Olivia Goes to Venice written and illustrated by Ian Falconer (Atheneum, $17.99). Knowing that Venice is prone to flooding, Olivia is concerned when she has to leave her flippers and snorkle at home. Fortunately with the help of lots of gelato, Olivia and her mother and father and baby brother Ian love their trip to Venice. The bigger question is whether or not Venice can survive Olivia? Falconer's mix of line drawings and photography will please adults and children alike. Brava Olivia!

Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman (Feiwel and Friends, $16.99). If love could take shape, it might look something like these heartfelt words and images from the inimitable Nancy Tillman. Here is a book to share with your loved ones, no matter how near or far, young or old, they are.

Zero written and illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi (KO Books, $17.95). Zero was a big round number. When she looked at herself, she just saw a hole . . . right in her center. Every day she watched the other numbers line up count. "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 . . . " She wanted to count too! But how could a number worth nothing become something? Zero felt empty inside. And so goes Zero's search to find value in herself and in others.

Lots of Dots by Craig Frazier (Chronicle, $15.99). Dots! Dots! Dots! In this exuberant book, acclaimed graphic designer Craig Frazier does more than simply showcase a vast variety of dots — he encourages young readers to look closely at the world around them. Through his energetic illustrations, the ordinary becomes the extraordinary. Buttons are dots. Wheels are dots. Stars are dots. Ladybugs have dots . . . and so do the fried eggs on your plate. Lots of Dots is lots of fun!

Knuffle Bunny Free written and illustrated by Mo Willems (Balzer & Bray, $17.99). An emotional tour-de-force (it made me choke up the first time I read it), Knuffle Bunny Free concludes one of the most beloved picture book series in recent memory. With pitch-perfect text and art, photos from around the world, and a stunning foldout spread, culminating in a hilarious and moving surprise that no child or parent will be able to resist. It's about the joys and sadness of growing up and the unconditional love that binds a father, mother, daughter, and a stuffed bunny.

The Legend of the Golden Snail written and illustration by Graeme Base (Abrams, $19.95). Inspired by the tale of a magical Golden Snail banished to the Ends of the Earth by a Grand Enchanter, Wilbur sets out on a daring voyage to find the legendary snail and claim it as his own. Along the way he encounters strange creatures and overcomes many challenges. Finally, he reaches the Ends of the Earth, but what he finds there is not quite as he imagined.

It's a Book written and illustrated by Lane Smith (Roaring Brook Press, $12.99). "Can it text? blog? scroll? wi-fi? tweet? No . . . it's a book." All of us here are wild for Lane Smith's pitch perfect celebration of books and reading. It's the kind of read aloud that children want to hear again and again, the pictures are simple but witty, and the last line may be the best punchline ever!

Elsie's Bird by Jane Yolen, illustrated by David Small (Philomel, $17.99). When Elsie's father moves the family from the bustle of Boston to a lonely sod house out on the Nebraska prairie only the song of her beloved canary is familiar. But when Timmy Tune flies out the window, Elsie has to venture out into her new world. Only then does the music of the prairie, of the creek burbling, of the wind rippling the grass become the music of home. David Small's illustrations perfectly capture the contrast between the noisy pleasure of Boston and the subtle joys of the prairie.

Zen Ghosts written and illustrated by Jon Muth (Scholastic Press, $17.99). It's Halloween. The trees are ablaze in fiery reds. Excited children don colorful costumes. And there's mystery and fun around every corner. When Addy, Michael, and Karl finish trick-or-treating, their bags are brimming with treats. But the fun isn't over yet. Their good friend Stillwater the panda has one more special surprise in store for them. A mysterious visitor is about to tell them a spine-tingling story — one that will fill each and every reader with wonder.

Art & Max written and illustrated by David Wiesner (Clarion Books, $17.99). Arthur knows how to paint. He's ready to share his wisdom with Max who has a lot to learn but can't wait to dive right in. Their story begins here. Is it about creating a work of art? Or about an uproarious, eye-opening adventure? Or both? Art and Max will find out very soon. And so will you. What a bright and colorful celebration of creativity!

The Odious Ogre by Norman Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer (Scholastic Press, $17.95). This is the story of a really rotten Ogre who is extraordinarily large, exceedingly ugly, unusually hungry, and absolutely merciless. He terrorizes the entire countryside and all the surrounding towns, wreaking havoc, sowing confusion, and dining happily on the hapless citizens. Nothing can stop him. But then he takes a wrong turn and encounters a kind and friendly young lady who does her best to help him — with an extremely surprising result.

