Best Children’s Books of 2006
By Ximena Diego -- Críticas, 1/15/2007
When choosing the best books of the year, it's hard not to feel guilty for leaving out impeccable translations of popular English-language titles, beautifully designed books, and useful but non-essential titles. So, to make this a little bit easier-and useful for our readers-we've decided to leave out translations of popular American titles and instead highlight noteworthy originals. Though most of these books were published in 2006, some previously published titles also made the list because they were first available in the United States and/or were reviewed in Críticas last year. Also, we only included titles that got a starred review-which means that the reviewer deemed it a potential classic. May the list below serve as a checklist for librarians-especially those with a very limited budget-and booksellers. To read the full review, click on the title.
See also our list of Best Adult Books of 2006.
PRES-GR 2
Ay, luna, luna, lunita…
(Oh, Moon, Moon, Little Moon)
Canetti, Yanitzia.
illus. by Ángeles Peinador. Spain/U.S.: Everest, dist. by Lectorum. 2006. 32p. ISBN 978-84-241-8774-3. $14.99.
PreS-Gr 1-This story will engage the little ones with its repetitive structure, poetic dialog, and memorable illustrations. The animals in Federico's farm are not content with what they are. Every night, each pleads with the moon to make them a different animal. One by one, the moon grants their wishes. The paintings beautifully portray the moon, the night, and the gradual approach of dawn, making each illustration unique. [Críticas, 8/06]
La mosca.
(The Fly)
Gusti.
illus. by author. Mexico/U.S.: Serres, dist. by Lectorum. 2005. unpaged. ISBN978-970-9705-0-34. $16.99.
PreS-Gr 1-A funny tale about a fly's misadventures while taking a long-awaited swim, until everything suddenly goes dark and a strange object plummets down. The water begins to swirl and the insect has to make an escape. Preschoolers will love to find out that the fly has been bathing in a toilet bowl. The text is droll and perfect for read-alouds. [Críticas, 3/06]
El doctor Me Di Cin.
(Doctor Me Di Cin)
Piumini, Roberto.
illus. by Piet Grobler. Colombia/U.S.: Norma. 2006. 32p. ISBN 978-958-04-92764. pap. $8.95.
PreS-K-Set in old China, this absolutely enchanting folktale is enhanced by vibrant watercolor illustrations. Doctor Me Di Cin is left with the tall order of curing the intractable Prince who, despite his orders, refuses to leave the palace. Understanding the boy's psychology, the good doctor devises a way to lure him out and, in the process, cure his ailments. Piumini smartly uses alliteration and repetition, allowing the characters personalities to shine through. [Críticas, 10/06]
Muñeca de trapo.
(Cloth Doll)
ISBN 978-1-59820-209-0.
REVIEWED WITH:
Patito, ¿dónde estás?
(Duckling, Where Are You?)
ISBN 978-1-59820-208-3.
Este soy yo.
(This is Me)
ISBN 978-1-59820-207-6..
Jugando con las vocales.
(Playing With the Vowels)
ISBN 978-1-59820-210-6.
ea. vol. Robleda, Margarita. illus. by Maribel Suárez. U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana (rana, rema, rimas). 2006. 10p. $7.95.
PreS-Gr 1-Celebrated children's book author Margarita Robleda presents another charming series of picture books for young readers. Clear font and manageable sentences make these books a sound choice for beginning readers. The limited vocabulary is never boring or tedious, and the rhyming texts make these titles ideal for read-alouds. [Críticas, 1/06]
Mientras se enfría el pastel.
(While the Cake Cools)
Rueda, Claudia.
illus. by author. Mexico/U.S.: Ediciones Serres, dist. by Lectorum. 2005. 36p. ISBN 978-970-9705-05-8. $12.99.
PreS-K-This delightful book will entertain the preschool crowd while offering elementary students a challenging lesson on counting and telling time. As mother hen and her chicks prepare for a birthday party, one gluttonous chick simply can't wait for the cake to cool. He eats a slice for each of the 12 steps it takes to organize the event. Colored-pencil drawings in contrasting hues capture the often comical gestures of the chicken family. [Críticas, 2/06]
Leonidas y su perro Luis.
(Leonidas and His Dog Luis)
Serrano, Esteban.
illus. by Lucía Spotorno. Spain/U.S.: Nicanitas, dist. by IPG. 2005. 28p. ISBN 84-933955-0-1 978-84-933955-0-6. $14.95.
PreS-A whimsical, energetic, and poetic picture book. While at the park, Leo sees a bouncing box. Inside it, he finds a little spotted dog, and the two of them play tag, laugh, and roll around. The beauty of this simple story lies in its brief, rhyming text and large, childlike illustrations in bold primary colors. [Críticas, 5/06]
FICTION GR 3-5
Marte y las princesas voladoras.
(Marte and the Flying Princesses)
Baranda, María.
illus. by Elena Odriozola. Mexico/U.S.: Fondo de Cultura Económica, dist. by Lectorum. 2006. 37p. ISBN 978-968168141-8. pap. $6.50.
