With Abraham Lincoln’s birthday fast approaching (February 12), you might like to know about a charming new picture-book biography of our 16^th president. Multi-talented illustrator, author, and designer Maira Kalman writes in the jacket bio that she first wrote about her love for Lincoln in a New York Times blog, which in turn inspired Looking at Lincoln, her latest children’s book.

I’ll just say it outright. Valentine’s Day can stink to high heaven if you don’t have the right attitude. And contrary to popular belief, kids don’t have it any easier. That’s why I’ve devoted this pre-Valentine’s Day post to an old tongue-in-cheek favorite (now, repackaged as a new special edition!) that uses humor to salve all potential wounds. It’s not for the innocent or the faint of heart . . . but it sure is funny. For those looking for a more positive spin on things, I've also included a delightful book full of redeemable coupons from Cupid. Hugs all day long, anyone?

Happy soon-to-be Valentine's Day!

Oliver Twist was the first book in the English language to feature a child protagonist. Without Charles Dickens we would not have children's literature as we know it today. In celebration of the 200th year since his birth, here are some titles for youth readers that relate to the life and work of Charles Dickens. 

What is your favorite story from Charles Dickens? In your opinion what does or doesn't make him still relevant to today's readers?

In my last post, I wrote about Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back, which has garnered awards and fans but also some critics who are unhappy with the ending. That got me thinking about other books that I’ve enjoyed with hats featured in the plot.

The first time I read I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen, I had to re-read the ending to make sure I understood what had just happened. Yup, I had read it correctly. It’s not often that the ending of a picture book surprises me—and in his debut as both author and illustrator, Klassen manages to do exactly that. If you haven’t yet seen his best-selling children’s book, I Want My Hat Back, here’s the lowdown:

Last week, I recommended three stunning novels that I hope you’ve leafed through or picked up for your middle-grader(s). This week, here are two complementary nonfiction titles that are just as stellar. Without further ado . . . 

This month Francesca Lia Block releases Pink Smog, a prequel to her ground-breaking 1989 novel Weetzie Bat. For anyone who has ever wondered what Weetzie Bat was like in junior high, this is the book for you. For those of you unfamiliar with Francesca Lia Block's work, Pink Smog offers an introduction to Block's "Shangri-L.A." and the unconventional ways her troubled teen characters find friendship, family, and love. 

If your child can’t get enough of books like Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (currently a fixture on the New York Times best-seller list), I’m betting he (or she) will love I’m Fast! by Kate and Jim McMullan (the husband-and-wife duo behind titles like I’m Big! and I’m Dirty!). Just out this month, their latest picture book features a good-natured race between a powerful freight train and a feisty red car.

When the American Library Association’s 2012 Caldecott Award winner was announced on Monday, I was happy to learn that Chris Raschka’s A Ball for Daisy had taken the top prize. I raved about this wonderful picture book when it came out last year on the Letter Blocks blog, and I’m pleased to report that this title is still a favorite in our house.

Speaking of dog tales, Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic is another wonderful picture book about a resilient pup. Written and illustrated by Mônica Carnesi, an artist and librarian, this book was inspired by a news story Carnesi heard on NPR about a dog discovered floating on an ice floe in the Baltic Sea.

This year’s crop of African-American History Month titles has much to offer. In advance of February, I thought I’d tell you about three stellar novels that were published earlier this month. They literally blew my proverbial socks off.

There will be many more African-American History Month titles to recommend in the coming weeks, but please do offer up any you’ve come across in your travels. I’m all eyes and ears!