Expert judges and child testers have selected the most engaging books, magazines, apps, software, video games and websites for this year’s National Parenting Publications Awards Gold Winners. This list will help you find the right gifts this holiday season.
The books start out for infants and then go up to above age 12.
Find all the gifts your kids will love among the NAPPA Gold and Honors winners featured at NAPPAawards.com, where you can also shop for these products online.
By Helen Foster James and Rubin Pfeffer
Expert judges and child testers have selected the most engaging books, magazines, apps, software, video games and websites for this year’s National Parenting Publications Awards Gold Winners. This list will help you find the right gifts this holiday season.
You and your child will play peek-a-boo with adorableillustrations and real photographs of puppies. Susan Ring; BabyEinstein, 2011; $7.99; disneybooks.com, babyeinstein.com.
Baby Einstein First Book of Puppies
A simple pop-up book of counting. Kees Moerbeek; Abrams Booksfor Young Readers, 2011; $15.95; abramsyoungreaders.com.
Count 1 to 10
A clever story of a newborn snake whose spots change color as itgrows right before the reader’s eyes. Betty Ann Schwartz andAlexander Wilensky; Workman Publishing, 2011; $13.95; workman.com.
The Splendid Spotted Snake
Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney’s illustrations will easelittle ones to sleep. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2011;$16.99; lb-kids.com.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Bailey, the most enthusiastic student at Champlain Elementary,goes through the school day eager to please and achieve. HarryBliss; Scholastic Press, 2011; $16.99; scholastic.com.
Bailey
Jo and young readers learn about the wild creatures at a pond.Mary Quattlebaum, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant; DawnPublications, 2011; $16.95 ($8.95 paperback); DawnPub.com.
Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond
Everything is here-cowboys, pirates, submarines, robots, animalsand ice cream. Bob Staake; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers,2011; $16.99; lb-kids.com.
Look! A Book! A Zany Seek-and-Find Adventure
Press here, shake, brush and make this simple book come alive.Translated by Christopher Franceschelli; Chronicle Books, 2010;$16.99; chroniclekids.com.
Press Here
Ten-year-old Cora loses her mother, and her father must give hernewborn sister to Aunt Alma to raise. Then Cora and her fathercontinue their journey along the Oregon Trail. Judy Young,illustrated by Doris Ettlinger; Sleeping Bear Press, 2011; $16.95;sleepingbearpress.com.
A Book for Black-Eyed Susan
Simply told, this book presents a glimpse of the young girl whowould become Dr. Jane Goodall. Patrick McDonnell; Little, BrownBooks for Young Readers, 2011; $15.99; lb-kids.com.
Me Jane
A celebration of women and men who’ve made significantcontributions to our country’s social and cultural greatness.Barack Obama, illustrated by Loren Long; Random House Children’sBooks, 2011; $17.99; randomhouse.com/kids.
Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters
A heartrending ode to the families of West Africa whose lovedones were torn away by slave traders, and then delivered to theharsh fate of slavery in North America. Patricia C. McKissack,illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon; Random House Children’sBooks, 2011; $18.99; randomhouse.com/kids.
Never Forgotten
The children on Orange Street make surprising discoveries aboutthemselves and their street. Joanne Rocklin; Abrams, 2011; $16.95;abramsbooks.com.
One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street
Two stories, 50 years apart, are told in this “Novel with Wordsand Pictures.” Ben’s story is told in words and Rose’s in pictures.Brian Selznick; Scholastic Press, 2011; $29.99; scholastic.com.
Wonder Struck
Here’s a book that is a kit with remarkably clever tools-atelescope, flashlight and sundial equipping young astronomers toexplore the galaxy. Pat Murphy and the Scientists of Klutz Labs;Scholastic Press, 2011; $19.99; klutz.com.
The Klutz Guide to the Galaxy
Set at a boys’ boarding school, in this book a student is killedin an accident and the surviving characters are left in aprecarious position. Jenny Hubbard; Random House Children’s Books,2011; $16.99; randomhouse.com/kids.
Paper Covers Rock
An intriguing mystery thriller with spies, chases, kidnappingand stowaways. Rachel Wildavsky; Abrams Books for Young Readers,2011; $16.95; abramsbooks.com.
The Secret of Rover
