Once again, as we compiled these listings, certain titles begged us to make special note of them.
Silliest Pseudonym: Nowen N. Particular, author of Boomtown: Chang's Famous Fireworks Factory. (Thomas Nelson)
Most Creative Solution to the Fuel Crisis:Doc Fizzix Mousetrap Racers by Alden J. Balmer, a guide to constructing mousetrap-powered vehicles. (Fox Chapel Publishing)
Most Impassioned Plea to Embrace Vegetarianism: Please Don't Eat Me by Roger De Muth, in which a fish begs not to become an entrée. (Blue Apple)
Bah Humbug Award:The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket, starring a nattily dressed lump of coal. (Harper-Collins)
Title Cautious Kids Are Most Apt to Think Twice About Before Reading:The Child Cruncher by Mathilde Stein, illus. by Mies van Hout, about a girl kidnapped by an ogre. (Boyds Mills/Lemniscaat)
Sequel Most Likely to Scramble off Bookstore Shelves Without Pawsing:If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff, illus. by Felicia Bond. (HarperCollins/Geringer)
Tastiest Packaging:The Handstand Kids Mexican Cookbook by Yvette Garfield, illus. by Kim DeRose, which comes with an oven mitt packaged in a tortilla bag. (Handstand Kids)
Activity Book That Will Be Most Appreciated by Pet-Resistant Parents:Dress Up Your Own Paper Pups, offering paper puppies with punch-out wardrobes. (Klutz/Chicken Socks)
Plot Most Likely to Keep Teachers on their Toes:The Boy Who Went Ape by Benjamin James Watson, illus. by Richard Jesse Watson, the tale of a boy and an ape who change places during a class trip to the zoo. (Scholastic/Blue Sky)
Most Epic Battle Since Godzilla Fought Rodan:Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea, about a dinosaur who conquers all foes in its path. (Disney-Hyperion)
Kids' Best Defense Against Eating Their Veggies:Smelly Peter and the Great Pea Eater by Steve Smallman, illus. by Joelle Dreidemy, starring a boy who turns green after eating only peas. (Tiger Tales)
Most Stressful Read-Aloud for Avid Gardeners:Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin, illus. by Daniel Salmieri, about a man matching wits with local rodentia. (HMH/Clarion)
Least Practical DIY Guide:How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier, about a girl unhappy with her personal fairy, which gives her the ability to get really good parking spaces. (Bloomsbury)
Most Likely Title to Scare Kids Straight:Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go by Dale Basye, about the afterlife of two siblings killed in a marshmallow explosion. (Random House)
Least Likely Book to Get a Seal of Approval from Emily Post: Punk Rock Etiquette by Travis Nichols, a snarky guide to starting a band. (Roaring Brook/Flash Point)
