It’s August 10, time for 10 for 10!
Here are 10 of the best picture books I’ve read so far this year. It was so hard to narrow this list down, as there have been others I’ve adored, too, but I stuck to the rules. The first two are poetry collections/anthologies, and the final two are rhyming picture books, so I’m using this as my Poetry Friday post, too! (I’m also sometimes sharing my comments from Goodreads.) Enjoy!
Jumping Off Library Shelves: “One of my favorite Lee Bennett Hopkins anthologies ever!”
Changes: A Child’s First Poetry Collection: “This collection is pretty much perfection.”
Ginny Louise and the School Field Day: “An anti-bullying story wrapped up in so much cleverness and humor! Wish I had written it!”
Shelter: “Beautiful allegory about sharing and welcoming.”
Write to Me: “Powerful story sure to inspire discussions about tolerance, prejudice, and the wonder of great librarians!”
Charlotte the Scientist Is Squished: “Fun story, PLUS a layer of scientific method! Very clever.”
How to Code a Sandcastle: “Fun, inspiring, and unintimidating! Great introduction to coding!”
Shark Lady: “What a wonderful picture book biography, sure to inspire budding scientists and all young girls! I love the language here as Eugenie dives deep and fishes for information. I also love that I learned a few new things myself, even though I’m a Shark Week fan.”
Dreaming of You: “I adore Amy Ludwig VanDerwater’s new book, DREAMING OF YOU. This rhyming bedtime story imagines what all the animals are dreaming about. Wonderful details and fun language make it fresh and beautiful. Here’s one of my favorite stanzas:
Chipmunks are dreaming of digging deep burrows.
Chipmunks are dreaming of fat, seedy cheeks.
Chipmunks are dreaming of racing and chasing you,
cheerfully playing at hide-and-go-seek.
And what fun for kids to chant along with the phrase, “____s are dreaming,” which is repeated three times in each spread.”
Twinderella: ” Such a clever “fractioned” fairy tale. Great rhymes, pretty much impeccable meter, plus math fun! What could be better?”
For all the Poetry Friday fun, check out the Poetry Friday Roundup with Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone.
And you can find all the #PB10for10 at this Google Community or by searching for the #PB10FOR10 hashtag on social media. And you can get more info about it here from creator Cathy Mere.
Thanks for sharing your top ten. I don’t own a single one of these books, which is a gap I must fill. Think I’ll start with the LBH anthology.
Nice rundown! I love the title “Twinderella”!
I know all the books but Twinderella, looks like lots of fun, Laura. Yes, I love Amy’s book, too!
What a wonderful run down on great picture books. Of course, I was drawn to Changes with its subtitle, A Child’s First Poetry Collection. Amy’s book sounds like it would be a great read aloud. Thanks Laura for your postings.
What a great list, Laura! Most of these were new to me. I love the cover of “Shelter” and am also, for obvious reasons, drawn to “Dreaming of You.” And who can resist the combination of Lee Bennett Hopkins and that title, “Jumping Off Library Shelves”? Thanks for sharing!
Each book just calls out to me. What a great list! I’m sending this list to myself at school. The ‘Write to Me’ book looks good for middle school. no? I’m always on the hunt for PBs that fit my middle school curriculum. Thanks for sharing your list. I would love to know more about how you read a PB as a writer. How do you analyze componets of a book ? Do you have a list for that? Or, do you read it and if you love it…it’s good?
Good question, Linda! I try to read as reader FIRST, then as a writer. Maybe I’ll do a post…
Such a great list, Laura! I’ve been reorganizing my Kindergarten classroom book tubs this summer and will make sure I tuck these gems into their respective tubs!
Great list, Laura!
Great list, Laura!
Oh Laura I just love this list! So many wonderful books here!
Great list! So many wonderful books to share, and several of them are new to me. I’m looking forward to checking them out. Thanks for sharing!
Living downunder, I haven’t seen any of these yet – other than covers online, of course! (I recognise a lot thataway.) Fun to read your tantalising snippets. Definitely added a few to my wish list! The cover of Ginny Louise doesn’t appeal at all, to me – but your snappy little review puts it top of my list!
What a great list of books! Thank you for sharing. I am definitely intrigued.
So many wonderful books here Laura–I have “Jumping Off Library Shelves” but there’s many more here I’d like to spend time with, thanks!
Your list is terrific, Laura! I’ve read several already, and agree that Shelter and Shark Lady are not to be missed. Looking forward to finding Twinderella and Write to Me. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Laura! I have books to find now and am completely honored that our lullaby made your wonderful list. Hug. xxxx
Love the list. Can’t wait to read the titles that were new to me.
Great list, Laura. I ordered a bunch of the ones new to me from the library. I look forward to reading them with pleasure. Picture books are a delight.
Great bumper crop of PBs, Laura – I’m eager to meet up with the ones I don’t know! :0)
Thanks for the list. Twinderella and Write to Me are now on my to order list. They will be very useful additions to the Doucette Library.
Tammy
Apples with Many Seeds
THANK YOU for citing A BUNCH OF PUNCTUATION, a joy of a book to compile.
Thanks for posting! I am honored you picked Dreaming of You!! It was a privilege to illustrate and work with Amy’s fantastic words. If any of your readers would like to download this free, simple activity kit that corresponds with book, the author and publisher were generous to put it together and put it out in the world. The link is http://www.curiouscitydpw.com/2018/05/15/dreaming-of-you-kit/
What a lovely storytime kit! I hadn’t seen it–and your art in the book complements Amy’s beautiful words so wonderfully!