monkeys, and burp-filled bubblegum bubbles around you?  You will just have to read the book to find out how Andy and Terry managed to finish their book in time.

Wildly funny and perfect for children who enjoy books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  The author and illustrator worked together beautifully, creating a hilarious world that is a pleasure to visit.  The book has illustrations throughout, black and white line drawings that add to the silliness of the story.  Do not read this one looking for logic, just enjoy the giggles!

A great pick for reluctant readers who will appreciate the silly storyline and funny illustrations that effectively break up the text.  Get this into the hands of your Wimpy Kid fans!  Appropriate for ages 6-10. 

Reviewed from copy received from Feiwel and Friends.

Review: Rosie’s Magic Horse by Russell Hoban

| Tasha

rosies magic horse

Rosie’s Magic Horse by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Quentin Blake

Rosie collects popsicle sticks that she finds on the ground, creating a collection.  But the popsicle sticks miss their cold sweet ice and wish that they were something more than just discarded sticks.  Maybe they could be a horse!  Meanwhile, Rosie’s parents are worried about bills and how they will pay them.  That night Rosie and the popsicle sticks head out on an adventure together as the popsicle sticks join to become a horse, Stickerino.  Rosie wants to find treasure and first the horse takes her to a mountain made of popsicle ice, but Rosie wants real treasure.  You know that that means pirates!  This story is a true flight of imagination, or perhaps a gallop!

Hoban and Blake are quite a team in this book.  Hoban writes in mostly dialogue here and throughout has a focus on brevity and clarity.  It works well against the wild imaginative nature of the book, making the text a firm foundation from which to launch.  Blake’s illustrations are quintessentially his with their jaunty lines and loose watercolor tones. 

Perfect for inspiring bedtime dreams of popsicles and horses, this book requires you to just go along for the ride.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from library copy.