This 2004 list was compiled by the Notable Children’s Books Committee of the Association for Library Service to Children. Librarians throughout the U.S. helped select the titles from the several thousand children’s books published during 2003. Included are books of fiction, information, poetry, and pictures—all of special interest and value to children through age 14.
Chodos-Irvine, Margaret. Ella Sarah Gets Dressed. illus. Harcourt, $16 (0-15-216413-8).
A young girl stands in front of her wardrobe to select her attire and make her own fashion statement. Cheerful, bold colors outlined in white emphasize Ella Sarah’s freedom and confidence in a perfect picture book that uses several different printmaking techniques. A 2004 Caldecott Honor Book.
Cobb, Vicki. I Face the Wind. Illus. by Julia Gorton. HarperCollins, $15.99 (0-688-17840-5).
In this Vicki Cobb Science Play series book, children are asked to think like scientists as they are led through experiments and discussion about wind. Cobb’s simple text and Gorton’s dynamic illustrations invite participation. A 2004 Sibert Honor Book.
Davies, Nicola. Surprising Sharks. Illus. by James Croft. Candlewick, $15.99 (0-7636-2185-4).
Bright colors, big print, and breezy writing distinguish this brief introduction to the great white, dwarf lantern, sand tiger, and other amazing sharks.
Floca, Brian. The Racecar Alphabet. illus. Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, $15.95 (0-689-85091-3).
A compelling, alliterative text and large, exuberant watercolors capture the excitement of racecar driving—beginning with a 1901 Ford and continuing through the alphabet to a 2001 Ferrari.
French, Jackie. Diary of a Wombat. Illus. by Bruce Whatley. Clarion, $14 (0-618-38136-8).
In this endearing, hilarious tale about Australia’s most endangered mammal, a wombat keeps a diary of her daily activities, often writing no more than “slept” or “ate grass.” She has a bit more to describe when human neighbors arrive and she sets about training them to take care of her demands.
James, Simon. Little One Step. illus. Candlewick, $15.99 (0-7636-2070-X).
Three ducklings lost in the woods encourage the smallest to take “one step” at a time until they find mama. The soft, golden-hued illustrations clearly enhance the feelings expressed in the text.
Jenkins, Steve and Page, Robin. What Do You Do with a Tail like This? Houghton, $15 (0-618-25628-8).
This innovative guessing book delivers a fun, playful science lesson about 30 animals’ body parts—legs, ears, eyes, mouths, noses, feet, and tails. Exquisite cut-paper collages and clever placement of the spare text create a great interactive visual display. A 2004 Caldecott Honor Book.
Long, Melinda. How I Became a Pirate. Illus. by David Shannon. Harcourt, $16 (0-15-201848-4).
In this rollicking pirate tale, young Jeremy joins a pirate crew and happily finds that no baths or vegetables are required. Unfortunately, he also learns that there is no one to tuck him in or read him a good-night story. Text and illustrations team beautifully for a great read-aloud.
Morales, Yuyi. Just a Minute. illus. Chronicle, $15.95 (0-8118-3758-0).
Morales’ energetic, playful illustrations capture the essence of Mexican culture with bold, humorous motifs that illuminate Grandma Beetle’s vitality and Señor Calavera’s expressiveness. The 2004 Belpré Illustrator Medal Book.
Recorvits, Helen. My Name Is Yoon. Illus. by Gabi Swiatkowska. Farrar, $16 (0-374-35114-7).
Unusual perspectives and amusing detail capture Yoon’s transition from a shy newcomer to a happy schoolgirl who is willing, at last, to write the American version of her beloved Korean name.
Sayre, April Pulley and Sayre, Jeff. One Is a Snail, Ten Is a Crab: A Counting by Feet Book. Illus. by Randy Cecil. Candlewick, $15.99 (0-7636-1406 -8).
By counting the feet of a variety of creatures as they bicycle, limbo, and play volleyball across the beach, children can discover the basic concepts of counting, adding, and multiplying. Colorful, textured illustrations and simple text make the concepts clear.
Willems, Mo. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! illus. Hyperion, $12.99 (0-7868-1988-X).