Gr 3-5-Through the eyes of young narrator Lorna, readers gain insight into what it is like to live with a mentally challenged child. Lorna's younger sister, Mosi, is special in all regards. With a tinge of sibling resentment for the extraordinary treatment given to her, but also with much compassion, Lorna narrates the daily difficulties the family faces with its youngest member. The story suggests how much those like Mosi can teach us all, and Odriozola's black and white sketches illustrate a complex topic with simplicity. [Críticas, 9/06]
Cuentos que contaban nuestras abuelas. Cuentos populares Hispánicos.
(Tales Our Abuelitas Told: A Hispanic Folktale Collection)
Campoy, Isabel and Alma Flor Ada.
illus. by Felipe Dávalos, Viví Escrivá, Susan Guevara, and Leyla Torres. U.S.: Atheneum. 2006. 118p. ISBN 978-1-4169-1905-6. $19.95.
Gr 4-6-Hispanics from all over the world will recognize stories like: "Blanca Flor," "Juan Bobo," "El caballito de siete colores," and "La gatita alegre." There are also variations of Aesop's fables and other world-known traditional tales in this compilation. [Críticas, 7/06]
El grumete de Colón.
(Columbus's Cabin Boy)
Esteban, Angel.
illus. by author. Spain/U.S.: Everest, dist. by Lectorum. 2005. 188p. ISBN 978-84-241-1298-1. pap. $10.95.
Gr 4-6-Impressed by the intelligence and honesty of Blas Tascón, Christopher Columbus asks him to join the crew on the Santa María as his personal cabin boy. All the facts in this work of historical fiction are based on Columbus's diaries and on texts by Spanish historian and missionary Fray Bartolomé de las Casas. A prolific author and award-winning illustrator, Esteban provides airbrushed paintings that are pieces of art. [Críticas, 5/06]
Cuentos y leyendas hispanoamericanos.
(Stories and Legends from Spanish America)
Garralón, Ana, ed.
illus. by various. Spain: Anaya. 2005. 251p. ISBN 978-84-667-4700-4. $36.95.
Gr 4-6-Beautifully illustrated, well written, and entertaining, this large-format book gathers folk tales from all over Latin America. The stories, narrated in a conversational and often humorous language, are illustrated with captivating, full-page color plates of original artwork. [Críticas, 5/06]
Pauet quiere un violonchelo.
(Pauet Wants a Violoncello)
Rivera-Lassén, Carmen Leonor.
illus. by Mrinalli Alvarez Astacio. Puerto Rico: Universidad de Puerto Rico. 2006. 28p. ISBN 978-0-8477-1555-8. $12.95.
Gr 3-6-This heartwarming biographical story about child prodigy and renowned Spanish cellist Pau Casals introduces children to the marvels of discovering and pursuing one's life calling. This musical legend, depicted in whimsical, eye-catching illustrations, will captivate readers young and old. [Críticas, 4/06]
Matías y los imposibles.
(Matías and the Impossibles)
Roncagliolo, Santiago.
illus. by Ulises Wensell. Spain/U.S.: Ediciones Siruela (Las Tres Edades), dist. by Comercial Grupo Anaya. 2006. 111p. ISBN 978-84-7844-988-0. $29.95.
Gr 4-6-After Matías's beloved grandfather dies, the fairy-tale characters that populated his bedtime stories amazingly come to life. Matías soon learns that having imaginary friends in upper elementary school does not win him any real friends. A smattering of deeply hued illustrations support the visual learner while adding detail to the story. [Críticas, 8/06]
Kafka y la muñeca viajera.
(Kafka and the Traveling Doll)
Sierra i Fabra, Jordi.
illus. by Pep Montserratt. Spain/U.S.: Ediciones Siruela (Las Tres Edades), dist. by Comercial Grupo Anaya. 2006. 147p. ISBN 978-84-7844-985-9. $28.95.
Gr 4-8-A middle-aged, ailing Franz Kafka encounters young Elsi sobbing uncontrollably in Berlin's Steglitz Park because she has lost her doll. He attempts to console Elsi by assuring her that her lost doll has simply gone on a trip, which forces him to produce daily written correspondence from Brígida (the doll) to Elsi for three weeks. As Brígida writes from exotic locations, Elsi takes comfort in the fact that Brígida is happy. [Críticas, 5/06]
YOUNG ADULT
16 Cuentos Latinoamericanos.
(16 Latin American Short Stories)
Muñoz de Coronado, Marta, ed.
Colombia/U.S.: Coedición Latinoamericana: Norma. 2006. 221p. photogs. ISBN 978-958-04-2959-3. pap. $17.95.
Gr 6 Up-A reprint of an earlier edition, this anthology is geared to teen readers and includes stories about adolescence, coming of age, love, legends and myths, ghosts, fantastic animals, and enchanted settings. The authors represented are a who's who in Latin American literature, including Julio Cortázar, Óscar Cerruto, Gabriel García Márquez, Senel Paz, Antonio Skármeta, and Mario Benedetti, among others. [Críticas, 10/06]
El príncipe de la niebla.
