Read On! More Children's Book Favorites 2010

Same Same

By Marthe Jocelyn and Tom Slaughter

How are an elephant, dog, and chair alike? They all have four legs. This book's striking illustrations, all in primary colors, will help your toddler grasp how to make connections. ($16, 1 to 3 years)

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Boom Bah!

By Phil Cummings and Nina Rycroft

A box, a bowl, a spoon, a stick. Tap! Tap! Clickety-Click! What starts with a small mouse making a little noise on a cup turns into a full-out ensemble performance with tons of animals and tons of fun. "The meter and rhyme of the text is irresistible," says Jan Miller Burkins, coauthor of Preventing Misguided Reading. "Kids will memorize and chant this book. My toddler loves it." ($16, 2 to 6 years)

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Plip-Plop Pond!

By Karen Pixton

This wordless story is part of a series of "indestructible" books with pages that feel like paper but can be chewed and then thrown in the washing machine. "As you look through the book with your baby, you can talk to her about the types of wildlife in the amazing pictures," says Sara Jennings, a second-grade teacher in Morgantown, Kentucky. ($5, 1 to 3 years)

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Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug

By J.D. Lester and Hiroe Nakata

From "Itty Bitty" to "Prickly Pear" to "Mini Me," human and animal fathers share their charming nicknames for their kids. ($8, 1 to 3 years)

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Insect Detective

By Steve Voake and Charlotte Voake

Help your inquisitive kid explore the mystery of the world around him with this fun book filled with facts, realistic watercolor illustrations, and suggestions for at-home projects. Your child will be an expert on your insect neighbors in no time! ($17, 5 to 8 years)

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Bears! Bears! Bears!

By Bob Barner

It's one of the few nonfiction books written for toddlers and preschoolers. The simple rhyming text ("Grizzly bears fish with giant claws. Sloth bears hug mama with furry paws") and paper-collage illustrations make it memorable. ($15, 3 to 6 years)

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Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian

By Margarita Engle and Julie Paschkis

Imagine living in a time when people believed butterflies and bugs were evil and studying them was taboo. In this beautifully illustrated true story, 13-year-old Maria Merian didn't let the opinions of others deter her from doing what she loved: observing and painting butterflies -- which leads to a discovery about their life cycle. "Maria is a role model for young girls interested in science," says Kellyann Gayer, a reading specialist in Smithtown, New York. ($17, 5 to 8 years)

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Orangutans Are Ticklish: Fun Facts from an Animal Photographer

By Steve Grubman with Jill Davis

What happens behind the scenes on an animal photo shoot? From lulling a cow to sleep with soft music to recognizing that a hippo's yawn means she wants to fight, kids will get the inside scoop. ($17, 4 to 8 years)

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Moon Bear

By Brenda Z. Guiberson and Ed Young

It's a wonderful bedtime story about Asiatic black bears that have a marking on their chest resembling a crescent moon. "Little kids will be soothed by the question and answer style of the writing," says Sara Jennings, a second-grade teacher in Morgantown, Kentucky. Plus: A portion of the proceeds of the book is donated to Animals Asia Foundation. ($17, 4 to 8 years)

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The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! (Big-Time)

By Troy Cummings

"It's a clever spin on the traditional nursery rhyme," says Terrell Young, Ed.D., professor of literacy education at Washington State University in Richland. When the rain washes Eeensy out, she loses all confidence in herself as a climber. Follow Eensy as she overcomes her fears and learns to put her best foot -- or eight -- forward. ($17, 4 to 8 years)

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Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth!

By Marie-Louise Gay

Doesn't every child want to get to the other side of the world? "Kids will relate to this charming tale of adventure in which Roslyn contemplates digging to China or perhaps finding a penguin at the South Pole," says Carol Jupiter, coauthor of Books, Media, and the Internet: Children's Literature for Today's Classroom. ($17, 4 to 8 years)

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How Rocket Learned to Read

By Tad Hills

Rocket never knew he'd be so interested in letters and words! But when he becomes friends with a bird who loves to teach, this curious dog can't wait to learn to read for himself. ($18, 4 to 8 years)

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A Nest for Celeste

By Henry Cole

When a little mouse named Celeste loses her home, she embarks on a quest to find a new place to live. Dodging danger and making friends, Celeste learns what the real meaning of home is. "Parents and teachers will cherish the nostalgic feel of this tale," says Susan Ehmann, a reading specialist in Smithtown, New York. From the slightly yellowed deckle-edged pages to the numerous detailed pencil drawings, this treasure of a book is deeply reminiscent of favorite children's classics.($17, 7 to 10 years)

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Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade

By Stephanie Greene

The first day of school can be scary -- even for a "princess" like Posey who is extra brave every time she wears her favorite pink tutu. But when Posey finds out tutus aren't allowed in school, she's afraid she won't have the courage to walk down the hall by herself. Your own princess will definitely be able to relate to this tale of overcoming first-day-of-school jitters. "The sentence length and number of words are perfect for a child just breaking into chapter books," says Jennings. ($13, 5 to 8 years)

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Alvin Ho: Allergic to Birthday Parties, Science Projects, and Other Man-Made Catastrophes

By Lenore Look and LeUyen Pham

Alvin Ho is your average scaredy-cat who is always prepared for the worst. After all, he never leaves home without his PDK (Personal Disaster Kit). Your child will laugh as Alvin gets himself in the most awkward of situations, including being the only boy at an all-girl birthday party. "The writing is spontaneous, inviting, and fun," says author and literacy expert Michael Strickland. ($16, 6 to 9 years)

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The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy

By Dori Hillestad Butler, pictures by Jeremy Tugeau

The first of a mystery series, this book introduces King, a golden retriever who ends up in the pound after his owners disappear. When a new family adopts him and names him Buddy, this detective dog can't wait to get away -- until his new little boy goes missing, that is. With a fun plot and a good lesson on stranger danger, this adventure will give your kids a tail-wagging read. "Children will be eagerly awaiting Buddy's next case," says Susan Ehmann, a reading specialist in Smithtown, New York. ($5, 6 to 9 years)

• See the 10 best children's books of 2010.

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