Targhee Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I am hoping to get some suggestions for good picture books! There have been a lot of good read-aloud threads lately, but most all of the suggestions were for chapter books. I love picture books, and even used them (with wonderful reception) with 7th and 9th grade science students when I taught public school. So, what are you favorite picture books (for teaching and for enjoying)? Here are some of mine For School: The Lorax (and others) by Dr. Suess - my kids LOVE this (it's read almost every night in our house) ecology and environmental stewardship The Reason for a Flower (and others) by Ruth Heller - poetic, lovely pictures, and scientifically accurate If at First You Do Not See by Ruth Brown - perception and perspective (out of print :glare:) Eats, Shoots & Leaves: why commas really do make a difference by Lynn Truss - a funny way to learn some grammar What Do You Do With a Tale Like This (and others) by Robin Page - thought-provoking, nice illustrations, introduction to animal adaptations The Salamander Room by Ann Mazer - wonderful illustrations, habitats A Log's Life by Wendy Pfeffer - AMAZING illustrations, ecology and habitat Can You Hear It? by William Larch - pairs fine art with classical music (CD with book) to show how music can be expressive and create imagery For the Joy of it: Roxaboxen by Alice Mclerran Flotsam (and others) by David Wiesner Where the Wild Things Are (and others) by Maurice Sendak Blueberries for Sal (and others) by Robert McCloskey The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pata Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I love Blueberries for Sal, too. Some of our other favorite fun picture books... If you Give a Mouse a Cookie If you Give a Moose a Muffin The Clown Around's Henry's Awful Mistake Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day I'm sure there's more, but these are the one that come to mind quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatt2mama Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Bartholomew and the Oobleck (and most everything by Dr. Seuss) Little One by Ann Rand The Giant Jam Sandwich Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Owen by Kevin Henkes anything by Mo Willems (Knuffle Bunny or Leonardo, the Terrible Monster especially) The Snowy Day How to Bake an Apple Pie and See the World The Lois Lenski "small books" There are more, but of course I can't think of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen210 Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 The Kapok Tree Make Way for Ducklings Little Nino's Pizzeria Cranberry Thanksgiving Gingerbread Baby (and others by Jan Brett) Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen210 Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 For a funny picture book series we LOVED: Parts More Parts Even More Parts all by Tedd Arnold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I'm a picture book junkie, I don't know what I will do when my kids are all too old for them. Our favorites: Virginia Lee Burton's books- Mike Mulligan, Katy and the Big Snow, The Little House, etc. Any of Tomi dePaola's books- The Clown of God, Strega Nona Elsa Beskow- these have the most beautiful illustrations, we like Around the Year; it's a collection of poems about the months, seasons, etc. Most of Jan Brett's books are good Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendack Harry the Dirty Dog and the other Harry stories (No Roses for Harry, Harry by the Sea). Corduroy by Don Freeman The Complete Adventures of Curious George Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes A Very Special House by Ruth Krauss Anything Lois Ehlert- Snowballs, Leafman, Growing Vegetable Soup, Feathers for Lunch, Waiting for Wings. Olivia Old Mother West Wind by Thornton Burgess, the one with illustrations by Michael Hague is great. On Market Street by Anita and Arnold Lobel Anything Richard Scarry Horton Hears a Who Beatrix Potter James Herriot's Treasury for Children Winnie the Pooh The Story of Ferdinand The Story about Ping Anything Robert McCloskey Harold and the Purple Crayon When I was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant For longer picture books, we like Chris Van Allsburg (Two Bad Ants, Zathura) How My Parents Learned to Eat A Prairie Boy's Winter by William Kurulek And so many more that I'm forgetting, I feel so lucky to live in a time when beautiful children's books are available in abundance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KForce Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I have toddlers at my house, so these are some of our favorites: How Do Dinasours Say Goodnight? (love the beautiful illustrations and the names of the dinos imbedded in the picture) My Dad! by Charles Fuge (big illustrations and a cute story line) Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney (love the illustrations and the creative story) Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (the girls have this memorized:001_smile: but older kids could look at the landmarks painted by Belemans and compare to actual pictures--might be fun) A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon (beautiful illustrations as well as a lesson about peer pressure) Of course, there are many others but these are the ones lying on the floor right now:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 "Old Turtle"--save the earth. Didn't read this to DD when she was very young, though, because it had a metaphor that was confusing for a Christian home. "Grandpa Bear's Fantastic Scarf"--About what makes up a life. Some things you accept because they are dealt to you, and others you choose. How those combine can make a life of beauty or one of misery, and your choices influence this a lot. "The Lorax" for the reasons you mentioned. "The Sneetches"--anti racist. Have to say, though, that now when I read it I find it a bit condescending in its attitude toward the 'lessor' race. Still it's a great book. "Horton Hears a Who"--A person's a person, no matter how small. "Warm as Wool"--pioneer life, and how woolen clothes are made from sheep to garment. "Anna Needs a Coat"--life after WWII in Europe--the barter economy, the bombed out homes, the lack of funds. Trading family heirlooms for cloth for a coat for your daughter... "What Did Jesus Do?" There are two books that begin with this title. I wish that there had been more in the series. Each book has two stories--a Bible story embedded in a life application of it. These are contemporary and quite well-written for maybe ages 6-10. "The Very First...Easter, Christmas, Christians" by Paul Maier. Great and beautifully illustrated. Works for older kids as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 One Thousand Tracings by Lita Judge The Gardener by Sarah Stewart The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Hutchet Bishop Country Crossing by Jim Aylesworth Storm in the Night by Mary Stolz and most of the others already suggested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 My best ever favourite was an old thing my grandmother picked up from an op shop: "What Happened After." What happened after the nursery rhyme ended, that is. The prettiest picture book I've ever seen is: http://www.amazon.com/Fabrics-Fairytale-Tanya-Robyn-Batt/dp/184686089X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211589795&sr=8-1 The "I always wanted but no one ever bought it for me" books were Percy Trezize and Dick Roughsey's aboriginal stories. Turramulli and the Giant Quinkin was my favourite, closely followed by The Rainbow Serpent. :) Rosie- who loves picture books! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 One that makes me cry, one that calms my heart, one that fills me with joy-- All Those Secrets of the World It's about a child whose dad goes off to war. I reread it when ds was in residential treatment--it has a line about things that are far away looking small, and they look bigger when they are nearer--that's why the kids looked bigger when the dad came home. Only the Cat Saw About a sweet young family--has a pic of mama nursing in the middle of the night--only the cat saw...then two page spreads of what the cat saw--gorgeous! What Newt Could Do For Turtle Oh, what a sweet friendship book! Truly dear, great pictures, happy and kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Mom Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Any by Patricia Polacco! Thunder Cake is one of our favorites. (It was given to us because our daughter was born during a severe thunderstorm.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momto5 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Paul O. Zelinsky has done beautiful versions of Rumpelstiltskin (sp?) and Rapunzel Molly Lou Melon - about the beauty of being different Seven Silly Eaters - a large family of picky eaters that appears to be homeschooled Norman the Doorman by Don Freeman - the mouse doorman at the Art Museum enters a scupture in the annual contest and wins Great thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiegirl Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 We LOVE picture books here. Here is a list of some of our favourites: Isadora Dances by Rachel Isadora. Story about Isadora Duncan A Place Where Sunflowers Grow by Amy Lee-Tai--japanese internment camp during WWII Apples to Oregon by Deborah Hopkinson Sky Boys by Deborah Hopkinson--how they built the Empire state building The White Cat by Robert D. San Souci Hear, Hear Mr. Shakespeare by Bruce Koscielniak All the World's a Stage by Rebecca Davidson--Shakespeare Pig on the Titanic by Gary Crew Mom and Dad are Palindromes by Mark Shulman A Drop Around the World by Barbara Shaw McKinney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I LOVE PICTURE BOOKS!!! I kid you not that of my personal library of 5000+ books, about a thousand of them are picture books. My favorites are rhyming books :-) Clap Your Hands, Graeme Base books, and richly illustrated children's poetry books [esp Midnight Ride of Paul Revere and The Raven]. My Very Favorite Picture Book is one called William Tell by Terry Small --it just BEGS to be read aloud!!! Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain, kapok Tree, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, and Robert McCloskey books are staples here. Counting picture Books that go to at least twenty are another obsession: the bug, butterflies, and bird ones are great. The best ones -IMNSHO- include an element of academia to them: science, artists, history, etc. Mustn't forget the math picture books! m&m's! cheerios! hershy fractions! yum! The Sir Cumference series is HILARIOUS! I also remember a book about a ...civil war? ... battle. It is told by kids who are remembering their grandfather recounting the story of a battle fought on his farm. You see the blurred battle scenes in the cloud formations --neat effect. Another one was about another battle: again, i don't remember if it was the revolutionary war or civil war, but in the book, the kid drummer boy gets SHOT and falls down dead [boy was I mad!!!], only to turn the page and he gets up....as a participant in a re-enactment. {whew!}. those are the top-of-my-head ones...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 We use a ton of picture books at all ages and I still love them, myself! I can't quite recall which ones are the best in looking through my lists, but I've included some from our Ancients reading (and hopefully I haven't messed up on any of these): Archaeologists Dig for Clues, Duke I can be an Archaeologist, Pickering One Small Bead, Baylor Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs, Rumford Mummies Made in Egypt, Aliki Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt Mysterious Places of the Mediterranean Greek Myths, McCaughrean all the Gilgamesh books, Zeman Black Ships Before Troy Myths and Civilization of Ancient Greeks Greek Gods and Goddesses, McCaughrean DK’s Great Wonders of the Ancient World D’Aulaire Greek Mythology (and Norse) The Wanderings of Odysseus, Sutcliff Odyssey, McCaughrean One Grain of Rice Buddha, Demi Buddha Stories, Demi Myths and Civilization of the Ancient Celts Myths and Civilization of the Ancient Romans Cleopatra, Stanley Behold the Trees Demi has out a ton of books about the Orient and they are all beautiful.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I'm a picture book junkie, I don't know what I will do when my kids are all too old for them. read them to the kids at the library until you have grandkids :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Just a few ... For the younger crowd: The George and Martha books by James Marshall Grandfather Twilight by Barbara Helen Berger For older children including teens: The High Rise Glorious Skittle Skat Roarious Sky Pie Angel Food Cake by Nancy Willard Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Yeah, all Woods' books, like Old Turtle, are beautifully illustrated. There are just some artists who you learn to gravitate toward, like Brett, Erhlert, and such.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I love picture books. I hope I'm never too old for them, lol. I love Sandra Boynton's books, esp. Blue Hat, Green Hat. And Moo, Baa, La, La, La. Some of my favorites when I was a kid: Ma Lien and the Magic Brush by Hisako Kimishima The King and the Whirlybird by Mabel Watts Pretty much any & all Richard Scarry books Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard (alas, my dc don't even like this book!) Other faves: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (great read aloud) The Mitten by Jan Brett Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown A Porcupine Named Fluffy by Helen Lester Do The Good Times Travel Agency books (by Linda Bailey) count as picture books? The Tomb of the Boy King by John Frank A lot of the Angelina Ballerina hardback books (the original ones, I guess, not the newer paperback versions) have lovely, lovely illustrations. I know there are a ton more that I'm not thinking about right now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 No one's mentioned William Joyce yet. I think I love all his books and the illustrations are great. We enjoyed reading and seeing the movie about the Robinson's (movie and book had different titles). And one of my favorite christmas books is Santa Calls. And the really little ones like the Rolie Polie Olie books! And don't forget George Shrinks, which is how we discovered William Joyce in the first place - from the pbs show! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 My dds just for fun top picks are: Dogger by Shirley Hughes Fritz and the Beautiful Horses by Jan Brett The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina Mog Stories by Judith Kerr Katy No Pocket by Emmy Payne For learning about art we've really enjoyed: Katie meets the Impressionists and other Katie books by James Mayhew For slightly older children the Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers by Mike Venezia. I know that some people don't like the cartoons, but my 8yo dd thinks they are fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Authors: Virginia Lee Burton (anything, but my favorite is The Little House) Leo Lionni (except Frederick) Uri Shulevitz (anything, but my favorite is The Treasure) Frank Asch Bill Peet Beatrix Potter Jan Brett (I like some much more than others -- I really like Town Mouse Country Mouse and Gingerbread Baby) Nice art work. Janet Stevens (Tops and Bottoms, And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon) Dr. Seuss Lois Lenski's "Mr. Small" books Richard Scarry Paul Galdone Individual Titles Owl Babies (Martin Waddell) Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See (Bill Martin Jr.) Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months (Maurice Sendak) Caps for Sale (Esphyr Slobodkina) There's an Alligator Under My Bed (Mercer Mayer) Old Hat, New Hat (Stan and Jan Berenstain) Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb (Al Perkins) Miss Spider's Tea Party (David Kirk) This is such a fun book to read aloud. I don't bother with the rest in the series, though Little Miss Spider is great to read to adopted children). The Lorax (Dr. Seuss) [One of my favorite books to read aloud.] Anansi stories Millions of Cats (Wanda Gag) The Napping House (Audrey Wood) The Wolf's Chicken Stew (Keiko Kasza) Stone Soup (many authors) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Oh!! I forgot Tops and Bottoms!!! definitely belongs on a list of favorites :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuovonne Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I like the FIAR and similar lists. When looking for picture books at the libarary, I "browse the spines" looking for the little stickers that indicate if a book is an award winner of some type. In general, I go for reading lots and lots of picture books versus hoping to find just the gems. I check out more picture books than I expect to read. I then pre-read them at home before reading them aloud to my kids. Here are some books that I stumbled across at the library that I don't hear others mention, yet struck a cord with me for their gentle handling of difficult subjects: "The Other Side" by Jacqueline Woodson and E. B. Lewis A lovely book about a friendship that breaks a racial boundry. "Tomas and the Library Lady" by Pat Mora and Raul Colon A true story about Tomas Rivera and the library lady who helped him to love books. The book is a snapshot of his childhood as a migrant worker, but the author's note at the end explains how he grew up to be a university chancellor. "The Lotus Seed" by Sherry Garland and Tatsuro Kiuc Historical fiction, a multi-generational story about a Vietnamese girl who flees Vietnam for America. "Marvelous Mattie" by Emily Arnold McCully A biography of "The Lady Edison". A great book for budding inventors and discussions about life in the 19th century. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted May 25, 2008 Author Share Posted May 25, 2008 If I Had a Snowplow. Oh, this is a heart-melter for anyone with a little boy, and my DS likes it because of all the trucks in it. Nice illustrations, and it goes over the months of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaneNickerson Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 The King of the Golden River - John Ruskin Miss Rumphius - Barbara Cooney CDC? - William Steig Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain - Edward Ardizzone Something From Nothing - Phoebe Gilman authors: Jill Barklem Graham Oakley Robert McCloskey (esp. Burt Dow Deep Water Man) Jim Arnosky (esp. Crinkleroot) Max Lucado Richard Scarry Jan Brett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 The Little House by Virginia Lee BurtonMiss Rumphius by Barbara Clooney Papa Piccolo by Carol Talley I'm so grateful to Five in a Row for sparking in me a love for children's literature. Katy and the Big Snow by Burton The Funny Thing and Millions of Cats Part-Time Dog Time of Wonder The Napping House Mr. Putter and Tabby Two OOP: One Horse Farm and The Outside Cat Petunia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narnian Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Some of our favorite (humorous) picture books include: Duck on a Bike, David Shannon No, David!, David Shannon How I Became a Pirate, Melinda Long How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, Jane Yolen Knuffle Bunny, Mo Willems (this is our toddler's current favorite) Click, Clack, Moo, Doreen Cronin Bear Snores On, Karma Wilson Nap in a Lap, Sarah Wilson (another cute one for littles) The Story About Ping, Marjorie Flack The Diggingest Dog, Al Perkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.