By Helen Foster James, Ed.D., Kathleen Krull and Peter Neumeyer, Ph.D.

Since you can't judge a book by its cover, we dove deep inside the pages of dozens and dozens of books to select these winners. From warm baby kisses through first kindergarten steps to middle-school conflict resolution, each of these wonderful books will engage and inspire children.


Gold Award Winners

For Sure! For Sure!, translated by Mus White, illustrated by Stefan Czernecki, August House, 2004, $16.95, www.augusthouse.com. A brisk contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's story about how news mutates as it gets spread from one gossiper to another. In this case, a chicken plucks a feather … and scandal spreads all around the chicken yard. Bold type and extra bright art make this an excellent choice for sharing.

I Like Myself!, by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow, Harcourt, 2004, $16. Vibrant illustrations and rhyming text encourage kids to appreciate everything about themselves inside and out. A serious and silly book for building self-esteem.

My Kindergarten, by Rosemary Wells, Hyperion, 2004, $16.99. Emily and Roger and all their cat, dog, duck and rabbit friends go through the kindergarten year, learning numbers and letters, hearing stories, singing songs, measuring feet, telling time and even adopting a great-granny. A veritable treasure chest to be read over and over.

Spicy Hot Colors: Colores Picantes, by Sherry Shahan, illustrated by Paula Barragán, August House, 2004, $16.95. Nine color words in English and Spanish are introduced in snappy rhyme and complemented by Ecuadoran artist Paula Barragán's hot-and-spicy cut-paper illustrations.

Honors Award Winners

The Daddy Mountain, by Jules Feiffer; Hyperion Books for Children, 2004; $15.95. A child climbs "Daddy Mountain" with great enthusiasm in this simply told and illustrated book. Children and daddies will see themselves in this story that captures a familiar family adventure.