Skip to main content

Picture Books Galore: #pb10for10


Ten picture books I can't live without in my classroom.


Check out other favorite 10 for 10 Picture Book Lists

Books are like old friends.  Especially the books that you continually go back to, and trust, and rely on for their words, pictures, and messages.  Besides trying to pick only ten books, my other problem this year was that I had to pack up my classroom and all my books at the end of the school year.  They are sitting, waiting patiently, in a new learning space.  Waiting to be picked up, flipped through, and smiled at softly with book love remembrance.  Waiting to be shared with new students.  I'll be able to greet them on Monday.  My old friends.

So, this year, I cheated a bit -- due to lack of book browsing to jog my memory and time, I decided to look back at last year's #pb10for10 post.  This prompted me to visit my Goodreads picture books bookshelf and I was quickly reminded of all those books that I fell in love with this last year.  It's quite sad to delete the picture books I shared last year from my list.  No Elephant and Piggie. No Stellaluna or Something Beautiful or Swimmy. 

This is (almost) a brand new list for 2013.  One author (two books) remained.  

Different books speak to us 
in different seasons of life.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Here's my list for #pb10for10, in no particular order -- just ten books that I go back to over and over:
Product Details

I fell in love with Ralph. Adorable and true in so many ways.  We all know a Ralph (or even have a little "Ralph" in us) searching for a story to share.  Perfect for Writing Workshop and those days when we are stuck staring at a blank page when we are writing.  



There are many, many bear books.  But this is one bear book that I continue to read over and over and fall in love with it over and over.  I adore the illustrations.  Bear is such a sweet friend, a sleepy, sweet friend with a story to tell, but his friends are busy preparing for winter to arrive and agreed to help.  A story about friendship and patience.







I could not take away either of these books. They are both touching stories that lead to many thoughtful questions, wonderings and conversations death, war, and homelessness. 







I loved this story.  We all know a Maya.  There's a Maya in each of our classrooms.  There's also a Chloe.  A Chloe who is not an out right bully, but one that does those little things, like ignoring or whispering or laughing, that all add up.  Chloe's teacher, Ms. Albert, shared a lesson about ripples and she learned a BIG lesson about kindness.  It broke my heart that Maya didn't know that, but I'm guessing that was the point Woodson was trying to convey.  Now Chloe can move forward remembering Maya and each kindness.



A book that I first fell in love with because of the pictures and then the message made me gasp, "Awww." I love this book about an adorable pig just trying to fit in.  A great book to read at the beginning of the year or even when a new student moves in.  Great discussions about acceptance and friendship.  




Product Details
We enjoyed reading this book during "Screen Free Week" and connected with the idea of getting disconnected, experiencing the world one leaf at a time.  Powerful illustrations that remind us that there is a world to discover beyond our clicking and swiping on our electronics.  (But don't hesitate to click now to add it to your Amazon basket.)



Yes, the crayons quit.  And they let Duncan, their coloring owner, know exactly what their issues were -- well, all except green crayon.  He's happy with his situation.  Each crayon wrote a letter to Duncan expressing their concerns.  Quite amusing from their point of view!  (A great mentor text - Look! I tried it out here!)  Oh, and let's not forget to give props to the illustrator, Oliver Jeffers!




 Another *fun* read!  Go on and make your mark in the world!  I love the intro on the front cover: 

"This is a story about an exclamation mark. And this exclamation mark's story is really everyone's story. It's about fitting in . . . and standing out . . . and, with the help of others, finding your way. Because we all have our inner exclamation mark. The question is, how to find it . . ."

(Oh, and don't forget Little PeaLittle Hoot, and Little Oink and . . .)



Words + Numbers = Life's Little Equations

Picture Books + 10 = #PB10for10

Want more? See my little equations and samples of classroom equations.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Thanks for checking out my #PB10for10 list!  I look forward to your selections! 

Share a comment about ... one book you will be adding to your bookshelf -- no, let me try that again:

100*(1 book) + bookshelf = happy reader

*The 100 is for the hundred new titles you'll be wanting to add to your wish list!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Be sure to check out other favorite 10 for 10 picture books at
On Twitter: #pb10for10

Comments

  1. I need to purchase this plus that. I love all of Amy's books and have somehow not read that one. Thanks for a fun list!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ha! Yes, I now have a list of about 40 books I need to purchase TODAY. RIGHT NOW. I love many of the titles on your list--which makes me think I'd love the ones I'm not familiar with too. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So pleased to see these titles by Eve Bunting on your list! Fly Away Home is one of my favourites as well. An important topic. And I know what you mean Bear Has a Story to tell rises to the top of the wonderful bear books out there!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love your titles here Michelle! I have some of the same books in my list too. But also you've included some new ones for me. I've seen "Bear Has a Story to Tell" a few times today in my reading of 10 for 10, so it must be worth buying! Add another book to my amazon account. :)

    Thanks so much for sharing!

    @jennivanrees

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh Michelle, I love every one but Ribbit, new to me. Your books are marvelous picks-useful & thoughtful for many ages. thanks for reminding me about Hello, Hello. I'd forgotten about it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Eve Bunting- what library would be complete with books by her, especially these two.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Michelle,
    What a wonderful list! I'm sure it was challenging to take books off of your previous ten to make room for new. So many great titles here!

    Isn't Eve Bunting an amazing author? I love so many of her books!

    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Michelle, I see several titles here that I loved last year too! My favorite had to be Bear Has a Story to Tell. I also loved Exclamation Mark and Each Kindness. Now I'm off to request Ribbit! and Ralph Tells a Story.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love looking at your lists over the years!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Popular posts from this blog

{40 reasons} #sol15

Slice of Life  hosted  at the Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life. _____________________________________________________ Today my husband celebrates a big, BIG birthday -- and I'm so lucky and thankful to have spent  the last sixteen years learning about everything that he loves the last (almost) twelve years learning about everything that I love about him the last (almost) five years learning with my daughters why we love our Daddy. Created at canva.com _____________________________________________________ Happy, happy 40th birthday Jon!

An Interview with Educator/Momma/Writer Ruth Ayres Celebrating #EnticingWriters + Giveaway!

I love sharing book titles with close friends, so I'm happy you are here! I want to share a book that you must add to your to-be-read list. Ruth Ayres has a brand new book titled  Enticing Hard-To-Reach Writers   published by Stenhouse Publishers. It's another must read from Ruth. There are many professional development books available to learn about mastering our craft of teaching.   However, there are only a few that make a true impact -- and this is one book that weaves raw truth, research, practical ideas, and story all in one {cute} little package.  In  Enticing Hard-To-Reach Writers , Ruth allows her worlds to collide during the creation:  "In this book, I entwine my three story lines as educator, momma, and writer." (p. 6) And she does this in an amazing way through sharing stories of her family, adoption, children living in hard places -- and doing their best  -- and healing. She shares how we can use research to understand how to

{#sol15} 10 Tips for the Challenge

Slice of Life  hosted  at the Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life. Last Saturday morning, I didn't need to wake up early.  I wanted to go back to sleep.  But instead my brain was awake and thinking.  Creating this list.  Writing this post.   Many of us are embarking on an adventure - the Slice of Life Story Challenge.  Writing, sharing, and commenting for thirty-one days in March. Want to learn more about the SOLSC?  Check out Stacey's post {HERE} about the challenge hosted by the "Fab Six" over at the Two Writing Teachers ' blog.   I hope you find these tips for the challenge helpful whether you are a first-time slicer (cue confetti!) or a year five slicer like me. 1. Before the challenge