Kids' books we love 2014

Written and illustrated by Dan Stiles
POW!, $10
Ages: 3-7

What should you wear today? Will it be a cowboy hat with polka dots? Or a T-shirt covered in bats? This board book is all about what it takes to put together the perfect outfit.

Written by Dan Bar-el and illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Tundra Books, $22
Ages: 7-10

When Audrey the cow learns that she's headed for the slaughterhouse (oh my!), her barnyard friends help her plan a great escape.

Written and illustrated by Caroline Merola
Owl Kids, $18
Ages: 3-7

Little Wolf is very stubborn. He tells a story about how he does things his way by asking little readers to read this topsy-turvy book back-to-front!

Written and illustrated by Sandra Magsamen
Little Brown Books, $9

Wee readers will want to twirl, whirl and reach for the sky the way the adorable ballerina bears do in this book. They’re simply “tutu cute.”

Written by Litsa Trochatos and illustrated by Virginia Johnson
Groundwood Books, $10

A raucous romp through all the don’ts of playing with animal friends. (Hint: never start a food ufb01ght with an octopus. Eight
arms always wins! )

Written by Kira Vermond and illustrated by Julie McLaughlin
Owlkids Books, $13

For curious kids who want to know all about the world (what’s climate change and why did Grandpa immigrate, anyway?), this non-ufb01ction book has the answers.

Written by: Kenneth Oppel
HarperCollins, $14
Ages: 10-14

This award-winning author is at it again. William Everett's adventure on the new majestic train, The Boundless, is rife with heinous villains and suspenseful escapes.

Written and illustrated by: Salina Yoon
Bloomsbury Publishing, $15
Ages: 0-5

After finally finding the owner of a lost toy bunny, Bear learns that special playthings are meant to be shared.

Written and illustrated by: Ashley Spires 
Kids Can Press, $17
Ages: 3-7

This indefatigable little girl won't let frustration get in the way of creating her magnificent contraption. Determination is key!

Written by: Susan Musgrave and illustrated by: Esperança Melo
Orca Books, $10
Ages: 0-3

Parents may love new baby animals, white clouds in July and gentle chickadees, but they love their little bundles so much more.

Written and illustrated by: Mo Willems
Hyperion, $18
Ages: 3-5

This dirty birdy needs a serious scrub, but he doesn't think so. Pigeon soon discovers that bathtime really isn't all that bad—it can even be fun!

Written by: Lemony Snicket and illustrated by: Seth
HarperCollins, $15
Ages: 8-12

A young Lemony Snicket has some cases to crack and urgently needs help! Readers use their sleuthing skills to help him solve his investigations.

Written and illustrated by: Elly MacKay
Running Press, $20
Ages: 3 and up

As the summer sun sets, the children in this sweet tale try their best to catch their shadows before they disappear into the evening.

Written by: Joan Holub and illustrated by: James Dean
Scholastic Press, $19
Ages: 3-5

This book is full of big, mighty machines and little ones, too. Teeny trucks learn from their strong dads all about building and demolition on a construction site.

Written and illustrated by: Jack and Holman Wang
Simply Read Books, $10
Ages: 0-3

This cherished novel has been abridged in the latest endeavour from Cozy Classics. This board book lets even the littlest readers follow Tom's journeys, too.

Written by: Mike Brownlow and illustrated by: Simon Rickerty
Scholastic, $11
Ages: 0-5

Ten little pirates are having a hard time staying on their ship. As they run into trouble with sharks and mermaids, slowly but surely each swashbuckler ends up in the sea.

Written and illustrated by: Dav Pilkey
Hachette Children's Books, $11
Ages: 7-12

This eleventh installment includes a vengeful toilet that devours everything in sight. Will Captain Underpants save the day?

Written by: Kyo Maclear and illustrated by: Julie Morstad
Tundra Books, $20
Ages: 0-12

A pair of young girls stir together some secret ingredients, teaching the grown-ups how important it is to stop worrying (and to use butter every chance they get!).

Written by Christopher Paul Curtis
Scholastic, $19
AGES 8–12

The author of the award-winning Elijah of Buxton tells the story of Benji and Red and their curious encounters with a strange presence in the forest.

Written by Margriet Ruurs and illustrated by Jessica Rae Gordon
Kids Can Press, $20
AGES 3–7

Your wanderlust-filled kids will make 14 friends from all over the world and get acquainted with their families, too.

Written by Fiona Watts and illustrated by Rachel Wells
Usborne Books, $12
AGES 0–1

Your littlest reader will love all the textures in the latest board book from this series. (Don’t forget to look for the mouse!)

Written and illustrated by Bob Shea
Disney-Hyperion, $18
AGES 3-5

This rambunctious dinosaur is preparing for Santa's arrival and causing quite the rukus, too. He just can't seem to sit still!

Written by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Matthew Trueman
Disney-Hyperion, $18
AGES 3-5

On a precarious sea voyage, Simon's faith and a polar bear's company help him stay hopeful.

DK Publishing, $8
AGES 0-2

Little ones will have fun touching Santa's fluffy beard and a reindeer's squishy nose and seeing their reflections in shiny ornaments in this board book.

Kids' apps we love 2014>