MotherReader

This post would have been sooooo much better if it had been in time for voting in the SLJ's Top 100 Picture Books, but I barely got in my list myself... and then found out that there was an extension. At this point it's all over but the shouting. You know, with the exception of the tons of work it's going to be to go through all those votes and crank the numbers and do the write-ups and... wow, do I ever admire Betsy Bird.

So, here are the books I put forth. I really went my favorites, as opposed to systematically analyzing the Iconic Picture Books of Children's Literature. Given how much time I've spent in the company of picture books in the public library and as organizer/panelist of that Cybils category, I was surprised how few new books made my list. When it came down to choosing, as much as I have loved some books in the last ten years, my heart went out for those I read to my own kids - especially if I read them myself as a child. The list also didn't change much from when I did it for Fuse #8's first list.

1. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
   Funny, clever, and the perfect read-aloud, this is the book that started my Mo obsession.
2. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, by Mo Willems
   and this is the book that sealed that obsession evermore. Mo-tastic.
3. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin
   If you watch the video, you'll never get the tune out of your head when you read the book aloud. I'm still not sure if that is a good or bad thing.
4. Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney
   A wonderful reflection of the love and relationship between parent and child.
5. On the Day You Were Born, by Debra Frasier
   I never get through this book without tearing up. It’s a great baby shower gift.
6. The Grouchy Ladybug, by Eric Carle
   It's hard to pick just one Carle book, but I reading with the grouchy voice.
7. Bark George, by Jules Feiffer
   So fun to read!
8. Corduroy, by Don Freeman
   A story of the one special toy for one special girl hit my heart as a kid and as a mom.
9. Bread and Jam for Frances, by Russell Hoban
   I loved all the Frances books and can only choose this as a favorite by a slight margin.
10. The Monster At The End Of This Book
    I remember this book from my childhood more than any other. And now it's an app.
    

I know that I've seen the contributions of 100 Scope Notes and Book Nut. Anyone else sharing their list?