Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books To Read In A Day

This week’s topic is Top Ten Books to Read in a Day.  Maybe my list should be Top Ten Books To Read Every Day :)  You can read my entire list in a day because they are all picture books.  Who doesn't love a good picture book though?  If you are a parent/teacher of young children or you just enjoy a good picture book, this list is for you!   

1.  Bear Feels Scared.  I could just make this list on Karma Wilson’s book because I adore nearly every one of them.  Bear Feels Scared is part of a whole series of Bear and friends books with a similar text that rhymes and repeats, inviting children to “read” along.  The characters are so endearing that you can’t help but fall in love with them!   
2. Chester.  After finding this series at the library one day, I immediately went out and bought it!  Author Melanie Watt has fun playing with the idea of the narrative.  She has created a self-important but lovable character that keeps my kids giggling.   
3. The Cowboy and the Black Eyed Pea.   I love to read this one out loud because the language and accent are so fun!  Tony Johnston retells The Princess and the Pea in a fresh and modern way, revealing the women are not always damsels in distress but rather heroes in their own way.  
4. Salt in His Shoes.   Michael Jordan’s mother (Deloris)  shares the story of the athlete as a young boy.  He is smaller and less experienced than the other boys on the basketball court.   Applying the work ethic and utilizing the encouragement his mother gives him, he goes on to conquer his discouragement.   
5.  Thunder Rose.  Jerdine Nolan has created a feisty and fun protagonist for this tall tale. The story is full of imagination and exaggeration you will not soon forget.  
6. Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon.  Molly Lou is awkward, clumsy, and small.  Nothing discourages her—not even the class bully.  She wins everyone over with her big smile and contagiously positive attitude.   Patty Lovell’s tale always inspires me. 
7. The Pout-Pout Fish.  This selection and its sequel The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big Big Dark should be in every class and home library.  The colors and illustrations are brilliant.  Deborah Diesen’s use of language is creative and rhythmic, inviting reader participation.  Children (and adults) walk away with a valuable lesson.  
8. The Doghouse.  It was the first book I came across by Jan Thomas (now I am a fan of her work).   I love texts with a recurring framework, playful use of language, and humor.  This one has it all—and some fun animals and irony.   
9. Little Quack.  I just want to squeal with delight when I see one of the books in Lauren Thomson’s Little Quack series.  The illustrations are just too darn cute.  The stories are always amusing and endearing.   
10. My Hands Sing the Blues.  Jeanne Walker Harvey and Elizabeth Zunon have collaborated to created one of the most artistic picture books I have ever seen.  The story and language work superbly with the illustrations to create a melodic and original work.   

For more lists on this Top Ten Tuesday, visit The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Tuesday: Trends You'd Like To See More of/Less of

It is Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  Today’s topic is Top Ten Trends You'd Like To See More of/Less of.    Mine is a combination of the two: 

1.     More strong female characters who are not defined by men

2.    Less dysfunctional female protagonists in co-dependent romantic relationships

3.    More fiction that captures our imagination and instills important values (heroism, courage, perseverance)

4.    Less paranormal fiction that feeds unrealistic expectations about relationships and life

5.    More fiction that makes us ponder life and the big questions

6.    Less fiction that is just escapist, feeding unattainable romantic notions

7.    More fiction with positive parental figures (a la the Taylors of Friday Night Lights)

8.    Less fiction with moronic or disconnected adults

9.    More fiction that challenge our views on beauty, conformity, popularity, and other relevant issues

10.  Less fiction that perpetuates stereotypes and glorifies superficial values

Click HERE to check out all the Top Ten lists in the Blogosphere this week. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Settings In Books

It is Top Ten Tuesday at The Broke and the Bookish.  This week’s list is Top Ten Settings in Books.  Except for Prince Edward Island, all my favorites are imaginary places or magical versions of reality.  Fantasy literature takes up a bulk of my favorites because of the creativity and imagination that went into their design.  Other than Panem, these are places I would love to live or visit. 

1.     Hogwarts and Wizarding Community (Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling)

2.    Train and North Pole (The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg) 

3.    Kyrria (Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine)

4.    Museum on Christmas Eve (The Dinosaurs Night Before Christmas, Anne Muecke)

5.    Westlandia (Westlandia,  Paul Fleischman)

6.    Monkey’s Treehouse (Monkey with Toolbelt, Chris Monroe)

7.    Panem (Hunger Games series, Suzanne Collins) 

8.    Prince Edward Island (Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery)

9.    Narnia (Chronicles of Narnia series, C.S. Lewis)

10.  Treecrest and Surrounding Kingdoms (The Wide-Awake Princess, E.D. Baker)

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books that Came Recommended

The topic this week is Top Ten Books that Came Recommended.  Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the Broke and the Bookish.  Click HERE to check out other bloggers' lists.

