Big News!
Bank Street College and the Children’s Book Committee have chosen four of Miranda Paul’s 2019 books for their new Best-of Children’s Books list!!
A * indicates special merit, a “D” indicates diversity, and an “R” indicates a read-aloud.
“D” * Nine Months: Before a Baby is Born
by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Jason Chin
(Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, $18.99)
978-0-8234-4161-7
Realistic gouache and watercolor illustrations of the growing fetus pair with rhyming text to celebrate a family preparing to welcome a baby. Extensive back matter. (4-6)
“D” I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon
by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul, illustrated by
Elizabeth Zunon
(Millbrook Press/Lerner, $19.99) 978-1-5124-4914-3
From the age of four, Tantoh Nforba’s love of farming led him to start a grassroots environmental movement in Cameroon. Photos and collage illustrations. (7-9)
“D” * “R” Thanku: Poems of Gratitude
edited by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Marlena Myles
(Millbrook Press/Lerner, $19.99) 978-1-5415-2363-0
This diverse collection of poetic forms and poets centers on the concept of giving thanks. Gentle illustrations reflect childhood. Back matter. (6-9)
“D” “R” Little Libraries, Big Heroes
by Miranda Paul, illustrated by John Parra
(Clarion Books/HMH, $17.99) 978-0-544-80027-4
Vivid acrylic illustrations accompany the story of how the magnanimous nonprofit organization “Little Free Libraries” was born. Author’s note and bibliography provide additional insight. (6-9)
To read more about this distinction, from the Bank Street website:
“The Children’s Book Committee strives to guide librarians, educators, parents, grandparents, and other interested adults to the best books for children published each year. The list includes more then 600 titles chosen by reviewers for literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes.
This [2020] edition includes more than 600 titles chosen by the Children’s Book Committee as the best of the best published in 2019. In choosing books for the annual list, reviewers consider literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes. Each book accepted for the list is read and reviewed by at least two committee members and then discussed by the committee as a whole.