A persistent pigeon asks, pleads, wheedles, connives, negotiates, demands, and uses emotional blackmail to get behind the wheel. Pigeon won’t take no for an answer, putting the reader on the spot with his escalating series of tactics. Each perfectly paced line, blank space, and deceptively simple illustration is essential. A 2004 Caldecott Honor Book.
Avi. Silent Movie. Illus. by C. B. Mordan. Simon & Schuster/Anne Schwartz, $16.95 (0-689-84145-0).
Warm up the organ, bring out the popcorn, and watch as this melodramatic tale unfolds. Dramatic black-and-white illustrations and brief, captionlike text effectively reveal the rags-to-riches tale of an immigrant family. Just like viewing an old-time movie.
Brown, Don. Mack Made Movies. illus. Roaring Brook, $16.95 (0-7613-1538-1).
From his first role as a horse’s rear end to filming the first pie in the face, Mack Sennett made a lasting impact on the film industry. Brown tells his story in text and in sepia-toned illustrations that use flowing lines to convey a sense of humor and movement.
Browne, Anthony. The Shape Game. illus. Farrar, $16 (0-374-36764-7).
The celebrated illustrator recalls his unlikely introduction to fine art when his working-class family visited an art museum for the first time. Just as his mother helped the family become involved in the paintings, Browne provides children with amusing illustrations to explore.
Chandra, Deborah and Comora, Madeleine. George Washington’s Teeth. Illus. by Brock Cole. Farrar, $16 (0-374-32534-0).
The sad saga of Washington’s terrible tooth problems is told through lively poetry and amusing pastel illustrations. In the midst of the fun, children painlessly learn interesting facts about colonial life.
Christelow, Eileen. Vote! illus. Clarion, $16 (0-618- 24754-8).
From rallies to recounts, lively cartoons and a lucid text explain the intricacies of the electoral process using a fictional mayoral race as a model.
Creech, Sharon. Granny Torrelli Makes Soup. Illus. by Chris Raschka. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler, $15.99 (0-06-029290-3).
When Rosie and her best buddy, Bailey, have a falling out, it’s the warmth and wisdom of Granny Torrelli’s kitchen that provides the ingredients for understanding and growth until tutta va bene—all is well!
D’Adamo, Francesco. Iqbal. Tr. by Ann Leonori. Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, $15.95 (0-689-85445-5).
Seamlessly translated from the Italian, this gripping, fictionalized story of Iqbal Masih, who was forced into child labor weaving carpets to pay off his family’s debts, demonstrates that one person can make a difference.
DiCamillo, Kate. The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. Illus. by Timothy Basil Ering. Candlewick, $17.99 (0-7636-1722-9).
DiCamillo draws children into an enchanting account of a smaller-than-usual mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. Though the tiny hero faints at loud noises, he gathers the courage to fulfill his dreams. The 2004 Newbery Medal Book.
DuPrau, Jeanne. The City of Ember. Random, $15.95 (0-375-82273-9).
The City of Ember is dying: the mammoth underground generators that provide its only light are slowly breaking down. Lina and Doon hold the key to escape, but will they be able to persuade their fellow citizens to follow them into the unknown?
Fenner, Carol. Snowed in with Grandmother Silk. Illus. by Amanda Harvey. Dial, $14.99 (0-8037-2857-3).
In this early chapter book with big print, humor, and a situation children can appreciate, Ruddy and his grandmother become best friends after being stranded by a surprise storm that leaves them without electricity or a telephone.
Hamilton, Virginia. Bruh Rabbit and the Tar Baby Girl. Illus. by James E. Ransome. Scholastic/Blue Sky, $16.95 (0-590-47376-X).
In Hamilton’s retelling of a Gullah version of the beloved Tar Baby story, Bruh Rabbit once again fools the luckless Bruh Wolf. Ransome’s vibrant watercolor illustrations and Hamilton’s vivid language combine to make this picture book an exceptional read-aloud.
Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales. Ed. by Neil Philip. Illus. by Jacqueline Mair. Clarion, $19 (0-618-19463-0).
