February 2016 Calendar of Children's Books

By Elizabeth Kennedy

Children's Books for February Holidays and Events

Black History Month / National African American History Month

• The Coretta Scott King Book Awards and the Winners - Background information and honorees
• Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America’s First Black Paratroopers
• Words with Wings: A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art - Collection of poetry, each illustrated with artwork that relates to the poems
• I Have a Dream - By Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with dramatic paintings by Kadir Nelson, a picture book based on excerpts from Dr. King's historic speech, along with a CD of the speech
• Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans - Written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
• Ruth and the Green Book - Fascinating historical fiction in picture book format
• Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins - A detailed Author's Note adds to the interest in this book based on history.
• Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters - Ten biographies by Andrea Davis Pinkney, each illustrated with a stylized portrait, with allegorical elements, by Stephen Alcorn

• Portraits of African-American Heroes - Intriguing nonfiction book about 20 men and women, spanning the 19th-21st centuries
• Best Books About African American Freedom Fighters - Directory of recommended children's books
• My People - Poem by Langston Hughes, illustrated with dramatic photography by Charles R. Smith, Jr. - See February 1 below for the link to my book review.
• Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Picture book by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated with powerful mixed media collages by Bryan Collier

Library Lovers’ Month

• Save Money at Your Public Library Great (and free) resources
• Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books - Informational picture book about an actual incident in 2011
• The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq - Nonfiction picture book
• Tomas and the Library Lady - Picture book about the impact of a librarian on a boy's life, written by Pat Mora, illustrated by Raul Colón
• The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians - Funny and affectionate look at the value of libraries and librarians in this picture book by Carla Morris, illustrated by Brad Snead

February 1 - Birthday of Author Jerry Spinelli

• Stargirl - Award-winning novel for ages 10 to young teens about responding to bullying and peer pressure

February 1 - Birthday of Poet Langston Hughes

• My People - Sepia-toned portraits by photographer Charles R. Smith, Jr. give added meaning to the poem by Langston Hughes

February 2 - Groundhog Day

• Book Review: Groundhog Day - Facts about this winter event in picture book format

February 5 – Birthday of Author and Illustrator David Wiesner

• The 2007 Randolph Caldecott Medal - Awarded to David Wiesner for Flotsam
• Flotsam - A fascinating wordless picture book

February 7 - Birthday of Author Laura Ingalls Wilder

• The Little House Books - An overview of Wilder's classic books, including a summary of each and cover art
• 10 Facts About Laura Ingalls Wilder - Wilder and her award-winning Little House books
• Recommended Biographies of Laura Ingalls Wilder - Biographies for a variety of reading levels

Feb 7 - Ballet Day

• Best Children's Books About Ballerinas - Includes a picture book by Misty Copeland, principal dancer for American Ballet Theatre, a graphic memoir and more.

February 8 - Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year begins

• Children's Books About the Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year - Picture books set in several different countries

February 8 – Birthday of Author Anne Rockwell

• 100 Days of School - One of a number of picture books about Mrs. Madoff’s elementary school class by Anne Rockwell, with illustrations by Lizzy Rockwell

February 10 – Birthday of Author E.L. Konigsburg

• Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and me, Elizabeth - A Newbery Honor book, a gentle novel for ages 7-10

February 10 - Birthday of Illustrator Mark Teague

• Illustrator of How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food and the other How Do Dinosaurs... picture books by Jane Yolen

February 11 – Birthday of Author and Illustrator Mo Willems

• The Elephant and Piggie Series - All about Mo Willems’ series for beginning readers
• I Broke My Trunk - Book review of award-winning Elephant and Piggie book
• Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed - Guide Picks: Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2009

February 11 - Birthday of Author and Poet Jane Yolen

• An Interview with Jane Yolen - Author of several hundred books for children
• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen - Award-winning picture book
• An Egret's Day poetry book by Jane Yolen, with photographs by Jason Stemple, plus factual information about egrets
• The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery From History - Entertaining historical fiction in picture book format by Jane Yolen and Elisabet Yolen Stemple.
• Directory of Jane Yolen's Children's Poetry Books About Nature - Poetry books illustrated with color photographs by Jason Stemple.
• See February 10 listing above for Mark Teague

February 12 - Abraham Lincoln born on this day in 1809

• The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary - Nonfiction book by Candace Fleming
• Children's Books About Abraham Lincoln - Five recommended illustrated books

February 12 - Birthday of Author Jacqueline Woodson

• Book Review: Each Kindness - A poignant picture book about about bullying and regrets for ages 5 to 8

February 13 - Birth Date of Author and Illustrator Simms Taback

• Book Review: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat - Children's book for which Taback received the 2000 Randolph Caldecott Medal for picture book illustration

Feb 14 - International Book Giving Day

• The Caldecott Medal Current and Past Winners  - Good books to give picture book lovers
• The Thedor Seuss Geisel Award and the Winners - Good books for beginning readers
• Middle Grade Reading Lists - All kinds of good books for kids ages 9 to 12, 10 to 14

February 14 - Valentine’s Day

• Snowy Valentine - A sweet story of love and perseverance
• Book Review: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch - Heartwarming picture book
• Guess How Much I Love You - The Pop-Up Edition
• Recommended Children’s Books for Valentine’s Day - Picture books and books for beginning readers
• Best Valentine’s Day Board Books - 3 Books, 3 Characters Kids Love

February 14 – Birthday of Illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky

• Z is for Moose - Funny alphabet story by Kelly Bingham, illustrated by Zelinsky

February 15 – Birthday of Norman Bridwell, Creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog

• Norman Bridwell’s Clifford Collection - 50th Anniversary Edition

February 15 – Presidents' Day

• Our Country's Presidents - Nonfiction book from the National Geographic Society

February 18 - Birthday of Author Barbara Jossee

• Book Review: Papa, Do You Love Me? - Picture book by Barbara M. Jossee, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee

February 19 - Birthday of Jeff Kinney, Creator of Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

• Fast Facts About the Wimpy Kid Books - Publication information, summaries

February 19 – Birth Date of Louis Slobodkin

• The Hundred Dresses - Short children’s novel about bullying by Eleanor Estes, illustrated by Louis Slobodkin

February 24 - Birthday of Wilhelm Carl Grimm

• Grimm’s Fairy Tales and Other Versions - Article about the brothers Grimm and what are known as Grimm's fairy tales.

February 24 - World Read Aloud Day

• World Read Aloud Day - What and When Is It and Why Should You Care?
• How To: Read Aloud to Your Child
• How To: Hold a Storytime For Preschoolers
• The Read-Aloud Handbook - A handbook for parents about what research shows about the value of reading aloud, which also includes recommended children's books to read aloud.
• Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever - Mem Fox's book for parents
• Baby Read-Aloud Basics: Fun and Interactive Ways to Help Your Little Ones Discover the World of Words

February 28 – Birthday of Lemony Snicket

• Who is Lemony Snicket? – All about the author
• Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2013 - Includes Snicket's picture book The Dark, illustrated by Jon Klassen
• A Series of Unfortunate Events - Information about the popular series for ages 8-12+

February 28 – Birthday of Author Megan McDonald

• Interview with Megan McDonald - Author of the popular Judy Moody series and the Stink series.