The Best Children’s Books of 2005
By Carmen Ospina -- Críticas, 1/15/2006
Here are Críticas's picks of the best children's books that were reviewed on our pages in 2005 (For a full review of a book, click on its title). We bypassed translations of such popular books as Eragon, Gloria Estefan's The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog (Las mágicas y misteriosas aventuras de una bulldog llamada Noelle), and the Chronicles of Narnia series to leave space for noteworthy originals and hidden treasures. Listed alphabetically, this selection is meant as a checklist for librarians, teachers, and booksellers who want to keep their collections current. Make sure to check out our roundup of books for Hispanic Heritage Month and our Book Trends and Subject Focus articles for other recommended titles. If you're also looking for our adult picks, take a look at our selection of the Best Adult Titles of 2005.
PS-GR2 FICTION
Erlbruch, Wolf.
La gran pregunta.
(The Big Question)
illus. by author. Spain: Editorial Kókinos, dist. by Lectorum. 2005. unpaged. ISBN 84-88342-75-6. $13.99.
PreS-K-A charming, humorous, child-oriented treatise, this book addresses the age-old philosophical question: What is our purpose in life? Animals, people, a rock, and even death itself provide short, interesting answers to this fundamental question. The illustrations, which feature an imaginative use of collage, are comical but still manage to underscore the importance of the overall theme of the book.
Jadoul, Émile.
¡Todo el mundo va!
(Everybody Goes!)
tr. by Vilante Krahe. Spain: Edelvives, dist. by Lectorum. 2004. 22p. illus. ISBN 84-263-5242-1. BD. $9.99.
PreS-A delightful new twist on an old standard: going to the potty. Each spread features a common childhood character, from Dad to a witch, Mom to a cowboy, marching officiously across the page. Then a spread displays their anxious torsos and legs, waiting in line before a tiny wooden closet. The secret of their destination is revealed as Mom and Dad explain to baby Raúl that "everybody goes." The images and spare text are large enough to captivate youngsters, while the theme and charming surprise will still entertain those undergoing potty training.
Lionni, Leo.
Nadarín.
(Swimmy)
36p. ISBN 1-930332-80-7.
Frederick.
unpaged. ISBN 1-930332-81-5.
ea. vol.: tr. by Teresa Mlawer. illus. by author. U.S.: Lectorum Pub. 2005. pap. $6.99.
K-Gr 2-These apt translations of Lionni's two classics have the same charm and originality of the English-language originals. Jet-black Nadarín is different from all the red fish in school, but he uses his uniqueness to protect his friends from a fearsome predator. The refreshingly minimalist text allows the pictures to explain a fish's solo journey through the ocean and a little mouse's artistic curiosity.
Santiago, Esmeralda.
Una muñeca para el Día de Reyes.
(A Doll for Navidades)
tr. by Nina Torres-Vidal. illus. by Enrique O. Sánchez. U.S.: Scholastic. 2005. 32p. ISBN 0-439-75510-7. pap. $5.99.
Gr 1-3-Santiago remembers her childhood in Puerto Rico in this lovely tale about the magic of giving. Young Esmeralda wants a doll for Christmas, but it is her little sister who receives a blue-eyed Rosita. Though she is disillusioned and jealous at first, Esmeralda eventually recognizes her important role as the oldest child and quickly makes peace with her sister. A perfect vehicle for families, teachers, and young students to share their favorite holiday memories and traditions.
Van Ommen, Sylvia.
La sorpresa.
(The Surprise)
illus. by author. Mexico/U.S.: Fondo de Cultura Económica, dist. by Lectorum. 2004. unpaged. ISBN 968-16-7210-0. $8.95.
PreS-This endearing picture book keeps readers guessing what will happen to the very end. A sheep measures the thickness of its fur, dyes it, shears it off, and takes it over to Poodle's for weaving it to yarn. The book ends with a smiling giraffe leaning over to plant a kiss on sheep's cheek while wearing a long-necked red sweater.
