Some of the best...

I'm feeling sentimental today. We own a lot of picture books. A lot. Perhaps too many, because over half are not my favorites. I hide them if a child brings them to me to read or I force them to go choose something else. My kids read most of the books, but I am oh-so-picky when I read aloud, partially because I want to enjoy myself and partially because my kids can tell when I don't like something. They know when I am getting into the characters and letting the words roll off my tongue in a delicious, tangible way versus when I am just in a big fat hurry to be get through the book and be done.

Here are some favorites of my favorites:

 A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech (I challenge you not to love this honest, earnest principal and the poor kids in his school. And the illustrations! Check out the titles of the books they carry around. Hard Math. Really Hard Math. Ridiculously Hard Math. Math That Will Make You Cry. Math That Will Make You Die.)


Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood (Enticingly scary; Wonderfully courageous; Full of love!)


Little Oh by Laura Krauss Melmed (The love in this story is as deep and yet as light as you can get.)


Move Over Rover by Karen Beaumont (Look for the skunk!)


Kiss the Cow by Phyllis Root (This book will make you want to kiss a cow.)


The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story by Rebecca Hickox (I think this is my favorite Cinderella retelling)

Mr. Semolina-Semolinus by Anthony Manna (I think I like this one just because it is fun to say Mr. Semolina-Semolinus)


Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White (What a problem!)


Mary's Favorite Picture Book:
Marven of the Great North Woods by Kathryn Lasky


Lucy's Favorite Picture Book:
The Seven Chinese Brothers by Margaret Mahy


Calvin's Favorite Picture Book:
Tigress by Nick Dowson


Shaemus's Favorite Picture Book:
Too Many Frogs by Sandy Asher


Flannery's Favorite Picture Book:
Apple Pip Princess by Jane Ray


And here's your library list...
A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech
Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood
Little Oh by Laura Krauss Melmed
Move Over Rover by Karen Beaumont
Kiss the Cow by Phyllis Root
The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story by Rebecca Hickox
Mr. Semolina-Semolinus by Anthony Manna
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
Marven of the Great North Woods by Kathryn Lasky
The Seven Chinese Brothers by Margaret Mahy
Tigress by Nick Dowson
Too Many Frogs by Sandy Asher
Apple Pip Princess by Jane Ray