Kid Picks

As promised, here's my favourite kid books from 2010. Some are picture books. some are novels, but all are enjoyable.

1. "The Dragons are Singing Tonight"-without a doubt one of the best collections of poetry I've ever found. Great fun poems about dragons, what's not to love?

2."A Necklace of Raindrops"-last year I discovered Joan Aiken as a writer and I've become a big fan. She's especially talented at writing new fariytales, which this is a collection of. Wonderful.

3."Pumpkin Soup"-is the first in a series of three terrific tales about the cat, squirrel, and the duck who all live in the old white cabin and make pumpkin soup every night for dinner. Delicious reading.

4."Click, Clack, Moo"- what happens down at the farm when the cows get a hold of the old typewriter? Mayhem and hilarity ensue, of course.

5."Among the Hidden"-first in a novel series where Luke, as a forbidden third child who must spend his life in hiding, life changes forever when he discovers yet another forbidden child living next door. This one made me cry.

6."Princess of the Midnight Ball"-Remember the old fairytale of the twelve dancing princesses? Here's the story in greater detail and good characters to boot.

7."Hana's Suitcase"-this is one I'll certainly read with my children, once they're old enough. The story jumps back and forth between a museum curator unraveling the mystery of the most popular item in their exhibit on the holocaust-a suitcase with the name Hana on it- and the story of the girl Hana herself.

8."Something BIG Has Been Here"-funny, lyrical, and just plain enjoyable to read aloud, here's a collection of poems by Jack Prelutsky.

9."Ghosts in the House"-my thanks to Jaima for recommending this one, it became a fast family favourite around here. A good guide should you ever move into a haunted house, but great fun even if you never do.

10."Daddy Long-legs"-my love of epistolary novels continues! A good one for Anne Shirley fans; the book has an orphan, an unknown benefactor, school adventures and just a hint of romance thrown in for good measure.

Happy reading all!