New idea:
A list of five books on Friday that center around a certain theme.
I’d do ten, but I just don’t think I can commit to that many.
This way, I may actually do it!
Eventually maybe I’ll get together a list in advance,
so if people want to join in the fun, they can.
For now, here we go:
Here’s 5 Picture Books that I LOVED as a kid,
and when I read them to kids today, they still like them.
Maybe you’ve heard of some of them?
Maybe you haven’t?
Let’s see!
Note: You may have to get these from your library! When I looked up info for the links, I could only find one on Indiebound, and the ones on Amazon were pretty expensive!
1. How A Book is Made by Aliki, published in 1986.
I have had this book since I was 8 years old.
It’s a paperback, and it’s still holding up.
I poured over this book as a child.
It goes through the ENTIRE bookmaking process.
From idea to manuscript to art to edits,
from printing to binding to sales reps,
and ends with the book in the little cat’s hands.
I was FASCINATED by how it all worked.
This book is perfect for ANY budding author or illustrator,
or just someone who wants to know how everything happens.
In fact, I should make all my friends read it when they complain and say it’s taking too long for my book to come out 🙂
2. Pigs in Hiding by Arlene Dubanevich,
published in 1983 (as old as me!)
Confession: I stole this from my mom’s collection. And you know what? I’m not sorry.
I’ve read it a ton while it’s been in my possession.
This one is so simple yet SO entertaining.
A ton of pigs play hide and seek.
The seeking pig goes through all the rooms of the house,
but just CANNOT find anyone…
even though they are hiding in plain view!
Kids will LOVE finding all the pigs
and the ending is pretty great too!
3. The Hungry Thing by Jan Slepian and Ann Seidler
pictures by Richard E. Martin, published in 1967!
The Hungry Thing comes to town.
He has a sign around his neck that says, “FEED ME”
The townsfolk ask him what he’d like to eat.
“SCHMANCAKES!” he says.
The townspeople can’t figure it out,
but luckily there’s a boy there…
he says,
“Schmancakes sound like fancakes sound like…..
pancakes!”
Thank goodness for that clever boy!
The rest of the story contains even more foods to guess,
and the book ends with The Hungry Thing turning his sign over to reveal a message on the back!
Ah the suspense! You’ll have to read it!
Kids who love having fun with words and love make believe will love this one!
4. Who’s got the Apple? by Jan Loof,
published in 1974, originally in Germany
A man goes to buy an apple.
The storekeeper plays a joke on him since it’s April Fools Day,
and sells him a plastic green apple,
instructing him to leave it on the windowsill to ripen.
Meanwhile, the storekeeper checks on his prize winning apple in his backyard.
I don’t want to give too much away,
but somehow things happen and that apple on the windowsill is no longer the plastic one.
It’s a book of crazy coincidences and cause and effect and just super fun!
Kids will love seeing how things happen.
5. Monkey-Monkey’s Trick by Patricia McKissack, illustrated by Paul Meisel, published in 1988.
Ok, technically NOT a picture book, more like an early reader,
but I HAD to include it on this list.
This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK.
Could it be because Monkey-Monkey has a double name like me?
Could it be the repetition in the structure and dialogue?
Could it be the trick being played in the book?
Probably all those three, honestly.
Monkey-Monkey needs to build a hut because the rainy season is coming.
He asks around, but no one can help him; they’ve got their own things going on.
Well, ok Hyena will help him, but Monkey-Monkey doesn’t trust him.
The next day a mysterious and beautiful creature shows up offering to help.
All Monkey-Monkey has to do is make a stew.
But when he makes it, an Ugly Monster comes and eats it all up.
What will happen?
Will Monkey-Monkey ever get that hut finished?
And who are the Beautiful and Ugly Monster really?
I’ve read this book so much that it’s falling apart.
I think kids who like trickster tales will love it!
Well, there you go!
Have you heard of any of these books before?
I’d love to hear from you if you have!
Until next time,
KE
Oh, wow! These books sound great, especially “Who’s Got the Apple?” and “Monkey-Monkey’s Trick.” I normally don’t like early readers, but “Monkey-Monkey’s Trick” just might make it onto my list of good ones, along with Arnold Lobel’s “Uncle Elephant” and “Small Pig.”
The only book on the list I’m familiar with is “The Hungry Thing.” Here’s the funny thing, though. I didn’t experience the original “Hungry Thing” until it was read to me at school. Its two sequels, however, “The Hungry Thing Goes to a Restaurant” and “The Hungry Thing Returns,” are personal classics my mom read to me all the time before I finally heard the original.