Winner of the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, this book, written by Helen Recorvits and illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska, follows the story of a Korean girl who is excited to learn about Santa Claus and Christmas, even though the holiday is not part of her family’s tradition. No matter how hard she tries to convince her parents to sing Christmas songs or put up Christmas stockings, they always say no. Yoon soon realizes she must use her own “Shining Wisdom” to persuade her parents that they can be a Christmas family. Launch date: November 2006.

In this book by Niki Daly, Jamela wants a beautiful pair of princess shoes for her birthday. What she gets instead is clunky, practical school shoes. Jamela is disappointed, but with glitter, beads, and glue – and a burst of inspiration – she transforms her present into a funky, fun work of art. Mama thinks Jamela’s handiwork is a waste of hard-earned money until a local artist helps Jamela tap the full potential of her spirited creativity. This book received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. 

In this book by Barbara McClintock, Adèle makes her little brother Simon promise not to lose anything on the way home from school. But as they make their way home, distractions cause Simon to leave something behind at every stop. What will they tell their mother? Detailed pen-and-ink drawings – filled with soft watercolors – make a game of this unforgettable tour through the streets and scenes of early-twentieth-century Paris. It received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award.

It’s autumn and Boo and Baa are raking leaves when they hear meowing. They discover a cat that has climbed up a tree and can’t get down. What should they do to help? Boo and Baa try lots of different things, but it’s hard to convince their visitor he’s welcome to stay. Cheerful art and simple text deliver humor at its finest in the latest addition to what Publishers Weekly called “a winning series.” The book was written by Olof and Lena Landström and translated by Joan Sandin. It received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award.

Written by Tim Wynne-Jones, this is the story of 16-year-old Declan Steeple who has great grades, a loyal best friend, an adoring little sister, a stepmother who keeps her distance and an independently wealthy father. If it seems a little too perfect, that's because it probably is. He begins to unravel the mystery of his mother's leaving him when he was 10 and why his father turned the family mansion into a kind of museum, the House of Memory, after Declan hitches a ride home from school one fateful day.

Written by Tim Wynne-Jones, this is the story of 14-year-old Jim. Ruth Rose Fisher is probably the last person Jim would choose as a friend. Lately, ever since his father disappeared, Jim hasn't been much interested in friendship anyway. The police found Jim's dad's car in a clearing in the woods, with no sign of him. That was two years ago, and Jim is still devastated. But now Ruth Rose Fisher, the stepdaughter of the local pastor, Father Fisher, keeps trying to talk to him. Ruth Rose gives him the creeps. Especially when she starts talking about how her stepdad, Father Fisher, is a murderer.