Vicente, Marta.
La cajita.
(The Box)
illus. by author. Mexico/U.S.: Fondo de Cultura Económica, dist. by Lectorum. 2004. 32p. ISBN 968-16-7181-3. pap. $12.95.
PreS-Gr 1-A spotted dog sits bored as the porcelain figures and wind-up toys around him won't even give him a look or gesture. Suddenly, a boldly colored box appears and transforms itself into a robot, a whale, a train, and a castle. The sudden entrance of bold colors on the palette of black, white, and gray, readily demonstrates how imagination and a simple cardboard box can be better than any toy.
GR 3-5 FICTION
Délano, Poli.
Policarpo y el tío Pablo.
(Policarpo and Uncle Pablo)
illus. by Antonio Ahumada. U.S.: Random House. 2005. 49p. ISBN 0-307-27363-6. pap. $7.95.
Gr 4-6-In this autobiographical collection of childhood stories Délano, the son of one of Pablo Neruda's closest friends, evokes his close relationship to the Chilean poet from a young boy's perspective. Policarpo always thought of the Nobel Prize winner as "Uncle Pablo." In these seven stories, much of what he sees, does, and eats is influenced by his uncle's eccentric, yet pleasant attitudes. All of the stories are set in Mexico, which offers readers a glimpse into that country's history and culture.
Lau Carling, Amelia.
Alfombras de asserín.
(Sawdust Carpets)
illus. by author. Canada: Libros Tigrillo: Groundwood Books. 2005. unpaged. glossary. ISBN 0-88899-624-1. $16.95.
Gr 4-6-Drawing on her memories of growing up in Guatemala as the daughter of Chinese immigrants, Lau Carling uses flashbacks of traditions in China to evoke the cultural richness of a bicultural household. While in Antigua, a girl learns to make carpets of colored sawdust in the street for a religious procession during Holy Week. Exquisite descriptions and illustrations present a kaleidoscope of color, scents, and native flora that immerse readers in the festivities and solemnity of the revered tradition.
Mansour, Vivian.
El enmascarado de lata.
(The Tin Wrestler)
illus. by Trino. Mexico/U.S.: Fondo de Cultura Económica, dist. by Lectorum. 2005. 43p. ISBN 968-16-7672-6. $7.50.
Gr 4-6-In Mansour's page-turner, brawn and bravado in the lucha libre ("wrestling") ring serve as the backdrop for one boy's mission to fit in among his peers. Short, bullied, and lacking self-confidence, the protagonist desperately wants his tormentors to believe that his father, a pedicurist by day, becomes the admired Masked Tin Man after hours. Willing to compromise his father's secret identity for popularity, the boy agrees to steal the mask, but when his plan fails, he discovers a hidden artistic talent and learns the true qualities of a champion.
MIDDLE GRADE FICTION
Cowell, Cressida.
Cómo entrenar a tu dragón.
(How to Train Your Dragon)
tr. by Amalia Bermejo. illus. by author. Spain: Ediciones SM. 2005. 221p. ISBN 84-675-0503-6. $22.95.
Gr 3-6-Hipo Horrendo (Horrendous Hiccup) must prove himself worthy of tribal membership by catching one of the baby dragons that lives in his Viking country and training it to obey him. Hipo fails his first test when he catches a garden variety dragon instead of a frightening beast, but when enormous fire-breathing dragons rise from the bottom of the sea and threaten the villagers, the unlikely heroes save the day.
De Cervantes, Miguel.
Don Quijote de La Mancha.
(Don Quijote of La Mancha)
adapt. by Eduardo Alonso. illus. by Víctor G. Ambrus. Spain: Vicens Vivens. 2004. 472p. ISBN 84-316-7396-6. $13.50.
Gr 7+-In this adaptation of Cervantes's timeless classic Alonso reduces the original text by a third, keeping much of the original language, while making this admittedly sprawling work more accessible to young readers. Designed for students, the book features guided study questions, footnotes, and an informative introduction about the life of Cervantes and the history of the book itself.