Familiar themes take on the flavor of Mexico and the Southwest in these smooth retellings selected by an experienced anthologist. Well suited to telling or reading aloud.
Krull, Kathleen. Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez. Illus. by Yuyi Morales. Harcourt, $17 (0-15-201437-3).
Morales uses brightly colored acrylics, handmade stamps, and computer-created cutouts to depict the life of civil rights leader Chavez. Golden, earth- tone colors and wide, flowing brush strokes lend depth and honesty to the history and struggle of migrant farmworkers in California. A 2004 Belpré Honor Book.
Lasky, Kathryn. The Man Who Made Time Travel. Illus. by Kevin Hawkes. Farrar/Melanie Kroupa, $17 (0-374-34788-3).
Lasky’s accessible, well-researched picture-book biography of John Harrison, the brilliant seventeenth-century inventor of the marine chronometer, is supported by Hawkes’ intriguing, equally well researched paintings.
Levine, Karen. Hana’s Suitcase: A True Story. illus. Albert Whitman, $15.95 (0-8075-3148-0).
A child’s suitcase in a museum display leads a teacher and her class to research and discover the life of a child caught up in the Holocaust. The account, which unfolds gradually, is told in alternating chapters that lend immediacy to the story.
Schyffert, Bea Uusma. The Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon: The Story of Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins. Tr. by Emi Guner. illus. Chronicle, $14.95 (0-8118-4007-7).
Schyffert’s seamless integration of text, illustrations, charts, and photos draws readers into the amazing story of the astronaut who kept Apollo 11 circling the moon while his colleagues took a giant step for mankind. A 2004 Batchelder Honor Book.
Woodson, Jacqueline. Locomotion. Putnam, $15.99 (0-399-23115-3).
As Lonnie settles into his foster home, he misses his parents, who died in a fire, and his sister, who has been adopted. Writing in free verse, Woodson tells the poignant story of a young boy who will be hard to forget.
Cameron, Ann. Colibrí. Farrar/Frances Foster, $17 (0-374-31519-1).
Twelve-year-old Rosa regains her identity and confidence in a riveting story steeped in the culture, traditions, and folk beliefs of modern Guatemala.
Cooper, Ilene. Jack: The Early Years of John F. Kennedy. illus. Dutton, $22.99 (0-525-46923-0).
Cooper’s compelling account of John F. Kennedy’s childhood and adolescence provides previously unknown details as well as a fascinating assortment of photographs and letters.
Fleming, Candace. Ben Franklin’s Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman’s Life. illus. Simon & Schuster/Anne Schwartz, $19.95 (0-689- 83549-3).
Presented in the style of Franklin’s own original almanac, Fleming’s absorbing biography is chock- full of information that makes history jump right off the page.
Freedman, Russell. In Defense of Liberty: The Story of America’s Bill of Rights. illus. Holiday, $24.95 (0-8234-1585-6).
In his eminently clear and careful text, Freedman explains why and how the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution came to be written and what they mean. A timely, valuable commentary on our freedoms.
Funke, Cornelia. Inkheart. Tr. by Anthea Bell. Scholastic/Chicken House, $19.95 (0-439-53164-0).
When Meggie’s father reads aloud, characters jump right out of the book into the real world. Funke creates an action-packed adventure-fantasy peopled with memorable characters, including some chilling villains.
Henkes, Kevin. Olive’s Ocean. Greenwillow, $15.99 (0-06-053543-1).
Twelve-year-old Martha receives a page from the journal of classmate Olive, who recently died in an accident. Olive’s entry, which talks about her desire to be Martha’s friend, to see the ocean, and to become a writer, propels Martha from childhood to the brink of adolescence. A 2004 Newbery Honor Book.
Holt, Kimberly Willis. Keeper of the Night. Holt, $16.95 (0-8050-6361-7).
Set against the lush beauty of Guam, exquisitely crafted, present-tense snapshots follow 13-year-old Isabel as she struggles to preserve her family and realize her own independence in the wake of her mother’s suicide.
Jones, Diana Wynne. The Merlin Conspiracy. Greenwillow, $16.99 (0-06-052318-2).
