The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award · 2008

The 2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award

Skim, Wave, Ghosts in the House!, A Is for Art, Pale Male, A River of Words, Wabi Sabi, The Little Yellow Leaf, We Are the Ship and The Black Book of Colors won the 2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award.

2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
Skim
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 14–17 · 2008

Skim

By Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki (Illustrator)

A goth teen navigates love and loss amidst school chaos.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2008)
143 pages· 9,674 words· Est. 1.5 hour read-aloud
3.8/5 Goodreads · 17,374 ratings
$18.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In a 1990s Toronto girls' academy, Skim, a goth teen, grapples with love and isolation after her teacher leaves unexpectedly. As the school mourns a tragic suicide, Skim's world collides with unexpected friendships and the complexities of teen life. Will she find her place amidst the chaos?
2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
Wave
Sale price
$1498
Picture Book · Ages 4–6 · 2008

Wave

By Suzy Lee

A little girl encounters a playful wave on a beach day adventure.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2008)
44 pages
4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,714 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: A curious little girl spends a day at the beach, where a playful wave becomes her unexpected companion. Through vibrant watercolor illustrations, this wordless tale captures the joy and wonder of a seaside adventure. What surprises will the ocean bring, and how will this enchanting day unfold? Dive into a story where every wave tells a tale.
2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
Ghosts in the House!
Sale price
$1248
Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2008

Ghosts in the House!

By Kazuno Kohara

A young witch transforms her haunted house's ghosts into household items.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2008)
32 pages· 167 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
5.3/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,961 ratings
$12.95Save 4%
Hardcover
Summary: A young witch faces a spooky dilemma: her house is haunted. But with a clever twist, she captures the mischievous ghosts, washes them clean, and repurposes them into everyday items like curtains and bed sheets. As she turns her spectral problem into a creative solution, the question remains: can she truly tame the supernatural? Discover how this resourceful witch brings order to her haunted home, blending the eerie with the ordinary in a tale full of charm and whimsy.
2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
A Is for Art
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2008

A Is for Art

By Stephen T. Johnson

Discover hidden letters in abstract art, sparking imagination and creativity from A to Z.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2008)
40 pages
3.7/5 Goodreads · 108 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Embark on a visual journey where each letter of the alphabet is ingeniously hidden within abstract art. From a C crafted from candy to an H nestled in a hook, these artworks challenge you to find the letters and explore the connections between words, objects, and ideas. Will you uncover them all? This captivating collection invites both children and adults to engage their imaginations and see the alphabet in a whole new light.
2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
Pale Male
Sale price
$1597
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2008

Pale Male

By Janet Schulman, Meilo So (Illustrator)

A famous hawk's nest removal sparks an international outcry.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2008)
40 pages· 2,439 words· Est. 19 min read-aloud
4.1/5 Goodreads · 352 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In Central Park, a red-tailed hawk named Pale Male captures the city's heart, nesting atop a luxury Fifth Avenue building. Over nine years, he raises 23 chicks, earning the title 'Father of the Year.' But when the building's residents remove his nest, it ignites a global protest. Will Pale Male find a new home, or will his legacy be lost? Discover the story that captivated New York and beyond.
2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
A River of Words
Sale price
$1710
Picture Book · Ages 7–18 · 2008

A River of Words

By Jen Bryant, Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)

A doctor by day, a poet by heart. Can he balance both worlds?

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2008)Caldecott Honor (2009)Charlotte Zolotow Honor (2009)
34 pages· 833 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
4.1/5 Goodreads · 2,638 ratings
$18.00Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In this vibrant picture book, follow Willie, a man torn between his passion for poetry and the demands of medical school. As he becomes a busy doctor, his heart remains with his words, filling notebooks with poems that bring him peace. Discover how he navigates the challenge of honoring his poetic calling while earning a living. Will he find harmony between his two worlds, or will one overshadow the other? Dive into the life of William Carlos Williams, where art and duty collide in a beautiful dance.
2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
Wabi Sabi
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2008

Wabi Sabi

By Mark Reibstein, Ed Young (Illustrator)

A cat's quest for her name's meaning reveals beauty in simplicity and imperfection.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2008)Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (2009)
40 pages· 1,250 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,901 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In Kyoto, a curious cat named Wabi Sabi embarks on a journey to understand her enigmatic name. Her quest leads her through the heart of Japanese philosophy, where beauty is found in simplicity and imperfection. As Wabi Sabi explores, she uncovers the profound elegance hidden in the ordinary. Will she find the answers she seeks, or discover something even more meaningful? This tale, woven with haiku and stunning collages, invites readers to see the world through new eyes, embracing the unexpected beauty in life's imperfections.
2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
The Little Yellow Leaf
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2008

The Little Yellow Leaf

By Carin Berger

A lone leaf clings to its branch, hesitant to embrace change. Will it let go?

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2008)
40 pages· 260 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
4.0/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,596 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In a world of falling leaves, one little yellow leaf clings to its branch, not ready to let go. As autumn deepens and frost arrives, the leaf faces the daunting unknown. Will it find the courage to release and embrace change? This tale of bravery and friendship explores the beauty of letting go and the support of those who help us leap into the new.
2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
We Are the Ship
Sale price
$1994
Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2008

We Are the Ship

By Kadir Nelson

Discover the untold story of baseball's unsung heroes who defied segregation to play the game they loved.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2008)Coretta Scott King Award (2009)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award (2009)Orbis Pictus Honor (2009)
88 pages
4.3/5 Goodreads · 4,112 ratings
$20.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Step into the world of Negro League baseball, where gifted athletes and determined owners battled racial discrimination to pursue their passion. Through the eyes of an 'Everyman' player, experience the triumphs and challenges from the 1920s to Jackie Robinson's historic breakthrough in 1947. This vivid narrative, enriched by stunning oil paintings, captures the spirit of unsung heroes who played against all odds. What sacrifices did they make for the love of the game? Uncover the legacy of these pioneers who changed the face of baseball and mirrored the social history of black America.
2008 The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award Winner
The Black Book of Colors
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 5–10 · 2006

The Black Book of Colors

By Menena Cottin, Rosana Faria (Illustrator), Elisa Amado (Translator)

Experience the world without sight through touch and imagination.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2008)
24 pages· 195 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
4.4/5 Goodreads · 2,721 ratings
$17.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Imagine a world without sight. Through raised illustrations and Braille, explore how Thomas perceives colors using his other senses. Can you see the world through his eyes? Discover a new perspective.
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