5 must have picture books

Sandi 12:22:00 AM 18 comments
Hello.  My name is Sandi.  And I love picture books. I love to read the words. I love to read the pictures.   I love to buy them.  I love the stiffness of a new book.  I love the tatteredness of a well loved book.  I love seeing my kidlets delight in books.



So, I am linking up with Lindsey from The Teacher Wife. 
Lindsey has asked us to list our top five picture books.

So, in random order, here they are...



The Gruffalo 
author: Julia Donaldson  illustrator: Axel Scheffler
I love the lilting rhythm of the rhyming text, the repetition and twist at the end. At a workshop I found a Gruffalo - it called my name, I paid for its adoption, and it found a new home in my classroom.


The Napping House
author: Audrey Wood   illustrator: Don Wood
A gentle story invites the reader into the story through the cumulative repetitive text, the cleverly detailed illustrations and the changing colour palette reflecting the story events.


Paperbag Princess
author: Robert Munsch  illustrator: Michael Martchenko
High energy, repetition, fun and engaging illustrations make this a classic. Robert Munsch is Canadian; for me, that's the icing on the cake.



Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
author and illustrator: mo willems
Pigeon at the wheel!  The minimal text, the simple but ever-so-expressive illustrations make this, and all the Pigeon books, read aloud classroom favourites.

Tough Boris
author: Mem Fox  illustrator: Kathryn Brown
The dual stories told by the text and the illustrations come together perfectly in Tough Boris.  I Iove the juxtaposition of the tough fearless of the pirate who cries and cries - giving the reader permission to do the same. 

The Mitten
author and illustrator: Jan Brett
The cumulative story, rich vocabulary ("glinty talons") and Jan Brett's amazing illustrations (including a peak-ahead to the story and a parallel story in the sidebars). 

Oops - that was six books.  Consider one a bonus book!

What are your five (or six) favourites?





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18 comments

  1. Miss NelsonJuly 17, 2012 at 12:35 AM

    Love your selections.

    ✣ Miss Nelson✣
    Miss Nelson’s Blog

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kimberley MoranJuly 17, 2012 at 6:18 AM

    Those are my favorites too. Only...I don't know the pirate one! Must go get it.

    Did you ever see the Gruffalo movie. It's totally beautiful.

    ✰ Kimberley ✰
    First in Maine

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    Replies
    1. Sandi July 17, 2012 at 8:55 AM

      I have not seen the Gruffalo movie - I will have to check it out.

      With your love of story - you will love Tough Boris.

      sandi

      Delete
  3. Liz MccawJuly 17, 2012 at 8:59 AM

    I love this idea and so have joined up. I think that The Gruffalo has become a must have for Kindergarten collections. It was too hard to decide on my top five so instead I picked my Kinders top five! Have a peak at my site.

    Liz :)

    http://crazyforkindergarten68.blogspot.ca/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kierna CJuly 17, 2012 at 9:48 AM

    I love this Sandi & lots of new books for me to try - so glad to know I'm not the only one who loves picture books - the biggest perk of my job I believe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandi July 17, 2012 at 9:58 AM

      I agree - one of the biggest perks of the job : )

      sandi

      Delete
  5. SuziJuly 17, 2012 at 9:49 AM

    We love The Gruffalo too! Other faves are The Selfish Crocodile by Faustin Charles, Three Billygoats Gruff and Mean Calypso Joe by Cathren Youngquist and Peace at Last by Jill Murphy. We get some great books sent over from family in England :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sandi July 17, 2012 at 10:02 AM

    I have to check out some of those books. My daughter Anna is in the UK for the summer; I am ordering some books from Amazon.uk for her to bring back for me!

    sandi

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  7. The Meek MooseJuly 17, 2012 at 10:47 AM

    I fell in love with Audrey and Don Wood over twelve years ago. The Napping house has been a favorite of mine and my children since the beginning. Great list!
    ~Heather

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  8. smoran892July 17, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    I saw the name of your blog on the linky and I HAD to hop on over and check it out! I am now your newest follower :)

    Susan
    T.G.I.F. (Thank God it's First Grade!)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Eileen GriffinJuly 17, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    I love The Paperbag Princess! So funny. I am a new follower!
    Eileen
    Second Grade Sunshine

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lindsey (The Teacher Wife)July 17, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    Thanks for linking up! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Miss TrayersJuly 18, 2012 at 7:05 AM

    Oh I forgot about the Napping House! That one's definitely a classic. The stuffed Gruffalo is soooo cute!

    NotJustChild'sPlay

    ReplyDelete
  12. AthenaPhoenixJuly 18, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    The Gruffalo looks precious! I love your blog name. I'm a new follower!

    ✪Crystal✪
    Strive to Sparkle

    ReplyDelete
  13. CourtneyJuly 18, 2012 at 2:30 PM

    I just love the books that you listed! Such beautiful illustrations in the Mem Fox book too!

    Make sure to stop by and enter my giveaway
    -Courtney
    2ndgradesnapshots.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Tamera WilsonJuly 22, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    Love your pics. I once dressed up like the Paper Bag Princess for school. Kids loved it!
    I am your newest follower. Stop by sometime soon.

    :)
    Tamera
    http://myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com
    Kaizactan2001@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

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