In the blogosphere and Twitterverse, today is a pretty big day, Well, at least for the "kid's lit" lovers, that is.
See, today (and every August 10) famous authors, editors, illustrators, librarians, critics, teachers, librarians, and all-around children's book aficionados post their current list of favorite children's books. These are typically picture books, though I don't believe they have to be. When their lists are written up, their're shared throughout the kid lit community with the hashtag "ph10for10". The idea is that by finding out what other people must have in their classroom or home libraries, we will go out and purchase these books so that they (and the joy that they bring!!!) will be shared with our students and children.
Some people share their favorite classics, some share their favorite classroom mentor texts, and others share their favorites that have been published within the last 365 days.
My list consists (mostly) of the top 10 that came to my mind. Mind you, it took me bits and pieces of the entire day to write this, as I spent 7 hours working on putting the classroom together today, but still...
In no particular order:
Journey, by Aaron Becker
Journey happens to be a wordless picture book. I tell every teacher I know about this book at every chance I get because of its magical powers. It is completely captivating for children and adults. The detail in the images is astounding.
In the story, you find a girl traveling through an M.C. Escher-style word, created entirely by her imagination. As a teacher, my favorite part of this book is how easily it translates to a writing prompt. The students can write her story, write a story inspired by her adventures, or write a story that elaborates on one specific scene. The options are endless. But as a consumer in general, I love this book for its beauty.
This book won the Caldecott for best picture book, though my version doesn't have the metal on the book because I wan an original fan, and bought it before it became all famous and stuff ;)
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?, by Mo Willems
In all honesty, I could have put literally any Mo Willems book on this list and ranted and raved about it. This one just happens to be a current favorite of mine. What I love about Mo's books is the way he portrays voice. As a teacher, it can be very difficult to teach students to read with expression and fluctuation in their voice. When you read a Mo Willem's book, it's absolutely impossible to read without those things. The way he uses font size, boldness, and color, make it so clear for the students to see how the character is speaking. Not to mention, the emotions are written/drawn all over the page!
If you don't have any Mo books, your library would greatly benefit from them.
Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney
This is one of the books that I read at the beginning of the year, end of they year, a few times in between, and love to give as a gift. It is a simple story with a profound message. Like me, Miss Rumphius always dreamed of traveling the world, living in a house by the ocean, and leave the a world a little more beautiful than it was when she entered it. Maybe for those similarities, I am a bit biased, but I really don't think so. In addition to the breathtaking pictures, the most beautiful part of the story is the call to action it leaves you with: how are you going to make the world a more beautiful place? I don't think you can beat that...
The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt
This a book unlike any other--though it is about to have an adorable sequel titled The Day the Crayons Came Home. It is a fresh take on the idea that we are all unique, we all have many facets and talents, and we are all improved by working as a team. It doesn't hurt that this is written in the form of letters (can you say "amazing teaching tool?"), written and drawn entirely in crayon, and is equal parts witty and adorable. That means adults and kids alike will enjoy this book...which is good, since you'll probably be asked to read it over and over again.
Thank You, Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco
I think it's impossible to make a "favorite picture book" list without a Patty book showing up somewhere. Not only are her pictures lovely, her words are always poignant. (Side note: I follow her on facebook and she writes on there as beautifully as she does in her books.) Anyway, this book is an easy favorite of mine. As a teacher, I think that a story about the impact a special teacher had on a struggling student, really strikes a cord. This book is a great reminder to students to push through the tough stuff, and to teachers to always see (and encourage!) the potential in your students.
The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
This book just holds a special place in my heart, and it couldn't possibly stay off my list.
Here is the story behind the story: every Christmas Eve, since before I was even born, the tradition has always been to listen to this book (read in the dulcet-y tones of William Hurt) on my dad's giant boom box, follow along in the book, and ring the bell. My older brother and I would alternate who got to ring the bell each year. My brother is now 27 and I am 24...we still have not missed a year of this tradition. There isn't a single thing I don't love about this book (except the movie adaptation)...the pictures, the musty smell of the pages, the sound of the cassette player reading the tape... Plus, Chris Val Allsburg is a literary and artistic genius. Plus plus, I love the idea that only those with the heart and faith of a child can still "hear" the bell!
Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
Yet another beautiful book about the power of your own imagination...and a parent's unconditional love. With quotes like "let the wild rumpus start" and "I'll eat you up, I love you so," how could you not fall in love with Max and his equally as unruly gang of monsters?
The Paper Bag Princess, by Robert Munsch
Talk about a book that screams "Girl power!" at the top of its lungs. This is one of the first fairy tales (that I know of, I suppose) that told the story of the damsel not-so-in-distress that sets out to save the price. It turns all the fairy tale cliches on their head. The "bum" of a prince decides that he doesn't want this heroic princess because her epic journey made her dirty, smelly, and all around too good for him anyway! And guess what? She just didn't care!
The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds
The Dot has an international holiday. Did you know that? In fact, our class will be celebrating this year! This wonderful book teaches students that their potential for greatness is huge. It encourages creativity, promotes a healthy dose of imagination, and reminds kids (and adults, really) that their only limits are the ones that they place on themselves.
The Monster at the End of This Book, by Jon Stone
I would imagine that I am not the only person who loves this book but had no idea who the author was. I had to look it up! Poor Jon...
This book is perfect simply for the joy it brings kiddos. Thinking about it now, it's probably each reader's first experience with the "thriller" genre! There's just something about always turning the page, despite the pleads and effort that Grover throws at you with every turn. But curiosity always gets the best of us, right? Maybe that's the hidden message here?
Well, it's 11:55pm and it looks like I might actually get this posted before it becomes the 10for11! Let me know what your favorite children's/picture books are...chances are, they'll probably end up in my classroom library shortly after (if they're not in there already, that is!)
