The Beckoning Cat

Like me, you may often have noticed little statues of cats, beckoning with a paw, in Asian businesses. In her picture book The Beckoning Cat, based on a Japanese folktale, Koko Nishizuka tells the delightful story of this kind cat, and why it has become a symbol of good luck. This is a lovely book to share in honor of Asian Pacific America Heritage Month, recognized annually in May.

The Beckoning Cat

by Koko Nishizuka

Illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger

ISBN 9780823420513

2009; $16.95

And The Winners Are ...

The Children's Choice Book Awards have been announced for 2008. The books of the year by category are as follows.

Kindergarten to Second Grade
Frankie Stein by Lola M. Schaefer

Third to Fourth Grade
Big Cats by Elaine Landau

Fifth to Sixth Grade
Encyclopedia Horrifica by Joshua Gee

Illustrator of the Year
Ian Falconer for Olivia Helps With Christmas

Author of the Year
J. K. Rowling for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The first annual Impact Award went to NBC's Al Roker for his work with kids and books via "Al's Book Club for Kids."

The awards were announced on Tuesday, May 13, at the Children's Choice Book Awards Gala in New York City. The gala was hosted by author Jon Scieszka (rhymes with "Fresca"), the National Ambassador of Young People's Literature and spokesperson for Children's Book Week.

The Children's Book Council, the official sponsor of the Children's Choice Book Awards, is a nonprofit trade association of publishers of children's and young adult trade books in the United States. Trade books are those published for general readership -- as opposed to specific readership, like a classroom -- and are available through book stores and major book clubs.