The 12 Best Children's Books of 2012

Still looking for a last minute gift? Consider something from this list of the best children's books of 2012 from James Patterson's ReadKiddoRead Foundation.

Courtesy of the ReadKiddoRead Foundation Maurice Sendak once said that one of the best things about being a maker of children’s books was that his audience kept being born. It’s true, of course: The great books from years past are brand new to today’s children and teens. But let’s take a moment at year’s end to recognize the books being published now for our young people. Here’s a quick roundup of a dozen highlights of 2012. (For more, visit ReadKiddoRead.com and check out our reviews.) Great Illustrated Books (Ages 2-5) Llama Llama Time to Share By Anna Dewdney For ages 2-5 When the doorbell rings, Mama Llama welcomes the neighbors – the Gnus. While Mama and Nelly have tea, their two toddlers are left with a boxful of toys to play with …

• Photos (1)

Question of the Day

POLL: Local Author Asks "Which Book Cover Do You Like Best?"

Medfield author David Biedrzycki lets readers weigh in on which book cover they prefer.

  Medfield children's book author and illustrator David Biedrzycki will publish his eighth book next year. The book is tentatively titled "Me and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween" and is a follow-up to the very popular "Me and My Dragon" -- about a boy raising a dragon as if it were a puppy -- which was released last year. Biedrzycki has created two versions of the "Halloween" book cover and asks you which you prefer.  Take our POLL and let us (and him) know. Have more to say?  Have you read any of the other 20 books he has written and/or illustrated, such as the "Ace Lacewig Bug Detective Series," which are available at Park Street Books?  Tell us in the comment section below. 

• Photos (1)

A Puzzling Day at Blake Middle School

The summer-read program culminated at Blake Middle School with a visit from the author of "The Potato Chip Puzzles" and a puzzle contest.

It was the one-read that Blake Middle School students puzzled over this summer. And why not? After all, the book is called the “Potato Chip Puzzles,” the second in a series by Connecticut author and “life-long puzzler,” Eric Berlin. “Every year, we pick one book that the entire school reads,” said Library Media teacher, Jon Haycock. “We try to [select books which] appeal to boys and girls in grades six through eight and also [be] something that can tie-in, academically, to all the different subjects.” “The Potato Chip Puzzles” is part of a larger series called “The Puzzling World of Winston Breen” and relays the story of a 12-year old boy who  “gets involved in all these situations where he has to go and solve all of these mysteries with …

• Photos (5)