Jenny's picture book list

I was trying to figure out where I could keep a list of picture books I've read with my students/on my own over the summer/previewing for my classroom. I have a separate account for my own classroom books but logging in and out and remembering the passwords slows me down sometimes :-) I'd also like to keep the list separate from my own personal reading. Feel free to chime in or recommend! These books usually come from library browsing or recommendations. I'm always looking for new must-reads and trying to keep up-to-date on new books.
(all books are from the library unless noted otherwise)

1. Heat Wave by Eileen Spinelli
June 25

Fitting topic for the first picture book of the summer! The town's residents are coping with the heat wave in every way they can think of! Illustrated by Betsy Lewin (Click, Clack, Moo, etc.)

2. A Greyhound A Groundhog by Emily Jenkins
June 25

a tongue-twister story of two friends together. Simple language, but interesting how the language choice and usage helps tell the story.

3. Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat by Philip Stead
June 25

Michigan author, wrote about a boy who goes to sea hunting for his missing teddy bear. Cute adventure story with collage pictures. The pictures could be a little confusing because of the collages, but the stamps, maps, etc. that were used help tell the story.

good mentor text for personal narrative that became an imaginary story.

4. The Dark by Lemony Snicket
June 25

Great book about overcoming a fear. I was worried it would be scary, but it was realistic. The descriptions were wonderful.

"At night, of course, the dark went out and spread itself against the windows and doors of Laszlo's house. But in the morning the dark would be back in the basement, where it belonged."

Glad to have you post these. They all look enticing.

>6 2wonderY: Thanks! Hopefully I keep finding some good ones!

5. Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton
June 29

Two boys imagine scenarios where a shark and train would compete. Who would win? Funny, imaginative. I think this would be great to use as a writing model.

6. Leo a Ghost Story by Mac Barnett
June 29

Story about a ghost who leaves his house and makes a new friend. Beautiful, simple illustrations. A story about friendship and accepting who you are.

7. Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
June 29

Part of a series about classmates who demonstrate the qualities of specific careers (scientist, architect, engineer). I love the exposure to various careers and the way the author shows how kids already demonstrate these qualities. Written in verse.

8. Max and Marla by Alexandria Boiger
June 29

Max and Marla are best friends and "real-life, honest to goodness, cross your heart, W-i-n-t-e-r O-l-y-m-p-i-c-s Olympians".

A story about never giving up on your dream, no matter the difficulty. Cute!

9. Big Wolf and Little Wolf by Nadine Brun-Cosme
June 29

Big Wolf is startled when Little Wolf comes and tags along behind him for a couple of days, but he's even more startled when Little Wolf disappears. A story of becoming friends, and opening yourself up to friendship.

10. The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield
July 6

I've become a fan of Chris Hadfield, starting with his you-tube videos from his time on the space station. My students love the peek into life in space. This book is an autobiographical look at how and when he became interested in exploring space. I'll definitely read this to my students this year- overcoming fears, working hard toward a goal, curiosity are all topics addressed.

11. Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
July 6

Jabari decides today is the day to jump from the diving board, but fear makes him wary.

Loved, loved this book! It caught my eye at the library because I spent plenty of time under the diving board at my high school, trying to coax little ones off the end during swim lessons. The way Jabari's dad helps him and the strategies Jabari uses to overcome his fears made me cheer for the characters. The illustrations are wonderful. Might have to put this on the buy list.

12. Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner
July 10

Beautiful book about pond life. A mother and son are canoeing in a pond and noticing the wildlife around them. Pictures are gorgeous- I was drawn in by the color palette but I also appreciate the style. The end includes information on many animals featured in the book. This book would be an excellent model for word choice, and combining personal narrative with information.

13. Oops Pounce Quick Run: An Alphabet Caper by Mike Twohy
July 10

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book. Simple ABC book that uses the alphabet to tell a story. Each letter has 1-2 words, yet with the pictures, manages to give a complete story arc.

14. Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown
July 10

Nonfiction picture book describing the life of Pablo Neruda. The illustrations are filled with words (like on the cover) which is a neat way of showing his interest in the world and in words, and how he combined the two.

15. Guji Guji by Chih-Yuan Chen
July 10

A crocodile egg rolls into a goose nest. Guji Guji is raised like a goose but must eventually figure out who he is. This is a storyline I've seen before in other books, but it's still a good story. Guji Guju handles himself with maturity when he must decide who to favor- the crocodiles who look like him or the geese who are his family.

16. We're in the Wrong Book! by Richard Byrne
July 10

Two characters are bumped out of their own book and must make their way back. Fun look at different kinds of books- how-to, fairy tale, puzzle book, etc.

17. Dragon Masters: Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West
July 28

Drake is unexpectedly taken from his family to the castle, where he finds he's been recruited as a Dragon Master. He gets to know his dragon, learns from a wizard, and tries to make new friends in his new castle life. 90pg. chapter book. I'm really unfamiliar with a lot of the kids' chapter books, so I'm trying out some series to see what they're like. It's not perfect but it's an interesting story with a character who has some real emotions, faces tough choices and grows as a person in the book.

18. 13 Words by Lemony Snicket
July 28

A ridiculous, nonsense story using 13 words, which are listed at the beginning. It's not my favorite book, personally, but I like it as an idea for a writing prompt/story starter. Pick 13 words, write a story with them (this book kind of reads like that's how it was written :-) ). A lot of kids would find this book funny, and the writing prompt idea a way to write some pretty imaginative stuff.

19. Rah, Rah, Radishes! by April Pulley Sayre
July 28

This book features photographs with a rhythmic chant, all about vegetables. Written to a younger crowd than my second-graders, but they could find value with it as a reference for vegetables they may not be familiar with, and also as a model for a "chant". We often hear chants but don't often see them written.