Today is the birthday of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz. Written after a string of professional and creative failures, Baum's creation has become an American classic.

Are you a fan of Oz? Why do you think Oz remains a perennial favorite of American children's literature?

I’m a big fan of Dan Yaccarino’s artwork (ever since I discovered Trashy Town), so when I saw the cover for Boy + Bot, a new picture book by Ame Dyckman, I just had to pick it up. Boy, am I glad I did. This is a sweet, heartwarming story about an unnamed boy who meets a robot while out collecting pinecones in the woods. The boy and robot quickly become friends ...

I told my 3-year-old that today, May 11, is Peter Sís’s birthday, and for a while, he was running around the house singing at the top of his lungs, “Happy birthday, Peter Seeeeees!” True story—I kid you not. This prolific, highly acclaimed author-illustrator is a familiar name in my house (though more people may associate him with books for older children). That’s because he’s the creative genius behind two of my son’s favorite books: Fire Truck and Trucks Trucks Trucks.

For a 12 year old, having two same-sex parents can be difficult terrain to navigate, especially when confronted by bullying peers. But the protagonist in this winning debut asks realistic questions and faces her fears (and those of others) with strength, heart and grace. A perfect read for classroom discussions about prejudices and tolerance.

Once there were four girls who were best friends: the perfect Beth; the clever Ruby; Alison, who hates everything; and Caddy, the brave. (“’Mostly because of spiders,’ said Caddy.”) They have known each other since kindergarten and have always been together, depending on each other's strengths to see them through childhood crisis. But in their 12th year these four girls face changes that test the very fabric and permanence of their friendship. Caddy's World is another brilliant book about friendship and families from author Hilary McKay.

This week, May 7 to 13, is Children’s Book Week, a time to celebrate books for young people and the transformative power of reading. To that end, I’ve put together a quiz quoting lines from picture books that you probably know from your childhood or that you’ve read a zillion times to your kids. How many can you identify from the excerpts below?

When it comes to the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, “Hans-My-Hedgehog” doesn’t have the same recognition or beloved status as “Snow White,” “Hansel and Gretel,” or “The Frog Prince.” But if you’re familiar with the original tale, you’ll understand why. And after reading Kate Coombs' new version, you’ll also appreciate just how much she has transformed a harsh, cruel tale into a charming, heartwarming story.

It has been a while since I’ve plugged graphic novels. Here are just a few of the latest and greatest out this Spring.

It's that time of year where everyone gets dressed up and participates (or protests) the rite of passage that is the junior and senior prom. Here are a few prom-ready titles for youth readers to celebrate the season.

What are your favorite prom stories? I bet you have a few prom stories of your own share!

In Wolf Won’t Bite!, Emily Gravett takes the familiar tale of the three pigs and the big bad wolf and gives it a wickedly funny, fresh new spin. In her version, there are no straw, stick, or brick houses to blow down. Instead, Gravett’s elegant, expressive watercolor and oil–based pencil illustrations present us with three rotund circus pigs that have recently caught a thin, mangy-looking wolf (the beginning endpapers show the pigs running after the wolf with a huge butterfly net and circus cage on wheels).