I thought about doing a “best of,” but who am I to say that? Also,  the books I loved the most are not necessarily the BEST books of the year in some cases. I tend to rate highly on readability and sell-a-bility, being a bookseller.  Sometimes that coincides with the ones that are likely to win awards/are the highest form of literary genius etc, and sometimes it doesn’t. So: favorites.

These are in no particular order, and if I reviewed the book here earlier in the year, I’ll link to the review. And I probably won’t do more than two or three per post. Also: I’ve been asked to do some holiday gift recommendations, and the specific requests will be fulfilled in other posts, but I’ll put a little note at the end of each favorite to tell you who I think might like that book best.

Today: two picture books.

1. THE SLEEPY LITTLE ALPHABET by Judy Sierra, illustrations by Melissa Sweet.

This has been a huge hit in our house since the moment of publication as well as being a big success for me at work. The premise is that it’s time for all the little letters to be tucked into their beds, but a number of them aren’t quite ready. By the end of the book, though, they’re all snoring Z Z Zs. I know this entire book by heart, and I never get tired of reading it:

It’s sleepytime in Alphabet Town!
As moms and dads run round and round
the little letters skitter-skatter
helter-skelter. What’s the matter?

Uh-oh! A is wide awake!
And B still has a bath to take…

One by one they take us through the steps most kids go through at bedtime…F has got the fidgity wiggles; M is mopey; N is naughty; X expects a great big hug. And at the end of the book, they’re all tucked in to their own little beds with something that begins with their letter either tucked in with them or sitting on a nightstand beside them or something (L has a lamp; T has a teddy bear etc). This is an utterly charming read with lots to see in each lively picture.

We have been reading this to Molly since she was about 2 1/2 and she’s a little over 3 now and still loves it. I think it’s good for anyone from 2-4, and it also makes a great gift for new parents building a collection. Order THE SLEEPY LITTLE ALPHABET from an independent bookstore!

2. OTIS by Loren Long

Mr. Long wrote this as a sort of homage to books like MIKE MULLIGAN AND THE STEAM SHOVEL, and the influence and respect for Virginia Lee Burton and others like her are all over this book. Someday, I believe, OTIS will be remembered just as fondly as the books that inspired it.

Otis is a hardworking, joyful little red tractor who likes both his work and his playtime. He has a heart as big as the farm he lives on, which helps him to soothe a scared little calf to sleep with his gentle puff putt puttedly chuff. One day, however, the farmer shows up with a brand new big yellow tractor and Otis is put out to pasture. It will take a very bad day for the farmer to realize just how valuable Otis is (which of course he does).

I was lucky enough to be at an MBA breakfast where Mr. Long explained the origin of this book and showed slides of the art as it went through various color schemes. I had him sign my copy for Molly, and it has been a favorite in our house ever since. We can all be heard letting out the occasional putt puff puttedy chuff. It’s been just as big a hit at the store, too, appealing to a wide range of customers.

OTIS works for anyone who loves a good story. Molly has never shown any like for modes of transportation before; the story is the hook here rather than the fact that Otis is a tractor. She had just turned 3 when we started reading this. It’s long-ish, so this is good for a 3 who likes a long story, and also for 4s and 5s primarily. Order OTIS from an independent bookstore!