Best Kids' Books of 2008
If you've missed out on all of the new children's books of the year and need a quick run-down of the best, then you've come to the right place.
By Christopher Healy
- Marveltown
- by Bruce McCall (Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, $17)
It's impossible to imagine this satirical sci-fi fable being illustrated in anything other than McCall's inimitable faux-retro art style. His Dick-and-Jane-ish paintings, paired with the story's over-the-top inventions, haywire robots, and plucky kid heroes, make for picture-book perfection.—Ages 4 and up
- wonder bear
- by Tao Nyeu (Dial, $18)
The wordless picture book subgenre is taken to new heights by the psychedelic beauty of Nyeu's illustrations. A wonder, indeed.—Ages 5 to 10
- Mythologica: Fairies & Magical Creatures
- by Matthew Reinhart & Robert Sabuda (Candlewick, $28)
The latest blow-your-mind pop-up book from masters Reinhart and Sabuda—a compendium of fairy-tale creatures—has huge unicorns leaping from its pages and entire castles rising from the binding.—Ages 4 to 9
- Wabi Sabi
- by Ed Young (Little, Brown, $17)
Simply gorgeous collage work and quietly contemplative haiku combine to make the most sublime picture book of the year.
—Ages 5 to 10
- My Dad's a Birdman
- by David Almond, illustrated by Polly Dunbar (Candlewick, $16)
With his masterful blending of the ludicrously bizarre and the sweetly earnest in this thoroughly illustrated chapter book, Almond lays claim to being the Roald Dahl's rightful heir.—Ages 3 to 7
- wave
- by Suzy Lee (Chronicle, $16)
Only one color; scant, barely there backgrounds; hardly any text. And yet tons of emotion. Lee demonstrates just how much can be said with so little.—Ages 3 to 7
- m is mischief
- by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter (Dutton, $17)
Ashman's playful verse and Carpenter's uniquely kinetic drawings combine to create the most fun alphabet book of the year.—Ages 4 to 8
- The lonesome puppy
- by Yoshitomo Nara (Chronicle, $18)
Japanese pop artist Nara's first foray into kid lit—a quick burst of silly-sweet plotting and funky-cool art—left us wanting more. Get some translators working—fast!—Ages 2 to 5
- Traction Man Meets
Turbo Dog - by Mini Grey (Knopf, $17)
There are so many fun little details in this thoroughly entertaining sequel—about an action figure whose pet scrub brush is replaced by a robotic toy dog—that multiple readings are inevitable.—Ages 4 to 9
- Little Yellow Leaf
- by Carin Berger (Greenwillow, $17)
Take a simple story with a feel-good ending, add in Berger's magically beautiful artwork, and you've got the perfect recipe for making our top 10 list.—Ages 3 to 8
