CANADIAN TOY TESTING COUNCIL TOP 10 GREAT BOOKS FOR CHILDREN 2010
Ages Birth+
Dance Baby Dance Written by Andrea Spalding. Orca Book Publishers, 2009. ISBN 978-1-55469-079-4. Ages Birth+
This enchanting first book for babies pairs fanciful poetry with rich colour photographs of children snuggling, playing and learning about the world though their friends, families, pets and dance. A sweet book for children will love to hear read to them. Thick and durable cardstock format.
Ages Birth-3
Saffy Written and illustrated by Paola Opal. Simply Read Books, 2008. ISBN 978-1-897476-02-4. Ages Birth-3.
Children are delighted by the charming story of Saffy, a baby giraffe so short that she cannot reach the lowest branches of the acacia tree. Stubborn Saffy is determined to get her own leaves without her mother’s help and finds clever ways to solve the problem. Bold graphics, bright colours and a simple, engaging use of words capture babies’ attention. Thick and durable cardstock format.
Ages 2-5
Chicken, Pig, Cow Written and illustrated by Ruth Ohi. Annick Press, 2008. ISBN 13: 978-1-55451-156-3. Ages 2-5.
This engaging book for toddlers tells the story of three toy animals, Chicken, Pig and Cow, who love everything about their barnyard home made of Popsicle sticks—except for Dog. When the trio go exploring, they learn about friendship and facing their fears. Simple text and colourful illustrations make this book a bedtime favourite.
Ages 2-5
Bradley McGogg, The Very Fine Frog Written by Tim Beiser and illustrated by Rachel Berman. Tundra Books, 2008. ISBN 978-0-88776-864-4. Ages 2-5.
This book presents a fun story told in rhyme about Bradley McGogg, who lives in a bog, where there are plenty of bugs for a frog like Bradley to eat. When Bradley runs low on food, he visits his neighbours, and soon discovers that rabbits, cows and bears east some “pretty strange things.” Children enjoy the clever rhymes and the engaging full-colour illustrations in this lively book.
Ages 3+
Tulipe : Mon pyjama à moi Written by Lucie Papineau and illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch. Dominique et compagnie/Les editions Héritage, inc., 2008. ISBN 9768-89512-344-6. Ages 3+.
Young readers greatly enjoy this story about a little mouse named Tulipe, who loves to wear her comfy pyjamas all the time, day and night. When Tulipe wears her pyjamas to school, they become a total mess by the end of the day. Tulipe learns a valuable lesson about wearing the right clothing for the right occasion. This book features beautifully detailed full-colour illustrations.
Ages 3-6
A Royal Little Pest Written by Anita Reynolds MacArthur and illustrated by Karen Roy. Pollywog Bog Books, 2009. ISBN 978-0-98105-750-7. Ages 3-6.
Prince Hayden MacCheeky is a royal prince who likes to tease and mimic his brothers and sisters. When they refuse to play with him, Prince Hayden must adjust his behaviour so that he becomes fun to be around. Children enjoy the distinctive, full-colour illustrations, which add a lot to the humour and plot of this book.
Ages 3-6
The Little Toy Shop Written and illustrated by Frances Wolfe. Tundra Books, 2008. ISBN 978-0-88776-865-1. Ages 3-6.
At Kringle’s Toy Shop, the owner helps every customer find just the right toy. When a box arrives at the shop with a stuffed bunny inside, Mr. Kringle determines to find him a home. Bunny soon makes fast friends with Teddy, a toy bear. Children enjoy this lovingly illustrated, sweet story about friendship and a little girl whose heart is big enough to cherish both toys.
Ages 7+
Savais-tu? Les serpents Written by Alain M. Bergeron, Michel Quintin and Sampar and illustrated by Sampar. Éditions Michel Quintin, 2009. ISBN 978-2-89435-410-0. Ages 7+.
Did you know that snakes are reptiles? There are 2,700 species in the world today. In this true trivia book all about snakes, this is just one of many fun facts, and it is accompanied by a full-colour cartoon of an anxious mouse running and yelling for help. The comic-style format of this book makes learning fun, and children enjoy the presentation as much as the facts.
Ages 8+
Inside Hockey! The Legends, Facts and Feats That Made The Game Written by Keltie Thomas. Maple Tree Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-897349-29-8. Ages 8+.
This nifty fact book spotlights great stories of hockey and its most legendary characters. Trivia explores such unusual hockey topics as why goalies are different, legends on the ice, hockey hi-jinks, crazy moves made to score goals, players’ superstitions, and more. Kids are also drawn to the book’s illustrated with action-packed photos and amusing art.
Ages 8-11
Good-Bye Marianne Written by Irene N. Watts and illustrated by Kathryn E. Shoemaker. Tundra Books, 2008. ISBN 978-0-88776-830-9. Ages 8-11.
This 124-page graphic novel tells the quiet but moving tale of 11-year-old Marianne, a Jewish girl living in Germany in 1938. She finds herself barred from school because of her religion, and the story follows her necessary flight from Berlin to England. The black-and-white pencil drawings in this book capture the both the desperate times and the spark of hope as Marianne flees pre-War Nazi Germany.
