I'm so happy to participate in Mandy and Cathy's #PB10for10 event again this year! I think I'm even more excited this year to share books my first graders loved and to also get some ideas for books to share with my 4th graders.
When I started thinking about this post, I decided it would be easier on my brain if I focused on books that were new (or just new to me) this year. So my list is comprised of the new-ish books that my first graders and I just adored last year!
Favorites from the 2012-2013 school year
They're back! The awesome duo that brought us Memoirs of a Goldfish has done a phenomenal job again in their hamster book. I have to admit... I might have loved this one even more than the goldfish one!
My kids and I were big fans of the wordless Red Sled, so I knew we'd have to read this one, too! It didn't disappoint! I loved watching kids' faces as we took in the story.
A simple yet wonderful story of friendship! This one made a few of us tear up. (You'll also want to share Penguin on Vacation!)
Before I even finished reading this one aloud, my little friends were begging to read it again. So many possibilities with this book!
The bunnies quickly found their way into our hearts, but so did Big Mean Mike! We read this one several times.
These three little pigs had my first graders hi-ya-ing for days! We were able to connect with Corey on Twitter, and she was absolutely wonderful. She answered our questions, gave us lots of insight into the book, and sent us bookmarks!
We squealed with delight when someone would bring in carrots for snack time after we read this book!
One of my little boys brought this one in after meeting local illustrator Richard McFarland. It's the story of a girl and her grandfather, explaining why he has so many wrinkles. Heartwarming and sweet! (I needed Kleenex for this one.)
I lost track of how many times we reread this book. The phrase "I'm Bored" continued to seep into our conversations throughout the year, just to get us giggling!
Honorable Mentions
Ok, so I'm kind of cheating... but I couldn't leave these out! We enjoyed them just as much as the ones listed above.
I bought this one right at the end of the school year, but it was one of those giggle-out-loud books that first graders just love. They also thought the ending was hysterical!
I've written about this book a few times already (HERE and HERE,) but it is definitely one of my favorite, favorite books that I've read in recent years.
Being a fisherwoman (fisherman? Whatever... I love to fish), this book reminded me of the magic of fishing and the elusive fish we all come to know. My family's "Jangles" is a smallmouth bass in the waters of Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, that we named Scarback. While I don't think my first graders had those deep connections, many of them loved to fish and really enjoyed this book.
I could keep going and going and going... but I think I've already pushed the limits of my list of ten(ish) favorite picture books this year! I can hardly wait to see what other bloggers have chosen...
