Along with the 2013 Caldecott Medal Winner, the 2013 Caldecott Honor books have also been announced. This year five picture books were selected to receive the Caldecott Honor. Those five recipients are:

Creepy carrots! by words, Aaron Reynolds ; pictures, Peter Brown

Extra yarn by Mac Barnett ; illustrated by Jon Klassen

This Is Not My Hat, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen, has been awarded the 2013 Caldecott Medal. Klassen's story of a little fish, a big fish, a stolen hat and the consequences that follow is told through spare text and simple, yet clever illustrations. This award-winner will have kids and parents turning the pages over and over to enjoy both the story and the artwork.

Hey Kids. Big News coming up in the world of picture books! On Monday, January 28th the American Library Association will award the 75th Caldecott Medal for the best from Seattle WA (Hey! LB just went there!). The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually (that means every year) to the artist of the book with the best illustrations published during the previous year. I would think that would be a tough thing to decide. The committee that chooses the winner thinks so too, so they usually award Caldecott Honor Medals to the runners-up. 75 years is a really long time--like before your parents were born! To celebrate, I thought I'd share some of my favorite picture books from the past year. Here are the top 5 in no particular order:

What falls, but never gets hurt? Snow, of course. It's that time of year again, when the snow falls and snowmen are made. Here are some fun picture books to help you make the best snowman on the block.

Bear in long underwear by Todd H. Doodler

Making a friend by Alison McGhee

Perfect snow by Barbara Reid

Favorite children's author Steven Kellogg celebrated his birthday on October 26. He has written many fun and silly books for kids. Check some of them out:

A-hunting we will go! by Steven Kellogg

Pecos Bill: a tall tale by retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Have you ever wondered what living on a farm might be like? Get a glimpse into farm life past and present with these great picture books.

Cock-a-doodle-doo, creak, pop-pop, moo by Jim Aylesworth ; illustrated by Brad Sneed

It's milking time by Phyllis Alsdurf ; illustrations by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher

Meet the dogs of Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz

The weather is changing and soon we'll have to bundle up in our warmest clothes, so why not read a picture book all about getting dressed? Listed below are some fun choices.

Ella Sarah gets dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Under my hood I have a hat by Karla Kuskin ; illustrations by Fumi Kosaka

Jesse Bear, what will you wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom ; illustrations by Bruce Degen

Local Author Gordon Briley will talk to us about his inspiration and writing process for creating the rhyming picture book The Adventures of Lily and Ava. Attendees will get a look at the book and be able to ask the author any questions they have about the how to write a book.  Families are invited to join us on Sunday, November 4 at 2:00 PM for this fun program. Books will be available for purchase and signing by the author.

Kids in grades K-4, join us for Snack Tales on Tuesday, October 23 from 7:00 to 7:45 PM. We will read some Halloween stories, and you will get to make a special spooky treat. Registration begins Monday, September 24. Please indicate any food allergies when registering.

To see the other fun treats we've made in Snack Tales, check out our Flickr page!

Enjoy these great picture books filled with dinosaur tales:

Dinosaur thunder by Marion Dane Bauer ; [illustrated by] Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Dinosoaring by Deb Lund ; illustrated by Howard Fine

The Berenstain Bears dinosaur dig by Jan & Mike Berenstain

Listen and read along with one of our J Book/CD Kits. You can find them near the music CDs in the Children's Department. Pick some up today for a car trip or for listening at home. Here's a list of some popular choices:

Chrysanthemum [kit] by Kevin Henkes

Amelia Bedelia [kit] by Peggy Parish

A fine, fine school [kit] by Sharon Creech

Every year, at this time, kids are preparing to go back to school. Here is a list of some great stories to help everyone get ready for that fun first day!

It's my school by Sally Grindley; illustrations by Margaret Chamberlain

Mr. Ouchy's first day by B.G. Hennessy; illustrated by Paul Meisel

Miss Mingo and the first day of school by Jamie Harper

Did you know the library has a great collection of international language items for kids? Among those many items, we have some fun picture books in Spanish. Check out some of the suggestions below:

Bravo! by Ginger Foglesong Guy ; illustrated by Rene King Moreno

Floating on Mama's song = Flotando con la canciâon de mamâa by Laura Lacâamara ; illustrated by Yuyi Morales

There's still plenty of time to hit the beach this summer. Here are some great picture books full of beachy fun to read before you go.

A beach tail by Karen Lynn Williams ; illustrated by Floyd Cooper

The boy on the beach by story and pictures by Niki Daly

Mermaids Parade by Melanie Hope Greenberg

Enjoy some wonderful picture books that celebrate America and our independence!

Apple pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong ; pictures by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Celebration! by Jane Resh Thomas ; illustrated by Raul Colon

Cranberry summer by Wende and Harry Devlin

Memorial Day kicked off summer celebrations all over Michigan. As the days get warmer, enjoy some of these picture books filled with great ways to spend those summer days.

Summer days and nights by Wong Herbert Yee

Now it is summer by written by Eileen Spinelli; illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma

Kitten's summer by Eugenie Fernandes

Picture books about the moon are a perfect choice for bedtime reading. If you're a fan of the classic story Goodnight Moon, give these other great books a try.

And if the moon could talk by Kate Banks; pictures by Georg Hallensleben

Papa, please get the moon for me by Eric Carle

Kitten's first full moon by Kevin Henkes

Leo Dillon, award-winning illustrator, has passed away at the age of 79. Working in collaboration with his wife Diane, Dillon illustrated numerous picture books for children, including the Caldecott Medal winners Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People's Ears and Ashanti To Zulu: African Traditions. The Dillons also created illustrations for the Madeleine L'Engle novels A Wrinkle In Time and A Swiftly Tilting Planet.

Leo and Diane Dillon were also famous for their cover artwork for adult science fiction novels, winning the Hugo Award in 1971 for Best Professional Artist.