Shutting down the shop (for now)

by Robin Smith
Feb 10, 2015 | Filed in Articles & Opinion
It's been quite a season of books, hasn't it? As I clear off my picture book shelf, preparing for the 2015 titles, I feel a twinge of nostalgia. There are so many books I have loved this year, but now they have to find new homes. I have piles of 2014 books, all bound for a library or community center or preschool.

A few, I will keep. They will remind me that after the shouting and clapping is over, we are lucky to live in a world where artists and authors are creating new and exciting stories every year. Not every book can sport a sparkly sticker, but many will be filled with the sticky fingerprints of the children who love them. And that is the best sticker of all.2015-01-20 14.31.27

Please use the comments to remind us all of the books you found this year, ones that people might not be talking about, but that are special to you. Picture books are what we do here, but I would love to hear about any books you found in 2014 that you will keep and read over and over. No reason to defend them; your love of them is enough.

We will see you next September -- thanks for reading, commenting, and challenging us.2015-01-28 10.31.02

 

 
Robin Smith
Robin Smith
Robin Smith is a second-grade teacher at the Ensworth School in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a reviewer for Kirkus and The Horn Book Magazine and has served on multiple award committees.
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Allison

Thanks for another great year! I'll miss this blog til September. I really enjoy it, although I didn't chime in much this year.

Posted : Mar 15, 2015 09:42

Jess

I'm still loving Shh! We Have a Plan, Extraordinary Jane, Greenglass House, and The Cracks in the Kingdom.

Posted : Feb 14, 2015 12:33

Eric Carpenter

Tan's Rules of Summer, though not caldecott eligible, remains my favorite picture book of 2014.

Posted : Feb 12, 2015 02:38

Alec Chunn

I'll take this opportunity to send some love to my "three Gs" of 2014: GASTON by Kelly DiPucchio, illus. by Christian Robinson (pictured above, I see!) GRAVITY by Jason Chin GRANDFATHER GANDHI by Arun Gandhi & Bethany Hegedus, illus. by Evan Turk And, while I'm at it, I suppose I should toss in this gem of an "H" as well: THE HUG MACHINE by Scott Campbell It's been such fun following Calling Caldecott from the sidelines this year. I read every post. I hope to be more active in discussions during the next season. Thanks for keeping things lively!

Posted : Feb 12, 2015 01:56

Robin Smith

Here are some additional titles I loved this year, for all sorts of reasons: Star Child by Claire Nivola Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina's Dream by Kristy Dempsy and Floyd Cooper Hi, Koo! A Year of Seasons by Jon J. Muth Thomas Jefferson Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everthing by Maira Kalman Pom and Pim by Lena and Olof Landstrom The Baby Tree by Sophie Blackall

Posted : Feb 11, 2015 10:25

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