Best Picture Books 2010: David Wiesner, Jon J. Muth, Louise Yates And Other Spectacular Illustrators Honored (PHOTOS)

What are the best illustrated children's books of 2010? The picture books with the best pictures and greatest design -- the books with the most stunning artwork from the past year?

This week, The New York Times released 'The Best Illustrated Children's Books 2010' and Pubishers Weekly released its 'Best Books of 2010' list. At the end of last month, the Society of Illustrators honored the best book illustrations of the year with its annual "Original Art" exhibition. Now, it's our turn to weigh in.

We sifted through the masses of excellent books for kids this year to find the ones with the greatest illustrations. While we considered the quality of the book's words, we cared more about the marriage of image and text. Our list honors the best artwork found in books for children from 2010 and we believe we, indeed, found the best of the best.

Agree or disagree? Weigh in here.

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"Oh No! (Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World)"

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By Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Dan Santat Dan Santat painted scenes at once dramatic and lighthearted for this sweet and imaginative romp.

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By Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Dan Santat

Dan Santat painted scenes at once dramatic and lighthearted for this sweet and imaginative romp.

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This Book

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Only OK Absolutely Marvelous

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Comments

[markb68]

11:01 AM on 11/28/2010

Research shows as many as 32 million American adults have trouble reading and many more can't be bothered to sit through 500 page books, I think the short picture book shouldn't just be for children, but for adults who don't have the time to read long books. How many dog eared books are there at page 30 never to be opened again? So I have written and published a children's picture book which is enjoyable for adults and older people as well. It's called 'Jacob and Sorrel a story of two caterpillars' and I vote it as a picture book of the year :)

[Debra Newman]

07:54 PM on 11/15/2010

The Boys is a sweet story with a genuinely happy ending. It is beautifully illustrated using little text as the expressions on the characters' faces and body language say it all. A must read to encourage children to task a chance and believe in the power of possibility.

[Deborah L Shutek Jackson]

02:31 PM on 11/15/2010

David Wiesner is the new King IMHO. His works sets a new bar for those who write and illustrate their own books. We had Sendak, then Van Allsburg. Now Weisner has taken the torch and is carrying on those high standards!

[GoodandBadnews]

03:18 PM on 11/14/2010

Library of Congress launches read.gov
http://www.goodandbadnews.com/library-of-congress-launches-readgov/

[john rewrite]

11:02 PM on 11/13/2010

My vote goes to the wordless picture book CHALK by Bill Thomson. http://www.amazon.com/Chalk-Bill-Thomson/dp/0761455264 This book has been a big hit preschool to 2nd grade at my school. Hope to share it with older students soon.Some of this list is just a rehash of Amazon top ten. As much as I love Wiesner, his Art and Max is beautiful but the story is not as strong as his others. Dog Loves Books is cute concept but not a wow book.

[Euges]

12:02 AM on 11/13/2010

So maybe I'm biased, but I vote fore :

http://strangerinthewoods.com/

[Erin Killian]

10:14 PM on 11/12/2010

As a future librarian, I am interest in what sources were used to discover these books. Was it from lists produced by publishers or retailers? While all of these books seem to be very interesting and well illustrated, I want to know a little more.

[Janice Rawlins]

06:55 PM on 11/13/2010

Please check out my book if you like free handed illustrations. My book is called Doonie the rainbow dog and the pictures are really great. They were done by a young man who majored in Art and can draw a picture after seeing you for the first time and go home and draw it." Please check it out. I think libraian's have a wonderful insight when it comes to books and their knowledge about books are wonderful."

[azatrox]

07:12 PM on 11/12/2010

City Dog, Country Frog deserves a higher score, imho. Admittedly, there is a sad theme to it, but small children might not pick up on it because of the subtle way in which it's presented. The illustrations convey the passing of seasons and evoked a feeling of comfort in me. Not sure I can explain why. Love it.

[frank day]

07:04 PM on 11/12/2010

Wheres 'My Pet Goat'?

[rambot02]

10:14 PM on 11/12/2010

Snark attack! (Cue "Jaws" theme here.)

[azatrox]

10:37 PM on 11/12/2010

"Um, Mr. President..."

"Not now, this is a great story."

[Woods Shade]

12:59 PM on 11/12/2010

To me, the illustrations by Kinuko Y. Craft will never be excelled.

[naschkatze]

12:21 PM on 11/12/2010

That photo brings back memories of sitting in a reading circle. We would take turns reading from our book to the rest of the group. Once I chose a book with all the sea vessels of WWII because I knew I could keep the attention of the boys in the group. And I did.

[Emily O]

12:01 PM on 11/12/2010

I am thoroughly miffed David Shannon isn't among these writers and illustrators. Granted, these are just 2010, but he's simply wonderful. A Bad Case of Stripes is one of my faves.

[bushondrugs]

11:25 AM on 11/12/2010

Bleh! Gender bias is still going strong!!! Why are we STILL not at gender parity for protagonists in books for children? Come on!!! If you have puppy as the lead character, why can't it be a female puppy?

Just count the number of girls vs. boys in the list of books above. Both Art and Max are guys, the dog and frog are guys, and the dog that loves books is a boy. The garbage barge is driven by a man, even though a weathered old woman could just as easily drive it.

The not-so-subtle message is that boys are the ones who have adventures and take the lead. This is how gender stereotypes are fed to our children. GRRRRRR...

[Emily O]

12:02 PM on 11/12/2010

Unfortunately, boys are not as likely to read stories with female protagonists, but girls will read stories with male protagonists. :-/

[azatrox]

07:22 PM on 11/12/2010

Ha! Yes, we've noticed that very same thing Emily. I guess Harry Potter makes this trend obvious. I think it's because girls are simply able to relate a broader range of gender roles. Females can be strong, aggressive, brave, and unyielding, yet also be compassionate, maternal, sensual, etc. I think males generally have trouble with those later traits :-)

[azatrox]

07:26 PM on 11/12/2010

I think Emily O hit the nail on the head as to why male protagonists seem to be the rule in kids lit. To give girls credit though, I think they can read about the boys having all the adventures, but girls figure there's no reason they can't do that also. Well, as long as the parents instill that attitude in their little girls.

[70sFez]

10:23 AM on 11/12/2010

How come that Elephant pop-up book isn't mentioned?

[Woods Shade]

12:54 PM on 11/12/2010

I'm still recovering from that thread. : ))))

[Christi Stanforth]

09:22 AM on 11/12/2010

Fer god's sake, spell his name right. It's right there on the jacket: Wiesner.