Some of these I read so long ago, I don’t even remember who or what prompted me to pick it up.  These are some of my favorite books that I am glad someone recommended to me.

1.     Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling)

2.    The Wednesday Wars (Gary Schmidt)

3.    The Hunger Games series (Suzanne Collins)

4.    Mother-Daughter Book Club (Heather Vogel Fredrick)

5.    Star Girl (Jerry Spinelli)

6.    Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keys)

7.    Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series (Ann Brashares)

8.    A Long Way from Chicago (Richard Peck)

9.    Walk Two Moons (Sharon Creech)

10.  The Bronze Bow (Elizabeth George Speare)

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Authors (Picture Book)

The Broke and the Bookish hosts Top Ten Tuesday.  Since it is Top Ten Tuesday Rewind, I decided to write about my favorite authors, specifically picture book ones.  I hope you will be inspired to check out some new authors.  Click on the authors' names for their sites or book lists.

1.      Karma Wilson.   I was so charmed by Bear Feels Sick,  I set out to read all of her books which I accomplished with the exception of the Calico series.   Her adorable characters, rhythmic text, and humor make nearly every book a homerun! 

2.     Nancy Elizabeth Wallace.  I have read several of her books on science topics.  She does an outstanding job breaking down concepts so that preschool age children will understand them.  Her narrative frameworks, plots, and characters are highly appealing to youngsters.

3.     David Shannon.  He has created many memorable characters—David, Fergus, Alice--and creative situations—catching stripes,  a duck on a bike, and pirates changing diapers.  Every book is a humorous delight. 

4.     Melanie Watt.  Chester became an instant hit in my house!  We found the books at the library one afternoon.  Since then, I have bought all of them.  The whole family finds them entertaining.  My son even has his own Chester voice/persona he brings out to make us laugh. Her Scaredy Squirrl series is also a lot of fun.  

5.     Harry Allard.  I grew up with the classic Miss Marshall series.  They are favorites of my children too. 

6.     Eric Carle.  His books were the staple of my children’s childhood.  They loved Brown Bear, Brown Bear, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Ladybug, and The Mixed Up Chameleon. 

7.     Chris Van Allsburg.   His illustrations are always stunning.  His narratives are thought-provoking, ironic, and original.  I have read most of his books several times to myself and to my children. 

8.     Tomie dePaola.  Like Van Allsburg, his illustrations are amazing and his story telling provocative.   His legends have a spiritual and reverend quality.  

9.     Steven Kellogg. His illustrations are detailed and energetic.   I love his creative storytelling and rabuctious characters.  From his tall tales to his original accounts, he always has an entertaining story to share. 

10.  Dr. Seuss.  What favorite picture book list is complete without him?  I grew up reading his books.  My children learned to read using his books.  A childhood is incomplete without One Fish, Two Fish, The Cat in the Hat, and The Lorax.  

Like Giveaways?  Click HERE for the Current Giveaways at Books4Learning.

Top Ten Tuesday: Dynamic Duos

Instead of focusing on the great dynamic duos of classic and modern literature, I chose my duos from some of my favorite picture books.  Click on each duo name for book information.  For more favorite literary dynamic duos, check out other blog lists at the Broke and the Bookish. 

1.     Bella and Stella:  This adorable pair (a girl and an elephant) get through a difficult transition together.  They show us you can never underestimate the power of an imaginary friend! 

2.    Molly Lou and her Grandmother:  With her grandmother's words of wisdom, Molly Lou gains the confidence she needs to overcome a bully and to win over her class.   Molly Lou demonstrates that being different is something to be proud of. 

3.    Pout Pout Fish and Miss Shimmer:  Miss Shimmer is the perfect friend.  She helps Pout Pout Fish realize he is a kiss kiss fish.  Together, they conquer a common fear—the dark!

4.    Shark and Train:  These two may be at odds, each trying to outdo the other.  Ultimately, they teach us a valuable lesson about friendship. 

5.    Chester and Melanie:  Their "cat and mouse play" have brought about lots of laughs and imitation in our home.   

6.    Monkey and his Tool belt:  What could be better than a monkey and his tool belt? 

7.    Gilgamesh and Enkidu:  Theirs is the first great friendship recorded in literary history.  The picture books illustrate the struggle, the joy, and the pain that finding your kindred spirit can bring. 

8.    Bear and his Forest Friends:  This group of friends support each other through scary times and grumpy ones, illustrating sacrifice, comfort, and kindness. 

