NYTBR: Ten Best Illustrated Children's Books Of 2005

From New York Times: Richard Beards

It seems that, before I subscribed to The New York Times Book Review, procuring it (taking a 30-minute bus into the city) actually led to reading it as soon as I possibly could. Unfortunately, every week for the past few months, it now sits waiting for me--sometimes until the next issue--while I take its existence for granted.

Had I hurried to read it, I would have discovered (and, hence, written timely about) this week's featured biannual section on children's books which, itself, contains a guide to the Review's 10 best illustrated children's books of 2005:

Every year since 1952, the Book Review has asked a panel of judges to make a selection from among the several thousand children's books published that year. The jusdges this year were Roger Sutton, the editor of The Horn Book magazine; Starr LaTronica, from the Four County Library System in Vestal, N.Y.; and Jules Feiffer, a writer and illustrator whose most recent book is "A Room With a Zoo." As a matter of note, Chris Raschka has been a winner three times before, and Alexis Deacon and Robert Sabuda once each.

This year's list:

Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs
written/illustrated by Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart (Ages 5+)

The Hello, Goodbye Window
Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Ages 2+)

Terrific
written/illustrated by Jon Agee (All ages)

Brave Charlotte
Anu Stohner, illustrated by Henrike Wilson (Ages 4 - 8)

Are You Going To Be Good?
Cari Best, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Ages 3 - 6)

Chato Goes Cruisin'
Gary Soto, illustrated by Susan Geuvara (Ages 4+)

Traction Man Is Here!
written/illustrated by Mini Grey (Ages 4 - 8)

Carmine: A Little More Red
written/illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Ages 4+)

The Problem With Chickens
Bruce McMillan, illustrated by Gunnella (Ages 3 - 5)

Jitterbug Jam
Barbara Jean Hicks, illustrated by Alexis Deacon (Ages 4 - 8)