When Stories Had Sharp Teeth
By MARJORIE INGALL
Three novels that jump off from the creepily delicious fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.
Lucy Cousins
Picture Books About City Life
Reviewed by BECCA ZERKIN
“Popville” encourages children to think like urban planners and “The Lonely Phone Booth” and “Subway” are unfettered tributes to New York.
‘Luka and the Fire of Life’
By SALMAN RUSHDIE
Reviewed by MARK ATHITAKIS
In Salman Rushdie’s new children’s novel, a sequel to “Haroun and the Sea of Stories,” his hero must enter a magical realm to protect the very existence of storytelling.
Y.A. Blockbusters
By JENNIFER DONNELLY and ALEXANDRA ADORNETTO
Reviewed by NED VIZZINI
A teenage guitar prodigy from Brooklyn goes on a supernatural adventure in France in “Revolution”; and “Halo” aims to be “Twilight” with angels.
Interactive Books (‘E’ Not Included)
By SAM GROBART
A new genre of books for children tries to tweak narrative norms by using the Internet to expand beyond print.
Books About Siblings Facing New Challenges
Reviewed by LAWRENCE DOWNES
Rubina’s little sister spoils the first American birthday party she’s ever attended in “Big Red Lollipop”; and black siblings are bussed to a new school in the early 1970s in “Busing Brewster.”
‘Bink & Gollie’
By KATE DiCAMILLO and ALISON McGHEE
Reviewed by SARAH ELLIS
A picture book about two friends, one cheerful, fearless and messy; the other skinny, precise and arrogant.
‘The Little Prince’
By JOANN SFAR
Reviewed by DAN KOIS
The pilot in this graphic novel adapted from the classic parable is a ringer for Antoine de Saint-Exupéry himself.
‘Dave the Potter’
By LABAN CARRICK HILL
Reviewed by TONY HORWITZ
A picture book about a South Carolina slave, born about 1800, who made a name for himself as a potter and a poet.
‘Here Comes the Garbage Barge!’
By JONAH WINTER
Reviewed by KAREN SCHOEMER
The story of a barge carrying 3,168 tons of garbage that couldn’t find a home — and how its ill-fated journey helped usher in the recycling era.
Picture Books About Parallel Worlds
By SUZY LEE and JEANNIE BAKER
Reviewed by GENE LUEN YANG
A girl’s shadow play comes to life in “Shadows”; and the stories of families living in Australia and Morocco unfold on facing pages in “Mirror.”
Absurd Picture Books
Reviewed by LISA VON DRASEK
Stories about zoo animals who visit their caregiver when he calls in sick; a dog who learns to read; a bear cub who keeps a human pet; and a parade of pigs.
Sunday Book Review
Book Review Podcast
Featuring Stacy Schiff on her new biography, “Cleopatra: A Life”; and Julie Just on her five years as the Book Review’s children’s books editor.
Read More
