One of her recent posts listed her Top 10 Favorite Picture Books, and that's a meme that I just couldn't pass up! Here are mine! My favorites today, that is. I'd probably give some different answers on another day..
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
I remember checking this book out just about every week of 1st grade! I loved it sooo much that I even bought a lithograph of one of the illustrations a few years ago. It is a seminal piece of children's literature, and the quintessential picture book, IMO.
Animalia by Graeme Base
I loved this intricate picture book so much the first time that I saw it, that I bought a poster set and hung it up in my middle school MATH classroom! The kids were captivated by the illustrations! I may have been a librarian even then, and I didn't know it!
My Big Dog by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
I just LOVE Merle the cat! This is a sweet story of home and belonging, and acceptance! I think this team (Stevens and Crummel) is one of the treasures of today's children's literature--any of their picture books could have made my list. I love My Big Dog the most though!
Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude by Kevin O'Malley
My students absolutely love this silly picture book told in 2, very distinct, voices! Kevin O'Malley visited our school last year, and I don't think any of us will forget it soon! What a character he is! Even before his visit, I couldn't keep our multiple copies of this book on the shelf! It's a hit with teachers, boys, girls, primary-aged and intermediate kids! Check it out if you haven't already!
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith
What kids don't love this silly collection of fractured fairy tales! It's a perennial favorite in our library!
Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport & Bryan Collier
Not every single book on my favorites list is a silly one! Martin's Big Words is such an affecting work, and I see something different in it every time I share it with students. Wow! This is what makes children's literature exciting and amazing!
Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore! by David McPhail
This picture book just makes me laugh to think about it. That Elvis pig is just a hoot! McPhail's use of a black background just makes the story come alive. I love this one!
My Dinosaur by Mark Alan Weatherby
I love this quiet story of imagination! I love that the main character, who love-love-loves her dinosaur friend, is a girl and not a boy. I love the soft illustrations and the small details that keep kids interested. Notice the wallpaper in the girl's room, the dinosaur's eye peeking in the window, his shadow falling across her lawn! I also love that my students applaud when we finish reading this sweet tale. Lovely.
Click Clack, Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Cows that type are just plain enjoyable!
The Rainbow Goblins by Ul De Rico
Maybe slightly heavy-handed, as far as the storyline goes, but I have such sweet memories of reading this book over and over to my nephew when he was small! He reads it to his daughters now...The illustrations are stunning and unique.
What are your top 10 picture books?
Tag them with top10picturebooks! It'll be interesting to see people's picks!
