MORE POSTS FROM MAY 2012
#50 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (1989) 42 points Previously #56, Lowry’s classic stays at pretty much the same spot on both the old and the new list. And why not? A beautiful book that deserves to be remembered. The plot from the publisher reads, “Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen […]
Last night I received a phone call from Jules Danielson of the Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast blog and one of my co-writers on a book for Candlewick. We’d been working on it for a couple years now with our fellow blogger, Peter Sieruta of Collecting Children’s Books and had turned our edits in not […]
#51 The Library by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small (1995) 37 points All my favorite things—stacks of books and bookshelves of books and libraries full of books! – Ellen L. Ramsay This is my daughter. This is me. We don’t care about dances, or even doing our chores other than haphazardly, it is all […]
#52 Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth (2005) 36 points This book was important for me to read. When I am lonely or sad or struggling, I come to Stillwater as if he is a friend. “I know how that is,” said Stillwater. “But there’s always the moon.” – Emily Myhr Need I tell you? […]
#53 Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco (1998) 33 points Could never read it to the kids without getting teary eyed. Great story about what a difference a teacher can make in a child’s life. – Cheryl Phillips This is such a powerful books to read to young kids. All of the kids benefit […]
#54 Olivia by Ian Falconer (2000) 33 points When I first read this book, I thought “Caldecott” Alas, it was an honor book, which is nothing to sneeze at. I can picture Olivia and Lilly (Kevin Henkes) being buddies. I think we all know a little girl like Olivia. – DeAnn Okamura Such personality in […]
#55 Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig (1969) 32 points I know a little girl who cried when she thought Sylvester would be a rock forever. I’m not sure what it says about me, but that made me love the book even more. The best books are a little scary, aren’t they? – […]
#56 The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (1985) 32 points After hundreds of readings, I still cry at the end of this book. – Susan Lang Perfect story, perfect pictures. – Rose Marie Moore This is the second Christmas picture book to grace our list so far. Now many authors will tell you that […]
#57 Doctor De Soto by William Steig (1982) 31 points Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is brilliant, but in this one, William Steig uses just the right amount of words and tells a wonderfully clever tale. – Sondra Eklund “Frank you berry mush” – Celia Lee Took me a second to get what Celia’s comment […]
#58 Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt (2006) 31 points This one helped my daughter understand her anxious feelings in a fun, no pressure way. – Joanne Rousseau The last time we conducted this poll I considered Scaredy Squirrel to be the only true 21st century picture book on this list. Let me explain. Certainly we’ve […]