This year for my picture book 10 for 10 list, I’m choosing to highlight & celebrate my favorite female-illustrated picture books of 2018.

both illustrated by Stephanie Laberis

Title: THE SNATCHABOOK

Author: Helen Docherty
Illustrator: Thomas Docherty
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Number of Pages: 32
Source of Book: eARC from Publisher

Where have all the bedtime stories gone?
          One dark, dark night in Burrow Down, a rabbit named Eliza Brown found a book and settled down…when a Snatchabook flew into town.
          It’s bedtime in the woods of Burrow Down, and all the animals are ready for their bedtime story. But books are mysteriously disappearing. Eliza Brown decides to stay awake and catch the book thief. It turns out to be a little creature called the Snatchabook who has no one to read him a bedtime story. All turns out well when the books are returned and the animals take turns reading bedtime stories to the Snatchabook.

This was really hard to narrow down to a top 10 (as it always seems to be for me with books of any kind) and these are in no particular order. Some are old favorites I’ve used with students, and some are new favorites I’m looking forward to sharing with my students this year, and all make me smile and touch on themes I want my middle schoolers to think about and discuss.

I want to make a big impact with the read alouds I choose for the first day of school. Yes, I read picture books to my 7th & 8th graders. I want a quick text that we can all share to start creating our classroom community in a positive way. I want my students to see the value and depth of picture books no matter how old they are. I want my students to know I will be reading aloud to them throughout the year (not only to model fluency, but because we are never to old to appreciate a read aloud). I want my students to continue to have fun experiences with reading and enjoy a book all together. I want the message I send on the very first day of school to be one of a love of reading and appreciation of literature in all of its forms. Picture books let me do everything I want to do on that first meeting with students.

This year is the first time that I will have a group of students for the 2nd year in a row, so it was time to decide on new first day of school read alouds for my incoming 8th graders (who I taught last year as 7th graders – I will probably still use the same one I’ve used before for my incoming 7th graders because I like the message it sends about building our community from the start). The great thing is that I won’t have to waste any time in getting to know you activities because we all know each other already, so we can jump right into the learning and reading. In thinking about all of the picture books I read aloud to this group last year (and there were many) and all of the new ones I’ve found this summer, and what I know about this class of students from last year and their group dynamics, I realized I wanted to tailor the theme of the books I chose to what I think they need and what I want to focus on from the start of their 8th grade experience. What I realized is that there were three picture books I read that all related to themes of friendship, supporting each other, and courage. Thus, my first day of school read alouds for my 8th graders this year. *I’m also very much looking forward to being able to rethink this every year for my incoming 8th graders based on what I know about that group and how I want to start our year.

ART & MAX by David Wiesner

What are you planning on reading to your students for the first day of school? How are you deciding?

Day four is so exciting for me because I rediscovered my love of picture books this year, especially using them in the classroom, and as such, I read many, many more than in previous years. Because of this, I was actually able to put together a Top Ten that I think represents some of the best. If you
haven’t read these, you should definitely add to your To Be Read list!

Disclaimer: I read a lot of books this year, but there are still so many picture books I didn’t get to. This is by no means an
exhaustive list of the quality picture books that came out in 2012. 

EACH KINDNESS by Jacqueline Woodson

THE CLOUD SPINNER by Michael Catchpool

THIS IS NOT MY HAT by Jon Klassen (follow-up to I WANT MY HAT BACK)

 
A FLOWER IN THE SNOW by Tracey Corderoy

THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE by William Joyce

TOO TALL HOUSES by Gianna Marino

 
UNSPOKEN: A Story From the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole (wordless)

SKY COLOR by Peter H. Reynolds

THE MONSTERS’ MONSTER by Patrick McDonnell

HELLO! HELLO! by Matthew Cordell

Bonus (older book I just discovered this year)  

WE ARE IN A BOOK by Mo Willems

Title: THE MONSTERS’ MONSTER
Author & Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 4, 2012
Number of Pages: 40
Source of Book: F&G from publisher for review

Once upon a time, there
were three little rascals who thought they were the BIGGEST, BADDEST
monsters around. Then along came an even BIGGER monster who changed
their minds. And all it took was two little words.

In this playful
tale from bestselling picture book author Patrick McDonnell, a very BIG
monster shows three very BAD little monsters the power of boundless
gratitude.

THE MONSTERS’ MONSTER is a charming picture book that is beautifully illustrated with a message about expectations, appreciation, and gratitude. Patrick McDonnell writes with a sense of humor to his three little monster characters in their names, words, and actions. The book seemed to be starting off headed in one direction, and then once the monster came alive, it went somewhere else than I expected, which is one of the reasons that it was such an effective book. Although the little monsters who are trying to be “real” scary monsters wish it were different, the one they’ve created just isn’t about that. He’s thankful to have been brought alive, shows gratefulness to those who did something for him, and wants to appreciate the beauty of the world he is now able to see. McDonnell’s story pairs wonderfully with his delightful illustrations, starting in the dark and gloomy monsters’ castle down to the neutral town and ending in the bright beauty of the beach at sunrise. I am a fan of Patrick McDonnell’s picture books, and THE MONSTERS’ MONSTER has risen to the top of that list.

Title: THE CARPENTER’S GIFT: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree
Author: David Rubel, illustrated by Jim LeMarche
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Number of Pages: 48

This new classic
Christmas gift book “brings together two great traditions: the
Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the neighbor-helping-neighbor
program of Habitat for Humanity.” Opening in Depression-era New York
City, The Carpenter’s Gift tells the story of eight-year-old Henry and
his father selling Christmas trees. They give a Christmas tree to
construction workers building Rockefeller Center and celebrate together.
Through the kindness of the construction workers and neighbors, Henry
gets his wish for a nice, warm home to replace his family’s drafty
shack. He plants a pinecone from that first Rockefeller Center Tree. As
an old man, Henry repays the gift by donating the enormous tree that has
grown from that pinecone. After bringing joy to thousands as the
Rockefeller Center tree, its wood will be used to build a home for
another family in need.

