Award of the Week – The New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2016
The NYT Best Illustrated Children’s Books are named annually since the 1952. The NYT Book Review has selected a panel of judges who select each year’s winners based solely on artistic merit. Below are the 2016 winners, including a title illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
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The White Cat and the Monk: A retelling of the poem “Pangur Bán” By: Bogart, Jo Ellen A monk leads a simple life. He studies his books late into the evening and searches for truth in their pages. His cat, Pangur, leads a simple life, too, chasing prey in the darkness. As night turns to dawn, Pangur leads his companion to the truth he has been seeking. Ages 4-8 |
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Freedom in Congo Square By: Carole Boston Weatherford Six days a week, slaves labor from sunup to sundown and beyond, but on Sunday afternoons, they gather with free blacks at Congo Square outside New Orleans, free from oppression. Includes foreword about Congo Square by Freddi Williams Evans, glossary, and historical notes. Ages 5-9 |
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The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank’s Window By: Jeff Gottesfeld The story of the tree outside of Anne Frank’s window. Ages 5-8 |
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Little Red By: Bethan Woollvin On her way to Grandma’s house, Little Red meets a wolf. Which might scare some little girls. But not this little girl. She knows just what the wolf is up to, and she’s not going to let him get away with it. Ages 4-7 |
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The Polar Bear By: Jenni Desmond An illustrated nonfiction book about the polar bear, that explores polar bear bodies, habits, and habitats. Ages 4-8 |
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The Princess and the Warrior: A tale of two volcanoes By: Duncan Tonatiuh Princess Izta had many wealthy suitors but dismissed them all. When a mere warrior, Popoca, promised to be true to her and stay always by her side, Izta fell in love. The emperor promised Popoca if he could defeat their enemy Jaguar Claw, then Popoca and Izta could wed. When Popoca was near to defeating Jaguar Claw, his opponent sent a messenger to Izta saying Popoca was dead. Izta fell into a deep sleep and, upon his return, even Popoca could not wake her. As promised Popoca stayed by her side. Ages 6-9 |
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The Cat from Hunger Mountain By: Ed Young Lord Cat lives a lavish lifestyle until drought strikes Hunger Mountain, but when he goes to seek sustenance, he finds much more than food. Ages 4-8 |
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A Voyage in the Clouds: the (mostly) true story of the first international flight by balloon in 1785 By: Matthew Olshan A picture book inspired by the true story of how the first international flight was an Englishman and a French man who rode in a balloon across the English Channel. Ages 4-8 |
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Preaching to Chickens By: Jabari Asim A glimpse into the boyhood of Civil Rights leader John Lewis who grew up to be a member of the Freedom Riders, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and demonstrator on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama and is now a Georgia congressman. Ages 5-8 |
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The Dead Bird By: Margaret Wise Brown When they find a dead bird, a group of children buries it in the woods, sings a song to it, and puts flowers on the grave. Ages 4-8 |