Movies are bringing attention to favorite picture books; the tie-ins to Where the Wild Things Are (opening tomorrow) and Cloudy with a Chance of Meat Balls (in theaters now) are both on the NYT bestseller lists, but don’t forget to check the originals; you probably need fresh copies.

At #1 on the NYT Picture Book list after two weeks:

Where the Wild Things Are: The Movie Storybook Barb Bersche, Michelle Quint Retail Price: $12.99 Hardcover: 48 pages Publisher: HarperFestival – (2009-09-01) ISBN / EAN: 0061656860 / 9780061656866

On the USA Today list, however, the original is at #9.

Where the Wild Things Are Maurice Sendak Retail Price: $17.95 Hardcover: 48 pages Publisher: Harper Collins – (1988-11-09) ISBN / EAN: 0060254920 / 9780060254926

At #8 on the NYT Children’s Paperback list, after 4 weeks:

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Junior Novelization Stacia Deutsch, Rhody Cohon Retail Price: $5.99 Paperback: 112 pages Publisher: Simon Spotlight – (2009-08-04) ISBN / EAN: 1416961488 / 9781416961482

On the USA Today list, the original is at #68 after 8 weeks.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs Judi Barrett Retail Price: $6.99 Paperback: 32 pages Publisher: Atheneum – (1982-04-01) ISBN / EAN: 0689707495 / 9780689707490

So, listen up, Hollywood, below are some of my favorites among the new picture book titles:

Truckery Rhymes (Jon Scieszka’s Trucktown) Jon Scieszka Retail Price: $17.99 Hardcover: 64 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing – (2009-08-25) ISBN / EAN: 1416941355 / 9781416941354

Silliness abounds as the Ambassador of Children’s Literature and master of the fractured fairytale takes on Mother Goose.

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Robot Zot! Jon Scieszka Retail Price: $17.99 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing – (2009-09-22) ISBN / EAN: 1416963944 / 9781416963943

An alien robot arrives to conquer earth, does battle and creates havoc on a domestic scene.

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Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton Retail Price: $24.99 Hardcover: 192 pages Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers – (2009-10-06) ISBN / EAN: 0316040495 / 9780316040495

I’ve mentioned this one before and it hits the NYT picture book bestseller list at #3 this week. This lovely compilation is perfect for families to share.

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Never Smile at a Monkey: And 17 Other Important Things to Remember Steve Jenkins Retail Price: $16.00 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children – (2009-10-19) ISBN / EAN: 061896620X / 9780618966202

This is a delightfully surprising collection of animals that one wouldn’t suspect were dangerous. Jenkin’s signature cut-paper collage creatures will engage children for storytime.

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Wag! Patrick McDonnell Retail Price: $15.99 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers – (2009-10-01) ISBN / EAN: 0316045489 / 9780316045483

Why do dogs wag their tails? The sweet, simple text and minimalist drawings captured my heart.

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Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas Jane O’connor Retail Price: $17.99 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: HarperCollins – (2009-11-01) ISBN / EAN: 0061235903 / 9780061235900

You don’t need me to let you know but just in case. There’s a New Fancy Nancy!

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Owen and Mzee created a whole new category of “Reality Picture Books.” Below are some of my favorite new titles in the category.

Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim Again Juliana Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff Retail Price: $16.99 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Scholastic Press – (2009-10-01) ISBN / EAN: 0545123356 / 9780545123358

A dolphin that gets a prosthetic tail.

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Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle Brian Dennis, Mary Nethery, Kirby Larson Retail Price: $17.99 Hardcover: 48 pages Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers – (2009-11-01) ISBN / EAN: 031605318X / 9780316053181

A marine saves an abandoned and abused Iraqi dog. A librarians’ favorite from BEA.

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Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends Carol Buckley Retail Price: $16.99 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Putnam Juvenile – (2009-09-08) ISBN / EAN: 0399254439 / 9780399254437

Tarra, former circus performer has retired to an elephant sanctuary where she resides with her faithful canine companion. The best in cross-species friendship books.

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And now for something completely different…

Cookbooks for kids really move in my library. If you are looking for something for a reluctant reader, they can be a big hit.

The Silver Spoon for Children Editors of Phaidon Press Retail Price: $19.95 Hardcover: 104 pages Publisher: Phaidon Press – (2009-12-02) ISBN / EAN: 0714857564 / 9780714857565

This exquisitely designed Italian cookbook for kids takes a sensible approach, with real fresh food and easy-to-follow recipes

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Little Blue and Little Yellow Leo Lionni Retail Price: $15.99 Hardcover: 48 pages Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers – (2009-10-13) ISBN / EAN: 0375860134 / 9780375860133

Just in time to replace those ratty old copies or those twenty copies showing on the catalog that don’t really exist, the fiftieth anniversary edition of a picture book classic.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 6:13 pm and is filed under Childrens and YA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.