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It is an obsession . . . to read, to borrow, to purchase, to savor, to share, to read again . . . and again . . . and again. I need them. I want them. I have to have them!
That is why I had to participate in this event! Cathy and Mandy are hosting August 10 for 10: The second annual picture book event. They suggested to pick the 10 picture books that I can't live without in my classroom and library. This is quite an undertaking, but I've got my favorites to share -- as of now -- in no particular order. I'm sure this list will be amended as I learn and read and fall in love with other favorite picture books.
But for now --
[drum roll please]
[drum roll please]
These are my go-to books.
My love-to-read-over-and-over books.
My just-can't-live-without-them books!
Yo! Yes! by Chris RaschkaA fun, simple book about friendship. I love using this book to discuss punctuation, size and color of text, and reading with expression. A lot of emotion is placed on the simple one or two word interactions. A great read along book for all ages!
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
by Don and Audrey Wood
The title says it all. However, I love how the reader is invited into the story from the very beginning. A conversation of sorts with the little mouse. The illustrations are precious. What will the little mouse do to hide the red ripe strawberry from the big hungry bear?
Stellaluna and Verdi by Janell Cannon
Two stories of survival. One adorable fruit bat and one hip snake. What can I say about these two favorite characters beside they have so much character! Kids love the antics of Stellaluna -- living with birds and eating a grasshopper -- and Verdi -- a super 8 flip-a-roo. I love the rich language and vocabulary sprinkled throughout each book.
Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis WyethWhat is your 'something beautiful'? In this story, a girl is searching for her something beautiful because all she sees is ugliness in her neighborhood. She knows that something beautiful is "when you have it, your heart is happy." Great conversations had about this story and deep thinking about what is something beautiful to you. What makes your heart happy?
Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting
First of all, choosing just one Eve Bunting book was difficult. Again, another great read aloud that encourages great conversation. A superb text that allows modeling multiple reading comprehension strategies. This is a story about a father and son who are homeless. It describes what life is like living in an airport. Powerful story with the glimpse of hope.
Owl Moon by Jane YolenA sweet story about a father his daughter spending quiet time together in the woods in search of the Great Horned Owl. The language, the vocabulary, the illustrations . . . all take my breath away. I'm constantly suggesting to listen to that again and rereading, or look closely at this illustration. A masterpiece!
Just look at that smile. Who can resist such a sweet, innocent little scaredy squirrel? I love this little creature, as do all my students! We laugh at his phobias. We smirk at his silly ideas. We crack up when his very detailed plans don't go as he carefully outlined them. Enjoy them all: Scaredy Squirrel, Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach, Scaredy Squirrel at Night, Scaredy Squirrel has a Birthday Party.
OK. Turn your head to the left. What does OK become? A stick person! The illustrations are simple, but it works for this book! In this deliciously OK book, we learn that we are OK at a lot of things in life. And, well, it's OK. But enjoy the journey and adventures. "One day, I'll grow up to be really excellent at something. I don't know what it is yet... but I sure am having fun figuring it out."
A fun and adorable read! A silly little puppy who gets hooked on reading when his teacher, a little yellow bird, stops reading at an enticing part of the story. This little yellow bird teaches Rocket how to read using many of the strategies that our students use to learn how to read!
A new title added to my collection this summer shared by author/teacher Patrick Allen on his blog, All-en-A-Day's Work.
Between the beautiful illustrations and the narrative text encouraging a child to take hold of the experiences in our every day lives.
I'm positive that as I peruse the other lists, I probably will notice that I've missed a couple of my favorite books. Other titles that crossed my mind include: Beautiful Oops!, Press Here, This Plus That, Bark George, Yes Day, The Wednesday Surprise, Little Pea. Can't wait to see what other titles are shared! Amazon wish list? Open. Picture book budget? Nope. (Just teasing honey!)
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I, too, have just discovered No One But You and will be using it in a project I'm working on with elementary school teachers around the 'big idea' of journey. Journey is discovery, among other things.
ReplyDeleteReally happy to see Yo! Yes! in your list.
Thanks for the recommendations.
Tammy
Apples with Many Seeds
Thanks for joining us today. The OK book was new to me last year and my students loved it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list. I need to pick up Yo! Yes! I think my boys would love it.
ReplyDeleteI like your list Michelle! I'm going to have to get the OK book since I'm here in Ok and all! I see a couple more I NEED too. So much for that first pay check!
ReplyDelete