Malpica, Toño.
Las mejores alas.
(The Best Wings)
illus. by Cristina Niizawa Ishihara. Mexico: Ediciones Castillo, dist. by Holtzbrinck. 2004. 166p. ISBN 970-2001-79-X. pap. $7.95.
Gr 4-7-Gus, a street kid in Mexico City who makes a living as a street performer, wakes up obsessed with the idea that the sky is not as far away as people think. He decides he needs to purchase an airplane to reach the clouds. Everyone thinks Gus is crazy, but he perseveres despite all the obstacles.
Puerto, Carlos.
Vero y el fantasma de Canterville.
(Vero and the Ghost of Canterville)
illus. by Jordi Vila Delclos. Spain: Edelvives (Verónik@_click). 2005. 122p. ISBN 84-263-5180-8. $14.40.
Gr 6-9-While at the hospital, Vero receives a videogame as a gift. The adventurous protagonist then goes back and forth between the role-playing game she's joined and the hospital. A fast-moving plot combined with full-color illustrations that are reminiscent of Japanese cartoons will keep adolescent readers hooked.
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Danticat, Edwidge.
Tras las montañas.
(Behind the Mountains)
tr. by Mercedes Guhl. Colombia/U.S.: Editorial Norma. 2003. 146p. ISBN 958-04-7481-8. pap. $13.95.
YA-Writing in diary form and weaving some of her own childhood experiences, Haitian American novelist Danticat explores a Haitian teen's immigration experience. Thirteen-year-old Celiane moves to Brooklyn in 2000 escaping the violence of Port-au-Prince. But although moving means she gets to see her father, the girl's adjustment to life in the States is difficult.
Rave 1.
(Rave Master #1)
tr. by Annabel Espada. U.S.: Public Square Books. March 2006. 192p. illus. ISBN 84-96325-24-5. pap. $10.95. GRAPHIC NOVEL
YA-Thanks to Public Square Books, pocket-size translations of dozens of popular manga series will be available to Spanish-speakers in the States starting March 2006. This series is among the best known. It focuses on a young man's struggle to save a futuristic world from the forces of darkness with the aid of a magic sword and a singular group of companions. Fast-moving storylines and splashy graphics keep the pages and the action moving right to left, Japanese style.
Spiegelman, Art.
Sin la sombra de las torres.
(In the Shadow of No Towers)
tr. by María Ferrer. illus. by author. U.S.: Public Square Books. 2004. unpaged. ISBN 84-96370-38-0. BD. $36.95. GRAPHIC NOVEL
Gr 9+-This translation of Spiegelman's acclaimed graphic novel about the events of September 11 maintains the typefaces and fonts and graphic design of the English original. This is a difficult book as it forces readers to not only face but also reconsider their reactions to that fateful day, and it is certainly not a book for kids, but young adults may appreciate the political commentary.
NONFICTION
Harris, Robie H.
Sexo: ¿Qué es? Desarrollo, cambios corporales, sexo y salud sexual.
(It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health)
tr. by Irene Saslavsky. illus. by Michael Emberley. Spain: Serres, dist. by Lectorum. 2005. 89p. ISBN 84-8488-181-4. pap. $12.99.
Gr 6-YA-First published in English in 1994, this excellent introduction to sex and sexuality covers such topics as puberty, abortion, teen parenthood, HIV, STDs, masturbation, same-sex dating, and more. Clever cartoons enliven and expand the text by portraying an array of body types and ethnic groups for readers to come away with a healthy respect for their bodies and a better understanding of the role that sexuality plays in the human experience.
Poole, Josephine.
Ana Frank.
(Anne Frank)
tr. by. Ana Nuño. illus. by Angela Barrett. U.S.: Lectorum Pub. & Random House Español. 2005. 32p. ISBN 1-930332-87-4. $17.99.