(The Prince of Fog)
Ruiz Zafón, Carlos.
U.S.: Rayo: HarperCollins. 2006. 230p. ISBN 978-0-06-128438-0. $21.95.
Gr 7 Up-This gothic novel contains the right elements to fascinate young adults: death, mystery, romance, magic, and a thrilling climax. It's World War II and 13-year-old Max's father moves the family from their London home to a small village by the Atlantic Ocean. Strange things start happening when they first move in, including the freaky death of one of Max's friends, statues that move, and the appearance of an evil magician disguised as a clown. A page-turner. [Críticas, 12/06]
NONFICTION
  |
(Discovering the Magic World of Frida)
28 p. ISBN 978-84-89634-43-5.
REVIEWED WITH:
Descubriendo el mágico mundo de Van Gogh.
(Discovering the Magic World of Van Gogh)
34 p. ISBN 978-84-89634-40-4.
ea. vol.: Jordá, Maria J. Spain/U.S.: Textura Ediciones SRL: Océano (Descubriendo el mágico mundo de). 2005. illus. photos. $12.90.
Gr 3-6-This fascinating, heavily illustrated series introduces readers to the lives and art of well-known artists such as Frida Kahlo and Vincent van Gogh. Each title starts with a brief biography that covers the artist's early years and a detailed exploration of the painter's work. The text provides insight into different aspects of the painting and its inspiration. [Críticas, 7/06]
Julia.
Lázaro, Georgina.
illus. by Poli Marichal. U.S.: Lectorum. 2006. unpaged. ISBN 978-1-930332-58-4. $14.99.
Gr 4-8-Julia packs a double punch. The author relates the life of famed Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos in simple and melodic stanzas that exemplify the power of poetry. Marichal complements the verses beautifully with full-page illustrations done in smooth colors that capture the idyllic country setting of the poet's childhood. [Críticas, 7/06]
BILINGUAL
La fiesta de las tortillas/The Fiesta of the Tortillas.
Argueta, Jorge.
illus. by María Jesús Álvarez. U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2006. ISBN 978-1-59820-094-2. $14.95.
Gr 2-4-Widely honored poet and writer Argueta recounts the story of how the Spirit of Corn made its presence known to some of his aunts who used to cook for the family-run restaurant. Along the way, the narrator remembers the universality of carefree boyhood, the mouth-watering dishes of his homeland, and his people's belief in the Spirit of Corn. Álvarez has subtly added pieces of photographs in each drawing to enhance details. [Críticas, 1/06]
Siempre puedes contar con papá/You Can Always Count on Daddy.
D'Allance, Mireille.
tr. by Rafael Ros (Spanish) & Esther Sarfatti (English). illus. by author. Spain: Corimbo. 2006. unpaged. ISBN 978-84-8470-222-1. $18.95.
PreK-Gr 1-The reassuring story of a little bear with a big imagination. As they cross a bridge, the cub wonders what would happen if he falls in the water. His father tells him that he would jump right in and rescue him. The possible perils continue: crocodiles, abduction by monkeys, and capture by monsters. In the end, the little bear is assured he can always count on his dad. The narrative is well complemented by soft pencil and watercolor illustrations. [Críticas, 6/06]
How Will We Get to the Beach?/¿Cómo iremos a la playa?
Luciani, Brigitte.
tr. by Andres Antreasyan & Rosemary Lanning. illus. by Eve Tharlet. U.S.: North-South Books. 2006. unpaged. ISBN 978-0-7358-2037-1. $15.95.
PreS-Gr 2-It's a beautiful summer day and Roxanne wants to go to the beach. She takes only the essentials: her green turtle, her yellow beach umbrella, the blue book of stories, the orange beach ball, and, of course, her baby. When her car won't start, she tries the bus, a bicycle, a skateboard, a kayak, and a hot-air balloon; but in each case, one of her items just won't fit. Preschool and early elementary students will find the game intriguing. [Críticas, 5/06]
Tarde de invierno/Winter Afternoon.
Luján, Jorge.
tr. by Elisa Amado. illus. by Mandana Sadat. Canada: Libros Tigrillo: Groundwood Books. 2006. 24p. ISBN 978-0-88899-718-0. $16.95.
PreS-Gr 2-A mother comes home to her young daughter on a winter night. Luján has composed a poem that moves through the ever-smaller frames of a child's world-the frosted pane of the street-side window and the approaching mother-until she enters the house and hugs the girl. Sadat accompanies the text with joyful, mixed-media illustrations. [Críticas, 9/06]
Terrible/Terrible.
Rubio, Gabriela.
tr. by author. illus. by author. Venezuela: Ekaré. 2006. 32p. ISBN 978-84-933060-7-6. $8.99.
PreS-Gr 2-Alejandro, "a terrible blue bear," and Alexander, a "terrible red tiger", think, speak, and play in different languages. When they meet, they want to destroy each other, but by the end of the story, they've learned that they can also be friends. This atypical bilingual book shows how children who speak different languages can still become friends. [Críticas, 3/06]
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