E.B. White Award – Short List

The Association of Booksellers for Children (ABC) has announce their shortlist for the 2010 E.B. White Read Aloud Awards.

The E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, established in 2004, honor books that reflect the universal read aloud standards that were created by the work of the author E.B. White in his classic books for children: Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. In the first two years of the award, a single book was selected.In 2006, in recognition of the fact that reading aloud is a pleasure at any age, the award was expanded into two categories: Picture Books, and Older Readers.

Books are nominated for their universal appeal as a “terrific” books to read aloud.

Off to fill up my library hold list (again!)

Have you read any of these to your kids yet? What did you think?

See the List

Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

“Poor kitten!” is the refrain we all shout as we read this book, the story of a small kitten out on his first night-time prowl. He mistakes the full moon for a giant saucer of milk, and gets himself into all sorts of predicaments trying to get himself a treat. In the end, he trudges back home to find the best treat of all.

If you haven’t guessed, this is one our family’s favorites. It’s stuffed full of giggle-worthy moments, and gives a reader plenty of opportunity to dramatize. The illustrations are simply drawn, and in black-and-white, but well-executed to enhance the story. The text is a bit unusual in that it doesn’t rhyme, but it’s well metered and pleasant. It is not a leveled reader, but after a few read-throughs with a grownup, a young reader should be able to manage on his own. I’ve recently overheard my daughter read this book to her younger brother, and listening to them giggle together is a rare pleasure.

Kitten’s First Full Moon is a rare book – one that I can definitely recommend adding to your family’s personal collection. We’ve returned to it time and time again for at more than four years now, and it shows no sign of losing it’s appeal.

Available on Amazon

Kitten’s First Full Moon written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow Books, 2004.