Shadow illustrated Suzy Lee (Chronicle, $15.99). A dark attic. A lightbulb. An imaginative little girl. Using these simple elements, internationally acclaimed artist Suzy Lee has created a visual masterpiece that perfectly captures the joy of creative play and celebrates the power of the imagination. Stunning in their simplicity, Lee's illustrations, in just two colors, present an adventure that begins and ends with the click of a lightbulb.

The Boss Baby written and illustrated by Marlee Frazee (Beach Lane, $16.99). From the moment he arrives it's clear that this baby is the boss. Keeping mom and dad on a round the clock schedule, he orders drinks, conducts loud meetings, and runs the show. Then one day he has try something completely outside the box and that just might be the best day of all. Frazee's illustration have a terrific Madmen, 60s-modern feeling to them that savvy adults will just love.

Heads written and illustrated by Matthew Van Fleet (Simon & Schuster, $17.99). Eye-popping fun for toddlers! Eight ingenious pull tabs, seven pettable textures, and an astonishing fold-out finale deliver interactive surprises on every page as a cast of irresistable critters use their heads to demonstrate opposites, actions, and more!

How Rocket Learned to Read written and illustrated by Tad Hills. (Schwartz & Wade, $17.99). This sweet picture book starring an irresistible dog named Rocket and his teacher, a little yellow bird, is perfect for back-to-school! Follow along as Rocket masters the alphabet, sounds out words, and finally . . . learns to read all on his own. With a story that makes reading fun — and will even help listeners learn to read — this book is ideal for kindergarten classrooms and story hour or as a gift for that beginning reader. Fresh, charming art by Tad Hills will make this a favorite.

Savvy by Ingrid Law (Puffin, $7.99). Mibs can't wait to turn thirteen, the age when all Beaumonts discover their supernatural power — their savvy. But when Poppa is hurt in a terrible accident just before her birthday, Mibs more than just fantastic magic: it will take new friends, strong family, and an extraordinary adventure to set things right. Fast-paced and exciting, this is one that keep kids turning page. Winner of the Newbery Honor.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place — Book One: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood (Harper, $15.99). Of especially naughty children, it is sometimes said: "They must have been raised by wolves." The Incorrigible children actually were. Discovered in the forests of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf is unusually good at chasing squirrels.

Masterpiece by Elise Broach (Square Fish, $7.99). Marvin lives with his family under the kitchen sink in the Pompadays' apartment in. He is very much a beetle. James lives with his family in New York City. He is very much an eleven-year-old boy. After James gets a pen-and-ink set for his birthday, Marvin surprises him by creating an elaborate miniature drawing. Then James ends up with the credit and is expected to do it again. Before they know it, the unlikely friends are caught up in an art heist that could lead them to a long-lost drawing by Albrecht Durer. Of course James can't go through with the plan without Marvin's help. I think this one's a terrific all-family read-aloud.

The Birthday Ball by Lois Lowry (Houghton Mifflin, $16). Two-time Newbery Medal winner Lois Lowry creates a tale of mistaken identity, creamed pigeons, and young love while comparing princesses to peasants and finding them to be just the same in all the ways that really matter to a person. I loved this fairy tale with a message and think it should be shared with every ten-year-old girl whose convinced that she's a princess.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall (Yearling, $7.99). The Penderwick sisters are home on Gardam Street and ready for an adventure! But the adventure they get isn't quite what they had in mind. Mr. Penderwick's sister has decided it's time for him to start dating again and the sisters know that can only mean one thing: disaster. Enter the Save-Daddy Plan — a plot so brilliant, so bold, so funny, that only the Penderwick girls could have come up with it!

The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic, $17.99). From the time he is a young boy, Neftali hears the call of a mysterious voice. Even when the neighborhood children taunt him, and when his harsh, authoritarian father ridicules him, and when he doubts himself, Neftali knows he cannot ignore the call. Under the canopy of the lush rain forest, into the vast and fearsome sea, and through the persistent Chilean rain, he listens and he follows.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper (Atheneum, $16.99). Words have always swirled around me like snowflakes — each one delicate and different, each one melting untouched in my hands. Deep within me, words pile up in huge drifts. Mountains of phrases and sentences and connected ideas. Clever expressions. Jokes. Love songs . . . . But only in my head. I have never spoken a single word. I am almost eleven years old.

My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Horvath (Yearling, $7.99). Over one magical summer, whether she looks for them or not, adventures keep finding Jane. There's the thrilling solo ride in the a hijacked hot-air balloon; the out-of-the-blue appearance of a slew of possible fathers; a weird new friendship with Nellie Phipps, a preacher and wannbe psychic; the accidental crime Jane may have committed involving a Bible and a baby named Gourd; and finally her discovery of the truth that lies at the heart of all great adventures: that it is not what happens to you that matters, but what you learn about yourself.