We read so many wonderful books here at Good Reads with Ronna that it’s sometimes overwhelming. We know how you feel as parents, grandparents and teachers when it comes time to choose books for the children in your lives – confused! So to help you out a bit, we decided to take the time to share our favorite titles of the year with you in the hopes that your literary gift giving for the holidays will be fun rather than stressful. Today reviewer, Debbie Glade shares a list of her Ten Favorite Titles . . .

Asking me to pick my favorite books is like asking me to pick my favorite child. Well, actually I only have one child, but you know what I mean! Every year I read well over one hundred books, and there are many terrific ones. But there are always a handful that really stand out. You really cannot go wrong with any of these titles:

Best Gift Book for Christmas

Author Henry Cole knows how to tell a story with a few words and a lot of gorgeous illustrations in The Littlest Evergreen. This book is about a tiny tree that grows to become a Christmas tree, and is such a charming story. It teaches us about ecology and tugs at our hearts.

Best Gift Book for Hanukkah

I Will Come Back for You: A Family in Hiding During World War II introduces young children to the struggles of WW II and in particular, one Jewish Italian family’s account.  The illustrations are colorful and inviting, and the story is wonderfully told by author, Marisabina Russo.

Best Illustrations

Kadir Nelson, who wrote and illustrated Heart and Soul, the Story of America and African Americans, is so talented that you will be in awe of his life-like illustrations made from oil paintings. The book is also well written and teaches kids about the history of African Americans.

Best Book About Health

I was thrilled when Beverly McMilan, the author of A Day in the Life of Your Body: An Around the Clock Guide to How Your Body Works agreed to do an interview with me. The amount of research, writing and editing that went into this book is to be commended. It not only teaches your children the basics about the human body, but you will learn a lot too when you read this together and admire the detailed illustrations.

Best Biography

You don’t have to love science as much as I do to love Albert Einstein and Relativity for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities and Thought Experiments.  Einstein’s life was fascinating and his contribution to science has been unparalleled. Gifted middle readers and older kids and adults will love this book. I interviewed author Jerome Pohlen to find out what it took to write such an excellent biography for kids. I can’t say enough about how well-written this book is and how much I enjoyed reading it. I raved so much about it that my husband read it too and loved it as much as I did.

Best Non-Fiction for Young Readers

I spent a lot of time savoring the words and admiring the illustrations of My Uncle Martin’s Words for America. It was written by Angelina Farris Watkins, PhD, the real life niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. Just look at that book cover! I was so impressed with the illustrations that I interviewed the artist, Eric Velasquez. With books like these, the legacy of MLK shall never fade.

Best Humor for Young Readers

Call me immature if you wish, but I can’t seem to get enough poop humor. Poopendous: The Inside Scoop on Every Type and Use of Poop by Artie Bennett is just plain hilarious! It’s also educational, but the real reason you’ll want to read this is so you can giggle with your children.

Best Photography

I have a passion for bugs, and an appreciation for good photography. Step Gently Out is written as a poem by Helen Frost and is extraordinarily photographed by Rick Lieder. You can see details of insects that are impossible to see with the naked eye. You’re sure to be as impressed as I was with this unique book.

Most Charming Picture Book

Oliver Jeffers is one of my favorite authors and illustrators. He just seems to know how to push the limits of cuteness when he writes and illustrates picture books. This Moose Belongs to Me is so creative and darling, it will put a smile on your face and will make a perfect gift for the young child in your life.

Most Creative Book

Food Stylist Carl Warner wowed me with his food landscapes in A World of Food: Discover Magical Lands Made of Things You Can Eat. You and your child could spend an hour on every page trying to figure out what types of foods are in each photographed landscape. This book will inspire you to be creative and teach you that there are no limits when it comes to using your imagination!