Gr 3-5-This accessible, richly illustrated book brilliantly conveys Anne Frank's experiences during the Nazi regime without skirting harsh realities or resorting to sentimentality. Poole, through Nuño's lyrical translations, brings to life the fears and dreams of a girl and her family as they struggle to survive while trapped in tight quarters. Barrett's textured pastels in muted earth tones depict the harsh realities of Anne's life while conveying her maturation and inner turmoil.
Rodríguez, Luis Hernán.
Los hermosos juegos.
(The Beautiful Games)
Argentina: Imaginador. 2004. 96p. ISBN 950-768-486-7. $18.60.
Gr 1-5-In this award-winning book, Rodríguez creates a game around a painting he made, inspired by the work of 16th-century Flemish artist Pieter Brueghel. The painting reappears throughout the book, sometimes in its entirety and other times in segments, or partially hidden. A series of questions invite youngsters to comb the art to find their solutions, and song lyrics and a classroom activity teach readers about art. Fit for all ages, this book draws youngsters to critique a work of art in a joyful way.
BILINGUAL
Brown, Monica.
My Name is Gabriela: The Life of Gabriela Mistral/Me llamo Gabriela: La vida de Gabriela Mistral.
illus. by John Parra. U.S.: Luna Rising: Northland Pub. 2005. 32p. ISBN 0-87358-859-2. $15.95.
Gr 1-5-This beautiful bilingual biography of Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American woman to receive the Nobel Prize for literature, honors the Chilean poet by describing her life as a teacher and writer in lovely imagery and poetic prose. Brown writes in first person and uses an informal tone so that readers get the impression that Mistral is speaking directly to them.
Colato Laínez, René.
Playing Lotería/El juego de la lotería.
illus. by Jill Arenas. U.S.: Luna Rising: Northland Pub. 2005. unpaged. ISBN 0-87358-881-9. $15.95.
Gr 2-4-In this heartwarming story about the value of being bilingual, a young boy and his grandmother discover the fun of learning a foreign language. The boy visits his grandmother in Mexico and helps her at her lotería stand. As villagers try their luck in the game, the boy learns Spanish vocabulary, which he translates into English to teach abuela.
Garza, Xavier.
Lucha libre: The Man in the Silver Mask. A Bilingual Cuento.
illus. by author. U.S.: Cinco Puntos Pr. 2005. 32p. ISBN 0-938317-92-X. $17.95.
Gr 2-4-As if going to a lucha libre ("wrestling") match with his grandfather and uncle weren't exciting enough, the young narrator buys a mask identical to the one worn by his favorite wrestler. Although he can't make it to the fight, a face-to-face encounter with his hero keeps him distracted. Astute readers will easily deduce the identity of the masked man, as they learn about Mexican wrestling.
Luján, Jorge.
Rooster/Gallo.
tr. by Elisa Amado. illus. by Manuel Monroy. Canada: Groundwood Books. 2004. unpaged. ISBN 0-88899-558-X. pap. $14.95.
PreS+-According to Luján's eloquent tale, the rooster lets out the sun when he opens his mouth and swallows the stars at night to make room for a new day. The sun, the day, and the night all have a role to play, but it is the rooster who is clearly in command. In fewer than 50 words and with unpretentious illustrations, Luján and Monroy have created a masterpiece.
MacCracken, Joan.
Trisba & Sula: A Miskitu Folktale from Nicaragua/Una leyenda de los Miskitos de Nicaragua.
tr. by Isabel Macdonald, Adán Silva Mercado & María Fuentes. illus. by Augusto Silva. U.S.: Tiffin Pr., dist. by The Bilingual Publications Co. (212-431-3500). 2005. unpaged. ISBN 0-9646018-4-2. $16.95.
K-Gr 5-In this Nicaraguan folktale, a young hunter forgets an important tradition intended to keep the environment in balance: kill only what you need to survive. Unable to see the error of his ways he continues his wasteful hunting until the king of the deer rises up against him. Didactic and beautifully illustrated, this story is useful for thematic linkage by teachers and librarians to units on tribal life and environmental responsibility.
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