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School Library Journal top 100 picture books

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You could argue that the first books a child encounters will influence how they read for
the rest of their lives. Stretching the definition of what constitutes a “picture book” to include everything
from board books to easy titles, the readers of School Library Journal voted on what they felt were their
own individual Top Ten picture books of all time. Points were given for rank and order and counted
accordingly. The result is a list of the Top 100 Picture Books for the 21st century. Check SLJ's website for more details.

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Olivia

Olivia
Whether at home getting ready for the day, enjoying the beach, or at bedtime, Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good.

The Carrot Seed 60th Anniversary Edition

The Maggie B

The Maggie B
A little girl's wish to sail for a day on a boat named for her " with someone nice for company " comes true.

Duck on a Bike

release date: Jan 01, 2004
Duck on a Bike
A duck decides to ride a bike and soon influences all the other animals on the farm to ride bikes too.
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Where Is the Green Sheep? / Donde Esta La Oveja Verde?

Where Is the Green Sheep? / Donde Esta La Oveja Verde?
Here is the blue sheep.
Ésta es la oveja azul.
But where is the green sheep?
¿Pero dónde está la oveja verde?
 
The search for the green sheep is on in this bilingual board book edition of the Australian author Mem Fox and the cartoonist Judy Horacek's delightful read-aloud Where Is the Green Sheep? Wee ones will learn concepts such as opposites and colors, but mostly they will cheer when the green sheep is finally discovered at the end. Each line is translated into Spanish directly below for easy comprehension.
Awards: ALA Notable Book (2005), Horn Book Fanfare Best Books of 2004, Child Magazine Best Book of the Year, 2004



Ira Sleeps Over

Ira Sleeps Over
A little boy is excited at the prospect of spending the night at his friend's house but worries how he'll get along without his teddy bear.

The Kissing Hand

The Kissing Hand
School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children's classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school. Stickers at the back will help children and their parents keep their Kissing Hand alive.
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The Mitten

The Mitten
When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing. One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax. As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki in the boarders of each page, walking through the woods unaware of what is going on. Once again Jan Brett has created a dramatic and beautiful picture book in her distinctive style. She brings the animals to life with warmth and humor, and her illustrations are full of visual delights and details faithful to the Ukrainian tradition from which the story comes.

Traction Man Is Here!

release date: Jan 01, 2005
Traction Man Is Here!
Traction Man -- wearing combat boots, battle pants, and his warfare shirt -- comes in a box, but very quickly finds the way into the imagination of his lucky boy owner. This superhero searches for the Lost Wreck of the Sieve as the boy makes a game of doing the dishes, and later in the bathtub, he conquers the Mysterious Toes that are stealing his pet, the brave little Scrubbing Brush. These are just a few of the action-packed adventures played out by the boy and his new toy that may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but can vanquish all manner of villains lurking around the house. Mini Grey's story in words and pictures is an irresistible invitation to the private world of a child's play. - Publisher

The Gardener

The Gardener
A series of letters relating what happens when, after her father loses his job, Lydia Grace goes to live with her Uncle Jim in the city but takes her love for gardening with her.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales is the ultimate in fractured fairy tales. Not only do the characters create their own stories, they also design the structure of the book itself. Classic fairy tales are deconstructed and rewritten with different but recognizable names, such as The Princess and the Bowling Ball, The Really Ugly Duckling, The Tortoise and the Hair and Chicken Licken. These stories and their characters intersect and create a mish-mash of narratives. Scieszka also mocks the conventions of books in general; the title page, dedication, and even the public information page have all been deconstructed. For example, Scieszka sneaks in the line “Anyone caught telling these fairly stupid tales will be visited, in person, by the Stinky Cheese Man” on the publication data page.

Arnie, the Doughnut

Arnie, the Doughnut
Arnie the talking doughnut convinces Mr. Bing that not all doughnuts are meant to be eaten.

Tikki Tikki Tembo

Tikki Tikki Tembo
The book tells the story of a Chinese boy with a long name who fell into a well. It is a sort of origin myth about why Chinese names are so short today (wikipedia)
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No, David!

No, David!
A young boy is depicted doing a variety of naughty things for which he is repeatedly admonished, but finally he gets a hug.

My Lucky Day

release date: Jan 01, 2009
My Lucky Day
An award-winning story time favorite with a hilarious twist at the end. When a delicious-looking piglet knocks on Mr. Fox's door, the fox can hardly believe his good luck. It's not every day that dinner just shows up on your doorstep. It must be his lucky day! But as the piglet is quick to point out, shouldn't the fox give him a bath first? And wouldn't it be best to fatten him up a little, and give him a massage so he'll make for a nice tender roast? Preparing this feast is a lot of work, but the fox is sure it will be worth it. After all, it's his lucky day. Or is it? In a funny trickster tale of her own, Kasza keeps readers guessing until the surprise ending when they'll realize it was piglet's lucky day all along.
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The Paper Bag Princess

The Paper Bag Princess
Story about not accepting failure or giving up on what you want. It's not about looks or power but tenacity and quick thinking. Hurray for you Princess of the Paper Bag. Very short, easy reading. I wanted to hear more about her.

