I'm just so excited about participating again this year!!! Thanks so much to Cathy Mere and Mandy Robek for hosting this book-loving event. My classroom library thanks you, too! (If you haven't followed along before, be prepared to add to your wish list and/or shopping cart!)
I've had my list ready since the end of May, with only a few tweaks to it since then. For the 2011 event, I wrote about my all-time, just-can't-live-without picture books. This year, I decided to go with my Top 10 favorite "New to Me" picture books. So without further adieu...
After learning about Elephant and Piggie books during last year's #PB10for10 event, I cannot say enough good things about them! This was the first one I ever read, as well as the first one I shared with my first graders. We howled with laughter and read it over and over again! Elephant and Piggie books were, by far, my kids' favorite books last year. Mo Willems definitely earned a place in their reading hearts!
After hearing about this book on Twitter, I just had to read it. Oh. My. It's a very simple book... and yet it is so very, very complex! We had so many conversations on Twitter about it (and went so far as to choose sides - Team Bear or Team Rabbit.) This book had the same impact on my first graders! They enjoyed discussing and debating what happens when Bear discovers what happened to his hat (no spoilers here!)
While I didn't get a chance to share this with my first graders last year, you can bet I'll share it with them this year! There is just something about the relationship between these two that makes me believe my little friends will love it as much as I do. I wrote more about this gem in my recent blog post.
I absolutely, positively LOVED reading this book aloud! My kids loved it, too. It begs to be read aloud with dramatic flair. And who hasn't been freaked out about what might be hiding in... THE WOODS...
My good friend Jacquie gave me this book, and I can't thank her enough. It's a sweet (haha!) book that is also a little silly. You can't help but fall in love with Vanilla Cupcake, who just wants to be decorated! My first graders and I giggled with delight at the surprise ending.
I was reminded of the magic I used to feel when we'd experience a blackout when I was growing up! It was as if time stood still. I felt that same magic when I read this book. It's told in a graphic novel style, which really adds to the power of the book. This one sparked some great conversations with my first graders!
"I love my white shoes... I love my white shoes... I love my white shoes.... I love my..." I guarantee this one will get stuck in your brain! Great story about going with the flow and not worrying about stuff, and it's a really catchy tune that will get your kids excited to read it again and again. Be sure to visit Harper Collins to listen to all of the Pete the Cat books with your students!
You Will Be My Friend (and Children Make Terrible Pets) by Peter Brown
Okay, so maybe I kinda sorta cheated and snuck in an extra book here. Whoops! My first graders really enjoyed both of these books by Peter Brown. You Will Be My Friend led to some great discussions on how we make (and keep) friends. Many of us could understand how Lucy felt when she was trying SO hard to make a new friend, and everything just kept going wrong.
We loved the grand adventure and story of this one... but we also loved reading the pictures, which told a whole different story. It's also a great vocab builder in figuring out what "gumption" means!
Kate's beautiful book tells the story of what happens both over and under the snow. What a neat idea! I think this is something children probably wonder about, and I love the way Kate explains it. I didn't share this one with my students last year but am definitely going to this year!
I am so looking forward to reading everyone's posts! I hope I've given you a new book or two to consider.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your list. I am not familiar with most of these which is great because I am always looking for ways to build, add, increase my collection.
I am definitely going to check out you will be my friend and gumption...
Amy
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a list of 'new' books - and most are certainly new to me. I'll be on the look out for them.
Coral
Laura,
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful titles you shared. Two of them I read with my 5th graders as well -- Pete the Cat and Blackout - love them both. I don't know Gumption, but that title is begging to be read and discussed. Thanks so much for sharing!
A great list - several were on my list but didn't make my elite 10! I will have to check out "The Woods" and "Gumption" -- they sound like great reads!
ReplyDeleteYou had your list ready since May? I think you win the Biggest, Best Planner if we gave awards. Thanks for joining us. Boy and Bot is in my shopping cart and The Woods looks very appealing.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we can offer certificates or badges or stars....? And I think you should win the closest reader of a blog award! Or the best inferencing award!
DeleteBoy + Bot is a gem! Don't know Gumption but will track it down.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your recommendations.
Tammy
Apples With Many Seeds
Maybe because I am not a primary teacher, but have recently become a literacy coach (!?), I am familiar with many of these titles (it's the newness factor). And yet, I do not know the book Gumption...I was raised with the word though. My mom loved gumption and I was prompted often to have it. BUT, I want to meet Elephant and Piggy. I really like these friendship/partner stories. Thanks so much for your list.
ReplyDelete