★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
Locomotive
By: Brian Floca
Medal Winner
Reviewed by: Sara Masarik
Also read and recommended by: Sandy Hall, Sherry Early
Locomotive by Brian Floca is a completely marvelous invitation into the romance of trains, how they work, and why they matter. Floca uses lively and lovely illustration to draw the child in and pairs it with a metered narrative that is delicious to read aloud and exciting to listen to. Teaching the entire time, it is not hard to assume that Floca was one of those little boys who spent countless delight-filled hours with his toy trains.
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Flora and the Flamingo
By: Molly Idle
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
Every little ballerina dreams of her turn as a dancing diva. Endearing Flora in swimsuit, bathing cap, and flippers admires a pink flamingo . . . and with a twist, a turn, and even a flop, these unlikely friends learn at last how to dance together in perfect harmony.
An innovative wordless picture book with interactive flaps, Flora and the Flamingo is full of humor and heart. This stunning performance (and splashy ending!) will have readers clapping for more!
From the publisher
Mr. Wuffles!
By: David Wiesner
Honor
NOT REVIEWED
In a near wordless masterpiece that could only have been devised by David Wiesner, a cat named Mr. Wuffles doesn't care about toy mice or toy goldfish. He’s much more interested in playing with a little spaceship full of actual aliens—but the ship wasn't designed for this kind of rough treatment. Between motion sickness and damaged equipment, the aliens are in deep trouble.
When the space visitors dodge the cat and take shelter behind the radiator to repair the damage, they make a host of insect friends. The result? A humorous exploration of cooperation between aliens and insects, and of the universal nature of communication involving symbols, “cave” paintings, and gestures of friendship.
From the publisher
