10 for 10 Picture Books I'll Buying to Start the Year

So I had just been thinking that I haven't posted too many picture book titles lately and was planning my next post to be just that.  Then I log in this morning and remember that it's 10 for 10 day in the blogosphere.  This is my shopping list when I go to Cover to Cover next week.

Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson:  This is actually from 2011 but I hadn't heard of it until I found it on the "new" shelf at my local library.  Otto is a bear that lives in a child's book.  He likes nothing better than his book being enjoyed by his owner.  At night Otto comes alive and explores the house.  When his book is packed in a box and forgotten, Otto takes a journey that ends in a very magical place.  I'm thinking this may be fun book to start the year with in THE PIT.

Good News, Bad News by Jeff Mack:  A mouse and a rabbit go back and forth with the simple phrases of "Good News!" and then "Bad News."  The story continues back and forth to the end with the rabbit always positive and the mouse just the opposite.  This choice will make a very fun classroom selection to practice predicting or creating alternative endings.  I think kids could take this story on and on and on laughing all the way.

Surfer Chick by Kristy Dempsey; Ill by Henry Cole:  One way I choose a read aloud for THE PIT is when I hear voices of the characters in my head as I read it.  I heard them immediately when I read this one.  A small chick who was born at the beach yearns to surf like her dad.  She tries with little success at first but with her dad's help and persistence, she eventually becomes the star of the beach surfing like a champion.  Henry Cole's illustrations just add the fun, seriously, who draws chickens better than Henry Cole!



Little Nelly's Big Book by Pippa Goodhart; Ill by Andy Rowland:  Little Nelly is a smallish elephant who identifies herself as a mouse using a big book of knowledge.  She begins her life as a mouse, living behind the walls and eating things a mouse would eat.  Eventually, the very welcoming mice decide it's time to take Little Nelly to the zoo and show her some "zoo mice" and Little Nelly figures out who and what she really is.  However, one of the mice develops a bit of an identity crisis for a fun ending.

One of a Kind by Ariel S. Winter; Ill by David Hitch:  At a school full of twins, Leo stands out because he is an only.  The problem is, Leo feels left out because everyone else has an automatic friend and he is sort of forgotten in a world of multiples.  Each year the school celebrates Individuality Day where the twins compete to show off how different they are from one another and Leo becomes a hero. 

King Arthur's Very Great Grandson by Kenneth Kraegel:  Henry Alfred Grunnmorson, the several times over great grandson of King Arthur wants to go on a quest to slay a great beast on his 6th birthday.  He meets several mythical great beasts and all turn out to be meek and just looking for a friend to do things with.  When Henry expresses his disappointment they send him on to the next beast until he meets one who REALLY scares him and then he decides he'll just be friends. 


Chick and Chickie Play All Day by Claude Ponti:  The Toon Books are big hit in the library, they just don't stay on the shelves.  If you're unfamiliar with them they're sort of beginner graphic novels and kids love them.  In this one two little chicks create masks and then use them to torment the letter a.  Very fun and I know kids are going to laugh out loud at the antics in this book.

The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team: Brothers at Bat by Audrey Vernick; Ill by Steven Salerno:  The 9 Acerra Brothers played baseball in the early part of the 1900s and were very good at it.  After several of them served in WWII, they came home and picked up where they left off, touring the east playing baseball and winning.  Their family's achievements and playing accomplishments are celebrated in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.  An inspirational non-fiction story with pictures done in a style that reflects the time period.  Very well done.


A Home for Bird by Philip C. Stead: Vernon the frog finds a wooden bird and knows he must return him to his home.  He hops everywhere and tries many different possible homes.  None of them seem right and the bird seems unhappy because he won't speak.  Vernon keeps on trying, eventually finding the bird's home where Vernon finally hears his voice.  As with all of Stead's books, this is another winner that will be popular with the kids.  The ending is simply wonderful.

Wolf Won't Bite by Emily Gravett:  I always look forward to Emily Gravett's books.  Here stories never disappoint and usually come with some sort of surprise ending.  A twist on the Three Pigs, they actually capture a live wolf in this story and turn him into a circus performer.  The repetitive title line will make it extra fun in THE PIT and I know none of my students will see the end coming.  I can't wait to share it with the Bailey Kids!

So there are my 10 for 10. As always this even is hosted by Cathy and Mandy at Reflect and Refine thanks again ladies!