picture books – Page 13

Another summer has passed and in it was the discovery of even more amazing picture books that now beckon my 7th grade students to read them from my shelves. Some are new and others are just new to me, but all should solicit some sort of reaction when they are read and shared. (And these are in no particular order).

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley SpiresI will be using this book to introduce 20% time with my students, thank you Chris Lehman for the recommendation. I love the message of not giving up but also of finding use in other people’s mistakes.
Froodle by Antionette Portis This seemingly silly book packs a powerful message; everyone should be allowed to experiment with their own voice. It is one I hope to read at the beginning of the year.
Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea Thea has this book and I have the book in my classroom as well. This book has such a great story about not judging, wrapped up in whimsy, and every time I read it aloud I laugh outloud.
Paul Meets Bernadette by Rosy Lamb Every time I read this book, I think of another way to discuss it’s theme. Wrapped up in a simple love story it is a great book to discuss perspective and the lens with which we view the world.
My Teacher is a Monster – No, I Am Not by Peter Brown From the title to the illustrations, think of the discussion this book will elicit. I loved the message, but also the nuance with which it is presented, and let’s face it; many students think their teachers are not quite human and this is a great book to discuss just that.
This Is a Moose by Richard T. Morris The first time I read this book, I didn’t love it as much as I do now. I thought it was fun but I didn’t stop to think about what it was really trying to say. Then Thea and I started to talk about it and her 5 year old perspective really made me think. This book is about being allowed to be whoever you want to be, no matter what others think; what a great message to send to kids.
That Is Not a Good Idea by Mo Willems We often think we know the whole story but through the storytelling of the magical Mo Willems, we find can discover how wrong we are. Even after you know the twist, this is still such a great book to hand to students as they write their own stories.
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson What an incredible history lesson wrapped up in the pages of this book. My former librarian Deb told me to get it and boy does she know me well. Students will marvel at this true story of one person’s character.
Knock, Knock: My Dad’s Dreams for Me by Daniel Beaty So often we need books that mirror the harsh realities some of our students face, this book is one of those books. Hauntingly written, this is sure to start a discussion on how the boy views his own life.
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce This book is beautiful, magical, and oh so on point for what books do for us. And even better; there is an Oscar winning short cartoon of it as well.

There you have it, a few new ones I cannot wait to share. However, did you know there is a picture book coming out about the story of Ivan? I am counting down the days to read this to my students; Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate

This Is Why I Teach — The drawing of me as the giving tree

I am excited to take part in the August Picture Book 10 for 10 event taking place all over the blogosphere today thanks to Mandy Robek and Cathy Mere. So as this list needs little explanation, here are the 10 picture books I cannot wait to share with my new students. (And, of course, there are about 100 more…)

Chu’s Day by Neil Gaiman – a more simple yet deep story is hard to find. I love this book for how simple its message is, ilove this book for how funny it is, and I love this book because before I read it aloud I get to tell my new students about how Thea giggles every time Chu almost sneezes.

Pete & Pickles by Berkeley Breathed – I fell in love with this book this summer after Carrie Gelson recommended it. A deep story of love and friendship with simply beautiful illustrations. I cannot wait to see how my students react to it.

Bluebird by Bob Staake– I never got wordless picture books until last year. Now I love this book for how the students will be able to go beyond the pictures and tell the story in their own words. And the message? Oh my, what a message.

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen – we love all of his books but this has been a favorite for a while now. I think my students will find it just as funny as Thea does.

Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier – we were lucky enough to see Jesse in person this summer and the way she pointed out all of the details in the illustrations and made the story come alive made me want to share this early with my new students. I cannot wait to see which discussions this will lead to.

The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman – I love Neil Gaiman but there is a reason for that. He writes such a variety of books, he is brilliant, and this book is scary and funny at the same time. I use this as an all school secret read aloud every year and there is a reason it continues to be a favorite.

Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman – I have been slightly obsessed with this book for about a year now, I don’t know what it is but it just makes me smile. And it makes my students smile. So one day very early on we will all settle in for the story of a beautiful friendship between a boy and a robot.

It’s a Book by Lane Smith – This book crack sme up every time I read it and I think my blog savvy students will as well. I love the message of this book as it shows the power of a book and cannot wait to share it.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein – This book takes on a deeper meaning every time I share it with someone. I once had a student call me the giving tree and I cannot help but tear up a little every time I think of that. I have yet to decide whether the tree is foolish or simply in love, I cannot wait to discuss it with my students.

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes – My great friend gave me this book shocked that I did not own it or know it. After I read it, I saw why this is a classic for any classroom as we build community and try to see how we all fit together in this new constellation.

These 10 books barely scratch the surface of what I cannot wait to share with my students, but these represent some of the first ones I will pull off the shelves as I ask them to enjoy a tale, to sit back and listen, to discuss and explore the deeper meanings of these books. Another year awaits, a new groups of kids await, and I can’t wait.

I am a passionate 5th grade teacher in Middleton, Wisconsin, USA, proud techy geek, and mass consumer of incredible books. Creator of the Global Read Aloud Project, Co-founder of EdCamp MadWI, and believer in all children. I have no awards or accolades except for the lightbulbs that go off in my students’ heads every day. First book “Passionate Learners – Giving Our Classroom Back to Our Students Starting Today” will be released this fall from PLPress. Follow me on Twitter @PernilleRipp.