Told alternately by Roddy and Nick, this complex, riveting fantasy moves swiftly along as the characters combine their newfound magical powers and learn that actions in one world may have long- reaching effects in other worlds.
Kraft, Betsy Harvey. Theodore Roosevelt: Champion of the American Spirit. illus. Clarion, $19 (0-618-14264-9).
Kraft draws from many sources for this complete biography of the reformer president “who erected his own monument.” The writing is as lively as the irrepressible subject himself.
Macaulay, David. Mosque. illus. Houghton/Walter Lorraine, $18 (0-618-24034-9).
Meticulous pen-and-ink drawings and judicious application of color add to an infectiously enthusiastic text that documents the construction of a mosque and its role in the community. The spiritual and the architectural are inextricably entwined and clearly explained.
McCaughrean, Geraldine. Stop the Train! HarperCollins, $15.99 (0-06-050749-7).
In 1893, the future of newly settled Florence, Oklahoma, and its scrappy townspeople depends on getting the Red River Railroad to make a local stop. Colorful, eccentric characters, hair-raising escapades, and robust humor bring an unforgettable period of U.S. history to life.
Murphy, Jim. An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. illus. Clarion, $17 (0-395-77608-2).
Drawing material from primary sources, including private diaries, newspapers, and books, Murphy lends insight into the political, social, and cultural challenges of the tragic yellow fever epidemic. His compelling narrative pulls readers into the crisis, illuminates the community’s response, and shows the best and worst of humanity. The 2004 Sibert Medal Book and a Newbery Honor Book.
Nelson, Theresa. Ruby Electric. Simon & Schuster/ Atheneum, $16.95 (0-689-83852-2).
Ruby deals with her real-life problems by visualizing screenplays in her head. Full of humor and drama, Ruby’s voice crackles with electricity.
Orlev, Uri. Run, Boy, Run. Tr. by Hillel Halkin. Houghton/Walter Lorraine, $15 (0-618-16465-0).
When eight-year-old Srulik is left alone in the Warsaw Ghetto, he must fend for himself—even forgetting his name—in order to survive the Holocaust. The 2004 Batchelder Award Book.
Osa, Nancy. Cuba 15. Delacorte, $15.95 (0-385- 73021-7).
As Violet Paz unwillingly prepares for her quinceañera, the traditional Latina fifteenth-birthday celebration, she undertakes a journey of self-discovery that leads her to appreciate and understand her Cuban heritage for the first time in her life. A 2004 Belpré Author Honor Book.
Pattou, Edith. East. Harcourt, $18 (0-15-204563-5).
In this compelling retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” Rose saves her sister’s life by agreeing to live with a white bear. After her curiosity condemns the bear to enslavement by the Ice Queen, Rose sets out to rescue him on a journey filled with heart-stopping action.
Peck, Richard. The River between Us. Dial, $16.99 (0-8037-2735-6).
In a voice uneducated and wise, unsophisticated and ironic, the narrator spins a dramatic, poignant tale of family and racial identity, graced with unforgettable characters who struggle against a Civil War backdrop.
Pratchett, Terry. The Wee Free Men. HarperCollins, $16.99 (0-06-001236-6).
With the help of the Nac Mac Feegle (the Wee Free Men), a shockingly rude band of blue six-inch-tall men, young Tiffany Aching leaves her family’s farm in the chalk country to rescue her brother from the fairy kingdom. An original fantasy, both hilarious and scary.
Preston, Diana. Remember the Lusitania! illus. Walker, $20.95 (0-8027-8846-7).
Chapters chronicling personal accounts of passengers are juxtaposed with the chilling plan of the German U-boat captain and crew who lay in wait for the Big Lusy. A riveting account of the ocean liner’s last Atlantic crossing.
Reeve, Philip. Mortal Engines. HarperCollins/EOS, $16.99 (0-06-008207-0).
In this original, fast-paced sf novel set in a post- apocalypse future, cities of the world move around on tractor treads pursuing and scavenging one another.
Rembert, Winfred. Don’t Hold Me Back: My Life and Art. illus. Cricket/Marcato, $19.95 (0-8126-2703-2).
