Claire A. Nivola's elegant little book Star Child tells the story of the human life cycle through the eyes of a star born on Earth. Star elders tell the story of how he would be born human, grow up, fall in love with the beautiful world, and be swept up in our river of time. It deals with love, change and loss with a very gentle touch.

This is an original story with really imaginative characters, written and illustrated by Ben Hatke. Julia demonstrates leadership, compassion, and creativity by taking in magical, homeless creatures. Also, her house travels on the back of a giant turtle! Enjoy!

Open House For Butterflies makes a great gift to new parents. Sweet, tiny and charming, it takes up hardly any space in the house, but much room in the heart - this is Sendak at his sweetest.

All the pictures in Hoffmann's Sleeping Beauty are unexpected and interesting, but I was sold on the full spread of the sleeping castle overgrown by thorn bushes. There is so much tiny detail to explore and get lost in - it makes you want to sit down right there and start drawing.

At the end of a long day Mother Sky bathes, dresses and feeds Little Night, who only wants to run away and play hide and seek. Little kids will love her sneaky playfulness, and be delighted by the magical images.

Visit an imaginary inn run by William Blake. Fully illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen with bread baking dragons, the Man in the Marmalade Hat, the King of Cats, the Wise Cow, and Blake himself. All populate this book of Nancy Willard's lovely nonsensical poetry - the first Newbery winning book to also be named a Caldecott Honor Book.

This book captivated my heart as it's about being fearlessly creative. Swatch loves color, and she goes boldly out into the world on a daily mission to tame and conquer all the shapes of color in the world.