Children’s Best Books of 2008

by Noël Baca Castex -- Críticas, 1/15/2009

Putting this list together was not an easy task; there were many great books published in 2008, both Spanish originals and translations. We have tried to include a wide variety of categories—picture books, easy readers, middle grade, YA, audio, nonfiction and bilingual titles—and to highlight books that were very entertaining, remarkably written, culturally relevant, beautifully illustrated, great translations, or any of the above. Though most of these titles were published last year, we have also included a few books that were first available in the United States and/or reviewed in Críticas in 2008. We hope this list helps teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents keep their collections interesting and up to date.

FICTION

Arrullo. 
(Lullaby)
Maranda, María. 
illus. by Margarita Sada. Mexico: El Naranjo, dist. by Baker & Taylor. 2008. 36p. ISBN 978-968-5389-72-3. unpaged. BB. $16.95.

PreS+–Beautifully illustrated, this charming bedtime board book features six animals and a human mother comforting their little ones just before they go to sleep. [Críticas, 12/15/2008; starred]

De vuelta a casa. 
(The Way Back Home)
Jeffers, Oliver.
tr. by Udo Araiza. Mexico/U.S.: Fondo de Cultura Económica (Los especiales de A la orilla del viento), dist. by Lectorum. 2008. 32p. ISBN 978-968-16-8508-9. $16.99.

PreS-Gr 2–In this magical and heartwarming story,a boy and a young Martian find themselves stranded on the Moon. Together, they come to an agreement and devise a plan that will get them out of trouble and back to their homes safely. [Críticas, 5/15/2008; starred]

El mejor mariachi del mundo. 
(The Best Mariachi in the World)
Smith, J. D.
tr. by Raven Tree Press. illus. by Dani Jones. U.S.: Raven Tree Press. 2008. 32p. ISBN 978-1-887744-97-3. $16.95

Gr 2+– Beautifully illustrated with bright, vibrant colors, this is a charming tale about finding one’s own talent. Gustavo was born to a family of Mariachis, but can’t be part of the family band because he can’t play any instruments. That is, until the town discovers that he has a great singing voice. [Críticas, 8/15/2008; starred]

Cómo cuidar un ángel. 
(How to Care for an Angel)
Nakagawa, Chihiro. 
tr. by Jaime Barrera Parra. illus. by author. Mexico/U.S.: Fondo de Cultura Económica, dist. by Lectorum. 2008. 95 p. ISBN 978-968-16-8602-4. pap. $7.50.

Gr 3-5–In this endearing story about a child and her imaginary friend, little Sachi finds a tiny angel in the fields near her home. Her angel feeds only on stories, so Sachi shares her deepest thoughts with her new friend and, in turn, the angel helps with Sachi’s everyday challenges. [Críticas, 9/1/2008; starred]

Hago de voz un cuerpo. 
(A Body Made of Words)
Baranda, María.
illus. by Gabriel Pacheco. Mexico/U.S.: Fondo de Cultura Económica, dist. by Lectorum. 2007. 144p. ISBN 978-968-16-8400-6. $15.99.

Gr 3-5–Featuring 16 poets, from the very popular Francisco Hinojosa to some relatively unknown new voices, this ambitious anthology will make young readers laugh out loud as they explore the human body from head to toe. [Críticas, 7/15/2008]

¿Y yo qué puedo hacer? 
(What can I do?)
Campanari, José.
illus. by Jesús Cisneros. Spain: OQO Editora. 2008. 32p. 978-84-9871-048-9. $17.95.

Gr 3-6–Señor Equis lives in a quiet neighborhood. Unfortunately, though, the alarming stories in the paper cause him to worry constantly. As he frets, he also wonders: "¿Y yo qué puedo hacer?" (What Can I Do?). Soon, he finds that he can help people and make a difference in the world. [Críticas, 10/1/2008; starred]

Princesas olvidadas o desconocidas... 
(Forgotten or Unknown Princesses….)
Lechermeier, Philippe and Rebecca Dautremer. 
tr by P. Rozarena. illus. by authors. Spain: Edelvives, dist. by Baker & Taylor. 2008. 108p. ISBN 978-84-263-6701-3. $15.95.

Gr 3-6–Just when you thought you knew everything about princesses, Lechermeier and Dautremer bring you this superbly illustrated book about an unusual set that will surely charm young and old alike. [Críticas, 9/15/2008; starred]

Muertos de susto. 
(Scared To Death)
Paz-Castillo, María Fernanda (adapt.)
illus. by María Osorio. Colombia/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2007. 72p. ISBN 978-958-704-450-8. pap. $7.95.

Gr 4-6–With the sole aim of frightening readers, three sets of stories pace ghoulishness for morning, afternoon, and nighttime consumption. Fear is universal, as is pleasure. [Críticas, 2/19/2008]

Cuando callaron las armas. 
(When Guns Went Silent)
Iturralde, Edna.
illus. by Olga Lucía Aldana. Colombia/U.S.: Norma. 2007. 124p. ISBN 978-958-45-0249-0. pap. $9.95.

Gr 5-8–These 12 powerful stories expose readers to daily life in war-torn countries and look at how children in these areas are forced to fight for survival. A must-read guaranteed to provoke reflection on man’s remarkable capacity for cruelty and love. [Críticas, 1/15/2008; starred]

Las luces de septiembre. 
(September Lights).
Ruiz Safón, Carlos.
Spain/U.S.: Planeta. 2007. 317p. ISBN 978-0-06-156557-1. $21.95.

