MUST READ: 999 TADPOLES by Ken Kimura, illustrated by Yasunari Murakami

I admit I've been a terrible Book Hog with this one. I MUST return it to the library so other people can see how wonderful it is, too! 999 TADPOLES by Ken Kimura, illustrated by Yasunari Murakami (North-South Books Inc., 2011) is a hysterical "finding home" story. When their 999 tadpoles grow into young frogs, Mother and Father Frog realize their pond is now too small. But how do you move your 999 children safely? Funny, exciting story + funny, expressive illustrations = MUST READ!

MUST READ: THE GREAT BEAR by Libby Gleeson and Armin Greder

I just read the most amazing PB! (It's vastly past my bedtime right now but I just to tell you right away.) THE GREAT BEAR by Libby Gleeson, illustrated by Armin Greder (Candlewick, 2011) is unlike any other PB I can remember. Halfway through the achingly sad story of a mistreated captive circus bear, the text simply stops--leaving Greder's magnificent illustrations to tell the rest of the tale. The resulting ending feels... MORE that way. (A cautionary note: some of the illustrations of the--brilliantly rendered--angry crowd may be disturbing for very young readers.) Beautiful story + fantastically unique artwork = MUST READ!

FEAT OF SKILL AND DARING!

I. Rode. THIS! As part of our "So Long, Summer!" whirlwind Fun Fest, we went to Coney Island! Despite being TERRIFIED of heights, I rode the 150-foot-tall Wonder Wheel--in a SWINGING car! (I'd like to say I was all a-swagger, but I can't. I was a Big Fat Chicken Baby, gripping the seat with both hands the entire time!) But even though it was scary, I'm glad I did it. (Once.) YAY, me!

MUST READ: LET'S BE ENEMIES

I thought I'd just have a peek around the bookstore. Then I saw this: LET'S BE ENEMIES by Janice May Udry, illustrated by Maurice Sendak (Harper Trophy, 1961, renewed 1989). (I know I said I'd save money. But surely, books don't count!) When John tires of James' bossiness, he decides they are no longer friends and tells him so. What happens next is funny and rings oh-so Kid True! Perfect Kid Voice writing + Maurice Sendak's brilliant illustrations = MUST READ!

MUST READ: SMALL SAUL by Ashley Spires

I'm a sucker for a great picture book cover, and this one makes me laugh EVERY time. The protagonist of SMALL SAUL by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press, 2011) isn't your average pirate: he'd rather redecorate than rampage, and his "tough" tattoo is a bunny. Will he ever fit in with his shipmates on The Rusty Squid? Funny illustrations + a fresh take on the "just be yourself" message = MUST READ!

MUST READ: BOY WONDERS by Calef Brown

Ever started a word game with a friend that turned into a no-rules IMAGINATIONFEST? Feel this again--illustrated!--with Calef Brown's BOY WONDERS (Atheneum, 2011). Peek into a boy's mind as it runs, no-rules, with do, is, are, if, suppose, would, does, any and how about through a variety of creative ponderings. (It had me at "Do bees get hives?") Brilliant wordplay + Brown's fantastically unique art = MUST READ!

Guess what I did today! I joined The Apocalypsies, the fabulous group of kidlit authors with debut books scheduled for release in 2012! And, I wrote a little song:

Ohhh, I'm an Apocalypsie!
My book comes out in twenty-twelve!
Hope I get the chance
To earn my advance
Before the end of the world!