African American folk artist Rembert takes readers on a guided tour of his childhood and coming- of-age at the bloom of the civil rights movement. The brilliantly composed, tooled-leather paintings are full of color, movement, and emotion.
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Illus by Mary GrandPré. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine, $29.99 (0-439-35806-X).
Fifteen-year-old Harry experiences the angst of being a teen, including feelings of abandonment, powerlessness, isolation, and grief. Budding romance, rib-tickling humor, and a darker sensibility characterize this action-packed fifth title in the series.
Sís, Peter. The Tree of Life: A Book Depicting the Life of Charles Darwin Naturalist, Geologist, and Thinker. illus. Farrar/Frances Foster, $18 (0-374- 45628-3).
Darwin’s unique life and work unfold in a visually stunning, complex, and appealing book that begs multiple readings.
Stroud, Jonathan. The Amulet of Samarkand. Hyperion/Miramax, $17.95 (0-7868-1859-X).
An inexperienced apprentice magician summons Bartimaeus, a powerful 5,000-year-old djinni with a sarcastic bent. The results are danger, death, and a big dose of comic relief.
Blake, Quentin. Tell Me a Picture. Illus. by Quentin Blake and others. Millbrook, lib. ed., $29.90 (0-7613- 2748-7).
In this innovative offering, comical cartoon children walk readers through an art exhibition, introducing and commenting on 26 works and, at the same time, allowing opportunities for individual contemplation.
Frazee, Marla. Roller Coaster. illus. Harcourt, $16 (0-15-204554-6).
Frazee’s text swerves, dips, and loops across the pages along with the cars of a roller coaster as a young girl enjoys a much anticipated first ride and then is ready to go again.
Gerstein, Mordicai. The Man Who Walked between the Towers. illus. Roaring Brook, $17.95 (0-7613- 1791-0).
Gerstein’s true story recounts the daring feat of a spirited young Frenchman who walked a tightrope between the World Trade Center twin towers in 1974. The 2004 Caldecott Medal Book.
Leedy, Loreen and Street, Pat. There’s a Frog in My Throat! 440 Animal Sayings a Little Bird Told Me. Illus. by Loreen Leedy. Holiday, $16.95 (0-8234- 1774-3).
An energetic array of familiar sayings and idiomatic phrases is cleverly illustrated with lively collages that picture a variety of animal pranks.
Morpurgo, Michael. Kensuke’s Kingdom. Scholastic, $16.95 (0-439-38202-5).
After 11-year-old Michael is washed over the side of his family’s yacht, he awakens on what he believes is a deserted island in the Pacific. In this riveting survival story, Michael discovers that he is not alone.
Myers, Walter Dean. Blues Journey. Illus. by Christopher Myers. Holiday, $18.95 (0-8234-1613- 5).
Poetry and art combine for a striking look at jazz as the author and artist present an overview of African American history.
Sabuda, Robert. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: A Pop-up Adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Original Tale. illus. Simon & Schuster/ Little Simon, $24.95 (0-689-84743-2).
An attractive version of Lewis Carroll’s story, illuminated with ingenious paper engineering.
Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. The Hidden Alphabet. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter, $17.95 (0-7613-1941-7).
In this beautifully designed interactive book, children peek through a keyhole and find a fresh way of seeing things. Each letter of the alphabet is introduced by a word and an arresting image; as the black frame on each page is lifted, the small illustration beneath is transformed into a large, elegant capital letter.
2004 Notable Children's Videos committee members: Stephen A. Zampino, chair, The Ferguson Library (CT); Elizabeth Jane Abramson, Los Angeles (CA) Public Library; Patricia S. Arnold, East Baton Rouge (LA) Parish Library; Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Washington, D.C.; Martha Edmundson, Denton (TX) Public Library System; Helen Foster James, San Diego, CA; Molly Krukewitt, Fort Bend County (TX) Libraries; Margaret Tice, New York Public Library; Kathryn Lee Whitacre, The Free Library of Philadelphia (PA); Lucinda Whitehurst, St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA.; Susan Wray, Kansas City (MO) Public Library; Sue- Ellen Beauregard, consultant, Booklist.
(Booklist/March 15, 2004)