This is my first year participating in the #PB10for10
challenge. It’s a Twitter and blogging challenge created by @mandyrobek and
@CathyMere. The idea is to create and share lists of your top 10 picture books.
I’ve noticed many people have gotten creative with lists
like “Top 10 wordless Picture Books”, “Top 10 Picture Books used by University
Professors”, “Top 10 New Picture Books, etc.
I’ve decided to
include my 10 Favourite Picture Books to Share with K’s.
These are the books that make them giggle uncontrollably.
The books they can’t help reading along with. The books that make all of us
tear up a little. They are the books that make us wonder and question.
Characters we fall in love with. The books that they ask for over and over!
Here it is (not in order):
I remember the first time I read this book with students and
the exact moment where they identify with Lily and making a big mistake. I love
how Kevin Henkes shows the anger in her eyes. I think my favourite part is when
she reads the note from her teacher that says, “Tomorrow will be a better day.”
I can only hope that I give my students the same respect and grace.
Eric Carle’s books are always favourites in my classroom.
The Tiny Seed Book though is a must read. It is beautiful to watch my students
root for the Tiny Seed to survive all of the challenges it faces. Great
curricular connections but even more awesome is the message of perseverance.
It was hard to choose a favourite book by Oliver Jeffers
because my students love them all! In this particular book I loved watching the
students show empathy for the little penguin. Their faces almost broke my
heart!
I just couldn’t choose a favourite Elephant and Piggie book.
They are all SO funny! I love how Mo Willems uses font size and speech bubbles
to express the emotions of the characters. The simplicity of the text begs for
students to read along, and with so much expression! We often have to close our
classroom door because the students are laughing, shouting, and reading so
loud!
My students sit so quietly and intently when I read his
books. They empathize with his characters and are inspired to be just like
them. After reading this book, without even saying a word, I notice students
working with pride on their masterpieces and signing each one. I have to mention that Peter Reynolds is an
awesome person to connect with on Twitter. Throughout the year we sent him pictures
of many of our Dot and Ish creations. He always replies and students
love interacting with a real author and illustrator through Twitter. I can’t
wait to participate in International Dot
Day this year!
I love the simplicity of her books. The white backgrounds
and little faces on the characters are just too cute! My students and I
absolutely love the humor in these books.
I cannot say enough about this book and also This Is NotMy Hat. The students are drawn in from the very first page. They gasp, they
giggle, they point! They are transported into the book! I have read this book
to students from Kindergarten to grade 5 and absolutely adore watching their
different reactions to it. My students ask for these books over and over again! Jon
Klassen is also fantastic at responding to tweets from students!
This has been one of my favourites since I was in
Kindergarten. I love the story of friendship almost as much as the beautiful
simple illustrations. Also a great inspiration for little writers and
illustrators.
Oh boy, this one makes us all cry. How could such a cute little puppy feel so
unlovable. Sadly, many of my students can relate to feeling this way. I love watching their little faces when the
dog finally finds a friend.
Another picture book I’ve loved since I was a child. This
book is timeless and just plain magical!
I am sure that throughout the upcoming year I will come
across many more books that could have made this list. In fact, I think I’ll
have my students help me create the list next year. Maybe even their own…
If you would like to find more lists and great book suggestions,
follow the hashtag #pb10for10 on Twitter.
