Books in AWARDS: Florida Reading Assoc Children's Book Nom. 2010-2011 series

Ol’ Bear wakes one morning with a hankering for Ugly Pie, so he goes on a search from neighbor to neighbor. All he finds are pies that please the eye and . . . ingredients? Wait a second. Maybe it’s time for Ol’ Bear to start cookin’ up something ugly himself! Ol’ Bear shares that Ugly Pie with his generous neighbors—and he shares his secret recipe, too, in the back of this book.Lisa Wheeler’s story is a joy to read aloud and some parts just beg to be sung. Heather Solomon’s illustrations aren’t the least bit ugly, but full of lovely details and charming bears with big ol’ appetites for pie.

A picture book biography of the remarkable folk artist Clementine Hunter.Can you imagine being an artist who isn't allowed into your own show? That's what happened to folk artist Clementine Hunter. Her paintings went from hanging on her clothesline to hanging in museums, yet because of the color of her skin, a friend had to sneak her in when the gallery was closed.With lyrical writing and striking illustrations, this picture book biography introduces kids to a self-taught artist whose paintings captured scenes of backbreaking work and joyous celebrations of southern farm life. They preserve a part of American history we rarely see and prove that art can help keep the spirit alive.

A delightfull retelling of the three little pigs story. Three little gators strike out on their own in an east Texas swamp. Their mother warns them to build strong houses that can protect them from Big-bottomed Boar, who likes to eat tasty, tender gators for his snack. Soon, First Gator builds himself a nice house out of rocks. Second Gator reckons rocks are too much work, so he builds his house with sticks. And Third Gator’s house of sand is the easiest one to build! But soon Big-bottomed Boar shows up. With a bump, bump, bump of the fierce boar's rump, he knocks over Third Gator's house of sand. It doesn't take long for that rump to bump Second Gator's house of sticks. But he can't knock over Third Gator's house of stones, so he tries another way in - through the chimney! Guess what happens to the Boar's rump after that?!

From carefully aimed pouts and shifting blame to the threat of an all-out tantrum, this laugh-out-loud story for kids and adults focuses on the clever antics, advantage-taking, limit-testing, and childhood shenanigans of three-year-old Emmy. When Emmy spills juice and her dad’s pants get “orange-hosed,” she takes refuge behind Mom’s knee. Expecting a reprimand, Emmy is surprised when Mom tells Dad, “Now, sweetheart, you should let it be. After all . . . she’s only three.” Once Emmy discovers that she’s too young to be punished, she constantly wrangles her way out of trouble by proclaiming, “I’m only three!” and pulls a handy weapon from her arsenal of manipulative maneuvers. With hilarious, rhyming text and energetic ink and watercolor illustrations that capture Emmy’s expressions, from angelic to livid, readers discover that Emmy can’t get away with her outrageous behavior forever and that her actions do eventually have consequences.

From Matthew Cordell, the author-illustrator of the Caldecott award-winning book Wolf in the Snow, comes this delightful picture book that's as charming as it is fun. It's raining. There's nothing to do. Ruben is bored. But things start looking up when his grandmother gives him and his little brother some gum. Gum is fun. There's just one problem with gum―it tends to make a mess!Uh-oh. . . .

In the middle of a deep, dark forest, all the creatures are fast asleep. Except for a little gray wolf who can’t sleep a wink.The little wolf knows just what he needs to get a good night’s sleep: a teddy bear to cuddle. So the next morning little wolf sets off to find one. But exactly where do teddy bears come from? The little wolf asks the Wise Owl and the Three Little Pigs, but nobody knows. Finally, the little wolf stumbles upon a kindly man with a bright red suit and a long white beard, and when the little wolf wakes up the next morning there is a surprise at the foot of his bed… and the answer to his question.Mark Burgess has woven an amusing, satisfying story that features a steadfast character and a memorable cast of familiar faces. Russell Ayto’s distinctively quirky illustrations offer surprising perspectives and colorfully capture the delightful humor of the story.

Through bright illustrations, young readers learn about our solar system to the tune of an old familiar song, "Over in the Meadow". In Going Around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun, readers also learn of our place in a very big universe and an appreciation for the world we live in.Mother sun and her "family" of planets "spin," "roll," "tilt," "blow" and "whirl" around the Sun to the tune of "Over in the Meadow." Each of those actions is astronomically correct-for example, Earth is the one that "tilts," and that's what creates the seasons. It is also astronomically up-to-date, with Pluto being a "dwarf planet." Bright illustrations create an exciting mood, and there's plenty of interesting supplementary information in the back along with tips on related ways to integrate science, art, and literature in the classroom.Backmatter Includes:Further information about the planets!Tips from the author and illustrator.