Written by children’s nonfiction author
David Rubel in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. Gorgeous
illustrations crafted by Jim LaMarche.

Behind the Scenes: The Making of THE CARPENTER’S GIFT

 

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Don’t forget to check out the rest of the stops on the Holiday Blog Tour!

·         SharpRead 

Title: I SAY, YOU SAY OPPOSITES
Author: Tad Carpenter
Publisher: LB Kids
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Number of Pages: 18 (board book)
Source of Book: Board book from publisher
Series Website: isayyousaybooks.com

I say reading, you say fun! This book of opposites is colorful, playful
and encourages interactive learning through basic techniques like
prediction and repetition. But really, most importantly, it’s super,
duper, crazy fun and everyone in the whole family will enjoy it. With I Say, You Say, your little ones can: say new words, recognize opposites, and learn and play!

I SAY, YOU SAY OPPOSITES is a little different than the typical picture book I recommend as it is definitely aimed at a much younger audience, but it was so much fun I wanted to share it. While this book is not one that I would probably use in my middle school classroom (unless as a model text to create their own version of these books to read to younger graders – hey, I’m actually kind of liking that idea; I might just do that.), it was such a cute book to read with my young niece and a great one to share for anyone who has little ones.

The illustrations are cartoonish and bright colored and fun. It even has a lift-the-flap design, which is so great for interactiveness with little kids. The illustrations have an energy to them overall which kept the book moving and the interest of the little kids reading it, while showing variety and diversity. They’re definitely learning as they read this one, and the concept of opposites, with the appropriate pictures to back it up, is one that is beneficial to little kids. The repeated phrasing also allows kids to predict what might be coming next as they learn their opposite concepts.

So far there are two books in the series, with I SAY, YOU SAY ANIMAL SOUNDS also available now. These will definitely make it into my “baby shower” book buying stack.

Title: FIREBOAT: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey
Author: Maira Kalman
Publisher: Puffin
Release Date: August 4, 2005
Number of Pages: 48

The John J. Harvey
fireboat was the largest, fastest, shiniest fireboatof its time, but by
1995, the city didn’t need old fireboats anymore. So the Harvey retired,
until a group of friends decided to save it from the scrap heap. Then,
one sunny September day in 2001, something so horrible happened that the
whole world shook. And a call came from the fire department, asking if
the Harvey could battle the roaring flames. In this inspiring true
story, Maira Kalman brings a New York City icon to life and proves that
old heroes never die.

Title: 14 COWS FOR AMERICA
Author: Carmen Agra Deedy
Illustrator: Thomas Gonzalez
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Release Date: August 1, 2009
Number of Pages: 36

In June of 2002, a very
unusual ceremony begins in a far-flung village in western Kenya. An
American diplomat is surrounded by hundreds of Maasai people. A gift is
about to be bestowed on the American men, women, and children, and he is
there to accept it. The gift is as unsought and unexpected as it is
extraordinary. A mere nine months have passed since the September 11
attacks, and hearts are raw. Tears flow freely from American and Maasai
as these legendary warriors offer their gift to a grieving people half a
world away. Word of the gift will travel news wires around the globe.
Many will be profoundly touched, but for Americans, this selfless
gesture will have deeper meaning still. For a heartsick nation, the gift
of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft
light of hope and friendship. Master storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy
hits all the right notes in this elegant story of generosity that
crosses boundaries, nations, and cultures. An afterword by Wilson Kimeli
Naiyomah the Maasai warrior at the center of the story provides
additional information about his tribe and their generous actions.
Thomas Gonzalez’s stunning paintings are saturated with rich hues of
oranges and browns and blues and greens, which capture the nobility of
the Maasai people and the distinctive landscape of the African plain.

Title: ISABELLA: GIRL ON THE GO
Author: Jennifer Fosberry
Illustrator: Mike Litwin
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Release Date: February 1, 2012
Number of Pages: 32
Source of Book: Hardcover from publisher at ALA

The precocious,
purple-haired traveler spends the day playing with her dad as she
pretends everyday things (like the sandbox) are extraordinary places
(like the desert and the pyramids of Egypt). Isabella ends the day in
her own home-sweet-home, the most wonderful place to be.

I have not read MY NAME IS NOT ISABELLA, but I’ve heard good things about this purple-haired girl, so when I saw that Jennifer Fosberry would be signing copies of this sequel, ISABELLA: GIRL ON THE GO, at the Sourcebooks booth at ALA, I knew I had to go check it out. I’m so glad that I did. Isabella is a fun, sassy, and smart young girl. As her father keeps asking her to help with the various chores on their list for the day, Isabella continually says she’s not in the place he thinks, but in some special place around the globe that is somehow related to the ordinary place she’s standing in her backyard.

Jennifer Fosberry has created picture books which have stories kids can laugh about, but also include social studies related terms and ideas that are incorporated throughout-this time with significant global locations. Even better, especially for use with older kids, is the glossary at the back that includes extensive detailed explanation of each of the places that is mentioned in the story. The illustrations are endearingly adorable as well, and further highlight the strength of the relationship between Isabella and her father in this story. He has unending patience for her imagination and plays along each time she switches to a different place she claims to be. I appreciated that the father is willing to let her be creative and helps show how important creativity can be to learning.

I will share this with my nieces and nephews, but can also see using it in the classroom as a jumping off point for students to create their own stories modeled after Isabella highlighting important places around the world that they’ve learned about in social studies class.