Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Top 10 Picture Books

Here are my picks for Fuse's Top 100 Picture Books Poll over at School Library Journal. There are still a few hours left to participate! Choose your top 10 picture books and Elizabeth will award points to each. In April, after she's worked out all the numbers, she'll reveal the Top 100!








1. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Just an incredibly timeless, enjoyable and imaginative book.

1 here the Wild Things Are by Maurice Senda

It's my guess that tis one of the bestselling children's books of all time. It's somethingyone can identify with, and after all these years, the illustrations still stand out as remarkabl

Good Night, Gorilla


2. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman

2. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

Possibly my favorite picture book of all time. Really demonstrates reading as being a conversation.


Most likely my favorite picture book ever. I love the depth and vibrancy of the illustrations. The simplicity of the text is contrasted by the detail of the pictures and of the story. It makes for such a complete and rewarding reading experience.
Front cover



3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle


This is the cumulative tale gold standard. Not many books have endings that can compete with the thrill and beauty of this one.


4. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
4. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

A classic. Who doesn't own this and love it?




a Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr.


5. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
This ones got story, rhythm, rhyming, repetition, humor, and fun art by Lois Ehlert.

Crazy-fun rhythm, letter knowledge and great artwork from Lois Ehlert.





6. We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

6. We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

Reading can get you up and out of your seat! Check out the author's dramatic reading.

Fn and exciting, rhythm and rhyming, repetition, and on top of that it gets you up andng. Perfect example to show that books are often meant to be read aloud, experienced and played with




7. Mae Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
7. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey


A classic that's based on a true and heartwarming story. Can't get much better than that!



on't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
8. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems


I picked this for its originality and innovation. There've been a lot of knock-offs in the last few years, but they just don't measure up. There's something special about this begging, whining pigeon! (And, the author's blog is lots of fun, too!)




9. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett


I'd count this as another classic. Really cool illustrations. Great imagination. Humor. And it spans a wide reader age range. And, it's a forthcoming movie!!







10. No, David! by David Shannon

Yet another great original concept, full of orneriness that all kids (and parents) can identify with.
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What picture book gems would be included in your Top 10?

11 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Cheryl said...

Your list is great too! I have many in common with you and Cathy. Even though I missed the deadline, I might jump into the mix on my blog as well :) It's always fun to think about books, especially picture books! More importantly, what are J's favorites right now?

katie said...

Lately, J's favorites include There Are Cats in this Book; Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed; Lucy Cousins' Noah's Ark; and Birds by Kevin Henkes. Oh, we also had this great nonfiction book of frogs by Nic Bishop. We're quite taken with nature and animals over here right now! ;)

Cat Herself said...

Great lists from both you AND J! I can't believe I didn't think of Chicka Chicka for my own list. Silly me! See what being off work a while does to the brain?

I love There Are Cats in this Book!

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Very good choices!! I especially love Zin Zin Zin A Violin... my favorite to read and look at with the kids!

Steph

katie said...

Zin Zin Zin sounds familiar... I'll have to get that one.

Abby said...

Great picks! There are a few on there I don't know. I'll have to get them.

My son LOVES the David books. Also, the dinosaur series by Jane Yolen.

Jacqueline said...

We're going on a bear hunt would be in my top 10 too! I don't need the book to tell the story anymore, I have read it so many times!

katie said...

Yes, isn't it great when you can take a story that you know so well and recite it or act it out all on your own?

Besides Going on a Bear Hunt, another one that I like to do that with is called Pepito the Brave--about a young bird's adventure trying to be reunited with his family.

Stephanie said...

We love GOODNIGHT MOON around here too. :)

We also like:
* "Only You" by Robin Cruise
* "Green Eggs & Ham" by Dr. Seuss
* "That's Not My Puppy" by Fiona Watt
* "Where Is Baby's Belly Button?" by Karen Katz
* "Put Me In the Zoo" by Robert Lopshire
* "Hush Little Puppy" by April Pulley Sayre

katie said...

Stephanie-
We also loved the "That's Not My..." series when J was younger, as well as anything by Karen Katz.

There are a few on your list that aren't ringing any bells, so thanks for the recommendations. I'll look for them at work tonight. "Put Me in the Zoo" sounds particularly fun!