10 Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break

10 Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus

By John Grandits

Grandits, John. 10 Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break If You Want to Survive the School Bus. Boston: Clarion Books, 2011.

Little Kyle is riding the bus for the first time.  His big brother James gives him a list of ten rules to follow in order to survive the school bus.  Through his ride on the bus, he manages to break them all.  Kyle discovers that his big brother isn't always right.  Grandits writes an exciting tale about riding the bus to school for the first time.  Michael Allen Austin's illustrations provide humor and detail to everything Kyle experiences on his first ride on the bus to school.  

"Worthy of being shelved next to Jon Scieszka’s funniest."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

"The large, full-page acrylic illustrations constantly shift perspectives and points of view, adding energy, vivacity, and animation... Seasoned bus riders, and anyone who has been misguided by an older sibling’s advice, will certainly enjoy this outrageously humorous, well-told story."—School Library Journal, starred review

Barnum's Bones

Barnum's Bones

By Tracey Fern

Fern, Tracey. Barnum's Bones: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World. New York: Maragret Ferguson Books, 2012.

Barnum Brown was born to be someone special.  From a young age he loved fossils.  He spent his life searching for new and interesting things.  When he uncovers a new species of dinosaur, his life changes forever.  Fern creates a world full of dinosaur bones and exploration.  Her words, along with the beautiful illustrations of Boris Kulikov, bring life to Barnum's discovery of the T. Rex. 

“T. rex lovers will gobble it up, and seekers of easy biographies will be hot on their heels.” -- School Library Journal, starred

“Fern fills her text with all the salient facts but uses a breezy, humorous, awestruck voice that strikes just the right tone in telling the story of this fascinating, quirky scientist.” -- Kirkus, starred 

“…truly breathtaking. This will captivate the masses of kids whose jaws drop in the presence of hulking fossils.”--Booklist, starred

Looking at Lincoln

Looking at Lincoln

By Maira Kalman

Kalman, Maira. Looking at Lincoln. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2012.

This is the story of a little girl who is walking through the park and sees a man that looks familiar.  She realizes he looks like Abraham Lincoln and decides to go to the library to learn more about him.  From the perspective of the little girl, she talks about Lincoln's life and some of the great things he accomplished.  Kalman writes a sweet story that young children can read and appreciate. The illustrations provide a great look into the life of President Abraham Lincoln through the eyes of a child.  

"Kalman's fond and bittersweet account of our lanky 16th president evokes both a schoolgirl crush and a Yankee's steely, sorrowful perspective on the price of freedom. . . . Rather than pen a textbook profile, Kalman portrays heartfelt admiration through poignant imagery." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Appealingly childlike. . . . Kalman's artwork is the main attraction here, with appealing naive illustrations done in gouache. Each page offers visual treats in a Matisse-like palette." -- Kirkus Reviews

Balloons Over Broadway

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

by Melissa Sweet

Sweet, Melissa. Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011.

Anthony "Tony" Sarg is the man who made the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade what it is today.  From the time he was a little boy, he loved to figure out how to make things move.  In 1924, Macy's asks him to help out with a parade to honor the immigrants who work for Macy's.  This was the parade that started it all.  Tony's ideas move from marionettes to the huge helium filled balloons that fill the skies every year during Thanksgiving.  This story is filled with beautiful illustrations which, with the words of Sweet, create a story that children of all ages will enjoy.  The author weaves together a beautiful story of the life of Tony Sarg. 

"A joyous piece of nonfiction that informs and delights in equal parts." -- Booklist, starred review
"This clever marriage of information and illustration soars high." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Awards and Honors:
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
NCTE Orbis Pictus Award