Today I'm featuring great picture books! (And I'm trying not to go overboard in my lists, so this is no way comprehensive and there are so many more books I could add-these are just some of my go-to favorites) All items are linked to the Book Depository-yay free shipping!
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr, Illustrated by Eric Carle (Board Book Edition)-Any baby shower I attend, this is my staple. This is a classic go-to book and I love that it's in board book format. So many books don't translate well to the board book format because they're too wordy, but Brown Bear is perfectly simple and wonderful for all ages. The sing-song tone and illustrations from Eric Carle make it perfect to read with babies.
Baby Einstein: Water, Water Everywhere-OK, normally I have an aversion to packaged books like this one, but this one's been tested by my niece! Plus, I have to like it because it's a water book and made so babies can take into the tub with them. One of the fundamentals of early literacy is to allow babies to play with and explore books-plus it makes bath time fun!
Big Box of Boynton Collection-I absolutely love all of Sandra Boynton's books, so how could I choose just one? Her box sets of board books are perfect for babies to toddlers and the humor will delight kids as well as parents. A must have for any kid's library.
King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey & Don Wood
-This is my all time favorite picture book from my childhood. The story is simple enough-the king is in the bathtub and everyone has crazy ideas on how to get him out. The story is hilarious but what makes the book are the gorgeous illustrations-I could stare at them all day and always find something new! Audrey and Don Wood have written and illustrated many picture books that are in my favorites list, but in my opinion, King Bidgood tops them all!
A Sick Day for Amos McGee Written by Philip Christian Stead illustrated by Erin E Stead
-Alright, if King Bidgood is my all time favorite picture book from childhood, Amos McGee is my new favorite from adulthood. I read this book and sat on the couch with tears in my eyes and hugging it (needless to say, Mr. GreenBeanSexyMan was very confused!) This book is so adorable and sweet and oh my goodness I just love it-I can't explain it. The illustrations have an old fashioned style to them and the story is perfect for animal lovers. Seriously, go read it! This is another niece tested book and she gives her approval.
The Seals on the Bus written by Lenny Hort, illustrated by G Brian Karas
-Yet another niece tested and approved title! I've used this in storytimes (back when I worked with the kiddos and did storytimes) and it always goes over well. Take the Wheels on the Bus song, add animals, and you've got a hit that will demand it be read over and over!
The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood
-This one's another new favorite! The book is all about times that you might be quiet and the types of quiet we experience but it's the illustrations that make the book. In fact, this is my Caldecott pick for this year. The Quiet Book is another you'll want to close it and hug it sort of book.
The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales written by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith-You really can't go wrong with Scieszka and Smith! This is another favorite from my childhood and it's a great picture book for tweens. I just used one of the stories from it (The Princess and the Bowling Ball) in my Storytelling class. Anyone who loves laugh out loud humor and fractured fairy tales will love this book.
Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester-My mom introduced me to this book when I was in college and we read it together and laughed out loud. Poor Wodney Wat is a rat who can't say his "R's" which poses a problem when your name is Rodney Rat. But shy Wodney just might save the day when evil Camilla comes to school! The play on words is tons of fun and makes Hooway for Wodney Wat another great picture book for tweens.
What are your go-to picture book gifts? Any favorites I need to add?
The Quiet Book is SO good... love the storytime quiet. The children's/teen collection development librarian here has been raving about this one for a while now, hehe.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Mirror Mirror? (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7493149-mirror-mirror) I can't remember if you've featured it on your blog before. Anyway, it's poetry, and it's BRILLIANT.
Besides that, my favourite picture books I've read in the past couple of years are the Scaredy Squirrel books. Hilarious!
I love all the Fancy Nancy books and also How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about the Stinky Cheese man! I'll have to get that one for my boy.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED The Quiet Book. It is such a serenity-inducing book. I think you might have meant the Caldecott Medal though - if you're referring to illustrations.
ReplyDeleteAshley-Yes-Mirror Mirror is a great book!! I need to review it!:)
ReplyDeleteMargo-Ooh-great books! Fancy Nancy is so much fun.
Andrea-I hope he loves Stinky Cheese Man-it's so funny!
Beth-Yes-thank you! I didn't even notice that!:)
I'd have to add Shark in the Park by Nick Sharratt. It's such a fun, interative book that kids seem to enjoy reading and "playing" along!
ReplyDelete