Okay, this is completely off-topic for this blog, and my apologies if it strikes anyone as inappropriate.  I just wanted to share a weird dream I had last night … In it, I'm in an apartment in DC (I've never lived there, ever) and I'm with Barack Obama.  He's wearing only a towel.  Those pecs!  Wow.  I'm, uh, similarly clad.  …

I've never heard of the Premios Dardo award, but Cybils has won one.  Many thanks to Pam at MotherReader for this fine honor, which “acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.” We feel very smart now. -Anne Levy, Editor

11 Planets: A New View of the Solar System written by David Aguilar National Geographic Children’s Books My Very Exciting Magic Carpet Just Sailed Under Nine Palace Elephants (10-year-old Maryn Smith’s winning entry for the National Geographic Children’s Book Planetary Mnemonic Contest). So begins this engaging introduction to the newly classified solar system. Stunning artwork, cool facts on how the …

Abe Lincoln Crosses A Creek: A Tall Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend) written by Deborah Hopkinson illustrated by John Hendrix Schwartz and Wade Books In a year abundant in releases about our 16th president, this picture book title stands out for its originality, vibrant illustrations, and interactive flair. While the setting is historical, the mood is thoroughly modern …

Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time written by James Howe Candlewick Press Houndsley and Catina in the Quiet Time tells of best friends that find themselves snowed in on the day of the big concert they’ve been preparing for over the last month. Catina is frantic with anxiety about the shopping and prepping they won’t be able to do, …

Elementary/Middle Grade: Chiggers written and illustrated by Hope Larson Aladdin The mysteries and discoveries of adolescence are given a fresh-air, summer camp setting in this skillfully-drawn, sweetly-written graphic novel that always rings true. Into the Volcano written and illustrated by Don Wood Blue Sky Press Two brothers’ trip to Hawaii takes them into the heart of a real volcano hiding …

Audrey, Wait! written by Robin Benway Penguin USA Audrey started it by breaking up with Evan, but when he releases a hit song about her things quickly spiral out of control in this fresh, funny novel by Robin Benway. Audrey’s distinct, snarky voice and her passion for music immediately sucked me in to the story. Lots of musical details and …

A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams written by Jen Bryant illustrated by Melissa Sweet Eerdmans Books for Young ReadersThis biography follows “Willie Williams” from his days as a smart, athletic youngster to his later years as a physician. As readers see him aging, they also see the inexplicable pull of poetry in his life and the …

Alvin Howritten by Lenore LookSchwartz and Wade Books Alvin Ho is brave (as long as he has his Personal Disaster Kit), a gentleman (in training), a good friend (but NOT to girls), and an interesting kid (who doesn’t talk in public). It’s just that he’s allergic to everything: girls, substitute teachers, airplanes, escalators … and anything else that’s even remotely …

America at War illustrated by Stephen Alcorn edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins Simon & Schuster The poems in the anthology are not about war itself, but about the emotions related to warfare. The anthology is focused on the poetry of war, and the 54 poems inside the book are separated into eight sections, beginning with poems related to the Revolutionary …