For my last favorite book picks of 2014, I am doing a miscellaneous grouping of books. I have decided to feature favorites that may not have ended up on everyone's lists. It doesn't mean that I don't like those other books that you have seen on the Nerdy Awards or on the myriad of Best of Lists, but instead of duplicating lists, here are some of my quiet favorites.
Favorite Early Readers:
Pigsticks and Harold and the Incredible Journey by Alex Milway (Candlewick Press) - Odd couple friendships, adventure and humor - this one has it all.
Drop it, Rocket by Tad Hill (Schwartz & Wade) - Rocket has been a character I love in picture books and now he has joined the early reader books. Rocket works well as an early reader.
Monkey Goes Bananas by C.P. Bloom (Harry N. Abrams) - Though almost a wordless book, this early reader is simply a fun story.
Favorite Graphic Novels:
Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust by Loic Dauvillier (First Second) - A serious topic for a graphic novel but one that is well done.
Return of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke (First Second) - Zita is one of my favorite space heroes and this one did not disappoint.
Through the Woods by Emily Carroll (Margaret K. McElderry) - A series of short stories that are perfectly creepy.
Other Favorites:
The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer (Putnam Juvenile) - This is a heartprint book and one that is beautifully written.
Nightingale's Nest by Nikki Loftin (Razorbill) - A twist on a Hans Christen Andersen story that touched me emotionally as I read it.
The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm (Random House) - Just an enjoyable read with some thought provoking questions.
The River by Alessandro Sanno (Enchanted Lion Books) - A book that I don't know what category to put it into but one that has beautiful illustrations and minimal text. So lovely.
What a wonderful year in books and I look forward to even more amazing books in 2015.