My Picture Book Faves

I started my blog over a year ago. I knew it was something I needed to do--as a teacher, learner, and writer. At first, I thought it would be about teaching. But then I just couldn't help myself: the books had to be shared.

In a year where I read more books than I ever had before, I recorded many of the titles here. I read picture books, middle grades, and YA. I discovered new authors and reaffirmed my admiration for the known authors who have always been a part of my classroom. I even had the privilege of meeting some of them this year. I cannot thank them enough for their work and dedication to children's literature.

It seems that many of  my fellow Nerdy Book Club bloggers are posting these end-of-the-year pieces, so I will do the same. Please forgive the predictability of this. For me, it is new.

I read many picture books in 2012, but here are the ones I name as my top picks:

FICTION:

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
This books is a really clever story. My class loved it. We loved the characters, and it gave us lots of great points to discuss.

 

 

C.R. Mudgeon by Leslie Muir and Julian Hector
This is a story about being friends with people who are different from you. Paprika and C.R. Mudgeon couldn't be more opposite. I loved the message of this book.

 

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
It's no secret. I WANT MY HAT BACK was such a fave of of mine in 2011! I think I carried it around everywhere expecting to book talk it at any minute. THIS IS NOT MY HAT is also wonderful. My students voted this one as our Mock Caldecott winner!

 

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri
Funny, funny book! My students adored it, too. We all wanted to eat tacos afterward. We still do. It was  Mock Caldecott Honor book in 4A.

Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman and Dan Yaccarino
A personal fave, but also my students' fave. It's a story about friendship that is fun to listen to and even more fun to read. I wear my "Affirmative!" wristband every day! Ame Dyckman is such a talent!!

goodreads.com

 

The Monsters' Monster by Patrick McDonnell
Get a copy of this one, too! Some monsters decide to create their own monster, but things don't turn out like they planned. So cute! So sweet! I had to check it out from the library, but I will be buying my own copy soon--next time I'm at the bookstore (which will probably be today).

goodreads.com

 

 

Unspoken by Henry Cole

I read this at ALA in the summer. It took my breath away. Henry Cole is such an amazing artist and storyteller. Take a close look at every page. Infer and draw conclusions!! It is BRILLIANT.

 



NONFICTION:

goodreads.com

 

Looking at Lincoln by Maira Kalman
I loved the way this author told us all about Abraham Lincoln! Great book!

 

Plant Hunters by Anita Silvey (along with a QR Code I made for a video of Anita Silvey talking about the book)
This is a very engaging nonfiction book about people who did risky things to find and collect plants. I learned a lot from this one. I used it in a presentation to show the ways teachers could use a QR Code as a supplement in reader's workshop.



Fifty Cents and a Dream by Jabari Asim and Bryan Collier
This book tells an amazing story of determination. The story is about Booker T. Washington, and what he did in order to be able to go to school! It's very inspiring and well-told, and watch the illustrations on this one, too. They speak text in their own way.

goodreads.com

Here Come the Girl Scouts By Shana Corey and Hadley Hooper
I'm a former Girl Scout, so this book holds a special place in my heart. Well-written and very inspirational!

These are books I'll remember the most. It would be impossible for me to name all of the books I loved, so I hope I am forgiven if I've left any out.

In tomorrow's post, I will list the middle grades and YA novels I especially loved this year.

Which picture books would be on your 2012 list?

P.S. Today, I'm wearing my cowgirl boots. They're perfect for just about everything. Except running. ;-)