The California Reading Association Announces
its Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Awards
Eureka! Gold Awards
13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System (2011) by David A. Aguilar; National Geographic
At the Sea Floor Café: Odd Ocean Critter Poems (2011) by Leslie Bulion and illustrated by Leslie Evans; Peachtree
Bug Shots: The Good, the Bad, and the Bugly (2011) by Alexandra Siy and Dennis Kunkel; Holiday House
Drawing From Memory (2011) by Allen Say; Scholastic
How To Cook: Delicious Dishes Perfect for Teen Cooks (2011) consultant Maggie Mayhew; DK Publishing
The Mangrove Tree: Planting Trees to Feed Families (2011) by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore; Lee & Low
My Uncle Martin’s Words for America: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Niece Tells How He Made a Difference (2011) by Angela Farris Watkins and illustrated by Eric Velasquez; Abrams
Rah, Rah, Radishes: A Vegetable Chant (2011) by April Pulley Sayre; Beach Lane Books
Eureka! Silver Honor Books
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream (2009) by Tanya Lee Stone; Candlewick
Ben Franklin: His Wit and Wisdom from A-Z (2011) by Alan Schroeder and illustrated by John O’Brien; Holiday House
Black and White: The Confrontation of Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene “Bull” Connor (2011) by Larry Dane Brimner; Calkins Creek
Bubbles Float, Bubbles Pop (Science Starts Series) (2011) by Mark Weakland; Capstone
Camping with the President (2009) by Ginger Wadsworth and illustrated by Karen Dugan; Calkins Creek
Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night (2010) by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Rick Allen; Houghton Mifflin
Eliza’s Cherry Trees: Japan’s Gift to America (2011) by Andrea Zimmerman and illustrated by Ju Hong Chen; Pelican Press
First Garden: The White House Garden and How it Grew (2011) written and illustrated by Robbin Gourley; Clarion Books
For the Love of Music: The Remarkable Story of Maria Anno Mozart (2011) by Elizabeth Rusch and illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson; Tricycle Press
Friends: True Stories of Extraordinary Animal Friendships (2011) by Catherine Thimmesh; Houghton Mifflin
Harry Houdini: The Legend of the World’s Greatest Escape Artist (2011) by Janice Weaver and illustrated by Chris Lane; Abrams
I Am the Book: Poems (2011) selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins and illustrated by Diego “Yayo” Herrera; Holiday House
I Feel Better with a Frog in My Throat: History’s Strangest Cures (2010) by Carlyn Beccia; Houghton Mifflin
Inkblot (2011) written and illustrated by Margaret Peot; Boyds Mills
Jim Henson: The Guy who Played with Puppets (2011) by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher; Random House
Jimi: Sounds like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix (2010) by Gary Golio and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe; Clarion Books
Lend a Hand: Girl-Sized Ways of Helping Others (2011) by Apryl Lundsten; American Girl
Migrant Mother: How a Photograph Defined the Great Depression (Captured History Series) (2011) by Don Nardo; Compass Point\
Multiply on the Fly (2011) by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Erin E. Hunter; Sylvan Dell
Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero (2011) by Marissa Moss and illustrated by John Hendrix; Abrams
Pets (Learn to Draw Series) (2012) by Jordan McGill; AV2 Books by Weigl
Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist (2011) adapted by Gina Capaldi and Q. L. Pearce, illustrations by Gina Capaldi; Carolrhoda
Roots and Blues: A Celebration (2011) by Arnold Adoff and paintings by R. Gregory Christie; Clarion Books
Scarum Fair (2010) poems by Jessica Swaim and illustrated by Carol Ashley; Wordsong
Seasons (2011) by Anne Crausaz; Kane Miller
Time to Eat, Time to Sleep, Time for a Bath (3 books) (2011) by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page; Houghton Mifflin
Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes and Monsters (2011) by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrations by Christina Balit; National Geographic
What Do You Believe? Religion and Faith in the World Today (2011) consultant Dr. Gavin Hyman; DK Publishing
Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (with a few flat tires along the way) (2011) by Sue Macy; National Geographic
Recently it was my pleasure to attend a baby shower for a longtime friend who had just become a first-time grandma. She was delighted to have a new little one in her life and her friends rallied around her in celebration.
I had never heard of a baby shower for grandmas, but I’m always happy to celebrate with a friend. I googled around and found that grandma showers are a new and very up-and-coming tradition. They’re trendy. They’re unique and, if you ask me, they’re here to stay.
Don’t get me wrong, showers are usually “not my thing,” but this was different in many ways. One of the best parts of the shower was that every one of the dozen attendees was to bring a baby book for little Elliot so grandma would always have baby books handy for his visits. Now, that’s an idea I can back! This simple idea started Elliot’s personal library of books.
The attendees investigated what book (or books) we should gift grandma and Elliot. Without consulting each other, there was not a single duplication. The assorted books ranged from long-time favorites to fresh-off-the-press releases. From board books to plastic books for the tub and almost every type of book in between!
If you are looking for help finding great shower books, visit the National Parenting Publications Awards website (www.nappaawards.parenthood.com) for a list of this year’s winners and previous winners.
If you want more help, visit your local children’s bookstore and ask them for assistance. They are sure to be able to put the right book in your hands. If you aren’t lucky enough to have a children’s bookstore in your neighborhood, try your local independent brick-and-mortar store. They’ll give you great advice. A visit to your local public library might put you in touch with a librarian with a host of favorite book ideas, and don’t forget to recall all the books you or your child loved as a little one.
I hope the next time you have a shower to attend (or give!), you’ll consider a shower of books. And, if you have a new grandmother in your life, I hope you’ll give her a book shower.
I'm the author of two board books that would make excellent shower gifts: Little California and Little America (Sleeping Bear Press, 2011). To learn more about Helen, visit her website at www.helenfosterjames.com.
