Somehow I knew the day would come. My tubs and shelves of books could not take one more. Something would have to give. So last spring I packed up some of my old friends – wonderful books who would serve teachers well in their classrooms or find their way into the hands of an eager young reader or writer; books that could serve a better purpose than sitting on my shelf for long stretches of time. Although it was difficult to bid farewell, I had many new friends waiting for a spot in my collection. The wonderful thing about books is that there are always new discoveries to make! For this year’s 10 for 10 event I have decided to introduce some of my new friends. All of these books were published in 2012 or 2013. I thought just choosing ten might be easier with the field narrowed in such a way, but it was still difficult.
Thanks Kathy and Mandy for hosting this event once again. I can’t wait to make more friends as I view everyone’s picks!
Annie and Helen by Deborah Hopkinson, illus. by Raul Colon. This book is more than just a biography of Helen Keller. The author’s use of primary source documents in the form of excerpts from Annie Sullivan’s letters to her friend in Boston make it Annie’s story as well. Readers can easily understand how important these two women were to each other. It is a celebration of courage, perseverance, and triumph, and exemplifies what it means to be a teacher.
Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead, illus. by Erin E. Stead. This heart-warming tale is a wonderful example of how important friends are, especially in helping us tell our stories.
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illus. by Oliver Jeffers. Thanks to Stacey Shubitz who introduced me to this great new book! All the crayons in Duncan’s box write him letters of complaint, but by using his imagination he finds a way to make them all happy again. Wonderful examples of persona writing!
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by E. B. Lewis. A touching story of friendship and the power of small acts of kindness.
Forest Has a Song by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, illus. by Robbin Gourley. Through a series of poems, the author takes us on a visit to the forest. We can chat with a chickadee, listen in on a tree frog proposing marriage, feel the squish of moss on bare toes, and much more.
Penguin and Pinecone written and illustrated by Salina Yoon. Another friendship story that shows the give and take of love and how distance between loved ones can be overcome.
Rocket Writes a Story written and illustrated by Tad Hills. Now that Rocket can read he wants to write. This delightful follow-up to How Rocket Learned to Read is the perfect way to introduce young writers to the writing process – finding inspiration, drafting, the power of a good conference with a teacher, revising, and sharing.
Sorting Through Spring by Lizann Flat, illus. by Ashley Barron. This interactive book skillfully combines math with nature in a playful and interesting way. Readers are challenged to find patterns, make reasonable predictions based on probability, and interpret data as they learn about animals and plants. I can definitely see kids returning to this book again and again to make new discoveries.
A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant, illus. by Melissa Sweet. I included this book in the 10 for 10 nonfiction event in February, but felt it needed to be on this list, too. Together with the exquisite collages of illustrator Melissa Sweet, Jen helps us learn of the struggles and successes of Pennsylvania artist Horace Pippin. The text offers many lessons for young writers and includes excerpts from some of Pippin’s notebooks.
Unspoken told through the illustrations of Henry Cole. This wordless book offers a heartfelt story about the Underground Railroad. When a young girl encounters a runaway slave, she must make an important decision. This book would be a great tool for teaching inference and character development.
Thanks Kathy and Mandy for hosting this event once again. I can’t wait to make more friends as I view everyone’s picks!
Annie and Helen by Deborah Hopkinson, illus. by Raul Colon. This book is more than just a biography of Helen Keller. The author’s use of primary source documents in the form of excerpts from Annie Sullivan’s letters to her friend in Boston make it Annie’s story as well. Readers can easily understand how important these two women were to each other. It is a celebration of courage, perseverance, and triumph, and exemplifies what it means to be a teacher.
Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead, illus. by Erin E. Stead. This heart-warming tale is a wonderful example of how important friends are, especially in helping us tell our stories.
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illus. by Oliver Jeffers. Thanks to Stacey Shubitz who introduced me to this great new book! All the crayons in Duncan’s box write him letters of complaint, but by using his imagination he finds a way to make them all happy again. Wonderful examples of persona writing!
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by E. B. Lewis. A touching story of friendship and the power of small acts of kindness.
Forest Has a Song by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, illus. by Robbin Gourley. Through a series of poems, the author takes us on a visit to the forest. We can chat with a chickadee, listen in on a tree frog proposing marriage, feel the squish of moss on bare toes, and much more.
Penguin and Pinecone written and illustrated by Salina Yoon. Another friendship story that shows the give and take of love and how distance between loved ones can be overcome.
Rocket Writes a Story written and illustrated by Tad Hills. Now that Rocket can read he wants to write. This delightful follow-up to How Rocket Learned to Read is the perfect way to introduce young writers to the writing process – finding inspiration, drafting, the power of a good conference with a teacher, revising, and sharing.
Sorting Through Spring by Lizann Flat, illus. by Ashley Barron. This interactive book skillfully combines math with nature in a playful and interesting way. Readers are challenged to find patterns, make reasonable predictions based on probability, and interpret data as they learn about animals and plants. I can definitely see kids returning to this book again and again to make new discoveries.
A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant, illus. by Melissa Sweet. I included this book in the 10 for 10 nonfiction event in February, but felt it needed to be on this list, too. Together with the exquisite collages of illustrator Melissa Sweet, Jen helps us learn of the struggles and successes of Pennsylvania artist Horace Pippin. The text offers many lessons for young writers and includes excerpts from some of Pippin’s notebooks.
Unspoken told through the illustrations of Henry Cole. This wordless book offers a heartfelt story about the Underground Railroad. When a young girl encounters a runaway slave, she must make an important decision. This book would be a great tool for teaching inference and character development.
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