Tuesday, August 9, 2011

10 For 10 Inspiration

Okay, I have to admit that the 10 for 10 Picture Books event also had something to do with starting a blog. Cathy from the blog Reflect and Refine and Mandy from the blog Embrace Learning want to know which ten picture books we cannot live without.  I started thinking about my list about a week ago and it keeps changing.  It is quite a challenge to narrow the list down to just 10 because there are so many fabulous books for children, but I will give it a shot.

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle - this book is the earliest book I can remember as a child.  It seems to delight children over and over again.  With the little holes to play with and the bright beautiful illustrations, this book is always a winner.



2. The Happy Hocky Family by Lane Smith - no matter how many times I read this book, I howl and so do the kids.  Lane Smith's humor is quite cracked and sometimes I am not even sure why we are rolling on the floor, but there we are.





3. Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton - who can resist this great competition between these tough guys?



4. Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell - this biography is fantastic.  The illustrations are gentle like Jane and the mix of real drawing and photographs with the illustrator's work is perfect.



5. Here's a Little Poem by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters - it is stretching definitions to consider this a picture book since it has a few too many pages, but I just wouldn't survive without some poetry.  Children love the No-No Bird (a child stomping his feet and throwing a tantrum) because they have all seen or done the very same thing and the poem about ice cream is a winner too.



6. Sitti's Secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye - is a truly beautiful story of family and place.  This explores the relationship of a young girl with her Palestinian grandmother.  They don't speak the same verbal language, but the language of love does the job.




7. No David! by David Shannon - absolutely hilarious - enough said.





8. We are in a Book! by Mo Willems - Elephant and Piggie may be simple characters, but they are sly and silly too.  I love this book about books and reading and so does almost every child that has the good fortune to meet this book.



9. Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco - we have a heartwarming and beautiful tearjerker here.  It is a great way to see some parallels with the Jewish and African American experiences.  Beyond that, it is a fantastic example of community.




10. My People by Langston Hughes and Charles R. Smith Jr. - the photographs are fantastic and of course the poetry is too.  I love seeing the beauty and joy in the faces of his people.  You can't help but smile in response.

8 comments:

  1. Wow, so many new fun books I am adding to my list of must-reads after this event! I love Lane Smith, so my first on the list will be The Happy Hocky family. It sounds great. I also want to read Here's a Little Poem--I love Jane Yolen too. Thanks for joining in on the #PB10for10 event. I'll look forward to reading more of your new blog!

    Denise

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  2. We have We Are In a Book in common! I adore that book! Very fun list. :) What a great reason to start a blog!

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  3. I like sharing these favorites reads. The posts give my lots of good ideas. No, David! is on lots of lists. My class loves to choral read that one.

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  4. My kids love The Very Hungry Caterpillar. such a great classic. I love that you included some poetry on your list. I'm always looking for good collections!

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  5. Thanks for the comments. This has been a lot of fun. I am really enjoying the exchange of ideas.

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  6. Haven't had a visit with the Happy Hocky family for a while - I'll do so very soon.
    I too listed My People. What's not to like?
    I'm not familiar with Here's a Little Poem but will look it up.
    Thanks for the list.
    Tammy
    Apples with Many Seeds

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  7. Welcome and thanks for joining us today. I just love Here's a Little Poem and My People, so glad you put them on your list because I didn't.

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  8. Great list! Me Jane is on my wish list, and I just added Here's a Little Poem. Happy Blogging, I just started also :).

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