See, today (and every August 10) famous authors, editors, illustrators, librarians, critics, teachers, librarians, and all-around children's book aficionados post their current list of favorite children's books. These are typically picture books, though I don't believe they have to be. When their lists are written up, their're shared throughout the kid lit community with the hashtag "ph10for10". The idea is that by finding out what other people must have in their classroom or home libraries, we will go out and purchase these books so that they (and the joy that they bring!!!) will be shared with our students and children.
Some people share their favorite classics, some share their favorite classroom mentor texts, and others share their favorites that have been published within the last 365 days.
My list consists (mostly) of the top 10 that came to my mind. Mind you, it took me bits and pieces of the entire day to write this, as I spent 7 hours working on putting the classroom together today, but still...
In no particular order:
Journey, by Aaron Becker
Journey happens to be a wordless picture book. I tell every teacher I know about this book at every chance I get because of its magical powers. It is completely captivating for children and adults. The detail in the images is astounding.
In the story, you find a girl traveling through an M.C. Escher-style word, created entirely by her imagination. As a teacher, my favorite part of this book is how easily it translates to a writing prompt. The students can write her story, write a story inspired by her adventures, or write a story that elaborates on one specific scene. The options are endless. But as a consumer in general, I love this book for its beauty.
This book won the Caldecott for best picture book, though my version doesn't have the metal on the book because I wan an original fan, and bought it before it became all famous and stuff ;)
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?, by Mo Willems
In all honesty, I could have put literally any Mo Willems book on this list and ranted and raved about it. This one just happens to be a current favorite of mine. What I love about Mo's books is the way he portrays voice. As a teacher, it can be very difficult to teach students to read with expression and fluctuation in their voice. When you read a Mo Willem's book, it's absolutely impossible to read without those things. The way he uses font size, boldness, and color, make it so clear for the students to see how the character is speaking. Not to mention, the emotions are written/drawn all over the page!
If you don't have any Mo books, your library would greatly benefit from them.
Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney
This is one of the books that I read at the beginning of the year, end of they year, a few times in between, and love to give as a gift. It is a simple story with a profound message. Like me, Miss Rumphius always dreamed of traveling the world, living in a house by the ocean, and leave the a world a little more beautiful than it was when she entered it. Maybe for those similarities, I am a bit biased, but I really don't think so. In addition to the breathtaking pictures, the most beautiful part of the story is the call to action it leaves you with: how are you going to make the world a more beautiful place? I don't think you can beat that...
The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt
This a book unlike any other--though it is about to have an adorable sequel titled The Day the Crayons Came Home. It is a fresh take on the idea that we are all unique, we all have many facets and talents, and we are all improved by working as a team. It doesn't hurt that this is written in the form of letters (can you say "amazing teaching tool?"), written and drawn entirely in crayon, and is equal parts witty and adorable. That means adults and kids alike will enjoy this book...which is good, since you'll probably be asked to read it over and over again.
Thank You, Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco
I think it's impossible to make a "favorite picture book" list without a Patty book showing up somewhere. Not only are her pictures lovely, her words are always poignant. (Side note: I follow her on facebook and she writes on there as beautifully as she does in her books.) Anyway, this book is an easy favorite of mine. As a teacher, I think that a story about the impact a special teacher had on a struggling student, really strikes a cord. This book is a great reminder to students to push through the tough stuff, and to teachers to always see (and encourage!) the potential in your students.
The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
This book just holds a special place in my heart, and it couldn't possibly stay off my list.
Here is the story behind the story: every Christmas Eve, since before I was even born, the tradition has always been to listen to this book (read in the dulcet-y tones of William Hurt) on my dad's giant boom box, follow along in the book, and ring the bell. My older brother and I would alternate who got to ring the bell each year. My brother is now 27 and I am 24...we still have not missed a year of this tradition. There isn't a single thing I don't love about this book (except the movie adaptation)...the pictures, the musty smell of the pages, the sound of the cassette player reading the tape... Plus, Chris Val Allsburg is a literary and artistic genius. Plus plus, I love the idea that only those with the heart and faith of a child can still "hear" the bell!
Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
Yet another beautiful book about the power of your own imagination...and a parent's unconditional love. With quotes like "let the wild rumpus start" and "I'll eat you up, I love you so," how could you not fall in love with Max and his equally as unruly gang of monsters?
The Paper Bag Princess, by Robert Munsch
Talk about a book that screams "Girl power!" at the top of its lungs. This is one of the first fairy tales (that I know of, I suppose) that told the story of the damsel not-so-in-distress that sets out to save the price. It turns all the fairy tale cliches on their head. The "bum" of a prince decides that he doesn't want this heroic princess because her epic journey made her dirty, smelly, and all around too good for him anyway! And guess what? She just didn't care!
The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds
The Dot has an international holiday. Did you know that? In fact, our class will be celebrating this year! This wonderful book teaches students that their potential for greatness is huge. It encourages creativity, promotes a healthy dose of imagination, and reminds kids (and adults, really) that their only limits are the ones that they place on themselves.
The Monster at the End of This Book, by Jon Stone
I would imagine that I am not the only person who loves this book but had no idea who the author was. I had to look it up! Poor Jon...
This book is perfect simply for the joy it brings kiddos. Thinking about it now, it's probably each reader's first experience with the "thriller" genre! There's just something about always turning the page, despite the pleads and effort that Grover throws at you with every turn. But curiosity always gets the best of us, right? Maybe that's the hidden message here?
Well, it's 11:55pm and it looks like I might actually get this posted before it becomes the 10for11! Let me know what your favorite children's/picture books are...chances are, they'll probably end up in my classroom library shortly after (if they're not in there already, that is!)