9.    Bellerophon and Pegasus:  These great heroes of Greek mythology conquere the Chimera to save a kingdom. 

10.  Pirate Pete and his Parrot:  They find treasure, outwit a giant, and capture a precious jewel, all with humor and flair. 

Who are your favorite picture book dynamic duos?

Top Ten Book to Movie Adaptions

This week I am participating in Top Ten Tuesday.  The topic is Top Ten Book to Movie Adaptations.  Check out other lists at the Broke and the Bookish.  Here is my list. 

1.     Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)

As a teen and early adult, I watched this movie religiously.  I wanted to be Anne.  I wanted to find my Gilbert.  Most of all, I wanted to be an inspiring teacher like Miss Stacy.   I love “The Highwayman” and “The Lady of Shalott.”  Yea, this movie inspired me J

2.    Bridge to Terabithia (Katherine Paterson)

This book was one of my favorites from my children’s literature class in college.  The movie is beautiful.  I weep every time I watch it, despite knowing what is going to happen. 

3.    Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Jeff Kinney)

Even though the movie is not 100% true to the book, it does capture the characters well.  I have watched this movie several times, and each time I laugh hysterically. 

4.    Harry Potter and the Half-Blooded Prince (J.K. Rowling)

This movie is the best in the series.  I can watch it over and over.  I know the Harry Potter books always have a lot more detail which often makes for choppy movies, lacking clear reasons for character motivation.  This movie had the smoothest flow and depth.

5.    Holes (Louis Sachar)

This movie stayed pretty faithful to the book.  Like A Little Princess, I love the story within the story.   It is a wonderful illustration of redemption and friendship.

6.    A Little Princess (Frances Hodgson Burnett)

I adore the 1995 version of this movie.  The visuals are beautiful.  They do an excellent job contrasting Sara’s drab world with the vivid world of her stories.   The world of her stories though parallels her real world.   It is an excellent film. 

7.    Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)

My favorite movie version of this book is the one with Winona Ryder and Christian Bale.  Every one of the characters is remarkably played.   My favorite is Jo.  I love her spirit and passion. 

8.    The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis)

I have enjoyed the recent succession of movies based on the Chronicles of Narnia series.  The sacrifice of one for the good of all (i.e. Christ’s death) is depicted beautifully.  The visuals and acting are memorable. 

9.    The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)

Beautiful book.  Beautiful movie.  Love the cast.  Glad they kept true to the book. 

10.  The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Ann Brashares)

This movie stays true to the book and characters.   I love their individual stories and the metaphor of the pants as a symbol of their bond. 

The book I most want to see made into a great movie is Walk Two Moons.  I have enjoyed all of Sharon Creech’s novels, but this one is the best of all of her stories and one of the best in all children’s literature. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings

1.      Karma Wilson Books.  I recently discovered this author.  I would love any of her books---Bear Stays Up, Mortimer’s First Manger, Bear Feels Scared, Princess Me…I could go on and on. 

2.    The Nativity (Ruth Sanderson).  I plan to read this picture book every Christmas with my kids.  It is a stunning illustrated companion of the Christmas story.

3.    Medio Pollito: A Spanish Tale (Eric A. Kimmel).  It is a beautiful story of overcoming obstacles.  Despite Medio Pollito’s physical limitations, he does not put a limit on his aspirations.

4.    The Thanksgiving Door (Debby Atwell).  I was nearly brought to tears by this beautiful picture book about the essential aspect of the holidays and our daily lives:  opening our lives and homes to others.

5.    Wink: The Ninja Who Wanted to Be Noticed (J. C. Phillipps ).  This book captures the essence of being an individual.  Wink has two influences and two passions in his life that at first appear incongruent.  He finds a way to incorporate both in a way that brings him fulfillment and makes his mentors proud. 

6.    Mother Daughter Book Club series (Heather Vogel Fredrick).  I read the first book in this series.  I would love the rest of them.  There is good character development and strong family/friendship ties with the characters. 

7.    The Book Shop Dog (Cynthia Rylant).   I shared a special reading moment with my son with this book.  It is a beautiful story of love, community, and man’s best friend. 

8.    Calico series (Karma Wilson).  There are no libraries in my area that carry these books.  I would love to get my hands on them.  They are the only books by Karma Wilson I have not read yet. 

9.    The Dinosaurs Night Before Christmas (Anne Meucke).  My kids and I loved reading this version of the popular poem.  The story is creative and entertaining while the illustrations are vibrant and energetic. 

10.  Tomie dePaola's Big Book of Favorite Legends (Tomie dePaola).  I recently saw it in a local book store.  It has some of my favorite legends and others I am interested in reading.

To view other Top Ten Tuesday Lists or to participate, click here.