Some people never outgrow beautiful children's books. Some even make a living reading them.

For this year's roundup of top children's books, I asked three experts for advice.

Patty Carleton, director of youth services for the St. Louis Public Library, says she's read more than 800 kids books this year. So when asked for her top five, she reluctantly narrows it to 17 or so "absolute favorites."

Carleton is on the committee that picks this year's notable books for the Association for Library Service to Children. The "ALSC Notables" list will be announced at the American Library Association's midwinter meeting next month.

Like Carleton, Melissa Posten reads hundreds of children's books, some of which she reviews on her website, kidliterate.com.

Vicki Erwin, who owns Main Street Books in St. Charles, says children's books remain among her biggest sellers. "I always get a huge response to the picture books, especially from a well-known author."

Among the three, these women probably have read most of the children's books published in 2011. Here are 15 of their top picks, presented alphabetically by title.

Keep in mind that some illustrated books are meant for children who can already read, and some chapter books may be geared toward teenagers. Publishers' age recommendations help buyers, but also take into consideration a child's reading level and maturity when picking books.

PICTURE BOOKS

"11 Experiments That Failed" by Jenny Offill, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter (Schwartz & Wade; ages 4 and up). Fun look at science experiments — such as whether a washing machine can wash dishes.

"Heart and Soul" by Kadir Nelson (Balzer & Bray; 9 and up). Beautiful oil paintings help tell the 'story of America and African Americans" in this unusual 100-page book that puts black people back into the nation's history. Carleton says it will be a strong award contender at the ALA meeting.

"I Want My Hat Back" by Jon Klassen (Candlewick; 4 and up). An amusing tale of a bear looking for his hat is a favorite of Erwin and Carleton.

"The Man in the Moon" by William Joyce (Atheneum; 4 and up). Posten says this beautiful book will "be around for years to come." Joyce "paints the Man in the Moon as a Guardian of Childhood, attempting to keep the sleep of children safe from nightmares."

"Never Forgotten" by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon (Random House; 4 and up). St. Louis author uses verse to create a new myth about a child kidnapped by slave traders. Gorgeous illustrations, Carleton says.

"Press Here" by Hervé Tullet (Chronicle; 2 and up). Both Erwin and Carleton loved this deceptively simple-looking book that tells young readers to press, shake or tilt colorful dots, which then change on the next page.

"Wonderstruck" by Brian Selznick (Scholastic; 9 and up). Selznick, who won the Caldecott Medal for "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," again combines text and illustrations, this time telling two stories 50 years apart.

CHAPTER BOOKS

"The Apothecary" by Maile Meloy, illustrated by Ian Schoenherr. (Putnam; 10 and up). Erwin picked this novel about a family that moves to London in 1952, only to encounter a mysterious apothecary and face Russian spies who may have nuclear weapons. It has mystery, travel, romance, magic and adventure, Erwin says, and "yet it holds together."

"Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys (Philomel; 12 and up). Carleton recommends this historical fiction about a Lithuanian family sent to Siberia during World War II. Based on the author's family history.

"The Chronicles of Harris Burdick" by Chris van Allsburg and others (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 10 and up). Inspired by Van Allsburg's mysterious illustrations, 14 premier writers, including Sherman Alexie, Kate DiCamillo, Stephen King and Lois Lowry, write short stories.

"Divergent" by Veronica Roth (HarperCollins; 14 and up). Better than "The Hunger Games"? Posten says it is. The story of a 16-year-old girl in dystopian Chicago who leaves her family's peaceful faction and joins a more dangerous one.

"The Emerald Atlas" by John Stephens (Knopf; 8 and up). The best new fantasy of the year, Posten says, involves three kids who travel through time and save the world from a witch.

"A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness (Candlewick; 12 and up). Illustrated by Jim Kay, this dark story involves a monster and a boy awaiting his sick mother's death.

"Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion; 10 and up). A coming-of-age story about an abused boy who escapes from his bleak life. A companion to Schmidt's award-winning "The Wednesday Wars," this is Posten's favorite book of the year.

"The Scorpio Races" by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic; 14 and up). "Haunting and beautiful," Posten says: "Untameable horses live in the waters surrounding the island of Thisby, and once a year men try to harness them and win the Scorpio Races."