Gr 5+–After the death of her father, 14-year-old Irene moves with her mother and brother into a mysterious mansion where her mother will work as a housekeeper. In this foggy seaside town, Irene befriends Ismael and the teens uncover the mystery of the evil shadow that inhabits the mansion. [Críticas, 2/1/2008; starred]

NONFICTION

¿Adónde van las personas cuando mueren? 
(Where Do People Go When They Die?)
Portnoy, Mindy Avra. 
tr. by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. illus. by Shelly O. Haas. U.S.: Ediciones Lerner. 2008. 24p. ISBN 978-0-7613-3905-2. $15.95.

PreS-Gr 2–Drawing upon her experiences as an ordained rabbi, Portnay crafts a series of tales that treat a challenging topic with great sensitivity. [Críticas, 11/1/2008]

¡Tú sí puedes, Gabriela!: ¿Cómo puedo crecer fuerte y sana? 
(You Can Do It, Gabriela!: How Can I Grow Up Strong and Healthy?)
Gómez-Bassols, Isabel & Eric Vasallo.
illus. by Priscilla García Burris. U.S.: Rayo: Harper Collins. 2008. 32p. ISBN 978-0-06-114104-1. $14.99.

PreS-Gr 3–Tackling a major hot button issue in the United States today—childhood obesity—the authors, aim to make simple solutions easily understandable for parents and kids alike. [Críticas, 8/15/2008]

BILINGUAL

Oloyou. 
(Oloyou)
Cardenas, Teresa. 
tr. by Elisa Amado. illus. by Margarita Sada. Canada: Groundwood Books. 2008. 32p. ISBN 978-0-88899-795-1. $18.95.

PreS-Gr 2–Cardenas, Cuba’s best-known author for young people and the recipient of the Casa de las Americas prize, crafts a delightful retelling of a Yoruba creation myth. [Críticas, 12/15/2008; starred]

That’s Not Fair: Emma Tenayuca’s Struggle for Justice/¡No es justo!: La lucha de Emma Tenayuca por la justicia.
Tafolla, Carmen and Sharyll Teneyuca.
tr. by Carmen Tafolla. illus. by Ferry Ibáñez. U.S.: Wings Press. 2008. 40p. ISBN 978-0-916727-33-8. $17.95.

Gr 4-6–Based on the life of the Mexican-American labor movement activist, this coming-of-age story follows a little girl who grows up to make a significant difference in her community. [Críticas, 3/1/2008]

Baila, Nana, Baila/Dance, Nana, Dance: Cuban Folktales in English and Spanish. 
Hayes, Joe.
illus. by Mauricio Trenard Sayago. U.S.: Cinco Puntos. 2008. 128p. ISBN 978-1-933693-17-0. $20.95

Gr 4-8–An excellent resource for storytellers,these 13 bilingual folktales by award-winning Hayes introduce readers to Cuban classics. [Críticas, 11/1/2008; starred]

ALSO IN TRANSLATION

Demasiados juguetes. 
(Too Many Toys)
Shannon, David.
tr. by. Scholastic. Inc. illus. by author. U.S.: Scholastic. 2008. ISBN 978-0-545-07918-1. unpaged. $16.99.

PreS-2–Using his distinctive style, award-winning Shannon recounts the story of Spencer, a boy who owns too many toys, and what happens when Mom and Dad decide that some of the clutter must go. [Críticas, 11/1/2008; starred]

Abuelos. 
(Grandparents)
Mora, Pat. 
tr. by Elena Iribarren. illus. by Amelia Lau Carling. U.S.: Groundwood Books. 2008. unpaged. ISBN 978-0-88899-717-3. $18.95.

PreS-Gr 2–When her family moves to New Mexico, Amelia’s brother uses the local legend of “Los abuelos,” to frighten her. The legend says that, each year, soot-covered old men come down from the mountains to see if the village children have behaved. Amelia fears that los abuelos will come for her. Once the old men arrive, however, she discovers the gentle truth behind the scary masks. [Críticas, 9/15/2008; starred]

El capitán Cheech. 
(Captain Cheech)
Marin, Cheech. 
tr. by Miriam Fabiancic. illus. by Orlando Ramírez. U.S.: Rayo: HarperCollins. 2008. 32p. ISBN 978-006-113-209-4. $16.99.

Gr 1-3–In this second title featuring this humorous character, Cheech’s students turn the school bus into a sail boat and have a blast. An essential addition for Spanish-language storytime collections. [Críticas, 8/15/2008; starred]

La invención de Hugo Cabret. 
(The Invention of Hugo Cabret)
Selznick, Brian.
tr. by Xohana Bastida. illus. by author. Spain: SM, dist. by Lectorum. 2007. 533p. ISBN 978-84-675-2044-6. $36.95.

Gr 4-7– At the turn of the 20th century, 12-year-old orphan Hugo lives in a Paris train station, where he tends to the clocks and filches what he needs to survive. Hugo’s recently deceased father, a clockmaker, had discovered an automaton in the museum where he worked, and now it is Hugo’s mission to get the robot to function. [Críticas, 3/1/2008; starred]

AUDIO/DVD

El mundo. 
(The World)
Corr, Christopher. 
narrated by Javier Mendoza. illus. by author. Book + CD. U.S.: Barefoot Books. 2008. 32p. ISBN 978-1-84686-208-3. $9.99.

PreS-2–Set to the tune of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” this title focuses on the responsibility that human beings have in taking care of our planet. [Críticas, 11/1/2008]