The boy who cried, "Wolf!" but from the old arthritic wolf's point of view. Wildly amusing.
2. Mo Willems: I Am Going!
Yes, perhaps it's a bit weird to read this one out loud to your husband in the bookstore while giggling uncontrollably, but with a Mo Willems book, it's not uncommon. (At least in my household!)
3. Rachel Isadora: Max
Written by a ballerina, this childhood favorite features a boy who loves baseball and learns that his sister's ballet class offers him skills that help him on the field.
4. Martha Alexander: Blackboard Bear
Another childhood favorite of mine, this nearly wordless series of books is just delightful.
5. Paul Stickland: Ten Terrible Dinosaurs
The wonderful rhythm, and cheerful nature of this book just make me giggle.
This may work better with adults -- I've not tried reading it to a child yet -- but I thoroughly enjoyed the wit and the language of the book.
7. Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes: Library Lion
Friendship, love, books, and a lion who likes to listen during storytime. This book would be a great basis for discussing when rules should be broken.
8. Charles Tazewell, ill. Gail Tribble: The Littlest Uninvited One
This is an ideal book for anyone who has lost a dog. I gave a copy to my church when Ducinea died, as this was the only book that I felt offered me true comfort.
9. George & Ira Gershwin, DuBose & Dorothy Heyward, ill. Mike Wimmer: Summertime: from Porgy & Bess
If you like the song, you'll love this book - simple as that.
10. Helen Lester, ill. Lynn Munsinger: Score One for the Sloths
Really? A picture book that takes aim at the insanity of judging an education by test scores? Really? A picture book that could start a discussion of different modes of learning? YES! Even better? It's a snort-embarrasingly-while-snickering wild good read!
Focus for this list:
These are some of my favorite picture books, and yet, they're all a bit -- odd. There's not much of a unifying theme to the list other than that fact. Enjoy! Also, because picture books are such a blend of image and word, it seemed a shame not to show you the covers. Let me know if this is helpful, eh? Thanks!