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree
From Shel Silverstein, New York Times bestselling author of Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic, comes a poignant picture book about love and acceptance, cherished for over fifty years. This classic is perfect for both young readers and lifelong fans. "Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. This moving parable for all ages offers a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. The Giving Tree is a meaningful gift for milestone events such as graduations, birthdays, and baby showers. Shel Silverstein's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator began with Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. He is also the creator of picture books including A Giraffe and a Half, Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?, The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, and the perennial favorite The Giving Tree, and of classic poetry collections such as Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, Every Thing On It, Don't Bump the Glump!, and Runny Babbit plus Runny Babbit Returns.
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Not a Box

Not a Box
A box is just a box . . . unless it's not a box. From mountain to rocket ship, a small rabbit shows that a box will go as far as the imagination allows. Inspired by a memory of sitting in a box on her driveway with her sister, Antoinette Portis captures the thrill when pretend feels so real that it actually becomes real—when the imagination takes over and inside a cardboard box, a child is transported to a world where anything is possible.
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Bear Snores On

Bear Snores On
On a cold winter night many animals gather to party in the cave of a sleeping bear, who then awakes and protests that he has missed the food and the fun.

A Visitor for Bear

A Visitor for Bear
En este libro ilustrado para niños todo lo que Oso quiere es tomar su desayuno tranquilo, pero el ratón, que se aparece en los lugares más insospechados, no piensa dejarle en paz. Bear's efforts to keep out visitors to his house are undermined by a very persistent mouse.

Fortunately

Fortunately
Good and bad luck accompany Ned from New York to Florida on his way to a surprise party.

Madeline

Madeline
Nothing frightens Madeline—not tigers, not even mice. With its endearing, courageous heroine, cheerful humor, and wonderful, whimsical drawings of Paris, the Madeline stories are true classics that continue to charm readers, even after 75 years! Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) was the author of the beloved Madeline books, including Madeline, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Madeline's Rescue, winner of the Caldecott Medal.

Pierre

release date: Mar 15, 1991
Pierre
The story of Pierre, a little boy whose response to every question, sugeestion, or statement is always, "I don't care!" until an encounter with a lion changes his mind.

Zoom at Sea

Zoom at Sea
This fanciful nautical adventure stars a winsome cat named Zoom who stays indoors paddling in the sink or sailing in the bathtub all night when other self-respecting cats are out mousing and howling at the moon. One day Zoom finds in his Uncle Roy's diary a map of the sea and how to get there, which leads him to the huge house of the beautiful Maria. When, with the turn of a large wheel, mysterious Maria launches him on a wonderful sea voyage, the first of Zoom's adventures begins.

Flotsam

release date: Jan 01, 2006
Flotsam
When a young boy discovers a camera on the beach and develops the film, he finds with his microscope many layers of pictures within the photographs.

Eloise

Eloise
It's Eloise's sixtieth birthday—though she's still not a day over six. Celebrate with a beautifully illustrated hardcover edition of the original classic storybook with gobs of bonus material!

Eloise is a very special little girl who lives at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. She may not be pretty yet, but she's definitely already a real person. She loves learning about people who aren't boring. Take Eloise home with you and she'll introduce you to life at The Plaza. You'll be glad you did!

In the front of this book we have printed the original Eloise story and pictures, and in the back of it there are sketches and stories by Mr. Hilary Knight (the illustrator), photographs of Miss Kay Thompson when she was young and fabulous and rather like Eloise, and absolutely loads of information that you simply can't can't can't get anywhere else. Here's the thing: Whether you are just about to fall in love with Eloise or have already baked her a cake, you ought to have this book. (Charge it please and thank you very much.)

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Life is delicious in the town of Chewandswallow, where it rains soup and juice, snows mashed potatoes, and blows storms of hamburgers--until the weather takes a turn for the worse.

I Want My Hat Back

release date: Sep 27, 2011
I Want My Hat Back
The bear's hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despair, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear's memory and renews his search with a vengeance. A picture-book morality play about dishonesty.

May I Bring a Friend?

May I Bring a Friend?
A well-mannered little boy, frequently invited to visit the king and queen, always asks to bring a friend--and the friends are always wild animals--and always well-behaved.

But Not the Hippopotamus

release date: Jan 01, 1995
But Not the Hippopotamus
A shy hippo makes a big impact in this anniversary edition of a Sandra Boynton classic. A hog and a frog cavort in the bog. But not the hippopotamus. A cat and two rats are trying on hats. But not the hippopotamus. The original But Not the Hippopotamus was an instant favorite among children and parents. Now this hilarious Boynton book is back in a Special 30th Anniversary Edition, complete with its silly rhymes and humorous, charming illustrations. In this simple, playful board book, a shy hippo watches as other animals engage in social activities. Finally, the other animals invite the hippo along and, after dithering a moment, she leaps into the fun...with hilarious results. The repetitive, enjoyable rhythm, cheerful mood, and well-crafted, simple rhymes will endear this story to toddlers everywhere. This anniversary edition has an enlarged trim size and metallic ink on the cover, making this Boynton classic even more special.
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