SOL 12/31: Top Ten Picture Books to Love!

Returning for year nine of writing daily in March with my Slice of Life writer friends! Check out Two Writing Teachers for more slices of life occurring every day in March.

When we went to son-in-law's birthday celebration on Sunday, I brought home a box of books to return to the library. Still harvesting slices from the box - book spine poems on Tuesday and my ten favorites from the box for today!

Two "things that go" books (Grandson is highly disappointed if Grandma’s book bag doesn’t include one from this category.)

This Old Van by Kim Norman, illustrated by Carolyn Conahan 

“With a click clack rattle rack …”

A book that Grandma can sing, featuring a grandma & grandpa on the road in a hippy van. Don’t miss the delightful front and end papers on this one.

Race Car Dreams by Sharon Chriscoe, illustrated by Dave Mottram

“Then toasty and warm, he burrows down deep.

He closes his book and drifts off to sleep.”

A repeat check-out that Grandson has memorized!

Five winter books (which just happens to include another "things that go" book)

Snowy Race by April Jones Prince, illustrated by Christine Davenier

Another rhyming text - "Today's the day! She's on her way."

Don't miss the wondrous opening page with the snow globes on a shelf, a countdown calendar, the cat on the bed and a young girl's eager anticipation of this day. 

When the Snow Falls by Linda Booth Sweeney, illustrated by Jana Christy

Another exquisitely illustrated rhyming text featuring a brother and sister spending a snowy day at Grandma and Grandpa's house with this final text -

"Cocoa warms.

Mittens puddle.

Day dawdles. 

We cuddle."

My Winter City words by James Gladstone, pictures by Gary Clement

Spend the day with a boy, his dad, and their dog until day's end -

"My winter city holds us together in a dream before sleeping, 

under sheets,

under covers...

a blanket of snow."

Don't miss this oversize picture book from our Canadian neighbors!

The Bear and the Star by Lola M. Schaefer, illustrated by Bethanne Anderson

My new favorite, one I must purchase for my Christmas book collection. And because my OLW for 2020 just happens to be light!

"The star rose higher in the sky.

People brought friend and neighbor, 

son and daughter, 

mother and father, 

and faraway family . . . "

Request it now, don't wait for next winter when the holds list will be so long you won't get it until February.

Wintercake written and illustrated by Lynn Rae Perkins

Who knew that this Newbery Medal award-winning author also writes and illustrates picture books? My daughter mentioned and I noticed, too, the exquisite vocabulary. Another must-purchase for my Christmas picture book collection!

"Outside the hollow, snow was falling again. Inside, a friendship was being born.
Tobin's story was the first of many told that night, and for years and holidays to come."

Two books with "one" in the title 

One Hug by Katrina Moore, illustrated by Julia Wolf
A delightful book featuring a grandmother's visit that asks the reader to consider, "How do YOU hug family?"
 "Lullabies and starlit skies,

one big snuggle, sleeeepy eyes."

One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller written and illustrated by Kate Read

Don't miss this thrilling debut (with hopefully many more to come)! 

"No hens or foxes were harmed in the making of this book." Whew!

One quirky, sweet and silly book

Most Marshmallows written and illustrated by Rowboat Watkins
Be prepared to buy a package of marshmallows to accompany the reading of this book!

"They go to school most mornings and learn to be squishy and how to stand in rows and why they can't breathe fire."